Catskills Wedding Photographers | Catskills Elopement Photographer | Hudson Valley Upstate NY Weddings
Kathryn Cooper Weddings:
Catskills Wedding Photographer
This beautiful, mountainous area is just a few hours from NYC, but a world apart. Come with Catskills wedding photographer Kathryn Cooper to learn about this historic area, tips and hints, Upstate wedding venues, and elopement ideas!
Article and photos by Hudson Valley & Catskills wedding photographer Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Everything you need to know about Catskills weddings and elopements—from an experienced Catskills wedding photographer
Welcome to Upstate New York’s Catskills, home of gorgeous waterfalls, history tiny towns, rolling green mountains, corner bakeries, old-school resorts, world-class skiing, and—of course—beautiful NY wedding venues.
I’m Kathryn Cooper Weddings, a candid, experienced, and colorful Catskills wedding photographer—and in this article, I’ll share everything you can expect when planning and hosting your elopement or wedding here.
What Makes Catskills Weddings Different?
Having a Catskills wedding or elopement means space, greenery, privacy, and beauty. Up in the Catskills, it’s like stepping back into life and family gatherings before technology. And actually, while you’re here—it’s likely that you won’t have cell service nor internet in all the mountains and valleys. You can truly step away from work and just spend time with folks you care about.
This is what weddings in the Catskills are all about: Unwinding, being in nature, and connecting. You won’t find uber-modern “smart” buildings, endless charging stations for your Tesla, or TVs streaming all your favorite games during cocktail hour.
Instead, you’ll find walking paths, cabins, lakes for swimming, billiards tables, Adirondack chairs on decks, birds of all types, and greenery for days.
Now that the scene is set, here are just a few amazing Catskills wedding venues:
Foxfire Mountain House, for a bohemian feel, some onsite housing, and up to 140 guests with exclusive weekend access.
Roxbury Barn & Estate, for a mythical feel on 50 private acres, a 170-year-old redesigned barn, bonfires, and ceremonies in the woods. No on-site housing; 150 guests. Absolutely LGBTQ-welcoming.
Full Moon Resort, for a quirky, do-what-you-want, summer camp feel in the woods and fields. Pool, catering, and billiards on-site. 100 can sleep on-site in a mix of accommodations, while the grounds can host 300+.
Onteora Mountain House, for amazing views and spacious accommodations on top of an overlook. Some on-site housing; Up to 200 guests.
Gather Greene, a unique Scandinavian-style venue with creative cabins, a 4,000-square-foot open-air pavilion, and on-site housing for a couple dozen. LGBTQ-welcoming.
Mohonk Mountain House, from the show Upload: A one-of-a-kind mountainous lake resort with over 250 rooms, mountain views, canoeing, and hikes.
Calicoon Hills, which feels more like the private upstate gathering ground you’re picturing, surrounded by trees. LGBTQ welcoming, on-site housing + barn, extensive grounds.
Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resort complete with valet, trails, a farm, and more. Multiple options available in 65 freestanding cabins, cottages, and suites. Small weddings of 20 up to 225 allowed.
Piaule, a smaller resort in the woods with an intimate feel and hiking trails. For smaller weddings booked well in advance.
(And no, I do not receive any compensation, kickback, or any other form of pay for referencing these locations. They’re simply areas I think are beautiful and/or run well, and make for excellent wedding venues.)
Where Are the Catskills?
Good question. And it’s a question without a straightforward answer.
When one speaks about the Adirondacks, most think about Lake George and Lake Placid. Shopping outlets, roller coasters, mini golf, boat rides, the old Olympic host town…That’s well and good, but many people looking for an Adirondack elopement want more peace and quiet.
The Adirondack Park is a massive swath of protected land, and the only way to truly understand its size is a map. Or several maps.
About the Catskills
First, let’s get into where the Catskills are, and why the name is so unique.
The Catskills are located in Upstate New York, USA. Now, that’s easier said than done, because there are three different terms that “The Catskills” might refer to.
First, there’s the village of Catskill, New York. This is rarely what people are referring to. It’s so tiny, it has fewer than 4,000 residents—though it does have a newer wedding venue, Foreland, that’s industrial chic.
Next, there’s Catskill Park. This is what many people refer to (often unknowingly), as it is a U.S.-designated location spanning 700,000 acres. Much of it is protected, including older forests, mountains to hike, historic buildings, and more.
Finally, there are “The” Catskills, which is what is most frequently used, and which I’ll mostly use in this article. It refers to the general region of the Catskills that span several counties, and often refers to the area West of the Hudson River, and encompassing any hilly/mountainous area north of New Paltz while being south of Albany. Most times, when people say they’re going to the Catskills encompassing the green area below (see map above)—areas within the counties of Greene, Ulster, and some in Sullivan, Delaware, and even Schoharie.
If that isn’t confusing enough, the Catskills are a fairly ambiguously designated space in Southeastern New York, and finding a real map of it is extremely challenging. It has changed over time, but is generally a blob designation in the lower areas of New York State (though it’s also still called “Upstate New York,” or often mixed into “Upper Hudson Valley” just to add to the confusion).
