A Barn Wedding Venue in Upstate New York with History, Character, and Ease
Twilight at Black Walnut Farm, a barn wedding venue in upstate New York. Photo: Tracy Jade
If you’re searching for a barn wedding venue in Upstate New York, chances are you love the idea of a barn, but not the clichés. You’re drawn to historic charm and rustic vibes, yes– but you’re hoping to skip the hay bales, pitchforks, maybe even the cowboy boots. You also want thoughtful design, modern amenities, excellent service, and a wedding experience that feels effortless from the first tour to the last dance…
That’s where Black Walnut Farm comes in! Set on 34 private acres in the Hudson Valley at the edge of the Catskill Mountains, our barn is rich with history and personality. It’s not a modern build cosplaying as a ‘rustic’ structure. Just a beautiful, character-filled space designed for ease, flexibility, and celebrations that feel personal; not copy-and-paste.
A stunning barn wedding venue in upstate New York. Photo: Richard Krutick
A Barn with a Story (and the Space to Tell Yours)
The main Barn at Black Walnut Farm dates back to 1891, and she looks darn good for her age. Unlike many local ‘event barns’ that have been springing up in the area in the past 15 years, ours is an authentic, original structure— and we think you can feel the difference! Originally built to house horses, we meticulously restored the barn in 2022; in partnership with the New York Division for Historic Preservation (they made sure our restoration was as faithful as possible to the original construction).
The barn has original beams, a soaring ceiling, and timeworn details that give the space its soul, while thoughtful updates ensure it functions the way a modern wedding day needs it to.
The Barn at Black Walnut Farm can seat up to 100 for a seated dinner.
Inside, couples love that the barn offers:
Warm wood tones, vintage details, and a flexible loft space– decked out as a vintage speakeasy complete with leather club chairs, Persian rugs, and Tiffany lamps
A dance floor that comes alive at night under our 4-foot disco ball
A dedicated bar area for our amazing cocktail program
Easy transitions between ceremony, cocktail hour, and the wedding reception
A cheeky, Victorian-inspired parlor and two restrooms
Large barn doors flung open to encourage an indoor/outdoor flow
Full temperature control + state of the art sound and lighting
A wall of reclaimed windows that fill the barn with natural light
It’s a barn that adapts easily to your guest count and personal style, without ever feeling overdone. Whether you’re using the space to dine and enjoy farm-to-table menus from our preferred caterers, or you’re planning an al fresco meal and utilizing the barn for dancing and cocktails, the space flexes to fit your vision.
And, bonus: we’ve already done the decorating for you! Between our antique chandeliers and vintage sconces, abundant greenery, string lights, reclaimed antique windows, and beautiful accent details, you get to just show up and enjoy without having to create a moment or mood.
Eclectic decor, a 4-ft disco ball, and dynamic lighting make the Barn at Black Walnut Farm a memorable gathering space. Photo: Elena Vels
Outdoor Settings That Feel Like a Dream
The barn is only part of the experience. Step outside and the property opens into 34 acres of open meadows, rolling hills, majestic woodland, and gardens that feel organic rather than manicured. The landscape is generous and flexible, designed to support real celebrations, not just pretty photos. It’s so fun to utilize multiple parts of the property throughout your day, moving your guests through different experiences and keeping the energy fresh!
In general, our couples love nature and really don’t want to be stuck in a windowless ballroom for 6 hours. Not our style here at Black Walnut!
An outdoor cocktail hour on the back lawn at Black Walnut Farm. Photo: Justin Jun Lee
Couples especially love:
Multiple outdoor ceremony options with scenic backdrops
Outdoor spaces that naturally host cocktail hours and mingling– choose one of two separate outdoor cocktail areas, each with its own satellite bar and sound system
A glowing fire pit that becomes the heart of the afterparty (and everyone’s favorite place once the dance floor cools down)
For outdoor ceremonies, garden-party inspired cocktail hours complete with lawn parasols and yard games, and tented receptions, the grounds elevate the day. It’s a gift to your photographer… and to your guests, who get to enjoy our gorgeous spaces.
A heartfelt ceremony in the majestic forest at Black Walnut Farm. Photo: Bethany Michaela Studio
Historic Charm, with the Comfort to Match
Rustic charm only works when it’s paired with real comfort. Alongside the barn, the historic farmhouse offers on-site accommodations and thoughtfully designed guest rooms for your closest people. Plus, it’s included in every rental, sleeping up to 8 guests for our weekend packages.
This mix allows couples to host:
A relaxed rehearsal dinner
A calm wedding morning in the bridal suite
A true wedding weekend that feels grounded, unrushed, and personal
It’s the kind of place where you can take a breath on your wedding day, knowing the logistics are handled and the flow makes sense (and the party is happening steps away from where you get to go crash later!)
A speakeasy-inspired lounge on the mezzanine of the Barn at Black Walnut Farm. Photo: Julian Bracero
Designed for Ease, From First Tour to Final Toast
We host a limited number of weddings each season so every couple receives the attention and care they deserve. Our dedicated team works with you throughout the planning process, offering timeline and flow guidance, trusted vendor recommendations, and support that feels collaborative rather than prescriptive.
We take great service very seriously, and our small but experienced team genuinely cares about making this is best weekend of your lives. This isn’t a DIY venue where we hand you the keys and walk away. We are with you every step, and our wedding days include 6-8 Venue Associates with no other role than to look after your guests and keep the spaces beautiful. We’ve hosted enough weddings to know that a beautiful setting matters— but so does not having to solve problems in formalwear (we solve the problems! You keep on dancing.)
