Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Hi all,

I am recently engaged and looking for an inexpensive site to have my ceremony/reception on Long Island. I am on a pretty limited budget. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please include the pricing per person if you know it.

Also, does anyone have any opinions and pricing about the following:

Coral House
Stewart Manor Country Club
Huntington Townhouse
Verdi's of Westbury
Smithtown Country Club
Plainview Holiday Inn

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

The following places had good prices without looking cheap at all:

Hamlet introductory rates for the new location
Larkfield Manor
Chateau La Mer
Giorgios
WIndows on the Lake
2 star menu at Milleridge Cottage (Saturday night was a lot though)
Sans Souci was also pretty reasonable

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Besids price, what is most important to you in the hall? Also, what time of year, day/night, what day of week? These will all affect price quotes.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

I only checked out one place on your list.

Coral House - September 2005 Sunday afternoon $58 (I think) with like 120 minimum. That price includes gratuity but not tax. They have a lot of different rooms to choose from if you have a smaller or larger party. Pretty lakeside setting and possible outdoor ceremony (weather permitting). They can have several weddings at once.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

There is a thread called "Reception prices?"

I will BUMP it for you - make the post show up at the top of the Brides Helping Brides Board.


Also, this is my compiled list.


2005/06 Quotes North Ritz, Carlyle, Sandcastle, Swan Club, Floral Terrace, Milleridge Cottage, Jericho Terrace, Fox Hollow, Brentwood Country Club, Coral House, Russos, Chateau Briand, Villa Lombardis

Here are all of my compiled notes.

We have been to 14 halls so far. Not sure about differing taste or budget but in case anyone is interested in these halls, we have not booked but so far have the following quotes (some for 2005 & 2006).

Milleridge Cottage $54 pp Sunday afternoon Jan - Feb 2006 150 minimum guarantee. Very pretty for May. One wedding at a time and a beautiful atrium for the ceremony (or outside if the weather is nice). They include centerpieces and have a pretty big basic menu (2 star). They offer a bigger menu too - 3 star. They are changing the carpet and wall paper at Milleridge Cottage though. Not sure when. they also have nice outdoor spaces for pics. Plus, it's very easy to find - which FI liked.

Fox Hollow $51 pp for Jan - Feb 2006 Sun afternoon & 160 minimum guarantee for Garden Terrace, 9/4/05 $75 pp for Sunday afternoon. The Garden Terrace room is very pretty - Tiffany glass dome over the bride & groom. Great outdoor pics. Again, easy to find for out of town guests.

Floral Terrace $60 pp Feb 2006 125 minimum guarantee, $70 pp for September - November 2005. All Sat/Sun afternoon pricing. They do have valet parking - underground too. One wedding at a time but no sun set pics.

Swan Club 125 minimum for Garden Room & 165 minimum for Camelot Room$ $55 pp for Sat/Sun afternoon in November - $75 pp Sat night November, $55 Sunday night; Jan - Feb $50pp for Sat/Sun aft; $70 pp Sat night & $50 Sun night; Sept/October $65 pp Sat afternoon ; $90 pp at night; $60 pp Sun aft & $65 at night. Up to 3 weddings at a time.

Sandcastle $80 pp 2/2006 Sunday afternoon, 140 minimum. Knights and armor decor and cool big red king/queen chairs. The ballroom is very pretty but it is on a main road and we heard street traffic on the day we visited.

Chateau Briand Sept 2005; Sunday afternoon $72pp; Jan - Feb $60 pp Sat/Sun afternoon
125 minimum for smaller room; 175 for larger room (not Da Vinci). Very art deco which we didn't like....and they were to change the decor the week after we visited. Still art deco though and upgrading something (bathrooms?).

Jericho Terrace Sept/Oct 2005 $70 pp Sat/Sun afternoons; Nov $65 pp also afternoons; Jan - Feb 2006 $55 pp afternoons; 150 guarantee for Dome room; 125 for smaller room. Pretty outdoor pic areas but not ceremony or cocktail. We got them down to $55 per person for Monday afternoon 10/10/05 with 150 minimum in the Dome Room and $55 per person with a 115 guarantee for the Skylight Room. Mike Closs is the BM we met and really liked. He even took us on a tour of the kitchen - which was very clean. There are two menus. We only knew about the cheaper menu until I read this site and found out there was a deluxe menu. I asked Mike about it and he said we could pick and choose some items from the Deluxe Menu for the regular price. I think the larger menu has 7 entree choices and the menu we saw (and would have gone with) has 3 entree choices. He threw in a grilled shrimp station too. We both want an outdoor ceremony & cocktail but otherwise we would have booked Jericho Terrace.

