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well i went to what i think is a million places...i narrowed it down to four places villa lombardis, westbury manor , north ritz club & carlyle...all of them have their own style and are so different within themselves...ladies i need your help....
Anything in particular you are looking for? Have you developed a pro and con list?
After looking at 15+ , I narrowed my list to three places and then went back for a second look and food tasting (for those that let us). At that time I thought North Ritz was my third choice (a long shot) and then on the second go around it won! For the second go around, my fiance brought his parents and I brought my mom (who is in the business) and we gauged their reactions. Also, for the when you go backa second time and the places new what the competition was I found the prices either drop or more gets added to the packages.
Of couse I am partial to North Ritz b/c that is my place. I also really like Westbury Manor.
well, if it helps, i went to Westbury Manor and was not impressed with the food. I went to Villa Lombardi's, the food was great. The cocktailhour room was also very nice. I have never been to the other two!
I've been to 3 of 4 of your choices, although 2 of them were almost 10 years ago, so I didn't critique the weddings then like I do now. :)
I have booked Fox Hollow for my wedding, being that it is a Scotto brothers facility. From all I have heard about their places, you can't go wrong and won't be disappointed, so Westbury Manor would be a great choice. I was there, in a wedding party, a very long time ago, but everything was wonderful. Great atmosphere, food, you name it, it was great.
Carlyle..... so long ago that I barely remember a thing.
Villa Lombardi's, I have attended 2 weddings within the last 2 years and both were wonderful. The cocktail hour room is very pretty and the amount of food you get is outrageous. Again, everything was wonderful.
I haven't been to North Ritz for a wedding, but I did look there before I booked Fox Hollow. The place is very pretty, the only thing that bothered me was that they wouldn't let me taste the food before I booked.
I think all your choices are great ones.
Were you allowed a tasting at Fox Hollow before you booked? We were told that if we wanted to taste the food, we would have to eat at the restaurant. I`d be glad to eat there, but my fiance`s father seems to think that no wedding facility will serve the same quality food for a reception as they do in their restaurant.
No, we didn't have a tasting before we booked, mostly because I know the Scotto's reputation and am not worried at all. We did ask though, and were told the same thing, we could go to the restaurant if we wanted to try the food. We did sample some of the cocktail hour food while we were booking though, basically just some fruit, veggies, cheeses and bread.
I guess what settled my mind mostly was all the reviews on this site, if you do a search, everyone raves about the food.
Are you thinking about booking there? I'll be going to see the wedding planner on Tuesday, and I've heard that they give you some food then also. If you want, I'll let you know how that goes. Anymore questions, feel free to ask. :)
Thanks...I was just wondering if they changed their policy or something. I agree with you about their reputation, I haven't heard a bad thing about them yet.
If you can afford it...I say hands down Carlyle....
My wedding will be at the Carlyle this June, and I couldn't be more excited. Of the places you listed, Carlyle is probably the most expensive. My wedding will be on a Sunday afternoon - which helped keep the price down. I visited about 10 places before making my choice - and decided I'd rather have the place I loved on Sunday, then somewhere I was just ok with on Saturday night. Everyones priorities are different though!
What I loved about the Carlyle:
1. Recently renovated, amazing ballroom.
2. Separate gorgeous room for indoor receptions.
3. Just one party at a time.
4. Classy, elegant staff and service.
5. Amazing setting.
6. It just felt right!
I know Carlyle isn't for everyone, but like they say for dress shopping - I knew it was the one for me. They have treated me so great since I booked over a year ago!
Well, good luck with your decision, and if you chose the Carlyle I'll give ya lots of good advice in July when I'm back from my honeymoon. :-)
No offense is meant to ANY bride that is having her reception at the Carlyle, but there are some things to be aware of, if you choose to have your affair there.
My cousin got married there just a little over a year ago. It is beautiful and elegant, without a doubt!
However, couple of things stick out in my mind. The staff was very slow to bring around the hors devours when the cocktail hour began. The cocktail room (the room w/the piano, directly in front of the ballroom) was too small for this party (nearly 200 people). Conversely, the ballroom was clearly too big - even for almost 200 people!
At many times during the night, the ballroom felt 'empty' b/c the Carlyle sets up their bar in the cocktail room. This is where people end up congregating during the reception, instead of on the dance floor. My uncle actually had to ask the bartenders to stop serving for awhile, so that guests would return to their tables and/or the dance floor.
One word of caution - there's a safety hazard between the cocktail room/bar and the ballroom - one of my relatives tripped and fell on the door 'tracks' that open into the ballroom.
Lastly, the dessert selections were served in the cocktail room, and I did not like that guests had to get up from their tables to serve themselves. And, if you have older guests like Grandparents or great aunts/uncles, it is difficult for them to enjoy.
These are just my opinions/observations from having recently attended a wedding at the Carlyle. It doesn't change the beauty of the place, or the quality of the food - all of that was still very good. But, I just thought some of these things were important to point out, while you're in the decision-making process.
Best of luck!
Valenia described my thoughts as well. We looked as so many places, and when I walked in to the ballroom, I just knew it was meant to be.
Continued success to all...
To accomodate the party size did they extend the cocktail room into the ballroom?
Was the dessert set up as a Viennese
hour? Did they do any plated desserts?
Were the servers getting drinks from the bar for the guests?
Where there any other concerns or problems?
Thank you for your help. I want to make sure none of those mistakes will be made at my wedding.
thank you all for your help and suggestions....i will keep you posted...i think by monday my fiance and i will have decided.....you are all the best :)))
i vote for westbury manor
i have eaten at the hall and restaurant
the food is the same and tastes great
I am getting married at the fox hollow as well, the scottos also have a restaurant in garden city and great neck that u can go to, dont worry every guest at my friend`s wedding there raved of the food, u do not have to worry about food there
Yeah, I have only heard good things (mostly from doing a search on this site) about Fox Hollow. It's always nice to hear it again though. Thanks for letting me know about your friends wedding and how great the food was. When are you getting married? What rooms will you have at Fox Hollow?
I didn't know that the Scotto's had other restaurants. Do you know the names by any chance?
Did you eat at the Fox Hollow restaurant to sample their food for your wedding to help you make the menu selection? I only booked last weekend so I am still in the beginning of all the planning. I was really overwhelmed at first when looking at all the reception sites, but I feel completely relieved and happy now that we made our decision. Not only do I love the place, but the people are so friendly.
Well, have a great weekend. Thanks again.
I am getting married on 8/25/02 in the garden terrace..... I didnt sample the food, but I want to two affairs and it was great twice so I know the food is good, I will find out the name of the places, it may be scottos in greatneck but the garden city one I have to ask.... or you can just have dinner at fox hollow or chateau briand, as for the phone number thing.... ever since I entered the contest here.... everyone calls me!!! how do all these vendors get access when you enter???? a photographer called me , i forgot the name and said they got my name from fox hollow, that is bull, they are lying b/c they are not one of the three names that fox hollow recommends???
The main drawback at Westbury Manor is that there is more than one wedding going on at a time. The food at Villa Lombardi is the best!!!
Jmal--i just did a search on villa lombardis and came across your question--i thought it was really funny b/c three of your places--were my final 3 as well (although i will be looking at jericho terrace this week too)....i was just curious to what place you finally did choose---i did put $ down at one place just to hold the date-taking a gamble! ......but i have not been to carlye yet b/c i have heard that it is sooo expensive-but from the pictures i have seen-it looks beautiful--i know i probably will not have it there due to the cost--but still would love to check it out! fill me in on your decision and why--we seem to have the same taste!!:):)
