What are the Berkshires? We’d probably just plagiarize Wikipedia if we were to describe it for you, so for the sake of our editorial integrity you can read up here.
Why are you getting married in the Berkshires? It’s our happy place.
How do I get there from NYC?
- By car: It's about a 3+ hour drive (but can be much faster or much slower, depending on traffic getting out of the city). Take the Taconic State Parkway north to the Mass Turnpike (I-90) East toward Boston. Get off I-90 at Exit 2, which is Lee. *DO NOT MISS THIS EXIT! You won’t be able to turn around for 30 miles. But no pressure.*
- By bus: Peter Pan runs a few routes a day into Lee, MA or Lenox, MA.
- By train: You can take Amtrak to Hudson, NY (which is still about an hour away) or Metro-North to Wassaic (which is also still about an hour away). So yeahhhh, trains aren't ideal.
How do I get there from elsewhere? The closest airports to the area are Bradley International (in Hartford, CT; about 60 miles away) and Albany International Airport (in Albany, NY; also about 60 miles away). There may be buses or car services from there, but your best bet is to rent a car at the airport.
OK, so I’ve gotten to the area but how do I get around once I’m there? Unless you consider hitchhiking or distance walking a fantastic weekend activity, you’ll need a car (or a friend with a car) to get around. There are a few taxi services in the area, but they’re not abundant and most are one- or two-car fleets and you should reserve in advance. Park Taxi and South County Transport are good local options.
Man, the Berkshires are hard to get to and everything there is pretty spread out. Um, that’s not a question, but yeah...it’s true. We know our wedding weekend is a bit out of the way (understatement). We really appreciate you traveling to the area, and then driving around the Berkshires some more once you get there. We’re hoping the beautiful views, the Fall colors, an open bar, a killer dance party, and lots of fancy cheeses and meats will make up for all of your schlepping.
What should we do while we're visiting the Berkshires? Please see the tab marked "Our Favorites" which includes (wait for it) our favorite things to do, see, eat, etc. It also has a link to Michael Aptman's (very comprehensive) Guide to The Berkshires with more info on museums, attractions, shopping, hikes, walks and more. It is also Berkshire Coaching Weekend, which is pretty cool!
What’s the weather going to be? Who do we look like, Al Roker? (Although, we have seen him at the local gourmet market in Great Barrington!) We are hoping for 60s and blue skies, but safest to check weather.com for the latest.
WTF is "Fall Festive" wedding attire? Consider it cocktail attire that is appropriate for both the season and the setting. Suits and non-evening gown dresses would be perfect. In other words, no one will be in tuxes or in jeans - just look sharp, feel good, and you’ll be all set. Bonus points to anyone in a tweed suit with elbow patches.
Is the wedding going to be outside? Weather permitting, both the ceremony and cocktail hour will be outside, and the party will be indoors. You will have to do some walking on outdoor terrain, and it could get chilly, so a stiletto/bikini combo is ill-advised (pro tip: that goes for always, not just for this event.)
What is Jacob's Pillow? We'll let our good friends at Wikipedia tell you more about it, but it's one of the most well-regarded locations for dance performances in the country. We hope you come prepared to uphold this reputation on Saturday night!
How should I get to/from the wedding itself (a.k.a. how much can I drink)? No drinking and driving! We will have busses pick up/drop off from two spots in Lenox, MA and two spots in Lee, MA. Check out the Events & Directions page for the bus details. If you'd like a ride, please try to stay at or near one of these locations! Taxis aren't really a thing in the Berkshires (again, most are one- or two-car fleets and you should reserve in advance. Park Taxi and South County Transport are good local options if needed).
Can I make a song request for the party? What, you don’t trust us? We’ve got you covered! Just come ready to dance.
Can we bring our kids to the wedding events? We love your little ones, but Friday and Saturday are going to be an adults-only affairs. They are welcome to join for Sunday brunch at the Aptman home.
Are you going to have a wedding hashtag for posting event pictures to Instagram/Twitter/Facebook? As it turns out, it's a great way to crowdsource wedding photos so yes - we are indeed and it's #jessplussteve. Tag away!
Are you guys registered? If yes, where? Our moms told us it was important to register, and so we relented (er, listened to their sage, sage words of wisdom). Click here or on the button on the upper right-hand corner of this page for a link to our registry. However, the best gift you can get us is your presence (and awesome dance moves) throughout our wedding weekend. Seriously.