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I am newly engaged and looking for a NON-TYPICAL LI wedding. We aren't having a bridal party. I don't want a typical sit down dinner. I don't want an MC. I'm not a huge fan of flowers.

We aren't getting married in church and don't even want a long drawn out ceremony.

We just want good food, good music, good people!

We are most likely getting married November (of this year!-2015)

Thinking about 150 guests. We are also paying for this completely on our own, so sticking to a budget is important.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Also, Anyone have feedback on Hallockville farms??

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Check out Insignia in Smithtown. It is SO different, but soo nice!

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We looked at Hallockville farms but you had to bring everything in and after pricing out caterers, rentals, booze, servers, etc, it got out of hand for us LOL. Like you, we are paying for the entire wedding ourselves. I would second Insignia or even Prime Harbor Club. It's more of a restaurant feel.

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This is EXACTLY what we are doing. We are having an afternoon cocktail party from 11-4:30. 15 minute ceremony really simple. We are getting married at the Watermill in Smithtown.

All I know about Hallockville farms is that there is a site fee so I crossed it off my list.

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I would also say Prime restaurant, Insignia, and if you're interested in Hallock, I'd suggest Jedediah Hawkins Inn and Brecknock Hall. They are still different with the country feel but you don't necessairly have to bring everything in. They were on my list just out of our price range. I think most venues also offer cocktail receptions now, maybe something to consider if you're not looking for the big sit down reception. I also think De Seversky Mansion also offers a different type of wedding reception. Good luck!

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Hi, congratulations and welcome! Do you like wine? Maybe something rustic like a vineyard? You can get the officiant and have the ceremony and everything there. November could be tricky weather wise that's the only thing. If it were a Summer/Early fall wedding I would say something by the beach line. Originally my Fiance looked into information for a ceremony near the lighthouse. That's a cute way to do something not cookie cutter type and different to a point. Have you thought of a theme? Sometimes that can help narrow down the right place. Like a passed hor'deavors/cocktail party. Studio Square Loft in LIC does it. I know it's not in LI but the place is gorgeous, the set up is very loungey, open bar, unlimited hor'deavors. That's different... Happy Planning and good luck!

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I second Insignia love love loved it but a cocktail hour with an open pretty much equaled to the price of using a catering hall. Goodluck!

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I would suggest maybe a winery wedding. And I would definitely do the cocktail party instead of a typical sit down dinner. A lot of venues on LI offer that option.

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Went to an Insignia wedding it was great and I'm going to another one this July. Prime is also great... I threw a cocktail party there a couple years ago and it was amazing! Depending on your budget you could do the rooftop at the Allegria...very modern, trendy feel. Also the view is incredible.

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Check out H on the Harbor. It looks like an interesting place and it seems like you can really do something different there: http://www.hontheharbor.com/

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Thank you all so much for your responses! I will definitely check them all out.
I re-read my initial post and it made me sound like I wanted a cheap, boring wedding LOL... which is not at all true, I think you got my drift, but my FH and I just want something different. We have been IN and TO so many weddings on LI over the years, we just want to have an experience that is unlike the rest.

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did you find a venue yet? try de seversky - they have a mansion style reception program :)

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We love Insignia, such a unique space

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One of my best friends had her reception at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration in their barn. It was definitely one of the most unique and beautiful weddings I've been to. I would definitely look into it. Shes a huge help to brides that are looking to have their reception there so if you want her info message me!

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The Old Field Club is still pretty traditional in terms of a venue but it is beautiful (think barny feel on the water) and you can have a cocktail hour wedding, no seating chart, etc.

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Posted by NicoleBMC

Thank you all so much for your responses! I will definitely check them all out.
I re-read my initial post and it made me sound like I wanted a cheap, boring wedding LOL... which is not at all true, I think you got my drift, but my FH and I just want something different. We have been IN and TO so many weddings on LI over the years, we just want to have an experience that is unlike the rest.

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Haha not at all. Every couple is different. Have your day and you guys envision it. That's what counts at the end of the day. Trust me as much fun as planning has been if I could go back I would do a destination wedding. That's really the way to go. You go away and stay away for a few days.

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We are still looking! I have ruled out the barns because they are definitely too much work. I am looking at smaller places on the water now.. Going to Insignia this week.

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I am getting married at the Atlantis Aqaurium - I think that's pretty different! It's going to have so many cool little things in it. I am not a fan of flowers so I am working out other ideas for my bridal party - My bridal party is small because I didn't want the drama of dealing with a lot of girls and their opinions (you know how we can all get HAHA)... during our cocktail hour the aquarium allowed us to have a 'pet the sting ray experience' the guests can put on gloves and put them which I thought was so neat - were getting pictures taken with the sea lion and a penguin. We requested to have the entire aquarium including their banquet hall for the reception so it costs a little more but if you are interested they do have a banquet hall that can be used for ceremony and reception its absolutely stunning. Let me know if you would like more info - I decided I only get to do this once I want it to be a memorable experience and something not every other bride does! They also have a butterfly exhbit where you can take pictures (at a certain cost) before the ceremony - they have a lot to offer!

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we are doing an outdoor tented reception at the LI maritime museum. beautiful and very different! If you do an outdoor/DIY wedding, be prepared for a lot of work since you have to bring in everything and for things to be a bit pricier. we think it's worth it but DIY and 'different' equal pricier!

check out queens county farm museum or hallockville farm or li maritime museum. they have less expensive site fees. wineries cost more but are less work since the wineries do most of the rental stuff for you. old bethpage also does weddings as mentioned, but i have not heard good things about the caterer they require you to use. You can also look at peconic herb farm or a hydrangea farm out east. i forget why i crossed them off… i think it was because our end of september wedding would have been a bit buggy for flower farms? those would be gorgeous though! also take a ride out east - there are a bunch of farms that host weddings. i think patties berries and bunches had a sign out about receptions. How many people??

edit - just saw that you said 150 people. is that invited or coming? if invited then most of the places i mentioned would be perfect! any more and you should cross hallockville off.