Top 5 Intimate Wedding Venues in New York State

Some of my clients have been on a search for more intimate wedding venues where they can hold their dream wedding. Some venues boast about how many guests they can fit in their venues, but clients that I have worked with ask for the best intimate experiences where the focus isn’t just how they can throw a party, but by what they can offer the bride and groom. So I have compiled this list for my Top 5 Intimate Wedding venues with tons of space so you don’t feel cramped, or limited on your experience, even with your smaller guest list!

Below is a list of small wedding venues in Central New York that can fit smaller gatherings near 50 people, to slightly medium gatherings up to 150 people. 

Who Am I?  I’m Tinara, an elopement and intimate wedding photographer located in Upstate New York! I help couples create their dream wedding day, free of obligation and expectation! Wanna know more? Get to know me!

The Rosemary at Spano Lake

50p-200p

The Rosemary at Spano Lake is a newer outdoor wedding venue. Located less than 10 miles outside historic Cooperstown, The Rosemary is the perfect backdrop for your unique and personalized intimate wedding.

As stated on their site: Perfectly placed on 325 private acres, The Rosemary is an ideal waterfront location for your intimate wedding. You;ll be able to celebrate by their private lake, lush nature, and creating space to make memories that will last a lifetime!

Enjoy gorgeous views, fresh air, and the sounds of laughter while celebrating with close family and friends. 

In my opinion it is the perfect place for your unique love story. For intimate weddings and elopements they have their own special packages, and limit guests to a max of 50.  Just be aware this is an outdoor venue only for ceremony and reception, they do supply tents in the event of rain.

The best part? Your pet can attend your ceremony! Leash requirements will apply.

Check them out here: https://www.rosemaryatspanolake.com/

The Maple Estates, Schoharie NY

Up to 125p

If you were looking for the perfect intimate location for a multi-day celebration you may have found it! 

If you love the outdoors and want an excuse to celebrate in a unique location with family and friends The Maple Estates is what you need!  From their site, they boast a laid back experience, offering three night stays  with 17 of your closest friends and family in their stunning 1855 colonial farmhouse which they have included in their wedding packages. You can invite up to 150 guests for larger weddings. 

For the adventurous, they are located in the heart of the Schoharie Valley. Which has so many fun activities to add to your wedding day such as kayaking, hiking, cave spelunking, family fun and more! It’s just three hours from NYC with easy access to the capital region and Catskills!

Ahhh, This sound like the perfect intimate experience!

Check them out here: https://www.themaplesestate.com/

Sky Armory, Syracuse, NY

50-900p

From their website: “Blending history with modernity. SKY Armory is an urban, chic venue in the heart of downtown Syracuse, NY”.

​This venue features three loft-style ballrooms that can accommodate events from 50-900 guests. This will be the larger event space mentioned in this list, but still a perfect choice for the smaller gathering you are planning to have. Based on their patrons’ kind words, this location strives to create lasting experiences in this downtown space.

The 3 Rooms are as follows: The Betts, which can hold a maximum of 150 people for a ceremony, but a smaller reception space for a maximum of 50 people; The Wells, which can hold a ceremony for about 100 people, and as a moderate reception space holding about 200 people; and finally The Coverly, with a smaller ceremony space holding 100 people, but a much larger space for a reception, holding about 300 people.  You could really mix and match your options here!

If you enjoy an urban landscape, and downtown action, this location will serve you the best. Who doesn’t love city nightlife?

Check them out here: https://www.skyarmory.com/

Knotting Hill Farm, Jordanville, NY

100-200p

This wedding venue is a rustic, country-fied, and picturesque setting. It has the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. If you love an adorable, simple and quaint location, where you can feel like you are at home, this place is it. There’s a cute remodeled barn, that’s perfect for a small gathering for a maximum of 100 people. It is also perfect for indoor and outdoor ceremonies. If you need a place to stay and get ready for the day, the on-site farmhouse is a perfect suite for the bridal party to get ready, and it even has a secondary loft house and cabins for added sleeping and getting ready quarters.

Located in Jordanville, NY, this location is private, quiet, and intimate. It’s a perfect setting for a smaller wedding celebration. One thing to note: the barn is not quite temperature controlled, so if you plan on an indoor ceremony in the summer, be sure to have misters on hand as party favors!

Check them out here: https://knottinghillfarm.com/

Want to see a wedding held here? Check out Artur and Corrine’s Summer Wedding!

The Promise Gardens, Thurman, NY

Up to 150p

Often called a hidden gem because of the location and incredible unsurpassed mountain views, clustered rustic and chic barns, stunning garden pathways, and the way a nice, gentle breeze rolls over the meadow, there is something amazing about this property! Although, I had yet to have the pleasure of photographing a small wedding at this location, it’s for sure on my bucket list! Even though this list is for Central New York locations, I could not help but add in a venue that was absolutely perfect for a small wedding, located in the Adirondacks!

Ceremonies are held on their lawns with the Three Sisters Mountains as the stunning backdrop. They host your reception in a huge, white peak tent complete with twinkle lights and a chandelier! They connect the tent to the barn for a combined dinner and dancing experience, but what I love the most about this location is the garden–hence the name! Full of flowers fit for every season, their 7, yes I said SEVEN, gardens are the perfect setting to take in the sights of the property and the atmosphere the Adirondacks and Lake George have to offer.

Located in Thurman, NY, this venue can host a comfortable 150 people to celebrate your perfect wedding day. As an Intimate Wedding Photographer, I can’t recommend this location enough!

Check them out here: https://thepromisegardens.com/

I hope you found this list to be useful in your search for the perfect venue for a Small Wedding in Central New York!