Lots of resorts and hotels host wedding receptions. What makes Mohonk Mountain House a little bit different is that its authentic Victorian ambience and remote Alpine setting also make it a favorite site for the ceremony itself.
While the resort avoids the label of wedding factory, Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y., is a popular place to tie the knot. Weddings range in size from intimate parties of 10 to groups of up to 175 people, although the trend is definitely toward groups under 75, said Christina Latvatalo, Mohonk”™s manager of wedding sales.
The most popular months are June, September and October, although weddings are scheduled year round, she said. She advises people to book at least eight months in advance, although short-term bookings are possible, particularly in winter.
One of Mohonk”™s selling points is that it can serve as a “one-stop shop.” The preplan packages include a cocktail hour and sit-down meal or buffet, which ranges from $95 to $123 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The basic package includes a night”™s stay for the bridal couple. Mohonk can also provide flowers from its own on-site floral store as well as the wedding cake.
Latvatalo and her planning staff can recommend vendors for other services, ranging from a minister or judge to conduct the service to photographers and musicians. That”™s particularly valuable for the large number of customers from the tri-state region who likely aren”™t familiar with the area. “We give them a lot of guidance,” she said. “We show them around, come up with a plan and review all the details. We make it as easy as possible. It takes one or two meetings at most to review everything. We arrange so that they can meet with the florist the same day.”
Latvatalo said smaller wedding parties tend to combine a family reunion with the resort destination, with some guests flying in from other parts of the country. Often the bridal pair will choose to stay the weekend and sometimes even spend their honeymoon. However, it all depends on the wedding. Mohonk also does a brisk business in day events booked by wedding parties based in the area.
Generally, during the peak season, larger weddings will be scheduled in the early afternoon, followed by a smaller wedding in the late afternoon and early evening. The different wedding parties “don”™t see each other. However, when people come here to plan the event, it”™s often during the week, and very quiet. I remind them that on a weekend in the summer it will be busier and there are more people around. My staff and myself are overseeing the ceremonies while they are happening and we do try to keep other guests at a distance.”
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Latvatalo said most people plan their weddings outdoors in the manicured gardens, with a choice of either a mountain view or formal garden setting. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony is moved inside to the Victorian parlor, which has a view of the lake. The cost to hold the ceremony at any of these venues is $600. Some people even choose to have the ceremony right in their guest room. Afterwards, the party moves inside for the reception to the West dining room, which has a view of the mountains. Sometimes cocktails are enjoyed on the resort”™s capacious porch.
Another selling point is the on-site spa. Latvatalo said a lot of brides and bridesmaids enjoy pampering themselves in the spa before the event and have their hair and makeup done in the salon.
Mohonk is also a destination for honeymooners, and it hosts many large anniversary parties with cocktails, dinner and evening dancing. As is the case with weddings, the menus are flexible. Often, couples will request a special entr̩e, dessert or hors dӪoeuvre reflecting their ethnic heritage.
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