Twelve Real Questions
What couples ask
before they tour.
Eleanor answers the same dozen questions in every site visit. Below, in writing, in advance.
The Pavilion seats 220 and stands 350. Garden Terrace ceremonies cap at 60 seated outdoors. With marquee, the property scales to 400 standing across all spaces — but Eleanor caps weekend bookings at 220 for service quality.
The Greatroom is 90 seconds from the terrace. Final rain-plan call is at 2pm event-day, made by Eleanor's coordinator. Setup pivots in 35 minutes — we keep ceremony chairs staged in both rooms. No couple has gotten wet in seven years.
No. NY State Liquor Authority requires bar service via a licensed caterer, and that caterer must be on our exclusive four-partner list. Bring your own wine for corkage ($35/bottle). House sommelier consults free on pairings.
Outdoor music ends 10:00 PM sharp per Rhinebeck township ordinance §4.3 (residential noise after 10). Indoor music continues until midnight. Eleanor's team files curfew compliance — never your worry.
Yes — 24 beds across four restored estate cottages. $2,200/night per cottage (sleeps 6, full board included). Wedding-weekend buyout includes lodging for 24 in the package. See /accommodations for layouts.
Eighty cars on the south lawn, gravel-stabilized. Valet attendant included with all weekend bookings. Helicopter charters land at Wappingers Falls (22 minutes by air from Manhattan, partner: Hudson Valley Helicopter).
Fully ADA compliant since the 2018 restoration. Step-free entry to all three spaces, two ADA restrooms per zone, hearing-loop in Greatroom, ramped Garden Terrace access. ASL interpreter coordination available with 30-day notice. See /accessibility.
Florist, photographer, planner, music — yes, with $400 outside-vendor fee, $1M COI, and load-in walkthrough 30 days prior. Catering is exclusive to our four partners only (NY fire and health code; non-negotiable).
25% of total at contract signing. Balance due 60 days before event. Cancellation refund: 100% (>12 months out), 50% (6-12), 25% (3-6), non-refundable inside 90 days. Force-majeure rebook within 24 months at no charge.
Children, yes — we have a quiet room with cribs and a sitter referral list. Service animals, yes, all surfaces. Other pets in the ceremony only with 60 days' notice and a handler on duty (the ring-bearer dog is a regular).
Yes. Marriage license issued by the Dutchess County Clerk (244 Market St., Poughkeepsie). 24-hour waiting period after issuance. We work with three local officiants if you don't have one — interfaith, civil, or religious.
9 AM event-day via the north service hall. Friday rehearsal load-in for Saturday weddings starts at 4 PM Friday. Weekend buyouts get full Friday 3 PM access. Truck access: 26-foot box trucks fit; semis don't (back to gate, dolly the rest).
Question Thirteen?