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Sunnyside's front entrance, covered by wisteria planted by Washington Irving.

Featured Westchester Wedding Reception Location: Sunnyside in Tarrytown, NY

FAIRYTALE BEAUTY, CHARM AND ROMANCE WITH MAGNIFICENT HUDSON RIVER VIEWS.

(Click pictures throughout article for enlargements.)

Location: Tarrytown, NY (Westchester County)
Capacity: Sunnyside’s provided tent: 110 sit-down, 120 stand-up. You may rent your own tent, which would then determine the capacity.
Note: This is a tented venue with no indoor backup.
Catering: Exclusively by Fabulous Foods
Contact: Scott London of Fabulous Foods at 914-524-7900

HISTORY OF SUNNYSIDE

America's first successful, internationally known author, Washington Irving's writings include numerous works of fiction, history and biography. He is best remembered for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle, stories that are enduring hallmarks in American literature, culture, and folklore. Washington Irving also held diplomatic posts in Great Britain and Spain.

In 1835, Irving purchased a simple 18th-century cottage and enlarged and remodeled it to its present appearance. The wisteria-covered, stepped-gable entrance and the Spanish-style tower are instantly recognizable images of America's literary and architectural history. This cottage is Sunnyside.

WEDDING CEREMONIES & RECEPTIONS AT SUNNYSIDE

Wedding ceremony in a garden at Sunnyside.

Sunnyside, Irving's charming riverside home, is one of the most famous places in American history. Meticulously restored, Sunnyside offers shady and expansive lawns, colorful gardens, marvelous river views, and a tented courtyard.

The most famous landmark in the Hudson Valley, Sunnyside features spectacular gardens in the Romantic landscape design, and includes plantings and walkways laid out by Irving himself. The picturesque cottage features a wisteria-covered, stepped-gable entrance and a Spanish-style tower.

Sunnyside’s romantic landscape offers many spots for wedding ceremonies and cocktails, all with grand sunset Hudson River views.

Porch overlooking the Hudson River at Sunnyside.

The porch and adjacent shady lawn, overlooking the Hudson River, make an ideal setting for either a ceremony or reception, and offer fantastic photo opportunities.

There is a tented, brick-paved courtyard at the visitor center suitable for stand up events and seated dinners. There is also ample space to place your own tent, if you wish.

Ceremonies can be held in the beautiful garden, in front of the wisteria-covered cottage, or on "Daffodil Hill" overlooking the Spanish-style tower of the cottage below.

Wedding ceremony in front of the cottage at Sunnyside.

"Daffodil Hill" also makes a perfect setting for cocktails under a tent, as does the cottage's porch and adjacent shady lawn.

Sunnyside is located in Tarrytown, NY in a prestigious residential neighborhood, at the end of West Sunnyside Lane, about one mile south of the Tappan Zee bridge.

CATERING AT SUNNYSIDE

Fabulous Foods is the exclusive caterer for private events at Sunnyside. A premium, full service caterer, Fabulous Foods has twenty years of experience producing exceptional events and has built a reputation for flawless planning, careful production, and delicious food.

Wedding reception at Sunnyside.

For complete information on Fabulous Foods, including sample menus, please contact Scott London at 914/ 524-7900.

IDEAS FOR A HALLOWEEN WEDDING RECEPTION AT SUNNYSIDE

A wedding reception in October may be built around the famous story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, an appropriate theme for Halloween (also see our article on Elegant Halloween Wedding Ideas). Sunnyside is a part of Historic Hudson Valley, a network of museums of history. In partnership with Fabulous Foods, Historic Hudson Valley offers a unique opportunity to hold your event in conjunction with museum programs appropriate to the season. For further information about entertaining at Sunnyside, contact Kathleen Casey at 914/ 631-8200 ext. 619 or send e-mail to kcasey@hudsonvalley.org.