We set a date and booked our place!!! (LONG)

u can check out the Harrison House in Glen Cove, similar to DeSeversky but i think a step up definitely...and it is not as tight a squeeze either. Check it out, its a little more than DeSeversky but ur getting what u pay for..... we may do our rehearsal dinne at deseversky.

My fiance and I are planning to take a day out and go driving through the surrounding towns. I know of a place in Bay Shore, on Montauk Hwy that might work, but Michael O'Neill said we'd need a permit (only $20 or so). And I also wanted to look into Gardener Park, also along Montauk Hwy. Hopefully we'll find some other places, but as a matter of convenience, Belmont might be it.

We set a date and booked our place!!! (LONG)

I'm not aware of whether particular places are 'ranked' as a 'step up or step down' from one another. Harrison House is beautiful and we actually went and looked at it for our wedding. A nice feature is that they have overnight accomodations for you and your guests. The cocktail area is pretty, price wise for the same package, it is actually a bit less expensive than Deserversky, but the BIG negative about Harrison House, in me and my fi's opinion, was the modern dining area used for the reception. It just doesn't match the rest of the estate....my fi commented that it looked a bit like a high school cafeteria.

We set a date and booked our place!!! (LONG)

Well, we believe its really what u make of it....people transform rooms all the time for weddings. We thought it was far more unique than the basic square room. I found the main room at DeSeversky to be very Bland myself. I thought the touch of hte outside lights on the trees, and the oval shaped room was fabulous at harrison....we really want het wedding to be an EXPERIENCE for our guest which is why we chose Harrison...the main room can be as fabulous as you would like to make it....ive seen it transformed into a beautiful elegant setting, not AT ALL like a cafeteria...good luck at DeSeversky...

At Last by Etta James (Star - Dont tell anyone!) :-)
Did you pick one yet?

We set a date and booked our place!!! (LONG)

Elizabeth,

Yes, you are exactly right -- It is what you make of it and I am sure that your event will be beautiful and you have chosen an exquisite location. My intention was not to insult your taste (which it appears my comments have done -- if so, I apologize). In fact, one of the good things about choosing among different locations is that what you may see as a drawback another bride-to-be may see as a benefit, and vice versa. Thank goodness that is the case or every bride would be fighting over the same location (or every wedding location have to look identical to make anyone happy). I was simply pointing out what my fi and I interpreted as a drawback of the sight from our perspectives (we were specifically looking for a turn-of-the century estate/castle/mansion). I would however make one comment -- I think it is important not to suggest that particular sights are 'better' or 'worse' than others -- we all have different budgets and tastes and to indicate that one place is a 'step-up' or 'step-down' is not the best way to support each other -- which is what I hope this site is intended to do.

We set a date and booked our place!!! (LONG)

Thank you for your email. I apologize as well, you were right and I certainly didn't mean it the as a put down. DeSeversky is VERY BEAUTIFUL and we loved it as well. I know your wedding will be beautful....and best of luck to you....
Take care

Thank you very much. I will call Allison and try to negotiate a better rate. I did already speak with her and she was the one who quoted me the 250.00 rate. Do you know if it is standard practice to negotiate room prices if you block rooms? Your price and mine are dramatically different, but it could also be the particular weekend, since our wedding is in Oct. (or maybe they just gave you their birthday special :-). It's just difficult for brides b/c we don't know if we are getting screwed on the price, since they can quote you ANY price (and tell you its a bargain). I just feel a bit naive in terms of how to get a better rate.