Western Massachusetts

There are few things more beautiful than fall in New England. You’re engaged. You’re in love. And now you face the daunting task — of planning the wedding. Sure, you can be like everyone else and get married in May or June. OR, you can go the other way. Plan for fall instead of summer. Work with saturated reds and yellows instead of pastels. Wear the dress with long sleeves, the three piece suit made of wool, and the flower crown made of begonias. 

In this three-part series, we’ll show you that in Hampshire County, we have the makings of the perfect fall wedding. The only problem? We’re popular. So take a gander at the amenities we have on offer, and then get to planning. Fall 2020 has a nice ring to it, don’t ya think? 

Welcome to Part One: Choosing the Venue 

Planning a wedding can be challenging for even the most organized among us. But there’s one thing we’re all pretty clear on, and that’s the importance of: LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. If all else fails, you want your surroundings on point. And in Hampshire County, we’re picture perfect. No matter your style, we’ve got the backdrop on lock. 

Rustic – What’s all the rage in wedding venues? Barns! And we have them in spades. At Valley View Farm in Haydenville, the setting is a stunner. This historic farm and apple orchard is a full-service venue tucked between the college towns of western Massachusetts. They offer on-site lodging, ceremony and reception barns, and wedding planners to coordinate the whole shebang. Next, we have the Flower Hill Farm Retreat — a fully vegetarian sanctuary surrounded by organic gardens, fields, and forests. If rustic simplicity is your thing, and you’re seeking exceptional views, birds, and butterflies galore, call Carol. She’s been carefully stewarding the farm for the last 30 years.

Modern – If historic barns aren’t your thing, please don’t worry. We have plenty of cool, modern spaces to satisfy your needs. Mill 180 Park, for starters, is a unique indoor park in Easthampton plucked straight from your modernist fairytale dreams. Through the use of hydroponics, computerized sound, and HVAC systems, this venue brings the outside in, surrounding you and your guests with green space and a remarkable sense of the natural world. Another mod locale is just down the street in the Boylston Rooms, where a lovely balance of historic character and modern elegance set the scene for your perfect day. The East and West Boylston Rooms offer maple floors, hardwood pillars, and steel beams as your backdrop, while the Waterfront of the Lower Mill Pond is available for ceremony options, and the Garden Courtyard for appetizers and cocktails. 

Classic – If tradition is more your speed, and you want some stately pillars in your photos, look to the Amherst Woman’s Club, an 1864 Italianate Renaissance mansion clubhouse, located in the heart of the Emily Dickinson Historic District in Amherst, MA. You can dine under a tent on the grounds, use the wraparound verandah for extra outdoor space, and bonus (for some of you) — you can bring in your own caterer. For classic New England sophistication and full-service accommodations, we recommend the Inn on Boltwood, where we dare you to find a more elegant setting, or the historic Deerfield Inn — where the variety of spaces makes it simple to personalize your experience. The Garden House at Look Park provides a cozy indoor space complete with a mahogany bar and large stone fireplace. An outdoor patio with views of the park can be covered with a tent for added space in all weather. Our final stop on the classic train is the Hadley Farms Meeting House is in the Hampton Village Barn Shops on Route 9 in Hadley, Massachusetts. This multi-use space offers a spacious lounge, a beautiful deck, and pre-function space for cocktail receptions and ceremonies. The ballroom, decorated in purples and greens, is ideal for weddings big and small. 

Unique – Now if you’ve gotten all the way here, and you’re still not feeling it, allow us to introduce you to some of our more eccentric venues. The Yiddish Book Center has an expansive outdoor terrace providing exquisite views of the Holyoke Mountain Range, while the Great Hall at the Eric Carle Museum offers vibrant murals, a granite-tiled courtyard, a café and full-sized professional kitchen, a theatre that seats 140, and three galleries featuring some of the world’s finest picture book art. With its natural setting and expansive gardens, the Three Sisters Sanctuary is an exceptionally beautiful and unique setting, where your guests can enjoy the gardens and exhibits as well as features like the smokeless fire pit, Stonehenge-like amphitheater, and fire breathing dragon. Finally, Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens is an 8,000-square foot indoor conservatory that nearly 4,000 exotic and domestic butterflies call home. By day, Magic Wings focuses on butterfly-related education, recreation, entertainment, and gardening needs. But they also do weddings! Hot tip — from August - October, they can release butterflies during your ceremony.

Get Ready for Part Two: Finding Food, Flowers, and Photogs

Ok, you’ve gotten through the hard part — choosing the venue. But once you’ve climbed that mountain, there are still a few integral details to dial in before you can truly relax and start coasting. Stay tuned for Planning the Perfect Fall Wedding in Hampshire County: Part Two — where we’ll show you the best path to local food, flowers, and photos for your special day.