Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

nylibride Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:01 AM

Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

My FI and I have already put a deposit down on the Port Jefferson country club (now catered by Lombardis) for Sept 16, 2005. Nice time of year, outdoor cocktail hour etc. We have had some reservations regarding size of ballroom for our # of guests and the not-so-great customer service we've dealt with.

So.... we went and looked at Carlyle on the Green this weekend. Loooved it. Loved Gary (banquet manager,) but as we new it's significantly more $$.

So...we are now trying to decide if we should just keep our original date and place and hope for the best OR do February 2005 at Carlyle....(as the off season, it's much less expensive)

What do you guys think?!?! pros and cons?!?!

jill13bean Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:04 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

do what will make you happy
it is your day

Stacey04 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:06 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

Posted by jill13bean

do what will make you happy
it is your day

I agree..but if you don't think Port Jeff is going to hold the amoount of people, then you need to decide if you will cut the list to have it there...

HearzBellz Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:06 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

I loved my winter wedding, but there are a few downs to a winter wedding:
1- it's cold, and itis very difficult to get good outdoor pics (red noses, scruchy faces....cranky BMs etc...)
2- older people cannot always travel when it is cold. (ie. my grandfather could not come to NY from Fl b/c it was 6 degrees the week of my wedding.)
3- many many more people get sick. ( We had about 15 people that didn't come who responded yes b/c they were ill.)
4-it is much harder to get a good rate on your HM if you are going to a tropical/warm location in the winter, especially if it is near Valentine's Day. Not that it is impossible, but just harder.

The good thing was we basically got to pick whatever we wanted for our wedding - the usual restictions did not apply. We saved not only on the hall, but on everything except my dress & the favors. We also got great deals on you china & many other items on our registry b/c it was so close to Christmas.

The view at the Carlyle is fantasic & really pretty, especially if it snows.

kpny622 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:06 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

can you get your Port Jeff deposit back?

halloweenbride04 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:07 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

Personally, I think if you have ANY reservations about a place than that is NOT the place for you. This is your wedding day, do not settle!!!

HearzBellz Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:07 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

i would also like to add that despite it all, we loved our wedding and we were glad that we had it in January.

snowprincess805 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:07 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

I have been to a wedding at port jeff- and it was really nice- i also loved caryle - my 2nd choice -didn't have my date anyway - but the big decision is where you want pictures and if you have a lot of town guests - it is hard

i wanted a winter wedding - iam obessed with snowflakes but 1/2 my guests have to traavel to LI - when my cousin got married in february there was big snowstorm of friday which made it gard for all her guests to come to the wedding

just think how you picture your day - a sunny day outside or with snow and indoor pictures in the winter

FrescaBride Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:43 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

Ultimately is your FI and your decision. I'd still look if you didn't feel satisfied with the service that you got at the Port Jefferson CH. If they are not catering to you now, what makes you think on the day of your wedding would be any different? Any place that doesn't provide good customer service to me, it's not going to have my business. I just don't need more worries for that day. And if you like the Carlyle and you put the cons and positive things then decide. If not, I'd keep looking. You will find the right place. And for the deposit from PJCC, would you be able to get it? JMO

charlotte227 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 09:55 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

Go for your gut instict of happiness.....

Sassyz75 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 10:21 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

as a winter Carlyle bride I would say go Carlyle- it was amazing and everyone has nothing but rave reviews... plus- I think it's nice to get married in the winter- gives you and other people something to look forward to!

Bebalina Posted: Jun 07, 2004 10:27 AM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

unfortunately we can't make that decision for you....if they were during the same month we could gvie you more tips...but ur going from being a fall bride to winter....so what season do u prefer?

PrincessJen11400 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 03:35 PM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

Its ur day whatever u and ur fiance wants.

tinkerb30 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 04:38 PM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

My vote is Carlyle in Feb, Lombardis On The Sound has put a bad taste in my mouth.

FutureMrs Posted: Jun 07, 2004 05:18 PM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

My friend had reserved Port Jeff Country Club for Sept. 2005 and just recently backed out due to very poor professionalism on their part. She seems to think they are trying to get all of the people that booked at preconstruction rates out of there so they can fill it at full cost. I would vote go somewhere else.

SeptemberBride03 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 05:24 PM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

I got married at PJCC last Sept and loved it. But I have not seen it since the change in management and the renovations. If you aren't thrilled with it, I'd wait until Feb. I think they may have changed the layout of the room, but based on my day - 185 would have been the comfortable max (although they said 215). But, like I said, it may be different now. Good Luck!

BriBri529 Posted: Jun 07, 2004 05:32 PM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

If you like Carlyle better, then go for it. If it is a customer service issue, then maybe you can talk to another banquet manager about your concerns. I am getting married at Villa Lombardi's and have been pleased thus far with the customer service. I am curious to know who you are dealing with, since I know my banquet manager works out of both locations, and he is nothing less than spectacular.

In terms of numbers, I am not sure of the # of people Lombardi's on the sound holds . . .

All in all you must do what makes you happy. I am not in favor of a winter wedding because of all of the things that can go wrong (you are paying so much money on youyr wedding, I would personally hate to risk the stormy weather and guests not showing up, but that is me . . .)

Good Luck with your decision!

sept20yay Posted: Jun 07, 2004 05:37 PM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

I might be in the minority here but I think that since you already put your deposit down, you should do it at Port Jeff and not look back. There will be a lot of times in the process where you will question your decision making. I am assuming you put your money down already. It is not worth the loss to switch although the Carlyle is wonderful. I agree it is your wedding and you shouldn't settle, but there is something about Port Jeff you liked in the first place and money doesn't come cheap. It will be a wonderful affair no matter where you have it and it will come from within.... you and your fi will radiate no matter where it is. Talk to another manager there and tell them to step it up. Better yet have a parent or your fi do it.

Stavia Posted: Jun 07, 2004 06:49 PM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

If you love the Carlyle go for it. And just an FYI, theres a law in Suffolk reguarding halls & deposits, so you can definitly get your deposit back from PJCC(I have personal experience w/ this law, so if you need further info FM me).

Bride2005 Posted: Jun 10, 2004 08:48 PM

Re: Please help us decide on place and date (a little long, sorry)

You know how I feel about this.

We booked PJCC back in the end of April and about a month ago decided to change once we saw it. I was also very unhappy with thier service and professionalism. (well at least the banquet manager I was dealing with)

I cancelled and still have not gotten my money back- Be careful and stay on top of them.

I am so happy I changed to Carlyle! I love it- I like PJCC- but I love Carlyle! I was also worried about the room at PJ- it looks small.

I also felt like the service at Carlyle was much better- Gary is the best!

Good luck- I know it is a tough decision! But I am very happy with my decision on choosing Carlyle!