NYIT'S DE SEVERSKY MANSION

One of the only mansions on Long Island's Gold Coast still open for venues, de Seversky Mansion is a really special place. If we can cut our wedding list down, it's a pretty ideal place to have our wedding. It has a really tuscan feel with European gardens and linden trees. The interior and architecture is absolutely beautiful--not too stuffy, not at all garish, just elegant. 


By the way, if anyone would like brochures and menus on any of the places I've listed, feel free to email me at naomixmark@gmail.com! xx

Location: Old Westbury, NY
Availability: April to November
Venue Type: Mansions, Estates
Capacity: 150 guests for sit-down dinner
Reception: Outdoor or Indoor
Number of Events per day: 1
Time: 5-1/2 hours
Accommodation: Nearby
Bridal Suite: Yes; only available 1 hour prior to ceremony
Catering Cost: Mansion-Style  (3 options) & European Style (1 option) - $150/pp for Fridays, $180/pp for Saturdays, $140/pp for Sundays (wedding cake not included/provided) - can bring in own caterer
Site Fee: $2,500 + $1,00 ceremony fee
Website: http://www.nyit.edu/deseversky/ 
Contact: Events Coordinator - Virginia Hartofilis -516.686.1270

CAROUSEL WEDDING

LIGHTHOUSE POINT PARK CAROUSEL 

It's not often you get to see your priest or rabbi riding a dragon on a carousel at your wedding! Relive your childhood in this magical setting -- all guests are free to use the carousel when you rent out the Lighthouse Point Park Carousel. With 69 horses, 1 camel, and 2 dragon chariots, the carousel's outer rim has original oil paintings of mermaids, New Haven's local scenes, boats, trains, and lighthouses. The pavilion's interior is decorated with pastoral paintings and beveled mirrors. The park itself is 84 acres on the harbor's southernmost point. 

A straight shot from Grand Central, NY to New Haven, CT, this is a truly unique, historical venue. The ceremony takes place outside on the beach (just a few steps from the carousel) and the reception is held in the carousel space itself (see floor plan image). 

It's a completely blank slate and you have almost free reign of catering, liquor, and there's lots of free parking. While you can choose your own caterer (and thus cost) and the site fee is relatively low, you have to bring in everything (they provide tables and chairs but the chairs are apparently "dingy" so you might consider renting them). You may consider a wedding planner but the possibilities are endless here!

Location: New Haven, Connecticut 
Availability: April 1st to November 1st
Venue Type: Outdoor, Unique
Capacity: 275 guests
Reception: Outdoor on the beach with no indoor backup
Number of Events per day: 1
Time: 6 PM onAccommodation: Nearby
Bridal Suite: No
Catering Cost: Choose own caterer - must have insurance caterer; must obtain a license from the City of New Haven Health Department and present it to the events coordinator prior to the event.
Site Fee: $2,700-$3,200
Deposit: $500
Things to note: Final fee will be assessed based on hours needed and number of CT park security and staff needed (security required when liquor is served); may need additional administrative and permit fees; Decorations or signs may not be taped, glued, nailed, stapled or attached in any way to any part of the facility including the walls, windows or ceilings. Candles, fog machines, confetti and Silly String are strictly prohibited. Only free-standing or table-top decorations may be used; wheel-chair accessible; bathrooms are only outside but come with an attendant; may be beach-goers milling about. 
Website: http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/parks/parksinformation/carousel.asp - 
Contact: Events Coordinator - Sabrina Bruno - 203.946.8327

OHEKA CASTLE

OHEKA CASTLE

This weekend my aunt took my fiance Mark and I to several venues in Long Island. We muscled our way into each venue for a weekend of wedding crashing (5 total in one day). It was pretty serendipitous, because we were able to pick up brochures, meet vendors, and see the set-up of each venue first-hand. My aunt pretended to be a wedding planner and acted as such--directing the catering crew to switch out chairs and fix flower arrangements. Mark and I pretended to be guests. Our first stop was the palatial Oheka Castle set on 22 vast acres of European formal gardens with ponds, statues, gazebo, fountains, and a sweeping golf course. It's the second largest private home in America appointed with beautiful decor. Palatial entrance hall with marble staircase. 2,500 square foot ballroom with 6 foot high ceilings and 49 marble fireplaces. White glove service. If in our wildest dreams we were to get married here, I would definitely get a white horse and carriage! Of course this is as fairy-tale of a venue as you're going to get within the U.S. As such, it's also one of the most expensive.


Location: Huntington, NY (Long Island)
Venue Type: Mansions, Estates
Capacity: 400 guests for a sit-down dinner (tables of 12) with music & dancing in the Terrace Room. Gatsby Style events (on-going affairs) can accommodate up to 1000 guests.
Minimum: 150 adults on Fridays and Sundays, and 200 adults on Saturdays.
Reception: Outdoor in formal gardens with indoor backup
Number of Events per day: 1
Rehearsal Dinner: Monday to Thursday
Breakfast: Yes
Accommodation: On site - Complimentary for bride and groom. 32 guestrooms & suites ranging from $395-$1,095/night - Buyout rate from $6,500
Bridal Suite: Yes
Catering Cost: $$$$$ - $200-$500/pp
Site Fee: $7,000-$12,000
$500 approval fee for each vendor
Pet-friendly and wheel-chair accessible
Website: www.oheka.com - speak to Jennifer M. Barbato