Frequently Asked Questions
most asked q&a
most asked q&a
Like our couples, each event is unique and we are happy to provide custom quotes when we learn the details of your day. Realistically, a wedding budget for approximately 120 guests starts around $50,000, which includes our venue fee and external vendors (who are booked separately) such as catering with 5 hours of open bar, photographer, DJ, and florist. Smaller weddings can reduce the total cost, and of course, larger weddings increase the cost. There is a wide range of vendors, preferences, and costs. This is simply a starting point and we are happy to discuss options in more detail.
We can’t wait to help you on your wedding planning journey! If you haven’t already, please visit our contact page and fill out our quick questionnaire. We will send you a calendar link to schedule a phone consult — a brief, casual chat to learn more about your wedding vision. We’ll talk about everything from the feel of the day to the more practical logistics of availability, guest count, price quote, and of course scheduling a tour!
To reserve your wedding date we require a signed rental agreement along with a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the rental rate. The remaining 50% is due 90 days prior to your scheduled event date.
We always encourage couples — or a trusted family member or friend — to visit the property prior to booking. We host many destination weddings and understand schedules don’t always allow for onsite visits. You can also view our venue property video on our homepage and wedding videos in our galleries.
Due to the number of inquiries, we do not hold dates on a tentative basis.
A $1,000 refundable security deposit is due along with your second payment 90 days before your scheduled event date. The security deposit will be refunded within 2 weeks after your event if there are no damages or excessive cleanup.
The wedding couple/event host is liable for any damage at Highview Springs Farm during the event, and on setup and cleanup days. Couples are required to obtain event insurance for no less than $2 million in liability (including host liquor liability) and property damage, listing us as additional insured. Event insurance can typically cost in the range of $200, and is well worth the peace of mind as it protects you as the event host, as well as the venue.
There are no additional service fees or gratuities.
We specialize in weddings and maintain our weekend dates for wedding celebrations. We book limited corporate events on midweek dates. At this time, we are not booking other social events including birthday parties, showers, reunions, etc.
We comfortably seat up to 175 guests for outdoor and indoor ceremony and dining, with space for a large dance floor. Most weddings range from 75–150 guests, and each of our spaces is designed with flexibility in mind so events of all sizes look beautiful and function smoothly.
We host one wedding per day at our private venue. We are not open to the public or hosting other events, giving you a special experience that is uniquely yours.
Access to the preparation suites for wedding party hair and makeup begins at 9:00am. Vendor setup begins at 11:00am. The latest event end time is 10:00pm, with the last vendors off property by 11:00pm. Sablewood staff helps pack up your décor and load it back into your designated vehicle at the end of the night.
We host weddings April through November, and give property tours year-round.
All event spaces are ground level and handicapped accessible with beautiful ADA-compliant restrooms. Our outdoor ceremony circle and walking paths are hard surface and wheelchair accessible. Please share any special needs and our staff will be happy to assist your guests.
Upstate New York is one of the most beautiful areas of the country, with four spectacular seasons. We have designed the venue to ensure you have stunning spaces regardless of weather. Your rental includes the use of both climate-controlled barns with indoor and weather-protected spaces. We handle the inclement weather plan for you, with no added stress or expense.
The Sablewood can accommodate DJs and bands. DJs may be accompanied by string instruments but are not permitted to bring drummers. All amplified music must be indoors. Outdoor wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours can have speaker systems for voice and appropriate music accompaniments. We reserve the right to maintain all noise at a reasonable level.
The safety of our guests, staff, and vendors is our highest priority. Due to fire risk, no flame candles are allowed (even if they are not lit). We recommend battery-operated candles.
We welcome flowers, fabric, signage, lighting, and battery-operated candles. We recommend plastic zip ties or floral wire to affix décor, and do not allow anything that could damage the building including nails, screws, staples, tacks, or glue. We do not allow real flames, confetti, or any projectiles including confetti or flower poppers. Only real flower petals may be used outdoors. Cold sparklers and colored smoke bombs are never permitted indoors and require prior approval for outdoor use. For any décor not listed, please inquire for approval.
Sparklers require specific permission and may be used in controlled situations with a limited number of guests, weather permitting. Please reach out to us for specific guidance. Fireworks require prior permission and must be managed by an approved, professionally licensed company. Wish lanterns are not permitted.
