Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by msbettyb

Congrats!!! I also went with the DM/Ariana Studios package, but mine didn't include an MC. I was told afterwards that I have to pay extra. How was I supposed to know that the DJ didn't include an MC. Also, what type of menu did you have? Gold or Silver??

---

Send me an FM and I'll go into it more with the package.

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

Pisces....are you back from your honeymoon? Did you have the most amazing time?!

Can't wait to see pics and hear more about your day!!!!

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

Hello DM gals,

I have a friend that is a graphic designer and I approached her to do:

1. 75 - 100 wedding place cards

2. 100 programs; and

3. 190 monogrammed tags for my bottled wedding wine favors (tags are going to hung around the neck of the bottle with ribbon)

What would you say is an appropriate budget for the above three items? Put into consideration that she is a friend, she never done work for a wedding before, and I don’t want to lowball her, but at the same time I have a budget to maintain.

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

Pisces cuite--I FM'ed ya!

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

So I'm a little sad by the new DM website. I was told last year that they were going to be re-doing the site and when I emailed them some of my proofs I was told they were going to put some of my wedding photos on it and I contacted my photog and everything was supposed to be handled and then I go to the website and none of them are on it. I feel like I did all that for nothing then.

I emailed the frontdesk at Douglaston and no one responded to my email.

I guess I'm 'just' a former client to them.

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

I did notice their new website the other day. Looks like they still need a little work...their tool bar on top seems to be a little weird?

I love their videos, but wish they could have added a little more variety...maybe they're still updating and yours will be posted. They should at least...you had such a beautiful wedding!!!!

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

Can any of you ladies give me any information regarding prices at the Douglaston Manor? I am looking for May of 2011 possibly the Sunday of Memorial day weekend or the Thursday before the weekend hits. I have tossed around so many ideas on what type of wedding to have and still dont know a year and half after being engaged. What are the all inclusive package prices and options? You can FM me or if someone can provide an email for DM I will ask them. Thank you so much everyone!

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by AugustBridein09

So I'm a little sad by the new Douglaston Manor website. I was told last year that they were going to be re-doing the site and when I emailed them some of my proofs I was told they were going to put some of my wedding photos on it and I contacted my photog and everything was supposed to be handled and then I go to the website and none of them are on it. I feel like I did all that for nothing then.

I emailed the frontdesk at Douglaston and no one responded to my email.

I guess I'm 'just' a former client to them.

---

I think they are not done updating the site either.. well at least I hope not. For lack of better words.. It looks a little low budget to me. I am not a web designer but I have been on plenty of websites and theirs still need work.

And they better recognize!!! It was after seeing your wedding pictures that I booked there.

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by Mrsmonty

I think they are not done updating the site either.. well at least I hope not. For lack of better words.. It looks a little low budget to me. I am not a web designer but I have been on plenty of websites and theirs still need work.

And they better recognize!!! It was after seeing your wedding pictures that I booked there.

---

Awww

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

DM Brides I'm a little worried about service and attentiveness at the DM!!!

On two occasions, I've emailed my BM Chris at the DM. The first time I emailed him, he responded 7 days later! I shook this off bc I called the front desk and got the answer to my one (1) question (that’s right I asked him one simple question).

The second time I emailed him was this past Tuesday regarding setting up a food tasting as my wedding is about 50 days away. Get this--- I get a response 2 days later from Chris telling me that he's not my BM, Thomas is, so I’ll have to contact Thomas about setting up the food tasting, but setting it up shouldn’t be a problem.

I immediately emailed Thomas about making an appointment and still no response!

When I booked the hall, Sam was my BM. Sam quit, and I’m told that Chris is my BM. Now, in the last hour, Chris is no longer my BM, Thomas is. This is getting ridiculous---

To be fair, Chris has been helpful--on two occasions I showed up at the DM just to get a glance a the place, Chris was there and he talked with me and discussed possible floorplans---but I don't think I've been a bother

Its not like I've been emailing the DM repeatedly---I've only emailed Chris a grand total of two times!!!! And that's all w/in the past 2 weeks.

To top it offf.....I just found some not soo postive reviews about the service at the DM---..My head is spinning right now, I could just about cry.

I'm not a trouble maker, Im on this forum for advice and I just had to share this with you guys...

