Oheka Castle

I agree, Oheka is not your average 'wedding hall', it is an experience unto itself.

It's not just the cost of the castle though. You have to take into consideration that all your other expenses will be higher. It raises the bar for everyother aspect of your wedding, IMO. It's big $$.

I'll admit, I'm a little jealous! If I could afford it, I would do it in a second!

You can stay at the Castle as a guest - my fantastic bridal party got me a nights stay there b/c DH and I didn't go on a honeymoon. It was so wonderful - you honestly don't feel like you are on Long Island.

I will definitely be going back for my one year anniversary!!!!

Would I have gotten married there if I had the money - I don't know b/c I loved every minute of my day at Flowerfield. I will definitely make staying there once a year a tradition though. Hopefully this year there won't be a wedding going on and we'll be able to eat dinner there.

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Posted by jennelishal

I wanted to have my reception at Oheka castle and I could afford it, but not to sway your decision, but I felt that it was not warm and inviting. I am actually havng my reception at the Bourne Mansion in Oakdale, which makes you feel like you stepped onto the set of Gone with the Wind. The site fee was $3500.00 and the cost per person depending on the day ( I am on Saturday) is $145.00 per person approx. with some fantastic add ons. The food is excellent!! I know so many people who have been there for weddings since I booked mine and all they do is rave.

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I AGREE 100%!!!!!!!!!! This is the same reasons we are going with the Bourne! Although prices have increased for 05 if anyone is interested in looking there. I believe it's like 159 for a Saturday. And welcome to another Bourne bride

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Posted by lullabella

IMO you can not compare Oheka to a 5 hour catering reception, it is much more. You pay a site fee so that you have the castle for the entire day. You and you FI get to sleep over and your guests can too. Then the next morning you can have brunch with your whole family.

Yes, it is expensive there is not doubt about that. All I am saying is it is easy for people who can't afford it to say how CRAZY it is to get married there and how money can be well spent someplace else, etc etc.... If you can afford it then GO For IT, if not then I agree don't go into debt over it.

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First of all you have no idea what I or anyone else can and cannot afford. Secondly I did not know about all the other things that makes Oheka so appealing. I think if you have you property to yourself then it is wonderful, do what you want. Like I said, I have not seen or heard of it before. You could have simply been informative without being disrespectful. I never said anyone shouldn't get married, why should I care. Just stating my opinions with the information I had.

I was married at Oheka this past October and I will give you a few highlights of how I arranged my day, and in part why it is so expensive to have it there.........

The bride and bridal party are allowed to arrive at Oheka, as early as 9:00 am. The bride has a personal attendant from the moment she arrives to the mintute she leaves the castle.

The groom also has a personal attendent.

Breakfast and Lunch (both hot food and fruits) are provided for up to 20 people in your bridal party.

The bridal suite is included in the price, where
the bride gets ready and may stay overnight.

Breakfast is served in your bridal suite in the morning.

Your guests are given a discounted price for either a room or suite, which includes breakfast.

The main reason for the site fee and getting married at Oheka:
It's considered 'your castle' from 9:00-11:00pm.
You are the only bride and event for that day.
You and your guests have access to the whole castle and grounds.
You can take your pictures inside and outside
You can have your ceremony inside or outside
You have the option of using three different rooms for food, (one for cocktails, dinner and desserts)
You have a Five star chef cooking dinner
Wedding cake is incuded (it can be up-graded) and you can design your own cake w/ Pastry chef
Optional Jazz hour ($3,000 extra)

Down side: As soon as a vendor hears Oheka, the price automatically doubles.
It requires alot more flower arrangements and extra decorations, should you choose to do so.

There are the extras you can have:
Horse and carriage
Dove or butterfly release
String quartet playing outside or inside during the ceremony
Tumperteers to greet the guests

It does all add up. And basically you know you can either make it your fairytale wedding, and that you will probably not recieve monetary gifts in the amount you spent on the wedding or if lucky maybe break even. But that is a decision between you and your FH.

However, I did make a few compromises by not hiring: Limos, a church, no honeymoon and breaking out even with $ (we paid 1/2), to have my wedding day there. I was lucky my FH new that I had always wanted a Medival wedding and get married at a Castle. And I can tell you that on my wedding day, my FH was beaming and smiling more than me!!!!

I would do it all over again in a minute. It all comes down to your personal decison and williness to compromise or sacrafice a few things in order to have it there.

Some girls are lucky and can have it all, without any second thought.

Hope this gives some future brides who are considering Oheka a few helpful tips or information.