Russos - 10/10/05 Monday - $77 pp (125 minimum I think?). FI thought the elevator entrance was too "hollywood". On a main road with no outdoor space for ceremony or cocktail. I hear the food is to die for and there is tons of it.

Coral House - September 2005 Sunday afternoon $58 (I think) with like 120 minimum. They have a lot of different rooms to choose from if you have a smaller or larger party. Very busy place - like 3 weddings at once. Pretty lakeside setting and possible outdoor ceremony (weather permitting).

Brentwood Country Club - (only holds about 200 max though) one wedding at a time - package deal $8995 - $11495 (?) which includes EVERYTHING (invites, limos, DJ, photo, video, flowers & reception for 100 people). Add tax and 15& service charge. Additional guests are $55 each. House vendors are included in this package but if you choose not to use them, BCC gives credit i.e. $1,000 for photo if you do not use the house photographer.


Villa Lombardi’s gave us a quote for September 05 (and October 1 2005)
Friday afternoon $74.95pp Plus 18% plus tax with a 75 minimum
Sunday afternoon 74.95 min 75
Thursday night 74.95 min 75
Sat night is 114.95 min 200
Sat aft is 89.95 min 100
Fri night 89.95 min 150
Sun night is 79.95 120 min

It's very easy to find and the Hampton Inn has a free shuttle for guests to Villas.

We would have the ceremony there 5:30 p.m. for the room with the French doors & 7:30 p.m. for the other room (nearly identical but mural instead of French doors). For Friday the options are 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. for the ceremony.

Chateau La Mer
We got some quotes for September/October 2005.

Thurs & Monday night $60pp ++ (18% & 8.75% tax)
Friday - $75 pp++
Sat afternoon $67++
Sat night $85++
Sun aft $60 ++
Sun night $68++
Holiday Sunday night is average of Sat/Sun night price per Lou.

Maitre D fee is $300 but split 7 ways with some staff members

Large room is 150 minimum - no upgrades if you do not make the minimum. Lou said brides want taht room and guarantee 150 knowing they will end up with like 100 or 125 so he does not do upgrades for that reason.

Smaller room upstairs is 100 minimum

Chocolate fountain (30 lbs of chocolate) is $1,000

Carlyle on the Green
Carlyle was set up for a party - Gatsby style with sofas and lots of tables (different sizes).

I LOVED the ballroom .
Valets are $125 each, 1 per 100 guests.

10 hot/cold hors doeuvres
3 cocktail stations per 100 guests

September/October 2005 quotes
150 minimum
Thurs night $110 pp plus 20% service & tax
Sat/Sun afternoon $125pp++

North Ritz Club
175 minimum for Sept/Oct 2005
Thurs night $65++ (18 % & 8.75 tax)
Fri night $95++
Sun night $90++
Monday night $70++
Sat/Sun afternoon $80++

This is a one wedding (event) at a time place & there is an elevator for wheelchair bound (or older) guests.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Thanks for your help!! I am looking at Winter time - Jan or Feb, most likely a Sunday afternoon.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Okay, I don't have wintertime rates, but I tell you what rates I got for a Sunday afternoon in April/May and they should be much cheaper in Jan or Feb.

Swan Club - $60 pp April
-they use diff. flowers all year round so that they always have nice decor. (I believe this rate stays the same all year, but you'll have to ask.)

Chateau La Mer - $62 pp April
$67 pp May
-Right on the water, all rooms have floor to ceiling windows to overlook south shore; they are building an indoor chapel.

Windows on the Lake - $69.95 Sat / Sun April
-Willing to negotiate; offers a large amount of food for price. They also offer a vendor package deal which can get you your full wedding for around $7,000.

I believe 100 min. guarantee for all of them.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

George washington manor is beautiful and starts at 68$ head!

