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I capture the unspoken — the glances, the silences — drawing from New York's pulse and the richness of global cultures. Every wedding is its own intricate narrative. Rooted in theatre and life's everyday rhythms, I document moments both transient and timeless. 

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Blue Hill at Stone Barns Venue Guide

Welcome to the Blue Hill at Stone Barns Venue Guide, your essential resource for one of the most sought-after wedding locations in New York. Situated amidst the rolling hills of Pocantico Hills, Blue Hill at Stone Barns offers a unique blend of rustic charm and elegant sophistication.

This guide will take you through the picturesque landscapes, farm-to-table culinary experiences, and the distinctive features that make Blue Hill at Stone Barns a dream venue for couples looking to celebrate their wedding day amidst nature’s bounty.

A bride and groom standing on a bridge overlooking the scenic blue hill at stone barn.

About Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Just a short drive from New York City, and set on 80 acres in the Pocantico Hills, amongst rolling hills and farmland sits a slice of wedding glam called the Blue Hill at Stone Barns. This property is a working, four-season farm that provides farm-to-table ingredients for its world-renowned menu created by Chef Dan Barber; it redefines farm chic and has quickly become one of the most sought-after wedding venues in New York.

Everything about Blue Hill, from getting ready to the first kiss to the last dance, feels as beautifully relaxed and natural as the farmland it rests on. Floor-length windows and aged, wood doorways create lots of ambient light, allowing me to capture all the wedding details and the excitement of getting ready in this magnificent area.

While it may not sound like every wedding couple’s dream to get married in a hayloft, Blue Hill at Stone Barns is the exception. The vast windows in their HayLoft area are full of gorgeous light and the stone walls create delicious, romantic textures. Outdoor ceremonies are done in the Dooryard Garden, which is sits beneath soaring stone silos, where vines weave through the wood and large stones adding a touch of European sophistication to a countryside wedding.

Candelabra-style lighting hangs from exposed iron beams that warm the room, creating a wall of shadow and texture against the beauty of the stonework inside the HayLoft. Guests gather together farm-style at farm-style tables that stretch out over the aged, hardwood floor. Old-world charm meets sophisticated with the modern amenities of a temperature-controlled venue keeping your friends and family safe from the elements.

A man and woman sharing a passionate kiss in front of a house during their enchanting Blue Hill at Stone Barn wedding.

Couples can delight even the most enthusiastic of foodies among their friends and family with the divine, custom menu created for their event. Blue Hill, with its working farm, was added to the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2015. With farm-to-table, homegrown ingredients their food philosophy to food is one of sustainable and healthy farming, which is a sentiment often appreciated by today’s couples and their guests. Even the toughest of critics will delight in taste and presentation with the four-course cocktail menu followed by an impressive, unique, and one-of-a-kind meal selection.

This historic property is the perfect balance of natural beauty and rustic charm. I love the way the barn doors intertwine with climbing vines, arching over doorways mixed with honeysuckle, and tall grasses mixed with livestock; it makes for fantastic images at every turn. The backdrop created is a canvas perfect for capturing unique and amazing wedding photos and is an excellent choice for wedding couples who want a rustic, yet refined venue

A bride and groom standing in front of a blue hill at Stone Barn wedding curtain.

Photo locations at Blue Hills at Stone Barns

The property offers a variety of beautiful and unique locations for wedding photography. Here are a few options to consider:

  1. The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture – The Stone Barns Center is a non-profit farm and educational center located on the property. The center features several historic buildings, as well as acres of lush farmland and gardens. The center provides a beautiful and rustic backdrop for wedding photos, with plenty of opportunities to incorporate natural elements like flowers and greenery.
  2. The Blue Hill Restaurant – The Blue Hill Restaurant is a fine dining establishment located on the property. The restaurant features a beautiful and modern design, with large windows that offer views of the surrounding farmland and gardens. The restaurant can be a great location for more formal and elegant wedding photos.
  3. The Gardens – The Stone Barns property is home to several beautiful gardens, including a formal herb garden, a flower garden, and a vegetable garden. The gardens provide a colorful and lush backdrop for photos, with a range of unique and interesting textures and details to incorporate.
  4. The Farmland – The Stone Barns property includes several acres of farmland, with fields of crops and grazing animals. The farmland can provide a rustic and authentic backdrop for photos, with the opportunity to incorporate animals like sheep, pigs, and cows.
  5. The Woodlands – The Stone Barns property also includes acres of beautiful woodland, with hiking trails and a variety of native plants and trees. The woodlands can provide a natural and serene backdrop for wedding photos, with the opportunity to incorporate elements like trees, rocks, and streams.

