Quick Answers to Popular Questions
Updated for 2024
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Couple arrives 2 hours before wedding; we provide light refreshments in the suite.
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Ballroom tables are round and can seat 8-12 guests. Burlap linens are the only included option.
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Farm tables are 7ft 3in; we have 12 total.
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A greenery wall is available for use for photo backdrop. The wall is appx 6.5' x 6'5. A neon or wood sign can be hung up with zip ties (if there are proper holes in the lettering). We recommend the lettering be appx 36"-40" wide.
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We have a wooden pergola (available to rent $199++) that is present in some online photos over the sweetheart table. The dimensions are approximately 8'x8'. The pergola is included at no charge if your ceremony has to be moved indoors.
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As long as your vendor has a COI, they are allowed to be hired to work here.
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We have blank place cards and direction cards. You would pick them up if you want them.
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We have two floor-standing easels you can use and we provide wood frame table numbers. All other decor is up to you!
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Follow the timeline -- submit menu 1 month before. We will contact you once we have tasting dates for 2025 weddings (typically Jan/Feb 2025).
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Local hotels begin releasing wedding room blocks about 1 year prior to your event date. You can call the hotels directly, or use the complimentary Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks service: https://www.kleinfeldhotelblocks.com/lessings-hospitality-group
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We will send you payment reminders. Payments after the first are checks or cash. You can always mail a payment to the PO Box -- Lessing's, PO Box 2277, Aquebogue NY 11931. We receive many envelopes so we will send you a receipt as soon as we process your payment.
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We will cover ALL questions and details at your final meeting! Please see link for full final meeting details: www.myvineyardswedding.com/finalsteps
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Timeline
I booked my wedding at The Vineyards, what are the next steps for the venue?
We do our best to keep everything flawless in your planning process here with us! After booking, please set reminders for your payment schedule and due dates. We will contact you to remind you if we need any other details along the way!
Follow us on Instagram @theVineyards_LI
At this time, start contacting your vendors to reserve services (DJ/band, Photographer, Florist)
You should also begin looking at Save the Dates and/or invitations - Minted is a great site!
For other on-trend tips during planning, you can also visit Kate's personal blog Sixpence Weddings.
Important Dates to Note:
Menu and Vendors 3 months before your wedding
Optional Wine Bottle Favors - 1 month before your wedding
Floor Plan and Final Guest Count – Emailed to Vineyards 10 days before your wedding
*Upon receiving the floor plan and guest count, we send your final invoice via email in order for you to prepare the final payment.
Final Payment - Certified Check made to Lessing's or Cash Brought to the Final Meeting
NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Final Drop-Off – Appointment required - 10am-4pm, Mon-Fri week of event
MUST HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS PREPARED
Menu
When do I need to have my menu selected?
We must have menu selections in no later than 1 months prior at this time. To keep your wedding planning on track. This allows time for menu printing production, kitchen forecasting, etc. Please find the menu selection submission options in the Planning Documents section of your Dashboard.
Is there a specific day we can come in to taste the food?
We will email you once we have dates to host the tasting events for all of our upcoming 2025 weddings. We send out the email in November for the following January and February 2025 tasting dates. Our tastings are offered as a courtesy to our couples. While we hope everyone can attend the dates we have scheduled, we can always make recommendations on the food choices if you are unable to attend the scheduled dates. As we have a very busy wedding schedule, we typically cannot host private tastings.
What is included in my Top Shelf Open Bar?
Click here for the current Bar List. If you need any additional unique mixers or liquor for your signature drinks, we can price bottles out for you to add onto your final invoice if needed.
How do I select the cake that is included through The Vineyards?
Contact Dortoni's Bakery at dortoniportjeff@gmail.com
Contact Audrey’s Bakery at katie.moran@audreybakes.com
Does The Vineyards provide printed menus for each guest’s seat?
Yes. Once your menu has been submitted and reviewed, we will provide printed menus for each guest’s seat in a menu-fold napkin. We have one standard white design that we offer complimentary. Click here to view.If you would like to bring in your own that match your invitations, you are more than welcome to drop them off with your other belongings the week of the wedding. Please confirm language if you are printing your own menu to ensure we have the same verbiage.
Vendors
Do you have recommended vendors?
Yes please click here for a list of preferred vendors.
We also have Vendor Bundles you can add on to any date/time. Please click here to view pricing.
Please tell me about your recommended shuttle service.
We have partnered with Mark of Elegance for a 55-passenger 8 hour continuous shuttle service. It can begin with bringing you and the wedding party here 2 hours before, and then go to 2 designated local hotels of your choice. Once adding it on with us, we send your information over to Mark of Elegance and they coordinate all timing and pickups with you. If you need additional time or vehicles, you can speak with their office directly. Pricing for the 55 -passenger shuttle bus is $1,700++ and will be part of your final Vineyards invoice.
When do I need to tell you about my vendors and do they need insurance?
Your vendor information can be brought to the final meeting on the form under Final Steps. If they are not on our recommended vendor list, they will need to email a COI (Certificate of Insurance) to kwiggins@lessings.com.
I am working with my florist and need to know about my tables and dimensions.
In cocktail hour, we currently have 10 farm tables at 7 feet long each, as well as 6 round high top tables. In the ballroom, the tables are 72" round tables with jute burlap linens. Each table can comfortably fit anywhere from 8 guests to 12 guests.
WE CANNOT FIT 13 AT A ROUND TABLE TABLE.
Sweetheart table is a farm table at 7ft 3in long.
Can I switch the rooms of placement of dance floor?
