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I have a June wedding and I am in dire need of a park to take my wedding pictures before my ceremony. I`ve heard of the Westbury Gardens, Planting fields and the Oakdale Arboretum but does anyone know of other parks in Nassau county. Even Nassau borderline suffolk county? Doesn`t long Island have a Botanical Gardens of somesort? Please help!
I just got the idea of using the Rose Garden at Suny Farmingdale for my july wedding. I actually just called them to find out if there is any notice, permit or donation (LOL!) that I have to make to the college. My Parish is St. Kilians in Farmingdale so if this works out it should be great. I don't know what church or halls you are using.. but when I find out info I will post it.
At the gardens you don't have to worry about duck poop.. Argyle park is great but so much poop it's horrible!
Best wishes!
Laurie
If you`re looking for Nassau Parks, or borderline Nassau/Suffolk, I would think the Bayard Cutting Arboretum (in Oakdale) would be well out of your way.
As for Argyle Park .. I simply can`t see the appeal in this place. Besides the Lake, and the waterfalls, there is just no backdrop above ground level. Surrounding the lake are houses and the LIRR. As for the waterfalls, even that doesn`t seem to be as nice as it once was. The white on the walls of the bridge surrounding the waterfalls has turned a rust color at the water`s edge. And of course, there are a lot of geese there .. but there will be geese and ducks at any lake or park setting, especially at migrating time.
Some places in Nassau County:
Eisenhower Park
Old Bethpage - http://www.liglobal.com/c_g/towns/oldbethpage/
Muttontown Preserve
Sands Point Preserve (w/ Castle Gould) - http://www.co.nassau.ny.us/tour.html or http://www.516web.com/parks/sands.htm
Garvies Point Preserve - http://www.liglobal.com/t_i/attractions/museums/garvies/
Clark Botanic Gardens - http://www.longisland.com/museums/museum.php?ID=12
Bailey Arboretum - http://www.town-of-oyster-bay.org/interest/bailey.htm
Chelsea Center - in East Norwich .. Rt. 25A
Saddle Rock Grist Mill - http://www.516web.com/parks/saddle.htm
Sagamore Hill - http://www.town-of-oyster-bay.org/interest/sagamore.htm
Thanks for all the info it is greatly appreciated.
Anymore info on the Rose Garden at SUNY Farmingdale would be great. I live very close to the school!
Yup, well I called Suny Farmingdale and the lady isn't back until monday or wednesday. I know you have to ask your photographer to make sure they are insured for it. Our is adding a binder. I think that is all this lady will tell me, or she might ask for a donation.. no clue..
I'm just hoping the they aren't mowing it or maintaing it when my pictures will be taken in july! I will post when I find out info..
Laurie
Ps. what church are you getting married in if you are so close? We are getting married around the block from it at st. kilians.
I would definately ask your photographer for advice. They have most likely worked at many (if not all) of these places, and should have photos you can look at to see what you like and don't like.
Several of the photographers I met with suggested Planting Fields or CW Post campus to take pictures. They are both much cheaper and less restrictive than Old Westbury Gardens. I'm going to look into shooting at Hofstra, since that's where I did my undergraduate work and I feel a stronger tie there than Post, otherwise it's Planting Fields.
Best of luck!
Old Westbury Gardens: I was told it can be up to $550 (it depends on time of year and time of day). That is for one hour only, you have to tell them when you book where you want to go, and they have a staffer go with you & the photographer to make sure you only go where you said you would, and that you are gone when your time is up. Also, the time starts when you are scheduled to, if you are 15 minutes late, you only get 45 minutes to shoot.
Planting Fields: I think the photographer told me it was $250 at the most. When you book, you tell them where you are going to be shooting, but they don't have the staff to monitor where you go or how long you are there, so you can wander around a bit to get different shots.
CW Post: Not sure about fees. Supposed to be a beautiful campus. I've never been there.
We've only seen Old Westbury, which is beautiful, but I've heard Planting Fields is just as nice. My FH and I are going to check them all out this spring to figure out what we want to do.
I am getting married at Chateau Briand in Westbury/Carle Place. I don't even know what's close to there, but I do know, I will not pay $550 to walk in a garden for an hour. These places must think that 'Bride' equals 'idiot'. Do people actually pay that? It's insane! Okay, end of vent. Sorry, but that makes me angry. What nerve!!
You might want to consider contacting Hofstra about their policy. Hofstra is pretty close to CB. The whole campus is a national arboretum, and in April (and little in May) they have tulips all over campus (for the Dutch Festival) which were really nice looking. That was my favorite time of year to walk around the campus (plus it meant that the semester was almost over! :-D )
And they have a bird sanctuary behind the University Club that is supposed to be beautiful. I never was in it, you need permission from the University, students weren't allowed to just wander in there. But I know people who were at cocktail parties in the U Club and said it's really nice. Lots of different plants and trees and all.
Anyway, this has more info on the arboretum. http://www.hofstra.edu/COM/Arbor/index_Arbor.cfm/type/fl/link/Hofstra%20Arboretum
(BTW - Before anyone rips my head off, I don't work for the university, just really loved going there.)
