Martha clara & Hallockville farm

HoraMC3 Posted: Jan 13, 2011 07:19 PM

Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Has anyone gotten married at either Martha Clara vineyard or Hallockville Farm?

jovigirl414 Posted: Jan 13, 2011 08:40 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

I was supposed to get married at Martha Clara ... that is, until they hit me with the contract ...

At first, they told me that I would not have to buy wine, then the contract reads that there is a minimum wine purchase of half a bottle per guest - at $22 each. They also told me I would have unlimited time on premises, which I also found to be untrue when the contract came in. They hit me with a $250 dumpster fee, and they expect a MILLION DOLLAR insurance policy - I could have read the contract wrong on this one, but to me it seemed like it was up to me to get the insurance policy as well as the vendors. Needless to say, I was pretty upset when the contract came in.

I would never tell a bride NOT to go somewhere, but just be aware of the fees they may charge. I hope that, when you go to check the place out, that they tell you all of this before the contract comes in, unlike they did with me. Best of luck to you!

Jesebelle Posted: Jan 14, 2011 10:30 AM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Wow, when I called them I knew about all those things. It's the same at any vineyard, or any place that isn't a catering hall. They really don't have all the proper facilities, you have to bring in almost everything, and it ends up costing you more in the end.

Soon2BMrsJoeBear Posted: Jan 14, 2011 10:41 AM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

I looked at Martha Clara and a few other vineyards. We originally wanted a vineyard wedding. It you want that, I recommed looking at Bedell or Raphael. From my experience they are the only vineyards that will do everything on premise like a catering hall.

FM me if you have any questions!!

stinenandy2010 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 10:53 AM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Unfortunately I did not have a pleasant experience at Martha Clara either.

No one there knew what they were doing. Everytime I asked a question, I got two different answers, therefore causing massive amounts of confusion between myself, family and vendors. For example, the event manager told me I could not use the kitchen, but the general manager told me I could. Then I was told I could use candles, but the day of I could not. Same thing happened with balloons. We had to buy a minimum of the wine, I forget how much but that wasn't a problem. I found out about the insurance 2 days before our event (my engagement party) It was not in my contract so I was very surprised. But it is not difficult to get a 1 million dollar policy, anyone with homeowners can get it. The staff was extremely rude to my guests, it was embarassing.

I hope that the staff there has since improved because it is a beautiful location.

Leia1920 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 11:17 AM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

If you are interested in this type of wedding also check out brecknock hall in greenport and driftwood farms. Ive bern to weddings at both of these as well ad hallockville. Driftwood is the barn feeling but right on the sound. Old field vineyard is also a beautuful wedding setting vibeyard right on tge bay!! If you have any questions about places out east or caterers fm me, i live in wine country and grew up here and know many of the local secrets

fdnybride163 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 01:41 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

ive planned a few weddings at martha clara, and let me tell you it was beautiful, but as back of the house it was a friggin nightmare.

you have to make sure you hire a catering company that will plan everything for you, including:

rentals (including specialty linens that may run as high as $60each)
you may need tenting,
extra power supply for kitchen equiptment, dj lighting,
Heat or AC
if you do ceremony you have to make sure there is a site for it, and paying to rentals and extra flowers to recreate a beautiful scene
RAIN PLAN!!! (parking lot is very far from where the reception would be, and even if you have valet, the entire back lot is dirt.

hope this helps all you girls with off premise catering venues!

FM me if you have more questions

MrsJPH2012 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 02:02 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Posted by Soon2BMrsJoeBear

I looked at Martha Clara and a few other vineyards. We originally wanted a vineyard wedding. It you want that, I recommed looking at Bedell or Raphael. From my experience they are the only vineyards that will do everything on premise like a catering hall.

FM me if you have any questions!!

I agree... I was set on a vineyard wedding and talked to Martha Clara and Raphael. If I had endless amounts of money, i totally would have done Raphael, however the prices were so amazingly over my budget its not even funny.

