Any info/experience with Bailey Arboretum or other low-key site?

Hello all,

Thanks to those of you who take the time read my first post. I will make sure to give you my advice back on the topics you start.

I am looking at Bailey Arboretum mainly because I want a clean slate and a lot of freedom to pick my own way - Bailey has no required caterer or anything - and because I decided decorations/entertainment/special moments will be more important for me than food. I am planning on saving on the caterer and investing on atmosphere - investing in the ceremony (will be on the grounds as well as the pictures), candles, gifts, and generally involving the guests in the experience.

So Bailey appeals to me because they are very hands off and there is more chance to design yourself - unlike Nassau County Museum of Art or the Lessings properties and such things, which have 1 choice of caterer and food, and it is always very expensive.

The question is whether anyone has had experience with Bailey and how it went, or their general impressions on the site. I am looking for ANY information you may have. Also if you have suggestions on other venues that are equally hands-off in terms of caterers, and do not charge an insane site use fee, please do share.

FYI the wedding would be in Sept or Oct 2009 and only about 60-70 people.

Thanks so much!

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Posted by M_J

I noticed no one responded yet so I'll post what I know although I do not know if it is much. We looked into Baileys. They were great to deal with like you said where flexible with who we used etc but I thought when we viewed the contract details there were a lot of 'must-haves' because you are really renting the arboretum from the people from Lattingtown (I think?) Examples: They can only host certain number of affairs a year. They have to be over at a certain time etc. I would suggest you contact a few caterers who can give you ideas for locations. We initially wanted to do this even possibly on a vineyard out east but it all became too expensive. Good luck in your search - maybe some of the girls have other opinions.

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Hi MJ, thanks for your response. Yes, Bailey requires the music to stop at 10 and that is definitely something to think about, it is just too early! haha. Otherwise I am pleased with their flexibility and again, with the possibility to choose my own way. . but perhaps with having to rent tables yourself (Bailey has none from what I understand) it gets up to the same price anyway at the end. Did you do any such calculations?

My dream choice is Nassau County Musem (I am really into the outdoors stuff as you can see) but strongly dislike their policy that I MUST take a sit-down dinner package from Elegant Affairs at $140pp + tax/tip. And that doesn't even include decorations and flowers! I was planning on more like $80-$100pp for dinner, it can even be a buffet - does anyone have any suggestions for this price range?

I am also considering vineyards, and I also saw that that gets crazy expensive. Where did you finally decide on?

Cheers!