What a great idea to meet with a group of wedding planners, photographers, florists, caterers and venues to see what the Berkshires are about. The area has lots and lots of possibilities, beautiful venues with the most picturesque views. Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular and western Massachusetts has a lot to offer for the future brides that want to have an unforgettable and one of a kind weddings. Berkshire Wedding Tour was a perfect opportunity to learn more about the area and expose it to potential planners.
We checked in on Monday to one of the two hotels, the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge and Cranwell Resort in Lenox. Beautiful gift baskets awaited every one of us at our rooms.
The first stop was the welcome dinner at The Kemble Inn in Lenox. And I have to be honest here: what a beautiful start to the tour. The entrance to the property is truly magnificent and every girl will feel like Cinderella entering a mysterious castle. Each room revealed such amazing attention to detail; It could be categorized as modern country chic. The 5 course dinner was as beautiful as everything there. All of us had a great time.
The next day the group toured The Mount and Hancock Shaker Village. The lunch was served at Stonover in Lenox and then all the participants witnessed a beautiful sunset at the Berkshire Lake House. I, unfortunately, couldn’t attend the midday tour because I had to get ready at MassMoCa for the lavish dinner with Heirloom Fire that night.
MassMoCA, North Adams, MA
The dinner at MassMoCa was spectacular, lots of fire, colors and deliciousness. All the guests were able to tour the museum while sipping mulled cider. Rebecca Wehry, the manager of special events and membership, showed the guests all the galleries and rooms. I could see in everyone’s eyes new ideas being created with endless possibilities to throw a great party there. DJ BFG entertained the guests during cocktail hour while everyone enjoyed locally sourced cheeses, charcuterie, dips and pickles. For the first course there was a wintercress salad with pickled tomatoes, smoked red snapper and poached farm egg. Second course was served family style on beautiful handcrafted wooden boards; Hudson Valley ducks, cauldron cooked mushroom and corn polenta, roasted brussels sprouts with apples, and winter squashes, just to name a few. The presentation was very original and as some said “refreshing”. For dessert there was a roasted earl grey preserved black plum, house made ricotta and olive oil tart along with delicious No 6 Depot coffee brewed in an old school way, in Chemexes. Beautiful flower arrangements, done by Daisy Stone Studio, charmed everyone! Kat, from Classical Tents, donated her time and rentals to make this party happen.
MassMoca Gallery
MassMoCA Cocktail Hour
MassMoCA Reception
Desserts by Heirloom Fire
The third day started very early with the tour of the Red Lion Inn, an historic inn from 1773. You can see and feel the history on every floor of the hotel. My favorite was the little ride on the vintage elevator.
Der Lion Inn
Der Lion Inn
The next stop, Chesterwood in Stockbridge, a gorgeous National Trust Historic site, the home and studio of American sculptor, Daniel Chester French, creator of the statue of Abraham Lincoln. The Surrounding gardens and fields are the perfect space for either a small, intimate party or a huge and lavish wedding.
Chesterwood, MA
Naumkeag, a stupendous gilded-age style estate, renowned for its elegant gardens and being one of the rare Berkshire ‘Cottages’. It has the perfect setting for the ceremony with breathtaking views and mesmerizing gardens.
Naumkeag
The biggest surprise was to see the adorable and unique gingerbread house, also known as Santarella in Tyringham. The house and the property felt like they were straight out of a story book. What a great and magical spot for a country wedding. This is where fantasy weddings come true…
Santarella
Jacob’s Pillow Theatre welcomed us with a tour and lunch. We were able to experience various Berkshire caterers: The Old Inn On The Green, Shire Breu-Hous, NAtURAlly, Savory Harvest Catering, and Orchards Hotel. It looked like we all enjoyed a lot ice cream from SoCo creamery and concoctions from Berkshire Mtn Distillers. The 2 hour break afterwards was what we all needed after so much food and attractions.
The final dinner was served at Gedney Farm. This multi-leveled, spacious barn with amazing rooms is all you want for your Berkshire wedding. The food was amazing and I am sure we all enjoyed those cocktails. Some of us wanted our last night to not end so we ended up at the Lions Den.
Gedney Farm
The tour concluded next morning at the Cranwell Resort and Spa with a beautiful presentation from Danielle from Boston Weddings Magazine. Cranwell has gorgeous views, a beautiful ballroom and lots of rooms to house guests.
I am so happy I was able to take this tour. Not only did I meet the nicest people from my industry but I was able to really see what the Berkshires have to offer. This region is the perfect place for your country destination wedding. It was amazing to make all the necessary connections for exciting future wedding seasons.
Special thanks to Tara from The Berkshire Wedding Collective for putting this together, Kat from Classical Tents, Jim Gop from Heirloom Fire, A Limo Affair, Rebecca from MassMoCa, Christopher Duggan and all the sponsors that made this trip so amazing
No Comments
Please login to comment