SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Windridge Estate plays host to weddings and much more

CAZENOVIA — When MaryBeth and Jack Romagnoli purchased their Cazenovia home in 2002, they say they knew it was a special place. With 80 acres of gorgeous views and several historic barns, MaryBeth always felt it was a place that should be shared with others.

Seven years ago, that became a reality when she opened a wedding and event destination. Originally dubbed Red Barn 20, MaryBeth Romagnoli later renamed her business to match the property name, Windridge Estate. 

“We saw an opportunity to start a family business and share the property,” she says.

Romagnoli, who is the sole owner of Red Barn 20 LLC, had done some event planning in the past for running events, and after two years of getting Windridge Estate ready, she was ready to hit the ground running as a wedding and event venue.

Rather than just serve as the reception site, Windridge Estate is also available to clients for the entire weekend of their event, she notes, and the rental also includes tables, chairs, and décor. Romagnoli contracts out for wedding-planning services if needed, and clients hire their own vendors for catering, entertainment, and more.

Couples can host multiple events at the venue throughout the weekend, ranging from their rehearsal dinner to the wedding ceremony and reception, and even a brunch the day after, she says. With two swimming pools, bocce ball courts, an apple orchard, a fire pit, and other outdoor amenities, there is plenty for everyone to do.

“There are opportunities for people to engage and enjoy each other’s company,” Romagnoli notes.

In 2023, Windridge Estate expanded those offerings even more with the addition of the Belvedere event pavilion — a 40-foot by 40-foot open-air pavilion with side walls.

“That gets used a lot for cocktail hours,” Romagnoli says of the new space. She plans to add a customized bar to the event pavilion.

Next year, Windridge Estate will also add a dedicated space for event tents to serve any guests who would like a tent during their event. Windridge does not provide the tent, only the dedicated space for one if a client rents a tent.

Previously, Romagnoli says, the event tents were placed in the backyard area, but having a dedicated space will ensure the grounds are looking their best for all events.

It’s all about giving guests options so they can customize their event weekend. “Weddings have changed,” she says, and the venue needs to keep up with what clients are seeking. 

Along with the tent space and the Belvedere pavilion, Windridge’s event space includes the Red Barn and White Stone Barn, which together provide more than 5,000 square feet of indoor space. The estate’s Farmer’s Cottage provides accommodation for up to 10 people.

“To date, we’ve done over 125 events since we started,” Romagnoli says. Windridge has hosted weddings of various sizes — ranging from 25 people to 200 people, and everything in between, she says. The venue even hosted the October 2021 wedding of Food Network celebrity chef Anne Burrell.

Weddings are the most common event for the seasonal facility, which is open from June through October, and the venue is fully booked for weddings in 2024.

Romagnoli is hoping to expand more into other types of events. Windridge has hosted birthday parties and other gatherings. It recently hosted a pop-up holiday shop with Elmcrest Children’s Center in Syracuse and worked with an area restaurant on a farm-to-table dinner hosted at Windridge.

“I would like to do more open-to-the-public events,” Romagnoli says. Windridge is perfect for events like small outdoor concerts and even corporate retreats, she contends.