Say your “I do’s” with a BOO! Here are 6 Super Spooky Long Island Wedding Ideas for Halloween
Image courtesy of Silverfox Studios
If you start pulling out your pumpkins and giant lawn skeletons once the calendar flips to September, then Halloween is the perfect time of year to have your wedding! Show your love of all things spooky with these ideas for a Halloween-themed Long Island wedding:
1. Take festive pictures
We love Halloween on Long Island! There are so many fun things to do and see, and nearly all of them make perfect backdrops for some spooky Halloween wedding pictures. Check out Millridge Inn’s Halloween Village, the Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries, The Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, or the Scarecrows in the Old Westbury Gardens!
Image courtesy of Silverfox Studios
2. Say your vows in a vineyard at dusk
Long Island’s vineyards are scenic and beautiful, but with some decor touches they can take on a spooky feel – especially as the sun sets! Consider choosing a venue with a vineyard like BOLI Preferred Vendors East Wind Long Island or The Vineyards at Aquebogue for some holiday ambiance.
3. Decorate with some Otto the Ghost memorabilia…
Otto has been a Long Island favorite for decades. In fact, you may remember taking a hayride with him in your elementary school days! Pick up a few Otto figurines and work them into your wedding day decor.
4. …and add seasonal touches to your decor
Skeletons, pumpkins, dark-hued florals – there’s a wealth of autumn-inspired objects and decorations you can incorporate into your wedding.
(Photo courtesy of Park Avenue Studio)
5. Encourage costumes
Tell your guests to ditch the tuxes (well, unless they’re planning to dress as James Bond) and show up to your wedding in costume. Your pictures will be festively unique with the bride and groom surrounded by princesses, movie villains, and maybe a few ghouls and goblins!
6. Turn a Gold Coast mansion into a haunted house
Long Island’s beautiful Gold Coast mansions are home to some of our areas most stunning wedding venues. The historic architecture of these incredible mansions can provide an incredible setting for a spooky version of your “I do’s”! Check out BOLI Preferred Vendors Westbury Manor, The Mansion at Oyster Bay, Chateau at Coindre Hall, or Bourne Mansion.
Sometimes brides choose to change into a reception gown or a party dress after a ceremony.
(Photo courtesy of Park Ave Studio)
Choosing your wedding gown is a big deal. You may have been dreaming of the perfect gown even before you got engaged. But sometimes, for whatever reason, you change your mind when you’re in the store. You get encouraged to try on a different style and fall in love with it. But that itch in the back of your mind keeps going back to your original look. Well, guess what? There’s no hard and fast rule that says you just need to have ONE wedding gown for your big day! In fact, brides are now choosing to change from a more traditional gown during their ceremony to more of a party dress for their reception. Here are seven reasons why you need a reception gown!
You Just Want to Dance
Let’s face it! Sometimes, those beautiful gowns can be a handful. Whether you have a tight mermaid look, or a princess ball gown, they can get in the way – and you just want to dance! This is the perfect opportunity to debut a more fun, shorter and easier-to-move-in party dress. Because it’s your party and you’ll dance if you want to!
MORE: 6 Things to Wear When Dress Shopping
You Found the Perfect Gowns
Yes, that’s right – gowns, plural. It happens. You fall in love with one, but you try on a few more just to see and you fall in love with another one! If it’s in your budget, we say splurge and get both – especially if they are completely different styles that fit your personality perfectly!
You Want to Make a Statement
If you’re all about making a statement, this could be the perfect way to make it – a reception gown. Perhaps you want something traditional in white for your ceremony, but white is just not your color. Why not get a second gown for your reception that is colorful or has pops of color that are bound to make a statement?
MORE: 7 wedding gown options that will set you apart
You Like Shorter Dresses
If long gowns aren’t your thing, but you do want to be traditional for your wedding ceremony, then getting a party dress for your reception is the obvious choice. Something shorter and more your style will be the perfect way to make your entrance.
It’s Hard to Move (But You Love It So Much!)
Some dresses are just so gorgeous you can’t say no when you try it on. But then reality sets in, and you realize that it might be hard to move in or even uncomfortable to be in all night. Getting that reception gown will be key here, so you can move easily throughout the night to mingle with your guests.
MORE: 15 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Gown
You Want More Photo Ops
More dresses, means more photo ops! Heck, you might even want your future spouse to change it up too! This will leave you with more fun memories to look back on.
(Photo courtesy of North Island Photography & Films)
You Just Really Love Dresses
Or maybe you just really, really love dresses. This is your opportunity to splurge and showcase two beautiful dresses for all of your loved ones to enjoy. And the perfect opportunity to just own more dresses!
Still undecided on what kind of gown you might like? Here are some options.
