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Top 10 places on Long Island to get married


February 13, 2008

You've just gotten engaged. Congratulations! Now you have to select your venue -- not the easiest task, considering the couple of hundred catering halls dotting Long Island. Typically, we would step in and offer you our own list of top wedding spots in the region, created with the help of consultants, wedding planners and the catering halls themselves.

But for the launching of our new wedding Web site, we decided to consult the real experts: Our readers. On Nov. 15, we asked you what you thought were the best places to tie the knot on Long Island. By Jan. 15 -- the date we stopped accepting responses -- more than 500 of you (brides and a few grooms, too) had responded with sites that boasted glorious mansions, exhilarating views and mouth-watering menus.

Here's what you came up with:

1) Huntington Harbor Club

95 New York Ave.
Huntington, 11743
(631) 271-5600
www.harborclubcaterers.com

As the day draws to a close, it's difficult to beat the views of this Long Island favorite -- where silhouetted boats bob in tranquil waters against a dazzling sunset. Huntington Harbor Club does indoor and outside weddings and can accommodate as many as 240 guests. Other great features include its spacious Commodore Room with glass windows, overlooking Huntington Harbor and an outdoor garden complete with waterfall.

"The Harbor Place in one word... amazing!" said Kimberly Kwiatkowski, who got married there. Kwiatkowski raved about the facility's views and described the menu as a "culinary work of art." The reception room," she noted. "had a "beautiful marble dance floor."

Jenn Baldinucci agreed, declaring The Huntington Harbor club as the "best place ever!" Best features? The food and cake, she said, which were "amazing."

2) Lands End

80 Brown's River Rd.
Sayville, 11782
631-589-1888
www.landsendweddings.com

With its Tudor-style mansion overlooking the Great South Bay, Lands End enthralls brides and grooms with its waterfront views, gourmet cuisine and beautiful gardens. Indeed. News 12 Long Island anchorwoman Elizabeth Hashagen celebrated her big day there June 8, 2007. Its grand ballroom decorated with beautiful fireplaces can accommodate 320 people, said Jennifer Barnett, banquet sales manager. "Love Them!," wrote Heather Feinberg, who got married there last May. "The food and service were top notch." Jennifer Schlitz, who got married there seven years ago, said her guests are "still talking about the food and service."

3) Flowerfield

199 Mills Pond Rd.
St. James, 11780
631-862-0100
www.flowerfield.com

"We're one of the best kept secrets on Long Island, said Florinda Ruotolo banquet sales manager for Flowerfield. The 56-acre estate on the North Shore rarely advertises and relies mainly on word-of-mouth from satisfied brides and grooms. Each year, couples flock to the establishment for its ballroom, which has 16 large windows and tulle-adorned ceiling, creating a dreamy, ethereal effect. The connecting cocktail room, which has a huge pond filled with large golden Koi and the estate boasts sparkling fountains, limpid ponds, fruit trees and vineyards. The facility can accommodate 360 people. Because of rain, Rebecca Gibson had to move her May 2002 wedding into Flowerfield's cocktail room and she couldn't have been happier.

"I am glad we were married inside because the room was so beautiful," she gushed. Katherine Rasmussen had her wedding there in October and praised the Flowerfield's "impeccable service." "I received nothing but compliments from guests, most telling me it was the best wedding they had ever been to."

4) Fox Hollow

7755 Crossways Park Dr.
Woodbury, 11797
516-333-8777
thefoxhollow.com

"We are unique because we are a restaurant, catering facility and hotel, which all work together to create the perfect bridal experience," boasts Michael Maurantonio, Fox Hollow's general manager. The English-style country estate, which can accommodate 300 people, emanates Old World charm. Its inn has rustic stone fireplaces and vaulted ceilings; its catering facility, elegant ballrooms and charming bridal suites. On its eight acres are multi-tiered gardens, pavilions, fountains and streams.

Jacqueline Covelli had her reception there November 17 and said "the food was phenomenal!" The staff was on top of everything, she added. Dora and her husband were married there seven years ago and still sing the staff's praises. The facility came to her rescue by supplying her with a money bag and a fresh bouquet after she had forgotten her own. "I... would choose them all over again," she said.

