The wedding that started it all. Our son and daughter-in-law, Dustin & Julita, wanted to get married here at the nursery. It was an opportunity for us to fulfill a longtime dream of opening a venue here on our nursery and farm. The barn was constructed on a former nursery field, in a picturesque location overlooking two spring-fed ponds, a willow grove, and the wooded hills of Granville, New York.
In just over 6 weeks our crew, led by Todd and his sons, Dustin and Ford, erected a timber-framed barn with enough space to accommodate Dustin and Julita's 200 person guest list. The pine and tin accents in the barn are perfectly rustic, and worked well with Julita and Dustin's royal blue and white aesthetic. We graded the lawn and added a parking lot to create a space that was easily accessible to all. The rustic bench seating is hewn from timber forested from our land, as is much of the wood in the barn. Leonie sewed the 20' muslin curtains in her living room, swimming in yards of fabric in the weeks leading up to Dustin and Julita's big day.
The day was a proof-of-concept for us. We realized that we could fulfill our dream of having a wedding venue here on our land, sharing its unparalleled beauty with people celebrating any occasion, big or small.
Looking back on these photos, it's amazing the progress and improvements we've made over the years to Gables & Gardens. We commissioned hand-hewn wood farmhouse tables from an Amish family for the reception space. No more white plastic chairs--we upgraded to cane-backed Chiavari chairs. The curtains now frame massive 20' barn doors on either side of the barn, allowing light and breezes to filter through. We've added 5 ADA-compliant bathrooms, a bridal suite with rustic tin and pine accents, a caterer's kitchen, and more storage to the rear of the building. The southeast façade now boasts glass-paneled doors, the brainchild of Todd. These doors can be flipped out to form an awning over a bluestone patio, or left closed without sacrificing the natural light and view.
In the upcoming years, we plan to add a groom's suite and additional parking. We also hope to insulate the barn, transforming it into a 4-season venue. We're constantly tinkering and improving the space.
Many things about Gables & Gardens have changed since 2019, but our passion for hosting events that bring people together to celebrate has remained a constant thread through all that we do.
Photos by Richard D. Cole Photography