Bedford Post Inn, backcountry beauty

Nestled seemingly far away is the exquisite Relais Chateaux, Bedford Post Inn. It is primarily known for its celebrity owner and philanthropist Richard Gere, and returned to because of its beauty, cuisine and hospitality.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with this area, it is in fact back country and horse country but far closer than you think! Bedford borders many familiar towns in Connecticut and New York such as Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford, Mt. Kisco, Katonah and it is also very near Armonk, Chappaqua, South Salem and Ridgefield. It is also less than 5 minutes from Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Katonah Museum of Art, Wolf Conservation Center and the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, beautiful for camping and hiking.

When I worked at Bedford Post I had to do very little in the way of dressing up the atmosphere, a far cry from the time spent on dressing up tent weddings in California. Every inch of the property speaks to an elegant affair, the rustic warmth of a country or Barn wedding and the exclusivity of the most extravagant private club. This is the perfect venue for the most discerning of clients or couples hosting a smaller event or wedding of preferably 60 of fewer. The venue can accommodate up to 80 or more depending upon whether or not you buyout the entire property.

The Facts…

They have two restaurants. There is the Barn for a yummy breakfast or lunch and the Farmhouse for a special dinner. They also have a beautiful Chef’s Table that accommodates up to 12 and an exclusive gem of a Wine Cellar complete with a fire place that accommodates up to 14 for a seated meal and about 20 for a cocktail style party. They also have their Private Dining Room off of the Farmhouse’s main dining room that can accommodate up to 32 for a seated meal and more for a cocktail style event.

This space resembles your dream living room, with a lounge area, fireplace and the space has its own restroom for your guests. A great combo is to begin your event with wine and cheese in the Wine Cellar, making your way upstairs for dinner in the Private Dining Room. There is also a small deck off of the side to enjoy in the warmer months.

Most larger events are hosted in the breathtaking Yoga Loft that comfortably seats 60 people, up to 72 if necessary and more if the event is served cocktail style. This one of a kind space has one wall of glass doors that open onto a deck with a small “zen” garden for guests to enjoy. If the weather is nice you can place one or two of the dining tables in this garden area. The vaulted ceilings with originally restored wooden beams give the space a light and airy feel. The other side is bordered by a dining alcove that is the perfect place for Viennese table, kid’s corner, indoor bar, etc. Larger events can utilize the Yoga Loft for their dancing, cake cutting if they are hosting a wedding, and whatever else they may need more space for like a showroom, closing down the Farmhouse restaurant for their private dinner.

There are 3 choices of outdoor ceremony spaces, the most popular and feasible being the Farmhouse patio. If you take all 8 rooms at the Inn for the entire weekend you may utilize the reflecting pool area for either a ceremony or cocktail reception or both. For those that are truly looking for a natural setting, they may place their ceremony on the grass to the side of the farmhouse where guests would be facing the woods as they watch you take your vows.

My deal ‘maker’ of course is the Yoga Loft. They offer classes every day of the week in the most beautiful studio in the tri-state area and beyond. You can end your yoga excursion with coffee and scone! You and your friends can enjoy the best private yoga classes anywhere right on property; a great way to begin your wedding weekend or a great gift for someone getting away for their birthday weekend.

I almost forgot the Inn! It has two floors, 4 rooms on each with a small and private living room on the first floor. Here there is a TV, mini fridge and classic books for guests to persuse. On the weekends there are complimentary wine and cheese hours that far surpass even most upscale restaurants. There is pretty much always an innkeeper at the front desk to ask questions about the area, instead of having to be put on hold calling down to a front desk person. Last but not least, the reflection pool and Inn patio is a lovely place to sip wine and take a deep breath. Of course there is an outdoor fireplace!

I love the properties sense of privacy and the fact that you can stay in luxurious surroundings the evening before and the evening of your wedding or event. In room spa treatments are also available – good to book a few days out. The scrumptious Barn, the more casual of their two restaurants, can provide you with pastries and good coffee the day of your wedding, perhaps hosting a shoe signing in your room complete with a light lunch for you and your ladies.

If you want to host an event that you will enjoy remembering for years to come and that will impress your guests, this would be the venue. Take it from me…I practically began my private events department from past clients at the Bedford Post. Since we have planned other events, but they still talk about our first collaboration at this perfectly comfortable, elegant and charming venue.

Bedford Post Inn
954 Old Post Road
Bedford, NY 10506
www.bedfordpostinn.com
914.234.7800

Event Coordinator – Alex Corbett
Events@bedfordpostinn.com

Inn Keeper – Timothy Puchalski
914.205.3773
inn@bedfordpostinn.com

Ashley Douglass Events is a boutique events company, planning weddings, mitzvahs, social and corporate events throughout Connecticut and New York.  Years of experience in both design & coordination, ADE is the right wedding planner for detailed oriented couples. We are your project managers with a heaping dose of creativity thrown in the mix. Learn more by contacting us today at 917.748.6281 or click here for our short form.