A Private Estate Reviews
Reviews
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Weddingwire
96 reviews
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37 reviews
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Jacqueline Sent on 12/13/2025
A Dream Wedding Day
My daughter and son-in-law had the wedding day of their dreams on June 14, 2025 at A Private Estate Events LLC. Ripley, the owner, and Jack, who takes care of the property and runs everything operationally leading up to and on the wedding day, were great to work with. Ripley provided a list of recommended vendors, of which we used a few ( transportation and tent) but she and Jack were also open to working with other vendors that our planner and daughter chose ( caterer, florist, linens, lighting etc). Ripley answered emails and calls promptly. Jack is phenomenal at making you feel like you are the most important person and your day is the most important thing there is-- which he truly believes. His "can do" attitude is such a delight. We wanted the cocktail hour to be oriented in a different area than usual up near the house and he figured out a way to make it happen. It had rained continuously for the two weeks prior to her wedding and on the Wednesday before it was supposed to be sunny all day with more rain called for on Thursday afternoon. The tent company said they were going to install on Wed. morning and I asked them twice if they would move it to Thurs. morning so the grass could dry out on Wed. They said they couldn't move the installation. I called Jack and because of his longstanding relationship with the tent company, he got it moved to Thurs and we had dry grass under the reception tent. Our planner said Jack and his staff were great to work with. Despite a very cloudy sky on her wedding day, the setting was still beautiful. Our guests were wowed by the size and graciousness of the venue-- elegant and sophisticated in an understated way. My daughter loved that it was a blank slate on which she could create her own vision. We had an unforgettable weekend and would highly recommend A Private Estate Events LLC. -
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![Annie]()
Annie Sent on 10/12/2025Most Picturesque Venue in the Hudson Valley
We chose A Private Estate for our wedding venue because even when we toured in the dead of winter, we couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful it was. In the summer when we got married, it was truly a fairytale with everything in full bloom. One of the best things about the venue was the flexibility and multiple locations on-site for the different parts of the day. While we originally planned to have our ceremony by the river, we ended up having it in the barn due to some light rainfall in the afternoon, and it was intimate and just as beautiful in its own way. We then bussed guests down to the mansion to have cocktails outside on the lawn, followed by dinner and dancing under a tent at the riverside tent site. Our guests told us it was one of the most beautiful weddings they'd ever attended and even though we're biased, we couldn't agree more :) Ripley and Jack were also excellent to work with - they are very communicative, professional, and knowledgeable and Ripley even has a curated list of local vendors if you don't know where to start with planning your big day. We are so grateful we got to get married at our dream wedding venue. -
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![SJ Patterson]()
Sj Patterson Sent on 09/22/2025Most special Wedding Venue
From the moment we first visited, we knew this venue was something special. The property itself is absolutely stunning—every detail feels thoughtful and intentional, creating the perfect backdrop for a wedding. On the day of our celebration, it felt like a dream.
What truly made our experience exceptional, though, was the team. Ripley, the venue manager, was the most gracious and accommodating partner we could have asked for. From our very first conversation, she made us feel comfortable, heard, and supported. She went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was taken care of, all while being incredibly kind and patient throughout the entire planning process.
On the day of, the staff onsite made everything seamless. They were attentive without ever being intrusive, and they managed the flow of the day in a way that let us and our guests simply enjoy every moment without worry. It was clear they cared deeply about making our wedding as smooth and special as possible.
We cannot say enough good things about our experience. Between the beauty of the property, the professionalism and warmth of the staff, and Ripley’s incredible guidance, our wedding day truly exceeded our expectations. We are so grateful to have celebrated such an important milestone in a place that will forever hold such a special spot in our hearts. -
![Nikki]()
Nikki Sent on 09/16/2025Magical Venue
The first time we visited A Private Estate for a tour, we knew we wanted to celebrate our wedding there. The beautiful pictures of the Hudson view and Northwood almost don't even do it justice; it's a very special place that's even more stunning in person.
I cannot speak highly enough of Ripley and Jack, they are so experienced, detail oriented, kind, and willing to go the extra mile, no matter what that means. Some of our guests received a tornado warning the morning of our wedding - but thanks to Jack and Ripley's experience and flexibility, we were able to implement backup plans we felt confident in. Ultimately, the weather cleared, and Jack and his team quickly pivoted so we were able to have our ceremony outside.
A Private Estate is a great venue if you want to personalize your event - it felt like whatever our vision was, Ripley and Jack were up for making it happen. -
![Abby]()
Abby Sent on 07/09/2025We're so happy we booked APE as our venue!
We got married at A Private Estate Events in June and couldn't be happier with our choice. The views are absolutely breathtaking, from the Hudson to the Catskills to the beautiful old mansion and barn - there are so many options to choose from for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, which we loved. We did our ceremony on the lawn overlooking the river, cocktail hour on the tent site next to it, and reception up at the barn.
