Did you meet your fiancé or get engaged at Holiday Valley? Or do you have fond memories being in Ellicottville together? There are so many reasons why couples consider having their wedding at Holiday Valley. Jolene Kinder is Holiday Valley’s Catering & Event Sales Coordinator and she recently provided us with the inside scoop on what’s important to couples and why they choose Holiday Valley for their very special day.
HV: Jolene, tell us about what you do for weddings at Holiday Valley.
JK: As the Catering and Event Sales Coordinator, I have the privilege of assisting the couple from the moment they contact us through the day of the wedding. With over 200 weddings that I’ve overseen here, I have experienced so many different requests….my job is to put it all together and keep things calm and in order. Through the many meetings, phone calls and constant email communication with the couple, I work up their contract based on the menus and packages they have selected, and I assist with their timeline and vendor details. It is so important to communicate with the vendors and guests to ensure the couple’s vision is fulfilled. And then at the ceremony and reception, I get to see the happy results of all the careful planning.
HV: What are the venue options at Holiday Valley?
JK: We have several Indoor/outdoor options, and each one is customizable. The Yodeler Lodge accommodates 75 to 230 guests. There’s a beautiful indoor reception space with a cathedral ceiling and huge windows, along with an outdoor covered ceremony location. At the main Holiday Valley Lodge, the plaza deck is a beautiful space for an open outdoor ceremony. The top floor with its tall ceiling, huge windows, outdoor deck and stone fireplace accommodates 50 to 270 guests for an indoor reception. These venues are both accessible. We also offer hill-top ceremony locations accessed by chairlifts.
HV: What happens if it rains?
JK: In case of inclement weather, we rent in a tent through an outside vendor or have an indoor back-up location available.
HV: Budget is an important thing to consider when planning a wedding. Can you give us a ballpark per person cost?
JK: This all varies depending on the number of guests they are expecting. Generally it is an average cost of $100 - $120 per person. A smaller sized wedding could start at $5,000, but again, there are so many variables.
HV: Can we say “no surprises” regarding additional charges?
JK: The contract that the couple signs is a working contract, as the numbers and counts are always changing. There will never be any “surprise” charges that the couple is not aware of.
HV: What about guest lodging for a night or the weekend?
JK: On-site lodging makes it so much easier and convenient for the wedding party and guests. The Tamarack Club is adjacent to the Holiday Valley Lodge and The Inn at Holiday Valley is at the base of our access road. There’s also an array of nearby chalets, townhouses and condos. We have a shuttle available to service the Yodeler Lodge and village lodging properties. Room blocks and discounted rates are available for the Holiday Valley properties.
HV: Do couples consider the Western New York location of Holiday Valley as an advantage?
JK: For sure! Our location in Ellicottville, NY is central to Buffalo (1 hour), Cleveland (3 hours), Rochester (2 hours), Toronto (3 hours) and Pittsburgh (4 hours). We’re a one-hour drive from Buffalo International Airport.
HV: What activities and amenities do wedding parties and guests especially like?
JK: Holiday Valley and Ellicottville are known for good times! From the 18 hole on-site Double Black Diamond golf course, the summertime pool complex, the Ellicottville Oasis Spa at the Tamarack Club, Sky High Adventure Park (Ropes course and Mountain Coaster), as well as miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, guests have a blast! In addition to those activities the charming Village of Ellicottville has unique shopping, restaurants, drinking establishments and spas. Guests often book extra lodging nights.
HV: What about the actual wedding ceremony?
JK: For on-site ceremonies, HV provides an on-site coordinator who facilitates the rehearsal the day before and the ceremony the day-of. There are also several churches in Ellicottville: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the United Church of Ellicottville Presbyterian, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
HV: Holiday Valley provides beautiful back drops for photos. Where are some of the favorite locations?
JK: The top of the hill has an amazing view, and the small pond and several bridges on the golf course are so picturesque. The lodge exteriors themselves are spectacular with classic exteriors and lovely gardens everywhere.
HV: What about vendors…are outside vendors allowed?
JK: We have a preferred vendor list based on reliability and service, but couples are welcome to book any vendor that they wish. Tables, chairs, linens, glassware and flatware are provided, but some couples prefer to bring in others.
HV: Onsite catering/bar only, right?
JK: Yes, Holiday Valley provides the meal and beverages for the reception.
HV: When can weddings take place at Holiday Valley?
JK: We welcome weddings during spring, summer and fall, but do not offer winter weddings. We have a few dates available in June and August of 2026, and we’re starting to book weddings for 2027.
HV: What if you want to have a wedding right away, like in a month?
JK: Sure! We can put a wonderful wedding together quickly. You can also look into a Friday evening or Sunday wedding. This really just depends on when the couple reaches out and our availability.
HV: Are Holiday Valley weddings kid friendly?
JK: Children are welcome if the couple wishes. We have menu options suited for children, and we can provide a list of local babysitters.
HV: Is Holiday Valley pet friendly for weddings? Any restrictions?
JK: We are pet friendly during ceremonies, but pets are not allowed in indoor reception spaces. The Inn at Holiday Valley has several dog-friendly rooms.
HV: Are there any extras that HV offers?
JK: Many couples book chairlift rides for a top of the hill ceremony. We provide a champagne toast for all guests. You can also book a day-after brunch for your guests. During the planning stages, we give couples complimentary tickets to our annual tasting in April. We have an annual vendor expo in April. And most important, we provide on-site coordination for the rehearsal, ceremony and reception.
HV: Does Holiday Valley offer site exclusivity?
JK: The Yodeler Lodge is the most exclusive where the entire lodge is booked for the venue. At the Holiday Valley Lodge, the reception takes place on the 2nd floor of the lodge privately, and it is possible that another non-wedding event could take place on the 1st floor.
HV: Are there suites for bride and groom to dress for the wedding?
JK: Yes, each venue has separate suites for the bride and groom parties.
HV: Besides the wedding meal, what other meals does Holiday Valley offer wedding parties?
JK: We can host rehearsal dinners, provide the bridal party with snacks and beverages when they are getting ready on the day-of, and brunch for the morning after the wedding.
HV: What and when is the annual tasting event?
JK: This year’s Annual Wedding Tasting is April 25, 2026. This is a great opportunity for our couples to come and try most of our menu items. If the couple is unable to attend the annual event, we also book private tastings.
HV: Lastly, how should couples/families schedule a tour of Holiday Valley?
JK: Call me directly at 716-699-3968 or send me an email. They can also submit an inquiry on our website.