Bedell Cellars is a family-owned winery on the North Fork of Long Island — vineyards, an orchard ceremony space, a barrel room, and the kind of relaxed wine country setting that photographs beautifully in every season. I’ve photographed here. More at bedellcellars.com.
About Bedell Cellars
Founded in 1980 by Kip Bedell, Bedell Cellars was among the first wineries on Long Island to be certified sustainable by the Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing program. Their Bordeaux-style wines — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot — have earned national recognition. The winery sits on the North Fork surrounded by vineyards, with a tasting room, barrel room, outdoor patio, and multiple ceremony and reception spaces on the property.
The Event Spaces
The Orchard Ceremony Space
The primary outdoor ceremony location — set in the orchard surrounded by vineyards, with a natural aisle lined with grapevines. Accommodates up to 200 guests. One of the most genuinely beautiful outdoor ceremony settings on Long Island. If weather requires it, the porch serves as the backup ceremony space.
The Barrel Room
A rustic, charming indoor ceremony option with rows of wine barrels, ambient lighting, and warm atmosphere. Accommodates up to 120 guests. Works particularly well in cooler months.
The Event Hall
A neutral, high-ceilinged indoor space with natural light. Accommodates up to 200 guests. The primary reception space for larger celebrations.
The Tent
For larger receptions, a tent on the lawn extends the reception space beautifully — vineyard views on all sides and the North Fork landscape as the backdrop for the evening.
The Outdoor Patio and Lawn
The cocktail hour typically flows from the ceremony through the patio and onto the lawn — vineyard views in every direction, the tasting room’s fireplace visible through the windows, the North Fork light going golden in the late afternoon.
How a Bedell Wedding Day Typically Flows
Most couples get ready off-site — the Hotel Indigo in the area is a popular choice for both the wedding party and getting-ready photography — before making their way to Bedell for first look portraits and wedding party photos in the vineyard. The orchard ceremony typically begins in the late afternoon, followed by cocktail hour on the lawn and porch, and dinner in the tent or event hall. The North Fork light in that late afternoon window — ceremony at 5pm, golden hour at 7pm — is extraordinary.
The Photo Locations
The Vineyards
Rows of grapevines stretching into the distance with the North Fork sky above them. The defining portrait backdrop of the property — romantic and specific to this part of Long Island in a way that no other location can replicate.
The Orchard
The ceremony space doubles as a portrait location — the orchard light in late afternoon is warm and beautiful and the setting has genuine agricultural character.
The Barrel Room
Warm ambient light, wine barrel rows, rustic texture. A distinctive indoor portrait location that photographs with depth and warmth.
The Tasting Room and Patio
Large windows overlooking the vineyards, a fireplace, an outdoor patio. Both work well for more formal couple portraits and for cocktail hour candid coverage.
Nearby North Fork
Orient Beach State Park and South Jamesport Beach are a short drive away for couples who want to add waterfront portraits to the day. Lavender by the Bay offers a distinctive North Fork botanical portrait option in season.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bedell Cellars Weddings
Where is Bedell Cellars located?
36225 Main Road (Route 25) in Cutchogue, New York, on the North Fork of Long Island. Approximately 90 miles from Manhattan. More at bedellcellars.com.
What is Bedell Cellars?
A family-owned, sustainably certified winery on the North Fork of Long Island, founded in 1980. The property includes an orchard ceremony space surrounded by vineyards, a barrel room, an event hall, a tasting room with patio, and tent space for larger receptions. One of the premier wine country wedding venues on Long Island.
What makes Bedell Cellars distinctive as a wedding venue?
The North Fork wine country setting is genuinely beautiful and specifically Long Island in a way that nothing else replicates. The orchard ceremony surrounded by vineyards, the barrel room for intimate indoor moments, the tent reception with vineyard views, and the late afternoon North Fork light — all of it comes together to produce a wedding day with a distinct visual identity.
What are the ceremony options at Bedell Cellars?
The primary ceremony space is the orchard surrounded by vineyards, accommodating up to 200 guests. The porch serves as the rain backup. The barrel room is available for smaller indoor ceremonies up to 120 guests.
What is the light like at Bedell Cellars for photography?
The North Fork late afternoon light is extraordinary — warm, golden, coming across flat vineyard land with no obstructions. An orchard ceremony at 5pm followed by cocktail hour and golden hour portraits around 7pm is one of the most photographically beautiful wedding day structures I’ve worked within on Long Island.
Where do couples typically get ready for a Bedell Cellars wedding?
Most couples get ready off-site. The Hotel Indigo in the area is a popular choice for getting-ready photography before making the trip to the winery. Getting-ready photos at the hotel, first look and portrait time at Bedell, ceremony and reception on the property.
What time of year is best for a Bedell Cellars wedding?
Late spring through fall. The vineyards are lush in summer and peak green in early fall. The harvest season in September and October adds golden foliage to the vineyard backdrop. Late May and early June are beautiful with the growing season just beginning. The barrel room makes winter and early spring weddings fully viable for indoor-focused days.
Do you photograph weddings at Bedell Cellars?
Yes. If your wedding is at Bedell Cellars, I’d love to hear about it. And for more on my Long Island work, my Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club guide covers another favorite East End venue.
Bedell Cellars is North Fork wine country at its best. If yours is here, I’d love to be there for it.
