When couples start looking for a wedding venue near Hopewell Junction, they’re weighing space, service, control over their day, and whether their guests will actually enjoy themselves. At The Preston Barn at Old Drovers Inn, located in Dover Plains and serving couples throughout Hopewell Junction, Mahopac, Connecticut, Westchester, and beyond, we frequently hear these questions. We know the search can feel overwhelming. Here’s what draws so many couples here, what makes the weekend work, and how our approach might fit what you’re hoping for.
Couples from Hopewell Junction choose The Preston Barn for its flexible weekend format, allowing ample time for rehearsal, celebrations, and brunch. The venue’s all-inclusive setup, on-site lodging, and customizable options provide a seamless experience, while the 80-mile drive offers a convenient escape without the stress of destination logistics.
A Space That Actually Bends to Your Vision
The Preston Barn was built from reclaimed Hudson Valley barns, so the hand-hewn beams and barn wood floors carry history. But we didn’t stop at rustic charm. Year-round climate control, interior guest restrooms, and a complete audio system mean you’re not sacrificing comfort for atmosphere. Vaulted ceilings and sliding barn doors give you a canvas, and we let you customize the floor plan, menu, and timing of your day.
That flexibility appears frequently in reviews on The Knot and WeddingWire. Couples tell us they didn’t realize until they booked how much they could customize the event to make it feel like theirs. If you prefer a plated dinner with three entrée selections, we’ll coordinate seating layouts accordingly. If you’d rather have a family-style service at one of our 10 farm tables, we’ll adjust the setup accordingly. The 40-by-50-foot Vermont stone patio works beautifully for cocktail hour, and if the weather turns, the lawn and tented area give you backup options without scrambling.
Full Service Without the Fine Print
When we say all-inclusive, we mean wood cross-back chairs with cushions, linens in your choice of colors, flatware, china, and glassware for up to 220 guests. We provide the tables, the arbor for your ceremony, a wireless PA system, and audio for toasts and your first dance. You won’t spend a Saturday afternoon driving to three rental companies, wondering if the cushions match the chairs.
Our on-site coordinator begins working with you from your first visit and remains with you throughout the duration of your event. That person knows the property, the kitchen, and how to keep things running smoothly, so you don’t have to worry about logistics on your wedding day. The barn is yours for setup the day before and cleanup the day after, and the property is yours for the weekend from Friday 3 P.M. through Sunday 11 A.M., so your celebration doesn’t feel squeezed into a six-hour window.
In-House Catering That Customizes Everything
Old Drovers Inn handles all food and beverage for barn events, and the chef customizes menus using local and fresh ingredients. You choose your service style: buffet, family-style, or plated; then pick from options like slow-cooked salmon with citrus and pickled chilies, sliced flank steak with chimichurri, or ratatouille tart with goat cheese. Every entrée comes with penne alla vodka, fingerling potatoes, seasonal vegetables, freshly baked cookies, and a coffee station.
The one-hour cocktail hour includes passed hors d’oeuvres plus three stationary displays. Dinner begins with a plated salad course. A five-hour open bar is included, along with soft drinks, water, two signature drinks, and a champagne toast or champagne wall greeting. If someone has dietary restrictions, the kitchen works directly with you. You’re talking to the people who will actually cook the meal, not filling out a form and hoping for the best.
On-Site Lodging That Keeps Everyone Close
The Old Drovers Inn is included in your site fee: six guest rooms, each with a private bath, plus a sitting room, a library, and a formal dining room. You’ll have access to a concierge for beverages and refreshments, and your bridal suite comes with two nights and a complimentary breakfast. Across the street, the Carriage House features a total of six bedrooms: five with private bathrooms and a two-bedroom suite with a shared bathroom, as well as a small dining and sitting room. Everyone staying at the Inn receives breakfast.