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

I also thought Sandcastles and Jericho Terrace were inexpensive and willing to negotiate

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

It's not on your list but I love where we are getting married and they are very reasonable. Price also depends on time of the year, time of the day, and day of the week. Off peak season Jan.-March is really inexpensive as well as getting married on a holiday or a Friday night. You also have to watch your minimums.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

i'm getting married at Stewart Manor country club - for a saturday in april it's around $80pp including tax and gratuity, but it's probably less expensive for Jan or Feb

ETA: there is one wedding at a time, and also, the centerpeices are included, which could end up saving a lot.

Message edited 1/20/2005 8:44:56 AM.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Mediterrean Manor has good prices. For a Saturday night (New Years Eve no less) we are paying $75 pp which is INCLUDING tax/service fee. It was like $57pp before all that. Plus we added in an extra hour and it was only an additional $7.50pp

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

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Posted by cmastro25

Windows on the Lake - $69.95 Sat / Sun April
-Willing to negotiate; offers a large amount of food for price. They also offer a vendor package deal which can get you your full wedding for around $7,000.

I believe 100 min. guarantee for all of them.

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Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

What about the "all inclusive" places? Off the top of my head, I can only think of Middle Island Country Club...anyone have any others? I know you could do the total party for around $9000 at some of these places, right?

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Sunday afternoon at Milleridge Inn was $55 pp. And for the date you are looking, the Christmas decorations will still be up! I loved it but ended up going with Fox Hollow. Their prices are really reasonable for the winter. Good luck!

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Fm.. best of luck

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

what part of long island???

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Check out the Manor East

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

stewart manor is beautiful and very inespensive. we are having a friday evening reception in august 2006 and we are paying $62 a head, plus tax and gratituity. if you are serious about looking there, fm me and i'll give you more details.

sarah

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Crest Hollow gave us a great rate for everything we are getting ... our wedding is in March on a Sunday Night under 70

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

Our Oct '03 reception was at the Stewart Manor Country Clue and WE LOVED IT!!!!!! Granted, the price was right, great food and service. We just loved the "country home" feeling we got as soon as we walked in the door. We're not into the brassy, glitzy places you tend to find on LI.

I say go for it. You won't be sorry!!!

Donna
10/5/03

FM if you have any more questions/concerns.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

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Posted by ssdbk

The following places had good prices without looking cheap at all:

Hamlet introductory rates for the new location
Larkfield Manor
Chateau La Mer
Giorgios
WIndows on the Lake
2 star menu at Milleridge Cottage (Saturday night was a lot though)
Sans Souci was also pretty reasonable

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Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

I am going to go to the Huntington Townhouse as well. Any advice?? I heard it is nice.

Thanks to all of the ladies who have replied to my question! It has truly helped me.

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

My aunt did the all inclusive thing at Brentwood Country Club five years ago and it was very nice. I think Holbrook Country Club does the same - ?

I went to look at Smithtown Country Club and really didn't like it.

I got married in February of last year and was able to get an amazing deal. I also looked at Miller Place Country Club and it was about $68pp, but they were throwing in everything but the kitchen sink and we didn't even try to negotiate because I picked somewhere else. I'm sure you could get them down from there.

If you have any questions about getting married in teh winter, feel free to FM!

Re: Looking for an inexpensive but nice reception site

I don't know where you live, but for a classy, yet inexpensive place we couldn't beat the Knights of Columbus Banquet Hall in Oceanside. I know what you're thinking, but it's not your typical KOfC at all. they have a banquet hall upstairs that seats 300 and it's beautiful.

We only priced for a four hour party because it's a vow renewal, not a "wedding", but the booklet I got came with the menus for the weddings packages. 4 hours with open bar and buffet is costing us around $30 pp on a Saturday and their tax and gratuity is much lower than the 18% that other places charge. they also include the coffee/liquor service that a lot of places charge you extra for and Cake and Centerpieces are INCLUDED !!!! For a wedding, if it's sit down dinner and cocktail hour you're probably looking at less than $50 per person.

I have been to a wedding at the Coral HOuse and although it's inexpensive, you get what you pay for there. It was cheap! There were too many other events at the same time, the food sucked as did the drinks!

I too am on a very tight budget, but insist on quality. Best of luck to you. If you have any other questions, feel free to FM me.