The Verdict and opinions on Harrison House

Well, we went to Harrison House over the weekend and fell in love. 150 Guarantee or not...we were sold on the game room! Just one question for anyone who has attended a wedding there. Cocktail hour consists of three buffet stations and 8 passed hors d`oeuvres... I got a detailed menu of what is considered a 'station' and on paper it *seems* a bit sparse. (i.e. carving station = 1 type of meat; Asian Station= lo mein OR sweet and sour chicken) this isn`t the menu, just an example. So for anyone who has attended or HAS HAD a wedding there...was there enough food during cocktail hour? And how was the food? Would an extra station (TWO meats instead of one) be too much? I`m only asking this because most of the Catering Halls give a SMORGASBOARD of food. I hate wasted food but I don`t want my guests to be hungry. We`re considering an extra station, depending on how much extra $ it would be. Or maybe if we fall 30 people short of the guarantee we might try to negotiate a bit more than extra hors d`oeuvres (IT IS an extra $3000+ we`d be paying for 'nothing') Thanks a lot! :) Susan

Not getting married there, but have the same food dilemma

I agree that most catering halls have so much food for the cocktail hr, people get used to expecting that at all weddings. However, I think it is a waste, b/c you still have the full dinner at the reception! My hall is only serving 12 hors d`oeuvres, and 1 pasta station for the cocktail hr. I thought of adding more on, but I think as long as the waiters keep the food coming, it will be fine. Plus, it really adds up $$$ when you add on extra stations.

Not getting married there, but have the same food dilemma

I have to agree with Teri..we are having one carving station, 5 chafing dishes, about 15 passed hor d'oerves and a fruit and cheese display. This is for the hour immediately preceeding a 4 course sit down dinner:) I am sure everyone will have enough food.

Jessica

Our Wedding will be on a Saturday night, but maybe we're getting less because it's an off peak month? (January, as opposed to April) We were given a quote of $125 per person with a 150 minimum guarantee for the 3 stations and 8 hors d'oeuvres.

Christine

Hi Christine! It's sjs form UW. So you think that 1 carving station (1 meat) 2 chafing dishes and 10 passed trays will be enough for 130-140 guests? I just don't want my mom ranting about all the money spent and not enough food.

Christine

I thought it was you!! I really think it will be enough. It may be less then what people expect to get at a 'LI Wedding' but I am a huge believer in the 'eyes bigger then the stomach' mantra. The cocktail hour is supposed to be what you are having, a little something before dinner. They will have enough food for 130-140 people and then some. How many times do you go out to dinner and have a need to have some meat, pasta, and 10 different hor d'oerves before you eat dinner? I wouldn't worry about it. No one is going to go home hungry:)

Too much food :-)

I didn't get married at Harrison House but at my cocktail hour we had three chafing dishes, carving station (turkey), fruit and cheese, veggies display and passed hours de vours. Many thought that was the food for the evening and stuffed themselves -- they didn't realize there was still a full sit down dinner -- so I think we all go overboard with the amount of food. But I do understand that when you are paying $125 pp you want your money's worth. I would make sure they are very expensive dishes that fit the price you are paying -- then you know you are giving a good amount of food for cocktail hour but also quality food.

I LOVE that game room.It is the best thing about the place.

We almost booked the Harrison House also but at the last minute changed to the Carltun. I'm sure the food will be enough. Maybe people will actually eat their dinner. Most people get so full at cocktail hour that they don't eat their dinner. Have a great time and enjoy!

Too much food :-) I agree how much can you really eat.

It sounds fine to me. The lavish cocktail hours are nice but how much of that food goes to waste and then the full multi course dinner on top of that. I agree with Stef28 as long as they are not limiting your to cheese puffs and pigs in a blanket you will have plenty.

I went to a wedding at HH in Sept 2000......

And from what you describe, the cocktail hour food was certainly enough. The dinner is good was well, but I have to say that the dessert selection the bride chose was out of this world. I don't remember if she paid extra for these dessert selections in addition to her cake, but they were awesome. The HH is very nice. We would have booked it but we couldn't meet the minimums. So we did the next best thing - we blocked off rooms for our guests to stay overnight in - we are getting married in the next town over at the Sans Souci in Sea Cliff.

I went to a wedding at HH in Sept 2000......

You guys are all doing an awesome job at putting my mind at ease. Like I said, my mother was all for a 'catering hall wedding' but my FH and I really wanted a traditional backdrop which, as you all know, doesn`t come cheap on Long Island (as opposed to England where there is an abundance of CASTLES) So HH seemed like a good fit. Keep the opinions coming. chmlengr- you get to choose one dessert in addition to the cake. A viennese table is offered for an additional $25 PER PERSON (NOPE, not doing that!)