Bourne mansion expensive

Kmd430

hi! Newly engaged and just began looking at venues! Really like the Bourne Mansion but expensive! Can anyone tell me how much they paid or will pay per head so I know if they are negotiable or if I shouldn't waste my time! They quoted me at 175/ head plus 5000 site fee,
Thank you!

Kmd430

hi! Newly engaged and just began looking at venues! Really like the Bourne Mansion but expensive! Can anyone tell me how much they paid or will pay per head so I know if they are negotiable or if I shouldn't waste my time! They quoted me at 175/ head plus 5000 site fee, Thank you!

That Gal

If you're looking for something elegant, private and still reasonable, you should stop by Bellport Country Club.  I'm getting married there in January on a Friday night and its coming out to around 100/head after tax.. maybe even slightly less.  They only do one wedding at a time and they have great food and are a pleasure to work with.

positively

Carlysle on the Green..no site fee - one wedding at a time - GREAT food, GREAT service.  $165 + after party + taxes & service charges - $250 pp but you can keep it at $185 or less depending on the time of year.

Kmd430

Thanks! They told me 185pp without taxes and there's a minimum of 175 people

TOGETHER0805

I went to see it and fell in love. The price is outrageous!! I am getting married july 2012 and the site fee plus the cermony fee came out to be 5500. If your date is flexible, do april, we were told it would be a $9000 difference!! If not check chateua coindre hall which is also part of lessing caters & the place we ended up going with. Best of luck 

ckny54

Hey there! I'm getting married at the Bourne and, yes, that quote is about right. I'm getting a few add-ons/extras, so looks like you might have some wiggle room! Good luck!

Kmd430

Hey girls so I booked the Bourne after all and soooo excited. However, few things were brought to my attention after booking... Mosquitoes outside are horrible I was told. So bad that a wedding taking place this past fourth of July, no one ventured outdoors to see fireworks because of the mosquitoes. Also heard the acoustics in the ballroom can be bad with the echo. I know they are doing some renovating and with the organ gone there will be an alcove the music can be located under but wondering if you've heard thes same things. Also heard guests had a difficult time at first knowing they can roam around the mansion and everyone was gathered in one room for a while no one directing them to different bars.

ckny54

Yay!! Congrats! What's your date? For mosquitoes, you should plan to have some Off available--maybe in baskets by the back doors so people can spray before they go out. Maybe think about citronella candles? You could probably find some pretty ones online. For the ballroom acoustics I just trust that my band is experienced and professional enough to prepare for that if I tell them about it before hand. As for people not knowing they can wander...that's a really good point that I never thought about. The first thing that came to my mind is to have your mom and bridal party on the lookout for that and then spread the word if they see everyone gathering in one spot.

Kmd430

My date is September 7. What about you? What band did you hire if you dont mind me asking. Thanks for your advice. Citronella candles are a good idea maybe to put un the middle of a floral arrangement.

ckny54

Any time! I'm excited to have a Bourne buddy My date is May 19.

DanielleCNYC

I'm getting married at the Bourne too! Yay!! I read somewhere that people put little bug repellant stakes or automatic dispensers (like the clip on ones) under the chairs when they got married on the lawn, and it was totally fine. Otherwise, I think citronella candles or torches should be fine! That's a good idea to have baskets with bug spray!

I also read about the echo, and I am soooo nervous about it! My fiance thinks I am NUTS. The first DJ we met with said not to worry that they will just adjust the volume, but...I don't know. Please let me know if you guys hear anything!!

DanielleCNYC

Oh, and I never answered your question! We talked them down a little bit from 175, but guaranteed like 200 people because we're both from HUGe families!

ckny54

Did you guys hear about all the work they're doing there? Here's what I've heard: They redid the back patio and now there's an official "ceremony spot" instead of just on the grass. (I think I'm going to pop by this weekend to check it out). They are putting in a new floor in the ballroom and ripping out the pipe organ; they are putting a "Bourne Manion" sign on Montauk Highway (AMEN!); they are redoing the brick work in the front by the fountain. Exciting stuff!!

smithkri9

Congratulations to all Bourne Mansion Brides!  I just had my wedding there  and it was AMAZING.  The staff are exceptional and exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds.  Steve was my maitre' d and Nicolette was was my bridal attendant and they were wonderful.  I didn't worry about a thing- they took care of everything for me. 

