VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

barago Posted: Jun 24, 2002 12:00 PM

VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

Does anyone have any info/experience with the Vanderbilt mansion at Dowling college? THANKS!

J&A Posted: Jun 24, 2002 12:16 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

I went to Dowling for Graduate school and know the area of the mansion where they would hold a reception. The grounds are beautiful and the ballroom is very pretty. The catering company would be Lovin' Oven, so you know the food would be great. The only thing is that it is at Dowing College and your guests would be parking in the college parking lot. If you don't mind that part of it then go for it...there are so many great picture opt. there also! Good Luck!

mickeya1a Posted: Jun 24, 2002 12:17 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

I went to look at it for myself, and personally i thought the price was outrageous...they quoted $160/pp for a Sat. night. They are the same caterers as Flowerfields and Lands End....I would rather pay both of those places less than that.
One problem I had was that they use the school bathrooms, so I know someone who went to a wedding there and she said the bathrooms were so ugly. I will say that the grounds were beautiful and 'different'

dora Posted: Jun 24, 2002 01:21 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

I'm actually getting married at the Vanderbilt 9-21-02. The prices must have gone up since I booked last year -- because my menu started at $125pp. At the time, I had gone around to a bunch of different mansion properties and I found them to be the cheapest.

So far, the tastings I've gone to have been awesome and the site itself is magnificent. As far as Mickey's post goes -- yes, the bathrooms are 'utilitarian' but to me it's a very small thing. I think my guests will deal...

Land's End & Flowerfields are beautiful locations that a lot of brides have raved about. Personally though, I wanted to get married in a beautiful, historical mansion -- for me, it has a mystique and old world charm you just can't get with a newly constructed catering hall.

At the end of the day, Vanderbilt mansion has a small, oddly-shaped dining room (holds 150 max) and boring/ugly bathrooms -- but the caterer is awesome & architecture-wise, the place is amazing. I've only heard good things about it from people who've been to weddings & corp events there.

It's not for everyone obviously, but I'm really pleased with my choice so far.. I'll let you know what I think 3-months from now when the big day comes.

kelly4 Posted: Jun 24, 2002 03:47 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

Hi! I also went to graduate school at Dowling and I have seen weddings going on there. My classmates and I actually accidently walked in on the coctail hour of one wedding becasue it was being held in the circular conservatory that connects the two ends of the building together. That conservatory is a MAJOR passage way for the students to get to the other wing. We realized our mistake half way through(as we were all involved in talking) and decided just to continue through instead of making a larger nusance of our selves. The bride did not look happy at all. When we got to the other side, I noticed a whole line of students walking throug also. Dowling should have had someone standing at the doors letting students know not to walk through there. You just might want to ask them this.

Good luck!

dora Posted: Jun 24, 2002 04:04 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

I know that Lovin' Oven only took over catering recently -- before them it was another company that didn't seem as 'detail oriented.' Is it possible that you were a student when the other company ran the catering? When did this event take place?

I know when I visited the mansion, we specifically asked about students getting into the building and I was told that they do keep students out.... but this might be a recent thing. Luckily my wedding's on a Saturday night, when there shouldn't be too many students around anyway. Even so, I'll definately double-check on this and make sure it's not an issue for me.

Thanks for the warning...

kelly4 Posted: Jun 24, 2002 05:05 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

Hi Dora,

I graduated there 2 years ago so it may have been under different management. I'm glad to hear that they said they would keep students out. I felt SO bad when we walked through. It was unintentional. But on another note, the grounds are georgeous and I love it that it's on the water. I was always distracted by the water when I was in class and daydreamed instead of paying attention.

Hope you have a great time and everything is as lovely as you dream it would be (and more)!

Kelly

missmmpr Posted: Jun 24, 2002 05:24 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

I think you can only have a cocktail hour dinner. I looked in to it and was not able to have a sit down dinner because i had too many people.

dora Posted: Jun 24, 2002 09:48 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

Kelly: Thanks so much for the reply.. I feel pretty relieved . I know when Lovin' Oven came in they made the school get in new curtains, furniture, etc. to make the mansion more attractive to brides.

Yes, you can get a sit down dinner -- but the max is 150 guests (although I think that's still too many for the small dining room -- I think it should be more like 125 / 130).

RichsBride Posted: Jun 24, 2002 10:59 PM

Re: VANDERBILT AT DOWLING

My dream was a mansion and I could walk to Dowling from my house so that was my first choice-I honestly love the place & I think it's very romantic. I did think that Lovin Oven(I know they have great food) seemed a little high considering the bathrooms are small (2 stalls)and there is no bathroom in the bridal suite. I actually didn't think much of it until I brought Fi there & he thought it would be crazy for my to go to the bathroom in a regular stall with my dress & everything. We are also having over 150, so that was a problem as well. I agreedwith him. It's a unique & beautiful location, but I think they need to be more flexible considering it's not ideal. I think any party there will be a hit w/ great food & good service, good luck.