What better place to plan a wedding and look for a reception venue than in the beautiful Adirondacks? If you’re planning to have a lot of guests at your reception (we’re talking over 500 people!), you may find it’s difficult to find a venue that can accommodate that many of your friends and family members. Have no fear, we’ve rounded up venues in the Adirondacks, as well as surrounding areas that can hold up to 500 guests and more. Take a look:

wedding rental tents along lake

Adirondacks/Lake George Region

Imagine a sunset reception right on Lake George. What better way for your guests to experience the true beauty of the Adirondacks than by celebrating your wedding while taking in all the different views of the area and cruising around the Lake itself? The Lac du Saint Sacrament serves as a great option for a truly different cocktail reception. The steamboat can hold up to 1,000 people for cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres! There are two enclosed climate controlled decks, two open-air decks (think of all the great photo ops!) and a handicap elevator so everyone can reach each level of the boat.

Nearby in Saratoga

Only a short drive away from the Adirondack Region, Saratoga is home to the beautiful Hall of Springs. This renowned glamorous and historic venue sits in beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park, right next door to SPAC. The regal ballroom has 38-foot ceilings with three stunning crystal chandeliers. If that doesn’t leave your guests in awe, lead them onto the outdoor patio where they can get a full view of the grounds. The Hall of Springs can comfortably accommodate 500 guests for a cocktail reception and up to 450 for a sit-down dinner with enough room for dancing. Keep in mind that ceremonies can also be held on the grounds if the weather permits.

In the Capital Region

Located in the heart of downtown Albany, the Empire State Plaza Convention Center is a great venue that caters to large weddings. Theater style, the Convention Center can seat 2,500 people and around 950 people when tables are set up classroom style. The room itself has tiers, so each table would be looking down on the large dance floor — a particularly useful feature when planning your seating chart!

Captain JP Cruises is also a wonderful option for a reception in the Capital Region. The four-deck cruise ship can accommodate and seat 500 people comfortably. There are three enclosed decks with air conditioning and heat, several bars and a dance floor on each deck. There are also beautiful views of the city skyline!

We hope this list of reception venues helps your planning!