90 MINUTES OR LESS
Updated: Mar 11, 2020
In the 2020 Edition of Sophisticated Weddings Magazine,
we explore fabulous wedding venues just outside New York City,
bringing a world of options that much more within reach.
The Legacy Castle
Legendary Grandeur Fit For Royalty
Otherworldly in its beauty, The Legacy Castle is aptly named for the memories it passes down through the generations. Just like a fairy tale right out of a storybook, the experience begins as one enters through the gated property and winding driveway, up to the wrought iron embellished doors of the castle. Met with white-gloved doormen, and a personal team of staff to ensure an everlasting cherished memory, every detail at The Legacy Castle is designed to be unforgettable. With ceilings that soar 55 feet high, and hand-painted gold detail to be discovered at every turn, the majestic architecture of the palace is truly celestial in every way. White swans naturally inhabit the grounds surrounded by 17 acres of freshwater lake, offering a picturesque landscape in the peripheral. A majestic venue fit for every celebration, the Mayfair Room and Bristol Room accommodates up to 125 guests, and the Windsor Room and Kingston Room up to 350. The Grand Legacy Ballroom lavishly hosts as many as 1500 guests seated across its 14,000 square foot expanse. The signature and elite creations by The Legacy Castle’s esteemed executive chef impresses upon even the most discerning of palates, indulging each of the five senses with every bite. Where a unique love story needs to be told, The Legacy Castle is primed to set the scene.
The Location: Pompton Plains, New Jersey
Capacity: 50-1500
The Vibe: A Royal Palace in the Lap of Luxury
The Cuisine: Customized Menu
The Décor: Winding Staircases, Marble Floors, Chandeliers, Cascading Fountains, White Swans, Manicured Gardens, Fireplaces, Balconies, Rooftop Event Spaces, Eco-Friendly Design
OHEKA Castle Hotel & Estate
Fairy Tale Castle
One of the most coveted wedding venues in the world, OHEKA Castle inspires the very notion of romance and royalty in what remains to be the second largest private residence ever built in the United States. The palatial mansion of the Gilded Age features a Grand Ballroom, Terrace Room, library, and spiral staircases for spectacular photographic moments. Just like a fairy tale right out of a storybook, the property is exclusive, with winding roads leading to the estate, and is adorned with manicured lawns, hedges, and courtyards across the property. Award winning cuisine and an attentive creative team see that brides and grooms, along with their guests, relish an experience fit for kings and queens.
The Location: Huntington, NY (Long Island)
Capacity: Up to 400 for Seated Reception, 1000 for Gatsby-Style Events
The Vibe: Historic, Opulent, Regal
The Cuisine: Eclectic, Continental
The Décor: Early 20th Century French-Style Chateau
Perks: Exclusive book-out of the castle, overnight accommodations in 32 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and suites, valet parking, in-house coordinator,
on-site spa services, fitness center
Flowerfield
Hidden Gem of the North Shore
Sprawled across 12-acres of natural splendor along the prestigious North Shore of Long Island, Flowerfield offers a wide range of indigenous wonders. The magnificent atrium brings the great outdoors inside a climate-controlled setting, featuring a koi pond with an overlooking ceremonial bridge, and is filled with tropical plants, flowers, and floor-to-ceiling windows. A mahogany dance floor, antique credenza, farm tables, and lanterns adorn the ceiling to create a whimsical, exotic atmosphere. Within the Grand Ballroom, twinkles of strategic lighting emit a warm glow between the high ceiling and surrounding windows. The gazebo at Pond Island is where harmony meets matrimony, accessed by a charming wooden bridge amidst the scenic water fountains, manicured sloped lawns, and vibrant floral landscape. The vineyard adjacent to the fruit orchard, and graceful swan pond makes for wonderful photographic captures, as the well-seasoned event team ensures in creating a most memorable experience.
The Location: St. James, NY (Long Island)
Capacity: 350 for dinner and dancing
The Vibe: Earthy and natural, organic tranquility
The Cuisine: American Continental
The Décor: Ethereal elegance
Perks: Reflecting ponds, vineyard, fruit orchard, baby grand piano, outdoor ceremony space, on-site coordinator
The Barn at Old Bethpage Village Restoration
Rustic Farmhouse Elegance
The newest addition to the Lessing’s family, The Barn at Old Bethpage Village Restoration brings authentic farmhouse scenery closer to home. With over 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, weddings twinkle and glisten amidst exposed wooden beams and sprawling country fields. Personalized menus and unrivaled hospitality consummate the experience for a wedding dream come true. Ceremonies and receptions at The Barn lend a calming bucolic atmosphere that for an elegant canvas to become your own. Inventive culinary creations by the Lessing’s Hospitality Group impresses upon guests with superior taste and keen attention to detail. Paired with expansive pastoral grounds, The Barn at Old Bethpage Village Restoration’s picturesque setting awaits as the foreground for an exquisite and enchanting affair.
The Location: Old Bethpage, NY (Long Island)
Capacity: 300
The Vibe: Rustic Farmhouse
The Cuisine: Continental
The Décor: Wooden beams, country fields, high ceilings
Perks: Outdoor space, valet parking, in-house party planner, terrace, air-conditioned
Harbor Club at Prime
Gold Coast Sunset
Surrounded by the calm waters of Huntington Harbor, luxury yachts, and Gold Coast mansions, Harbor Club at Prime blends modern waterfront design and impeccable hospitality. Resting on the prestigious Bohlsen Restaurant Group name, attentive restaurant style service ensures a delectable culinary experience. Each wedding is met with superior amenities including a bridal suite, dedicated attendant, and sommelier for custom wine selections at this luxurious North Shore venue. State-of-the-art sound and lighting capabilities complete the ambience for dancing and décor. Open-air balconies and landscaped grounds are met with flavorful cuisine, fine wines, and unparalleled service, inventing an exceptional and memorable celebration.
The Location: Huntington, NY (Long Island)
Capacity: 200
The Vibe: North Shore Chic Meets Waterfront Tranquility
The Cuisine: American
The Décor: Modern and Sleek
Perks: Harbor views, distinctive cuisine, valet parking, state-of-the-art sound & lighting capabilities, sommelier, bridal suite, bridal attendant, on-site coordinator
Whitby Castle
Majestic Turn-of-the-Century Castle
Set on 126 acres of beautifully manicured lawns and breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound, Whitby Castle in Rye, New York bears a striking similarity to the details of the original Whitby Abbey in England. Adorned with some of the original Abbey stones, this exquisite venue blends old English architecture with elegant modern touches. Although conveniently located and in close proximity to the five boroughs, Whitby Castle casts an air of sophistication that is worlds away. A grandiose ballroom, two private receptions rooms, and outdoor terrace spaces offer the perfect backdrop in a most majestic setting.
The Location: Rye, NY
Capacity: 250
The Vibe: Private royal castle with expansive views and manicured greenery
The Cuisine: Continental
The Décor: Beaming natural light, large windows, antique fixtures, classical and modern touches
Perks: Valet parking, outdoor ceremony space, in-house planner, bridal suite