ExploreLI.com Reader survey
Top 10 places on Long Island to get married
BY TANIA PADGETT
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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