Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

Mel329 Posted: Dec 05, 2005 09:42 PM

Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

Hi Ladies,

It has been one month today that I have been engaged and I am miserable. Everyone says what a great time in your life this is, but I can't find any reception hall that I like. I am from Westchester, but really don't want the typical Westchester Wedding, which is basically all the New Rochelle places. I have been to 12 places and can't even name a top 2. I have been to:

1. Surf Club, New Rochelle (my FH and family like it here, but I always said that I didn't want a New Rochelle place because everyone has been there)

2. Beckwith Pointe, New Rochelle

3. Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club

4. Chateau La Mer

5. Crescent Beach Club ( I loved it here the first time I went, brought FH & dad and they said they didn't like the inside and that if it rained I would have no good pictures)

6. Carlton on the Sound

7. F.E.A.S.T. Caterers - Round Hill (upstate by Newburgh/Stewart Airport) very nice old mansion but dance floor was in another room

8. Belvedere Mansion

9. Candlewood Inn (CT)

10. Foxhill Inn (CT)

11.Onteora MountainHouse (upstate NY)

12. Can't remember

If anyone could give any suggestions nearby westchester, not too far out long island, CT, even NJ I would appreciate it. The only thing I ever wanted was ocean/Long Island Sound but I'm starting to give up on that and look at old manors/mansions. I plan on having around 200 people and really would like a place where it is one event at a time. Obviously, I am being extremely picky, but I always thought that I would just fall in love with a place, but that is not happening. Thanks for any help you could give.

Mel

RadioLau Posted: Dec 05, 2005 09:44 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

The Harbor Club is in Huntington overlooking Huntington Harbor. They have only one event at a time and they can accomodate 200 people. We were extremely picky as well and looked at about 20 halls before we decided on the Harbor Club. Good Luck!!

july06bride Posted: Dec 05, 2005 09:45 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

my friend got married at the new waterview in CT- it was VERY nice!

BRod-Cheng Posted: Dec 05, 2005 09:48 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

Check out the magazine called wedding sites and services - they have a Ny &CT version with tons of reception sites. You can buy it at any Borders or Barnes & Noble. There is also a website.

wedding sites and services

lilnikita Posted: Dec 05, 2005 10:02 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

I work in Stamford and there is a place on the water in Darien that is supposed to be really nice, not sure of the name...I don't think you want to travel far out on LI but I'm getting married at Flowerfield and it's absolutely gorgeous. You may just want to check it out just in case. It's different from other halls I went to and it's not so far from the water that you can't go there to take pics! Good luck, I was frustrated in the beginning too!

BRod-Cheng Posted: Dec 05, 2005 10:25 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

I forgot to add:

Don't lose your cool. My Fiancee and I looked at 17 places before finally deciding on a location.

Bridex100 Posted: Dec 05, 2005 11:27 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

I feel your pain!!!

I started off by my list with Tribeca Rooftop as my front runner but then got turned off by 'industrial' looking space.

All the nicest looking venues are huge and I don't have enough people.

I seriously think I've looked at every potential venue in the NY metropolitan area and can't find my perfect venue.

I almost had a nervous breakdown yesterday but my fiance was sweet and told me it'd be ok if we just got married in a field.

autumn Posted: Dec 05, 2005 11:31 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

My FH and I looked at alot of places, I was very frustrated as well. Don't give up on the search.

weddingbunny Posted: Dec 05, 2005 11:50 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

Maybe try Lands End if you want on the water? It's on the south shore, in Sayville, so I don't know if that's too far out for you... but it might be worth a look. It's very pretty.

weddingbunny Posted: Dec 05, 2005 11:55 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

Oh! And if you're willing to do a tent (trust me, it's a nice tent), look at the Vanderbilt Mansion (Eagle's Nest) in Centerport. It's on the Sound, and they're putting in a permanent tent overlooking the water. It's really beautiful there. I'd go soon though, because I think they're upping the site fee soon.

It's not a catering hall, so you'd have to find a seperate caterer, but they have a list of people who they work with on their website.

I was seriously considering having my wedding there, but then I fell in love with Flowerfield. The mansion and courtyard and gardens are just gorgeous, and the people there are great.

Don't be put off by the construction. They're building an access road to the tent. It should definitely be completed by this spring. (I know people there, so that's not just a sales pitch)

Good luck! I looked for about month before I found a place I loved, and a lot of people look for longer than that. It's a tough search.

October Bliss Posted: Dec 06, 2005 12:24 AM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

I looked at 25 different places before making a decision. Besides the place I booked, there was only one other place that I personally liked enough to consider.

Don't give up. You will find a place that you will fall in love with.

snowprincess805 Posted: Dec 06, 2005 08:25 AM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

Bourne Mansion in oakdale -on the water - a mansion - largest original ballroom -max holds about 220 with dancing

soon2bmrsdunn Posted: Dec 06, 2005 08:27 AM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

What about Brideview Yatch Club?

SuzBride Posted: Dec 06, 2005 08:30 AM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

Lands End! On the water/beach, beautiful inside (simple/not gaudy), great cocktail area. Also the food is amazing

Land's End

lrs2005 Posted: Dec 06, 2005 09:22 AM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

what about the glen island harbour club?

Naunie Posted: Dec 06, 2005 10:51 AM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

If money is not an object- check out Oheka Castle, in Huntington. Breathtaking, old mansion- tured hotel.
Georgeous.
Otherwise, are there any vinyards up in your area? I am not too familiar with the area...
Or you could always make it a destination, and go to Newport!!
In any case, good luck- and be sure to stop a minute and enjoy your engagement!!!!!

kaklesmay Posted: Dec 06, 2005 10:55 AM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

I was in the same boat. The hall was sooo hard of a decision.

Good luck!

PrincessRose Posted: Dec 06, 2005 11:02 AM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

If you were willing to go to the Candlewood Inn, may I suggest the Amber Room Colonnade, the Sheraton off exit 2 in Danbury, and the Ethan Allen Inn? I've been to affairs at all three over the years, and they all do a nice job.

Also, Anthony's Pier 9 in Orange County is very nice.

elmtobe Posted: Dec 06, 2005 01:12 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

we looked at about fifteen places before we chose, there are a million and one places on long island to get married...however, what about the NYC Botanical Gardens...i'm not sure how pricey they are...there are also some nice places in upstate NY, my girlfriend just got married at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing, they didn't have the best experience (in terms of service) but it was beautiful...North Ritz Club in Syossett is gorgeous but pricey, also on LI. Don't get stressed, and it will be the best time of your life...hey what about Antun's of Westchester??? just kidding...lol

lreigada Posted: Dec 06, 2005 01:24 PM

Re: Can't Find a reception hall! Getting very Frustrated!

Out of your places I looked at:
Chateau La Mer
Carlton on the Sound
F.E.A.S.T. Caterers - Round Hill and the other mansion (forgot the name)
Onteora MountainHouse (upstate NY)

So it looks like we have similar ideas. I eventually found Deseversky - for the grounds and money it was perfect!!!!! In my opinion it was the most beautiful mansion I had saw and it is catered by NYIT culinary institute. However, the ballroom is for a smaller wedding reception (140 max for a sit down dinner), but could have a mansion style wedding with 200 people or a sit down in the atruim/dinning room.

I also really liked the Harrison House - a lot more $$$ for a sat night, but a beatutiful spot and it can accommodate more people as well.

The Carlton in Eisenhower park is stunning and the Garden City Hotel is extravegant.

Any place else I would suggest is too far east.

Oh I recently went to a wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens - it was beautiful.

Good luck.