My wedding is 50 people or less..cant find reception hall!

Original post by LegalDiva

Sep 27, 2009 10:03 PM

My tentative wedding date is 10/9/2010. I know, its only a year away and I should have done more by now but the fact is I only have 50 guests at most (both my fiance and I are from small families) and I already visited 85% of the catering halls in Long Island.

I am down to selecting either Westbury Manor or Manor East in Massapequa. I ruled out Coral House because I wasnt crazy about one of their rooms and others seemed too gaudy, required 100 guests at most, or were too far away from our ceremony location in Nassau county (ie WaterMill).

Westbury Manor quoted me a good rate for a range of 55 people, and Manor East has this great overall package deal that includes photography, limo, DJ and flowers.. I dont know which to go with, the Manor East seems like the easiest because I don't have to worry about planning for the incidentals like photography, DJ, etc.

I just can't decide, I was hoping I could hear suggestions from other brides who are having 50-75 people at their wedding and where they are scheduling the receptions.. Westbury Manor comes very highly recommended, but I have heard that their wedding cakes tend to be dry and the food/service may not be what was advertised.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Marianne13 Posted: Sep 28, 2009 02:15 PM

Re: My wedding is 50 people or less..cant find reception hall!

If you like Westbury Manor and the price is good I would book with them.

It's kind of cool that you get to book your own photographer and DJ b/c you get to visit different ones and pick out which one YOU like.

If Manor East gives you a package, you don't know if you'll like the style of the photographer and DJ.

I would go with Westbury Manor.

Marianne13 Posted: Sep 28, 2009 02:17 PM

Re: My wedding is 50 people or less..cant find reception hall!

I went to a wedding at Westbury Manor almost 10 years ago and the food was very good. I hear it is still good.

As far as the cake being dry, honestly do we care???? I would not let the dryness of the wedding cake stop me from booking somewhere..the food YES, the wedding cake NO. I honestly don't even like the taste of wedding cake and usually by time they serve the cake, I already pigged out for 4 hours and am too stuffed to even try it.

oldladybride Posted: Sep 28, 2009 06:08 PM

Re: My wedding is 50 people or less..cant find reception hall!

we had our reception at Larkfield Manor in East Northport - - if that's not too far. we had a 60 person guarantee for a Sun evening so not sure what the min would be on Sat. price was similar to Westbury but the people we dealt with to us seemed alot nicer and more willing to make it a special day for you - - they threw extra things in - - even for such a small number.

so you might want to check them.

drivwal Posted: Sep 28, 2009 07:08 PM

Re: My wedding is 50 people or less..cant find reception hall!

have you tried lido golf club? its in lido beach (long beach haha its so close) my friend used to work there and she said they throw a really nice wedding. i don't know about the min or anything but its worth a try if you live in long beach since its so close.

cherryblossom Posted: Sep 28, 2009 10:11 PM

Re: My wedding is 50 people or less..cant find reception hall!

I'm also planning a wedding for 50. Here are some halls that are willing to accomodate a minimum of 50 guests:

The Thatched Cottage
Bridgeview Yacht Club
Smithtown Landing CC
Douglaston Manor
West Sayville CC
Miller Beach Surf Club
George Washington Manor

Some others that I haven't spoken to yet, but *hear* they will accomodate small parties: Sans Souci, Nico's at the Gatsby Mansion, The Metropolitan, Trumpets at the Gate (60 min), Bellport C.C. (will take 50 in beg of May or end of Oct), The Watermill

** Actually waiting until less than 6 months before your date may be a HUGE advantage. With such a small party, a lot of venues will be willing to work with your minimum and give you better deals with any leftover dates (of course you may not get your intended October date then). It isn't hard to coordinate such a small wedding and vendors are also likely to give you much better deals as well.

More than 6 months in advance, you will find halls to be much less accomodating...