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by msbettyb

DM Brides I'm a little worried about service and attentiveness at the DM!!!

On two occasions, I've emailed my BM Chris at the DM. The first time I emailed him, he responded 7 days later! I shook this off bc I called the front desk and got the answer to my one (1) question (that’s right I asked him one simple question).

The second time I emailed him was this past Tuesday regarding setting up a food tasting as my wedding is about 50 days away. Get this--- I get a response 2 days later from Chris telling me that he's not my BM, Thomas is, so I’ll have to contact Thomas about setting up the food tasting, but setting it up shouldn’t be a problem.

I immediately emailed Thomas about making an appointment and still no response!

When I booked the hall, Sam was my BM. Sam quit, and I’m told that Chris is my BM. Now, in the last hour, Chris is no longer my BM, Thomas is. This is getting ridiculous---

To be fair, Chris has been helpful--on two occasions I showed up at the DM just to get a glance a the place, Chris was there and he talked with me and discussed possible floorplans---but I don't think I've been a bother

Its not like I've been emailing the DM repeatedly---I've only emailed Chris a grand total of two times!!!! And that's all w/in the past 2 weeks.

To top it offf.....I just found some not soo postive reviews about the service at the DM---..My head is spinning right now, I could just about cry.

I'm not a trouble maker, Im on this forum for advice and I just had to share this with you guys...

---

Oh no that is horrible!!!! You just made me a little nervous... I really hope that they step up their game and start getting back to you.

Where did you see the not so positive reviews?

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

eeeeekkkkkkk!!!!! I just read this review I am not sure if this the one you were talking about but it was horrible!!!
Horrible review

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by msbettyb

Hello DM gals,

I have a friend that is a graphic designer and I approached her to do:

1. 75 - 100 wedding place cards

2. 100 programs; and

3. 190 monogrammed tags for my bottled wedding wine favors (tags are going to hung around the neck of the bottle with ribbon)

What would you say is an appropriate budget for the above three items? Put into consideration that she is a friend, she never done work for a wedding before, and I don’t want to lowball her, but at the same time I have a budget to maintain.

---

I am a graphic designer or was for a long time. I did my own place cards and it was a b#$#tch! But, glad they looked nice. Also did my ceremony programs. Fairly easy for a designer to do but it did cost around $140 including color since I wanted the monogram that I designed to be in color.

Ask her what her range is? From the past, thinking I charged $30/hour. Perhaps $300 for the whole thing not including printing charges? Hope that helps.

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by Mrsmonty

eeeeekkkkkkk!!!!! I just read this review I am not sure if this the one you were talking about but it was horrible!!!
Horrible review

---

But did you read the other reviews? If you're going to be picky about the exact timing of when they pour the coffee and want it to never drip, things like that, then you need to go somewhere else and pay top $$.

Everyone was impressed with my wedding. They luuuuvvved the DM and how nice it looked, the outdoor cocktail hour, loads of food and we were the only event going on as if we had the place to ourselves. Even the upstairs bridal suite(s) which were enormous. Some kids went up there to nap as my reception was a late one.

Chris is a good guy. Everything ran smoothly. A lot of people loved Sam but I don't know him and he quit. I think he had the sense of urgency that most brides like. I hate to say anything negative about Chris or the vendors but as guys, they seemed low keyed which might not appeal to all women unless you have money to step it up. Even the guy at their house bakery didn't deem the wedding cake important when that is his business, 'no one looks at the cake anyway' but the cakes do taste great. I would pay extra for fondant though and make sure you have at least 4 tiers. My cake was OK looking, not beautiful.

Chris' schedule is choppy, there on a Wed and Thursday and then Sat and Sunday so he doesn't get to his emails asap. I had some frustration on that level because as a bride you are nervous but really, he had it all down in the end.

Again, if you're super picky and want top notch super attention, I think you have to go somewhere else and pay up. Money talks. This place was beautiful for what we could afford for an avg. $30K wedding comparably to other places i've seen.

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

You are right the complaints of the reviewer weren't anything to worry about after I thought about it a little more.