Your “big” day doesn’t necessarily require a “big” party. Here’s how to make a small wedding guest list.
Image courtesy of Gelfman Photography
Every bride’s ideal wedding day looks different – some want a big, blowout party with everyone they’ve ever met in attendance, and some want a small, more intimate gathering with a handful of close family and friends (PS: whatever your preference, your wedding is going to be beautiful).
But if your picture perfect day is “small and more intimate” rather than a “big, blowout party,” you might run into a few snags while putting together the guest list. Who makes the cut? What number even counts as “small,” anyway? Before you order those invites, here are some tips on making a small wedding guest list.
Image courtesy of Miralli Photography
Talk it out
As with everything wedding-related (or life-related), communication is vitally important. Sit down with your fiancé and make sure you’re on the same page. Confirm that your ideas of “small” match – small may mean 20 people to you, but 120 people to them.
After you’ve put some preliminary numbers in place, start making a list of the people you absolutely want in attendance. This could include only family members, mostly close friends, or a combination of the two. If this list is bigger than the number you originally had in mind, consider budging on your limit. If it’s a lot bigger, go back to your list and decide where to make some cuts. Keep in mind that you WILL get declines – even from people you don’t expect.
You might also want to discuss your small guest list with parents (especially if they’re footing most of the bill). While your wedding is YOUR day and YOU get to call the shots, your parents may have a few people they’d like to invite. The key words here are “a few” – if their list is longer than yours, remember to communicate your wishes for a limited guest count.
Image courtesy of EXO Photography and Cinema
Make a B List
Once you’ve nailed down your “must-haves,” put together another list of friends and family that you’d invite if you were considering a bigger wedding. Again – you will likely get declines (even with a shorter invite list), so having a few more names as a backup is a good idea. Don’t forget to order a few extra invitations for this purpose!
Let everyone know
Sure, getting a wedding invite in the mail is always an honor. But as wedding trends change (and as they get more and more expensive), people have begun to realize that being excluded from your guest list isn’t the biggest offense in the world – remember when Covid restrictions forced brides to UN-INVITE guests to their weddings?
If a lot of people in your life are already married, they’ll probably remember that planning a wedding is a huge undertaking and understand your desire to keep things small. There are obviously exceptions to this sometimes, and every family member, friend, and situation is different, but for the most part your loved ones should accept your decision without any drama.
When discussing your wedding with friends and family who aren’t on your guest list, explain your plans for a limited and more intimate gathering. You can even include this information on a wedding website or in a social media post. If you’re upfront and honest about your smaller wedding, your friends and family won’t be so surprised when their mailbox is empty.
Image courtesy of Janelle Brooke Photography
Consider a destination wedding
Destination weddings usually have an inherently smaller guest count, just because most people can’t commit to traveling. If narrowing down your invite list has become complicated and fraught, consider saying your vows somewhere away from home. Even if you’ve got a bigger list than you’ve planned, it’s likely that the vast majority of those you’ve included will decline.
Make your wedding virtual
Most of us have become very comfortable using video conferencing services like Zoom and Google Meet over the last few years. If you’d like to share your ceremony with a larger audience than you can invite, consider live-streaming your “I do’s” so friends and family can be there virtually.
In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Jackie Carr discusses how she found the perfect venue that not only matched her theme, but also had the full package.
(Photo courtesy of Park Ave Studio)
When Jackie and Evan Carr got engaged in early 2020, Jackie says she wanted to get married sooner rather than later, but the world had other plans. However, she says giving herself two years was the perfect way to plan her wedding.
A Sweet Proposal
Jackie and Evan ran in the same circle of friends in high school, despite attending different schools. At some point, they both found themselves single and they hit it off in 2017. After three years of dating, Evan proposed. Jackie explains that he wanted to propose at one of their first date spots, but the park was closed. “He improvised, so we headed to a different park. It started snowing with some of the biggest flakes I’ve ever seen,” she says. “We stayed in the car, where he proposed. It was so sweet and intimate.”
Finding the Perfect Package in a Pandemic
Jackie says once they got engaged, she wanted to hit the ground running with planning. But as the pandemic started shutting things down, she wasn’t able to tour any venues. “I think we finally met with Three Village Inn in November of 2020,” she says. “We were just thrilled that we could finally visit a venue in person!”
She did check out some other venues that were allowing tours, but when she walked into Three Village Inn, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, she knew it was the perfect venue to make her vision of a rustic wedding come to life. “Once we saw the garden for the outdoor ceremony space, and the exposed wood inside, it was the best of both worlds for us!” And it was a bonus that it is a Lessing’s venue that offers a package, which was very important to Jackie and Evan. “We knew that a package was what we wanted, as it is more affordable, and less time consuming, since the vendors are included.”
