Larkfield Manor's prices

I'm so disappointed. We went to Larkfield Manor last night for an appt. and FH and I are both totally in LOVE with it. They are renovating, so they're not booking from Jan 2013- July 2013, which isn't too bad, considering we were looking to book May 2013. However, their prices per person really shocked me. They come out to about $105pp for a Friday night! $135pp for a Saturday night. Tax & grat factored into both prices. Don't get me wrong, the place is beautiful, and we saw some renderings of what it will look like after renovation, but they are not Giorgio's or East Winds. Not only that, but their showcases are for people who are already booked and they don't allow tastings before booking! I'm not booking a CH and paying those prices without being able to taste their food. We're footing the majority of the bill ourselves and have 175 people on the guest list. We could try to make cuts to the list, but we're not inviting anyone that isn't important to us, so we're having a hard time even cutting 5-10 people. We both absolutely love it, but does anyone else feel that their prices are a little high and their policies unreasonable?

Any suggestions on how to potentially get a better deal out of them? Sorry for ranting

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

That price does seem quite high, especially for a Friday night wedding, but I think it's justified because of all of the extensive renovations they plan on doing next year. You said your planning on having your wedding in 2013, I'm assuming after renovations are completed, so you'll be one of the first brides getting married in the updated venue. Which is why they're raising prices.

I paid well under that pp, and my package included a raw seafood bar at CH, and VH. I think if you talk to them and explain what you budget is, they'll try to work with you.

And as for the showcases and tastings, I was able to go to 2 tastings before I booked with LM, and then even afterwards I went to 1 more. Also, I did my tasting after booking as well.

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

personally i think you should look elsewhere. you could get similar prices at different RHs

i paid $115pp incl. tax and grat at CHCC for my wedding last november - friday nite including VH with extra hour, and hospitality hour and extensive CH options, uplighting, upgraded linens, etc.

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

105 including tax and grat is about $80pp before.
We went to over 10 places, and very few were cheaper than this.

Did they mention that you can do your tasting right after booking, and if you don't like the food you get a refund of your deposit.... which isn't even that high to begin with.

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Also, you are looking for peak season... if those prices seem high you should look into march & april or november december.

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I would say try a different month? If that doesn't work for you.. then look elsewhere. I'm paying less than that per plate on a Saturday night.

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

Thanks everyone! We would love to try earlier in the season, but their renovations run from Jan 2013-June 2013, and July is all booked, which pushes us into August. I don't want to go any later than that, even though it allows us time to save up. We wouldn't be able to pull it off before the reno.

They did tell us that we can put a $500 deposit down to hold the date and then go to the tasting/showcase next month. If we're not happy, we can get our deposit back. It's really just the point, I think it's crazy to have to select a date and put down a deposit merely to taste the food!

We're just really both totally in love with the place and heartbroken that it costs that much per person. I'll make an attempt to get them to come down, but who knows if they'll budge. I'd hate for us to settle for another location and walk away regretting that we didn't choose LM.

Thanks for your help!!

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

Oh, I should also mention that $105pp is their pricing, plus a 25% pre-construction pricing, which we would have to book by the end of January to get. But add the 20% grat and 8.625% tax and you're basically right back up to $105. This is for a Friday night, Saturday is $135pp. I personally think they are out of their minds to charge that much, but it is a beautiful place.

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

I had my wedding their July 2011 and it was AMAZING. I think it is worth every penny. I know that it is alot of money but they made everything perfect and really personailized everythign for us. I cant say enough good things about them and our fabulous wedding day. Maybe try a Sunday. We did July 3rd which was the day before 4th of july so everyone had off the next day, it made it more reasonable and still felt like the Saturday night that was just a bit out of reach. Good luck!!

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Larkfield Manor was the first RH me and my FH went to. I ended up looking at 12. I loved LM very early on. However, I was quoted $92 p/p (before taxes) for a November 2012 wedding. My FH and I are paying for everything ourselves. Our guest list is 130 people. We didn't bargain with them since we were so new to shopping around. With that being said, we narrowed down our choices to Jericho Terrace and Westbury Manor. I loved both RH's equally. Their BM was great and we ended up bookIing Westbury Manor. We got a great deal! I would shop around first.

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Posted by M&M2011

Oh, I should also mention that $105pp is their pricing, plus a 25% pre-construction pricing, which we would have to book by the end of January to get. But add the 20% grat and 8.625% tax and you're basically right back up to $105. This is for a Friday night, Saturday is $135pp. I personally think they are out of their minds to charge that much, but it is a beautiful place.

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I would have walked right out after the charge of 25% pre construction pricing, Thats just ballsy.

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

FH and I loved Larkfield Manor, and everyone there was very accommodating. We got an amazing price for booking early in 2010. I honestly don't think those prices are unreasonable. All reception halls are going to be expensive.

