The North Fork has it all in when it comes to weddings — rustic farms, charming vineyards, beautiful beaches, nautical venues — plus locally sourced wine, food and flowers. Choose your vibe and let us do the work for you.
The Venue
If you prefer rural rustic with a side of history, Hallockville Museum Farm hits that homey feel. The 28-acre farm can host socially distanced weddings outside for up to 200 people with tenting, while the 1937 Naugles Barn can accommodate intimate weddings of up to 60 people. With its airy gambrel roof and rafters, the setting is dramatic. “Many bring extra Edison lights to string up,” said Roberta Shoten, executive director. “Some even mix up the style with glam chandeliers.” Photo-ops abound, with retro gas pumps, vintage trucks and historic buildings providing unique backdrops. Most ceremonies are done outside by the grand old oak tree — a perfect symbol of longevity and stability.
Décor Idea
“We like to use old frames found at estate sales to highlight pictures from the couple’s relationship to hang around the barn as décor,” said Tracy Kessler, founder of the events planning company A North Fork Affair. “Guests love looking at the timeline of their courtship and this is a budget-friendly way to warm up this rustic space.”
The Food
With its sprawling acreage, Hallockville allows multiple food trucks on the premises — like Rolling in Dough’s red pizza truck and Meats Meat smoked BBQ — for a casual dinner. Caterer Grace & Grit can pull off a down-home but elegant cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres like fried chicken in a mini waffle cone, chicken pot pie tartlets and the NoFo BLT. “We also recommend a s’mores station and local fruit pies,” said Samantha Payne-Markel, director of sales for Grace & Grit.
The Flowers
Seasonality is key at a farm wedding — think summer hydrangeas, lavender in July, sunflowers in August — and Salt Air Farms in Cutchogue grows its own flowers and crops. Loose “wildflower” arrangements in watering cans give a true rustic feel. “Fall weddings can feature pumpkins in blue, green, peach, pink and white, with fruits and herbs that we grow for napkin and menu sprigs,” said owner Prudence Heston. Honey favors from the apiary add a literal sweet touch.
Extra Touches
Hallockville’s large space can accommodate lawn games set up outdoors, from a game of badminton to a cornhole toss with the couple’s names or pictures on it. For dessert, North Fork Doughnut Company can do doughnut walls on pegboards, giant 12-inch doughnut cakes or doughnut party favors. The bakery can customize based on your color scheme or a flavor that feels personal, said owner Jimmy Lyons. “One time we even made Mountain Dew doughnuts for a couple that just loved Mountain Dew!”
First Dance Song
Points East band recommends: “Feels Like Home” by Randy Newman.
Invitations
These designs by Melinda Morris of Arni Paperie use iconic farm images and an earthy color scheme to evoke the rural setting in an elevated way.