Included in the vendor package at Three Village Inn were Park Ave Studio, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, and LI Sound DJ, a BOLI Preferred Vendor. Jackie says photography was the most important vendor to her, besides the venue. “I take photos professionally. If I could have taken my own photos at my wedding, I would have!” She says she explained this to Park Avenue, and they were amazing! “Five different people actually called me the day before our wedding to make sure everything was perfect for me! They were really on top of everything.”
(Photo courtesy of Park Ave Studio)
MORE: What is a wedding content creator?
A Rustic Vampire Wedding to Remember
They chose Oct. 8, 2022 – which gave them two years to put together the personal touches to create the perfect ‘rustic vampire’ wedding. Jackie explains that they came up with that theme because she wears black every day. “This was the one day of my life where I was going to be wearing all white,” she says. “We’re pretty alternative people in our day to day lives. So, it was important to add some of those touches on our wedding day.”
They added jewel tones in their colors, and had black lanterns as centerpieces – centerpieces that a fellow BOLI gave her during planning! Adding to the rustic vampire theme – which really is a joke, she says – was a welcome sign that was designed with bat wings and a coffin! “It tied into our exact theme. It was amazing.”
(Photo courtesy of Park Ave Studio)
Some other fun personal touches? Champagne flutes that were metal dragons, and her favorite, a custom wax seal that she used on their menus with some extra dried flowers. And of course, the guest of honor Hunter! “He’s a little skeleton Halloween decoration from my parents’ house that we named Hunter,” she explains. “We used to leave him up throughout the year, and would buy different outfits for him.” Hunter sat next to the card box in his best wedding attire. “It was a silly thing, but Hunter was a total hit at the wedding.”
MORE: 13 Subtle (and Not So Subtle) Ways to Incorporate Halloween into Your Wedding
(Photo courtesy of Park Ave Studio)
“They’re Just Really Good”
One of her favorite moments of the day was right before she walked down the aisle with her father. “My dad and I have a great relationship, we’re just big goofballs,” Jackie says. “As we were getting ready to go down the aisle, the sun was setting perfectly, and the leaves were blowing. He turns to me and says, ‘Who did you pay to do that?’ and I just said, ‘I don’t know, they’re just really good here.’”
And that joking statement actually rings true for all of Jackie’s vendors. From the day of coordinator, Winnie, at Three Village Inn to the photographers and the DJ, everyone just went above and beyond the whole time, Jackie says. “Our DJ kept us on the dance floor literally the entire night!” she says. “And it felt like I knew Winnie my whole life!”
Her perfect vendor experience started way before her wedding day though. Jackie got her beautiful gown from North Fork Bridal Shoppe, a BOLI Preferred Vendor. “They were so kind to me, and their VIB experience was perfect, because I travel with a large entourage,” she says. “I was sad that the dress shopping was over after I said yes to my dress.”
(Photo courtesy of Park Ave Studio)
Everything Falls Into Place
Jackie believes it does take a village to plan a wedding sometimes. And that’s OK. She wants other BOLIs to know that in the end, everything will fall into place and it’s going to be perfect. “This may go wrong, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters is you’re marrying your best friend.” She also urges BOLIs to take that extra moment or two throughout the day to look around at all of the love in the room. “Take it in and don’t sweat the small stuff.”
MORE: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
(Photo courtesy of Park Ave Studio)
Vendors:
Venue: Three Village Inn, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photographer: Park Ave Studio, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
DJ: Long Island Sound DJ, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Village Florist; Sola Woods Flowers
Hair: Stacy at Entourage Salon
Makeup: @jaimeebeyermua
Dress: North Fork Bridal Shoppe, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Cake: Rolling Pin
Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse
Honeymoon Transportation: Mark of Elegance, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
(Photo courtesy of Park Ave Studio)
As amazing as the East Wind was for our annual soiree, it’s an even better choice for your wedding day.
(Photo courtesy of Life Art Photographers)
While wedding planning can be stressful, it can also be fun. This is why the Brides of Long Island holds its annual soirée every year! One, we want our brides to kick back and enjoy themselves. And two, we just love planning weddings! Which is why choosing the perfect venue is key. Each year, we tour Long Island’s most beautiful venues to find the best spot to bring our vision to life. And this year, the Estate at East Wind, a BOLI preferred vendor, was the ideal place to host our Kentucky Derby-themed soirée.
“We were thrilled to host the BOLI soirée this year,” says Charlotte Cote, director of marketing at East Wind Long Island. “The Estate at East Wind is our premiere property, and we couldn’t wait to see it transformed with this year’s theme – and filled with BOLI members.”
