Unique Wedding Venues: Hempstead House on Sands Point Preserve

If you're looking for a truly unique and breathtaking venue for your wedding....a venue that "all your friends and family haven't been to hundreds of times already" then Hempstead House on the Sands Point Preserve in Port Washington may be a perfect match.

Only 30 minutes out of NYC, this little know Gold Coast Estate is one of my MOST FAVORITE venues to share with clients who are looking for Unique, Private, Indoor-Outdoor option and Views of the Water.

This venue has A LOT of Pro’s:

• Its close enough to the city that busing guests is a viable (and generous) option

• Sprawling grounds make for a beautiful entrance on to the property but also for fabulous photos throughout your big day.

• A huge manicured lawn with sweeping views of the Long Island Sound give you an outdoor ceremony and or cocktail hour option but also tenting area if needed.

• Amazing architectural details.

• Gorgeous and spacious rooms for lots of different party configurations

• A wonderful staff of people on the property who make it a pleasure to work with

• The ability to bring in your chosen caterer

• A breathtaking (clean palate) which makes it a perfect foundation to create a multitude of wedding styles!

A few Cons:

The space is NOT HUGE so based on your expected guest list the smart decision may be to add a tent to your plan to make transitions from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception as smooth as possible.

There are two spaces where the dance floor makes the most sense but both have small obstacles. A sunken floor with a fountain and an area with a fireplace cutting the room in half could be obstacles or can be beautiful elements its all how you look at it.

Keep in mind, this an OLD ESTATE and while it has been updated and very well maintained by the preserve it is a historic building and so it is drafty and cool in fall and winter months and certainly can be warm in the summer. Heaters, Air Conditioners and a Generator are all definites to add into the budget. A restroom  would also be advised for outside ceremony and cocktail hour because of where the bathrooms are located inside.

All in all I cannot say enough wonderful things about this venue! Gorgeous, Vast, Elegant without being Stuffy, Traditional but Timeless.

Take a look at our photo gallery and the creative board of how we were inspired to produce our Great Gatsby Wedding at Hempstead House and keep your eyes out for our (soon to be featured) 'Sleepy Hallow' HALLOWEEN Wedding at Hempstead House!

Do you have a favorite "unknown" venue?!  Let me know! I'd LOVE to hear about it!

Cheers to your next event!
xoxo
Maya

Hello Desmond Tutu!

It’s been a really a trying but busy first quarter. But with spring & summer upon us, everyone seems in better spirits. And not to say it’s gone, but the economic situation has almost become something we can all joke about.

So, who knows…this may be an eventful summer after all!

The biggest part of staying at the top of our game in times like this is the ability to really impress the all-knowing and skeptical New Yorker with new info they’re unaware of & ideas they haven’t thought of. So in essence, it's helping our clients find those New York gems that everyone talks about . Well, we’ve done our due diligence and after looking far and wide for Gotham City’s unique venues to hold events, we have found them!

Distinctive venues seem to be on everyone’s list of priorities when beginning their event planning process. Last week, we had the pleasure of being guests for a showing of The Desmond Tutu Center on the west side in Chelsea. I had the pleasure of meeting him when Swank hosted a non-profit dinner and silent auction for his foundation and now we've come full circle in working with this space for events. (photo 1 is of the Desmond Tutu Center, photo 2 is from the Swank event). The street-side view is completely unassuming. But when you enter the event spaces, you’re greeted by a castle-like setting with stained glass windows in almost every event room. With high cathedral ceilings, it’s the perfect venue for someone looking for that “something different” for their affair. It’s the ideal marriage between gothic structure and modern style. And that’s just the inside! I haven’t even gotten to the garden. It houses a seminary so the word ‘serene’ would be an understatement. Fortunately, they’re not too strict with noise and event regulations so it’s the best of both worlds. If you’re ever in the area, you should definitely stop in and check it out. And always remember to mention Swank for that special treatment!

And the list goes on... Hudson Theatre, Powerhouse Arena, The U.S. Equestrian Team Center, and Calle Ocho. Stay tuned for an exclusive on the aforementioned places.

My search is never ending so I would love to get some feedback about places you think I should check out. There are so many exciting and great projects coming up and I’m thrilled to share all of it!

Always spreading swanky event info!

Until next time Cheers!

xoxo
~Maya

Swank Productions event planning and design main site: http://www.swankproductions.com/
Where you’ll find a ton more photos and learn more about us!