Ripley, the owner, was so helpful in giving us all the information we needed when deciding to book and then after booking to decide on vendors, etc. - and we can't say enough good things about Jack, the property manager, who was so helpful and on top of things always. They are a well-oiled machine, and you can tell through their attention to detail, communication, and maintenance of the property that they really care about giving couples a great experience.
We and our family stayed at the carriage house rental on the property, which was really convenient (a couple minute walk away from the barn) and beautiful. There was plenty of room for getting ready wedding morning and it was supplied with everything we needed - cooking things, shampoo/conditioner, hairdryer w/ attachments, and even a steamer w/ distilled water!
We're so glad we got married here and highly recommend! -
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Rose Sent on 01/18/2025
Gorgeous, historic property for memorable wedding
My husband and I got married at A Private Estate last Memorial Day weekend and can't recommend it enough. I wanted wedding that was elegant but laid back — not too stuffy — and this venue the perfect choice. The views are majestic; photos hardly do them justice. Our guests were wowed.
We had a 140-person wedding in the typical ceremony spot, a cocktail reception up on the hill, and dinner/dancing in the barn (which looked great with minimal decor). I felt confident leaving all the details to Jack, the property manager, who was kind, responsive and incredibly experienced. Like any venue that's not full-service, planning a wedding at a Private Estate requires a lot of vendors and moving parts (which is more work, but allows you to customize), and Jack and his staff handled the deliveries / setup deftly. The week before the wedding was low stress, and the event went without a hitch.
My bridesmaids stayed in the carriage house, which was convenient, and my and my husband's families stayed at Holcroft next door, another gorgeous 19th century estate. I highly recommend that setup. One thing to note is that, at least in May, the late afternoon sun shines right above the ceremony spot, blinding the guests. I recommend getting them fans, visors, something. It was weirdly hot on our wedding day; I would have had water readily available and more fans in the barn loft. But in terms of choosing a Private Estate, I wouldn't do anything differently. It's a great value / location for what you get: a stunning, memorable wedding. (photos by Sandy SooHoo) -
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![Mary]()
Mary Sent on 11/30/2024All Around Perfect. Nothing to Change
We got married in Sept 2024 and are still talking about how perfect a day at A Private Estate. Ripley and Jack are fantastic and any couple is lucky to work with them. Ripley cares deeply about the property and vendors on site - she will help you curate the perfect weekend with trusted partners who will throw you the perfect wedding. Jack knows and runs the property like the back of his hand - he is calm, cool, and has all the answers.
Bonus is the cottage on site - we used the space for young cousins/kids during the reception so that a babysitter could be onsite and parents nearby.
We truly had the most perfect wedding day. It was so beautiful. We have so much appreciation and respect for Ripley and Jack and the way they care for the estate. Thank you, thank you, thank you Ripley and Jack!A Private Estate's reply:
You are so very welcome. It was a joy to host your wedding reception. Let us know when your photos come out and all best wishes to your families. Happy Holidays. -
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![Christine and Jason]()
Christine Sent on 09/30/2024Wonderful experience at an unparalleled venue
We held our wedding at A Private Estate in August 2024, and we only have great things to say about the experience. The place captured our imagination from the moment we first arrived to tour the property with Ripley, the owner. We loved the rolling lawn, the picturesque house, and the unparalleled view of the Catskills beyond the Hudson. We looked at a few other wedding venues afterward, but our minds and hearts kept going back to A Private Estate. We brought our parents to tour a few months later, and they were just as awed as we were.
Ripley was a supreme host. She understandably takes great pride in the property and we enjoyed getting to know her. Jack, the property manager, was excellent to work with. He knows everything there is to know about the property. Ripley and Jack are a superb team and have extensive experience hosting weddings. They know exactly what they’re doing and have high standards, which we appreciated. We felt taken care of at every step.
Their teamwork made our wedding day go as smoothly as we hoped. Ripley and Jack coordinated with multiple vendors to make sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. We thoroughly enjoyed our wedding day, and are grateful we got to celebrate at A Private Estate. Ripley and Jack were an absolute pleasure to work with. We recommend A Private Estate without hesitation.A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you so so much for this review. We loved hosting your wedding. Do let us know when your photos come out so we can relive your special day. All the best! Ripley and Jack.
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![Eliot]()
Eliot Sent on 09/29/2024Our mid-August wedding at A Private Estate: Above and beyond in every way
We were so lucky to celebrate our wedding at A Private Estate, and it truly exceeded all of our expectations. When we were searching for a venue, we visited A Private Estate in the depth of winter during a snowstorm, but even then, we immediately knew it was the perfect place for us. Ripley, the owner, was friendly and direct, and it was clear she genuinely cared about making sure people had an amazing experience. The property was beautifully maintained, and the convenience of having the Carriage House accommodation along with the barn for the reception made it a much better value than most other venues we considered.
