Turn up the Volume for the Rock ‘N Roll Wedding of your Dreams

Story by Jenny Wonderling

Did you ever dream of tying the knot like a rock star? (Without the paparazzi and flames!)

Picture this: you and your beloved celebrating your nuptials on the stage of the historic Woodstock’s Colony, one of the oldest and most beloved venues in the Hudson Valley where (more recently) the likes of The Dresden Dolls, The Wailers, The Felice Brothers, The Meat Puppets, Fishbone, Arrested Development, Maya Hawk, Rhett Miller and other favorites have performed. Nestled just on the edge of town, this cinematic locale is warm, inviting, and loaded with charm. Old-world style meets delicious food and modern amenities, including state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. And your event comes with a personal sound engineer to boot. So, if planned in advance, you and your guests can even grab the mic and party like it’s…2023!

The main Ballroom-dining room is reminiscent of a tavern from a bygone era–with its vaulted ceilings, carved wood details, rich velvet curtains and marble fireplaces. The property and spaces already feel classic and cinematic, easily evoking a more traditional or Gatsby-era event. Tables can be dressed up with linen, candles, and flowers or left more simply to honor the scrumptious wood details and charm of the room. The ceremony can happen under the ancient catalpa tree just outdoors, inside on the dramatic stairs or if feeling like you really want to take center stage, on the stage itself.

Whatever your flavor, the staff is known to be attentive and gracious, serving up a delicious bounty to complement the celebration. Stay true to their pub-inspired menu or allow versatile chef, Mike Brooks, to further explore his creative and culinary elasticity by attending to more refined tastes. Either way, you can expect a menu to suit any palate. The Colony also offers full bar service and all musical options–from live bands to DJs–or bring your own musical mix.

Established in 1929, the old Spanish revival architecture offers the casual elegance of a bygone era, peppered with a Boho vibe, wrapped in the rustic beauty of the Catskills. And the playful, accommodating team at the Colony wholeheartedly encourages guests to make an event there truly one’s own.

The Colony is close enough for guests to walk to the many incredible eateries and shops in the heart of Woodstock–lodging options abound in town or in nearby Kingston, Saugerties, or Rhinebeck. Ideal for out-of-towners who wish to extend their stay in the beautiful region by exploring the scenic Catskills. Laura Anson, the dedicated Colony Event Planner extraordinaire, offers incredible attention and care, a playful, acerbic wit and can’t wait to rally the Colony crew to help make your day just as dreamy as you hope it will be. There are various inviting rooms where guests can spread out and play in their very own rustic-bohemian and debaucherous way. The quaint Tea House Bridal Suite, the Groom’s Billiards Lounge, the main Ballroom, (providing seated dining for up to 90 guests and also makes for a spacious dance floor) a fully stocked bar, the expansive stage to jam out on or offer speeches, a second-floor balcony offering a bird’s eye view, and last but not at all least, the Beer Garden, if arranged ahead.

Whether you decide to exchange vows from the gorgeous sweeping stairway spilling into the ballroom or shake it down onstage, in the Ballroom or garden, make sure you do so like the rock stars you truly are. Plan your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, day-after brunch, or anniversary party in a venue evoking the vibrant music and arts culture (long before…and since…the ’60s) sans tie-dye, or with, if you prefer! Or, like a recent Dungeons & Dragons-themed wedding, you could even throw in some chain mail and a sword or two or choose your own wild theme or era to celebrate.

And by the way, the Colony doesn’t just serve it up with fanfare where weddings are concerned. In addition to a robust, ever-changing calendar of music and performances, there is an Open Mic Night, plenty of comedy, a Trivia Night and much more. The spaces both inside and out can also be rented for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, events and private parties, meet-ups, film and photo shoots, performances and memorials, like the one recently held for a beloved local legend, Michael Hunold, musician, actor and much more. Some 300 attended that memorable co-collective effort of music and love.

We will leave you with a few gushing, swooning testimonials of the Colony’s recent weddings. If you are inspired to plan your own upcoming event, just reach out HERE. Hope to see you there soon!

Wedding Photos by Romanello Studios, Kathryn Cooper and James Orr

“The Colony was a perfect setting for our Dungeons & Dragons-themed wedding…and we have the photos to prove it!
Huge thanks to everyone at the Colony for making our special day such an amazing occasion. We’ll treasure the memories forever.” –Natasha

“My husband and I met several years ago at the Colony so it was a perfect place to get married.
We couldn’t have wished for a better day! –Haley

“As a musician, I love that the Colony is a couple of hundred yards off the Village Green
in the heart of Woodstock–who wouldn’t want to get married here?” –Gary

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Here are some composite highlights from a long and raving message:

Learn more about Colony Woodstock’s Private Events on their website

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