But just how did we settle on the Estate at the East Wind – especially when the East Wind has so many options for brides to have their weddings? First, we chose our theme. We had this idea for the Kentucky Derby, and how exactly we wanted to decorate. We also knew so many of our lovely brides were going to want to attend – so we needed a space that could accommodate hundreds of them.
(Photo courtesy of Life Art Photographers)
“Once we choose our theme, it’s a matter of how we get to bring that theme to life,” says Heather Cunningham, founder of BOLI. “We knew the Estate at East Wind would be the perfect place to help us throw the best Kentucky Derby-themed party for our brides.”
MORE: With Five Different Spaces, Shoppes and More, East Wind Long Island Offers Brides Plenty of Options
One of the great things about the Estate is that you have the whole venue to yourself – which was key for our soirée. By hosting one wedding at a time, their dedicated staff is focused solely on catering to their brides and grooms.
“When brides choose the Estate at East Wind, they can rest assured that our staff will be waiting on them throughout their entire wedding day,” says Cote. “We have the best staff that handles everything, all brides have to do is relax and enjoy themselves.”
The building itself features an outdoor area for a ceremony, and a very spacious area that is both indoors and outside for the cocktail hour – which means plenty of seating for all of your guests. We knew that this space was going to be perfect to set up all of the generous raffles donated by our preferred vendors. The reception area has plenty of room for up to 300 guests with a spacious dance floor to get your groove on all night. There’s also space for a photo booth or any other fun extras you can dream up for your big day.
(Photo courtesy of Life Art Photographers)
Some other amazing features of the estate include the beautiful foyer where guests can sit to take a breather from dancing or just warm up by the fireplace in the colder months. And the Estate at East Wind has its own parking lot, so guests can run out to their car if they forget something – that is if they can tear themselves away from the amazing wedding fun!
MORE: 39 Questions to Ask When Touring a Venue
But let’s talk about food! While space is always key when we plan our soirée, so is the food! And the food at the East Wind does not disappoint. The cocktail hour alone features so many food options that your guests won’t even know where to begin! To start, we suggest the Asian station! From the veggie spring rolls to the stir-fry steak or chicken, guests are sure to come back for seconds. Or maybe they’ll head to the American station, complete with corned beef or pastrami sliders and pretzel twists and fries. And we can’t forget the delicious Italian station that features two pasta choices and out of this world stromboli and garlic knots! Of course, these are just some of the few options that the East Wind offers when it comes to the cocktail hour.
(Photo courtesy of Life Art Photographers)
“The food at East Wind Long Island is just off the charts,” says Cunningham. “I was so excited to share this space with our brides so they could see just all that the Estate at East Wind has to offer!”
Dinner choices are also important – from the New York strip steak to the grilled pork chop – you can’t really choose wrong when it comes to entrees. The best part? Guests don’t have to worry about choosing just one entrée. At East Wind, they offer seconds of the entire menu for you and your guests to enjoy.
And we can’t forget dessert! We suggest the ice cream bar where guests can make their own sundaes (and go back for more if there’s room)!
While the Estate at East Wind was the perfect choice for our BOLI soirée this year, it’s an even better choice for your wedding.
“The Estate at East Wind offers a rustic charm with modern luxuries,” Cunningham says. “Something that was important not only for our soirée this year, but also for our brides’ wedding days.”
(Photo courtesy of Life Art Photographers)
MORE: Meet the BOLI Soiree Vendors
Aside from the delicious food and the beautiful space, the staff at East Wind Long Island is a pleasure to work with. They were great at communicating with us throughout the planning process, answering all of our questions in a timely manner. When it came time to pick the menu, it was so tough with so many delicious options, our consultants helped us choose the best ones. Of course, they were so accommodating with any of our special soiree requests. And on that night, the bartenders were fast and friendly, and the day of staff went above and beyond to make our night great, which is so important for all our brides. We know that you’ll be in great hands on your wedding day at the Estate at East Wind.
(Photo courtesy of Life Art Photographers)
Your wedding day has come and gone, and now it’s time to thank everyone! Here are the do’s and don’ts of writing your thank you cards
Every moment of your wedding was magical, from your walk down the aisle to your last dance of the night. And one of the aspects that made it so special was sharing those unforgettable moments with your friends and family, most of whom showered you with gifts and well-wishes.
Now that the bridal dust has settled and you’re enjoying that post-matrimonial glow, it’s time to think about writing your thank you cards. Whether your guest list packed the room or you opted for a more intimate gathering, thanking those that took time out of their lives (and let’s be real, money out of their wallets) to celebrate you is vitally important.
The thought of tackling a mountain of cards can be intimidating (especially after conquering the epic undertaking that was your invitation suite). Here are the do’s and don’ts of writing your thank you cards – following these tips will help the daunting task go smoothly, and will show your gratitude to those that attended your big day!