What About Catskills Elopements?
I don’t just photograph Catskills weddings. As a Catskills elopement photographer, I know beautiful spots for the adventurers and lovers of the outdoors.
Here are a few ideas for your Catskills elopement:
- Head out on a beautiful sunrise or sunset hike to beautiful viewpoints: Artist’s Point, Ashokan, Cornell Mountain, and many more
- Go river tubing in the Esopus (also awesome for a bachelorette or bachelor party, or wedding weekend brunch!)
- Drive to a campsite at North-South Lake and have an intimate camping and s’mores campfire celebration
- Hike to the gorgeous Kaaterskill Falls for an epic New York waterfall elopement (one of my favorite places to photograph, ever!)
- Say your vows at a private AirBnB log cabin, then have a private chef make you dinner
There are so many gorgeous spots for outdoorsy couples in the Catskills. And for those who want to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the area—but without sweating and hiking—there are plenty of resorts with private areas, restaurants, gardens, old train depots, tiny churches, and more.
Rent out a church-turned-rental. Stay in a modern yurt. Enjoy the homey feel of a ski lodge with a massive fireplace to gather around in the eve.
Being a Catskills elopement photographer means I can customize an elopement plan for any couple, be it a fancy experience or cliff jumping in wedding attire!
The History of the Catskills
As a Catskills elopement photographer, it’s nice to know a bit of regional history and background when spending all day with my couples. As we venture to waterfalls, overlooks, and lakes, inevitably the question comes up…”Why is it called Catskills? Did someone kill cats?”
Not at all. We’re not violent like that, child! Here’s a little bit on the history of the Catskills.
The region was settled by the Dutch, where the name “kill” means “creek.” Here in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, we have quite a few popular towns and small cities with “kill” in the name. Fishkill, Schuylkill, and several more. One of the most popular waterfalls is called Kaaterskill. Loosely translated, it means mountain cats / bobcats, and may have referred to the population of wild bobcats (not mountain lions—thank the Lord we don’t have those here!) in the area, amongst all the streams and water channels.
Who Goes to This Area?
More so than any other part of Upstate New York, the Catskills have long been called “the playground for wealthy New Yorkers.”
While that used to be the case, in 2025/2026 it is less so. It’s a place for gorgeous free hikes, cheap/free camping, affordable AirBnB stays, mid-priced lodging, and resorts for all seasons. It is certainly not only for wealthy New Yorkers these days—though if high-end/luxury stays in the Catskills are what you’re looking for, there are quite a few that are in or close by (mentioned above).
I’ve photographed proposals, engagements, and weddings at many of these locations, and it’s always enjoyable to see each resort’s unique property views and style.
Luxury stays aside, the nicest part of the Catskills is that few people outside of the Northeast know it exists. This means that while the pandemic was a boon for all the Brooklynites headed here for city escapes, it’s still relatively unknown to most of the USA, let alone world. You won’t find tour groups or hotel chains here—thank the Lord.
Just 2-3 Hours from NYC
If you live in NYC but want a foresty wedding in the Catskills, most Catskills wedding venues are just 2-3 hours away.
This means that you can drive up for the day or for the weekend, or have a bus bring guests back and forth on a Friday – Sunday. This is what most opt to do, and some Catskills venues have overnight housing on-site, plus meals. And in a place where trees outnumber residents 583 to 1* (*This number is made up. But it sounded plausible, right?), having a spot to party and then go to bed without driving is a blessing.
What are Most Catskills Wedding Venues Like—and What Will Guests Do the Other Days?
When compared to Westchester, New Jersey, and even Hudson Valley wedding venues, Catskills wedding venues are a different breed. Although each one is different, venues in the Catskills tend to be full of greenery, older, mountainous, wild, and secluded. There are fewer farms than in the Hudson Valley, more waterfalls, more quaint towns with little bakeries, and more woodsy wonderland.
Most venues here have some on-site activities, though if not there are plenty of things to do.
Upstate New York/Catskills activities:
Ride the Hunter Mountain Skyride (a mountain chair lift with views—and a wedding venue at the top) called Hunter Mountain.
- Hike to one of the areas’ many waterfalls
- Enjoy the silence and immense space covered by forest
- Wake up for sunrise or sunset so you can get amazing views of the mountains
- Go golfing at one of the uniquely mountainous Catskills golf courses such as Mohonk Mountain House
- There’s no place better to go hiking than all around here! Weekends can get crazy crowded, so I recommend weekdays if possible
- In the wintertime, go downhill or cross-country skiing on the hundreds of miles of trails
- When it’s summer time, take advantage of those ski resorts to go mountain biking
- For a slower pace, enjoy the free gardens of Catskills gardens and arboretums including Mountain Top Arboretum, the Orange County Arboretum, and more.
- Drive around to look at amazing pottery galleries, eat at cute bakeries such as the Shandakan Bake, and art installations
- If summer or fall, enjoy picking strawberries, peaches, apples, and much more at the local u-pick farms
Without a doubt, the most popular season to see this part of the country is during the Catskills fall foliage bonanza. Many hiking trails, mountain tops, and overlooks from late September – late October are packed to the gills with folks who want to experience the reds, rusts, yellows, oranges, and greens.
