Brides Helping Brides ™ - Any opinions on these RHs?

mattandjess2013 Posted: Dec 28, 2011 07:24 PM

Any opinions on these RHs?

My FH and I are going to be looking at the following RHs, please let me know any experiences you've had with them (good or bad). Thanks!

Thatched Cottage

Bayview House

Crestwood Manor

Bourne Mansion

The Riviera

West Sayville Country Club

Lands End

2013Bride Posted: Dec 28, 2011 07:50 PM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

Thatched Cottage is where I am having my wedding reception! :) I may be a bit biased, but I think the property is beautiful and the amount you get in your package is amazing. Plus the food we had at our tasting was unbelievable!

I went to a wedding at the Bourne Mansion in September, it was very pretty... but too big for my taste. Also, the band at the wedding was unbearably loud in the main dining room, I felt. I've heard that to be a problem there.

I went to the a wedding at The Riviera in, I want to say 2009. I honestly don't remember much about it. It was nice and the view is beautiful.

Land's End also is a beautiful view! I went to the bridal expo they had a few months ago and the food was very good.

Hope that somewhat helps! :)

Shan2011 Posted: Dec 28, 2011 11:39 PM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

Posted by mattandjess2013

My FH and I are going to be looking at the following RHs, please let me know any experiences you've had with them (good or bad). Thanks!

Thatched Cottage

Bayview House

Crestwood Manor

Bourne Mansion

The Riviera

West Sayville Country Club

Lands End

Bourne Mansion- I almost booked there, except it was very old and FH said it reminded him of a scary movie (Haunted or the shining- I forget)

The Riviera is great for the price!

cdh2672 Posted: Dec 28, 2011 11:50 PM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

I'll only comment on the ones I know...hope it helps! We looked at Bayview...didnt like the room set up, it was too big for my guest list of 125. I also didn't love the view, or the fact that the cocktail hour was in the same room as reception (if ur not getting married in summer) and there are no outside ceremonies, you'd be in that same room.......but the food is amazing!!!!!!!

West Sayville ...loved the food and the atmosphere but, I didn't like how the dance floor was detached from the main dining room. If u don't mind that, def go look at it. The prices are right and again great food.

Lands end.....loved loved! But way out of my price range :( I know they offer thurs night weddings there, maybe a bit more reasonable? good luck to u!!!

TheLadyJ Posted: Dec 29, 2011 09:08 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

I'm getting married at the Riviera.

Obviously, I love it there. Not only is the place ABSOLUTELY gorgeous, everyone there is just amazing.

Every time I say I am getting married there, someone tells me they went to a wedding there and it was fabulous. They compliment the food, service, and the outdoor area.

I worked with Vicky, but happened to meet Pete the owner. You can tell he loves the place, he was the one cleaning it when we got there. He takes a lot of pride in it.

Vicky is just wonderful and personable, and I also met with someone else (sorry I forgot her name) who is equally nice.

I really just couldn't be happier with them. I get such a good feeling when I talk to them on the phone.

mrs2012 Posted: Dec 29, 2011 09:09 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

it really depends on what youre looking for. i'll only comment on the ones i know about - they all are very different from one another.

Thatched Cottage - this would probably be my top pick. we went a few years ago and to date - by far, the best food selection at any wedding we've ever been to. cocktail hour they literally had anything you could possibly want...sushi, sure, waffles, sure, pizza, sure. it was endless! and from what ive heard, they offer extremely affordable packages - especially off season. i also loooved how they literally carved the beef entree in front of the table. and the servers were so on top of refilling drinks. plus plus plus all the way

Bourne Mansion - beautiful. one of the things i like best about this place is that they have real authentic feeling period furniture. it really did feel like a home. i wasn't crazy about the ballroom though. read some reviews; there can be an echo with the dj/band in this room. it almost feels like a gymnasium bc the ceilings are so high. but the food was fantastic - one of the things i liked best about the service was that they served everyone at a table at once - round robin style. it was very impressive. if you want a mansion, this is definitely a top pick.

West Sayville Country Club - also went to a wedding here once. yes, the dance floor is the same as the cocktail hour room - but it wasnt bad. they really handled the transition well. the grounds are beautiful. a few years ago, they offered a summer wedding package for like $50/pp. amazing. if you want a great location and to save some $$ this might be a good choice.

kitt6katt Posted: Dec 29, 2011 09:10 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

I've only been to Land's End out of all those you've listed...and, that's where I am getting married! The food is outrageously good and plentiful, staff friendly and super helpful, and the location cannot be beat. Go with Land's End!!!

pjt212301 Posted: Dec 29, 2011 09:29 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

I, too, may be biased about the Thatched Cottage. What the other posts have said about that RH are absolutely true...I really believe that it's a hidden gem.

