A New York Adirondack Wedding

When I refer to New York, I think many people immediately formulate  images  of the Statue of Liberty, the hustle and bustle of the World’s 3^rd largest city or the tragedy they may have seen unfold across the television screen on September 11, 2001.

To me, New York is where I live but I am speaking of pristine mountains, cold but clear lakes, and the faint smell of pine and balsam emitting from acres upon acres of forest land.

During every season of the year the Adirondack Region of New York State has numerous activities and entertainment to offer but nothing can compare to the breathtaking views and natural beauty of the area.  There are many magical locations in the Adirondacks where a couple can exchange their vows and celebrate the union of their marriage with family and friends.

Further South, by way of Route 30, is the small town of Saranac Lake. It was named the best small town in New York State and ranked 11th in the United States in The 100 Best Small Towns in America. Add to that the fact that there are 186 buildings in the village that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places earning it the title of being named one of the “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is a charming, welcoming community with Lake Flower in the center of it all. The venues available for a wedding are limited only by the imagination. Perhaps being married where Mark Twain vacationed in 1901 on the shores of Lake Flower would be appealing. If not, chartering a pontoon boat and navigating around the lake as Albert Einstein did in 1936, while exchanging vows, might be an option. For those seeking an atmosphere of grandeur, the historic Hotel Saranac Ballroom modeled over 80 years ago after the Grand Salon of the Davanzati Palace of Florence Italy would be the ideal venue. Your wedding guests would be visiting the same town where Robert Louis Stevenson lived in 1881 and Legs Diamond, Al Jolson and President Calvin Coolidge visited in the 1920’s. If being married in the community where Garry Trudeau, the creator of the comic strip Doonesbury, grew up isn’t appealing then another option is to travel an additional 7 miles to Lake Placid, NY.

Lake Placid is a resort nestled in the northeastern portion of the Adirondack wilderness area but don’t let that intimidate you. The number of exquisite boutiques far out numbers the wild bears you may see! In the center of this unique village is Mirror Lake and from almost all locations, you can stand in awe, admiring the natural beauty.  Whiteface Mountain is minutes from the center of the village and offers a beautiful resort where many gorgeous weddings have taken place. In actuality, the vast array of wedding venues that are available are far too many to list as are the activities the wedding couple and guests would have at their availability.

Lake Placid was home to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games so skiing, bobsledding and figure skating are noted activities and the Olympic center is a popular attraction. In the milder months there is world class golfing, horse shows, hiking, and of course, many mountains to choose from for the adventurous climber.

As in many locations in the Adirondacks, a wedding in Lake Placid can be as simple as compiling guests on the shores of Mirror Lake or arriving at a popular resort in a horse drawn carriage or sleigh.