Image courtesy of Fade to Black New York
DO: Pace yourself
Writing thank you cards can be very time consuming, even if you’ve got a smaller guest list. Traditional etiquette dictates that you have up to a year to send out your thank you’s, so you don’t have to rush the process.
Before you pick up a pen, set a schedule for yourself – aim to write a certain amount of cards per day (or week, or weekend) and before you know it, you’ll have your whole guest list tackled.
DON’T: Try to write all your cards in one sitting
It can be tempting to sit down and try to barrel through your thank you cards all at once. But trust us – after a while your hand will start cramping, your phone will start buzzing, and your new spouse will start bugging you for attention.
Consider the act of writing your thank you cards as a way to remember your wedding – with each card you write, you can relive a little piece of your “best day ever.” Who’d want to rush that? The more time you take writing your thank you cards, the more you can remember how each guest impacted you.
Image courtesy of Silverfox Studios
DO: Write something personal in each card
“Seriously? What if I had 300 guests?” Yes, girl – you should still write something personal in each card (that’s why we say to pace yourself!) It doesn’t have to be a novel, but it should be a sentence or two – in your handwriting – that thanks them for their specific gift and their presence.
DON’T: Rely on pre-printed, generalized messages
We know it would be a thousand times easier to purchase a package of cards with a simple “thank you for coming to our wedding!” already printed inside. But putting in the effort to write something personal will show your guests that you truly appreciate the time, effort, and money it took to attend your wedding.
This doesn’t mean you should avoid a more generic, pre-printed message altogether – just be sure to add at least a sentence or two on your own.
Image courtesy of Park Ave Studio
DO: Try to get your thank you cards out on time
Remember what we said above? You have a year from your wedding date to get your thank you cards written, mailed, and delivered. That may seem like plenty of time, but life can get in the way pretty easily. This is why setting a goal of a completing certain amount of cards per week is a good idea.
Aim to have all your thank you cards out within 6-8 months of your wedding. That way, if unexpected events pop up (and we guarantee they will), you’ll have some breathing room if you miss a few weeks here and there.
DON’T: Give up if a year has passed
Ever heard of the phrase “better late than never?” If you’ve celebrated your one year anniversary surrounded by stacks of undelivered thank you cards, don’t fret. Sure, traditional etiquette says you’re out of time, but those thank you cards aren’t going to disappear into the ether once you take a bite of your frozen wedding cake topper.
The important thing about thank you cards isn’t the timing, it’s the sentiment. Even if they’re late, your guests will still appreciate a thank you card – we promise.
Image courtesy of Elise Margolin Photography
DO: Send a thank you card to everyone who attended
If they walked through your venue doors, they get a thank you card. You don’t have to write a card for each individual member of a family – just one card per household will do – but be sure to include everyone in the party in your greeting!
DON’T: Leave someone off the list if they didn’t bring a gift
We totally understand how hurtful and offensive it is to not receive a gift from an attending guest. But as we’ve talked about before, you never know someone’s financial situation (even if you think you do).
If certain guests showed up empty-handed, it doesn’t mean that coming to your wedding was without expense – childcare, transportation, accommodations, and travel costs can all add up VERY quickly. You should still send those guests a thank you card, expressing your gratitude for their presence!
Getting to the big day is (almost) as fun as the big day itself! We asked real BOLIs “what’s the best part of planning your wedding?” Here are their responses.
Image courtesy of Yellow House Images
Whether it’s two weeks, two months, or two years out, you’ve got a laser focus on your wedding day. All of your free time has been spent searching for vendors, scrolling Pinterest for inspo, and trying to put your seating chart together like a wild mathematician trying to solve an equation. There’s A LOT that goes into planning your big day, and trying to stay on top of your “I do” to-dos can feel a little overwhelming.
But have you ever stopped to think – hey, this is actually a lot of fun? While wedding planning can be incredibly stressful and time consuming for some (let’s be honest – MOST), others find that they enjoy the planning of their weddings even more than they enjoy the big day itself.
So we asked a few real BOLIs “what’s the best part of planning your wedding?” Here’s what they had to say:
Image courtesy of RF Films
Research, research, research
One anonymous BOLI loves the thrill of the search. “My favorite part about wedding planning has been the exploration and research aspect,” she said. “Looking into vendors, and then figuring out which one is in my price range then which would be a good fit to our personalities. I am a planner in general, so the planning and researching has been my favorite part. Making the final decisions not as easy but once they are made I have always known it was the right decision.”
