616045 Wed Apr 29 20:53:19 -0700 2009 37 20 Tristate Region 0 4641184 Hi All-- My fiance and I are currently in search of a venue for our Fall 2010 wedding. We anticipate a fairly large wedding with about 200 guests. Since we're planning an October wedding, we're looking to find an indoor space that will hold enough people. We've spent hours searching for a unique venue--everything from refurb'd barns to castles, but haven't found a place that is rustic or unique, but still some-what upscale (we're hoping to spend around $125/pp with alcohol) and that will hold 200 ppl with a sit down dinner and dancing. We're looking for some place between the upstate NY area (Lake George-ish), Albany & and the mid-Hudson Valley--even as far west as the Berkshires. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!!! Thanks. Wed Apr 29 20:53:19 -0700 2009 287390 NYredhead83 1 4641464 Mohonk Mountain House Thu Apr 30 02:46:17 -0700 2009 4641184 12600 georgeb 2 4641956 Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately when we inquired there a couple months back they said they max out at 175 guests from May to Oct. They also only hold receptions during the day, which have to end by 5:00pm. Thu Apr 30 07:50:02 -0700 2009 4641464 287390 NYredhead83 1 4642251 cranwell berkshires @ lenox Mass too far? Look into all of the museums and estates there as well- too many to list. All a good caterer in the areas that you are interested and let them tell you what spaces they have used- you can use anything if you have a good catering planner. Thu Apr 30 09:12:33 -0700 2009 4641184 46420 yeshana 2 4645088 The Cranwell isn't too far--just a little too pricey for us, with 200 guests (their packages start around $150 a head). They did seem very pleasant to work with though, for the reference of other brides-to-be who may be looking! Checking with caterers is a great idea--thanks! Fri May 01 07:44:28 -0700 2009 4642251 287390 NYredhead83 1 4643108 The Inn at Erlowest is a castle in Lake George that can accomodate 200 people, or you can rent the top floor of the NYS Museum and there is a place in Saratoga that used to be a huge church but now rents out for weddings etc, I can't remember the name - Preservation Hall maybe? Thu Apr 30 13:13:39 -0700 2009 4641184 281505 kailin 2 4643655 Bear Moutain Inn, near West Point, is an interesting spot. Thu Apr 30 16:14:27 -0700 2009 4643108 47777 janeh 3 4653746 The only reason to choose this venue would be for the history of the park and maybe the Inn, if they ever open it.. The food and service leave a lot to be desired. It is your typical chicken francaise fare. If you are looking for something even a little upscale or festive for your wedding, skip the Bear Mt. Mon May 04 14:26:02 -0700 2009 4643655 242509 ChefDell 2 4643756 The Inn at Erlowest used to be a private residence. The Sagamore is also in Lake George. The Glen Sanders Mansion is in Scotia (if the renovations don't ruin all the old, historic charm). It's not unique but Dale Miller opens in Albany on 5/1. www.theinnaterlowest.com www.thesagamore.com www.glensandersmansion.com Thu Apr 30 16:49:53 -0700 2009 4643108 73159 financialdistrictresident 3 4643777 In Saratoga Springs, the Canfield Casino or the Hall of Springs are both pretty unique venues. Hall of Springs is usually catered by Glen Sanders. Thu Apr 30 16:54:50 -0700 2009 4643756 46008 markabauman 4 4645132 The Canfield is a great spot and we looked into it--unfortunately they're booking about a year and a half to two years out now. The Hall of Springs is an option--we were just hoping to find some place a little more intimate or rustic--which of course is a challenge with 200 guests! Fri May 01 07:56:47 -0700 2009 4643777 287390 NYredhead83 2 4645113 The Erlowest is one of the places we're considering. They've had a lot of turn over in the past few months though and since then haven't been very responsive or flexible. I would love to hear feedback from anyone who has been to or held a wedding there recently! Universal Preservation Hall is the church in Saratoga--it looks beautiful, but has no kitchen facilities on-site and the main floor is on the second level, but I don't think they have elevators. I will definitely check out the museum! Fri May 01 07:52:16 -0700 2009 4643108 287390 NYredhead83 3 4646750 We have not attended or planned a wedding at The Inn. That said, we went to The Inn at Erlowest for a Jazz Brunch and New Year's Eve. Chef Dale Miller left before 