Three Glamorous Gardens for Your Outdoor Wedding Celebration

Photo courtesy Berkshire Botanical Garden

BOTANICAL BLISS

Berkshire Botanical Garden is more than just a garden—it’s nearly 25 acres of elegant greenery and blooms, meandering stone walls, and sculptural topiaries. Swap vows surrounded by your nearest and dearest on the Stockbridge property’s Great Oval, a circular green space enclosed in a pebbled pathway, then head to the 18th-century Center House for your cocktail hour and reception. Renovated in 2017, this historical building boasts a deck overlooking the grounds, wide-plank floors, and an entryway with a picture-perfect living wall of plants. But the photo-ops don’t end there: Snap selfies on the grounds beneath a quaint weathered wood trellis, or escape to the light- and cactus-filled Fitzpatrick Greenhouse—a stunning backdrop that will bring your Pinterest goals to life.

PREWEDDING ADVENTURE

Saddle up for an afternoon of horseback riding at Undermountain Farm, tucked away on 150 acres of fields and woods in Lenox. Equipped with indoor and outdoor arenas, the peaceful property offers group lessons that cover horse-care basics for beginners, plus guided trail rides for more experienced equestrians. undermountainfarm.com.

Photo by Alison Marie Photography

GARDEN FRESH

Whether you’re after the classic glamour of flowering bushes, the drama of cascading vines, or the mystique of seemingly hidden gardens, you’ll find it all at Elizabeth Park. Located in West Hartford, Connecticut, the scenic space encompasses more than 100 acres of land. Stop and smell the roses (and get hitched while you’re at it) in the historical Rose Garden, planted more than 100 years ago. Not to worry about refreshments: The onsite Pond House Café restaurant serves up fresh fare using ingredients from its very own vegetable and herb plot. Dine in a window-lined space that offers ample views of the park, then retire to the terrace to watch the sun set over the pond with your beloved. And don’t forget about dessert: The Pond House team will prep a tiered cake so you and your guests can end the evening on a sweet note.

GUEST DIGS

Get the party started with complimentary champagne at check-in at Delamar, a stylish space in downtown West Hartford. Guests can unwind at the hotel’s spa or grab a bite to eat at Artisan, the onsite eatery where executive chef Frederic Kieffer whips up seasonal dishes with ingredients from the restaurant’s garden.

Photo by Haven Photography

GREENER PASTURES

Skip the florist and go right to the source at the Greenhouse at Highland Farm in Scarborough, Maine. A multigenerational family business, the flower farm added “wedding venue” to its impressive resume after the couple that owns it decided to host their own nuptials on the property, inspiring them to open it up to others who want to do the same. Walk down the aisle in the greenhouse, complete with a translucent roof and retractable walls, or say “I do” on the verdant lawn, surrounded by wildflowers. Once the cake is cut, sneak off to Legacy Grove, where the farm permits couples to carve their initials into one of the trees—and live out their teenage dreams in the process. Not ready for the night to end? Cozy up to the fire pit: a surefire way to keep the party going without catching a chill.

REHEARSAL DINNER

Pour a pint and toast your guests at Nonesuch River Brewing, the first (and only) craft brewery in Scarborough. While you sip on IPAs and ales, dine on beer-battered Maine haddock in the semi-private, post-and-beam mezzanine space, which connects to an outdoor deck. Not in the mood for suds? Round out your meal with a “Drink ME” Manhattan, sweetened with local maple syrup, instead.

Editor’s Note: While many local venues have suspended or modified operations due to coronavirus, we hope our inspirational suggestions will help you plan your future celebration.

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