Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

I'm very new to this and finding it really hard and disappointing! We're planning a Jewish / Kosher wedding for summer 2009, for about 170 people. We're looking on Long Island since that is where just about all our family and friends are from.

All of the places we've visited (Jewish Centers, Halls, and Country Club-ish places) seem the same type of cookie-cutter wedding pushed off of a factory line. We're looking for something unique, simple, down-to-earth, cost-effective, Kosher (which kind of makes the cost-effective part difficult), eco-friendly, not ornate, not tacky, not gaudy, not extravagant, not excess.

I realize I will probably have to find a typical venue, and perhaps put some unique twists (not sure how/what yet). I'm getting so discouraged.

Any suggestions??? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

ysilver1 at aol dot com

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

The Metropolitan in Glen Cove... not a kosher catering hall but they do offer kosher food- a few of our guests requested kosher meals and they were very accomodating at the Metropolitan. It is a very unique space and does not feel like your 'typical' catering hall. Check it out!! It's one wedding at a time- which totally sold my fiance. You have to see the place to appreciate though- don't just go by the website which offers 2-3 pictures. Ask for Eileen when you go- she's amazing!!!!

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

minus the kosher/jewish part, this is what we were looking for. we're simple people, so we wanted something muted w/o all the glamour of cathedral ceilings, marble floors, chandeliers, etc. mind you (for all the girls that love this stuff), it's pretty in its own way, but not for us.

anyway, we're getting married @ west sayville country club. it's a very simply decorated early 1900's mansion on the bay surrounded by naturally beautiful grounds. the price for a sat night in the summer is $85pp++, which is one of the best prices we found. if you're willing to have a day wedding, i thought the riverview had a similar charm, and they were about 10 bucks cheaper. good luck!

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

We are having a very down to earth ceremony at Crest Hollow in the garden. We were lucky to find a rabbi to perform it on a Saturday night (at sundown). We are not having a kosher dinner, except for a few guests, but I know they do provide a Kosher menu as well.

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

I attended a kosher wedding at Oheka Castle.

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

THE ROYALTON!!!!!! I just got married there 3 weeks ago, its an old converted mansion and its absolultely GORGEOUS! My wedding was kosher- they do strictly Glatt, and the food is phenomenal. FM me if you want more pics or info

Royalton

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

Why not do a tented wedding? I mean outdoors can be lovely and unique. How about a barn - i think one barn out east can be rented you just need to find a kosher caterer which i am sure you can find in the hamptons area.

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

try this place:

http://www.jerichojc.com/index.asp?tohome=yes

or try this site to seach for places:

http://www.weddingsitesandservices.com/StartPage.html

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

We had a very down to earth, beautiful and simple Jewish wedding at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach. We had our own rabbis and they did offer kosher meals for those that needed them.

We had the wedding on a Sunday morning (11:30am) and then reception followed at 12-5pm.

I have a whole review that I wrote on everything, it's on the brides review boards and also I have additonal pics in my album.

One other place that we looked at was Temple Judea- which was nice as well in Massapequa. Only reason why we didn't book was it was a bit more than Russo's and also distance was really far for us.

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

I totally know how you feel. I ran into the same thing when I was finding my place. Either the 'charming' places were not kept up well or too small for my guest count, or they were way too gaudy.

For 170 guests you can find places out on the LI Vineyards that are nice. I really liked Vineyard Caterers, but I am having many more than 170 guests and it would have been tight. Also, I'm getting married at Land's End in Sayville which also has a nice rustic charm/feel to it and is right on the water but it's big enough to accomodate a large guest count.

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

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Posted by beram63

minus the kosher/jewish part, this is what we were looking for. we're simple people, so we wanted something muted w/o all the glamour of cathedral ceilings, marble floors, chandeliers, etc. mind you (for all the girls that love this stuff), it's pretty in its own way, but not for us.

anyway, we're getting married @ west sayville country club. it's a very simply decorated early 1900's mansion on the bay surrounded by naturally beautiful grounds. the price for a sat night in the summer is $85pp++, which is one of the best prices we found. if you're willing to have a day wedding, i thought the riverview had a similar charm, and they were about 10 bucks cheaper. good luck!

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I love WSCC.. very simple and elegant.
Check out Capt Bills Bayview house too. similar type of look. nothing overly done .. and excellent price. Dont know about the Kosher menu tho....

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

im having a hard time too i have the same prob ... i wanna do something nice but the kosher food is kicking my butt with the price so i feel like i have to cut from everywhere to get for the food ... and some places are too .... blahh for me for lack of a better word ... good luck ....

