How The Ruins Wedding Venue Combines History, Nature, and Romance
Some wedding venues offer a beautiful backdrop. The Ruins at Sassafras offer something far rarer: a place where 200 years of living history, untamed Hudson Valley nature, and intimate romance converge into one extraordinary experience. Tucked along a secluded road climbing Mount Lebanon, New York, this is a venue that doesn't just host your wedding. It becomes part of your story.
A Place Rooted in Remarkable History
The Ruins at Sassafras was once a thriving Shaker settlement, home to over 67 Shakers who lived and worked here from 1790 to 1938. Owners Carol Reichert and Jerome Shereda discovered the property in 2020 and fell in love with it within five minutes. Their mission became clear: restore it, preserve it, and share it.
What emerged from years of careful restoration is the last standing Shaker chair factory in the world and one of the most extraordinary places for a wedding reception you'll find anywhere in the Northeast.
Every corner of this property holds a story. The bar is crafted from recycled Shaker doors and balusters. The ruins of a sister's workshop, a dam, an icehouse, and a hay ramp were unearthed from beneath decades of overgrowth. Walking here, your guests won't just witness your wedding; they'll feel the weight and wonder of history all around them.
Ten Wedding Sites, One Vision: Yours
What sets The Ruins wedding venue apart is the freedom it gives couples to design a truly custom experience. With ten distinct wedding sites across the property, no two weddings here are ever alike.
The Chair Factory: The 200-year-old heart of the property seats up to 210 for dinner and dancing and serves as a rain plan for ceremony and reception alike.
The Moroccan Bar & Terrace: A stone-and-brick cellar beneath the factory, reimagined with Shaker salvage. Accommodates up to 250 for cocktails or 75 for a seated dinner and transforms into an unforgettable after-party space.
The Ruins: Host a ceremony for up to 180 or cocktails for up to 200 amid the haunting beauty of the original stone walls.
The Rose Dwelling: Musicians play from the alcove as you exchange vows. Holds up to 250 for ceremony or cocktail hour.
The Stone House Terrace: With panoramic views of the Berkshire and Taconic Mountains, this is the ideal setting for a rehearsal dinner (up to 50) or morning brunch (up to 100).
The Sisters Workshop: An intimate ceremony space for up to 30, with a grass quilt honoring the Shaker women who once sewed here. A breathtaking spot for a first look.
Deere Pond: Say your vows beneath a weeping willow, surrounded by wildflowers.
The Tennis Lawn: A sweeping grass lawn with mountain views, tentable for up to 250 guests, perfect for ceremonies or lawn games.
Whether you're envisioning a candlelit Moroccan evening, a sun-drenched Tuscan hillside gathering, or an English garden ceremony without ever leaving the Hudson Valley, this property holds the space for it.
There is no place quite like The Ruins at Sassafras. It is history you can touch, nature you can wander through, and romance that needs no embellishment. If you're searching for a place for your wedding reception that your guests will talk about for years, your search ends here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can The Ruins at Sassafras accommodate?
Depending on the site, the venue accommodates anywhere from 30 guests for an intimate ceremony to 250 for a tented reception or standing cocktail hour.
Is there a rain plan available?
Yes. The Chair Factory can serve as a rain plan for your ceremony, cocktail party, and reception.
Can we use multiple sites for one wedding?
Absolutely. Couples are encouraged to design a custom experience across several of the ten wedding sites.
How do we get started?
Get in touch with us and we will help you plan your day.
