Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Hi Brides! (maybe some Grooms too) - It seriously feels surreal to me to finally be able to join these websites and post my opinions and comments to help/get help from people who are also currently in this phase of their life also.

I literally JUST got engaged last weekend... haven't done much of anything and want to take my time with planning. I have researched a couple venues and am hoping several brides or brides to be can help me with venue discussions.

Currently at the top of my list I have East Wind and Spa cottage (I personally think it is adorable looking and like that the hotel is only steps away) I would not be using there DJ or their photographer but would be looking at about 130 people give or take - any suggestions on how this venue is? If I would be making a good choice by adding my own vendors? Does anyone know how much it would increase the price to have more than 100 people?

My second choice was Martha Clara Vineyards. I want a rustic themed wedding and this atmosphere really ties it all together. My only issue here is that you get the venue and amenities BUT you have to hire from their list of approved caterers for the food. I have no idea how much food costs if separated from a venue normally its an all in one price.

My third choice is Sea Cliff Manor - don't know much about it. Seemed like a cheap but pretty looking place... any feelings on this one?


Please note I plan on looking at these venues in person, just have not gotten around to it yet. Just trying to gage reactions on these places from people who have seen them or have gotten married there...


THANKS in advance and CONGRATS to all the other Brides-to-be!

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

You didn't say when you would like to have your wedding, but keep in mind - the East Wind's hotel books up. My friend booked her wedding there a little over a year in advanced and they didn't tell her until after that there were only 5 rooms. We ended up staying at the Hilton Garden in about 10-15 minutes from there. She had to get a shuttle through her limo company.

Just something to keep in mind since it looks like the hotel is important to you there.

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Other than that, it was a beautiful wedding.

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Martha Clara is EXPENSIVE. Any time you bring in your own caterer, you're gonna up the cost. Things like table linens, tableware, alcohol permits, add up fast.

East wind is very popular, but every bride I've talked to has taken their 'package' with the vendors all included. I've heard good things recently.

toot tooting the fox hollow horn here, but did you look at them? We chose them because of the adjoining hotel and we're having about 120 guests. You said you wanted rustic, that was my thing too, but I ended up going for the winter garden pavillion, a room with tile floors, exposed steel beams and a glass ceiling. It has a stone fireplace in the room that is lit in the winter and they have a waterfall wall (I'm not sure if they use this anymore though). Lots of options. Good luck! :)

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Thanks for the quick responses. We are looking at June/July of 2016. Things that really mattered to me were the 'one wedding at a time' and the ambiance of the place.

Indeed Martha Clara appears to be a tad pricey, just for the space it's $13,500. They gave us a list of approved vendors for caterers but it already seems pricey.

I have not yet looked at fox hollow but have heard great things about that place as well, Kaselyn your wedding sounds like it is going to be beautiful!

A co-worker of mine also mentioned Old Field Club in E. Setauket- anyone know about that? Seems pretty cute from the website.

Re: Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Ah, yes, we had the same idea, but FH staggers the events, so it's not like you're running into other parties (Like at a place like Crest Hollow for instance). We looked at OFC. They were comparable to other places 120-150 a head. I'd definitely make an appointment with them sooner rather than later as they book up quickly in the warm months. I'm attaching some pictures, one is the pretty one that went on instagram, lol, and the other is the same room, but a blurry non edited picture. They told us they don't light the fireplace there, but they can put pillar candles in there for you.

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Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Old Field is very nice, but pricey also! You are looking at 150pp plus 20% gratuity in their high season.

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

You may want to look at Three Village inn, water view but a little cheaper.. and has little cottages.

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

I second Three Village Inn if you're looking for that feel. Also, Timber Point Mansion you could definitely use for a rustic feel. I loved Old Field Club but unfortunately it was out of my price range (I was stuck on getting married in May, so it was pricey).

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

When we went to east wind they were only offering the all inclusive package in the cottage for winter months. But if we went with it, and didn't want to use their photographer, they said they'd take that cash value And apply it somewhere else ( more/bigger centerpieces, another limo(s), whatever we wanted). If you're looking for rustic, definitely check out the above mentioned. I'm obviously biased as a fox hollow bride but the winter garden pavilion (not my room) is definitely that rustic feel and the way the venue is set up, I have no fear of seeing another bride at all.

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Thank you all for the great opinions and new options of venues! I will def. begin searching them now! I had a traumatizing Sweet16 where it was my party and some other girl at the same time and all my friends ended up at her sweet 16 so a private 'my wedding only' is def. something I need LOL!

Never heard of Timber Point Mansion but I will continue to hunt - I def. would like to keep the price on the lower end, so much $$ for just 1 evening.

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

You could also look at the woodlands it's one wedding at a time

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

You can also check out Riviera. I think it would go great with your theme

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

So I saw a few people post about Three Village Inn and I second that! I'm getting married there in 101 days and couldn't be happier. It's rustic, cozy, and the food is great. Even better is the fact that it's an inn as well. We blocked out all the rooms and cottages for our guests. Dan from 3VI is great and we are so happy to work with him.

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

I second what most of the ladies have said here. I too wanted to get married at Marha Clara but the cost was just too high. A coworker of mine did get married there and told me they spent 50,000 on the wedding. You literally have to pay for everything including lighting of the barn.
We looked at Three Village Inn, Smithtown Landing, the Woodlands, East Wind, and the Riveria before choosing the Mansion at West Sayville Country Club. Very affordable and does not have a typical catering hall feel which is what we were looking for. Congrats and good luck!

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Thank you all for your generous responses. I am def going to need this upcoming weekend to organize my scatter brain and lay out my choices. Riviera is def. now on my list, I must have skipped it in all my googling years of anticipation. I am also looking at the Coral House - which I called and they have amazing prices!

Re: Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

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Posted by Ruste23

Thank you all for your generous responses. I am def going to need this upcoming weekend to organize my scatter brain and lay out my choices. Riviera is def. now on my list, I must have skipped it in all my googling years of anticipation. I am also looking at the Coral House - which I called and they have amazing prices!

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Two of my cousins actually had their receptions at both of these places back in 2010. My aunt said to definitely negotiate for Coral House they threw in some extras.

I remember enjoying the food and atmosphere at both places!

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

If you are interested in the vineyard style like Martha Clara, you should check out The Vineyards in Aquebogue, my venue ;). It is also known as The Vineyard Caterers. It is on a vineyard but with no public access, and you do not have to bring in your own vendors, it is just like a typical hall where you pay a pp price but it is on a beautiful vineyard. Also, they do one wedding A DAY which was huge for us as we were able to pick literally any time to start ( we chose 5-11:30). Let me know if you have any questions.

Re: Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Newly Engaged - Looking for opinions

Sea Cliff Manor-pretty views but since they got new owners and changed the name the food quality went there. I was there the past two June's and no one was a fan of the food.