We chose to have our ceremony outside, overlooking the Hudson River, which created a breathtaking and peaceful setting for our vows. The manor house made for a stunning backdrop for our family photos, adding a touch of elegance to the day.
We held our reception in the barn, which we highly recommend to other couples. The rustic charm of the space, combined with the elegance of the estate, created the perfect atmosphere for our celebration. Our mid-August wedding was made even more memorable by the beauty and ambiance of the setting.
The property manager, Jack, went above and beyond to ensure our day was perfect. Not only did he assist us with practical matters, like putting up blinds in the Carriage House to help our family members' kids sleep, but he also saved the day when a special bottle of wine we had intended to keep was accidentally thrown out by the caterers. Jack took it upon himself to dig it up and return it to us—an act of kindness we won’t forget.
We are incredibly grateful for the hospitality and attention to detail from both Jack and Ripley. If you're looking for a venue that combines beauty with exceptional service, we wholeheartedly recommend A Private Estate. -
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D Adams Sent on 09/19/2024
Spectacular location; excellent experience
You will have a hard time finding a place more beautiful than a Private Estate. The pictures barely do it justice -- it is stunning. And the venue is very professionally managed. They know how to throw a wedding.A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you so much for this review. It is very appreciated as I know how difficult it was for you. Jack and I can’t wait to see all the photos of Rose and Milo’s wedding. Happy Fall! -
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Agnes Sent on 12/04/2023
Quintessential Hudson Valley Estate venue
A Private Estate is a stunning property on the banks of the majestic Hudson River, its grand and stately house a perfect backdrop for classic wedding portraits with options for a reception on the lawn or in the beautiful barn. Jack is on hand to make sure the day runs smoothly with a terrific team of helpers and the sunsets over the river are the stuff of dreams.A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you Agnes for this lovely review. I really appreciate you acknowledging Jack ( our property manager)'s invaluable contribution to a successful wedding.
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![Holly]()
Holly Sent on 12/03/2023All that and more!
You couldn't ask for a better location. Ripley and Jack went out of their way to accommodate all of our requests. So happy we chose A Private Estate.A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you for such a sweet review. We were delighted to host you and your family.
Happy Holidays!
Ripley and Jack -
Isobel Sent on 10/18/2023
Spectacular Views and Caring Team
I got married a month ago at A Private Estate and it truly was the wedding of my dreams! For starters the view is so insanely beautiful. I couldn't get over how stunning it was to get married with the river & mountains behind me and the incredible garden/estate. But beyond the spectacular venue Jack & Ripley were amazing to work with. From my very first visit, Jack told me he treats every wedding like it's his daughters and I knew we'd be in good hands. And that's exactly what happened. 2 hours before the ceremony we changed our rain plan because of the sun and Jack and his team moved the ceremony outside of the tent. It meant so much to me to be able to have the ceremony that I had envisioned. The carriage house where me and my bridesmaids got ready was also great! Plenty of room for all the glam and had AC. We got great photos there too. The property is also so big which also made it nice to spread out our different events throughout. HIGHLY recommend getting married here!
These beautiful images taken by Joseph Lin.A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you so much Izzy for this sweet review. Your smile that day made Jack and my day. Do come back and visit! We wish you both much happiness in the years to come. -
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Steven Sent on 10/10/2023
Great setting for a wedding--even in a torrential downpour!
This is a gorgeous property for a wedding--the barn is amazing, the setting by the river just beautiful. Unfortunately the day of our daughter's wedding was in a torrential rainstorm, so we had some logistical headaches. But Ripley, the owner and Jack the caretaker were outstanding. They helped supervise what needed to be done to help our guests arrive in driving rain, Jack put mats out on the muddy grass to get people into our tent, and thanks to them, everything worked out beautifully. Our guests were blown away by the beautiful barn and tented dance floor and so were we. We also rented the carriage house on the grounds to stay in over the weekend and to do the wedding prep and that was perfect too--clean and just lovely. And a great fully stocked kitchen too. Highly recommended! -
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Sarah Sent on 08/18/2023
Beautiful Hudson Valley Venue!
My husband and I chose A Private Estate after falling in love with the landscape and view!! After visiting multiple other venues along the Hudson river, we found that A Private Estate felt most "untouched" and would truly allow our guests to experience the quiet and natural beauty of the Hudson Valley. We liked that we could use the tent site and customize our wedding to our taste with the beautiful landscape as our backdrop. Ripley and her team are amazing! They've hosted many weddings and have their best practices, which are helpful since for most of us, it's our first time planning a wedding :). We happened to have a high chance of rain on our wedding day and ultimately had to go with our plan B for the ceremony, but never once felt stressed about it. Special shoutout to Jack (Ripley's right-hand man)! He worked behind the scenes the wedding weekend to ensure that everything went smoothly and was so easy to work with. We would highly recommend going with APE for your special day :).A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you so much for this lovely review. I truly appreciate the acknowledgement of all the work Jack does to make a wedding day magical. I cant wait to show him this review. Please come back and visit the next time you are in the area. All best wishes to you both. -
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Virginia Sent on 12/30/2022
A Private Estate is A Perfect Venue!
