Frequently Asked Questions
We would love to host you, your wedding party, or your guests at VanMar House, our on-site farmhouse. VanMar House is 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and can host up to 6 registered guests. Many of our weekend packages include discounted or free nights in the farmhouse. Booking direct is your best option!
When you book your wedding, we automatically block out the nights in the farmhouse so that guests not associated with your wedding cannot book.
Check out VanMar House HERE
There are a few other Airbnb homes nearby. There is also Honeyville Manor, a bed and breakfast just down the street that offers different forms of accommodations depending on the season.
For larger hotel chains, Watertown, NY is just 10-12 minutes north of us.
The best space to have your ceremony is outside on our ceremony patio, with an arbor you can decorate to match your theme. However, this is Northern NY and weather can be tricky. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony can be held downstairs in our lower barn.
We reserve our main barn space (2nd floor) to host your reception.
The area by the creek is great for individual photos, but not great for ceremonies as it has a tendency to be very damp.
We will try our best to accommodate the evening before your wedding day. However, there may be another event the evening before. Please select our two day or weekend packages to secure guaranteed rehearsal time the evening before your wedding. Otherwise, we will work together to select a date the week of your wedding.
The nitty gritty details will be in the contract, but in short, to book your date we will need a $1000 non-refundable retainer, with 1/3 of the remaining balance due 6 months prior to your event, 1/3 of the remaining balance due 3 months prior to the event, and the final balance 30 days prior. Payments will be accepted in cash, check, or credit. Credit payments will incur an additional convenience fee of 4%.
At minimum, for a wedding event we offer a non-alcoholic beverage service which includes water and lemonade, with other soft drinks and coffee available for purchase. This would be a great option for a dry reception.
If you'd like to provide alcohol for purchase, we offer a cash bar package which also includes water and lemonade, with additional non-alcoholic and alcoholic options available for purchase. This would be a great option for a couple who wants to offer these options for their guests without the increased investment.
Check out our beverage packages HERE.
We value the comfort of you and your guests. Heat and air conditioning is included in your venue rental. Each of our spaces can be independently controlled via remote or our main panel in the bar area.
Your rental includes access to the full event barn (upstairs, downstairs, patios, firepit) for your access period, round and rectangular tables, white padded chairs, white linens, set up and tear down of tables/chairs, trash removal, heating & air conditioning, and on-site beverage services.
Our maximum capacity for weddings is 200. We have hosted weddings as small as 50 and events as large as 275. We have found that the sweet spot for ultimate guest comfort and appearance is around 150 however.
We ask that you not use staples, nails, or thumbtacks in the barn. Command strips or tape must all be removed. Please be mindful of any decor that may scratch the floors and place a protective barrier underneath. Enclosed candles may be used (no tapers or open flames) and no sparklers, fireworks, glitter, or confetti, including confetti balloons. Any florals or items to be tossed should be organic in nature. Please no faux florals or confetti.
We are a fully liquor licensed venue so all alcohol on site must be purchased from and served by our bartenders. We follow all NYSLA regulations and laws. No outside alcohol is permitted in the venue or on the grounds at any time. Let's celebrate safely!
We love to work with new, local vendors! You are free to select your own vendors, provided that your caterer is licensed in NYS. This is also a requirement to serve alcohol at your event. We do have a list of vendors that we have worked with in the past that know our venue and expectations of a quality experience for our clients and guests.
We welcome you to include your furry friend(s) in your ceremony and photos. They must be on a leash at all times while on the property. While we love our pets too (you might meet our lab Rusty while you're here) animals are not allowed in any of the interior spaces as food and beverages are being served. Please be sure to plan ahead for another loved one to transport your pet.
We sure do! Whether it is a small family gathering, anniversary party, banquete, or corporate event, we would love to celebrate with you! Please check out this PAGE for more information to get you started. We customize our smaller events too, so please reach out with any questions!