My work as an upstate New York wedding planner never gets boring. With restrictions changing constantly, most of my energy goes toward making sure I'm always up to date on everything for my wedding couples. In my spare time, I'm also touring new venues (or new remodels of older venues) to make sure that when couples come to me to start planning their wedding, I have (almost) all the answers ready for them. After all, choosing a wedding venue is one of the first decisions most couples make. Because I know it can be stressful, in today’s blog post, I’m going to give you my top picks for modern, loft, or industrial wedding venues. I hope it leaves you feeling inspired!

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A quick disclaimer before I jump right in. I absolutely love these types of wedding venues because they usually have a blank canvas. I love when my couples trust me to execute their vision and transform these spaces into something that is truly their own. You'll see a taste of the different venues below, but if you are currently planning a wedding in Upstate New York, make sure to contact me here. You don't have to (and shouldn't!) plan your heirloom occasion alone.

Gather Greene Wedding Venue (Coxsackie, NY)

Dreaming of an outdoor wedding without the hassle of a tent and worrying about the weather? If so, the Pavilion at Gather Greene is perfect. While it's not exactly a former warehouse, it has many qualities couples look for in an industrial venue. Clean lines, a blank canvas, open space, flexible floorplans, etc. That's why I love it for your destination wedding in Upstate New York. Supported by perfectly designed walls, guests inside the pavilion enjoy unobstructed views of the Berkshire Mountains. Inside, the space offers endless configurations thanks to zero columns. This beautiful space is waiting for us to customize it. It is truly the ideal modern, luxury outdoor wedding venue in Upstate New York.  It event has the cutest and space-savvy cabins! What more could you ask for in a destination wedding venue? Photo Credit: Chellise Michael | Visit this venue

 

Basilica Hudson Wedding Venue (Geneva, NY)

Looking for a blank canvas to make your wedding vision come to life? I've already mentioned that's my favorite as a wedding planner. Basilica Hudson is great for couples who want a raw, industrial wedding venue. Owned and operated by artists, the mixed-use space hosts a range of events. In brief, it transitions from concerts one night to bohemian-inspired weddings the next. From edgy to whimsical and colorful, this space can do it all for your luxury wedding in Upstate New York.  Photo Credit: Kiera Lemonis Photography | Visit this venue

 

The Cracker Factory (Geneva, NY)

If you’re looking for a former warehouse or a unique industrial venue, I highly recommend The Cracker Factory. It was named after an inside joke from the Simpsons! In 2007, Miles and May Furniture Works moved into the original home of Geneva Forge. In 2010, it became home to weddings and special events alike. As a wedding planner, I have the absolute privilege of planning events in multiple unique wedding venues, but this is definitely a favorite. A few of my favorite features are the original hardwood floors, whitewashed columns, and wooden trusses. Again, they really give the space a clean, blank canvas – ready for customization. If you’re looking for something edgier and adventuresome, definitely visit this venue.  Photos by Matt Schmachtenberg. | Visit this venue

 

Arbor Loft (Rochester, NY)

With over 6,000 square feet of elegant event space and a stunning view of downtown Rochester and the East End, Arbor Loft will take your breath away. The white walls, wooden floors, and exposed beams make the venue versatile and easily suited for one-of-a-kind events. The large west-facing windows bring in a lot of natural light, making the space incredible in photos! Further, the space has a unique L shape. Because of the shape, it's easy to host both your wedding ceremony and reception on site. Photos provided by the venue | Visit this property.

Jackrabbit Club Weddings

Newly opened in 2019, the Jackrabbit Club offers hosts 7,000 square feet of flexible, airy space. Catered by one of Rochester’s top restaurants, Good Luck, Jackrabbit Club provides a neutral color palette of creams and black and 2 custom bars built into the space. Tables, chairs, glassware, and service ware are already included, too.  My favorite feature? The beautiful open chef’s kitchen that allows guests to watch the food as it’s prepared. Photo Credit: Jenny Berliner Photography | Visit this venue

Kin Event Space

Located in Rochester, this industrial venue sits on the edge of the historic NOTA district. A former shipping warehouse, it’s exactly what you dream about – open and modern with lots of light. One of my favorite features at Kin Event Space are the industrial beams overhead that allow for so many opportunities to hang from above. More than that, I love the gorgeous built-in bar and blank walls everywhere so we can customize the space to your liking. To truly showcase the versatileness of the space, check out these photos of Kin Event Space's Grand Opening, with a table designed by yours truly! Or, click here for a collaboration on a romantic, art-inspired editorial. Photo Credit: Laura Rose Weddings. Visit this venue

This art-inspired editorial features Pantone's color of the year! For more 2021 wedding trend predictions, check out this post here.

Choosing a Wedding Venue in Upstate New York

Although these are a few of my favorites, there are so many incredible wedding venues in New York. As a Rochester wedding planner, I plan weddings and events across the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Finger Lakes, and more. This is only a fraction of the unique wedding venues I have grown to know and love. Choosing a wedding venue is one of the first and most important decisions you will make when planning a wedding. I highly recommend hiring your wedding planner BEFORE choosing a wedding venue. If you are looking for an experienced wedding planner in Upstate New York, contact me here and let's set up a complimentary consultation. I love connecting with each and every couple I work with before we start to plan their favorite heirloom occasion!

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Want more wedding venues?  Make sure to grab my top 50 Upstate New York wedding venues list by dropping your email below. You can also get to know me better and pick up more wedding planning tips when you subscribe to my “Ask the Planner” podcast where I bring fresh wedding planning advice weekly!