Imagine being surrounded by lush forests, sparkling lakes, lazy rivers and panoramic mountain vistas. Come to Lake Placid, New York and experience just that!

This resort town is a magical alpine village set amid the 6 million acre Adirondack Mountain Park, a romantic backdrop offering spectacular views throughout the year and a wonderful selection of wedding reception sites to choose from.

If you have visited the area in the past, you probably have unforgettable memories of colorful sunsets over the mountains in autumn or strolling through Saranac Avenue’s eclectic mix of artisan shops and upscale boutiques in the summer. Maybe you remember smelling the invigorating air filled with heady scents of balsam during a spring hike, or taking an exhilarating ski down Whiteface Mountain in the winter.

Regardless if you’ve been to Lake Placid before, or are experiencing the area for the first time, the captivating beauty of the landscape, rustic elegance of the town, and abundance of year round activities await you. All this and more makes this idyllic village the ideal location to hold your wedding reception!

Everyone wishes to find the best destination for their wedding reception… look no futher!

No matter what size your wedding will be, or what type of reception you would like to have, there is no better locale than Lake Placid. The area offers an abundance of venues available from rustic lodges to pampering resorts and waterfront estates to well-appointed lodging venues featuring polished cherry wood and brass. If you are looking for an elegant and refined reception, consider a sophisticated five-star hotel.

Dreaming of a small, intimate gathering? Lake Placid has many unique historic inns and luxury bed and breakfasts that would provide the perfect backdrop for your celebration. No matter where you choose, there are some things you should consider when deciding on a location.

When picking a wedding site it is necessary to determine the ambiance you wish to invoke, along with your budget and the number of guests you plan on inviting.

How much planning is needed?

Large restaurants, resorts, hotels, and country clubs with banquet facilities host weddings on a regular basis and tend to know the ins and outs of planning a wedding. These venues are popular as they usually handle many of the details involved in a wedding reception including table linens and in-house catering. Some hotels and resorts even offer special amenities including in-room massages and manicures for your guests as well as professional wedding consultants to make sure no detail is overlooked!

If you would like to have full control over every detail of your wedding reception, your selection of venue options is endless! Choose a unique location like a beautiful outdoor venue such as a campground, lakeside beach, or rolling mountainside. If you do choose an open-air venue, make sure to have an alternative location or tent in case of inclement weather. Also, non-traditional sites may not be as well-qualified to host your reception so plenty of planning ahead of time is a must! A wedding consultant may be just what you need in helping you organize the reception.

Things to think about when choosing a reception site

If you are planning on having your ceremony in a separate location, like a quaint church or synagogue, gauge what the distance is between both sites. A general rule of thumb is to not have your guests drive more than a half hour to another location from the ceremony site.

This shouldn’t be a problem as Lake Placid has a number of churches and other religious organizations in and around town. Determine whether there is a wait staff, caterer, tables, linens and other amenities and supplies on hand or if they will have to be provided for separately.

If you are planning on having your reception at an outside venue, make sure there are bathrooms nearby and if there are any rules regarding local noise ordinances. Don’t forget to look at multiple sites to help you weigh the pros and cons of each venue.

Once you have narrowed down your list of possible reception sites for your Lake Placid wedding, you are ready to call the events coordinator at each location.

First and foremost, see if your site is available during the month you plan on having your wedding. If the site is available, ask if the rental fee is a flat rate or per person. Also ask what the capacity is at the facility – will there be enough room for all your guests to sit comfortably? (Keep in mind that you will need less room for a cocktail party than you would for a seated dinner). Other questions to ask the event coordinator include:

  • Is there a certain time frame you have to rent the reception site?
  • Are there any decorating restrictions?
  • Does the site hold any other events at the same time?

Now that you have asked all the necessary questions, it is time to visit the reception venue.

After first taking in the ambiance the venue evokes, look for practical amenities; will the decorations you envision match the decor and feel of the site? Is there a dance floor? Is there electrical wiring available for the DJ or band?

Picture where the tables, bar and food station will be and visit the same time of day you plan on holding the wedding reception. This will help you gauge how the lighting will be. It is also a good idea to go back to the venue when an actual wedding reception is taking place to further understand the atmosphere.

Other things to consider include:

  • Does the venue have a coatroom?
  • Is the site handicap accessible?
  • Is there adequate parking?
  • Does the venue offer security?

If the reception site in that you love is a little over your budget, don’t rule it out automatically. Consider cutting back on the food, cocktails, or decorations or switch your day or month (January and February tend to be off-season months and may be less expensive) to cut your costs elsewhere and still have your dream location.

Don’t forget, finding the perfect Lake Placid reception site will be like finding your soul mate: You’ll know it’s right when you see it!