Overall, Blue Hill at Stone Barns offers a variety of one-of-a-kind locations for wedding photography. From the historic buildings and farmland to the modern restaurant and lush gardens, there are plenty of options for us to take your couple’s portraits, family images, and/or wedding party photos.

A silhouette of a couple holding hands at sunset during their blue hill wedding.

Photo locations nearby in Pocantico Hills

Pocantico Hills is a small and picturesque hamlet located in Westchester County, New York. The area offers a variety of beautiful and unique locations for wedding photography. Here are a few options to consider:

  1. Kykuit – Kykuit is a historic estate located in Pocantico Hills, and was the home of the Rockefeller family for several generations. The estate features several beautiful gardens, fountains, and sculptures, as well as a grand mansion that can serve as a backdrop for photos.
  2. The Pocantico River – The Pocantico River runs through the heart of Pocantico Hills. The river can be especially beautiful during the fall when the leaves change colors.
  3. Rockefeller State Park Preserve – The Rockefeller State Park Preserve is a large park located just outside of Pocantico Hills. The park features several miles of hiking trails, as well as beautiful vistas of the Hudson River and surrounding countryside.

Pocantico Hills has a lot of incredible options for wedding photography, from the historic mansions and gardens to the natural beauty of the river and parkland. If you decide to leave Blue Hills and look for formal and elegant photos or more rustic and natural shots, there are plenty of options to choose from in Pocantico Hills.

A bride wearing a white dress and white shoes at a blue hill at stone barn wedding.

Hotels nearby Blue Hills at Stone Barns

If you’re traveling for your wedding and looking for a place for your getting-ready photos, here are a few hotels near Blue Hill at Stone Barns:

  • The Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson – The Tarrytown House Estate is a historic hotel located in nearby Tarrytown, New York, just a short drive from Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The hotel features beautiful grounds, including gardens and a pool, as well as several dining options.
  • Castle Hotel & Spa – The Castle Hotel & Spa is a luxury hotel located in Tarrytown, just a few miles from Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The hotel is housed in a historic castle, and features elegant guest rooms, a spa, and several dining options.
  • Courtyard by Marriott Tarrytown Westchester County – The Courtyard by Marriott Tarrytown is a modern and convenient hotel located just a few miles from Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The hotel features comfortable guest rooms, a fitness center, and a restaurant. This is actually my favorite location for getting-ready photos!
  • Sheraton Tarrytown Hotel – The Sheraton Tarrytown Hotel is a contemporary hotel located in Tarrytown, just a short drive from Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The hotel features stylish guest rooms, a fitness center, and several dining options.
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown – The DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown is a modern and convenient hotel located just a few miles from Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The hotel features comfortable guest rooms, a fitness center, and a restaurant.

Overall, there are several great hotel options near Blue Hill at Stone Barns, ranging from historic properties to modern and convenient hotels. Depending on your preferences and budget, you’re sure to find a hotel that suits your needs.

photos outside Fairmount Park Horticulture Center Wedding

Why is Blue Hill at Stone Barns one of your favorite wedding venues?

One of the most famous quotes about food and happiness is from the American journalist and author, Ruth Reichl.

She once said: “Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.”

This quote beautifully captures the idea that food is not just nourishment for the body, but also a source of joy, comfort, and connection. Reichl’s words remind us that food is meant to be shared and savored with others and that it has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.

Overall, eating together at a wedding is a wonderful experience that brings people together, celebrates the occasion, and creates lasting memories. It is a time-honored tradition that is an important part of any wedding celebration.

The food at Blue Hill at Stone Barns is such an experience because of the restaurant’s commitment to using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, the creativity and skill of the chefs, and the exceptional dining experience that the restaurant offers. The combination of these factors ensures that each dish is a masterpiece of flavor and technique and that guests will leave feeling satisfied and inspired.

What better way to celebrate your wedding than with such an incredible dining experience at such a beautiful location?

A Wedding Cake Decorated with Cheese and Flowers at Blue Hill at Stone Barns Wedding.

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