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

The Royalton

Jem Caterers are the owners do Kosher weddings and they also do catering at various temples.

www.royaltonmansion.com

I didn't want the catering hall cookie cutter wedding as well. I was so happy when I went to the Royalton, they didn't hand me a folder with their choice of menu items or tell me that I could only be there at a certain time, etc.

EVERY THING is catered to your specifications. It has a beautiful garden and patio area, gorgeous all wood floors ballroom. Only 1 wedding at a time.

Located in Roslyn. It's a hidden treasure and will work with pricing.

Definitly perfect for 170 people.

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

Harbor Club in Huntington

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

Thank you all so much for the information! I'm still new at all of this and was so grateful and excited to see so many replies in generosity to help, support, and give ideas. Thanks!

We actually have an appointment to see The Royalton tomorrow. Many people have suggested it to me. I'm excited. A little weary it may be expensive though.

I've actually found a bunch of places that seemed really interesting, but none worked out because either too expensive, too small, outdoors, no air-conditioning, too far away, not Kosher. Let me know if you'd like some details about them if you feel you're looking for similar things as in my original post!

I'm also going to check out some of the other places suggested. I'll post back again and follow up!

Thanks again!

So many questions.....

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

For: Reymiliz
See my last reply--- iIhave a bunch of places that you might be interested in that didn't work out for me (again, too small, too far, etc.etc.etc.).
Here's a few:

Too small for me:
-The Bailey Arboretum (over 100 people need to have a tent wedding outside)
- The Foundry in Long Island City, Queens
- Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park (very small and outdoors only)
-The Queens Farm Museum seemed really nice and had an airconditioned barn for use but the capacity was really small.



Not Kosher:
- Catlin Gardens in Westchester (probably too far?) seemed really calm, simple and elegant. But not equipped for Kosher.
- The Douglaston Manor in Little Neck/Flushing


Too expensive:
-The Palm House at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens sounded really cool with really interesting cocktail hour and reception rooms. But way over my budget!


Too far:
-Cat Rock and/or Garrison Resort at the Highlands Country Club (beautiful River Room!)


No indoors available (we want airconditioning for a summer wedding!):
-Vanderbilt Museum at Dowling in Oakdale
- Naugles Barn in Riverhead (not airconditioned and also only holds 99 people max.)

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

I am fairly certain my hall Terrace on the Park does kosher. While it is 'typical catering' in many ways the fact that it is a historical landmark and overlooks Flushing Meadow Park with the unisphere, shea stadium gives it a different feel. They have a few rooms and many different price points GOOD LUCK!

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

Try Woodbury Country Club. I had my Jewish wedding there in November, and it was amazing. Granted I didn't have a kosher wedding, but they do offer kosher catering. Feel free to fm me if you have any questions.

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

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Posted by ysilver1

Thank you all so much for the information! I'm still new at all of this and was so grateful and excited to see so many replies in generosity to help, support, and give ideas. Thanks!

We actually have an appointment to see The Royalton tomorrow. Many people have suggested it to me. I'm excited. A little weary it may be expensive though.

I've actually found a bunch of places that seemed really interesting, but none worked out because either too expensive, too small, outdoors, no air-conditioning, too far away, not Kosher. Let me know if you'd like some details about them if you feel you're looking for similar things as in my original post!

I'm also going to check out some of the other places suggested. I'll post back again and follow up!

Thanks again!

So many questions.....

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Let me know how the Royalton worked out for you....like I said in my earlier post, I had a kosher wedding at the Royalton 3 weeks ago. We were desparate to avoid the synagogues and cookie cutter places, and I couldnt have asked for anything better!

Re: Unique down-to-earth Jewish Wedding on Long Island impossible?

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Posted by jnlax29

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Posted by beram63

minus the kosher/jewish part, this is what we were looking for. we're simple people, so we wanted something muted w/o all the glamour of cathedral ceilings, marble floors, chandeliers, etc. mind you (for all the girls that love this stuff), it's pretty in its own way, but not for us.

anyway, we're getting married @ west sayville country club. it's a very simply decorated early 1900's mansion on the bay surrounded by naturally beautiful grounds. the price for a sat night in the summer is $85pp++, which is one of the best prices we found. if you're willing to have a day wedding, i thought the riverview had a similar charm, and they were about 10 bucks cheaper. good luck!

---

I love WSCC.. very simple and elegant.
Check out Capt Bills Bayview house too. similar type of look. nothing overly done .. and excellent price. Dont know about the Kosher menu tho....

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been to 2 weddings @ capt bill's--you're right, very similarly beautiful. i love the spiral staircase in the bayview house we would have checked it out, but my cousin got married there, and i didn't want to step on any toes