I understand what you are saying about having to pay up to get more. Although DM is reasonable it isn't dirt cheap. 30K isn't a little bit money IMO, and regardless of what I pay I want my guests to leave and say 'I enjoyed myself'. You pay extra for decor, location, and menu options when it comes to wedding venues, but good service should be included where ever you go. I mean you can get good service at Applebee's and the meals are $15.00.

Anyway, I am happy that you and everyone else enjoyed your wedding. I hope that everything goes just as well at my wedding.

Do you have any pics yet? How was the honeymoon?

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by Mrsmonty

You are right the complaints of the reviewer weren't anything to worry about after I thought about it a little more.

I understand what you are saying about having to pay up to get more. Although DM is reasonable it isn't dirt cheap. 30K isn't a little bit money IMO, and regardless of what I pay I want my guests to leave and say 'I enjoyed myself'. You pay extra for decor, location, and menu options when it comes to wedding venues, but good service should be included where ever you go. I mean you can get good service at Applebee's and the meals are $15.00.

Anyway, I am happy that you and everyone else enjoyed your wedding. I hope that everything goes just as well at my wedding.

Do you have any pics yet? How was the honeymoon?

---

We had a wonderful time at the honeymoon as well. Sandals Dunns River Villagio in Jamaica. Unfortunately, they can't renew their lease so it will become a Marriott I believe towards the end of the month.

I have some pics of the wedding and I have the honeymoon pics. DH went back to work finally today. Were tying up loose ends so I am waiting until I have a day to do all this stuff. I decided to get my bouquet preserved as I am very sentimental with stuff. Went to Debbie in Rockland County and for $375, I am getting my bouquet, DH's boutineere and my ceremony program in a gold oval antique frame. I am excited. It will take roughly 3 months.I'll try to attach a sample.

• 

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

Not for nothing, we are getting married there in July and I have had nothing but the best experience with them.
My tip...DO NOT EMAIL. Like many banquet halls, the people who work there are more telephone people. I had to call the other day and Thomas got back to me in less than 10 minutes. After I called to confirm our tasting (I left a message), he called me back to confirm the confirmation even though he didn't need to.
I can't comment on the yelp posting, but if you read the reviews of almost every single bride who has gotten married there, they have nothing but great things to say. Be careful of anonymous yelp postings. Remember you have no idea of the personality of the person who posted it.
That's my two cents....no need to stress

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by tamiandjason

Not for nothing, we are getting married there in July and I have had nothing but the best experience with them.
My tip...DO NOT EMAIL. Like many banquet halls, the people who work there are more telephone people. I had to call the other day and Thomas got back to me in less than 10 minutes. After I called to confirm our tasting (I left a message), he called me back to confirm the confirmation even though he didn't need to.
I can't comment on the yelp posting, but if you read the reviews of almost every single bride who has gotten married there, they have nothing but great things to say. Be careful of anonymous yelp postings. Remember you have no idea of the personality of the person who posted it.
That's my two cents....no need to stress

---

I agree. People are still going on about the wonderful time they had at our wedding at the DM.

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

Does any DM's brides have hotel recommendations???

We are looking to also have the afterparty at the hotel as well (either in hotel bar or suite). I will also need a nice room to stay in the night before the wedding and to get ready in...

Any help would be great!!! Thanks ladies

Re: ~OFFICIAL DOUGLASTON MANOR THREAD~

---

Posted by suziehopkins

Does any DM's brides have hotel recommendations???

We are looking to also have the afterparty at the hotel as well (either in hotel bar or suite). I will also need a nice room to stay in the night before the wedding and to get ready in...

Any help would be great!!! Thanks ladies

---

I had my guests stay at the Adria Hotel which is connected to the Ramada Hotel on Northern Blvd. We got a shuttle bus from Ollies Taxi Service to take them to and from the hotel and reception. The rooms were OK. Adria is better than the Ramada but the same people.

I know others have had guests stay at the Inn at Great Neck and the Andrew Hotel which is nicer but pricier: Adria $135 Andrew Hotel $179. For your honeymoon, you'd probably enjoy the Andrew or Inn at Great Neck better. Our reception ended late so it was good enough for my guests to crash and have breakfast the next day.

I've also heard La Quinta Hotel in Garden City, which is further, offers a shuttle bus to and from DM if you block rooms with them. Not sure about this but it's worth a look into.
Good luck