We do not host rehearsal dinners or morning-after brunch. There are so many great local places to explore, and we believe that coming to the Sablewood should be special for your wedding day. We provide a helpful list of restaurant suggestions to get you started.
Yes! We schedule and assist with a brief onsite ceremony rehearsal in the early afternoon when your full wedding party is onsite and everyone can practice in the fully set-up ceremony space. At this point in the day we know if the ceremony is outside or inside based on weather, and everyone can see the space live. Some couples choose to do a rehearsal offsite at a restaurant prior to the wedding day, which can also be helpful.
While some couples may choose to include their closest little ones as a flower girl or ring bearer, most prefer to enjoy the reception as “adult time” — a beautiful evening celebrating over delicious food, cocktails, and dancing. We do limit the number of children at our events; please inquire for more information.
We love seeing your furry friends for photos and/or ceremony! Any animal brought to the farm must have prior written permission. For everyone’s safety, your pet must be kept on a leash and picked up prior to the reception. Pets must have an adult handler at all times. Only service animals are permitted in indoor spaces.
Some wedding parties may include a couple of children for ceremony and photos. Weddings are long days for children and we have found it often works best to bring them just before photos and have them picked up prior to the reception. We can recommend offsite options at a local Airbnb or hotel where you could set up childcare, but we do not provide an onsite space or room for childcare.
Couples who have booked their wedding at the Sablewood are welcome to schedule their engagement photos here with complimentary use of the property. For couples who are not getting married here, we offer a photo shoot package — please inquire for pricing. Photo shoots are by appointment only and are typically scheduled midweek depending on event schedules and availability.
We have a required list of full-service catering companies for you to choose from to provide all food and beverage for your event. These caterers provide full cooking and service staff, hold NYS liquor licenses, and offer a wide range from classic plated meal choices to unique and specialty farm-to-table options. Caterers provide all tableware (plates, flatware, glassware, linens, and napkins). Please visit our catering page for more detail on food and beverage service.
Yes! We have worked with some of the best vendors in the industry and provide each couple a list of vendors selected based on their exceptional work and rave reviews. For catering, we require you to select exclusively from our catering list. For all other vendors, you don’t have to follow our vendor list — all vendors must be professionals and provide insurance policies. We are happy to learn more about your preferences and make recommendations to best fit your style and budget.
Our in-house venue team provides year-round support and guidance leading up to your event. We assist with ceremony rehearsals. On your wedding day, we manage all aspects of the venue operation and provide basic coordination of the ceremony and timeline so you can relax and enjoy your day. We provide, set up, and break down all furniture for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and manage logistical changes due to weather. We greet and direct vendors and guests, assist with basic décor setup, repurpose ceremony décor, and drive the wedding couple and photo team around the property. Throughout the event, our team immaculately maintains the restrooms and the property, and manages all lighting and climate control. In the evening we light and monitor the fire (weather permitting), and at the end of the night we help pack up décor and clean up.
We love working with talented planners and designers! Wedding planners offer tremendous value with their guidance and support to handle all the details leading up to and throughout your wedding day. Though a planner is not required, they can save you valuable time and eliminate stress by handling everything from full design and décor to final details.
We recommend you hire shuttle buses to transport your guests to and from their hotel(s). Shuttles are a great experience — guests can socialize on the ride, enjoy cocktails at your event, and have a safe ride back to their lodging. We provide a large, well-lit stone parking lot that can accommodate full-size 55–60-passenger tour buses and up to 70 cars. Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are very limited in our rural area; please do not plan on guests being able to find ride services at the end of the night.
The Sablewood does not offer overnight lodging, but we do provide a wonderful list of lodging and transportation options for you and your guests. The Rivers Casino area in Schenectady is a short 30-minute shuttle ride and includes the beautiful Landing Hotel inside the casino, as well as a Marriott, Hampton Inn, and Hilton in the same area with plentiful restaurant and bar options on the waterfront. The Rivers Casino is a 5-minute Uber ride to the Schenectady Amtrak Station, and only 10 miles from the Albany Airport. We also include a list of private home rentals for guests who prefer to spend the weekend and explore the area. Please see our Lodging & Transportation page for more details.
Still have questions? We’d love to chat.
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