Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

Getting married there 1/31/03 and never talked to anyone who knew anything about it. Any ideas?

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

Oh, I have something to say about the Carlyle!!!

I LOVED IT!

I got married at the Carlyle in June. Everything was absolutely perfect. It is soo gorgeous, the service is amazing, the food is great, and your guests will rave about it. You made an excellent choice!

If you have any specific questions, let me know, I love talking about the Carlyle. hehehe.

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

I have a LOT of great things to say about the Carlyle!

My wedding was there a couple of weeks ago. You can search for my and other brides' posts. They are fantastic!!! Our guests have not stopped raving about the food and the service there. It is a beautiful facility, and they help you through every step of the way. You will not have to worry about a thing on your wedding day!

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask here, or forum mail them to me. I will be happy to help. There aren't many other Carlyle brides around here, but I'm sure they'll respond to this too!

Who are your other vendors? Have you picked any yet?

Best of luck,
Octobergirl

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

Valenia, so funny, you beat me to it by about 30 seconds!!!

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

Whats funny is how absolutely similar our posts are. hehehe I guess she has to take it for real, we wrote the same thing simultaneously!!!

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

I'm getting married there this Sunday, and am feeling totally stressed at the moment. Hopefully I will feel the same as Valenia and Octobergirl when it is all over. Right now I am off to meet Cynthia for my 'drop off' appointment.

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

I attended a wedding there at the end of September. It was a Sunday afternoon wedding. The ceremony was outside and the golf carts kept wizzing by - but assuming you are getting married in January, I doubt you'd have this to worry about..

The cocktail hour was wonderful and the food was delicious. I had the filet mignon. The chicken looked great as well.

The only other thing I will say is that when we arrive, the service was tip-top from the start - however, well, 2 things: the entire slew of guests were made to wait in the hall way until the ceremony started and it got a little cramped and the valet parking was far form the front entrance so it took some time to get our car.

Just some thoughts.. otherwise, what a gorgeous place and excellent service and food!!

Best wishes to you :)

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

My cousin got married there almost two years ago (wow - just realized how fast time has gone by!)

The place is beautiful, and huge! Personally, I think it's ideal for a very large party - like over 200 people. My cousin had less than 200, and it looked a little sparce. The food was delicious - from the cocktail hour, I specifically remember enjoying the mini crab legs (we were jokingly calling them 'crab toes' ) and the mini lamb chops - delicious!!

Gripes - the staff set up the sushi bar in a separate room and none of the guests realized it was there! My cousin was p***ed that they did it that way, and then didn't walk around telling people where to find it. Just something to be aware of.

Also, during the reception, there is no bar in the main room, so guests have to leave your room to get a drink at the bar (in the cocktail room). This is not ideal - especially for a young crowd that likes to drink. My uncle actually had to tell the bartender to stop serving at one point b/c the reception room was almost empty.

Also, the venetian hour was amazing, but I personally did not like the idea that the guests had to leave their tables and walk into the other room to enjoy dessert. The staff didn't even serve wedding cake at the tables. I think in the very least, wedding cake should be served at the tables, and if people want to endulge in extra, then they can get up and get it.

Otherwise, the service was wonderful and the staff was polite. The bridal attendant was fantastic to my cousin and her DH - at some point during the cocktail hour, she 'stole' them away, and hid them in the bridal suite w/ a ton of food so that they could eat. On the wedding day, you really need someone to do that for you b/c you are so distracted, excited, dancing and greeting guests.

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

I LOVED it there!!! Both FH and I fell in love with the place... Unfortunately we have a guest list of 300 people and it went above our budget! But OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!! You made a wonderful choice!!

Edited to say: I am happy with my choice of Fox Hollow though!

Good luck again!

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

Thats frustrating to hear about the sushi bar - personally I didn't have one, it was a silly amount of money per person above the regular charge. Just didn't seem necessary at all to me. Their included food is interesting enough.

I also didn't do the desert as described above. We had a trio plate served to the tables along with wedding cake. They were delicious, and it was less of a fuss.

I had over 200 people, and there was plenty of room between tables and on the dance floor. I could see how a wedding under 170 people would feel a bit overwhelmed by the space.

For spring/summer brides that may read this in the future - I had a perfect June day, and chose to have my ceremony inside so my guests would be most comfortable. I believe that outside weddings at 95% an indulgence for the bride that the guests don't appreciate. Of course there are those 5% of days when its 70 degrees and perfect. hehe Of course at the one outdoor ceremony I went to in a perfect setting and ideal weather had bats flying overhead. I like the sure thing of being inside, and the Carlyle ceremony room is gorgeous!!

My only frustration point -- I didn't want any sort of receiving line, and the maitre d set one up. I didn't make this clear to them, but I felt like it should have been asked. Make your wishes clear for this!

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

Valenia- Who was your maitre'd and bridal assistant. I have Cindy and Barbara. Didn't they bring you to the bridal room right after the ceremony? I am only having 192 people and am under my minimum now. I really hope it isn't too few for the room. thanks!

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

I have heard nothing but GREAT Things about the Carlyle...Good Luck.

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

It is absolutely gorgeous there. I loved every second of the wedding I went to at the Carlyle. It is big though, and can look empty if you don't have a lot of guests. One of the people who works there is a good friend of our family and she has nothing but great things to say about the place as an insider. All the best!

Re: Anyone have anything to say about the Carlyle at Bethpage?

192 will fill the room beautifully, no worries! I was saying under 170 might be overwhelmed by the room.

Cynthia was my sales manager. My maitre'd was a man, I can't remember his name -- we met him for the first time that day. Barbara was my bridal assistant as well - you are going to adore her - she spoiled me rotten!!!!

In terms of the receiving line, yes I went to the bridal suite immediately after -- they lined up the parents. I wanted them in the cocktail hour so people could get food and greet my parents at their leisure. Oh well, no biggie!

*HUGS* Sit back, relax, and enjoy, you are going to have a fabulous day. We want to see pictures!!!