I am home today from work because I am sick – so since I have nothing to do, I decided to start this thread so we can talk about the Vanderbilt Mansion and share ideas!
Here is a list of past and future Vanderbilt Mansion brides, previous reviews, and pictures I have found/saved. Please share any and all pictures and valuable information you may have of the Vanderbilt Mansion. All Past VM brides are most definitely welcome to share their input, advice, and opinions!!!
Hope this helps everyone! In case I missed any past or future brides, please let me know and I will edit list.
Hope this thread is helpful to all present and future brides and THANK YOU to all past brides for sharing pictures, ideas, comments, and your valuable advice!!!!!
I'm glad someone else popped in! There seem to be a few of us bouncing around in the '06 board...
We'll likely be in the 125-135 range. I'm hoping that we make the 125 min but don't go over 135 so that we have room to stretch out.
Centerpieces - we're thinking that we definitely want low, square glass vase, 'filled' with seasonal flowers in warm hues (remembering the red draperies) and highlighted with roses or calla lillies or orchids which will hopefully be major parts of the Bo-K's.
We really need to figure out our dress colors before we can really pin down the flowers though...
mka06
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
I'm hoping to keep it at 135 too. Our guest list is up at 150 something at this point. Someone posted on here that they invited 180 and had 135 show -- 25% decline rate. So hard to predict. Maryann has also told me of others who have invited high and then had to use both rooms because they had a lot of yeses. I think we will invite maybe 155 and then have a B list if we get more declines. I hate to do the B list thing, but I really don't want more than 135 in that room!
I kind of want high CPs -- but they are so expensive!!!!!!!!
mccarm
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
Even the price of the low centerpieces (well, really the whole floral package) is a bit startling. The high ceilings could certainly support the high cp's for a beautiful effect. I think we settled on low ones so it would feel more intimate?
We are definitely taking the B list approach - I think if it is handled right, they can be happy about being invited too. Not sure I know what the proper handling is though....
mka06
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
Advice I've been given on the b list -- 1) send invites out early, so if you send to b list it isn't so obvious they are b-listers. 2) get a small # of reply cards with a later rsvp date so it's not so obvious.
mka06
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
And -- I agree -- floral packages are really expensive! Everything wedding related is expensive. It's nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mccarm
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
A later RSVP date - simple but genius!
Soon2BeMrsS
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
It's breataking! Can I ask you 's some questions:
1. How many weddings do they have there at one time?
2. What is the min. for a sat night?
3. What do their packages start at?
Thanks you I love LIWeddings, you've helped me so much so far
mka06
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
One wedding at a time.
Packages start at 125 for a sat night (though 07 prices might be higher)
Min for a sat night is 125 -- don't know the #s for fri night, sat day, or sunday
Soon2BeMrsS
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
Thanks! do you know if they have menu's online? what's lovin oven. sounds like a caterer. Do they not cater your meal? Are they flexabliew/ prices? where can I learn more?
Soon2BeMrsS
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
Posted by malbert
One wedding at a time.
Packages start at 125 for a sat night (though 07 prices might be higher)
Min for a sat night is 125 -- don't know the #s for fri night, sat day, or sunday
Do you know where I can find a menu of what's included?
mka06
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
I replied to your FM!
But, lovin oven is a catering company -- they also manage lands end, flowerfield, and several other reception sites on LI. They own Audrey's Bakery as well. They have an overall site too -- lovinoven.com, I think. Don't think bc of the big company thing that they are flexible on prices. But -- I think it's 110 on a Friday if I remember correctly.
mccarm
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
bump
mka06
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I'm glad this seems to be picking up again. I've been hoping that the girls who got married this year would post reviews. Some have -- but some haven't (mta - 5/28, mcc101 - 7/31, and marie3 - 9/03). Ladies -- if you see this, we want to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!
I have officiant, photo, video, and music done. On the verge of making a decision on the florist and limo. Still have to get my dress (haven't found 'the one' yet) and BM dresses. Haven't found invites I like that are in my price range yet. I'm so excited to have the big stuff done, so I can really focus on details when it gets closer!!
mooncusp22
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
I am a VM bride- 12/10/05!!! (84 days- yippie!!!!)..... I am doing tall centerpieces, they are candelabra's from Pottery Barn, we're having red rose petals sprinkled around the bases.... Also, we got alot of decorations to bring in too!! We are bringing in a christmas tree to put next to the fireplace- just decorated in lots of white lights w/white velvet tree skirt, and on each of the doors in the ballroom (the side ones w/glass) we are putting a wreath with white lights....
PS- there is a lovin oven menu on the vanderbiltmansion.com website. They food is AMAZING! I had my tasting in July- I can't wait to eat on my wedding day...lol
I spent tons of time looking through the reviews from 2004 and earlier VM brides but am wondering if the vendors have maintained their props or gone downhill for the 2005 season...
Has anyone used In Full Bloom as a florist - or looked at them and decided to go with someone else?
Thanks!
mka06
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
For those of you worrying about space -- someone had a wedding at VM this summer with over 200 people! They used the Hunt Room, and had a tent to cover part of the verandah -- and opened the doors on the right side of the ballroom so that the area was connected. So -- things can be arranged!
tracie143
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
how many people does the Mansion hold. Like 200 right?
mka06
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
The one in Oakdale holds 150 if you sit everyone in the ballroom. I think the other VM in centerport holds more. 220 required 'out of the box' thinking for them -- but the banquet manager said it worked out. Don't get me wrong... I'm still aiming for less than 150. Just wanted to let ladies know that if the guest list grows that the staff there has worked around it!
mccarm
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
It is sort of hard to judge how many people will actually come. We are inviting 165 but kind of think that only 125 of those will come.
I don't want to invite too many more b/c I want to stay under 140 but we'll also have a b-list in case we going to be short of the minimum...
mka06
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Re: Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread
You are right -- it is hard to judge. While they say there's an average 20% decline rate, some people have more than that and some people have less. I feel like everytime I go to VM Maryann has told me about an upcoming or recent wedding where the B & G ended up with more people than they originally thought and had to rearrange things. I think we'll invite 155 or 160 and hope we are right around 135 or at least no more than 140. I really want everyone in the ballroom and I don't want it to be too crowded!
