Tired of the Courthouse? Elope on the banks of the Hudson River Instead.
City couples deserve a ceremony as memorable as the love story behind it. Storybook Cottage on the Hudson is a charming 1932 bed and breakfast in Stillwater, New York - just 2.5 hours from the city by car, or a scenic Amtrak ride straight up the Hudson River with no car required. This is where your elopement becomes a real experience, not just a formality.
Your Elopement, Your Way - On the Banks of the Hudson
Stillwater sits on the Hudson River in upstate New York, surrounded by the same river valley you can see from the train north out of Penn Station. Saratoga Springs is 20 minutes away. The Saratoga National Historical Park - one of the most scenic Revolutionary War battlefields in the country is minutes from our door. And the village itself is exactly the kind of quiet, unhurried place NYC couples imagine when they picture slipping away to get married.
Everything Included. Nothing to Figure Out.
Your licensed New York State officiant is already here — Jack Stell is a NY State certified wedding officiant and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has performed ceremonies for couples from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond.
Optional ceremony elements are included — Unity Candle, Handfasting Cord, Sand Ceremony, Oathing Stone, Loving Cup, and more. You choose when you book.
Indoor and outdoor ceremony locations on our half-acre property — Creekside garden, riverside gazebo, and intimate indoor spaces available.
Professional photography add-on available — no need to coordinate a separate photographer.
Overnight stay add-on (if available) in one of our three luxurious rooms — wake up to a made-to-order gourmet breakfast the morning after your ceremony.
Book online in minutes — pick your date, your ceremony elements, your add-ons. Instant confirmation.
Getting Here from NYC - Easier Than You Think
By car: Take I-87 North (the Northway) to Exit 9, Clifton Park, then follow Route 146 through Mechanicville to Stillwater. Google Maps will get you here in 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. Parking is available on site.
By train: Take Amtrak train from Penn Station to Albany-Rensselaer - multiple trains daily with fares starting at $45/coach (approximately 2.5 hours). Schedule a Lyft or Uber for the 24 mile drive up the river to Stillwater.
Ready to Elope?
Elopement packages start at $450, with photography, guest packages, and overnight accommodations available as add-ons. Book directly online - your date, your ceremony, your story. No wedding planner required.
