New York: Disney Wedding at The Briarcliff Manor

It’s a beautiful June summer day for a Disney couple to plan an enchanted wedding, both outdoor ceremony and indoor reception, at the historic Briarcliff Manor NY.

Where is the Briarcliff Manor wedding venue?

25 Studio Hill Rd, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 | Located in the Hudson Valley River Mountains, Westchester area.

Can I have a wedding ceremony and reception at the Briarcliff Manor?

Yes, and the ceremony and cocktail hour is outdoors. The reception can be planned indoors! The location is clean, updated, and historic, with lush landscaping.

Does the Briarcliff Manor offer coordinator/planning services?

Yes! Please ask for Emily. Emily and her team saved this wedding day and, created a timeline, keeping transportation and other vendors on schedule. She kept the couple hydrated, fed, and feeling no stress!

disney-fairytale-wedding-at-the-briarcliff-manor-ny-by-suess-moments-photography

This is one of my favorite photos taken after their first dance during reception. The sun had just set, and I had the couple hang out upstairs for a backlit photo that silouhetted them. I call this one of my magical moments shots since I did use creative lighting and photoshop techniques. This couple loves Disney, so I thought of it as a perfect fine art photo for them to have framed in their home or put in their wedding album.

About this Disney fairytale wedding at the Briarcliff Manor, NY:

These lovely Disney fanatics planned a wedding with many DIY details, subtle touches of Disney elegance, and Disney-like experiences. The couple didn’t want it to be overwhelming with tacky Disney decorations, so they created gold foil signage with Disney references and centerpieces that was elegant and fun! I believe weddings should be about the couple since they love Disney; I was so glad they incorporated it, tastefully! They did a great job with DIY decorating their marriage with a magical touch.

Many memorable moments happened on this wedding day; first, as soon as you step on the property, you can smell Disney classic candles, vanilla beans…get them at Bath & Body Works now and feel like you’re walking around a Disney theme park! With candles lit throughout the property, from the entrances to the bridal suite to the reception area… you can smell the potent, delicious scent even during the cocktail hour!

This wedding was like no other; they decided to do two ceremonies, one at the local church (a 6-minute drive) for their closest relatives and another for the extended loved ones at the venue. Because of this, the planner, Emily at Briarcliff, strategically scheduled the vendors appropriately to accommodate the couple’s requests for two ceremonies.

At their wedding reception, the couple wanted to influence their guests to go wild on the dance floor – they started the introductions as usual, a sweet first dance with dipping action. Then, the groom surprised the guests with knee pads, and a choreographed dance routine that got everyone on their feet to watch the groom do the worm and many fun spins and lifts. It was iconic. I love when couples plan a choreographed dance!!

miranda-suess-wedding-photographer-of-suess-moments-weddings

Hello! I am Miranda Suess, the photographer for Suess Moments photography. I am wearing something blue because the couple requested that the photo team wear their wedding colors 🙂

The Wedding Timeline

The bride got ready off-site, at a local Marriott hotel, and arrived in a trolley with her wedding party by noon for photos in the beautiful bridal suite

The groom got ready off-site, at a local hotel, and then headed straight to the church while taking pictures with a 2nd photographer

12:05 PM Detail photos of the rings, shoes, invites, and more
12:40 PM Bridal suite photos at The Briarcliff Manor
1:50 PM Outdoor bridesmaids photos before trolley came for pick up for church
2:10 PM Depart for the church ceremony
2:30 PM First look between the bride and her father at the church
3 PM Church ceremony at St Theresa
3:45 PM Just married church ceremony exit photo on the steps
4 PM Depart church, back to Briarcliff on the trolley
4:10 PM Photos with VIPs in front of Briarcliff
4:40 PM Wedding party photos at the outdoor ceremony location at Briarcliff
4:50 PM Bride & Groom photos around Briarcliff property
5:25 PM Bride & Groom hide in bride & groom suite; the guests start to arrive for a champagne welcome and hang out in the cocktail hour area
5:45 PM Outdoor ceremony at The Briarcliff Manor
6 PM Cocktail hour
- the couple enjoyed mingling at cocktail hour
- ballroom reveal 10 minutes before guests enter
7 PM Reception
- Intros
- First dance
- Thank you speech
- Golden hour photos outside the Briarcliff Manor where the ceremony was
- 2nd floor magical photo on the balcony
- Entrees served
- Cake cut
- Parent dances
- Dance party
- Last magical nighttime shot in the front of the venue
- Dance party continued…

The pros and cons at the Briarcliff Manor NY wedding venue

Pros

Outdoor ceremony with epic views of the Hudson River Valley mountain scene
A bride suite with a pink tufted couch and oversized gold mirror to fit any Disney or Fairytale bride fantasy
The venue is historic, looks like a mansion, and is perfect for couples who want an elegant and homey vibe on their wedding day
A groom suite fitted for a masculine man seeking comfort
An onsite wedding planner/coordinator to feel confident that all the stress if off your plate dealing with vendors, guests, and timelines
Outdoor cocktail hour with a gazebo, string lights, loveseat swing hanging from a tree, and plenty of seats in a lush green grass area
The ceremony, outside, has the guests facing the mountain scene, and because the sunlight hits the white building (Briarcliff Manor), it creates a soft light on your faces as you marry at the altar.
Epic locations for photo ops on the property, including balconies in the front and back of the venue
Easy access throughout the venue for vendors to setup/breakdown
Plenty of parking for guests
Handicap accessible parking on the side of the building along with a ramp that leads from there to the front entrance – no steps required

Cons

Not a con, but I would ask your sales team about their rain plan and see if it’s an option you’re okay with. Regardless, this is a question to ask every venue you tour!