Chatterberries'  & Boulevard's Top Places to Get Married on Long Island

By Claudia Copquin & Tina Guiomar

One of the great advantages to living on an island is that being surrounded by water, there’s no shortage of spectacular vistas. And what better way to enhance an already fabulous wedding reception than by hosting it in a waterfront setting? Long Island, known for the tony Hamptons, lush vineyards and pristine beaches, offers a plethora of dazzling wedding venues, with a view to boot. Here are Chatterberries’ top five picks:

Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina
32 Star Island Road
Montauk, NY
631 668-7716; 888 692-8668
www.montaukyachtclub.com

Built in 1929, this fabled property was once an exclusive, private club, with members that included only the very wealthiest families such as Astor, Vanderbilt and Ford. Recently, the Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina underwent a multimillion dollar renovation, but its characteristic New England-chic flair remains. Overlooking Lake Montauk, there are plenty of picture-perfect spots for the reception and ceremony here, including a private beach, a pool patio, a magnificent lawn overlooking the marina, a bar patio and a grand farmhouse ballroom. Montauk sits on the easternmost end of Long Island, and for travel-weary guests, the Montauk Yacht Club also offers 107 guest rooms and suites.

Venetian Yacht Club
494 Fire Island Ave
Babylon, NY
631 422-2400
www.venetianyachtclub.com

What could be more romantic than witnessing a breathtaking, waterfront sunset on your wedding day? To do so, book the wedding of your dreams at the Venetian Yacht Club, conveniently located on the South Shore of Long Island. Dramatic views of the Great South Bay are just part of the splendor – an array of banquet rooms and outdoor areas are also available to suit any taste and vision. Add to that top-shelf liquors, white-glove service and a staff of professionals on hand to tend to every detail.

Crescent Beach Club
333 Bayville Ave
Bayville, NY
516 628-3000
www.thecrescentbeachclub.com

If you’ve dreamed of having a wedding ceremony outdoors, literally just steps away from the water, then visit the Crescent Beach Club. This superb venue sits on the North Shore of Long Island, right on the Long Island Sound. The Crescent, in fact, is the only venue on the North Shore that offers a complete beach wedding experience, so couples can exchange vows along the water, then host a lovely outdoor reception, complete with sand and sea breezes. Of course, “beach” does not have to mean informal – at the Crescent Beach Club, couples can design their affair according to personal taste, whether that means black tie or super-casual, indoors or outdoors, or a unique combination of all.

Atlantica
231 Dune Road
W Hampton Beach, NY
631 288-6577
www.ontheatlantic.com

Situated inside the Bath & Tennis Hotel, Atlantica offers panoramic ocean views from the stunning ballroom, which features a huge ceiling, a massive chandelier and 20-foot windows – you couldn’t miss the spectacular surf even if you tried. A wedding at Atlantica can accommodate over 200 guests for a sit-down meal, and 300 guests for a cocktail reception. Either way, the excellent cuisine is created by famed chef Todd Jacobs. And to ensure superb attention to detail, Atlantica schedules only one wedding at a time.

Land's End
80 Browns River Road
Sayville, NY
631 589-1888
www.landsendweddings.com

Long Island’s Great South Bay shares the spotlight with the bride and groom at Land’s End. Located in the quaint town of Sayville on the South Shore, guests who attend a wedding here can enjoy cocktails outdoors on the property’s exquisitely manicured gardens. The ballroom, cocktail lounge and canopied deck also provide amazing scenic water views. From an intimate, casual wedding to a more formal event, Land’s End offers gourmet cuisine prepared by culinary-trained chefs. And only one wedding is booked at a time, which means the staff is devoted completely to the day’s event.

Capitale
130 Bowery
New York, NY 10013
212-334-5500
212-219-8572
www.capitaleny.com

Capitale is New York City’s premiere special event destination.  Formerly the Bowery Savings Bank, the historic building was built by Stanford White in 1895.  The Roman classic landmark is adorned with Corinthian columns, Venetian glass, marble mosaic floors and 65-foot ceilings.  Capitale is known for its distinguished fine dining and one-of-a-kind aesthetic decor that continues to bring together celebrities, fashion designers, models, socialites, entertainers, businessmen and politicians to celebrate. Executive Chef Jason Munger’s award winning cuisine has received rave reviews on presentation and creativity.

Chateau Briand Caterers
440 Old Country Road
Carle Place, NY 11514
516 334-6125
www.chateaubriandcaterers.com

According to Tom Wright, general manager of Chateau Caterers, now that we are into the New Year and brides and grooms have started the search for their dream location, facilities are seeing changes in buying habits evolve. More and more interested couples, through the use of social networking sites devoted specifically to brides and grooms, are doing their homework well before entering the caterer’s doors.
Whether they have researched Chateau Caterers through its website or done an impromptu online survey comparing venues, Wright says, “They arrive at our door with notebooks in hand – ready to make a decision. They also have clear objectives as to how they want their wedding to take place, how much they are willing to spend, etc., and are more set in their viewpoints.”  This, he says, is in direct contradiction to what wedding shopping was like 10 years ago. Gone are the days when families came in to book a son or daughter’s special event and then brought them in to see “where they’re getting married.” Today, couples are more financially involved and market savvy, giving them a greater voice in the decision of their special day.
And Chateau Caterers are there to help guide those decisions to make the day everything it should be.

The Inn at New Hyde Park
214 Jericho Turnpike
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
516 354-7797
www.innatnhp.com

The Inn at New Hyde Park caters just one wedding at a time. It is a place of elegance, romance and unmatched splendor; from the moment you arrive the professionally trained staff attends to your every need. The Inn is proud to celebrate one fairytale at a time.

Leonard’s
555 Northern Blvd
Great Neck, NY 11021
516 487-7900
www.ladolcevita.com

Whether you prefer a small intimate gathering or a grand affair to announce your love for one another, Leonard’s is the ideal setting to begin your life of memories together.

NYIT’s de Seversky Mansion
Northern Boulevard
Old Westbury, NY 11568
516 686-7675
www.nyit.edu/deseversky

NYIT’s de Seversky Mansion is a perfect balance of Gatsby-era grandeur and dedicated, personalized service and epitomizes Winston Churchill’s statement that “I am easily satisfied by the very best.” For nearly 100 years, the most important names in business, politics and society have gathered to celebrate and mingle at this distinguished mansion, experiencing the very best.  You are welcome to be part of a legacy and tradition of outstanding and elegant Gold Coast entertaining at the de Seversky Mansion.