Long Island Weddings

Stunning local spots to tie the knot

Imagine exchanging vows amid the serene beauty of woodlands or the grandeur of a majestic mansion that exudes Old World charm. Or celebrating your love in a lush vineyard or among works of art adorning museum walls -- or perhaps in an intimate country club setting with panoramic views of rolling green hills or proud bluffs. Long Island offers plenty of stylish wedding locales beyond the traditional catering hall that tap into the area's scenic beauty and unique terrain. Bridal Planner highlights some of the region's top spots to tie the knot.

Bourne Mansion
Oakdale
631-277-7800
lessings.com

Set on 175 acres, the spacious and ornate Bourne Mansion was built in 1897 by Frederick Bourne, who headed The Singer Sewing Co. The mansion, patterned on the White House, offers breathtaking views of Great South Bay and beautiful gardens.

Glen Cove Mansion
Glen Cove
516-671-6400
glencovemansion.com

The Glen Cove Mansion blends history and hospitality, offering the possibility of an all-weekend wedding destination. Built in 1910, the mansion is on 55 acres, and has three tennis courts and a basketball court. At the top of the mansion is the "attic," a former speakeasy, where you'll find a lounge, plasma screens, billiards and even a late-night breakfast.

Nassau County Museum of Art
Roslyn Harbor
516-484-9338
nassaumuseum.com

Offering a cultured venue for your special day, the Nassau County Museum of Art occupies a neo-Georgian mansion on 145 beautifully landscaped acres. The site includes formal gardens, rolling lawns and meadows, ponds, a wildflower walk, and outdoor sculptures.

The NYIT de Seversky Center
Old Westbury
516-686-7675
nyit.edu/deseversky

A mansion once known as White Eagle, the de Seversky Center is on the campus of New York Institute of Technology. The entrance hall, reception room and exterior portion of the ballroom appear in the 1981 film "Arthur," featuring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. Indeed, the marble entry hall, with its grand staircase, is one of the mansion's most striking features.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point
516-773-5305
www.usmma.edu/about/mariners chapel/default.htm

An exclusive location available to military personnel and graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the Mariners Memorial Chapel honors men of the Merchant Marine who lost their lives at sea during WWI and WWII. Permission to use the chapel for weddings is granted on a priority basis. Academy functions and closures take precedence over wedding dates. Wedding dates will be confirmed one year in advance.

Vanderbilt Mansion at Dowling College
Oakdale
631-277-7800
lessings.com

Nestled between the Connetquot River and Great South Bay, the Vanderbilt Mansion at Dowling College combines breathtaking water views with the elegance of one of Long Island's most historical mansions -- a beautiful old building with stunning grounds.

Vineyard Caterers
Aquebogue
631-722-3200
vineyardcaterers.com

Located on the East End, Vineyard Caterers offers rows of grapevines as well as manicured grounds adorned with waterfalls, reflecting ponds and gazebos. The 50-acre estate specializes in local wines and often incorporates fresh Long Island produce and meats into its menu. The appeal here is quiet sophistication, says William Abazis, vice president and general manager of the 10-year-old winery. It's a departure from the hectic "seen and be seen" Hamptons, he says, and is definitely less pretentious.

The Woodlands
Woodbury
516-921-5707
woodlandsatwoodbury.com

A wedding gift in 1928 to Alicia Mellon, the daughter of banker Andrew Mellon, the Woodlands mansion, on 120 acres, still exudes Old World charm with its winding marble staircase, fireplaces and French doors. The estate, which also has a golf course, can accommodate as many as 350 people, thanks to a grand ballroom, added four years ago, overlooking exquisite grounds.

Note: The ExploreLI.com reader survey to determine the 10 places on Long Island to get married will appear online on Feb. 14.