Block Island Wedding Venues - help!

mewood24

Hello ladies!  My fiance and I are heading up to Block Island next weekend to look at a few venues, and I wanted to get some opnions/insight/suggestions since I've never been there (though I've heard nothing but good things from family/friends).
We are looking for a ocean-front venue that we can have both the ceremony & the reception at, expecting around 150 guests.  Our budget is looking like 30,000-45,000 and I'm aiming for an Aug or Sept 2012 date.
  Right now we are visiting the Atlantic Inn and the Spring House, but I would love if anyone else had a couple more suggestions. I want a classic, nautical-y (not necessarily beachy), traditional sort of wedding where we can all get down and have a great time as well.
Also, for anyone who has gotten married on BI without actually residing on/near BI (I live in NYC)--how was the experience?  Were logistics more difficult b/c of the location?  Did you run into any odd island-centric issues?  Were your guests OK with the whole ferry/stuck on an island thing?
Thank you for your suggestions and feedback!
M

shanski27

Hey! My fiance and I are also from NYC and just booked our September 2012 wedding at the Spring House last week. We met with several people when we went including the Atlantic Inn, Sullivan House, Lynn's Way. We also checked out Rose's Farm Inn where you'd have to put up a tent. One venue that is also often overlooked is Ballards. They just underwent a massive renovation and from what I heard will be doing another round on that main room come fall. My fiance was trying to convince me that it would be an incredible location once it's done but I'm crazy and wanted to book a place and couldn't wait to see how it would turn out. We will be doing a welcome reception there though the night before the wedding.

I'm on the hunt now for music, flowers, photogs, etc. One thing to note (and I'm sure everyone has told you) is that music on the island has to be done by 9pm do to a noise ordinance. Annoying but manageable.

Good luck this weekend! Let us know what you decide!

mewood24

Thanks!  We had a great time visiting and loved the Spring House, but won't make the guest minimum (and really do not like being asked to pay 100 bucks a head to make up the difference).  We did however really like the Atlantic Inn.  I'd love to hear your opinion on that venue.
Glad to see someone else is in a similar boat! 

shanski27

The guest count at the Spring House also had us discouraged, however we opted to host our wedding on a Sunday and it was lowered. Something to consider and it ended up working out perfectly for us. A few things about Atlantic Inn turned us off: 1) the weird set-up for dancing in the bar. that pole in the middle of the room broke everything off. 2) our guests have to stay there. i hate the thought of telling my guests that they must stay at the hotel i've booked. 3) we emailed AI twice to set up an appt. finally after calling them we were able to set up a time to meet with one of their coordinators, who was fantastic. we then asked to be sent a quote by the owner, brad, and still after another email never heard a thing. the last thing i need is for a venue to not even give me the time of day like they have.

If you're still planning to have 150 - opt for a Sunday and book the Spring House. Just my two cents.

SoontobeKellyO

Hi Ladies,

I am also seriously considering Block Island and do love the Springhouse. mewood, what did you end up deciding? and shankski, how is working with the springhouse? any advice would be appreciated!!