A Private Estate is amazing - the location and view can't be beat and the property is so unique with multiple areas/ways to layout your wedding between the lawn and the barn. Our guests were blown away by APE - everyone said something to us about the property. The team is great to work with and will do whatever it takes to make the day perfect. -
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![Katie]()
Katie Sent on 12/16/2022We could not have asked for a more perfect wedding at A Private Estate
My husband and I got married at A Private Estate this past October, and to say it was amazing would be an understatement. Ripley, the property owner, and Jack, the groundskeeper, made us feel so welcome, and they were both fantastic to work with throughout the entire planning process and on our wedding weekend. From the moment we toured the property in January 2021, we knew it was the place for us. We are local to the Hudson Valley, so we knew we wanted to have our wedding somewhere that would showcase the area's natural beauty, and A Private Estate really knocks this out of the park. In addition to the stunning outdoor grounds, where we had our cocktail hour, there is a fantastic barn complex, which we used for our dinner/dancing. (Our guests continue to tell us about how much they loved the venue!) As if these things aren't enough, there is also a Carriage House on the property, and another estate next door, which can be rented. We utilized both of these for our wedding party, and it was so much fun (and convenient) to have everyone close by. We truly could not recommend Ripley, Jack, and A Private Estate more highly, and we cannot thank them enough for everything they did to contribute to our magical wedding day! -
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Kim A. Sent on 08/07/2022
Much More than a Perfect Venue — A Perfect Team!
With an original 2020 wedding date, we had an unexpected layer of stress during the planning stages — but all of that was dissipated and reduced by the Private Estate dynamic duo that is Ripley and Jack. We postponed our wedding twice (from 2020 to 2022) and they were both extremely accommodating during the process. From being flexible to providing valuable advice (on everything from wedding day flow to tent placement), Ripley and Jack are THE reason to choose A Private Estate.
Of course, it's one of the most beautiful venues in the Hudson Valley with stunning grounds and facilities but it's the additional planning support, vendor relationships and day-of management that make this the premier wedding venue. They went above and beyond to make sure that we, our family (who also stayed in the Carriage House on the property) and our guests had an amazing time. Another big advantage to A Private Estate is access to the neighboring property, Holcroft House, a beautiful historic home where some family stayed and where we took our first-look photos with gorgeous views.
And Jack!!! A true jack of all trades felt like our right-hand man the entire weekend, even helping assemble and build some of the DIY elements and decor that we made. It was a huge help and another advantage to choosing A Private Estate.
And when it comes to the property (that truly shows off the beauty of the Hudson), it's like having 10 venues in one, full of multiple mini locations where you can use for multiple events from the welcome area, ceremony site, cocktail hour, reception and more. We originally opted for the barn for the reception but ended up changing to the ceremony tent site due to the impeccable views. After saying "I do" at the ceremony site, we had cocktail hour by the pond and to the left of the house so we would have unobstructed views of the house in our wedding photos. Honestly, I could go on and on about how phenomenal the A Private Estate venue and team are. See for yourself with a few of these photos:A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you so so much for this review. You captured so eloquently what we are about. Please come back and visit us sometime in the future. All best wishes to you both. xoxo -
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Jessica Sent on 06/19/2022
A Magical Wedding Weekend
I don't think words can adequately describe how magical of a day our wedding was! The whole weekend felt like an absolute dream. Ripley and Jack go above and beyond to make sure every couple feels special and the day goes perfectly. From the ceremony to the reception everything went seamlessly and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful location. The grounds in June are incredible and there is something about being nestled in the mountains on the river that makes everything feel a bit more magical! A bald eagle even made a guest appearance during our ceremony!! Our guests raved about how beautiful everything was and our stay in the carriage house was the cherry on top! -
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Alix Sent on 06/16/2022
Spectacular venue and wonderful people!
Our wedding was at A Private Estate in late May and it was even more spectacular than we could have ever imagined. Ripley was extremely accommodating in showing us the venue, arranging a couple of site visits, and answering all of our questions. Jack is the estate manager and was an absolute superstar behind the scenes ensuring everything ran smoothly on the day. We had our ceremony on the house lawn, the cocktail hour on the tent site, and the reception at the barn so there were a lot of moving pieces but everything worked out great due to the support we received leading up to and on the day. The setting in full greenery is absolutely stunning, we had more than a few guests tell us there were audible gasps as the shuttle bus turned the corner and the view of the Hudson became visible. Would highly recommend having your wedding here if you want a wow factor!!A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you Alix. It was a joy to host you, your family and friends! We are still talking about how lovely everyone was. Both Jack and I wish you both many years of happiness. Come back in visit if you are ever in the area. All the best, Ripley -
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![Emily]()
Emily Sent on 12/12/2021Wouldn't Have Picked Anywhere Else!
