I just got engaged right after Christmas and I'm THRILLED obviously, but I'm a little worried about finding the right place!
My fiancee and I are both teachers, and I can't bear the idea of a summer wedding, even though it's our only downtime
So, I'm getting a head start now looking all over LI to book for October 2013 but the big problem....is, well, me!
I have been to so many beautiful, elegant weddings at hotels and catering halls complete with flowers, white linens, candles, the works. But it's just not me.
Does anyone have any suggestions for ceremony/reception halls that aren't the typical 'glass/mirror/flower/white' wedding?
So far, I've seen pictures of inside the Riviera in Massapequa, Douglaston Manor and Fox Hollow - they all seem like they could work to my aesthetic but are there more than 3 options out there for me??
Please help!
Shanti12
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I totally get what you mean - I felt the same way. All those places are beautiful and I've had so much fun at them but it didn't fit my personality. I personally went with Westbury Manor - I know lots of brides go there and I have a friend that has been to 3 weddings there lol... but the room and grounds had a feel to it that was different than a regular hall. Also we did go to the Riviera... and I grew up right near it!, but we loved that also. It's a very different feel there as well, more cozy with dark wood and tapestries. It is waterfront which gives nice views. I do think Fox Hollow has some nice options too and maybe any of the mansions really? The Woodlands was really nice when we went to visit.
PSP
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Raphael Vineyard in Peconic Obviously I'm biased...
teacherteacher
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My mom recommended Westbury Manor, so I'll definitely check that out. FH is happy with anything as long as I'm happy which is typically awesome, but not when I need help deciding! I'll check out the Woodlands, too, thanks shanti!
teacherteacher
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I hadn't even thought of vineyards, great idea! I looked at Queens County Farm Museum so I'm totally open to outdoorsy :)
queenofhaerts
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Check out some of the mansions.
Coindre Hall is awesome.... tons of character and great for pictures :)
tianamarie
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Check out Chateau Briand and Crest Hollow Country Club! They're beautiful and have a very South Beach feel to them. They have awesome outdoor areas and beautiful rooms that don't make it seem like a Wedding Factory! Good Luck!
Sweetpea1
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I'm at Westbury Manor. I fell in love with the place just from looking and their website And when I went in person to check it out I was almost disappointed because I was told my date was unavailbale but then someone cancelled so I was for joy. The grounds are so beautiful and romantic. I would definetly tell you to check it out to see if it's to your liking.
fintababyetc
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Bourne Mansion and the mansion at Sands Point are the two historic mansions available for weddings that haven't been 'catering hall-ized' (i.e. with other modern rooms added or drop acoustical tile ceilings, etc.) If you like the LI Gold Coast turn-of-the-century thing, these places have amazing character!
Bourne is Lessings and they handle everything for you on site, Sands Point you have to bring everything in yourself (caterer, tables, etc.).
We decided to go with Bourne because we loved the ballroom, and our wedding was perfect. Highly recommended!
chilly313
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I got maried at the View - a Lessings restaurant, but they do one wedding a week. I didn't want the typical wedding hall either - no big chandalier or marble floor - it just wasn't for me. Its a very different venue, but they did a great job. My second choice was the Riviera - its really beautiful there and has a different feel than most wedding halls.
Good luck!
bayviewbride2011
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We booked Harbor Links in Port Washington. We did not want the Jericho Turnpike cookie cutter hall. Beautiful grounds, outdoor cocktails, great room without the large crystal chandelier.
tbmaz2011
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I had my reception at Bridgeview Yacht Club and they have a club atmosphere space right next door. They do weddings and use the same menu as the main reception hall.
http://www.bycwarehouse5.com/
lauren1802
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What about March or April / the week before easter break? Most of my teacher friends got married that week. Plus, it's cheaper than October (or summer).
Hotel indigo is nice- it's not the typical reception hall, but it's a little small (they say can fit 170 i think more like 140/150)
teacherteacher
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Westbury Manor has been the ONLY venue out of many I've contacted so far that responded quickly and helpfully! That's a good sign for them, for sure. When I called Fox Hollow, the woman who answered was screaming at someone else and then hung up on me, and I haven't heard back from anywhere else.
teacherteacher
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Next year is my tenure year, so the only reason I'm trying to avoid the spring is because I don't want to be so frazzled with wedding details that I mess my chances up
That sounds really interesting -- I'll definitely check it out because we're trying to keep our guest list small. When my sisters got married there were so many people they barely enjoyed it!
mybabylovesmoi
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i had my wedding at the de seversky mansion. Very gorgeous and has TONS of character. I didn't want a catering hall feeling either.
eta: I noticed you just posted that you are trying to keep it small. our minimum was 100 people and we ended up having like 102.
teacherteacher
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I keep looking at pictures of De Seversky because it's amazing!! But I'm worried it's out of my price range - we're hoping to not go more than $100/pp. It was the first mansion-type RH I looked at thought and I'm hooked.
Shan2011
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The Royalton Mansion. Im getting married there in 2 weeks. My goal was to find a place that was not a cookie cutter type wedding hall. I am very happy with my choice. Im a teacher too. :)
4Everhisgirl
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I second The Royalton!
Butterflyfaye
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I feel like I'm reading a post written by myself. I got engaged last April, I was considering an outdoor wedding- ideally I wanted out in the gardens or doors with like a covered pavilion...
Unfortunately, that's not a reality on LI.
I'd recommend to check out Douglaston Manor. I might be bias - I visited the Riveria, Timber Point Country Club, Coindre Hall, and I've been to events at Oheka.
Coindre Hall is very pretty - but was out of my price range as I wanted roughly $100 a person, including tax and tip.
Douglaston Manor has a sort of old-world, vaguely Spanish manor style with brick courtyards surrounded by a golf course.. which means rolling greens and a distance Manhattan sky line (I'm a photographer, I want photos there during sunset).
I loved its Romantic Contessa room, with tiled floors, fireplaces, tapestrys on the wall and dark wood overbreams.
Strangely - very few here mention it at all - good or bad.
