(Useless) **POLL** Reception sites...

How many places did everyone look at before they chose THE one? We've looked at 11 and called another 20 or so. We're determined to stick to our budget and, quite frankly, only 1 place meets that criteria. I like it, but I don't love it! I also like the idea of buying our house w/ the money we'd save by staying w/in our budget!! ARGGGGGHHHH!!! Comments? Advice? Anyone wanna plan my wedding along with planning your own? Hee Hee. :)

(Useless) **POLL** Reception sites...

We looked at 4 but we have been to lots of weddings on Long island and knew what kind of places we wanted and those that we didn't. I knew when we walked into our hall that we booked that it was the one for us!!

(Useless) **POLL** Reception sites...

We booked the first hall we went to, since both my fiance and I fell in love with it. We looked at other places, since our hall was a little more than we wanted to spend, but in the end we booked it because nothing compared.

Hey Tara, I had the same problem. My mom came up with a great idea...she cut off the sleeves from one of my dad's old white button up shirts, and I would put them on with the dress. It's not an exact science, but it gave me a good idea of what the dress would look like with long sleeves. Good luck!!!

We looked at 4 but we have been to lots of weddings on Long island and knew what kind of places we wanted and those that we didn't. I knew when we walked into our hall that we booked that it was the one for us!!

(Useless) **POLL** Reception sites...

We visited 8 places. The one we chose was the third one we saw, and I knew right away that it was perfect for me. We kept going to others to see whether or not we could get the same for less money, or if something else would jump out at us as better, but in the end my heart was set -- and luckily for me my parents and fiance loved it too.

The tricky piece for you will be your budget -- you have not indicated how tight it is. Perhaps your 'dream' place is not within the range initially, but you may find that if you are flexible with date and time that you can afford locations you are eliminating. For example, I know the price difference between Saturday and Sunday at some places was over $60 a person. Fridays are also less expensive. If you are willing to be married Nov - March you can also save a great deal.

(Useless) **POLL** Reception sites...

We're planning from Boston and had to do it all in a blitz 3-day weekend. We looked at 4 on Friday, drove by one and decided not to even go in side, looked at another 2 or 3 on Saturday and made our final selection on Sunday.

I knew that the visual fantasy I would have liked was way out of my budget. I know what you mean about the house! Fi keeps saying 'that's a house payment' whenever we look at vendors.

(Useless) **POLL** Reception sites...

We looked at 3. My Fi looked at 2 or 3 more by herself. I don't LOVE the place we finally settled on, but she did. That's all that matters.

(Useless) **POLL** Reception sites...

We looked at 3 and had appointments at 3 more but when we saw the 3rd one we knew that was it. Our criteria (places that only held one wedding at a time & the size of our wedding) helped narrow down our list but we also found that a lot of places booked up very early. So far, we have heard nothing but wonderful things about it and are happy with our decision.

Kathi - food at Coral House

When we looked at Coral House they gave us a tasting and the food was GREAT! We ended up somewhere else for other reasons, but Fi still talks about how good his tasting was, even the 'Italian' dishes and since he grew up with Granny's home made sauce that's saying quite a bit - not much meets his standards of 'As good as Granny's'

PS- the Hyatt was a little snobby...not many people conversing. We made tons friends at the Marriot.

Misha where did you choose? *NM* *NM*

http://www.aruba-trip-reports.com/

Misha where did you choose?

We went with Flowerfield in St. James. We are having both the ceremony and the reception there and we liked the look for both.

THE FOOD AT THE CORAL HOUSE IS AMAZING! *NM*

Tim & Kathi, What hall did you pick?

I feel the same way about where we are getting married as well. I was wondering where you were having your reception. You can e:mail me at [email protected] if you'd rather not post on the board!

Happy Planning & Good Luck,

Tim & Kathi, What hall did you pick?

I think we're going to go w/ Coral House (it was the last place we looked) in Baldwin. We liked that and Westbury Manor but the Manor is not willing to negotiate more than $2.00 pp. They also don't have the Garden Room available for the two dates we had in mind.

Tim & Kathi, What hall did you pick?

Hi. We're using Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook. Don't get me wrong - The food is absolutely fabulous! I'm not crazy about the location, etc... If someone is looking for a good deal with really great food and doesn't mind travelling, then I would definitely recommend them. It doesn't matter. My Fi. loves the place and it will all be over in a few more days. I won't have to worry about it anymore!

Kathi

Did you get the Wedding Locations book? Maybe it will eliminate some choices for you. Maybe there will be some places in it that you have never heard of, but look nice. Just thinking??!!

Hi. We're using Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook. Don't get me wrong - The food is absolutely fabulous! I'm not crazy about the location, etc... If someone is looking for a good deal with really great food and doesn't mind travelling, then I would definitely recommend them. It doesn't matter. My Fi. loves the place and it will all be over in a few more days. I won't have to worry about it anymore!

Michelle B.

Yes, I did get the book! I also went to Banqueteer.com, LocationsMagazine.com and some other site which escapes me right now! We've considered Manhattan (where we live), Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau and Suffolk! We even thought about Rockland County. Nassau is the most central for everyone so that's where we concentrated our efforts.

Kathi.

HAPPY to help. I know it was hard making a choice. Just feel comfortable with it. Make sure it offers everything that you need. Which best fits your style/mood.... flashy,country,cozy,exciting,etc. Don't forget about the cocktail hour on the roof, incase they forgot to mention it. Don't worry...once you taste the food you will be able to make your mind up quicker.

Our wedding date is Oct 20th and we are taking a Mediterranean Cruise. Its a little late in the season for it but I figured it will not be that crowded.

(Useless) **POLL** Reception sites...

Kathi,

We only checked out one reception place, John Anthony's. I called several others, including Land's End, The Riveria and Chateau Le Mer, just to compare prices.

Tim & Kathi, What hall did you pick?

Kathi,

I can totally relate to what you are saying. In the end my fiancee and I decided that we didn't want to 'break the bank' or go into debt for our wedding. We are getting married in 6 weeks at the Manor East, do I like it,yes, am I floored by it no. My attitude is it's only one night and my fiancee and I would be happy celebrating our marriage anywhere. No matter how hard you try or what you do, you can't please everyone, so we decided NOT to go into debt and throw one helluva party.

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MichelleW,

That is exactly my opinion! My fiance is a little worried about what people will think, but like you said, no matter how hard you try, you can't please everyone. And I constantly remind him of that.