Ripley and Jack were an absolute pleasure to work with! Our communication was always met with kindness, thoughtfulness, and a willingness to cater to our vision. When Covid forced us to postpone our wedding, Ripley was extremely understanding and accommodating, and made sure that current clients were a top priority in rescheduling into 2021.
Even though we had some unseasonably cold weather on our wedding, Ripley and her team made sure that everything went according to plan, and were integral in what ended up being a very smoothly operating event.
We would highly recommend A Private Estate as a wedding venue and look forward to reliving our memories on the property in the future through Ripley's Airbnb listings!
Sincerely,
Emily & JamesA Private Estate's reply:
Thank you Emily for your very sweet review. We appreciate it. Please come back anytime. I know James works nearby so we do hope to see you. Perhaps a picnic lunch on the grounds when it gets warmer in the Spring? Just let us know.
Happy Holidays,
Ripley -
Kelsey Sent on 12/10/2021
Majestic Ceremony Site Overlooking the Hudson Valley
A Private Estate is a gem hidden away in Germantown, NY. The journey down the wooded road and magically opened up to a majestic property overlooking the Hudson River Valley. This backdrop highlighted our ceremony and was beautiful. Ripley made the process easy, straightforward and was accommodating to let our photographer and coordinator see the property to plan the best shots ahead of time. We utilized this venue for a small wedding, but it was more than capable of handling lots of guests. You won't be disappointed by planning your special day at A Private Estate, because we weren't. Thank you so much Ripley!A Private Estate's reply:
Hi Kelsey,
Thank you for this lovely review. Jack and I wish you all the best for you both in the years to come.
Happy Holidays,
Ripley -
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![Sheri]()
Sheri Sent on 11/07/2021A Magical Wedding
This place is absolutely magical and my husband and I fell in love with the property on our first visit (Fred the cat helped seal the deal as well!) The view of the Hudson is unbelievable and the privacy and intimacy is unmatched. The most asked question from our guests has been "How did you find this place?!"
When my husband and I first saw the property we were astounded at how many options you could have for your whole weekend. There is a stunning historic barn complex on the property where we held our rehearsal dinner and a beautiful tent site, which overlooks the Hudson, which is where we held our reception. It's truly such a unique property to have both of those options available.
There is also an option to rent out the carriage house (on the property) and creekside cabin (right off the property) which we decided to do. The convenience of this was so helpful throughout the weekend. Our *only* comment is that there did happen to be a lot of flies in the carriage house, but this is expected to some degree when in the woods.
Ripley and Jack (the property manager) could not have been more lovely and friendly to work with and truly went above and beyond for us to make the day special. Jack is truly amazing and so very attentive in making sure that everything is taken care of. You can really tell how much he loves the property and takes such pride in all that he does.
We absolutely loved our wedding and this place will always hold a special place in our hearts. Ripley kindly told us that she'd be happy to have us back again and we hope to visit our special spot for years to come.
Also noting - for those looking at venues! The photo's here do not do justice to how breathtaking this whole property is. If you're able, go see it for yourself. Meet Fred the cat and fall in love with this magical venue like we did. It was truly perfect.
A Private Estate's reply:
Dear Sheri,
Thank you for this rave review. Jack and I are really happy that everything came together for you both that weekend. Let us know when your photos are ready.
Our apologies about the flies. We clean the house twice a week and the only thing I can think of is perhaps they flew in when we were working on the house and got trapped inside. We do have screens on all windows and doors.
Happy Thanksgiving. Wishing you all the best.
Ripley and Jack -
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Tara Sent on 11/02/2021
Beautiful, Bespoke Venue
My husband and I looked at dozens of wedding venues, but when we saw A Private Estate we knew it was the perfect place for us. We fell in love with the big oak trees, the sweeping lawns, the view of the Hudson, the beautiful barn, and the carriage house. We had to delay our wedding a year due to Covid, but we were happy to find that the venue owner Ripley was accommodating and we were able to reschedule. Leading up to our day and day-of, both Ripley and Jack were kind, helpful, and lovely. We enjoyed chatting with them whenever we visited the venue and it made us very excited for our big day, despite the delays. Jack went out of his way to make our day special, putting in extra work to help with some last-minute asks. All of the guests were so impressed by our venue and the view-- people are still saying to us it was unlike any place they had ever been for a wedding! I stayed at and got ready at the Carriage House, and it was very comfortable and looked gorgeous in pictures. We feel so grateful to be able to get married at A Private Estate, and will remember it and Ripley & Jack's kindness forever!A Private Estate's reply:
Dear Tara,
We will remember you always. You have been one of our most gracious brides. Your wedding was a pleasure. We were so glad that you got such a beautiful day after your Covid postponement. Thank you so much for sharing some of your photos too. Jack and I wish you all the best. Do come visit in the future!
