Hi, I'm a first time poster here. My fiance and I got engaged a few months ago and we figured out what sort of wedding we'd like to have. It's the execution that stumps us.
We have about 250 people on our tentative guest list. What we'd really like is an outdoors ceremony and reception and unfortunately we are limited in funds. We were thinking Heckscher Park but I found there's a lottery to reserve space. Has anyone had an outdoor wedding and can help us out?
Thanks in advance.
FalNBill
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
I havent had an outdoor wedding so i dont know how helpful this may be but....... Have you ever thought of having it at an RH that has alot of property? Then you could have your ceremony outside and reception inside... with that many guests im sure they would be willing to work with you.
FalNBill
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
and Congratulations on your engagement!
edenparadox
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
Thank you!
Certainly we considered a RH and wouldn't mind it if it was reasonably priced. $30-40 per person is as high as we can go. So if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Also, we've considered trying to find a location that we could rent like a vineyard or a flower nursery of some sort further east.
We're really flexible, it's just hard to find information for anything other than the standard stuff.
sds
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
first congrats. did you try belmont raceway , wantagh state park or any other state or town park. Good luck
SusiBtoM
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
$30 to $40 per person is not a lot to work with on Long Island, especially if you want to do something outside. Take into consideration that EVERYTHING has to be brought into a location like the park.
Have you considered cutting your guest list so that your pp expenditure can go up ?
GinaZ
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
Maybe look into the vineyards out east. Some of them host outdoor weddings.
I found when i was first researching for a venue that not many of the halls on the water have it where you can have the entire reception outside. :( But there are some that allow for an outside cocktail hour, but sometimes that doesn't cut it if you have your heart set on the entire thing being ooutdoors.
Maybe look into the crows nest out east in montauk. I think the cost is higher than you have mentioned, but I also believe it is all inclusive and includes a honeymoon. Might be worth looking into.
Also maybe look into the coral house- although I think you may only get the cocktail hour outside.
And try asking people about sunday afternoons rather than evenings. You will prolly get lower quotes.
heatherandrichie
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
check out Holbrook Country Club
edenparadox
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
All the state parks work through the same permit office so it's all the same rules. County parks won't let us use a sound system so they're out.
We can't cut the guest list enough to make a difference.
I'm getting desperate enough to do an outdoors ceremony/cocktails and indoors reception though I'd prefer not to.
tinadansr
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
what about southahven park? My studio rents a space there every year we have a huge cast bbq!
Maybe they can help
congrats!
edenparadox
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
Holbrook looks nice. I'm going to try calling them.
Does Southhaven allow sound systems?
EGreene79
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
My friend had a backyard wedding, but used a friends house. It was GORGEOUS! I have to admit, I wasn't open-minded going into it, but I was blown away with how nice it came out. The food was from a local restaurant - they just ordered in bulk and served it buffet style.
Do you have any friends or family that will let you use their yards? If not, I'm sure there are properties that let you rent them out for a day or weekend.
Congrats and good luck!
edenparadox
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
Oooh that's a good idea. I'm going to try the vrbo website. Maybe I could rent a house from there for a day or a weekend or something.
Thank you everyone for all these great ideas. Though I certainly do still welcome more of them.
LaurenluvsTJ
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
Posted by EGreene79
My friend had a backyard wedding, but used a friends house. It was GORGEOUS! I have to admit, I wasn't open-minded going into it, but I was blown away with how nice it came out. The food was from a local restaurant - they just ordered in bulk and served it buffet style.
Do you have any friends or family that will let you use their yards? If not, I'm sure there are properties that let you rent them out for a day or weekend.
Congrats and good luck!
I was going to suggest this - a backyard wedding might be wonderful Just remember it would have to be someplace big enough to accomodate that many people. I think you can also rent out the vanderbilt mansion, though I am not sure how $$ it is. Congratulations on y our engagement!!
GinaZ
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
Ooooh renting a house with a nice big backyard is a great idea!! But also rememebr to consider that you will have to rent a tent, chairs, tables, linens, cups, glasses, plates, forks, etc. And then you have to find a caterer who fits your budget- whcih Im sure you can! It will be a lot of work, but Im sure it will be worth it- and probably fun too!
I did some quick googleing and found this! Maybe it will help you get started. Also remember if you rent someones home, you will have to get permission and probably insurance of some kind.
Also remember you have to take noise laws into consideration. But if you do a daytime wedding this probably wont matter.
kahlua716
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
I would steer clear of the vineyards- most of them have HUGE site fees. The one I was interested in wanted $15,000 just to use the space, that didn't include anything- no tables and chairs, tent, food- nothing!
I would check into the town parks...and even reception halls- on an off season and off day you could get a great deal! Also, if you could stand to take the risk- booking at the last minute could also save you money. My FBIL got a great deal at Tall Grass Country Club because he booked only 3 months before the wedding and took a date they wanted to get booked up (And he got a Saturday night) Good Luck!
the future mrs m
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
congrats on your engagement.
JACK808
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
I am not sure of the cost, but Lessing's does weddings at the Sunken Meadow Pavillion.
Good luck!
Chanwich
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
Posted by JACK808
I am not sure of the cost, but Lessing's does weddings at the Sunken Meadow Pavillion.
Good luck!
Sunken Meadow Pavilion is around100 pp...I think its over the budget you wanted
rkl1130
Posted:
Member since
Re: Huge Location Problem
First off--congratulations on your engagement!
I would stay away from vineyards--most of them ask for a site fee, which can be quite pricey.
You can try the parks or even check out some RH's with outdoor spaces. Depending on when you want your wedding, they can be really reasonable.
