Desperately need some opinions

Hi, I know what you are going through. I too am getting married on LI and was living in FL until 5 months before the wedding (9/07) and it was really hard to pick a catering hall when you don't live there. My parents are the ones that live on LI and my fiances parents live in NJ. My parents are not really helping with the planning (at all) so getting the info about the catering halls was left up to me. Basically, I called over 100 halls asking about dates/prices and then went to LI with my fiance to look at 8 catering halls on LI and 8 in NJ over one weekend....it ******. Based on those we saw, we had to make a decision. Of the ones that had package deals included, the were 1. The Strerling 2. Stuart Thomas Manor
3. Mediterranean Manor. All were good and affordable but I personally liked the look of The Sterling the best and they were doing renovations to the main room that sounded beautiful. Hope that helps.

Hi, I haven't been to any of those places, but I heard from someone that the Marconi Manor wasn't that nice.

I believe the Holbrook Country Club has packages and that place is supposed to be very nice!

HTH

Some brides have mentioned about catering places having recommended vendor list and maybe you could use that. From what I have heard, just because a hall has a list doesn't mean that the vendor is good for you or that the price will be better than non-vendors. One of the more expensive DJ's I spoke to with a discount because they were from the hall was still almost twice the cost of others - - they might have been alot better but I couldn't really tell that.
Anyway, I don't think those lists save you any work of interviewing and analyzing those vendors.
The package places might be the best way for you to go from long distance.

The Sterling has all-inclusive wedding packages.

www.thesterlingcaterers.com

WOW-- I knew I could count on you gals for some honest opinions. It doesnt really matter if it's Nassau or Suffolk, Im from Mastic and he's from Brightwaters so either way it works. I have looked at halls seperate and I can't even seem to narrow it down because my weekend seems to be open just about everywhere I have looked so far and all the prices are in the same range, I swear I'm going to go NUTS!!!! Anyone have any opinions of the commack wedding center?? I have been reading some incredibly mixed reviews.. are there any other places on the island like the wedding center (that has packages for just about everything but the rh)??

Try Wedding World in Commack....not the wedding center!!!
They have good package deals and they even have the bridal gowns at helens in the same bldg.

We just booked at Patchogue Manor...really big inside and the food was excellent! Jim is the banquet manager and a really nice guy- we decided to book the package deal...the only vendor we need besides those vendors are the flowers and I think I might use the one they use for the centerpieces.

Went to check out Marconi Manor...a few posts ago someone mentioned it looked like a vfw hall. I totally agree. It's only one room and looks like decor hasn't been updated in awhile. They have a package...when we went to meet with them, no one knew I had an appt and so we sat around for 20 minutes. The girl that sat with us just read us the packages...which I had already read on the internet...and just gave pricing.

As far as Mediterranean Manor, just went to a wedding there a few weeks ago...thought the food was bad (chicken was dry, veggies cold, etc.). I had been there a few years ago for a party and the food was excellent...new chef maybe?

Anyway, hope that helps...good luck!