Ripley
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![Blake]()
Blake Sent on 10/20/2021Unmatched wedding venue
Our wedding at A Private Estate was perfect. There is no other venue like it for the price. We were able to have three separate locations on the same property (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception), making the day feel like a full experience. The views are incredible and there are countless spaces for perfect pictures. The ability for the bridal party to get ready just feet from the ceremony, and to stay on the property, is also great.
Ripley is fantastic to work with and is so pleasant and flexible. Her vendor recommendations were spot on as well. We couldn't have asked for anything more in a venue!A Private Estate's reply:
Dear Blake,
It was a delight to host you and Sora's wedding. Thank you for this wonderful review. Jack and I work hard to make your wedding day magical. Please do come visit us in the future if you are in this neck of the woods.
Ripley -
Sara Sent on 10/05/2021
Best Venue
We had our wedding here in September and it was a perfect venue! Ripley and her staff were wonderful. The venue is huge! And the views of the Hudson and the Catskills were incredible. -
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F Kwok Sent on 01/20/2021
An Amazing Experience Even with Covid
We had an amazing experience with Ripley and Jack at A Private Estate. They were responsive and very helpful and had a great network of vendors that they were able to refer to us. Our wedding took place during parts of the Covid restrictions and they were very good at helping us understand the rules and what we could not do and what things would cause problems for other vendors. They were also very helpful in providing the right equipment and facilities to have a safe event under the Covid regulations and were willing to be flexible on their end to help us comply with rules. This was especially important to us as we had a few older guests and we are very happy to report that no one got sick at the event so things were done right. We can't recommend them enough.A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you Frank. You cannot buy good health and Jack and I are so glad that everyone stayed well and that you and Allison enjoyed your wedding day despite the pandemic. We wish you much happiness in the years to come and good health too. Come back and visit if you find yourselves in the area. All the best, Ripley and Jack. -
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![Nicole]()
Nicole Sent on 10/21/2020Stunning Outdoor Wedding
We had a 50 person micro-wedding here and it was perfection. Our wedding was originally slated to be in June, but back in March we worked with Ripley to postpone to October due to the uncertainty of COVID. Normally this would be incredibly stressful, and don't get me wrong it wasn't fun, but Ripley was extremely understanding and communicative and helped bend over backwards to provide a multitude of options. Although we had to cut down our guest list and we didn't get to rage on the dance floor, everything else we had envisioned for the day came to life and couldn't have been more beautiful. For anyone planning a wedding without COVID protocols, don't hesitate - scoop this place up because they don't do many weddings a year! For anyone planning a micro wedding/COVID wedding, DEFINITELY book this venue. I'm so glad we were able to still getting married here and stay at the carriage house. We decided to go with an open air tent to be extra safe and there's so much room for guests to space out and socially distance. The best part was that it allowed us to see family and friends that we've been separated from for months within a controlled and safe environment. It made the day all the more special since we'd been apart for so long. I know when I was first looking into the venue I scoured the internet for as many photos I could find, so here's a link to our photographer's blog post with more for those that are curious https://katherinemarchand.com/a-private-estate-germantown-new-york-wedding/A Private Estate's reply:
Nicole, Thank you so much for this lovely and detailed review. Jack and I are most appreciative. It was a pleasure to host your wedding. Your family was simply marvelous. We wish you much happiness in the years to come and please feel free to come back and visit.
All are best to you both,
Ripley -
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![Lauren]()
Lauren Sent on 10/30/2019The perfect venue
If you are looking for a riverside venue, a barn, or just a beautiful location, A Private Estate is PERFECT! From the moment my husband and I first drove into the grounds we were in awe of the beauty this venue has to offer. This was the first and only place we toured when booking our wedding. We knew right away that we weren't going to find a more beautiful and perfect location. Ripley and Jack also made our decision making that much easier with their friendly and helpful personalities. The riverfront ceremony sight offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River, along with the new riverside cocktail hour location. Our guests were in complete awe of the beauty A Private Estate offers. The barn complex was the perfect layout for our buffet style dinner and dance floor for our band and 144 guests. Our wedding planning/prep was smooth and easy and everything was catered to our needs/wants. Our day was truly magical, and it was largely because of how amazing this venue is and how wonderful Ripley and Jack are to work with. -
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![Genette]()
Genette Sent on 10/14/2019The venue for a flawless and memorable wedding
On the banks of the Hudson River, A Private Estate is a secluded venue where lush greenery and the Catskill Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for your wedding.
As a wedding planner/coordinator, I can attest to the fact that the team at A Private Estate is professional and well coordinated. They will flawlessly execute your unique wedding vision while at the same time providing you with excellent customer service. Planning a wedding is complicated...this is the venue to book if you want one LESS thing to worry about. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! -
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![Jason]()
Jason Sent on 09/18/2019A totally professional and pleasurable experience from start to finish!