2009. If you do a search of this Board there are a few threads but not related to weddings: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/476659 Fri May 01 15:32:57 -0700 2009 4645113 73159 financialdistrictresident 3 4649713 I am having my wedding at the Erlowest. Honestly it is a great location, the new chef (actually he was under Dale Miller and took over upon his departure) is great, the food is great but in my experience the owner is less than great. Bad on the communication and follow through and only offers excuses when you finally do get a hold of her. However, that is only my experience so you should go check it out and see for yourself, you may have a greatly different experience. One bit about the museum, I looked into it but they have some very strict restrictions. Good luck!!! (And, I know you didn't ask but Gio Marino's cakes are amazing if you are still looking for a wedding cake!) Sun May 03 06:38:16 -0700 2009 4645113 281505 kailin 4 4649738 kailin, the new chef was at The Inn when we went New Year's Eve. Jason Baker is his new sous chef, effective Feb. 2009, per a post on this Board. While I don't want to make excuses about the service, it is a small inn with a small staff. I believe the owner also manages a casual restaurant in Lake George vicinity. Please report back on your experience. Congrats on your wedding! Sun May 03 06:51:10 -0700 2009 4649713 73159 financialdistrictresident 4 4650762 This is exactly the experience we've been having with the Erlowest since inquiring, which is what has caused some hesitation. When we started looking several months back we were dealing with one of their planners, who was great, but has since left. At one point recently it took them 2 weeks to get back to me and all I got was a "sorry". I realize they're a small inn, but with what their prices are for weddings and the type of venue, I would have expected more. Thanks for the suggestion for the cake! We may end up at a venue where we need to order one! Sun May 03 15:39:58 -0700 2009 4649713 287390 NYredhead83 5 4653587 I do know that the Erlowest recently (it seems to me very very recently) hired a lot of new staff so maybe they are getting their act a little more together. Mon May 04 13:41:58 -0700 2009 4650762 281505 kailin 6 5049783 My wedding is next summer at the Erlowest and I echo everything that has been said about it so far (didn't know about the new staff though that's promising). My hope is that the character of the place outshines the lackluster manners of the owner so far. Though I am not sure the ballroom will comfortably hold 200 (we're expecting about 120). Good luck in your search! Tue Sep 22 12:50:53 -0700 2009 4653587 1111212 lgbride710 7 5065369 My wedding has come and gone and I can tell you that if there is no staff turnover between now and then the food will be great (people still talk about it and my wedding was a few months ago) as will the waitstaff at the wedding. Aside from that, all I can say is you will have a beautiful backdrop for your pictures and none of your guests will realize what is going on behind the scenes (i.e. the owner is a nightmare). Congrats! Mon Sep 28 17:54:36 -0700 2009 5049783 281505 kailin 1 4643831 We attended a wedding at Le Chateau in South Salem, NY, about 2 years ago. The place was lovely. They had an outdoor cocktail party and then an indoor sit-down/served dinner (it was also a fall wedding). The decor was beautiful and the food was quite good. Since we were guests, I don't know the particulars about pricing or how many they can seat. Here's the website: www.Lechateauny.com . Thu Apr 30 17:16:37 -0700 2009 4641184 104084 LNG212 2 4645142 This is exactly the type of place we were looking for--beautiful grounds and charming room for the reception! Unfortunately, like a lot of the other places we've looked at, they max out at 175 :-/ Fri May 01 08:00:05 -0700 2009 4643831 287390 NYredhead83 3 4645264 Oh that's too bad. The wedding we attended felt *huge* so I was thinking maybe it was around 200. But I guess it could have been 175. Good luck with your continuing search. Fri May 01 08:39:55 -0700 2009 4645142 104084 LNG212 3 4645426 Have you tried Vox in North Salem? They have beautiful grounds, outdoor capability adn a private room downstairs. Fri May 01 09:19:56 -0700 2009 4645142 228219 wincountrygirl 4 4645624 I haven't looked at Vox. The website doesn't have much info on private parties. Any chance you've been to an event there? Fri