Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Hi ladies,

I am home today from work because I am sick – so since I have nothing to do, I decided to start this thread so we can talk about the Vanderbilt Mansion and share ideas!

Here is a list of past and future Vanderbilt Mansion brides, previous reviews, and pictures I have found/saved. Please share any and all pictures and valuable information you may have of the Vanderbilt Mansion. All Past VM brides are most definitely welcome to share their input, advice, and opinions!!!

Hope this helps everyone! In case I missed any past or future brides, please let me know and I will edit list.

Caterer: Lovin’ Oven Celebrations
Location: Idle Hour Boulevard; Oakdale, NY 11769
Phone #: 631.244.3131
Website: Vanderbilt Mansion Website


PAST BRIDES:

2000
JaysRose2000 – 05.05.00
Victoria – 08.12.00

2002
dora – 09.21.02
CarrieAnn – 10.11.02

2003
JoRo – 04.13.03
ssdare – 06.07.03
Nan&Mike – 07.20.03
lulu - 08.17.03
AMinNYC – 09.21.03
WeezieNY – 10.11.03

2004
cynthia – 07.04.04
bellepoque – 08.07.04
bridzilla – 08.27.04
IreneinChicago – 09.04.04
bonnybride – 09.19.04
durso1 – 12.04.04

2005
alexlynn7 – 05.28.05
mta – 05.28.05
butterfl2878 – 06.05.05
SFP0214 – 07.01.05
mcc101 – 07.31.05
Marie3 - 09.03.05
lovey - 10-02-05
BriDec05 - 12.04.05

Hope this thread is helpful to all present and future brides and THANK YOU to all past brides for sharing pictures, ideas, comments, and your valuable advice!!!!!


Reviews & Pictures:

JoRo's Review & Pics

More JoRo's Pics on pg. 2

ssdare's Review & Pics

Lulu's Review

Lulu's Pics

Bridzilla's Review & Pics

IreneinChicago's Review & Pics

Dora's Review & Pics

Durso1's Review & Pics

AMinNYC's Review

Pics of CarrieAnn's Ceremony & Reception @ VM

Bellepoque's Review

Bellepoque's Proofs

Guest Review

Another Guest Review

More VM Talk

Pics of Main Dishes


PROOFS BY VERDI PHOTOGRAPHY OF PAST VM BRIDES:

WeezieNY Wedding Pics

10/03 Wedding @ VM

Nan&Mike Wedding Pics

9/03 Wedding @ VM


NEARBY PLACES TO TAKE PICS:

Bayard Cutting Aboretum - Oakdale

Map courtesy of Bridzilla:
VM Map

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

So what are other VM brides doing for their wedding?

Is anyone going to create their own menus or will you be using the ones that VM will create?

Are you going to take advantage of the piano and have a pianist during cocktail hour?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Well, since I am a volunteer for the Restoration Committe for Vanderbilt Mansion, I whole-heartily wanted to have my wedding there! It's a beautiful place with gorgeous grounds.

However.... When I met with the rep from Lovin Oven, I was extremely dissappointed.

FH and I want a quiet daytime wedding. We don't want a full -blown, lotsa food day that you end up stuffing yourself silly! I was told that my guests would expect more and that there menus are not really flexible. Basically, what you see is what you get and what we make. She even offered that maybe 21 Main was a better spot for my wedding! I said to her, 'Excuse me, but 21 Main is not Vanderbilt Mansion. I am here not for Lovin Oven, but for the Mansion that I spend countless hours volunteering my time to help rebuild.'

Needless to say, I left there very upset and dissappointed. And the next morning, I was set in my head that even if they gave me everything I want and at a cheaper price, I would NOT give them my money.

Sorry to pounce on your thread, but that was my experience with Lovin Oven and although I didn't say a word until now, I felt I needed to vent a little.

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

This is great! i'm not glad you're sick but I'm glad you put this together!

Fingers crossed, I've had nothing but good experiences so far with the Vanderbilt, Lovin' Ovens and MaryAnn.

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

You are awesome!!!!! I love the thread. I actually was supposed to go to the tasting that got cancelled and can't go to the rescheduled one so I went to the one at Flowerfield. It was awesome! The menu was great and it made the decision process really difficult! Mary Ann was so nice and came over to Flowerfield to help me and my FI with everything. So far, I have only been impressed by them!

Looking at pics only makes me more excited.

Has anyone had their cake meeting yet?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Sorry AnnieSS it did not work out for you. Hope your day s as special as you have always wanted it to be.


I tasted some of their cakes when I went to a Land's End Bridal show in the sprin/summer '04....they tasted SoOoOoOoOo GOOD!!!

I am working with Maryann as well and she has been great!! I actually have to call her and see hen we can go in fr the food tasting so we may make our decisions on the menu.

Happl planning to all!!!!!

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

BriDec05 Congrats!!!! I added you to the list

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Bump

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

My wedding plans at the VM.....I'm using their menus, directions and placecards. day wedding. with 11 am start time. having the ceremony with strings in the courtyard. yes i am having a pianist (got his card at a VM tasting) for the cocktail hour. will get a dj - not sure which yet. taking pics at my house and at VM. no viennese hour....they give you so many desserts. might add cannolis on the tables though. having about 140 if all goes as the plan in my head, as i am inviting way too many people!!!!think i can have a tent if all my 179 guests say yes???

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Sounds great Lauretta!! I am sure it will all work out whether you have 140 guests or 179!! As long as you enjoy every minute of the day with your FH!!!!

I am using their menus and direction cards too but I may make my own placeards - I haven't decided yet.

I am not having a viennese hour either - I prefer the wedding cake and maybe some chocolate covered strawberries.

I just CAN NOT wait to have my wedding reception there!!! I am so excited!

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

hooray!!!! a vanderbilt thread!!!!

i tried to start one a while back, but there weren't too many of us then... so excited to hear from you all!!

annie, i'm sorry that you had a not-so-good experience with lovin oven... personally i've had only good experiences with maryann and the rest of the staff there. they have been very accommodating and always return my phone calls promptly.

i am going to use the same calligrapher who is doing my invites for my menu, placecards, and tablecards. i am putting their direction cards in, though.

no viennese hour for me... wedding cake is great. mcc, chocolate covered strawberries sound GOOD... maybe i'll have some of those too.

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Does anyone know if they are going to reschedule the tasting they needed to cancel due to the snow?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

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Posted by mcc101

Does anyone know if they are going to reschedule the tasting they needed to cancel due to the snow?

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yes, it's on the 12th at 6pm.

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Are you going?? Who else is going?!?! I definately will not be able to go then but please share details and input after the tasting


I can't remember, but do they provide any bowls, candles, etc. for CH tables?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

i am going! i will post a review afterwards.

i believe they provide votives for the ch tables, but i'm not positive...