Your Fern Lodge Adirondack Elopement Checklist
Posted in Couples, Elopements, Weddings
The Fern Lodge is the ideal setting for a romantic southern Adirondack elopement, any time of year. Hosting private, intimate ceremonies with a range of included services and amenities is truly our specialty.
To better plan and organize your Adirondack elopement with us, we’ve compiled this handy checklist, for every stage of the experience:
MAKING FERN LODGE YOUR ELOPEMENT DESTINATION
Book your room. Make a lodging reservation one day ahead or one year ahead (based on availability) on our website or by phone for the date of your choice, and choose the Elopement Package for an additional fee. Mention in the notes what time you want your Adirondack elopement ceremony scheduled. You can do this on-line, or call us and we will personally assist you.
Choose your bridal bouquet. For your perfect Adirondack elopement, the bride may choose the color of her roses (or choose mixed wildflowers, hydrangeas, sunflowers, etc., subject to seasonal availability) and the color of the satin ribbon on the bouquet handle.
Select your wedding cake. You will be contacted by Melissa at Belle Dolci to customize your cake’s design and flavor for your Adirondack elopement. Basic decoration, cake choice and icing are included. For an additional fee, you can add your choice of fillings, layers and a more personalized design to enhance your special day. Visit the Belle Dolci website for flavor selections and inspiration.
Confirm your officiate. We will arrange the officiate for your Adirondack elopement. In most cases, they will be one of several local Justices of the Peace. They will dress appropriately and have a nice presence. By New York State Law, they may not include anything religious within their ceremony, but if you would like to say something special to each other, you are more than welcome. There will be time prior to the ceremony to discuss it with the officiate. We do have limited options for a clergy member to perform a more religious ceremony, as well as specialists in same-sex marriage ceremonies. At an additional cost, you can also highly personalize and design your ceremony, with an independently ordained officiate you choose.
Meet your witness. We provide the required witness(es). It is usually just one person required (since the judge counts as the second) for your Adirondack elopement. The witness is normally the innkeeper, who will be dressed appropriately. The witness is happy to take pictures or video with a camera you provide.
Invite your guests. You may invite two extra persons (not staying with us) to be at your Adirondack elopement at no extra cost. Guests staying with us are welcome as well. During high season this is non-negotiable. During off seasons, or certain weekdays, we might be able to consider several more guests. In general, a party of more than four would be considered a “petit wedding” and would necessitate renting the entire property. Just ask, and we can discuss it with you!
BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
Reserve your vendors. We can provide contact info for additional wedding options and services for your Adirondack elopement: There are makeup and hair services available; either for you to drive to, or stylists who will come here to your room. Photographers and videographers can be recommended to professionally capture your special day. Other options include: horse-drawn carriage rides, balloon rides, helicopter rides, limousines, taxis and more!
Make your travel arrangements. If you are traveling here from out of state or out of the country, then you will need to make arrangements for travel. Will you fly to your Adirondack elopement here with us, or are we within driving distance of your home?
Get your New York State marriage license. It can be procured anywhere in New York State. It must be procured 24 hours prior to the ceremony and not more than 60 days ahead of time. To procure a license at any town hall, you need your social security card or passport, driver’s license and divorce papers if there was a previous marriage.
Choose your wedding attire. You will need to think about wedding attire for your Adirondack elopement. Go traditional with your wedding attire, or dress however you like! Choose fabrics that will travel well, if necessary.
Buy your rings. Don’t forget to pick up wedding rings to exchange during the ceremony!
Make dinner plans (if desired). We do not serve dinner at the lodge. There are many great dining options of all kinds in the area; most notable for a special upscale wedding dinner are The Friends Lake Inn, The Chateau on the Lake and The Inn at Erlowest. We can help you book your Adirondack elopement dinner upon your arrival, as well.
Pack Your Extras. You might wish to bring you own cake topper, cake knife, champagne glasses, unity candle, special bottle of wine or champagne, etc. for your Adirondack elopement. Just bring it with you; hand it off to us and we can take care of when you arrive.
UPON YOUR ARRIVAL AT FERN LODGE AND ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
Pick a location. We have many picture-perfect interior and exterior ceremony locations for your Adirondack elopement. We will show you around upon your arrival, and you may choose the special wedding ceremony location you prefer.
Don’t sweat it. The officiate, witnesses, cake and flowers will be here at the time of your ceremony.
Finalize the details. You may speak with the officiate before the ceremony, to go over any ceremony details, such as your vows, a unity candle, sand ceremony, etc.
Take a bite. Enjoy your cake after pictures, or take it to dinner, or to your room.
Toast the future. We provide a bottle of sparkling wine or non-alcoholic sparkling cider and champagne flutes to toast one another as you begin your new journey as husband and wife!
***Planning an Adirondack elopement? Let The Fern Lodge be your destination for a romantic mountain ceremony. Check out our Elopement Packages on our website or call us today for more information. We’d love to help make your Adirondack elopement a dream come true!