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

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Posted by M&M2011

Oh, I should also mention that $105pp is their pricing, plus a 25% pre-construction pricing, which we would have to book by the end of January to get. But add the 20% grat and 8.625% tax and you're basically right back up to $105. This is for a Friday night, Saturday is $135pp. I personally think they are out of their minds to charge that much, but it is a beautiful place.

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I find this CRAZY! FH & I looked at Larkfield and I wasn't happy at all with how we were treated. The person we spoke to was very condescending and flat out told us we wouldn't find a place on LI that was one wedding at a time for cheaper than what they wanted us to pay. AND they told us that there was no way we would be the only wedding due to having about 150 people because we would have to be in the smaller room (even though I didn't think 150 people would fit in there). When all was said and done, I'm paying a heck of a lot less for the Sunday before Columbus Day at a beautiful on the water location that does ONE wedding at a time (which was important to me). I hear so many girls on here that have good experiences with them, but with the way we were spoken to and whatnot, I just didn't like them. But hey, to each her own right?

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I should clarify- I meant to write minus 25% for the preconstruction pricing. My mistake!! I think it's unfortunate for all of us that our experience with all of this planning sometimes boils down to the person we end up dealing with on any given day. I was all set to book another vendor, but cancelled because of the way I was spoken to over the phone!! I wish more vendors realize how even the smallest statements leave such a huge impression on us brides!!

We ended up going with Larkfield and we're both thrilled with it. Too bad it's a year and a half away!!!

Thanks for having my back ladies!!

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

Did they work on the price for you?

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

we had our reception there in 2007 so I'm not sure how much may have changed since then but we were treated wonderfully by the staff. They were more concerned that we have the best reception with them, more so than any of the other places we visited. In fact, they added several items to make LM more appealing (dessert trays for every table and the chocolate fountain). So you may ask for things even tho you have already booked - - they may oblige. When we went to finalize the menu, the ice sculpture was thrown in (I don't know if that's standard or was an xtra but we took it ) And they always told us if there was anything we wanted just ask - - so we did -- we had baby lambchops at our tasting which were being served at the wedding going on when we went but not part of the package we went with - - we asked could we get these and they gave them to us. We guaranteed just 60 people, so did not have a lot to negotiate with but they treated us like our wedding would be for 300.
So we had absolutely no trouble at LM; loved the people, loved the place and our day was incredible.

Back then Sun nite was $75 + tax,gratuity (so it ended up about $100) so it doesn't seem like their prices have gone up too much in 5 years.

I hope yours will be wonderful also.

Re: Larkfield Manor's prices

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Posted by M&M2011

I'm so disappointed. We went to Larkfield Manor last night for an appt. and FH and I are both totally in LOVE with it. They are renovating, so they're not booking from Jan 2013- July 2013, which isn't too bad, considering we were looking to book May 2013. However, their prices per person really shocked me. They come out to about $105pp for a Friday night! $135pp for a Saturday night. Tax & grat factored into both prices. Don't get me wrong, the place is beautiful, and we saw some renderings of what it will look like after renovation, but they are not Giorgio's or East Winds. Not only that, but their showcases are for people who are already booked and they don't allow tastings before booking! I'm not booking a CH and paying those prices without being able to taste their food. We're footing the majority of the bill ourselves and have 175 people on the guest list. We could try to make cuts to the list, but we're not inviting anyone that isn't important to us, so we're having a hard time even cutting 5-10 people. We both absolutely love it, but does anyone else feel that their prices are a little high and their policies unreasonable?

Any suggestions on how to potentially get a better deal out of them? Sorry for ranting

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Wow... I was thinking of looking at them for a June 2013 wedding! Are they not booking at all for that time frame or just at this current point in time?

Just an FYI, a lot of my friends could not get tastings before they booked their places either. My sister booked her venue months ago and is going for the tasting next week.

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Congrats, hall twin! I too was concerned about the food....we booked and then did the tasting right away. Food was absolutely amazing! I am so excited tohave my wedding at Larkfield...and the staff has been great thus far.

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We ended up booking Larkfield and are going for the tasting this month. I haven't heard one bad thing about them and they've been super helpful so far!

I would give a call to check their availability. When we booked in January, we were told that they would be closing in January 2013 and hoping to reopen in April. They were not taking any bookings for May, in case their renovations took longer. I believe June and July were totally booked up, which lead us to August. I would definitely give them a call though.

As for tastings, I didn't realize at the time how common that was. I guess I just assumed every venue holds a showcase. I do still think it's a little odd to book without tasting the food first, but I'm over it

Thanks for the help!!

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I just read this whole thread for the first time. I'm glad it worked out. FH and I are also paying for everything ourselves, but RH is something you want to allow a little wiggle room in your budget for. It's good you booked the place you love. Compared to most of the places I looked at - 105 is great pricing for an August wedding. Congrats on booking your RH! I'm sure everything will work out wonderfully!