We just went looking at RHs for the first time (we've only been engaged a week) and I am so scared I'm not going to find anything that love EVERYTHING about. We looked at East Wind, Giorgios & Jericho Terrace. Giorgio's wasn't for us- but we are having a hard time deciding what is more important to us about the place. We are not banking on nice weather so we need a place that will have good photo ops inside- to me, Jericho Terrace fits that bill- plus I couldnt be more in love with the Dome room, I feel like if I close my eyes, that's where I picture my wedding- but I'm not crazy about the more than one wedding OR the fact that 2 huge rooms share the same bathroom!! Also, I'm not crazy about the first impression driving up.... on the other hand- when you drive up to east wind- you lose your breath it is so beautiful- first impressions are lasting aren't they? But in the reception rooms it's more of a country feel than a ballroom & I wan't my reception to be black tie optional. SO what matters more, the first impression, or the ballroom-- being the only wedding, or loving the place???? Am I never going to be happy? I am so scared that when I DO find the place they won't have any dates... ok it's one week in & I am officially freaking out!! How many places did you look before you found the one? I want to look at a lot but I don't want to fall in love with anything out of my price range. PLEASE HELP & TELL ME I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!! Is anyone settling & not loving where their reception is? AAHH!!
sr081906
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Re: What's more important??
I went to the George Washington Manor and loved it at first site.
I researched several RH first online. Then narrowed it down. We booked GWM when we saw it in person. It's exactly what we wanted.
Maybe you can write a list of what you want/need in a RH.
For example, If most of your photos will be inside, you can pick a place with a gorgeous inside.
cjb88
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Re: What's more important??
we looked first at Hamlet Willow Creek, then Georgios and East Wind... we knew immediately that HWC was for us... it was just a feeling we had... keep looking you will find the right place that has everything you dreamed of! there are a TON of halls out there!
finey
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Re: What's more important??
We went to tons of places before we decided on ours. Even with our place we had reservations but we weighed the positives and the negatives and madea decision. It did take us quite some time and we were also really stressed out and aggavated. After a while we started to compare other places to the one that we ended up choosing so that is how we basically decided.
I think it took us like two months. We dont feel like we settled and we also feel that we made the right choice. I think we saw like 10 places.
Brassgirl9
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Re: What's more important??
I booked lands end, they have an amazing outside but they decorate the inside really nice too just in case it rains. i also think the crescent beach club does the same thing. Both have a beautiful water view and big windows so you can take pictures from inside and still get the water. Just a suggestion.
siobhanB
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Re: What's more important??
I don't think you should have to settle.. there are enough places on LI that you should be able to find one that meets your most important 'wants'. For me, it was being the only wedding; I wanted a beach setting, and $$.
Make a list of whats most important and you're not willing to settle on; then do some research online to narrow down the places that meet those couple needs, then go see those couple.
You will find something that works for you guys, don't worry if you haven't found it right away!!
MayBride06
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Re: What's more important??
It sounds like you need to keep looking. Did you look at the Grand Ballroom at the East Wind??? It's very appropriate for a black tie affair.
bournebride
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Re: What's more important??
I went through the same problem until I found the bourne mansion in oakdale. It has a breath taking moment when you drive down the drive way. It has a beautiful ballroom too. It is a perfect place to have a black tie optional event.
july06bride
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Re: What's more important??
i am having black tie optional at east winds estate...why not? Anyway, place is beautiful... really you need to decide what is Most important to you... I love East wind...but since you are looking at two very different places in style and location it is difficult
N.Y.bride
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Re: What's more important??
I went to so many RHs. I ended up with Chateau La Mer because they were the cheapest, they are on the water, and have a beautiful outdoor area for pics.
I also love East Wind inside and out.
Katie&Chris2006
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Re: What's more important??
When you find the place, you will know. I think you are doing a great thing by deciding what is most important to you and FH. Everyone has different views of what is important to them...so even if you think the 'first impression' is what matters most, your guests may not. Also, I'm sure if you ask most of the girls on here, there are one or two little things about their RH that they wish was different. But it's the overall feeling you get when you and FH are looking...you will know when you find it! Trust me!
Good luck!
cherryj24
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Re: What's more important??
Dont freak out. You have plenty of time to find the perfect place while they still have your date. You need to guesstimate how many people will attend the wedding which makes a big difference as will your budget. I have a list of venues and if you tell me what you want, your size and budget maybe I can offer some suggesstions. FM if you want. You dont want a lot of people in a small room or only a small party getting lost in a huge room. To me, being the only affair was VERY important as was the ballroom, being on the water, the first impression, the food, etc. You should be happy with every part of the hall as it is 50% of your wedding
RadioLau
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Re: What's more important??
These were our deciding factors and we saw a TON of halls: We wanted it preferably to be on the water since we are big into boating. We wanted the possibility, weather permitting, to have an indoor/outdoor cocktail hour. We wanted there to be enough seating at the cocktail hour for everyone to sit down if they wanted to. We also wanted to be the only party going on at that time. We wanted to like the food at the tasting. And finally...we wanted to keep it under $100 a head. HTH
LaurenluvsTJ
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Re: What's more important??
I think we went to 6 or 7 places. We KNEW which one was it when we were there. You will know it when you find it! Keep looking!
Blu-ize
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Re: What's more important??
keep looking. It sounds like you haven't found the perfect one yet.
Danigrl28
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Re: What's more important??
You should check out the Watermill or Floral Terrace.
BrideChrissy
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Re: What's more important??
Don't freak out! You will find a place that you love everything about. You just got engaged so take your time and don't rush it. We looked at only 2 places in LI and we knew immediatley where we wanted it. We walked in and just knew it was the one. You will feel like that too but don't feel like you have to settle, you will find something with all your needs.
ChrisnAmy
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Re: What's more important??
We looked at all of the halls you looked at....and We fell in love with Flowerfield in St James.
CLMon7906
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Re: What's more important??
You will know when you find the one....unless you are like me....I was soooooo torn that I ended up basing my decision on the BM who helped us when we went in just as much as all the other factors....when we went to Westbury Manor, I felt like we were unwelcome by the BM who helped us...she was soooo snooty. At the Swan Club, the BM was nice, fun and did things with my daughter (like giving her several rolls to feed to the fish...and eat)...these things stuck out in my mind just as much as photo ops, ballroom appearance and costs. I am happy with my choice.....I am the kind of person who wouldn't be happy getting married somewhere where I wasn't comfortable....who wants to pay that much $$$ only to be made to feel like their value goes down by allowing your wedding to take place there? Visit more places and revisit the ones you've seen if need be...in the end, you can't really make a bad decision....they are all beautiful.
DandS
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Re: What's more important??
Everyone has different things that are very important to them. You need to know what they are and not settle for what you are not happy with! For me having only 1 wedding at a time was the most important, and what they offered us (the only thing that was important to FH was that they have Budweiser bottles <-- seriously this was all he cared about). The place we ended up booking does only one wedding at a time and they threw in a lot of extras for us, and they have bud bottles. We only went to 2 places, however we knew immediately that we wanted to book our catering hall, we just went to the second place to make sure we were happy with our decision.
Good Luck and don't settle for anything you are not happy with. You may not love everything about the place, but make sure you are happy with what is most important to you and FH.
