If you’re looking to have a wedding out of a fairy tale, Saratoga is your go-to destination. Regardless of wedding size or ambiance, you’re sure to find a perfect dream-come-true wedding venue just for you. The city boasts historic landmarks turned picturesque venues, nationally recognized museums that transform into the perfect event center, and top-notch hotels with truly superior hospitality. Interested? Keep reading.

Why get hitched in Saratoga NY?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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 Saratoga Springs, located near the Adirondacks about 4 hours north of New York City, is known as a long-standing health and horse racing destination—attracting visitors from NYC, Montreal, Boston and more. The charming city, filled with stunning Victorian architecture, is home to nationally recognized and oldest race track in America, Saratoga Race Course. Though horse racing runs deep in the city’s roots, Saratoga’s vibrant music scene, historic venues and fascinating history make it the upstate NY cultural hub for events, weddings and vacations.

Historic ballrooms and event centers in Saratoga

Remember what I said about historic landmarks turned picturesque venues? Well, I wasn’t kidding about the picturesque part. Imagine your reception below a vaulted honeycomb ceiling with Tiffany stained glass and crystal chandeliers. That’s exactly what you’ll get if you book the Canfield Casino located within Congress Park. The ballroom is connected to the Saratoga Springs History Museum, so your guests can browse historic artifacts during the reception.

Residing on the Saratoga Performing Arts Center grounds in Saratoga Spa State Park, Hall of Springs is a historical and world-renowned banquet hall that is a must-see. The ballroom itself has towering 38-foot ceilings and three magnificent crystal chandeliers. This venue is ideal for couples seeking a beautiful indoor wedding venue with the option of an outdoor ceremony or photo backdrop. Your guests will be taken care of with Mazzone Hospitality partners.

If you want to be located right in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs, consider the Saratoga Springs City Center. The venue is adjacent to the Saratoga Hilton, providing plenty of different events spaces, overnight rooms and more. We love the City Center’s ability to transform itself into whatever the couple needs.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Saratoga museums and sporting venues

Saratoga, NY is home to a variety of historic and interactive museums worth stopping by during your next visit. Better yet, many of these nationally recognized museums transform into one-of-a-kind banquet rooms with access to stunning galleries. Horse lovers can have a race track-themed wedding at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Those inspired by the art of dance, will love to wed in the beautiful National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame. Vintage cars at the Saratoga Automobile Museum will make an impressive backdrop for car enthusiasts seeking an out-of-the-box wedding. The dance and auto museums are located right within the Saratoga Spa State Park, offering more photo ops for your collection!

Saratoga National Golf Club is an ever-popular wedding venue regardless of whether you’re a golfer or not. The space offers a variety of rich scenery with bridges, ponds and lakes, while the interior includes excellent woodwork, custom murals and unique chandeliers. On-site catering is exclusively offered by Prime at Saratoga National. Additional golf resorts include Fairways of Halfmoon,  Saratoga Golf and Polo Club  and Van Patten Golf Club.

Take a horse-themed wedding to a whole other level at Saratoga Polo or the Polo Fields at Saratoga Casino Hotel—all of which offer a luxurious feel with a polo twist to your special day.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Rustic wedding venues in Saratoga

Rustic wedding trends are on the rise, and more couples are booking barn venues with lots of country-side scenery. If you’re a born and raised upstater, you know that Saratoga County has plenty of scenery. But some might not know about the stunning venues that reside in the farmlands of Saratoga, New York.

Take the Historic Barns of Nipmoose for instance. This venue is equipped with fully restored barns and overlooks Saratoga region farmlands. Another option is the Wedding Barn at Lakota’s, a restored two-level barn able to accommodate guests for weddings and special events. The charm of the property is also in its history. The farm was named after Lakota, a chestnut and white paint draft horse, and is home to five rescue horses and four carriage horses.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Nothing says an Adirondack wedding quite like a rustic winery setting. One you’ll love is the Saratoga Winery. If the idea of getting hitched at a winery doesn’t sell it for you, check out how this couple transformed the winery into the perfect wedding ceremony and reception.

Did you know Longfellows, now a hotel, conference center and restaurant, used to be a dairy barn? That’s part of the reason we love this venue. Their facility is sure to charm you with an old-world atmosphere and new-world accommodations. So, you can get the rustic feel you’re looking for with updated overnight rooms and a restaurant all in one!

RELATED ARTICLES: Take a tour of top Saratoga wedding venues

Classic Saratoga venues

Sometimes couples want to stick with a classic wedding environment. Hotels are a great option for these types of weddings, as they provide a sense of security with an iconic and national brand, full team of caterers, planners and sales professionals. Some larger hotel venues to consider are: Courtyard Marriott and their adjacent event center Excelsior SpringsEmbassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, Hyatt Place, The Gideon Putnam, Residence Inn by Marriott, Saratoga Hilton, and more.

Find a full list of hotels here >>

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Restored churches also provide a classic and romantic ambiance for your special day. A Wedding on the Hudson is a fully restored, 19th century church less than 30 minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs. For a wedding right in the heart of downtown, another option is Universal Preservation Hall (UPH).  This stunning building includes 45-foot cathedral ceilings and Tiffany-inspired, stained glass windows. In addition, UPH is a growing community space for the arts and entertainment.

Venues for small weddings

More couples are choosing smaller, intimate weddings to say, “I do,” and Saratoga has a handful of venues that work perfectly for your group. Take the Adelphi Hotel, for example. Their newly re-imagined hotel that opened last year provides a luxurious backdrop with a modern design and high-end special touches. Pavilion Grand Hotel is another iconic property with a unique modern look. This spot is also attached to a hair and make up salon for even more convenience on your special day. For something a bit more rustic with a historic twist, The Lodge by the Saratoga Casino Hotel may be your best bet for a true Saratoga experience.

There’s an abundance of historic, charming and quaint inns in Saratoga. Some we love include Anne’s Washington Inn, The Inn at Saratoga, The Inn at Five Points, Mansion Inn of Saratoga and more.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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 Depending on the party size, a reception at a Saratoga restaurant may be the answer. See our detailed list of dining options and call your favorite to see if they can accommodate your wedding. Wishing Well Restaurant, for example, has rooms available for weddings in addition to delicious dining. Mouzon House is another great option for receptions with private rooms, rooftop and outdoors garden seating as well. Plus, we love their French-inspired cuisine.

Looking for more wedding venues? Here's our full list of Saratoga, New York wedding venues.

Take the waters on your wedding day

Speaking of intimate weddings, why not tie the knot on a boat with your closest friends and family? A cruise on Saratoga Lake or Lake George may just be the dream wedding you didn’t even know about. Make sure to book in warmer seasons, of course! Here’s the best cruise lines to consider: Lake George Steamboat Company, Lake George Shoreline Cruises and Adirondack Cruise and Charter Company.

Pro tip: if the boat doesn’t fit your group, consider utilizing their services for a bachelor or bachelorette party!

Ask a wedding expert

Maybe you have more questions or need a tour of a specific venue. That’s where we come in. Our wedding expert can set up personal tours, secure hotel room blocks and provide recommendations on the best wedding vendors in the business…all for free! Get in touch with us here, call 518-584-1531 or email info@discoversaratoga.org to learn more.

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Cover photo by The Harris Company