BOLI Maggie agreed. “Researching all the different vendors has been the best part for me. It was a lot of fun looking for our venue – I looked through the BOLI Preferred Venues and scheduled a few tours based on that list. We did the same thing for our photographer and hair & makeup artists. Looking through all the pictures and deciding what I liked was more fun than I initially thought it would be!”
Image courtesy of Michael John Photography
DIY Dreams
For BOLI Jennifer, adding personal touches to the day was especially meaningful. “Making all my decor myself was one of the best parts of planning my wedding,” she said. “My mom and I designed and put together my centerpieces, she made pew bows for the church, I made all of my table numbers and signage. If there had been more time, I would have made things like my escort cards and maybe even my invitations. DIY is time consuming but it’s really rewarding, and it makes your wedding that much more special and personal. It’s not for everyone, but it was important for me.”
Another anonymous BOLI agreed. “We DIYed everything. I even made my own dress,” she remembered. “There were times when it was more stressful than just hiring someone to do everything, but when all was said and done, I’m so glad we did it that way. Overall, it was my favorite aspect of planning.”
Bonding time
BOLI Lauren enjoyed the experience of bonding with friends and family. “For me, there was no one part of wedding planning that was my favorite, but in general it was getting to spend time with my bridesmaids and my family members,” she said. “Dress shopping I remember specifically. It was so wonderful to have my mom there and my best friends, some who I’ve known since Kindergarten. Everyone was drinking champagne and laughing and having a great time. I created a core memory that day. I remember it more than I remember some parts of my actual wedding.”
Image courtesy of JS Visions Photography and Cinematography
Counting down the days…
Listen, wedding planning isn’t going to be super enjoyable for everyone. If you’re not exactly having the time of your life, that’s okay – putting together a big event is a monumental task, and involves a lot of moving pieces you have to coordinate (not to mention stress).
“It would be hard to pick a ‘best part’ of wedding planning, because honestly it’s all been very stressful,” said one anonymous BOLI. “Everything is super expensive. My family doesn’t really get along well, so I’ve had to pick and choose what person I invite to this event and what person I invite to that event. I’ve cancelled a few vendors because I wasn’t happy with what I saw or some other issue. Just get me to the wedding day already!
There are many wonderful (and not so wonderful) parts to planning your wedding. As you journey towards the big day, remember to stay present and find the joy in the process!
These fun trends for weddings in 2024 are sure to stand out to your wedding guests.
Every bride wants their wedding to be the best day ever. And while all of your friends and family can’t wait to celebrate with you, it’s an added bonus if you can leave them talking for years to come about the unique and epic time they had at your wedding. Check out the following eight trends for 2024 Long Island weddings that are sure to wow your wedding guests. But remember — trends come and go. Stay true to yourself when planning your big day! No matter what your wedding holds, it will be a beautiful representation of your love story.
Content Creation
Photography and videography may be the most important vendors to capture your wedding day. But what about sharing your day instantaneously on your social media platforms? Hiring a wedding content creator is a great way to get all of your wedding content out to your social media network right away. From taking over your Insta Stories to getting reels and photos out on Tik Tok, the trend of wedding content creation is catching on quickly for 2024.
MORE: What is a Wedding Content Creator
Bold Colors
A wedding trend for 2024 is bold and bright colors. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to pick fuchsia or bright red as your colors (but hey, if you want to – go for it!). But what it could mean is adding just a pop of a bold color to brighten up the day – either in your floral arrangements, your groomsman’s ties, your bridesmaids’ dresses or even your wedding dress.
Unique Styling
Thinking about your big day – your wedding venue is essentially a blank canvas when you walk in. Sure, they are all unique and special in their style – but it is important to bring your own style, if you so choose. Why not get creative with some unique styling like floral arches or flower walls? And don’t forget to look up! Twinkle lights, a bold chandelier or just floral arrangements across the ceiling can really stand out in the room.
(Photo courtesy of The Glenmar Studio)
Sustainability
Sustainable weddings are saving the planet one wedding at a time. Check with your venues to see if they offer sustainable options. Start with your wedding invites – see if you can get the invites on recycled paper or even go electronic (keep your guest list in mind, as elderly guests might not have access to RSVP). When it comes to flowers, think about using artificial arrangements, or skip them and choose other fun ideas. And after the big day, consider donating your décor.
MORE: Other centerpieces that aren’t flowers
Late Night Snacks
What better way to end your night than with some late night snacks for your guests. The possibilities are endless when it comes to snacks. Everything from ice cream and candy to fast food and munchies (think mozzarella sticks and pizza). Check out some of our BOLI vendors that offer unique snacks for your big day.
Seated Bridal Parties
There is a lot of standing, posing and dancing on your wedding day. Why not let your bridal party take a breather and sit during your ceremony? Not only does it let them rest their feet for a bit, but it brings the focus back on you and your future spouse.
