Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

I looked at Vanderbilt Mansion but the 150 would not work for us that is why we went with the Bourne Mansion. I love the Vanderbilt it is an amazing place.

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

what's the min for Bourne Mansion. Do you think that 125 is going to be comfortable in the VM?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

I think 125 will be extremely comfortable. I've seen the room set for 135 and thought there was plenty of room. They say 150 is the most they recommend (w/ everyone in the ballroom) -- 15 tables ten each. They've done more than that in there -- slightly over 160. But, I think that most of the people on this thread have said that if you want to seat everyone in that main room that less than 150 is the way to go. I'm aiming for somewhere b/n 125 (the min) and 140. But, I know they had a ton of weddings there this summer that were bigger -- one was 220, one about 165. The BM said that they went well and I find her to be very forthright about what she thinks works best there. Only thing is that if you go higher than 150 you may be forced to do the cocktail style reception rather than the sit down. It has something to do with the size plates they use or something. Or, use the other room.

Wow - this is long. Sorry for the ramble. You can tell I've thought all this through a lot, huh?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Thanks, I appreciate it! How did not being guarented the date until 1 year before work out for you?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Well -- I was kind of lucky. I actually booked 14 months in advance. Not bc they gave me any sort of special deal or anything, bc I happened to luck out that the school gave Lovin Oven their calendar earlier than the one year they are obliged to. It didn't really inconvenience me at all bc that was the time I was ready to book. I know their have been past brides who have had to wait until the one year mark.

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Also, I know that they will put you on a waiting list for the date before you can actually confirm it.

Has anyone done this that could give some feedback on how it worked out?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

I checked out the VM in Oct with the date of 12/10/05 in my head(for over a year I knew I wanted this date!)..... It was kinda stressful waiting!! I was the 1st on the waiting list (and I think the only!). It worked out fine- they called me exaclty 1 year beforehand & everything worked out fine. Try to get your name on the waiting list 1st though-- I imagine it may be more difficult in the 'busier' wedding times of the year.

I was just looking over my final menu last night-mmmmmmmmmm

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

So whn they say gigve us two dates, and your in the book your guarenteed unless the college takes them? Is this correct? Has anyone ever had a problem?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

we want a sat. in 2007...

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

As long as no body else has their name down for those dates AND the school doesn't take them, it should be fine.

Keep in mind that some people put in a placeholder b/c you don't need to put down a deposit to put your name on the list.

There were two names that had taken themselves off of my date...

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Ok so far the 2 dates we want aren't requested by anyone else I hope Dowling doesn't want them.

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Bump - just because!

No really - any VM brides who've had their weddings recently want to post some reviews?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

I was just told that I can't have any Sat. in Nov. they suggested a sunday. We don't want a sunday, Don't know what to do. I love the place and their peak prices are expensive.. FH was like let's just do it the last week of October, and pay the difference, I dunno. I really want to try to stay with in our budget, we're house shopping and we need to stay in our budget....

What do you think about the last sat. in March?

I thought of april but april is $10. more a head, and with the extras we want to add the $1500.00 does matter..

Do you think Mary anne will be flexable?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

I'm not sure if MaryAnn will be flexible since we haven't had to do much negotiating with her. We'll know more next summer, though...

Perhaps you could try the approach of waiting for a short-notice opening and put it together in 6 months? I know some had been thinking about that...

Maybe others can comment?

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

Ohh the stress , & FH is like what's another $1500.00 alot when you add up everything, What to do?....

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

I was wrong an additional $1500.00 for April or Dec, $3,000.00 for May-October

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

What about December?? I am a VM dec bride

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

it's more money that's all

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

If you really want a Saturday at the Vanderbilt, could you save the $1500 in another area (flowers? music? etc)

Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

True, decisions decisions