Highlights from Hudson

As we packed up the luggage and tossed in our final bag, I felt incredibly grateful that we were going twenty minutes down the road, not the full five hours home. After such a big family event, the best thing we did for ourselves was plan to stay in Hudson, NY, and have an extra day to decompress, just the two of us. Between naps and a glass of wine, we took the time to reflect on the wedding weekend, and here are a few of our favorite details. Two are from the celebration itself, and two are post-event to encourage you to indulge in rest and comfort after your milestone moments.

Tablescapes are a personal expression of the wedding couples' style. Is it bold, bright, subtle, or ornate? So many directions you can go. On this occasion, simple yet beautiful was the choice, with each element selected by the brides. Their passion and appreciation for nature were evident in the venue choice of Gather Greene and each detail surrounding the event (including the ceremony in the sunlit woods.). During the design process, we were asked to make handcrafted menu holders to complement the tables. Each one was made from white maple, black walnut, red mahogany, or white oak. It seemed only fitting that the menus be highlighted by something natural, a piece of rough-cut lumber finished with a beveled edge.

Walking the quiet streets of Hudson the next day, we bumped into guests from the wedding. As we talked, we noticed there on his jacket was the enamel pin he'd received at the reception (a travel van surrounded by palm trees). You wouldn't think an enamel pin, probably the least expensive decor piece, would be such a big hit, but it was. A dozen different styles, each in outdoor, adventure-themed designs (think: airstreams, campfires, cameras, mountain ranges) were part of the décor that pinned the guests' table numbers onto the seating chart. Colorful and festive, the pins suggested something unique about each guests' story. By the end of the evening, people all over the dance floor were wearing the enamel pins on suit lapels and jackets—what a fun surprise.

Easy, cozy, and relaxing were our three priorities by Sunday afternoon. After the final wedding brunch, we checked into The Wick Hotel. The modern boutique property, renovated from an 1860's candle factory, sits on the outskirts of town, located near a fabulous artisanal cheese shop. The hotel is a short walk up the steps to the main streets of Hudson. During other recent hotel stays, we've noticed a big challenge to hospitality since Covid. Hotels are clean, but they've lost all charm and personality. Sterile is how they feel. Fortunately, this is not the case at The Wick. With stairs in beautiful, rich wood grain, a mix of textures throughout, and posters lining the halls that describe the candle-making process, The Wick was just what we needed. We discovered careful attention to detail in the light fixtures, marble, and the wall mural inside our room. It was the perfect place to recharge.

Dinner that night was an intentional choice of luxury and comfort at The Maker Hotel's Conservatory. We've followed this property on Instagram for years and knew this was the place we wanted to dine. True to the photos, it's filled with unique details, rich, soft materials, a relaxing mood defined by the lighting, tall plants and lush greenery, and outstanding service (not to mention an excellent meal.). After dinner, we carried our drinks down the hall to the plush sofa by the fireplace for our final toast - to each other.