How to Have an Intimate Brewery Wedding in New York
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that’s unique and different, look no further than a brewery or distillery! Breweries provide a fun and laidback atmosphere that totally flips the traditional wedding venue on it’s head. Often, the aesthetic is rustic and industrial, making breweries the perfect canvas for design. Breweries are about community at the core, so they truly are perfect for the couple who wants to center their affair around that theme.
I’m going to guide you through planning your intimate brewery wedding and also give you some of my favorite brewery venues from Brooklyn to Hudson Valley.
Think Through Layout
While some breweries have dedicated private spaces for events, others just rent out their entire venue. For the latter, that means you may need to get creative with your flow for the day based on their existing layout. Moving your group from room to room is not a problem if you have a solid plan in place. Often, it can feel exciting as you get to “reveal” each new space to your guests. If a venue has both indoor and outdoor space, I usually recommend doing the ceremony and potentially cocktail hour outdoors, then move everyone inside for dinner and dancing. Even in summer months, it can get chilly at night so keep the outdoors for the sunlight!
An intimate guest count can work to your advantage for non-traditional venues like breweries because you may be able to hold your ceremony in a super cool hidden spot like among the barrels!
Consider Using Existing Furniture
Breweries tend to have lots of communal seating, whether it’s long picnic tables or counter height tables with stools. Use this to your advantage! This type of seating can keep your intimate group at just a few tables and help cultivate that cozy, family and friend focused vibe.
If you’re more keen on more standard seating, speak with the venue manager. It may be the case that some furniture is set in place, so you’ll have to work around it. Or, there may be an option to bring in rentals through an outside company, but of course that will increase the cost.
Take Advantage of High Ceilings
Breweries have high ceilings because of the vessels they use to produce the beer. This is great news for you! High ceilings are great for several reasons. First, they can make an intimate space feel more open. Rustic venues can have an overly moody and lowlight feel, so higher ceilings help open the space.
Second, you can typically easily hang decor without having to worry about damaging walls or bringing in additional equipment. String twinkle lights throughout the space or have your florist hang flowers above for a whimsical look.
Let the Beverages Guide You
Use the existing beverages as your inspiration! Does the brewery have particularly cool labels? Maybe you incorporate those colors into your invitation suite and floral design. Perhaps you forgo standard vases and use beer bottles instead.
If there is a really unique flavor beer, you can also use that to inform your food for the evening. Consider working with a caterer to create a menu that pairs with the different types of beers available.
Have Fun with Food
Of course it depends on the brewery, but it’s certainly a trend for breweries to feed people via food trucks rather than operating their own kitchen. If you’re working with a brewery that has rotating food trucks, they’ll have great relationships to share with you.
If you’re going for a more sophisticated vibe, it’s a nice juxtaposition to have a caterer serve a seated family style meal.
Either way, you should lean into the fact that you chose a unique venue and let your menu reflect that!
If a brewery or distillery wedding sounds appealing to you, here are some great venues in Hudson Valley for you to consider.
Location: Poughkeepsie
Capacity: 44-60
About: Both of Mill House’s private rooms have more of an old school parlor feel rather than the typical industrial vibe we associate with breweries. The team really focuses on the food experience and sources locally as much as possible.
Location: Middletown and New Paltz
Capacity: 175
About: Clemson Bros has both an indoor and outdoor space that are equally awesome. With lots of exposed brick and stone, boho couples don’t have to do much to make the space look beautiful!
Location: Peekskill
Capacity: 75
About: This modern lofted space is set right on the Hudson River. The space comes fully equipped so it’s perfect for people looking for an all-inclusive experience.
Location: Germantown
Capacity: 75
About: Set on 14 acres, this rustic space would suit couples who are looking for a farm vibe without the barn.
Location: Brooklyn
Capacity: 20 - 120
About: Threes Brewing has several different spaces to choose from that can be rented separately or together. While you can do a full sit down meal for super intimate groups (under 40), the space is much more conducive to those looking for a cocktail-style mingling party.
Location: Gardiner
Capacity: 200
About: Tuthilltown is one of those places with unique history. As the first distillery to open after prohibition, they make their own whiskey and cider on-site. You can opt to get married on their great lawn, or use their restaurant inside for a smaller group.
Location: Poughkeepsie
Capacity: 100
About: This organic farm produces all of their own ingredients to make their beer, from hops to grains! The quaint taproom can hold up to 50 people for reception and is a beautiful renovated 1830’s barn. For larger groups, you can tent the lawn and make use of their wooden stage for your band or DJ.
Location: Garnerville and Beacon
Capacity: 60-250 (depending on location)
About: For a classic brewery feel with high ceilings and industrial beams, either location of Industrial Arts Brewing is a great option. Their wedding program is also still new, so bonus points for choosing a venue not many people have used!
I love brewing up ideas for weddings (see what I did there?) so if a New York brewery wedding sounds perfect for you, contact me for planning assistance!