5) East Wind

5720 Route 25A
Wading River, 11792
631-846-2323
eastwindlongisland.com

Couples who like the idea of a destination wedding but don't want to get on a plane might want to consider East Wind Caterers. The facility, which is on 25 acres, offers an inn, a spa, a golf course and nearby vineyards for wine-tasting. Couples can choose from three buildings -- all of which are elaborately decorated with crystal chandeliers, skylights and scones. "We have three exclusive settings in one magnificent location," said Diane Figari, director of operations. Readers raved about the food, the price and the service. "It was affordable and simply amazing," said Carissa Kupferman, who had her wedding there.

6t) Giorgio's at Fox Hill

100 Fox Hill Dr.
Baiting Hollow, 11933
631-727-6076
www.giorgiosatfoxhill.com

Giorgio's is a catering facility that sits high a bluff overlooking a golf course and the Long Island Sound. Some of its best features include its reception area which has crystal chandeliers, oak woodwork and cocktail bars. The facility offers an elaborate ballroom, intimate bridal suites and manicured gardens. Mary and Tom Harding had three words for Giorgio's: "Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous." Kristen Todd called it "absolutely gorgeous!" And Nicole Meier lauded it as the "perfect place to have a wedding."

6t) Watermill

711 Smithtown By-Pass
Smithtown, 11787
631-724-3242
www.watermillcaterers.com

This landmarked facility with the large windmill out front does indoor and outdoor weddings and receptions and can accommodate 400 people. Its landscaped 10 acres offer manicured gardens, brooks and waterfalls. Inside, there are marble floors, mahogany handrails and alabaster chandeliers. And that's just the lobby. Joseph Zangri, a co-owner, said the Watermill has a long-standing reputation for quality. Renee Rose Barone would agree. "It's gotta be the best," said Barone, who is following in her parents footsteps and having her reception there this October.

6t) Westbury Manor

1100 Jericho Tpke.
Westbury, 11590
516-333-7117
westburymanor.com

Westbury Manor is an 110-year-old Victorian mansion's with lavish grounds, dotted with gleaming fountains and waterfalls. Some of its loveliest features are the beautiful peacocks and ducks which roam about its manicured gardens. The facility, which can accommodate 450 guests, is grand, but still homey, said owner Jerry Scotto.

"We had the wedding of our dreams," said Leah Donley, calling the food, atmosphere and service "outstanding."

Lauren Butler, who got married there May 28, 2006, echoed Donley sentiments, adding that she and her husband-to-be "were treated like royalty." The service was so good that every anniversary the couple returns for dinner.

9t) Floral Terrace

250 Jericho Tpke.
Floral Park, 11001
516-488-2626
www.floralterrace.net

Floral Terrace was once a movie theater, which had its heyday in the 1920s. Although converted into a catering facility, the landmarked building still boasts an ornate high ceiling and raised dance floor. One of its best features is its inside gardens. The facility can accommodate up to 300 people. Stephen Barry said he and his fiancee "fell in love with it and booked the day" they looked at it. Barry said the couple is getting married there this July. "It is very unique," added Barry. "It really is the most beautiful place on Long Island."

9t) Swan Club

Shore Road
Glenwood Landing, 11547
516-621-7600
www.swanclub.com

The Swan Club estate dates back to the 1600s, said owner Greg Trunz proudly, "and used to belong to Arthur Williams, co-founder of Con Edison. This Long Island favorite has lush gardens, four bridges, two ponds and plenty of swans, egrets and herons. Its interior is elegant and classic with fireplaces, wood floors and simple chandeliers. Keri Ann Becker described it as "classy, romantic and affordable." Alexander MacLeod, who also had his wedding there, was a bit more colorful: "Excellent food, grog, decor, and service," he said. "Not your typical cheesy wedding hall with bad chandeliers and fuzzy wallpaper."

9t). Villa Lombardi's

877 Main St.
Holbrook, 11741
631-471-6609
www.villalombardis.com

Villa Lombardi's offers a spacious dining room that accommodates more than 500 people, a glass pavilion and manicured gardens with spectacular lighted fountains. Anne and Paul Cozzani were married there two years ago and raved about the food and the beauty of the grounds. "My friends and family still talk about our wedding to this day," they wrote.

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