From the moment we discovered and viewed A Private Estate, we had no doubt that the spectacular venue was the place we wanted to spend our special day. That initial decisions was based on purely aesthetic first impressions, but the journey from that day to our actual wedding day, and the assistance and help given by the estate owner and the staff who work there, matched that same high standard.
Ripley Hathaway, the owner, was consistently responsive and helpful wherever she could be along the initial viewing and into the booking process. It was a pleasure to get to know her and she had great guidance on vendors and all aspects of the wedding day experience, plenty of which we did not think of when we first started planning.
As the day approached, Jack, the property manager, along with his team took as much of the potential stress away as they possibly could! Their positive and gracious attitude and damn hard work was both calming and just amazing.
On a more practical side, much of the equipment required for the day was included in the overall price (i.e. ceremony & reception chairs). The ability to rent The Carriage House and the Cabin was incredibly useful and very reasonably priced. Our guests who stayed at these venues had only great things to say about them.
The ceremony setting and cocktail hours on the banks of the Hudson is just unbeatable. The Barn for the reception was perfect and the 'al fresco' dance floor for the band and then all-night dancing was exactly what we wanted, envisioned, and A Private Estate delivered.
I cannot recommend this venue and the people who run it highly enough. Our experience was beyond what we had hoped for - and we have high expectations :)
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Jen Sent on 11/04/2018
Excellent!
My husband and I recently got married at A Private Estate and our wedding day was nothing short of wonderful! Our search for the perfect venue was over the second we entered the property - from the secluded and private location, to the jaw dropping mountain views, and spacious two-story barn. Ripley (property owner) and Jack (property manager) were absolutely fabulous and extremely helpful throughout the process of planning our special day. Ripley always answered our e-mails in a timely manner and offered valuable assistance while planning. When we arrived the weekend of our wedding, Ripley and Jack were both readily available to us and helped us mitigate minor challenges, providing support and reassurance! Our guests thoroughly enjoyed the uniquely versatile space that A Private Estate has to offer and we will be forever grateful to Ripley and Jack!A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you so much for your review! Its what keeps us working hard for all our couples. Jack and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your families. Should you find yourself nearby please come back and visit. All best wishes to you both for this upcoming year and all those to come. -
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Sean Sent on 09/30/2017A Private Estate was the perfect venue for our wedding. We wanted a great outdoor space that was beautiful, well manicured and upscale but also wanted it to feel quaint. Needless to say A Private Estate hit it out of the park. Ripley and her team were there to cover everything, answer every question, give great suggestions and overall help execute the most memorable day ever. The carriage house was the perfect accommodation for us and our family and really made us feel at home as we got ready to walk down the aisle. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing or go with anyone venue. Highly recommended.
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![Melissa]()
Melissa Sent on 08/29/2016I was married at A Private Estate on July 30, 2016 and I could not have been happier with our choice of venue. I live only five minutes north of the estate, yet the entire weekend I felt as if we were at some beautiful, remote location.
The grounds of the estate are extensive and meticulously maintained that no matter where on the property you choose to have the ceremony, it will be stunning. The barn on the property is a fantastic space to hold the reception; it can be as romantic or casual as you choose to make it. We fit 120 guests comfortably in the barn and on the barn’s porch for dinner, with dancing on the patio. The flow of the reception space was ideal; as it was in no way congested yet concentrated enough that no one felt as if they missed anything.
Jack, the caretaker of A Private Estate, will go above and beyond to make your day go off without a hitch. When rain unexpectedly made an appearance at our wedding, Jack was able to secure a tent for us within hours of our reception…no easy feat! Ripley and Jack are a great team, whom offer resources and make themselves accessible to you in order for your day to be as wonderful as possible.
My only complaint would be that my wedding went by all too quickly. Thank you Ripley and Jack for such a magical wedding, it was more than I had ever envisioned!
A Private Estate's reply:
Dear Melissa,
Thank you for the compliments. We too felt your magical wedding went by too fast. Thank you again for choosing us. We wish you and Justin many years of happiness.
Ripley -
![Isabella]()
Isabella Sent on 09/26/2024Stunning Wedding Venue
This venue has breathtaking views of the Hudson and was absolutely beautiful, exactly what we were looking for. Its a blank canvas where you can build exactly what your vision is. Ripley, the owner, is very responsive and will answer any questions you have. There is a house available to rent on the property which is great for the bride or groom to get ready in. We used the tent site, but there is a barn that can be used for the wedding or additional events surrounding the weekend. The grounds caretaker, Jack, works with Ripley and your planner very carefully to make sure all the vendors and all the guests are safe and know exactly what they are doing. The entire team is very professional, very efficient, and very friendly. They are very passionate about making sure you have the best wedding ever. We were lucky with amazing weather, but I know we would have been in good hands if it did rain. We had the most amazing wedding at A Private Estate and so much had to do with the beautiful grounds. They take so much pride in keeping their grounds maintained and it shows! Would get married here a million times over again.A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you Bella! We loved hosting Sammy and your wedding and would be happy to do it a million times again! All best wishes to you both. Let us know when your photos are ready. We love reliving your special day.