Just down the street, Preston House offers four en-suite bedrooms, two living rooms, a full kitchen, a dining area, a patio, a sunroom, and a library, accommodating up to eight guests. About five minutes away, the seasonal Farm House at Ten Mile River Preserve features three bedrooms, a living room, a family room with a fireplace, a screened porch, and laundry facilities, accommodating eight to ten guests. The seasonal Mountain Cabin, located about 15 minutes away, features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room with a fireplace, a covered porch, and laundry facilities, sleeping eight to ten guests. When your family and wedding party wake up where you do, the morning feels easier, and no one’s racing across town to make the ceremony.
A Team That Shows Up in the Details
We hear from couples that our whole staff is friendly, which sounds simple until you’re in the middle of planning and one question turns into ten. The coordinator who walks you through your rehearsal the evening before is the same person who is there on Saturday. Parking attendants show up for the first hour to guide guests. If you add the golf cart shuttle, it's a six-person cart with a driver who is familiar with the property.
That consistency matters when you’re trying to enjoy your own wedding. You’re not meeting new faces every time you turn around. You’re working with people who already know your plan, your family dynamics, and which uncle needs to be seated far from the DJ.
Weekend Flow Without the Scramble
If you want to continue celebrating after your reception ends, the VIP after-party offers two extra hours in the Tap Room for up to 50 guests. The optional fire pit, managed by staff and weather permitting, provides a gathering spot without worrying about permits or safety concerns. Wedding day breakfast is included for guests staying at the Inn, Carriage House, and on-property lodging, and you can bring in additional guests to feed your whole wedding party while getting ready.
Easy Access from Hopewell Junction and Beyond
The Preston Barn is situated in Dover Plains, on 11 acres of rural surroundings, approximately 80 miles north of New York City. Couples come from Hopewell Junction, Mahopac in Putnam County, Westchester, Long Island, and New York City. The drive offers guests a break from the city without requiring a cross-country flight, and the nearby local wineries and hiking trails make it easy to plan a weekend getaway instead of a single day.
Conclusion
If you are weighing venues in Hopewell Junction and want a weekend that feels uniquely yours rather than a cookie-cutter event squeezed into someone else’s timeline, The Preston Barn gives you the space, the team, and the flexibility to build it your way. See the barn, walk the grounds, and ask us anything you’d like to know. Call us 845-442-3053 or email helene.rosenkranz@olddroversinn.com to schedule your tour and discover how your celebration can come to life in this distinctive Hudson Valley setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do couples from Hopewell Junction choose The Preston Barn over closer venues?
The weekend format, from Friday at 3 PM through Sunday at 11 AM, gives you time to settle in, rehearse without rushing, and gather for brunch the next day. On-site lodging keeps the family close, and the all-inclusive setup means fewer vendor calls. Couples tell us the 80-mile drive from the city feels like a getaway without the hassle of destination logistics.
What does “all-inclusive” actually cover at The Preston Barn?
Wood cross-back chairs with cushions, linens in your colors, flatware, china, glassware for up to 220 guests, a ceremony arbor, a wireless PA system, and audio for toasts and dancing. You get set up the day before and clean up the day after. The five-hour open bar includes a champagne toast, passed and stationary hors d’oeuvres, and a plated or family-style dinner with penne, potatoes, vegetables, cookies, and coffee. Your on-site coordinator works with you from booking through send-off.
Can we customize the menu and floor plan to match our vision?
Indeed, the chef at Old Drovers Inn works directly with you to determine the service style, whether plated, buffet, or family-style, as well as entrée selections, such as slow-cooked salmon or flank steak with chimichurri. The 40-by-50-foot barn allows you to arrange seating as you wish, and the coordinator adjusts the layout to accommodate your guest count and flow.
How does on-site lodging make the weekend easier for our families?
The Old Drovers Inn, with six guest rooms and private baths, is included in your site fee, along with your two-night bridal suite and breakfast. The Carriage House adds six bedrooms across the street. Preston House, Farm House, and Mountain Cabin sleep eight to ten each nearby. No one is driving an hour after the reception or missing breakfast because they stayed too far away.