Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

...available for July or August 2003. My boyfriend and I have put off getting engeged due to different circumstances but would like to get married in July or August of 2003. I have e-mailed several places about availability and have gotten disappointing responses--as in no availability. I don't know what to do--I am a teacher and don't want to try to squeeze a wedding and honeymoon in over Xmas or Easter breaks and I don't want to wait until summer 2004. Are there any reception halls out there that have dates in July or August available??? I know this is pushing it, but Saturday afternoon or evening would be best, but I guess we would take a Friday night and then a Sunday afternoon. Thanks you so much!
* I posted this under Vendors Helping Brides hoping to get a response. I am beginning to feel very sad and disappointed. Is there anyone out there in a similar situation or anyone that can offer suggestions? I have been reading the posts on this site for a couple of weeks now and find eveyone to be so supportive and caring--even while eveyone is busy with their own panning they take time out to help others. Thanks in advance for your help!

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Hi and welcome to the boards. I was married in August 2002, and we set the date 9 months beforehand. Our recption was at The Meadow Club in Port Jefferson, www.themeadowclub.com. Their prices are reasonable, and you might have luck getting an August date there.

Someone I know just booked an August 2, 2003 date at the Larkfield Manor only 1 month ago, so maybe try there also.

Good luck!

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

hi....welcome to the board...you are cutting it a bit close, but i planned my wedding in less than a year also...don't stress - there are sooo many reception places in the area....just start making calls...sometimes there are cancellations when people's plans change or when they decide to change their vendors.....keep an open mind and good luck!!

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

What places have you tried to contact? What is your price range and about how many people are you looking for the place to hold? Are you looking in Suffolk or Nassau? Also, on this site under wedding services there is a category called recpetion locations...check there you might see some places you have not contacted yet. Answer the questions at the top of this post and I gaurantee that you will get a ton of replies.

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

oops...forgot to say, besides the vendors on this board, also try weddingfacilitiesandservices.com....and then search in the areas you are interested...it's a pretty good website...

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Don't panic something will work out. You just need to remain flexible and definitely keep calling places to find out availability - everything can't be all booked up. Expand your search requirements. How many people are you expecting to invite? Where are you looking? I know July and August are slower months in Manhattan, that being said Manhattan is more expensive than LI venues.

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Stay calm, don't give up hope
but sreiously start looking, and be flexible - you will get somewhere. Do you have ideas of what you would like?

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Don't worry, you'll find something. Just be a little more flexible. You can try Leonard's of Great Neck thats where I'm having my reception. They said that July and August aren't too popular there so you might have luck getting a date. Also the prices are lower during those months.
go to: www.leonardscatering.com

Good Luck!! Keep us posted on what happens.

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Welcome to the boards!!

I'm sure you'll find something - just be flexible and willing to compromise a little. I would think your best bet would be places that hold various functions at the same time - Villa Lombardis, Leonards, Crest Hollow CC, etc. I can't believe that all of their rooms would be booked.

Good Luck!!!

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Try Stewart Manor Country Club in Garden City.

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Joh Anthony's in Babylon has Saturday afternoon the 9th of August available - I know because it was my original wedding date and I moved it to September.....

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

There are so many halls you will find something. Good Luck

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Thank you all for your help and encouragement. I needed to let that last post out. I think I am just now starting to realize all that has to be done--I am usually not a stressed type of person. I just received an e-mail from East Wind that sounds promising. i'll call tham later. Have any of you had your reception there? How was it?
I am looking at a price range between $80-120 and having about 175 invites. Nassau and Suffolk are both fine with me as far as location. I am being flexible as far as dates. Any one in July or August will do (excpet 8/23 or 8/30 because of school). But as for day I am hoping for a Saturday afternoon or evening because we have many out of town guests.

VickiC--Thanks forthe info on the Meadow Club. I think my parents went to a wedding there a few years back and liked it. I will contact them. Its nice to know someone else planned in 9 months!

Thrilled--I will be sure to contact John Anthonys about that date. Thanks!

I'm glad I found this board--I'm sure there will be many more questions, etc. in the months to come!
THANKS!

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Have you thought of 15th & West (the nassau bar assoc.). It's a great place that not many people know about (b/c they can't advertise). So, they may not be booked. You can find out about it through the caterer's website (Philip Stone Caterers ). It is in Nassau and will be within your budget (towards the low end!!!)/guest list size. I've heard very good reviews from those who have attended functions there and from the NY Times. If you want to know any more feel free to forum mail me.

Good luck and be diligent! Keep calling places!

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Hi... don't worry about it. I didn't start looking until January and booked for July of the same year. A few places laughed at me when I called but I found that many had Friday night, Sun. afternoon and nights available. We ended up with our first choice for a place (milleridge inn) and got our first choice of date with no problem. Plus on Friday and Sunday's it cheaper!

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

Welcome to the board! I'm also a teacher getting married in July of next year. You should be able to find something in your price range for a Friday night, Saturday day, or Sunday day. Saturday nights are usually the first nights booked, but as others said on the board, sometimes places open up when someone cancels. When I looked at George Washington Manor in October, they gave a discount for having a day wedding in July and August, so apparently these months are not as popular as other months during the year. I understand getting married during this time - that is exactly the same reason we are getting married in July. Good luck and happy planning!

Re: Help! I am new to the boards and scared that there will be no reception halls...

I know this was said earlier, but if you remain flexible a date will be available for you. My husband and I put a wedding together in 3 months, so it is possible. In some cases, it works to your advantage! Good Luck, and more importantly have fun during the process