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just engaged and need opinions on two halls

Original post by dawnbridetobe

Thread views: 5,619

Hi everyone,

I was just engaged on 2/6 and am sooo excited I have already started looking places because I need to set the date for June or July of 2007 and know that these are very busy months to marry. I want to be the only bride and want to stay close to home (Massapequa area). I have looked at two places already, Thatched cottage and Carlyle on the green. I was very impressed with the choice and amount of food offered at the Thatched cottage but not overly thrilled with the look of the place itself (no offense to anyone, just my opinion). I absobutely loved the ambience of Carlyle, but am not so thrilled with the food selection and the PRICE. I love the look of Carlyle so much I am willing to pay the money and try to negotiate with the menu. My question is how exactly do I go about negotiating, do I simply ask if the price is negotiable and what extras can be added in? (the price I was given was $135 a head for a Sun afternoon 6/07 + 20% gratuity, tax, valet fee of $125 per valet and $1,000 for the ceremony). I actually had an appointment for tonight to leave my deposit, but then realized I really want to see Milleride cottage first because it looks nice, offers a larger menu and I think is cheaper. I will lose my date. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions to help. Is Milleridge a nice affordable place? Thanks and congratulations to everyone recently engaged and married!!

Dawn

KandE917 Thread views: 5,619

Re: just engaged and need opinions on two halls

Posted by STBMrsDaniRella

IMHO, It really depends on how you feel. If you look at it like I do--you only get married once and it's a big deal, you save up the money and make it work b/c it's so worth it, then you'll go with the place that you really feel a passion for regardless of the price... within reason, of course.

You might have to try and budget yourself elsewhere but the place is everything and that is what you and your FH-and your guests- will always remember.

I'm not sure how flexible places can be with food selection but I have a girlfriend at work that just got married at the Carlyle last month and she said it was hands down the best decision she ever made. She said the service quality that they give you was well worth the money. She said her guests LOVED the food even though, like you, she wasn't thrilled with the type of food it was. To her surprise, she said her guests loved it because it was different than the typical wedding food and I agree wth the guests.... Carlyle's food is unique--I looked there, reminded me of Tavern on the Green--how great is that?! lol

Carlyle was on my list of top three places I loved. I went with FF because it was closer to my house and most of our guests. But honestly, it is worlds above the other places that you mentioned, IMO, no offense to other brides--those places are very nice but you can't compare just like with the place I'm getting married--you can't compare the Waldorf to Flowerfield can you? It's like that. IMO, they are just on two different levels.

I would go with your heart, Carlyle is breath-taking and like I said before--it's just once, you might as well do what makes you feel great.

I agonized over the cost of FF, just like you, but when I walked into FF it knocked me off my feet and I got choked up and had goosebumps... no other place did that to me and you can't put a price on that feeling.

Good luck sweetie... I'm sure everything will work out and be perfect!! Think of it this way... since you are a 2007 bride you have a while to save up!!
BTW... CONGRATS!!!!

I couldn't agree more!!!
I looked at both Carlyle and Milleridge when I was hunting for a place just a few months ago. We were looking at Sat nights and there was close to a $100 price diff. bet. Caryle and Milleridge...so you just can't compare them - they are on totally different levels. Not so much looks-wise....I think Milleridge is beautiful. But service is much more upscale at Carlyle. I have been to weddings at both....if I had to choose I'd go with Carlyle - I thought the food and service was much better there. Back about 10 years ago the Milleridge was like the top place to get married IMO...it was crazy expensive at the time...my sister's wedding was there 10 years ago and we were all appalled at what she was paying per plate. Well I was shocked when I looked there...10 years later...to see the price had barely gone up - maybe $10 a plate - no joke! I just think the competition is so much crazier these days - there are so many more places to choose from.

Woodlands would be an excellent choice for you! It's gorgeous and really affordable! It's like a mansion. Or how about Bourne Mansion - it's gorgeous as well. Also check out Lands End.

Good luck and congrats!

ssdbk Thread views: 5,619

Re: just engaged and need opinions on two halls

Congrats! Take your time looking at halls. If you lose your date, it was not meant to be!!! I think that when you see more, or when you have given it more time, you will have a decision! The places you have in mind are all nice, though!!!

mpjr Thread views: 5,619

Re: just engaged and need opinions on two halls

My sis in law had her wed at the milleridge and it was the best i've been to. People are still talking about it 2 yrs later. One thing not mentioned is that I really liked the bridal suite, it was out of the way upstairs and we had a great time there before the ceremony. I'm trying to find a place that I like as much. Also, it is very spacious. Good luck!!

beautyq115 Thread views: 5,619

Re: just engaged and need opinions on two halls

Keep looking...congrats and good luck!

mskittynj Thread views: 5,619

Re: just engaged and need opinions on two halls

Congratulations, this is such an exciting time in a woman's life! About the halls, my advice is look at as many places as you can!
XOXOXO
Kitty

babybug631 Thread views: 5,619

Re: just engaged and need opinions on two halls

If you're not 100% about the place keep looking, don't settle. Look at Milleridge. I had my shower there and while it isn't the same room where they have the weddings, the food was excellent.

BJandDan Thread views: 5,619

Re: just engaged and need opinions on two halls

Another vote for the Riviera if you want close to Massapequa My brother got married there 2 years ago and it was beautiful!

slwh2005 Thread views: 5,619

Re: just engaged and need opinions on two halls

I went to a wedding last fall at Carlyle and it was beautiful. The food was very good and I really loved the atmosphere. I wanted to have my wedding there (before I had even been there for a wedding) but the price was just too high for us. a freind of mine who is an excellent negotiator looked at both Carlyle & milleridge. She ended up at the Milleridge because they were cheaper. Carlyle would not budge much. Her wedding at Milleridge Cottage was beautiful. I like it there almost as much as the Carlyle. It's hard to compare the two though because one was a day wedding and the other was at night so they had a different feel. Personally I am a terrible negotiator so I can't help you out there.

Good luck with your choice!