We host 200+ events per year and find our space is best suited when used as shown. Our cocktail patio is absolutely beautiful and is a connected space to your ballroom all night. You have plenty of room to dance in the ballroom with up to 250 guests seated for a plated dinner.
WE ARE NO LONGER ALLOWING "FLIPPING" THE SPACES TO HAVE THE RECEPTION ON THE COCKTAIL DECK, OR ALLOWING THE DJ/BAND ON THE PATIO FOR A DANCE FLOOR. Unfortunately there have been many logistical issues and problems with these options (ie. noise ordinance, food service, setup lag time), where we do not feel we can provide the proper experience and service for a perfect wedding event.
Does The Vineyards include valet parking?
We do not include a valet service, as we have ample parking. With valet, unfortunately, the main road tends to bottleneck, when it is much easier to just pull in the lot and self-park. If you would like valet, it is $150 per valet, minimum 4 valet to keep the line moving.
Day of Timing
What time can I arrive to the venue?
You may arrive 2 hours prior to your scheduled guest invitation time.
WE DO NOT ALLOW EARLY ACCOMMODATIONS/ARRIVALS.
What time should I put on my invitation?
As we include 30 minutes of hospitality time, with wine service, we recommend to invite guests 30 minutes prior to your ceremony (or cocktail hour, if no ceremony on site).
Example with ceremony: 6:00pm invitation time, 6:30 ceremony, 7-8 cocktail, 8-12 reception
Example without ceremony: 6:00pm invitation time, 6:30 -7:30 cocktail, 7:30-11:30 reception
What time is dinner served?
Dinner service depends on when your event is scheduled to begin. The day-of, your maître ‘d will make any necessary adjustments to timing, in order to ensure your event runs smoothly. Dinner is typically served an hour and a half into your reception time.
Example: 7-8p cocktail, 8p-12a reception; dinner would be served at approximately 9:30pm.
Ceremony
We need a podium or table for our ceremony. Can The Vineyards provide?
Yes, please note that you will need one or the other on your Ceremony Processional sheet.
Does The Vineyards provide music or a microphone?
We do not provide ceremony music, but can provide a voice amplification hand-held microphone for $250 additional.
Your DJ or band can also handle this setup with you so the music and mic flow seamlessly.
Do we have a ceremony rehearsal?
With the ceremony processional sheet, the maître ‘d lines everyone up the day-of and will guide each person down the aisle for the processional. It is always an easy, stress-free process!
Can we use the wine barrels by the ceremony arbor?
Yes, we have two that are always there. If you would like to decorate the arbor with the florist, you may certainly arrange to do so.
What happens with ceremonies in inclement weather?
We will decide together on your ceremony location 2 hours before your ceremony on the day of the wedding. Our team will diligently watch the radar and/or temperature if there is a question of the ceremony being inside or outside. If we make the decision to bring the ceremony indoors, we set up the ballroom for your ceremony, then escort everyone out to cocktail hour while we turn over the room. All of the tables are pre-set behind the divider, so it is a very seamless and easy transition for us. See photo below. (Arbor is included; the fabric and flowers are through your florist).
Setup
Does The Vineyards provide direction cards and seating cards?
Yes. You may pick up the cards prior to your wedding at your tasting. Seating cards have a space for you to write each guests name in or have a calligrapher hand-letter it.
How do my seating cards get set up the day of my wedding?
Your bridal attendant will read your check-in list and set up your pre-written, alphabetized cards on the front table in the lobby. If you have another space you would like to set them up in (ex. Cocktail patio), please note on your check-in list.
Do you have easels I can use for my wedding?
We have two standing easels at the venue that you may use at the venue.
We have a memory table. Can The Vineyards provide a table?
Absolutely! Please let us know these details at your final drop-off meeting the week of your wedding.
Extras
I would like to purchase the venue's wine bottle favors. When do I need to submit my photo for the label?
Email your photo to Kate no later than one month prior to your wedding for a proof to be made and sent back to you for review. Please send your favorite high-resolution image with what wording you would like. The image can be horizontal or vertical. We offer 375 ml bottles of Merlot and Chardonnay. We can place at each person’s seat, or at a favor table upon exit. Please let Kate know how many of each.
Gratuities
Maitre d’ and staff gratuities are not included and are at your discretion.
At Lessing’s, we pride ourselves on impeccable service.
All numbers below are suggestions and can be amended for exemplary service.
We will also give you pre-labeled envelopes at your final meeting.
Maitre d’ – Event Manager: $750
Bridal Attendant: $300
Captain – Food and Beverage Manager: $200
Wait Staff: $100 each – average of 1 waiter per 20 guests (example - 5 waiters for 100 people)
Bartenders: $100 each – 2 per wedding event
Final Steps
When is my floor plan due?
Your floor plan/final count is due 7 days before the wedding so we can send over your final invoice.
Floor plans must include your wedding name, date, and time, as well as the number of guests per table notated on the outside of each table. Tables can seat 8-12 guests. Please find standard floor plans on the Dashboard. You may also note how many favors per table if there is an exact amount. When complete, you can scan to kwiggins@lessings.com. If you do not have a scanner, you can snap a smartphone photo, or use a free app called TinyScanner with your phone to send over as well. Once sent over, Kate will email you a final invoice to bring a certified bank check to the final meeting. Certified checks are to be made payable to Lessing's. We will NOT accept any personal checks or credit cards.
When is my final meeting and what do I bring that day?
The final meeting is the week of your wedding. At this time, you must bring your Check-In List, Ceremony Processional (in Planning Documents) as well as your belongings for the day of the wedding - seating cards, cake topper, champagne flutes, etc. Please see link for full details: www.myvineyardswedding.com/finalsteps
