The American side of the Thousand Islands
The New York side of the St. Lawrence River has the towns of Cape Vincent, Clayton, Alexandria Bay and Chippewa Bay, and Watertown is the city couples and guests often use as a base. The river towns are roughly 20 to 30 miles from Watertown, so check the drive for your own date. This guide covers New York venues only. A wedding in Ontario, on the Canadian side, is a different plan.
Venues in Watertown
Watertown is the practical choice when guests need hotel rooms, restaurants and an easy drive. Jaci and Vincent were married at the Hilton Garden Inn Watertown/Thousand Islands, a hotel venue. Venue Travertine is a boutique downtown venue that handles setup and styling for small weddings. Ask each venue how many guests the room holds for dinner and dancing, and where the wedding party can take portraits outside the building.
Boldt Castle on Heart Island
Boldt Castle sits on Heart Island near Alexandria Bay and is run by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. Ceremonies are held at the Dove-Cote in the courtyard, with the covered veranda at the main castle as the rain plan. Guests travel to the island by boat. The venue sets a site reservation fee, and every person, including the wedding party, needs an admission ticket. Read the current terms on the Boldt Castle wedding page before you plan the day.
Singer Castle on Dark Island
Singer Castle is on Dark Island near Chippewa Bay. Ceremonies can be held in the Rose Garden, under the covered pergola or on the lawn, and couples can book the Royal Suite for the wedding night. The island is open for weddings in the warmer months only, so confirm the season for your date. See the Singer Castle weddings page for how to reserve.
Clayton and Cape Vincent
Clayton is a small river town with the Antique Boat Museum, the Clayton Opera House and the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, all on or near the water. In Cape Vincent, the barn at Angel Rock offers a rustic setting by the river. These venues keep the ceremony, dinner and portraits close together, so ask which outdoor spots belong to your event and what the covered backup is.
Alexandria Bay
Alexandria Bay is the busiest wedding base on the river. Resorts such as Bonnie Castle, Edgewood and Riveredge sit on the waterfront, and Riveredge looks across to Boldt Castle. The Thousand Islands Winery offers a vineyard, a barn loft and a courtyard. Ask each venue about end times, noise limits and where guests stay.
Photographs, docks and boats
Use the water at the venue first. A lawn, a dock or a terrace by the river usually gives you more portrait time than a second boat ride. If guests or the wedding party will cross by boat, ask who operates it, how many people fit, how many trips the schedule allows and what happens if the wind picks up. Walk any dock in the shoes the wedding party will wear, and leave a margin in the timeline for wind, glare and rain.
- Is the ceremony space private to your event, and what is the covered backup?
- How do guests, suppliers and equipment reach the venue, by road or by boat?
- Are outside photo and film teams approved, and are any fees or tickets required?
- What time must the event end, and what is the rain plan?
A Watertown wedding in the gallery
Jaci and Vincent were married at the Hilton Garden Inn Watertown/Thousand Islands. Bella Vita photographed the rehearsal on the water and the wedding day, and filmed the celebration.
Destination resources
Boldt Castle: official wedding information
Singer Castle: official wedding information
Venue background checked November 12, 2026. Photography and timeline suggestions are Bella Vita editorial planning advice. Jaci and Vincent’s Watertown wedding is a published Bella Vita wedding. This guide is not a claim of past Bella Vita weddings at the other venues named. Confirm current access, seasons, fees and policies with each venue.
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