Hidden gem offers unique event venue

When Newfield native Andi Hartenstein started designing wedding cakes with her mother when she was 14 years old, she immediately fell in love with weddings and all the planning that goes along with them. In short order, she was helping her mother sew gowns and detail veils.

As an adult, Hartenstein held numerous jobs all over the country involving wedding and event planning. Her love of providing the perfect day evolved into a wedding planning business and the Wilderness Bed and Breakfast in 2004.

The picturesque property is located in the uppermost region of the Appalachian Mountains at 45 Chaffee Creek Rd. Though it now houses the Wilderness Bed and Breakfast, the property was a chicken farm at the time of purchase and only featured a house with a barn and garage.

Upon purchasing the property, Hartenstein created an event space that can cater to any type of ceremony. After years of working for various employers, she decided that she wanted her own place to create an all-inclusive experience for guests. Her goal was to offer packages that would take away a lot of the stress that comes with bringing together guests from all across the country.

In a time when weddings have become astronomical in cost and venues hard to secure, Hartenstein has created a quaint, flexible and affordable alternative to make beautiful events feasible to anyone.

“We are an all-inclusive event site,” she said. “We will accommodate and help plan any event booked here. We’ve had Scottish weddings, same-sex marriages and country-themed events, just to name a few.”

She noted that her venue differs from traditional venues by providing a full experience at an affordable rate.

“For a fraction of the cost of your average wedding venue, we provide food, wedding cake, event coordination and wedding rehearsal that can bring virtually any concept to life,” Hartenstein said. “My motto is whatever the bride wants, that’s what the bride gets, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Providing wedding packages has become a family affair, with her son operating an open-pit barbecue, her granddaughter coordinating set up and her cousin decorating.

With a serene pond surrounded by apple trees, Adirondack chairs, homey cabins and breathtaking views, Wilderness Bed and Breakfast started booking events beyond weddings.

People seeking a beautiful location for special events started booking regularly with the bed and breakfast. Four of the cabins can accommodate four to five people comfortably, and a smaller cabin can accommodate two to three. The property also features a prep cabin for bridal party members as well as a children’s cabin where youngsters have access to board games, DVDs, toys, couches, pull-out sleepers and chairs.

Within the main house, there is a breakfast area where meals are served to guests depending on their booking. The cabins include electricity as well as refrigerators, coffee makers, air conditioning, heat and televisions. There is also a bathouse with bathrooms, showers and a community kitchen. Bordering the pond is the main event pavilion, which can host up to 300 guests.

Though weddings are the primary events booked, Hartenstein says that they have expanded to host family reunions and church retreats. Hartenstein explained that they are eager to accommodate any event and request.

“We recently hosted a retreat for quilters where the people attending brought their own sewing machines and materials and we provided the big country breakfast and any setup they requested,” she said. “We’re open to making any experience possible that our guests can think of. If the events are held on the weekends, we can accommodate food menus as well that can be factored into the pricing and the structure of the event. Aside from providing a DJ, photographer and bar, we will handle everything for the guests.”

With her dedication to keeping things personalized and local, Hartenstein employs Newfield local Pam Watros as her pastry chef, who also is the head cook at the Newfield Central School.

“Pam can personalize any requests to fit anything or event, from a multitiered wedding cake to cupcakes or assorted pastries for any event,” Hartenstein explained.

Catering can accommodate vegan, vegetarian or food allergy requirements.

“If a guest is trying to decide what they want and is having a hard time conveying their vision, I will tell them just to send me pictures and I will work with my family and team to put their vision together and help them create the event of their dreams,” Hartenstein said. “As far as weddings go, I always think about every little girl starting to plan their big day and, when that time finally comes, making it exactly what they want for them. If they bring me the ideas, we can make it happen.”

Contact Wilderness Bed and Breakfast at wildernessbnb.com or (607) 564-0995.

In Brief:

Music and fellowship

Newfield United Methodist Church, at 227 Main St., invites you to a family night of Christian music and fellowship. Attendees will be gathering at 6:15 p.m. Oct. 3 for fellowship followed by music offered by the Lighthouse Christian Fellowship.

LCF is a nondenominational Christian community led by students of Ithaca College. Snacks will be provided. Weather permitting, attendees will meet in the pavilion. If not, folks will meet in the Sanctuary. Bring your lawn chair and your family. All ages are welcome.