Immersive Guest Experiences
Let’s face it, sometimes we feel like we have to keep up with the Joneses when it comes to our wedding. What’s the next best fun thing? And how can we wow our guests? Immersive guest experiences are gaining in popularity for 2024. Sure, you can always get a fun photo booth. But why not step it up and have an artist or caricaturist drawing portraits of your guests? (This can double as a favor too!) Aerialists are pretty popular, as are other live entertainment options for cocktail hours. If you want to keep it simple, create a scavenger hunt for your guests or even fun games during cocktail hour. Think Jenga or cornhole. Check out some of our BOLI preferred vendors for some fun extras.
MORE: Unique Entrainment Options for Your Cocktail Hour
Tech Savvy Planning
As you plan your wedding, you’ll probably accumulate folders filled with vendor information, contracts, bills and more. You’ll also get tons of emails. It’s time to ditch the paperwork and get tech savvy! (Also – this sticks with that sustainability theme!) Wouldn’t it be great to have that all in one place? BOLI is launching the Ring Leader app – which allows you to contact vendors, keep track of contracts and payment due dates, have guests RSVP online, and so much more! Learn more about Ring Leader here, and join the waitlist for its launch.
However you choose to plan your 2024 Long Island wedding, we know it will be the best day ever.
It’s HOW much? Here’s the average cost of a Long Island wedding, and what real BOLIs paid for their big days.
Image courtesy of Lighthouse Photography
If you’ve ever been to a wedding in a different state or region, you’ll realize pretty quickly that Long Island weddings are…different. Our cocktail hours are robust, our bars are open, and guest list numbers pack quite a punch.
As you might imagine, all that opulence comes with a hefty price tag. So, what is the average cost of a Long Island wedding? And how does that average compare with the rest of the nation?
The average cost of a Long Island wedding
According to this article from Newsday, the average cost of a Long Island wedding is around $61,000. But keep in mind, the article was written about five years ago. BOLI estimates that the current Long Island average is closer to $67,000.
How does that amount stack up against national averages? The Knot’s annual Real Wedding Study found that in 2022, wedding costs across the country averaged around $30,000 – that’s less than half the Long Island average. In New York state, the average was $46,000 – around 20k less than the Island.
Image courtesy of Stephen Mayo Photography
THAT’S how much a Long Island wedding costs?!
Well, yes and no. Remember that an average is just that – some weddings are more expensive, and some are less. We spoke with a few brides of Long Island about their wedding day costs.
Blowing the average
Another anonymous BOLI’s wedding came in well over the 67k mark. “All in all, my wedding was around $100,000,” she replied. “My venue alone was around $64,000 because we had 300 guests. My dress was expensive, we had a huge bridal party and paid for their dresses and hair & makeup, we basically got the top-tier packages from any of the vendors we chose, our rehearsal dinner was like a mini-wedding itself…yeah, we spent a lot.”
Did she have any regrets on the price tag? “Honestly, not really,” she admitted. “My parents had been saving for my wedding for a long time. So we used that money, and only around $5,000 more. My fiancé’s family contributed some too, but my parents paid for the bulk of it from money they had been saving for this specific event.”
Image courtesy of Foxlight Studios
Staying (way) below the average
“My wedding was perfect and it was $5,500 total,” said another anonymous BOLI. “We had a courthouse ceremony and a small dinner with close family and friends, about 20 people total.”
How did she keep costs so low? “I actually made my dress myself, which was obviously a lot cheaper than buying it but also really special and meaningful. My sister and I DIY-ed literally all of our decorations, including my bouquet. I did my own makeup and hair. My fiancé wore a suit he already had. We all drove our own cars. The most expensive part was the dinner at a restaurant after the ceremony. No frills, but still the best day ever.”
With a boozy hot chocolate station and unique indoor photo opportunities, Atlantis Banquets & Events offers a warm welcome for winter brides.
Couple inside the Butterfly Experience at Atlantis Banquets & Events. (Photo by Marco Photography & Video)
Winter is coming. But that doesn’t mean that brides need to wait until the warmer months for the perfect wedding date. In fact, having a winter wedding could be perfect for you. There’s better availability on dates, lower hotel costs for your guests and even lower prices at venues. You can get all of this AND more at Atlantis Banquets & Events, a BOLI preferred vendor, in Riverhead, plus so much more, which makes it the perfect Long Island winter wedding destination.
