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!
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.
april427
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We didn't like the cookie cutter catering halls either. We fell in love with Bourne Mansion and it everything was magnificent! Good luck.
SuzyQNYC79
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I went through the same and booked a vineyard on the North Fork. With your budget, it may be difficult because alot of the vineyards have a hefty fee, just to use the grounds...not including catering, rentals, booze, etc. I looked into the Queens County Farm bc I live close, and if you find the right caterer you may be able to do it for your pp price. I know someone who got a really great deal with Lombardis on the Sound, and it was really nice. Good luck & Congrats!!
midnight26
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I'm a teacher, so we're doing end of May so we just have to wait a couple weeks for the honeymoon.....
I love the wineries idea like the girls posted! but they can get pricy
fintababyetc
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Also, if any of your friends or parent's friends belong to a yacht club, some of them on LI are beautiful older buildings and are great for smaller weddings. Plus they're on the water so they're great for pictures!
COOPER1223
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HEY NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF PLACE YOUR LOOKING FOR. BEACH THEMED THERES THE ATLANTIS BATH AND TENNIS CLUB IN WESTHAMPTON BEACH: THE VIEW IS BEAUTIFUL AND THE FOOD IS REALLY GOOD THERE.
I RECENTLY GOT ENGAGED MYSELF JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS.I LIKE THE OLD LOOK SO IVE BEEN LOOKING AT MANSIONS AND CASTLES. THERES OHEAKA CASTLE, DE SEVERSKY MANSION, GLEN COVE MANSION, OLD WESTBURY GARDENS, THE ROYALTON IN ROSLYN. I HOPE SOME OF THESE HELP.
I WOULD RECOMMEND GETTING THE LOCATIONS MAGAZINE IN BOARDER OR ANY OTHER BOOK STORE. THEY HELP BIG TIME.
BEST WISHES AND HAPPY HUNTING
lauren1802
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vineyard caterers is 85-115 ++ (tax, svc) pp including all (no site fees, tent fees, caterers added, etc)
stormstryker
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I went with Timberpoint. It's also a Lessings and its made for a smaller group than the Bourne Mansion. They did well by us with the price.
teacherteacher
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Posted by Butterflyfaye
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.
I DO love the photos I've seen of the weddings at Douglaston - the Spanish style and dark beams are key sellers for me. I'm going to see Fox Hollow and then hopefully Douglaston, too.
Fox Hollow works better for our families distance-wise because it's easier to get to for his family, and mine is already on Long Island. BUT, if I don't see what I'm looking for at FH or their service is terrible, then it's straight to Douglaston!
SMDC2012
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Try Smithtown Landing CC. They have a showcase this Sunday from 12-3.
AliB84
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Another teacher here! I am getting married this March at The Woodlands, in Woodbury and needless to say, am obsessed with the place. It's a historic mansion, and doesn't have the 'catering hall' at all! When I went looking for venues I had a very strict list -- no mirrors, no marble, no statues, no bronze, no tacky chandeliers. The Woodlands was one of the only places I visited that met my requests! Check it out!
http://www.woodlandsatwoodbury.com/
Laura0612
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I am also a teacher getting married at The Woodlands!!! We're getting married in August because I also have my tenure year coming up, and I have been in and to so many weddings, I couldn't stand the thought of having another catering hall wedding. We really looked for something different. My fiancee is a history teacher so he was sold immediately just by the historical background of the mansion. It's definitely pricey and completely put us over budget, but remember we're having a summer wedding. October will be less expensive for sure. Give them a call and ask for Margaret. Also, they're doing a bridal showcase there April 30th, you should definitely go. The mansion is on a gold course and there is SO MUCH land! It's really beautiful...take a drive and go check it out. Good luck!!!!
KC1031
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Definitely check out the Woodlands if you have the chance! The value that you get for the price is unbelievable...and if you happen to be there when they start preparing food for a wedding, you'll be sold on the smell of the food alone!
LaurenT
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Atlantis marine world aquarium def has character!
Chanwich
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I was in the same boat and I had excluded a lot of LI halls either because of their decor or because they did more than 1 wedding at a time. My short list came down to the Riviera, the Old Field Club, Stewart Manor Country Club and one of the Vineyards out east.
The vineyards were WAY out of my price range, most of the ones I called had site fees alone of 5-10K, and then it was about $200 pp on top of that when all was said and done.
Old Field Club is just gorgeous and I loved it, but it was too far east for my family and friends to travel.
Stewart Manor was very pretty too, and very reasonably priced. And the staff was very friendly.
I ended up loving the Riviera of Massapequa, you can see my review for what it was like and some pictures.
Good luck!!!
karebear
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We loved the feeling of Westbury Manor and Fox Hollow.
tonyjess
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My venue Flowerfield is amazing. Great outdoor ceremony space, and though they have the typical ballroom setting - I'm having my reception in the atrium instead. The atrium is a really cool space with lots of tropical plants and a bridge going over a large koi pond. It's a very unique space for a wedding, which is why we chose it. Check it out on facebook, they have lots of pics on there.
A unique, but more affordable option would be Benner's Farm: http://bennersfarm.com/Parties_Events.html#WeddingsandEvents
great pics of a wedding there: http://espanaphotography.com/blog/2011/08/03/mikejacqueline-new-york-farm-wedding/
We were thinking about having our wedding there, but decided we didn't want to deal with a lot of vendors so we went with a more 'one-stop-shop' that would cover most of our bases.
BobbyDsgirl
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My venue is the Inn at New Hyde Park, the hall doesnt have that cookie cutter feel and the cocktail hour room is so different and incredible! Look it up ;)
lovekeiko
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I am renting a private residence in the Hamptons. It's a lot of work...I hadn't realized that I should have really hired a wedding planner.
I actually had dinner at Luce and Hawkins a few weeks ago and loved it. Wish I would have found that first, it's a perfect venue for my wedding. The property is really old but renovated beautifully, lots of character!
I also read a lot about winery weddings but about the same amount of work as renting a private residence. Bedell is really beautiful.
Good Luck!
renrico
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I know I am biased because I am getting married there, but I felt the same way you did and that is why I fell in loooove with The Riviera. It is so unique and beautiful. And I am telling you, pictures do not do it justice. You have to go there and see it for yourself. Now that it is winter, it may not have the same appeal. but we booked mid october and when we went, it was still in bloom and the grounds were so well manicured. The sun streaming in the windows...wow! Just check it out in person. Now if you don't care about a water view (which was a must for me) then westbury manor was awesome as well. beautiful grounds and a really nice room that led right out to the cocktail hour area.
