small guest list need help with reception site

Hi Girls! I don't usually post questions but I am having a delemma - all the places I am interested in, have a minimun number of people that is too high for me. I am looking to get married on a Saturday night in August 2006, I will have a guest list of no more than 120 which we are to anticipate atleast 20% not showing, so my total would be approx 90. Now we are willing to consider a Sat afternoon if we absolutely love the place and our price range would cap off at 140pp. Some of the places I liked but can't consider b/c #'s are too high are:

Atlantica (no sat wedding - also I believe their price is too high)
Creasent beach club
Vanderbuilt Mansion
Bourne Mansion
Harrison House
Ram's Head Inn
Mantauk Manor (no sat wedding in summer)
John Anthony's
Land's End

We would like either a historical looking place, beachy, or nature like place. Ideally we have a lot of friends coming in from out of town so we would like a "weekend get-away" feel to the wedding - so for the most part sites that are in Nassua county do not really do it for us unless they feel removed from the hussle and bussle of long island. Same thing for Sulffolk county - we do not want to be surrounded by shops and highways. Overall - we want our reception to be isolated.

We are planing to visit:
The Pridwin - Shelter Island
The Mantauk Yacht Club
Gurney's (has a min of 100 or 110 - so might not be able to do this site as well)
Don't know if this went through the first time...


Does anyone have any suggestions of other places? Also - we are willing to leave Long Island. Right now our number 1 place is Onteora which is near woodstock - it on to off a mountain with dramatic views of the catskills mountains.

Does anyone know about these places (i.e. location, min #, prices, etc.):
East Hampton point
Wolffer Estates
Rapheals
Snapper Inn - sounds like it may be a more casual but a fun place
Thatched Cottage
The Pavilion at Sunken Meadow
The Riviera
Georgio's

FYI - I just booked my engagement party at Bidgeview Yacht Club - it is really pretty and on the water. I am so excited!!!!

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

maybe three village inn in stony brook... it is historical and right near the water...

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

Well, our reception was at the Stewart Manor Country Club. (www.stewartmanor.com). We loved the "country home" feeling.

DH and I spent our 1st anniversary at Onteora!!! It was so lovely!!! When we were leaving, a couple and their bridal party were arriving for their wedding that weekend. Although it was great, it would have been too difficult to have all our guests come there. They do have rooms, but I don't think they can accomodate everyone. I'm sure there are little hotels in the area.

Congrats and best of luck!!!
Donna

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

You might want to check out the Carltun. They just completed a new room called- The Gatsby Room- it's a different menu than the main ballroom- passed items and stations, and has a separate entrance. The room is very pretty- it is worht checking out.

ETA-- A friend was just telling me about a place she is looking at for her wedding- It is an old sleepaway camp, but now all they do is weddings. They plan a whole weekend of activities, like color war, etc. It sounded really fun. I believe it is in Massachusetts in the Berkshires.

Message edited 2/19/2005 2:06:54 PM.

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

I got married at Wolffer and the site fee for a summer saturday is $15k. It definitely adds up...especially since you have to book a caterer and do rentals as well.
My brother got married outdoors at the snapper inn on the deck and it was fabulous. The price was great too and my sister in law said that the woman there who coordinated their wedding was wonderful to work with.

Message edited 2/19/2005 2:06:30 PM.

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

I LOVE Giorgio's :) I could go on forever about it, but I'll try not to. It's out on the north fork in Baiting Hollow. Out by Calverton and maybe 5 minutes away from Eastwinds. The place (in my opinion) is amazing! If you are looking for isolated (in a good way), this is the place for you. It's not surrounded by much (very natural out there), the scenery during spring/summer is breathtaking with the farms and greenery. There are tons of bed and breakfasts on the north fork and Giorgio's has deals with hotels for shuttle services for your guests.

Giorgio's itself overlooks Fox Hills Golf course and has access to the beach for pictures. The garden is so beautiful to get married in or for pictures.

It's one wedding at a time, which I think is nice. Their service is impeccable and the food wonderful. They do a great job of maintaining the grounds. My favorite part of the place is the wrap around porch that you can use for your cocktail hr. The interior has gorgeous chandeliers, the prettiest chairs in any hall I've seen and beautiful charger plates.

I have a huge number of attendants, but I'm sure they would satisfy your needs and they will be within your price range (although I'm not sure what "extras" you may be looking for you in package). They have a detailed list with pricing for their extras. I hear the cocktail hour is to die for from several people!

Good Luck with all your planning and definitely go see Giorgio's. Try to go during the day, so you can see how breathtaking it is! It even looks nice in the winter, so you can imagine what it's like in the summer! FM me with any questions!

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

oh here's their website:

www.giorgiosatfoxhill.com

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

Thanks!

I have only seen positive remarks regarding Giorgio's so I will definately keep that on my list.

I checked out Three Villiage Inn website - it looks very pretty as well - I have now added it to my list.

In my search I also found:
Planting Fields Arboretum state historical park and Nassau County Museum - anyone know about these sites?

I think Vineyard Caterer's has a min # though, right?

I'm so sad about Woffler - it will be too costly for me. It looks like a very romantic spot - your wedding will be beautiful!!!! Glad to hear Snapper Inn was fun.

Yes Onteora only has 5 rooms so the guests would stay at the emerson lodge (which is nice)

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

We got married at the Beach Club Estate in Ronkonkoma. It is right on the shore of the Lake and very secluded. Our minimum was 80 for a Sat Day wedding. and we paid 85/pp

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

You should definitely check out the Country Gardens at East Wind, in Wading River. It's totally separate from the rest of East Wind, with 2 different buildings -- one for cocktail hour and one for dinner -- and a beautiful garden and pond in between. The maximum number of people the Country Gardens can hold is 120, so the minimum would be way less. We're getting married there in June of this year during the day on a Sunday, and our minimum is only 70. As for cost, my guess is that it would be around $100/pp on a Saturday night in August. Check out http://www.eastwindcaterers.com for more info. Good luck!

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

try sans souci in sea cliff.

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

The country gardens at East Wind is a min of 125. I was just there today=hoping we can do that! Does anyone know if the Miller Place Inn has a min?

Also for a Saturday night in May I was quoted $96.15(inc gratuity) and $102.60- depending upon the package.

Message edited 2/20/2005 3:08:24 AM.

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

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Posted by kris15198

The country gardens at East Wind is a min of 125. I was just there today=hoping we can do that! Does anyone know if the Miller Place Inn has a min?

Also for a Saturday night in May I was quoted $96.15(inc gratuity) and $102.60- depending upon the package.

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Re: small guest list need help with reception site

You can also look at Crestwood Caterers in Fort Salonga/Northport. They are newly opened & I believe their maximum is about 150 people.

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

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Are you maybe talking about the Estate at East Wind? The Country Gardens buildings are much smaller -- they fit a maximum of 120, or so they told us when we booked our wedding.

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Re: small guest list need help with reception site

If you are willing to leave long island I would check out Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY (a town near Woodstock). It is a beautiful mountain house with great rooms right at the house. There are also tons of things to do on the grounds (if it is going to be a weekend thing!!!). THe site is also a wonderful place to have the ceremony. I think they have a website, just google it.

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

We're planning on having around 120 people and are having our reception at Fox Hollow. They have a small room called the Winter Garden Pavillion that is very different and really pretty. It looks like an indoor garden. Fox Hollow has more than one wedding at a time, but they gave us a great deal so it doesn't bother me! Good luck with your search!

Re: small guest list need help with reception site

You could also check out the Miller Place Inn