Reception Halls in Long Island

I don't mean to be nosy or pry, but I'm just starting out in scouting for a hall and I don't know what the average price for a party of 100 people is considered normal. Can you ladies help me out? What is a normal price to pay for a reception for 100pp, including the basics that come with most places?
I feel clueless...
. Thanks!

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

Billys -

It depends on a lot of factors - time of year, day of the week,time of day, type of reception (sit down dinner, buffet, brunch, champagne and cake). There is no set number - you would have to give a little more info.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

Well, I would like to marry at the end of July on a Sat. evening reception with a sit down dinner. I wouldn't mind the champagne and the cake included.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

There is no average I don't think. There are places that advertise a party for 100 for under $10K (WIndows on the Lake, which includes some flowers, photographer, video, invites) and some that costs over $200 per person.
I think you should also know that many of the halls require a Saturday night wedding guest guarentee over 100 people. I am getting married at the Hamlet Wind Watch and luckly it only had a 100 person guarentee for my Saturday night wedding. But many, like Flowerfield want over 160 guests.
Most halls include open bar for 5 hours, cocktail hour, sit down dinner and dessert and/or wedding cake. But the chose of food varies a ton between places.
If you want to stay under $100 per person, make sure that you factor in 8.5% sales tax and 19% service charge to your figures. That is the standard at MOST places, not all.
Some places include a cake, other include a cake allowance and you have to pay extra if you want something such as a special filling or design.
I think normal is not a good way to look at it. If you want to stay on a smaller budget let us know and we can recommend places for you. If you have a bit more money to play with we can also recommend where to look.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

I agree. Just a little more info would help such as time of day and time of year. Also, what things are important to you would help (ie does the wedding need to be on the water, do you want to be the only bride, etc.)

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

It all depends on what you are looking for??

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

Thanks Michele31....

That's the thing I just want to see what an average price would be so that we can budget ourselves accordingly. That way we can see how much we will have to play with for everything else. I would like to remain on a small budget since my FI and I are doing things on our own.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

I'm really not being too picky, but the only thing that I would like is that the grounds have maybe a garden or somewhere to take pics.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

It may be easier to do your budget first, then work backwards. Once you have budgeted what you want to spend it is easier to narrow down reception sites. I will tell you that I changed my date from the evening of May 31, 2003 to the afternoon March 15, 2003 due to prices. The off season had better prices and I was flexible. By switching dates I am able to get the reception site that love within my budget.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

for a Saturday in July, you can find prices that range from $65pp to $250+ - and that price will vary between day and evening weddings. You really should figure out what you can afford and then look at places in that budget.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

I remember when we were looking at halls. The swan club gave us the best price. I think it was abot $68pp for an august wedding. They have beautiful grounds for picture taking.

Crest Hollow Country Club was another hall that gave us a great price. at the time we were quoted $73 pp.

These are both sit down dinners and included open bar and cake.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

Here are some hints to help you:
Look at Meadow Club, Port Jefferson Country Club, Hamlet Windwatch, East Wind (I think, girls help me out here), Watermill, Millerage Carriage House (NOT Cottage), Thatched Cottage, Holbrook Country Club, Brentwood Country Club, Windows on the Lake, if you want resonably priced halls (around $100ish)

Do not even go to Flowerfield or anything with 'castle' in the title. They are well over $150 per person. Also, I am not sure but I think Land's End is on the higher side also.


When you budget you should AVOID anything theknot.com or magazines say about wedding costs. They look at the mid-west or something. Definately not helpful with LI prices. Put your vendors in order of importance to you. In other words if Flowers are the MOST important thing to you give yourself more money and look at florists first. Also, do not visit vendors that you cannot afford to book. I didn't even go to listen to bands over $4500 because I knew we couldn't pay above that. It is VERY hard to walk away from a vendor you fall in love with and cannot afford.
Also, keep your bridal party on the small side. That really helps you keep costs down; less flowers, less limos;less people at the RD;less money on gifts for them.
Don't forget to budget for tips to just about everyone you speak to about the wedding Actually tips are for: photographers, video crew, florist delivery, hair/makeup, matre d and bridal attendant at the hall. If someone OWNS their business you are not required to tip him/her.And don't forget tax. 8.5% can add a lot to your bills.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

Some other that MIGHT fit into the budget are Imperial Manor, Coral House, Manor East, Leonards

Try looking here for an idea of the priceswedding facilities

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

You would be amazed at the prices you can get off season! I recommend the book Bridal Bargains by Denise and Alan fields. there is a lot of good ideas and advice in it.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

I would definately check out the Milleridge Inn. I am having a wedding on the smaller side where we are expecting 100 guests. Prices for using the Carriage House or the Cottage are the same. The guarantee amount in the Cottage was 150 and 75 for the Carriage House. Their package includes your typical cocktail hour, open bar, top shelf liquor, sit down dinner, wedding cake, additional dessert, irish coffee bar, and the flowers on your table. It was perfect for my needs and the food there is usually wonderful. Plus, they do have lovely grounds to take pics. The idea of their florist and bakery on site is great....one stop shopping!!
( I am biased though...I worked there for a couple of years!)
Hope that helps!

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

Michele is right. You need to first set a budget and then figure out which vendor is the most important to you besides the reception hall. Also, the earlier you book the better. If you book now for 2004, you pay nows prices. That is exactly what we did. We are getting married on a Sat. in Sept, which is prime season. We went to see the Millridge Cottage and we were told $133 per person of a Saturday in Sept. We went to the Jericho Terrace and were told $135 per person for a Sat. in Sept. We went to the Manor East and were told $75 for a Sat. in Sept. We added a pre-cocktail hour ($2.50 per person) and a full viennesse hour and 1/2 dozen roses on every table ($10 per person). So we are paying with tax and gratutity $112 per person, which I thought was very good. You need to figure out what you can afford and what you want.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

i dont mind saying what i am paying.
for a saturday night in may, it is $89 pp. I had to guarantee 200 people and thats ok because FH along has a LARGE irish family.
We chose the Coral House. But since I work for a major co thats deals with the coral house, I got TONS of extra stuff included, even i was amazed. i feel lucky!

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

I defintely suggest the Weddings Facilities and Services magazine. It has prices which are pretty accurate except for Millerdge Cottage which was a lot more than listed and it has pictures and sample menus.

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

Just wanted to repeat something that michele31 mentioned earlier...don't forget to budget in sales tax and gratuity. The banquet hall will probably quote you a price per person, but these charges will not be included. Adding tax and gratuity bumps $ 80 per person up to over $ 100!!

Re: Reception Halls in Long Island

Thank you all so much!! I feel a lot better now that you ladies gave me advice, I know where to start now. I'll report back when we finally have a place.