Groups larger than 100 can dine on the lawn spaces— creative tent options elevate the affair.
A Barn Venue That’s Also a Private Estate
Unlike many barn wedding venues, Black Walnut Farm offers exclusive access to the property. No overlapping events. No shared spaces. Just your people, your timeline, and the freedom to let the day unfold naturally.
That privacy is what makes the barn feel less like an event hall and more like a gathering place. One that comfortably hosts weddings and celebrations of all sizes, with the same sense of care.
The Farmhouse at Black Walnut Farm is your private retreat for your wedding weekend. Photo: Klercker Photography
Is This the Right Barn Wedding Venue for You?
With so many barn wedding venues in Upstate New York, finding the right one often comes down to alignment, not just aesthetics. Black Walnut Farm is intentionally designed for a certain kind of celebration, and we believe clarity is part of good hospitality.
The Barn at Black Walnut Farm is temperature controlled, and the venue provides outdoor heaters for cool evenings. Photo: Vanessa Lewis
Black Walnut Farm is a great fit if you’re looking for:
A barn with actual history and character, not a themed or overly “rustic” look
A space that feels collected, warm, and full of personality
A planning process that’s supported, but not micromanaged
Flexibility for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations
A day that flows naturally from ceremony to cocktails to dancing to fireside moments
Exclusive access to a private estate, so everything feels personal and unrushed
Couples who choose Black Walnut Farm often tell us they were drawn to the balance: structure without stiffness, and a venue designed for real people—not a checklist.
A rustic farm-to-table supper in our meadow. Photo: Justin Jun Lee
This may not be the right fit if you’re hoping for:
A traditional ballroom or hotel-style venue
A highly prescriptive, ultra-formal event format
A very large guest count that requires a single, cavernous space
A setting that feels brand-new or intentionally minimal
And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to be everything to everyone; it’s to be the right place for couples who want their barn wedding to feel authentic, thoughtful, and genuinely joyful.
A whimsical cake cutting in the Parlor. Photo: Autumn Jordan
How the Barn Is Used on a Wedding Day at Black Walnut Farm
One of the things couples appreciate most is how intuitively the barn and surrounding spaces work together. Nothing feels rushed or over-orchestrated—the celebration simply unfolds.
Before the Ceremony
The day begins calmly. The farmhouse hums with quiet energy as couples get ready, share coffee with their favorite people, and settle in. Guests arrive, explore the grounds, and take in the views. Sometimes the barn will be used as a dressing area for one half of the wedding party– with plenty of lounge seating, our vintage vinyl wall and turntable, and even a vintage Pac-Man, it’s a fun and chill area to get ready in (especially if the farmhouse has already been taken over by glam teams and you want to stay out of the clouds of hairspray and hubbub!)
A gentleman’s gathering in our parlor. Photo: Viviana Podhiaski
The Ceremony
Some couples choose an outdoor ceremony framed by open meadows or woods; others opt for an indoor exchange of vows inside the barn (also an excellent rain plan). Both feel grounded and personal, and focused on the moment, not the production.
The Barn offers a solid rain plan. Photo: Autumn Jordan
Cocktail Hour
Guests move naturally into cocktail hour, often drifting between indoor and outdoor spaces. Conversations stretch. Glasses clink. No one’s watching the clock.
Lawn games like Giant Jenga are popular during indoor/outdoor cocktail hours at Black Walnut Farm. Photo: Justin Jun Lee
Dinner & Dancing
As evening settles in, the barn shifts. Tables glow under warm light, the dance floor fills, and the energy builds. The barn can seat up to 100 guests inside for dining– larger groups generally dine outside (open-air style, or under a tent) and use the barn for cocktails and dancing.
Dining and dancing in the barn at Black Walnut Farm. Photo: Krutick Photography
Late Night
As the night winds down, we put the barn to bed, and guests gather around the fire pit for late-night bonfires and s’mores. Jackets get shared. Stories improve (or, sometimes guitars come out!).
From start to finish, the barn supports the rhythm of the day— allowing your wedding to feel easy, joyful, and completely your own.
The bonfire becomes the perfect place to wind down for the evening. Photo: Bethany Michaela Studio
An Ideal Location for NYC Couples (and Beyond)
Located in Saugerties, NY, Black Walnut Farm is an easy drive from New York City and the surrounding region. It feels like a destination without being difficult to reach: close enough for convenience, far enough to feel like an escape.
Couples often compare venues across the Catskills and Hudson Valley. What they find here is something different: a barn with history, personality, and the freedom to customize the details!
A quick game before the party kicks into full gear. Photo: Julia Ann Photography
The Perfect Choice for a Barn Wedding in Upstate New York
If you’re dreaming of a barn wedding venue in Upstate New York that offers historic charm, rustic vibes, and a refreshingly easy experience, Black Walnut Farm may be the perfect fit.
It’s a place for couples who care about how a wedding feels, and want a space with good bones, good energy, and room to make it their own.
It wouldn’t be a Black Walnut Farm wedding without a packed dance floor! Photo: Autumn Jordan
Ready to See It for Yourself?
If Black Walnut Farm feels like the kind of place where your wedding would feel at home, we’d love to show you around.
Schedule a private tour to explore the barn, the forest ceremony site, and the flow of the day in person:
Not quite there yet?
Download our wedding guide for detailed information, package pricing, sample timelines, and helpful planning details.