Booked the Watermill

We booked the Watermill, after much stress and revisits to both there and the North Ritz with FI's mother.

I am absolutely in love with the outdoor cocktail hour area at the Watermill and I am so excited about that. I love our room, I feel pleased with what we are offered for the money, and I just have a good feeling about the place when I am there. I also like that the downstairs room can be made to look dark and I can still have a candle light glow and 'pretend' I have an evening wedding like I wanted! Besides that, a major factor in the decision was the fact that FI and his family live right in the area and so is the church we plan on and so it is very convenient. If we chose NRC, it would be in the middle of our two families, (we're in Queens, they are in Smithtown), but in terms of choosing a church, it would be mine in Queens or his in Smithtown, so one of the families would be travelling far for the church and then more travelling back toward North Ritz. It was easier with Watermill, everything close together.

I REALLY love the Watermill, but in the back of my mind, I can't put out the thoughts of what so many of you said, about how it is chaotic and confusing it is for guests because there's more than one wedding at a time. I don't know, I still feel so confused. I don't know if I made the right decision, I can still get my money back, because we have until 9/27 to make sure everything works out with a church. My FMIL has been there 3 times and never saw another wedding so maybe I
ll get lucky?!?!?

There are always lots of conflicting opinions and ideas... as long as YOU are happy! I felt the same way but ultimately, I know it is about me and FI and as long as we love each other, it will be beautiful and special. You will love it, the food there is great

The watermill is beautiful. so

Yes some halls have alot of weddings going on at once and honestly the chaos comes from how the BM coordinates the day. For example a recent hall had 3 wedding. They all started within 15 minutes of each other..now that was total chaos has one wedding not ben African American, Another Asian and the other Indian. One way to avoid this is to stagger the start times of each even by at least an hr. that gives enough time for guests to get settled and the stragglers can just be shown to the appropriate function. So everything can be handled to your liking.

well I am biased!!!!!! but I love the
Watermill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! excellent choice.
About the chaotic situation with the two weddings and stuff, I dont think u should sweat it. I mean most of the halls are more than one wedding anyway, if these people have more than one wedding in their establishments, its because they know how to handle them. Many people have made comments about for example, the Crest Hollow and how chaotic they are, but honestly when my sister got married there, we had no problems and I never even saw the other bridal party or anything.
I think that is why at the watermill they give u different times according to the room you book. I know because I was going to get the big room and it was going to be from 6-11 but then I changed the number of guests and they gave me 7-12 for the small room. I believe this may be done to avoid those chaotic situations, like the transition from CH to Reception.
anyways, point is if u like the place dont worry about that the other wedding. The way I see it is as long as 'MY' reception goes perfect and 'MY' room looks great, and 'MY' guests get treated well, I really dont care about the wedding going on.
GOOD LUCK AND AGAIN, GREAT CHOICE!
sorry its so long!

I just got married there on 8/1/2004. I can tell you that I NEVER saw another bride or guest from the wedding downstairs (mine was upstairs). Also, my guest were greeted at the door and directed to my cocktail room. We didn't have any confusion. I loved the Watermill and felt like a princess the day of my wedding. I'm obviously biased, but I'd say GO FOR IT!

I had the same hard desision between different places though and when it came down to it, it was more about convience for all of my guests too, other then just thinking about myself. so i know what you are feeling i still am doubting myself too. dont worry you. i am glad i am not the only one. We also got a great deal for what we got to that is also how we finally came to a decision too.
good luck

I was dead set on booking a hall that only held one wedding @ a time.........I was not impressed w/ any of them. I've been to multiple weddings @ the Watermill and have NEVER ever had a problem - Never ran into another wedding, another bride, another guest. - Nothing. They are extremely professional and on top of every single detail. - I have never heard anyone complain about the place.
As far as 'chaotic' ......not a chance !!!

Thank you all, I needed that!!

Maybe there wont be another wedding..I know for my date they have nothing the ENTIRE day so we got lucky, but its a Friday night in March so that made that aspect easier...
What time is the reception? Keep in mind that they may not book another wedding on an afternoon upstairs??