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![Deborah]()
Deborah Sent on 08/19/2024Lovely wedding venue
My son got married at this venue in August 2024.
We came over from the UK and immediately loved the beautiful setting and facilities. Guests also came from USA and Canada.
We stayed on site, and the accommodation was very spacious. We would have liked blinds in the bedrooms, but staff were very helpful and we managed to block out the light in the kids bedrooms. The actual wedding was held outside by the Hudson River in a very picturesque setting.
Drinks were served there on the lawn immediately after the wedding and then we moved to the wonderful barn for dinner and dancing.
The staff were very pleasant and helpful throughout our stay, and everything went smoothly.
We would thoroughly recommend this beautiful and historic venue for events.
A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you so much for your review. I am sorry the skylight in the bedroom let in too much light for the children but I am glad Jack and his staff were able to block out the light for them. Most of our occupants go to bed after the sun has set. All best wishes to you and the family. -
![Sarah]()
Sarah Sent on 08/19/2018My husband and I are so happy we decided to get married at A Private Estate this past June. We can't stop thinking about how perfect the day was and so much of that had to do with our incredible venue. Ripley and Jack are friendly, accommodating and caring individuals. They really went above and beyond to make our day special. Both were onsite the day of our wedding pitching in and helping out other staff! The venue itself is incredibly charming and unlike any other wedding venue we've ever seen. You have the freedom to create your own vision and there are many beautiful vantage points to work with. If you are planning your own wedding, it's a lot of work but totally worth it. I really appreciated the fact that I wasn't required to work with specific vendors. I was able to research a lot on my own and choose specific vendors who were able to create my vision. We had our ceremony down by the Hudson River overlooking the Catskill mountains, our cocktail hour on the lawn a few steps from the estate and our reception towards the back of the property inside the barn. We really lucked out with the weather on June 16th - it was 85 degrees and sunny without a drop of rain. Most of the venue is outdoors and I really did not want to have a tent for the ceremony, cocktail hour or reception, so keep that in mind if you have a similar vision. Our family and friends cannot stop talking about how amazing our wedding was. I've heard from numerous people that it was the best wedding they've ever attended and one of the most beautiful venues they've ever seen. I highly recommend getting married at a Private Estate for all of the DIY brides out there! -
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![Riley]()
Riley Sent on 12/02/2025Wedding of My Dreams!
A Private Estate was the perfect canvas for the wedding of our dreams! The space allowed for us to bring in the best vendors in Hudson Valley to bring out vision to life perfectly. Each vendor worked together seamlessly and loved working with Jack and Ripley. The day went off without a hitch, we couldn't be happier!A Private Estate's reply:
Thank you so much Riley for this review and for posting the photographs. We wish you much happiness in the years to come. Please come back and visit if you find yourselves near by.
All the best to you both,
Ripley -
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Meg M. Sent on 12/11/2023
The perfect venue for our wedding
Ripley (the owner) & Jack (property manager) are a great team. Aside from the beautifully kept grounds and stunning view, booking this venue comes with the value add of Jack making sure everything on your special day runs smoothly. He is quick to solve any last minute issues and is very prepared to prevent any issues due to his years of experience preparing for weddings. He even had cash on hand in case we didn’t have enough for our vendors! They both are a pleasure to work with, which is rare for such a special venue. -
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![Maureen]()
Maureen Sent on 12/31/2018Dreamy Wedding Destination
Beautiful, fun and memorable! This venue is an all in one destination with dedicated space for ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and dancing, easily interconnecting the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley with the interesting architecture and set up of the main house and event areas. Ripley and Jack at A Private Estate made our wedding weekend so special. The venue was the perfect combination of elevated sophistication and comfort for us and our guests. The beautiful lawn overlooking the Hudson River was a spectacular backdrop to the wedding ceremony. Guests then easily made their way up to the main house lawn for a chic outdoor cocktail hour with plenty of space for mingling, photos and spending time with one another. The barn was transformed into a beautifully comfortable and chic reception with greenery, twinkling lights and wonderful food, laughter, then singing and dancing all night long on the tented back patio. Jack was spectacular, paying attention to every little detail, down to the twinkling lights. He even went so far as to request the tent company bring a new tent when the one they brought was not up to his standards. We know there must have been so many other things he did all weekend, that we didn’t even know or see, that made our day so perfect. For that, we are eternally grateful to Ripley and Jack and highly encourage visiting if you’re considering for your event!A Private Estate's reply:
Maureen, Thank you so much for your review that explains how our venue and we work. You and Scott were an absolute delight to work with. We wish you many years of happiness, As you know we don't host weddings every weekend so our staff and grounds can be fresh for all our couples. Jack and I would love to see you both if you ever want to come back on one of our "off" weekends. All the best for 2019.
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