Wedding Blog
After taking a few weeks to enjoy some engagement bliss, I started to get serious about wedding planning. The first decision I felt was necessary to make was about the venue. It’s always been my dream to get married in or around my hometown, and Mr Trail Mix has known this for some time. So luckily, choosing the area was easy.
At first, I started looking at some beautiful Bed and Breakfasts in the Berkshires, MA (I grew up about 20 minutes away in a teeny little town on the New York side). One of the first places we looked at was The Seven Hills Inn located in Lenox, MA.
I also liked this one…
Or the Apple Tree Inn, also in Lenox?
All were gorgeous, located in the Berkshires, but alas, all out of our price range. Le boo. Then two separate friends from high school recommended a place right in my hometown, and after looking at pictures of my friend’s sister’s wedding there, I made a decision immediately. It’s called Tannery Pond and it’s a part of the Darrow School. I quickly got in touch with the school’s events coordinator, asked for available dates in June, and she gave me the choice of 2. We picked the date, put down the deposit and voila—venue done!
Mr Trail Mix and I visited in June to check out the spot, but sadly, my camera died and I couldn’t take any pictures. However, I do have a couple from my friend’s sister’s wedding last August:
How gorgeous is this picture?
I’m hoping for the ceremony to be outside by the pond but if it rains, there’s a beautiful old Shaker building for us to use:
The reception will be in a tent in the field next to the Tannery and will look like this:
(All photos courtesy of Maura Mattoon)
Now do you see why I’m obsessed with our venue?
This venue does have some drawbacks, namely the fact that we have to rent every single fork, knife, cup, plate, table, chair, etc. etc. etc. But it is my dream wedding venue and we’re going to somehow, someway, make it work.
Anyone else crazy enough to have a tented wedding? What are some of the pros and cons of hosting a tented wedding?
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We’re having a tented wedding too, but our caterer provides all the plates, knives, forks, etc. So we really only have to outsource our tables and chairs. We’re having a small wedding, so it won’t be a big expense, luckily.
We’re definitely looking at having an outdoor wedding under a tent. We’re a little nervous about the weather factor. I’m excited to see your progress on this! You have a stunning venue!
OMG I love that tent. It’s going to look amazing. What a beautiful venue!
Awww… I love the Berkshires! I’d be obsessed with your venue, too, though. It looks gorgeous!
We are having a tented wedding and also have to rent everything. Luckily we can get the majority of things (tables, linens, dishes etc) through our caterer. Although it probably costs more and is a little more stressful I’m really excited that I get to put my personal touches into it. Just hope it doesn’t rain! Your venue is beautiful though! Congrats!
Thanks you guys!
Rain is definitely one of my biggest concerns, especially bc I’m hoping to have the ceremony outdoors…Knowing my luck, we’ll probably have a hurricane passing through, oh well…
You’re so lucky to be in a climate where you can actually enjoy being outdoors!
But even if it rains, don’t these kind of tents have drop-down flaps? Or can you get one that does? I think it looks beautiful.
I’ll just put this out there, though I don’t know if it would be a concern in MA: but in the last picture, the tent looks very close to the pond. Do you think that could cause a mosquito issue?
Woo-hoo! Another tent bride! I’m planning a tented reception and an outdoor reception as well so I understand how stressful and expensive but hopefully, lovely it can be! Can’t wait to hear about your details!
wow, that venue looks amazing! i think i would rent everything just to have that place as well!
We opted out of the tented outdoor wedding since our venue wanted to charge 1300.00 for “maintenance fees”. What are maintenance fees exactly?
“That way the landscapers will make sure your day is perfect and beautiful.”
“What does that mean?”
“They will have the grass ready and all of the hedges cut… and the cost to repair the grass after your guests leave.”
Hmmm, wierd. Was it a surprise the the lady proposing this- her husband was the lead landscaper?
These fees were not originally discussed and we didn’t go for it- which worked out better anyway- since the weather was awful that day.
looks great! We almost went this route and even though it’s more work, I sometimes wish we had. You can really get creative and save some money by putting it all together yourself. Hiring a good caterer will also help a bunch. good luck!
Your venue is beautiful! And this way you can shop around and find a) the best deal b) the prettiest dishes!
Your venue is so pretty! I think tented receptions at night are so gorgeous!
I love the Berkshires and you venue looks lovely as well! I also love tented weddings - I am hoping mine will be under a tent as well!
your venue is so pretty!!! I love the way tends look at night
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Miss Trail Mix, New York
Age and Occupation: 26, PE Teacher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, MBA Student
Engagement Date: March 2009
Wedding Date: June 2010
Venue: Tannery Pond at the Darrow School
About Me: I'm a country girl who somehow found herself living in the Big Apple and loving every minute of it. I'm planning a rustic, country-chic wedding in my hometown in upstate New York and it's going to be a Party with a capital P. White wine, flea markets and running keep me happy and my friends, family and fiance are my world. I'm a little bit crafty, a little bit crazy but mostly just crazy in love.
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