Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

Ophelia42 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 06:06 PM

Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

I really and truly can't decide.

The Three Village Inn is a little closer to home-but 90% of the people who don't live in Smithtown (which is home) live west (upstate NY and NJ). It's a little more expensive, but their food choices *seem* better. I'm really worried about pictures if it rains - I'm not thrilled with the inside (besides the reception room, which I really like), and I don't know of places around that area where I could take indoor pictures in the event of rain. They also don't seem to offer a Viennese hour? (At least it's not on the menu I have).

George Washington manor is a bit cheaper, and further west (for the family/friends coming from that direction). They have a chapel on site that we would be able to get in early, so we could take pictures there if it rains (plus, they have all those gorgeous parks around the area if it doesn't rain). I'm a little worried aobut all the stairs - the cocktail hour is downstairs, and we have quite a few older relatives who may have a hard time (does anyone know if there is an easier way down to the cocktail room?)

Honestly, before FH visited again, I was leaning towards GWM, but now I don't know!

Help! Gimme some advice!

SFP0214 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 06:15 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

You can go to the cocktail room from the outside at the GWM. There is a door to a patio that connects to the parking lot.

lilacwine Posted: Apr 07, 2005 06:34 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

Not to make your decision any more complex, but have you considered the Milleridge Cottage? Similar feel to GWM, but no stairs for guests and you can have a vienniese.

That said, where are your OOT guests staying? How close is either place to their hotel?

Ophelia42 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 06:42 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

I looked at that, and honestly, I didn't really like it.

I think the dark wood made it feel (to me) very closed in - unlike the lighter airy feeling of the GWM.

I have no idea about OOT guests. I have a lists of hotels around the GWM (no idea how close they really are though - I know there is one a mile or so from the GWM). For 3VI, I guess it would either be the 3VI itself or the Mariott (I think) out on 347.

steflily Posted: Apr 07, 2005 06:47 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

We still haven't decided on a place but GWM is one of the top choices.

There is no easier way down to the cocktail room. They are giving me the Presidential room instead for a cocktail room (we will be having a lot of elderly and handicapped guests) BUT I have to guarantee a lot more people to get it.

How many people are you planning on having? GWM is for a smallish (100-120) party.

TracyInQueens Posted: Apr 07, 2005 06:50 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

Well, I am a little biased, as I had my wedding at GWM.

We (and a few other OOT guests) stayed at the Roslyn Claremont, which was practically next door to the hall. It was pricey, but if you have people who are big drinkers they will like being able to leave the car at the hotel.

More importantly, DH and I (and everyone we spoke to) found the food and service wonderful. We were so pleased with everything. Since we had a smaller wedding, we used the Presidential Room and so the stairs were not an issue.

It POURED the day of our wedding. We took pictures in the chapel and they came out really well. The staff came over to take our drink orders and they brought food too, even though it was before our CH would have started. It was like a pre-party for the BP and families. We had so much fun.

I will post some pics later. And you can FM me if you need.

Ophelia42 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 07:01 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

Question, for me and my drunken friends :

Is there a bar at the Roslyn Claremont? (After most of my friends weddings, we all (well the wedding party, bride and groom) got together at the hotel bar after the reception - it was nice to be able to see the bride and groom afterwards (since they were so busy during the day, we hardly got to spend time with them).

Steflily - we're probably only going to have ~100 - we only have ~110 people to invite (though, since 90% of those are family from the NY/NJ area, most will probably come). I'm a little worried about not making the minimum, but I've decided to think of it as 'It's going to cost $X' (regardless of how many people show, )rather than 'It's going to cost $Y per person'.

One thing I didn't like about GWM, was when I asked if they could do anything if we didn't make the minimum, like throw in a few extra cookie trays or something (basically we'd still be paying the same amount, but we wouldn't be getting the dinners for those people who didn't come) - they basically said 'No.'

TracyInQueens Posted: Apr 07, 2005 07:09 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

There is a bar at the RC, but it closes at 10. So that would only work if you were having a day wedding.

We didn't make our minimum either (DH is from Wisconsin and most of his relatives didn't make the trip) and they didn't offer any upgrades. But to be honest, I too looked at it as an overall cost as opposed to a per person cost, and it was still a good deal. My dad paid for the wedding and he told me not to stress over it, since it didn't matter to him either.

ETA: There is SO much freakin' food anyway- for dessert there was wedding cake, of course, and cookie trays on the table and chocolate mousse in a chocolate shell with raspberry sauce.

keljoe04 Posted: Apr 15, 2005 09:28 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

I had my wedding at the GWM and it was the perfect choice for me. I too was a little concerned about the stairs...but I ended up having the cocktail hour in the front room (presidents room) and the reception in the Mt. Vernon room. The food was great, it was the perfect size for my reception... I had 115 guests and the service was great. I got married in December and the decorations were amazing. I don't know anything about the three village inn....but I have nothing but good things to say about the GWM.

Good luck.

steflily Posted: Apr 15, 2005 09:50 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

We went for a tasting at the GWM last night and before you make a decision GO FOR A TASTING! The food is awesome and the atmosphere a little more relaxed . Janine sat with us for a while and she could tell I was starting to stress - she put me immediately at ease. We talk and laughed and she answered all of our questions. And the tasting is completely free (all they ask is that you tip your servers).

We still haven't decided because although we both absolutely LOVE the place, right now there is 145 people on our invite list so unless we cut it down it will be too small.

Good luck!

Mrs. dleeny Posted: Apr 15, 2005 09:57 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

you're probably going to think I am ridiculous, but before making a choice, check out the bathrooms. Crazy, I know. FH were very close to booking the GW Manor until we checked out the bathrooms. The plumbing was very old and the toilet I used would only flush when I kept pushing the lever down.

That kind of ended it for us at the GW Manor.

steflily Posted: Apr 15, 2005 11:14 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

I didn't have any problem with the bathrooms (although I only used one). Are you talking about the one in the restaurant or in the rrom downstairs?

KarenK122 Posted: Apr 15, 2005 11:25 PM

Re: Help Reception Choice - George Washington Manor or Three Village Inn?

Those were my top two choices as well when I was looking at reception halls. Three Village Inn won out for us though. I loved loved loved everything about TVI. The food was awesome, they worked with me on the menu (my wedding was before they had all the packages they offer now). My guests still talk about our wedding to this day. It was a little different than the rest of the catering halls and that stuck out in people's minds.

For pictures, it did turn out to be a beautiful day for us and we took pictures all round the town and by the water which is right across the street. If it did rain, we would have taken pictures inside by the fireplaces.

Both places are great so either choice I think you'll be happy with. My only negative about GWM was that I thought the cocktail hour room was way to small and having enough room and seating for everyone was a big thing for me.

Good luck!!