I chose Giorgio's bc its out by the vineyards, they have a mini vineyard in the back for pictures, but its still a catering hall so they take care of all the importants!

merelynn10 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 03:38 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

I had my e-party at Martha Clara and I loved it! It was soo nice!

However, leading up to the e-party was VERY stressful. We kept asking for a contract to book, which took them about 3-4 weeks before they gave it to us! I kept calling and calling them saying I want to send out the invites and need the contract first. They said they were very busy and not to worry, they diffenately booked the room for us, but I said, I dont care I want it in writing (contract).

Even though the place is beautiful, IMO they are not too organized

yoginiinluv2011 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 03:43 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

I looked at both. I love hallockville, but I found that noone was helpful there, It also would not accomodate my guest list without putting up an additional tent to the outside of the barn. i still have all of my emails saved from hallockville withpics and info. I could foward them to you if you want. Driftwood farm is beautiful

meghan13 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 07:04 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Posted by jovigirl414

I was supposed to get married at Martha Clara ... that is, until they hit me with the contract ...

At first, they told me that I would not have to buy wine, then the contract reads that there is a minimum wine purchase of half a bottle per guest - at $22 each. They also told me I would have unlimited time on premises, which I also found to be untrue when the contract came in. They hit me with a $250 dumpster fee, and they expect a MILLION DOLLAR insurance policy - I could have read the contract wrong on this one, but to me it seemed like it was up to me to get the insurance policy as well as the vendors. Needless to say, I was pretty upset when the contract came in.

I would never tell a bride NOT to go somewhere, but just be aware of the fees they may charge. I hope that, when you go to check the place out, that they tell you all of this before the contract comes in, unlike they did with me. Best of luck to you!

I was going to do my RH dinner there - and it started out great but as I asked more questions all the little fees kept getting added. They are not upfront about all the costs.

meghan13 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 07:05 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

It really is a shame - I adopted my dog from there at and adoption event. Her name is Clara!

jovigirl414 Posted: Jan 14, 2011 07:27 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

As I read all of your posts, I realized that I totally forgot about the candle and balloon thing! You're paying all this money, yet you can't have what you want? Craziness!

I had the same issue trying to get the contract - our contract was supposed to be drawn up last May - we did not get a contract from them until NOVEMBER! So, when I finally saw that the price we agreed on turned into more money than my friend was spending at East Wind, I knew it was time to look elsewhere!

thefloreswedding Posted: Jan 14, 2011 11:21 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

wow thats why i love LIW...you can avoid headaches and frustrations!!!

xoxoxo

HoraMC3 Posted: Jan 16, 2011 03:55 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Thank you so much for all the info! I have a meeting there tomorrow morning and I will be asking all the questions you've mentioned!

jovigirl414 Posted: Jan 16, 2011 03:58 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Best of luck to you ... I hope you have a MUCH better experience than some of us did!

HoraMC3 Posted: Jan 16, 2011 03:58 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Did you get married at any vineyard? I looooove the old vintage barns and I'm looking to stay out east.Thank you for your help

HoraMC3 Posted: Jan 16, 2011 04:01 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Thank you! If you dont mind me askingbhow much does a million dollar insurance policy cost?

jovigirl414 Posted: Jan 16, 2011 04:04 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Me personally? No ... We weren't thinking of a vineyard until we supposedly won a package through an event planning company's contest. Once we decided to change our plans, we started looking at standard RH's ... we booked our wedding at Smithtown Landing Country Club for this coming August, and couldn't be happier about it! Funny thing is, they are a Lessings company as well as Martha Clara ... Ironic, right? LOL ... I don't blame Lessings at all for the inconveniences. In fact, everyone at Smithtown Landing has impressed me more with each visit! I hope, for your sake, that Martha Clara now follows suit with the rest of the Lessings halls. Good Luck!

HoraMC3 Posted: Jan 16, 2011 04:05 PM

Re: Martha clara & Hallockville farm

Thanks so much. I love the vintage feeling of the Hallockville barn but i will probably be having close to 200 guests. I def want to keep it on the east end. Im def a farm kinda girl so if you have anymore suggestions I appreciate the help!