Need help desperately!!!!

sweetnessconfused Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:05 AM

Need help desperately!!!!

Hello all-
I am new to this site so please bear with me with any crazy questions. I have been looking for a reception hall now for about a month. I have looked all over from Brooklyn, NJ, Long Island. I would like to finally make a decision, but am very confused on the place and the date. First I would like to know anyone's opinion on Russo's, the Carlyle, the Garden City Hotel and Bourne Mansion. Which has the best food, most abundant, best service etc... Thanks

Next if you know of a better place please let me know.

Last I can't decide on when to get married. I love the colors of the fall but I also like the summer months. Would like to use cranberry or wine colored dresses for the girls. Does anyone have any ideas for theme for either the fall or August.

I greatly appreciate any help!!!!!

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:17 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

Try going to each place listed and see what fits your personality and statement of you and FH..

Then go for food tastings..............

Good Luck!

sweetnessconfused Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:23 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

We have asked for food tastings but they only tell you to go to their restaurants. That is not the same as serving food to 165 guests. What do you recommend?

Sonicstef Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:32 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

Cant say about the Bourne and Garden City but I think Russos is very overpriced considering its location. Food is very average for a wedding but plentiful. Ive heard very mixed reviews about the service.

But I am very 'anti wedding hall' in general so take my comments with that in mind.

What kind of wedding are you thinking of having? How many guests? What time of day?

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:35 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

What is wrong with Russo's location?

Richest area in Queens........

I am having my wedding at Russo's and the food is wonderful comming from someone who doesn't like food.....

We have 11 dinner choices and never has anyone ever had a compliant there..

allure Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:36 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

I wish i could afford Russo's the place is amazing

OctBride03 Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:37 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

Okay, here I go:

Never been to CARLYLE, but looked at it! The place is GORGEOUS, if you are looking for that mansion type of wedding, I'd go with them! They are like $185pp on a Saturday night. But you have the ENTIRE place to yourself! My parents went to a wedding there and they said it's ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!

Bourne Mansion - from what I hear it's beautiful there too!!! Same thing here, I believe you have the entire place to yourself! I'm actually going to a wedding there in May!!!

Russo's - well what can I say? The parties there are amazing. I've been to TWO parties there, although I've never been to a wedding there. They have GREAT food! Their vienesse hour is AMAZING!!! But, same here, almost $200pp. The decor is totally DIFFERENT from the two mentioned above! But still beautiful!

I'm not sure about the other one you mentioned.

Good luck! I don't think you can go wrong with any of those!

RichsBride Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:38 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

I vote for the Bourne Mansion, I know Lessings food is good & plentiful. That location is amazing-it was our first choice but they were not allowing on site ceremonies at the time we booked. I love that ballroom.
I have 3 cousins that got married @ Russos over the years & I can't remember anything bad.
As for GC hotel-I've never been to a wedding there, but I find them very overpriced in general.

cw0904 Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:42 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

Russo's I have been to but not for a wedding. F's mom retirement party and it was really nice. The food was really good. They even made me an eggplant parm for myself (I am vegitarian) and it was yummy! This is one of my favorite meals so I am VERY picky when I eat it. The Carlyle is near me and it is BEAUTIFUL!! Very mansion like. Garden City Hotel I hear is beautiful too. Very good service.

Good Luck in your decision.

Sonicstef Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:45 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

R&T: That is nothing 'wrong' with Russos. What I mean by location is that it view is of the boat docking and right on the avenue - not that its in a 'bad' location in terms of crime or affluency of residents.

Its just not my style as where I had my wedding would probably not be your style - just a matter of opinion. Lots of girls love it (very obvious by its price and bookings).

As I said, the food if very plentiful (huge cocktail hour and lots of entree choices) but the food choices and preparation are not my style.

As Ive said, I just dont like reception 'halls' in general and Russos is exactly that. Most brides DO like reception halls - so its all depends on personal preference.

Rob-luvs-me Posted: Feb 03, 2003 09:50 AM

You have FM

sweetnessconfused Posted: Feb 04, 2003 10:57 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

How do you know lessings is abundant? Is it as abundant as Russ's and is the quality as good or better?

sweetnessconfused Posted: Feb 04, 2003 11:04 AM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

What made you pick Russo's over every place else if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks

Valenia Posted: Feb 04, 2003 12:19 PM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

My wedding (ceremony and reception) was at the Carlyle and I would be happy to answer any questions you have about them. Unfortunately I have not been to any of the others you are considering. So while I can tell you that the Carlyle has delicious food (better then 98% of restaurants I've been too, which for a place serving 225 meals at my wedding is quite impressive), abundant offerings (six stations for 200 guests if I remember correctly?), and impeccable service, I can not do a comparison. All I can say is that I think you would be very pleased with what Carlyle has to offer.

Best of luck with your decision!!!

sweetnessconfused Posted: Feb 04, 2003 01:54 PM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

Thank you sooo much.

roxalita Posted: Feb 04, 2003 02:48 PM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

I live right near Russos, but rich I am not! Which is probably why I'm moving! I don't know how true it is, but I overheard a conversation in a local restaurant that there is an 18-month waiting list for a Saturday night. I've only been to one wedding there and it was very nice but I've had just as much fun at weddings held at less-expensive places. Great choice of food. It's really all a question of your priorities. If you want to wow your guests with the food selection, then you can't go wrong. If you would rather have impressive grounds and a beautiful view, then you might not like it.

Valenia Posted: Feb 04, 2003 02:52 PM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

sweetnessconfused -- please forum mail the person you would like to have call you, and delete your phone number from the public board. I'd hate for you to be bothered by someone inappropriate...

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Feb 04, 2003 02:57 PM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

Maybe before you talk about things you don't know what you are talking about yuo should call the actual catering hall and make an aptt!

Jenny5150 Posted: Feb 04, 2003 03:05 PM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

OctBride03...you gotta' keep me posted on the Bourne wedding you're going to!

sweetnessconfused Posted: Feb 04, 2003 03:59 PM

Re: Need help desperately!!!!

To Valenia-
I have no clue why you feel I don't know what I am talking about? I have contacted Russo's and the other places I have requested in fo on and have even stopped by to see them. I am obviously trying to make a decision and was requesting feedback from those who have attended weddings there or who are having weddings there why they chose the said location.