No matter what time of year you visit, there are things to do. I personally love late September to mid-October, or June in this region.
Catskills Wedding Photographer: Kathryn Cooper Weddings
If you came here for Catskills wedding information, you probably got a lot more than you bargained for. How do I know all this? For the past 30+ years, I’ve lived in this region. And for the past decade plus, I’ve been photographing this place, plus events and weddings. I’m a Hudson Valley and Catskills wedding photographer, which means I cover areas from upper Westchester to Albany. When I bring clients here, I feel like a mini tour guide, showing my couples regions they had no idea existed.
(And yes, as a destination wedding photographer, I photograph tons of New York and worldwide celebrations, so I really cover weddings everywhere from New York to Maine, Hawaii to Florida, and Swizterland to India. Around 60% of my weddings are here in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, or NYC/Brooklyn. The rest are destination, New England, California, or NJ/PA).
Photographing Catskills Weddings
There are a few things to note about photographing weddings in the Catskills. If you’ve only heard about the area or escaped for a hike during COVID, you may not realize these things when hosting an elopement or wedding here.
As an experienced Catskills wedding photographer who has lived in the area for 30+ years, I am happy to share the following, which I hope helps your planning journey:
- Due to the mountains and valleys, areas have their own microclimates. Weather can be very difficult to predict, so it’s best to always have a rain plan. I’ve photographed Catskills weddings where it was 97 degrees morning ‘til night, and Memorial Day weddings where everyone was in winter coats. 20 minutes away, it could be a 20-degree difference
- Sunrise and sunset times can be a bit different. With the mountains and setting (typically quite forested), sunset is generally 15-30 minutes earlier than normal, so make sure you and your wedding planner know to shift times.
- Structures and woods in the Catskills are older than in many areas, which means dark barns, log cabins, and dark woods are the norm. Therefore, photographers with different styles (natural/true-to-color; dark & moody; light & airy) will all have to adjust when shooting in such areas. Make sure your photographer has knowledge and practice so that your skin isn’t green (as all colors of skin show green trees), and has dark/nighttime flash knowledge due to the darker venues
- Fewer time constraints! Because you’re in the woods, there aren’t as many homes being disturbed with late-night partying. So party it up!
- More wildlife: Make sure any guests who are driving home/to hotels drive a wee bit slower late at night. Plentiful deer, coyotes, foxes, occasional bears and rare moose, and many other wild animals like to cross the road at nighttime. Be alert, and never drink and drive!
Hosting a Catskills Wedding and Looking for Wedding Venues in Upstate NY? Here’s Some Advice
If you’re hosting a wedding in the Catskills—or anywhere in Upstate New York, you’ll want to make sure you have:
- A rain plan
- Bug spray
- Headlamps and flashlights
- No need to be online 24/7
- Snacks
- Good hiking shoes
- A sense of adventure!
- Transportation
When looking for wedding venues in Upstate NY, you want to narrow down the immense number of venues and parks with a few goals.
Example questions to ask yourself:
1. What kind of wedding are you wanting? A huge gala? An intimate elopement? A traditional wedding? A weekend camp for adults?
2. What’s your budget? Wedding venues in the Catskills/Hudson Valley/Upstate NY range from $5,000 – $100,000 and up. Parks are usually just a few hundred dollars, while setting things up in a backyard will be several thousand up to quite a bit—all depending on your vision
3. What type of wedding venue do you want? Catskills weddings tend to be rustic, minimalistic, or ski resort-y. There aren’t really huge ballrooms or posh skyscraper spaces; instead, most venues are either converted farms/barns/estates, summer and winter resorts, or a new crop of more minimalistic glass stays and modern cabins where you’re surrounded by nature (which is everywhere up here). Figuring out the type of place you want—and the size of your guest list—will help determine if you’re in a large hotel, or on-site with just close friends and family. Mountain views, hiking trails, log cabins, lake fun? Figuring out what you and your guests will enjoy is half the battle
4. How will everyone be transported? The Catskills is generally quite hard to get to without a car or hired bus. There are no trains very close by (some stop by the river), and buses rarely pass through. So, arranging transportation from NYC, Albany, Poughkeepsie, or Hudson NY will be necessary.
Catskills Weddings & Elopements: A Most Beautiful Choice
When it comes to planning your New York elopement or wedding, the choices can be overwhelming. But, you know that a celebration in New York’s Catskills will be beautiful, private, and local. Thank goodness we have such amazing, green, preserved forest here in Upstate New York—and how lucky are we to be able to enjoy such a slice of heaven?
Whether you elope at a waterfall, get married at a resort, or rent out an entire summer camp for your celebration, you’ll have a Catskills wedding surrounded not only by your loved ones, but by beautiful landscapes that you’ll be able to relax in—on your anniversary, perhaps—year after year~
All photography by Kathryn Cooper Weddings.
Kathryn Cooper Weddings: Catskills Elopement | Upstate NY Weddings | Catskills Wedding Photographer NY