Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

My FILs will be up in NY this week and will be meeting my parents and talking about where to have the rehearsal dinner.
FMIL called me last night to ask if I could think of ideas. What they want to do is something different - not a sit-down dinner at a restaurant, but something a little more casual so that people from my family can mingle with FH's family and get to know each other. She said that since the wedding is a sit-down dinner, they want to do something maybe buffet-style for the rehearsal dinner (????)
They want ideas by later this week so that when they're in NY they can go check these places out and sign contracts if they have to.

They're talking about having a party catered at a historic home, or in a museum, or something like that! I have no clue what to tell her. I don't even live on Long Island anymore. My parents won't have any idea either. We just don't do stuff like this.

Does anyone have any ideas? There could be close to 50 people at this party, since they want to include all of FH's family that are flying in from Alabama.
Oh, and it would have to be in Nassau, since my church is in East Meadow.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

I know the LI Museum of Art does catered afairs, but I do not know their minimum.

Where on LI are you limited to? If you are willing to go a bit east, there are many historic restaurants with casual atmospheres.

If you want more info, feel free to FM me

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

I have a couple of suggestions for you:

The Hofstra University Club, Hempstead. It's a restaurant/catering hall on the campus which has private rooms for buffet or sit-down dinners.

Paparazzi, Westbury. They have a private room as well.

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

We'll probably be restricted to Nassau, since I don't want to be out until 1 am the night before the wedding!

I guess I can start calling caterers and see what they suggest. Somehow this is becoming MY job.....

I can call the LI Museum of Art but I have a feeling it's going to be pricey. I don't think my Alabama FILs have any idea what kind of expense they're talking about! In the south, stuff like this is very common - having catered parties in old homes. There's old homes everyone down there!

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

Why dont you do it at like Jillian or a Dave and Busters place, they also have the place called Strikes under Rehersal dinners. I think that would be fun and relaxing to. I think this is what we might do.

Bridget

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

I think they want something a little classy, but I have no clue what to tell them. I just e-mailed them a link for a caterer. A caterer should know all the good places, right?

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

I like the Jillian's/ Dave & Buster idea.

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

I went to a rehearsal dinner in Williamsburg a few years ago and they had their rehearsal dinner at a casual winery. it was very nice because we all got a tour of the facilities and it was pretty casual...I think there's a winery somewhere near CW Post, you might want to check it out.

I'm told they can't do winery tours at my wedding :( It would just be too much...but the bride and groom certainly get a private tour!

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

A winery would be nice, but the rehearsal at the church is at 5:00. I don't think we'd be able to get out to one in time to even see anything.



Oh, wait - CW Post isn't too far. We might get there before sunset.....

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

You should DEFINITELY look into the Maine Maid Inn. It has the 'old colonial house' feel to it. It's right next door the the MIlleridge Inn which again has the 'old colonial house feel' These are both restaurants, but they have private rooms and they are both beautiful.

Re: Ok girls, I need some serious help with rehearsal dinner ideas. Please read!

Here's the info, I googled them..but have no idea what they can do for you...good luck:

Banfi Vineyards (Nassau County)
111 Cedar Swamp Rd., Old Brookville, NY 11545
516-626-9200