The Empire State may be best known for its big-city treasures, but what makes it a spectacular destination-wedding or honeymoon spot is that it truly offers something for everyone. New York City will dazzle you with its lights, shows and frenetic energy, but the small-town charms of historic Hudson Valley are just 45 minutes away. Oenophiles and water lovers won’t want to miss the fabulous Finger Lakes of central New York. And the mountainous Adirondack region will rival any western state in quintessential great-outdoors experiences.
Wedding Requirements A photo ID and birth certificate is all you’ll need to get the process started. Head to any town or city clerk’s office in the state and apply for a license. It’s issued on the spot, but you have to wait 24 hours to take it out for a spin. After that, you’ve got 60 days to tie the knot. For more information, visit health.state.ny.us.
What to Do
New York City We could go on for days with all the great things to do in Manhattan, so instead, here are a few ideas beyond the obvious. If you want to get acclimated to your surroundings (and see the Statue of Liberty up close), Classic Harbor Line offers top-notch cruises around Manhattan on luxury schooners and yachts. Take a long stroll along the High Line (an elevated railroad track transformed into a park) before grabbing dinner at an upscale restaurant in the meatpacking district. SoHo is the posh place to shop if you’ve got money to burn, while arty types will want to gallery-hop their way through Chelsea. To get great snaps of the city’s skyscrapers (that include the Empire State Building), head for the Top of the Rock observation deck (order tickets in advance for less line time). Take an outer-borough trek to Astoria, Queens, for amazing Greek food, or hit Brooklyn Heights for a fabulous brunch and amazing views of Manhattan as you walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge.
Hudson Valley One of the best things about this area, steeped in history, is its proximity to New York City; hop a train at Grand Central Station, and you’re there in two hours or less. Literary buffs can start in Tarrytown, where author Washington Irving (creator of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman) lived in the riverside retreat Sunnyside, which is open for tours. For a taste of the good life, check out Kykuit (also in the town of Sleepy Hollow); this lavish estate was home to the Rockefeller family for four generations. And don’t miss Pocantico Hills’ Union Church, which showcases window artwork designed by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall. Finish the day with dinner at elegant Castle on the Hudson (a great place for weddings). For the ultimate in antiquing, head to lost-in-time Cold Spring; you’ll be tempted to move here once you spend a day in this adorable riverside town. In Rhinebeck, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome showcases antiques of a different kind -- airplanes. Experience the excitement of old-time flying as the two of you soar over the Hudson River in a biplane with an open-air cockpit. Freshen up your cooking skills with a weekend-long cooking class at the famed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park; options run the gamut from French cuisine to good old barbecue.
Finger Lakes Said to rival many of the finest California wines, New York’s varietals should be high on any bride and groom’s list. More than 100 of these wineries are located in the spectacular Finger Lakes wine-country region. The popular wine trails border the lakes for which they’re named, with the greatest concentration of vineyards around Canandaigua, Cayuga, Keuka and Seneca. And once you’ve spent a few days finding your favorites, you can settle in at a B&B on your preferred lake and enjoy the endless water activities the area has to offer.
Off the Beaten Path
Lake Placid Cold-weather couples will find plenty to love in and around Lake Placid, site of two Winter Olympics. You can learn about past competitions at the 1932 & 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum. Then get out there and active -- there’s downhill skiing at Whiteface Mountain, over 30 miles of groomed cross-country trails at the Olympic Sports Complex and even high-octane sledding at the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience, where a seasoned driver takes you through the one-of-a-kind twists and turns. — Anita K. Henry