Endless Indoor Photo Opportunities
Photos are a big part of any wedding day, so making sure there are different locations throughout a venue is important. At Atlantis Banquets & Events, your photo opportunities are endless. To start, they have an indoor butterfly garden, which offers amazing photos with tropical flowers, plants and, of course, butterflies. “If you wanted photos with beautiful, unique flowers in January, the butterfly garden is a great option for brides,” says Director of Marketing at Atlantis Banquets & Events Darlene Puntillo. “You won’t find that anywhere else.”
Couple on the bridge at Atlantis Banquets & Events (Photo by EXO Photography)
Some other unique spots around Atlantis Banquets & Events are the coral reef, the shark tunnel and the waterfall up on the bridge. Any of the fish habitats located throughout the aquarium are also the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos. And don’t forget the penguins! When it’s cold outside, the penguins head indoors too, which means one will be waiting for you to take photos with him if you so choose. And as a bonus, he’ll be tuxedo ready for you! (Note: The penguin experience, the butterfly garden and other experiences are an additional cost.)
For brides looking for more traditional wedding photos, Atlantis Banquets & Events Director of Sales Tony Cotignola suggests using the grand staircase, the Sea Star Ballroom and the balcony overlooking the chandelier. “The area of the Sea Star building can be illuminated in any color you want, making it the perfect background for your photos,” says Cotignola.
Bride and groom in the SeaStar Ballroom at Atlantis Banquets & Events. (Photo by Marco Photography & Video)
MORE: Learn more about the different rooms and experiences at Atlantis Banquets & Events
Four On-Site Hotel Options
Winter brides may worry about inclement weather. But they won’t have to worry about their guests’ safety with four choices of Atlantis Banquets & Events property hotels. In fact, Cotignola says Atlantis brides have a first choice of discounted room blocks at the Hyatt Place, which is literally right next door to the venue. “Couples also get a complimentary room on their wedding night, with a complimentary amenity,” he says. Also on-site is the Waterfront Suite located in the Treasure Cove Marina. It is a one-bedroom suite with a living room, kitchen and dining room, perfect for you and bridal party to spend the night and be on location in the morning to get ready.
“What’s really great about our hotel options [is that] you don’t have to worry if your guests will make it during inclement weather,” says Cotignola. “They can arrive the day before, and they’re guaranteed to be there to see you say ‘I do.’”
For something more intimate and cozy, right across the street are the Preston House & Hotel and the Howell House. Preston’s is an upscale boutique hotel with a farm-to-table restaurant. And for an exclusive experience, you can rent the entire Howell House, which can accommodate up to 12 guests, and has a fireplace to keep warm on the cold winter nights.
If you stay at one of the hotels across the street, the staff at Atlantis Banquets & Events will ensure that you make it safely to the venue, on time and dry. “Our bridal attendants and maître ds have umbrellas for our brides, and we do have a shuttle, if needed during rainy or snowy weather,” says Cotignola.
Couple in the snow outside Atlantis Banquets & Events. (Photo by Kaitlyn Ferris)
Warm Winter Enhancements
What better way to warm up than hot chocolate? During the colder months, Atlantis Banquets & Events offers a boozy hot chocolate station that is guaranteed to impress your guests and keep them warm. Atlantis Banquets & Events Director of Food & Beverage Daniel Lanieri says brides can also enhance their cocktail hour or desserts with a caramel apple dipping station or a s’mores station. “And as always, we offer our local food pairing and craft beverage station that is always themed for the season,” says Lanieri.
A good, hearty cocktail hour station is the bacon bar – which is always a crowd favorite, as well as the mashed potato bar. Another fun station that is a great way to warm up – the grilled cheese and tomato soup shots! And for dinner, ask about the pork porterhouse with sherried apples. With a unique menu that is sure to please any wedding party, the possibilities are endless for those warm, hearty meals during the colder months.
Bride and groom outside the penguin habitat near sunset at Atlantis Banquets & Events. (Photo by Marco Photography & Video)
Perfect for Any Budget
The best part about Atlantis Banquets & Events is that everything they have to offer is offered all year round. In fact, as long as the weather is cooperating, you might even be able to take photos or have a ceremony outside in the winter months. The grounds of Atlantis Banquets & Events are beautiful and unique to every season. “And when it comes to a budget, we work with brides to make sure they have the wedding of their dreams no matter the season,” says Cotignola. “In fact, we consider our wedding prices economical in the sense that you will have the exact same wedding experience during the off-wedding season months at a better cost.”
Couple with a penguin indoors at Atlantis Banquets & Events. (Photo by Marco Photography & Video)
Whether you are looking for a unique wedding with the aquarium, or just a more classic wedding feel in the Sea Star Ballroom, Atlantis Banquets & Events has everything you need.
MORE: Looking for a fall wedding destination? See all that Atlantis has to offer.
Bride and groom near one of the habitats at Atlantis Banquets & Events. (Photo by Marco Photography & Video)