The only other RH that I can comment on is the Riviera. I loved this place but I found the owner to not be at all accomodating almost to the point of rude. It was sad really because we were ready to put down a deposit and had to walk away. I have also read a number of reviews were people claimed that there were things/money stolen from the bridal suite.

kshea23 Posted: Dec 29, 2011 09:32 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

I've only been to the Thatched Cottage, and I must say that it is a beautiful venue. I love the rustic old charm it has, and the fact it has the harbor as a backdrop for CH was awesome. The food was delicious, and the staff was very hospitable. Overall, great experience there

Shanti12 Posted: Dec 29, 2011 09:58 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

Riviera was my second choice! It was beautiful and if you want that waterfront view, you get that inside and outside there. It was a tough choice!!

katejay12 Posted: Dec 29, 2011 10:45 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

We looked at the Riveria. Good pricing (you get a lot of food). The exterior is beautiful (on the water) the interior wasn't my cup of tea. It's very dark. It reminded me of something out of a renassance-fair. The interior could also use a little remodeling. That said, we almost booked it because of the water views!

leesah85 Posted: Dec 29, 2011 10:57 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

Posted by kshea23

I've only been to the Thatched Cottage, and I must say that it is a beautiful venue. I love the rustic old charm it has, and the fact it has the harbor as a backdrop for CH was awesome. The food was delicious, and the staff was very hospitable. Overall, great experience there

ive only been to thatched cottage about 4 years ago for a wedding

the food was great and they came around for seconds if people wanted them

i looked there too - i didnt like that they dont have a VH option (that was a must for me) and also the ceiling in the CH room is really low which made me claustrophobic. other than that, it's gorgeous!

Evan820 Posted: Dec 29, 2011 11:04 AM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

i am booked at Bourne, so obviously, i love it. I loved that it feels like it could really be your house. They did some renovations- bathrooms, gardening, and there is no more organ in the ball room, so this is great. This will eliminate the echo problem with bands, since the room is designed for music to come from that end, not the center which is where the band sets up now.

Lands End was really nice, my FBIL got married there last summer. I have only been to summer events there, so with everything outside it was nice. I didn;t like that at every wedding i went to there, you could see the bride and groom taking pictures before the wedding (they were all jewish weddings, so the bride and groom see each other before)They don't have many places that are hidden from view to take outdoor pictures.

FutureMrsMcL Posted: Dec 29, 2011 01:37 PM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

Posted by TheLadyJ

I'm getting married at the Riviera.

Obviously, I love it there. Not only is the place ABSOLUTELY gorgeous, everyone there is just amazing.

Every time I say I am getting married there, someone tells me they went to a wedding there and it was fabulous. They compliment the food, service, and the outdoor area.

I worked with Vicky, but happened to meet Pete the owner. You can tell he loves the place, he was the one cleaning it when we got there. He takes a lot of pride in it.

Vicky is just wonderful and personable, and I also met with someone else (sorry I forgot her name) who is equally nice.

I really just couldn't be happier with them. I get such a good feeling when I talk to them on the phone.

This! Love, love love.

FutureMrsMcL Posted: Dec 29, 2011 01:39 PM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

Posted by katejay12

We looked at the Riveria. Good pricing (you get a lot of food). The exterior is beautiful (on the water) the interior wasn't my cup of tea. It's very dark. It reminded me of something out of a renassance-fair. The interior could also use a little remodeling. That said, we almost booked it because of the water views!

This is what we liked about it - I feel like all other reception halls on LI are the same. The Riviera has a lodge-y feeling that we just loved. But I can see how it isn't for everyone!

evita2781 Posted: Dec 29, 2011 01:43 PM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

I've only been to Riviera and that's where we were originally going to book but the place was too small for our guest list. I like the look of the place plus it's right by the water. They're food's pretty good also

FromGtoC Posted: Dec 29, 2011 02:21 PM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

Went to a wedding at Lands End and food was amazing, staff was attentive, and the grounds are beautiful.

fintababyetc Posted: Dec 29, 2011 02:21 PM

Re: Any opinions on these RHs?

I had my reception at Bourne Mansion and it was absolutely wonderful. Out of all of the mansions on LI, I loved that it is in original historic condition - nothing has been 'catering hall-ized' - and that was really important to me. The food was amazing and the staff was great. I especially loved the ballroom because it has a HUGE dance floor area - we had a 10-piece band and there was no echo problem. Everyone danced all night and we had a great time! I highly recommend it!