From the magical drive in to the grand ballroom, the Bourne Mansion has it all.
Tucked away on Montauk Highway in Oakdale, a princess bride will find her perfect venue in the Bourne Mansion. With its sprawling grounds and immense grand ballroom, the Bourne Mansion is really a cut above the rest when it comes to weddings. From the magical drive in to cocktail hour on the bay, this mansion has it all. I had a chance to sit down with Miriam, the sales director at the Bourne Mansion, to talk more about what makes this venue so special.
How long has the Bourne Mansion been around?
Miriam: The mansion was built in the 1890s. It was the summer home of one of the founders of Singer Sewing Machine, Fredrick Bourne. Lessings is the exclusive caterer at the Bourne Mansion. We have been in business for more than 125 years, and have navigated through the pandemic with professionalism, sincerity and compassion.
What is your role at the Bourne Mansion?
Miriam: I am the sales director at the Bourne Mansion, and I truly adore my job. I’m the point person from the very first meeting to the very end, [your wedding day]. I love to be present on the big day, when my couple arrives I am so proud and excited to see all the planning come to fruition.
I have more than 30 years of catering and wedding experience, so I have a wealth of information to give to my couples.
What can a BOLI expect when making an appointment with you?
Miriam: When I receive an inquiry, I follow up immediately through email, text, and phone calls. We discuss what the couple is interested in, and then set up a private tour. I am always accessible – the wedding world never shuts down!
What sets you apart from other venues?
Miriam: We have it all! A long tree lined driveway, which creates suspense as you pull up to a courtyard with a cascading fountain. It is magical. Walking into the mansion is stepping into another world, where guests meander through beautiful rooms for cocktail hour, then the biggest surprise, is we are located on the Great South Bay, so we feature an in and out cocktail hour – there is no other mansion like it.
What is one of your most popular dishes?
Miriam: We have the most spectacular cocktail hour. Guests meander through the library and music room sampling some of our delectable stations, such as the Smokin’ BBQ, Dim Sum, and Paella stations.
Our filet mignon with Gorgonzola crust and Cabernet Sauvignon sauce, accompanied by a potato soufflé and seasonal chopped roasted vegetables, is always popular.
We have our own chef for the mansion, and all our food is prepared on site.
What is something you feel clients can get at the Bourne Mansion that they can’t get anywhere else?
Miriam: The Bourne Mansion hosts only one wedding per day, couples can choose their own time to start their wedding, which is a very unique feature for a venue. We are here just for them that day, so their wedding is very personalized.
Also, they benefit from our years of experience and wedding knowledge, so they will experience the best and most unique day of their lives.
What is one piece of advice you always tell clients to prepare for their big day?
Miriam: I always tell my couples to take a deep breath, and enjoy this day, as it goes very quickly. Let the parents be the host and hostess, so the bride and groom can mingle and greet their guests.
It is important to be gracious on your wedding day, and make each guest know how much it means to have them celebrate their special day.
If you’re still not convinced the Bourne Mansion is the place for your big day, some of our very own Brides of Long Island have some great things to say. BOLI founder Heather Cunningham says, “Bourne Mansion is like no other venue you have or will ever go to. The feeling you get when pulling up to the venue is only overshadowed by the feeling you get when you walk into the grand ballroom. This venue is what dreams are made of.”
