Winter weddings in the Hudson Valley work well with an indoor reception. At Novellas, we host couples in New Paltz, NY, close to Poughkeepsie, and we enjoy helping them plan for the colder months ahead. This guide shares practical ideas that fit our Ballroom, our menu, and our whole property.
Hudson Valley couples planning a winter wedding can create a comfortable indoor reception with a spacious ballroom, seasonal dinner options, warm lighting, and music. Plan photos around shorter daylight hours, discuss outdoor ceremony weather arrangements, and give guests convenient nearby hotel options. An included patio after party lets everyone continue celebrating by the fire pits.
Why Our Ballroom Suits a Winter Reception
A winter reception works best when guests have one dependable room for dinner and dancing. Our Ballroom holds up to 250 guests and includes a ballroom bar, a dance floor, chandeliers, and lighting and sound systems. That makes it a fit for long winter evenings of dinner, toasts, and music.
Our light and sound systems are plug and play ready and have a nightclub level feel. The Ballroom also includes a sweetheart table and an arch. We keep a small DJ stage that we use only for the DJ setup. We host one wedding per day, so our team focuses on your celebration from start to finish. You can choose winter touches that match your style, and our in house designer can help execute your vision, or you can bring your own decor.
Winter Menu Ideas From Our Kitchen
Our chefs design each menu with you, and several dishes on our menu suit colder months. You choose a plated dinner or a top tier buffet, and we shape choices around your guests. At Novellas, our chefs trained at the Culinary Institute of America, so every menu starts with training.
Our passed hors d'oeuvres include Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Shooters and Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates. Plated Dinner guests choose from options such as Braised Short Rib, Beef Bourguignon, and Coq a Vin, and the Top Tier Buffet includes Roasted Potatoes, Au Gratin varieties, and Pork Tenderloin. We also offer a seasonal vegan or vegetarian entrée. Your wedding cake comes from The Pastry Garden, and you can add a Venetian Hour or a chocolate fountain. Your package includes a champagne toast and specialty cocktails, and our professional bartenders run the full service bars.
Planning Your Timeline Around Shorter Days
Winter daylight fades early, so we suggest thinking about your photos and timing before anything else. Your photographer usually arrives around noon, the first look takes place on the terrace in the early afternoon, welcome drinks for guests start at 4:00 PM, and the ceremony begins at 4:30 PM outdoors.
The reception starts in the Ballroom at 6:00 PM, so your day moves from outdoor moments to an indoor evening. Because the ceremony takes place on the Blue Stone Patio, we encourage you to talk with us about cold weather plans during your tour. Short afternoons mean photos often happen before sunset, so we suggest sharing your photo plans with us early. After the ceremony, cocktail hour takes place in the Foyer and on the Terrace.
Our Bridal Suite gives your party a private place to get ready, with a private bath, makeup vanities, mirrors, and dress racks.
Hotels and After Party Options for Late Winter Nights
Winter weddings feel best when guests can celebrate late. The Hampton Inn and America's Best Value Inn sit beside our property, only a short one to two minute walk away, so guests can walk back after the last dance. Guests book their own rooms directly, since we are not affiliated.
At Novellas, we keep the end of the night simple, with the hotels, the patios, and the Foyer all close together. Events run until 11:00 PM, and the patios stay open afterward. Every wedding includes a free patio after party with sound and lighting still on, and guests can relax by the fire pits. If you prefer to stay inside, ask about our Foyer After Party with bar service or a Reception Extension in the Ballroom, both offered as additional options. Our venue is also fully ADA accessible.
Conclusion
An indoor winter reception gives your guests one place to dine and dance. Our Ballroom, our chefs, and our team support every detail, from the first look to the late night patio party. If you want a Hudson Valley winter wedding near Poughkeepsie, contact Novellas and book a tour today.
FAQs
We collected the winter questions couples ask us most often during tours, and we answer them below in plain and simple terms. If you have another question about timing, guests, or cold weather plans, call or email our team and we will talk it through with you before you decide.
How many guests can your Ballroom hold?
Our Ballroom holds up to 250 guests, and our Blue Stone Patio seats up to 150 for the ceremony.
Do you offer a vegan or vegetarian entrée?
Yes. Our Plated Dinner includes a seasonal vegan or vegetarian entrée.
Where is the ceremony held?
Our ceremony takes place on the Blue Stone Patio. Ask us about cold weather planning during your tour.
Where can out of town guests stay?
The Hampton Inn and America's Best Value Inn are a one to two minute walk away, and guests book directly.
Can we keep celebrating after the reception?
Yes. Every wedding includes a free patio after party, and a Foyer After Party with bar service is available as an additional option.
Where are you located?
We are at 2 Terwilliger Lane, New Paltz, NY 12561. Call (845) 249-6029 to schedule a tour.