I typically hate wedding food so I had low expectations on the food and to my happy surprise everyone RAVED about the food.  I opted for the grand reception with different stations. 

I did use two house vendors: In full Bloom for flowers and Park Avenue Photography.  My flowers were stunning and Chris, the florist, knows the Bourne and how to play up the magic and drama.  I would suggest shopping around for a photographer. as I wasn't 100 % happy with Park Avenue. 

I had a 10 piece band / Niteflight and they were exceptional.  It was loud, but I don't think a DJ would have made a difference.  I think it depends on the party you want.  My dance floor was never empty, in fact I thought we were going to have to push some tables back and I only had 160 guests.  Everyone was on the dance floor!!
Our cake from Black Forest Bakery was OK- the design was OK- nothing great but we didn't upgrade to a more expensive cake design or fondant. 

If I can be of any help- please message me.  I cannot say enough good things about the Bourne Mansion!  As far as the price,  summer weddings are always going to be more expensive- that's why I chose November. I believe we definitely spent our money wisely.  We wanted our wedding to be unique and memorable and it was definitely that.

spasian3

Same here: just got married on Friday at the Bourne Mansion and i have to say, it was worth every penny!  Steve was my maitre'd and Nicolette was my bridal attendant and they were AMAZING.  Our day was seamless and perfect because of their professionalism.  They took care of everything.  So many guests told me how great Steve was.  He was everywhere in terms of making sure people were taken care of, yet nowhere in terms of being intrusive about our special day.  He is extremely direct and blunt, which i LOVED and appreciated particularly in the wedding business where I found so many cheeseballs that were wasting my time with cliche phrases that mean absolutely nothing to me.  He was the picture of professionalism when needed and also knew how to let us have a good time (pouring tequila shots into our mouths by the end of the night). 
-The renovations they recently made at the mansion were stunning.  Bathroom was re-done, organ gone, driveway is now blacktop with bordering pavestones, tacky wallpaper is gone from the foyer, bar re-done in the library. 
-Get the uplighting, it's worth it when you have a reception hall as stunning as bourne's. we got magenta, it created a club atmosphere while in a classy antique setting.
-black forest cake: got the standard, it was moist and delicious. don't get extra, not necessary. Didn’t get Viennese hour, so glad we didn’t because everyone was too stuffed by the end.-food was delicious, don’t have to go into detail about how good considering it’s lessing’s and we know they do a great job.
-Used the old house florist M & Faith.  They were ridiculously accommodating with my budget and everything came out beautiful.  they know the bourne layout well.  I'm not usually a flower person, but I have to say, my bouquet was stunning. I received so many compliments. Got half low, half high centerpieces for the tables.  it gives dimension to the room and cuts in price.  Maggy is honestly the best, I loved working with her.
-Used Starlight Express for our DJ.  they worked with our budget as well.  they accidentally included the percussionist (to no extra cost to me) and he was such a great addition - so glad that happened. The dance floor was jam-packed the entire time....great music (this was raved about from both sides of the family, American and Hispanic).
-Used White Pear for our photography.  Liz was our photographer and she was absolutely amazing the whole day.  I could barely tell she was there and she did a great job organizing our bridal party for pictures despite their inebriated state.  I’ve seen her results from the engagement pictures and they came out gorgeous.-Had guests stay in the Holiday Day Inn Ronkonkoma.  The rooms were ok and the outside isn’t the prettiest.  However, I don’t think the behavior of my guests would have been tolerated anywhere else except here.  Therefore, if you have adult guests who don’t get smashed, I would have done the Hilton down the block instead.  But this worked out great for us!  We had an awesome afterparty at the hotel p-Most importantly, don’t’ sweat the details, cause no one else notices.  Just have a good time!  It was the best day of my life and I wouldn’t change a thing, I hope you all end up feeling the same because every brides deserves this.

hal10184

Any recc's for similar style venues in NJ?!