Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

divabride Posted: Jan 05, 2004 02:28 PM

Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

My cousin's girlfriend had to put her two cents in on the Vanderbilt Mansion. I dont know how she found out that I want to have my wedding there. I havent personally visited there yet, but I've seen pics. Anyway, she went on to say that she visited there with her sister and that the place looks run down, its small and there was bird poop all over the place. She said she would NEVER have her wedding there. I didnt say anything to her, but is this all true? I dont want to waste my time going there if it's not worth it. Honest opinions please......

AJsMommy122 Posted: Jan 05, 2004 02:31 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

Shes a liar and it is beautiful there... shes just jealous b/c she probably cant afford it.. i remember it being way out of my budget...

kel2004 Posted: Jan 05, 2004 02:34 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

Be careful when listening to others' opinions. Think of where she is coming from: she isn't engaged, and she is probably jealous of you. I think it is worth the trip to look at it and see for yourself. I've never been there, but the pictures look beautiful. Good luck.

darly Posted: Jan 05, 2004 02:36 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

I went to see it and liked it alot. To me it has a more eclectic feel to it - it has this really pretty glass room BUT the paint is peeling a bit - this only give this place a more intersting look...BUT the views in the back are beautiful and the idea that you can get married either outside or in I liked. I am looking for a place that is not the typical wedding location, so for me I liked it. The outside lawn is so pretty with the mansion in the background.

It is a mansion but it's no OHEKA.

The food sounded really good ( I thought they give you alot for your $$) and they are the same people who do Flowerfields -

I am trying to find interesting places on LI which is difficult...The price isn't too bad either! But that's me - I liked the Metroplitan too!

divabride Posted: Jan 05, 2004 02:37 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

I think you guys are right. She started crying and ran into my cousin's bedroom when we announced our engagement. But she did give me a bit of a scare when she said it looked run down. Thanks guys!!

bethsiar Posted: Jan 05, 2004 02:51 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

'Its no OHEKA'

I disagree!

I thought Vanderbilt was beautiful! True, if it was as extravagent as OHEKA it would be the same price, but its beauty is just as nice and well worth what they charge.

I love the view of the water there (or is that bourne?), the gorgeous Avatar that Weezie had, its just a really pretty mansion. I don't like that it has a general parking lot that is used for the school, but whatever, its still pretty! THe courtyard takes your breath away. I heard they light the candles up the walkway at night and its really romantic so the astetics (sp?) of the parking lot and the school around it don't really matter.

who cares what people have to say?

darly Posted: Jan 05, 2004 03:03 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

When I said it's no OHEKA I only meant that it's not huge and sprawling & over the top..I loved The Vanderbilt but they don't have a date for me. Don't misunderstand what I was trying to say...

bridzilla Posted: Jan 05, 2004 03:15 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

I've booked my wedding there, and I am so excited. It is definitely not run down. Pictures don't do it justice. Just go there and see how beautiful it is.
There is bird poop, but they power wash everything the morning of any wedding.
If you are concerned about anything, FM a previous bride. You'll see, they only have great things to say about it.
Also, I went to their tasting in November, and it was amazing.

IreneinChicago Posted: Jan 05, 2004 03:23 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

I'd be more than happy to share an opinion, but it's a little bit biased since I'm getting married there :). We went there this summer and there were no bird droppings and it didn't feel run down. They did need to paint the place, but did so a couple of months ago.

This was the 27th place we saw, and we live in Chicago (made 3 trips to NY). If you're looking for something different from a catering hall the Vanderbilt is terrific. The pictures on their site don't do it justice.

We thought it was super reasonably priced for what you get (food). The cocktail hour is an insane amount if you decide to do the sit down dinner. Every single thing I've read about Lovin Oven caterers has been outstanding (Flowerfield, Land's End). I've even gotten glowing reviews of their food from the other vendors I've visited.

On one side of the mansion is a river and the other is a courtyard. And from what I saw it was imacculately maintained. As long as you are keeping your reception under 150 its a terrific option. The parking lot on the weekends after five is only used by Lovin Oven not the students.

I didn't see Oheka, but from pictures I agree its nowhere near as opulent, but its also nowhere near the price :) Not sure if this is important but you can have dancing and dinner in the same room.

Feel free to FM me if you have any more questions.

Jenny5150 Posted: Jan 05, 2004 04:33 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

Which Vanderbilt Mansion are we talking about? Oakdale or Centerport?

IreneinChicago Posted: Jan 05, 2004 04:37 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

I'm talking about Oakdale.

september2004 Posted: Jan 05, 2004 04:47 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

I think it's a beautiful place (Oakdale) however opted not to have our reception there. One, because of the minimum guest requirement (we are having a smaller affair) and two, the lack of flexibility.

Saturdays start at 7:00 pm as they can not accommodate Saturday day weddings. I wanted to have my reception start at 4:00/5:00 and they could not do it. I also came away with the overall impression that it's 'their way or no way' - one would have to dish out extra $$$$ to have certain things taken care of. Again, I could be wrong, just the impression I came away with...

divabride Posted: Jan 05, 2004 04:48 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

Do you mind if I ask how much they quoted you at? I've heard it's $125pp plus tax with a gaurantee of 125 people. That might be a bit out of my price range, but I still have my heart set on this place. Maybe I'll reconsider the month of November instead of August. What do you think?

IreneinChicago Posted: Jan 05, 2004 04:52 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

September is right about the Satuday day wedding part. They coordinate their dates with the college, so the college has first dibs on the place and sometimes use the facility for luncheons Saturday morning. So far dealing with them has been pretty easy. I wanted to push my ceremony 1/2 hour earlier due to the sunset and they were fine with that. There were some things we needed that they were happy to accomodate.

LIJuneBride Posted: Jan 05, 2004 07:54 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

I wanted to look at Vanderbilt because I've heard so many good things. FH and I drove to see it (just the outside) and he wouldn't even consider it - said the buildings were too close together and it didn't really look like a mansion, just a school (I think I spoiled him by seeing all the mansions in Newport, RI over the summer). Someone I work with had her wedding there and was very satisfied with everything.

1017Bride Posted: Jan 05, 2004 09:41 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

The food is definitely good! Lovin' Oven caters at both Vanderbilt Mansion and Land's End. I had the food at the tasting and its unbelievable!

1017Bride Posted: Jan 05, 2004 09:42 PM

Re: Opinions on the Vanderbilt Mansion

I have been to the site (at Dowling College) and the building is beautiful. I love the old fashioned style and the room with all the windows. It has a nice view of the lake!