May 01 10:03:35 -0700 2009 4645426 287390 NYredhead83 5 4646193 No, but I've been there when there was one and it was beautiful. But, now thinking about it, it's probably too small. Fri May 01 12:33:18 -0700 2009 4645624 228219 wincountrygirl 1 4644221 you might want to check out this thread for some ideas: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/439161 Thu Apr 30 19:38:52 -0700 2009 4641184 105374 applesauce23 1 4645941 No clue if they are large enough but the Eagles Nest came to mind: http://www.theaglesnest.com/index.html I was married at Beardslee Castle http://beardsleecastle.com/ PERFECT in every way! Fri May 01 11:25:51 -0700 2009 4641184 12237 L_W 2 4646098 Thanks for the Eagles Nest suggestion--we haven't looked there! Beardslee castle was actually the first venue we looked at. The castle and grounds are stunning! After meeting with them and seeing the space though, we realized the inside wasn't large enough :-/ Fri May 01 12:02:21 -0700 2009 4645941 287390 NYredhead83 3 4646148 Awww...I was hoping you hadn't thought of Beardslee....I only had 75 ppl and although we did not fill the room, I can see how (even tho they SAY they seat 200) it would be tight. It was 100% a great place, from the food to the grounds. I know that Eagles Nest has great views and I believe even onsite places for out of towners to stay. I have not been there in AGES but I remember the food was upscale for the area at the time. It IS in the middle of "nowhere", too (which CAN be kinda nice). Hope it works for you! Fri May 01 12:17:01 -0700 2009 4646098 12237 L_W 1 4653735 Check out the Hillside Manor in Kingston, NY. They can accomodate receptions as large as 250 people. It is not rustic or a refurbished barn, but it is in a good location, a few minutes of the NY State Trhurway. We go to the part that is a restaurant and the food is always good. We used to do Thanksgiving there for a party of about 20. ~Fred29 Mon May 04 14:23:33 -0700 2009 4641184 12184 Fred19 1 4706617 My daughter's wedding was at the Canfield Casino in downtown Saratoga Springsand the setting and food were fantastic and very uniique. Her caterer was the Lily and the Rose. The best part was that all guests stayed at hotels within walking distance of the reception. http://www.saratogahistory.org/contactpage.cfm Fri May 22 09:36:16 -0700 2009 4641184 96493 luvTravel 1 5059944 I ABSOLUTELY recommend Lyndhurst Castle in Tarrytown, NY. I just got married there in July of 2009 and it was the most amazing experience. The views and the grounds are stunning (and in the fall I can only imagine it gets better) and the food is wonderful as well. Joseph and the entire Fabulous Foods catering crew all work together to put on a very classy and beautiful affair. They will definitely be able to accommodate $125/person as they are quite flexible in letting you choose a menu that fits your budget. Sat Sep 26 09:26:14 -0700 2009 4641184 166687 KitchenMaid 2 5089084 I was thinking of taking a look at Lyndhurst for my wedding actually. It looks beautiful! Do you by any chance remember what the site fee was for that? I can't seem to find that info anywhere and i'm having troubles getting someone on the phone. Thanks! Thu Oct 08 13:21:52 -0700 2009 5059944 1114749 ssolleveld 3 5156390 Yes the site fee was basically a donation to the museum. I think it came out to $3000 total ($1000 deposit and $2000 later on). Hope that helps! It can be difficult to get Joseph on the phone but be persistent as I promise you it's worth it! Wed Nov 04 15:23:53 -0800 2009 5089084 166687 KitchenMaid 1 5090727 Check out The Rhinecliff Hotel, near Rhinebeck, NY www.therhinecliff.com (I think the is the link to their website; if not you can google it) Fri Oct 09 07:26:05 -0700 2009 4641184 63132 gspeed 1 5092540 We attended an amazing fall wedding at Colgate Park in Bennington, Vt: http://www.colgatepark.com/weddings_colgate_park.html Fri Oct 09 18:49:50 -0700 2009 4641184 12144 CeeBee 1 5139052 We had our wedding on our farm. We attended 2 weddings for freinds at Hall of Springs in Saratoga and the space is just beautiful. I also remember the food was brilliant and being in the wine biz I notices the house pour for sparkling wne was Domaine Chandon which is superb, not some cheap Cava. Little Details are everything. Wed Oct 28 18:56:39 -0700 2009 4641184 1120009 bbmatty 1 5146025 DID YOU TRY TROUTBECK IN AMENIA? OR THE BELVEDERE? Sat Oct 31 19:29:52 -0700 2009 4641184 1120741 pamcakes