F.A.Q
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there price options for alternative dates or times of the year ?
A: Our seasonal packages are generally for dates from May through October each year. The 2018 package prices range from $ 88.00 per person to $ 118.00 per person plus service and sales tax for Saturday affairs. Discounts are available for most Fridays and Sundays in season, as well as almost all dates from mid-November through mid-April.
Q: Do you host more than 1 event per day ?
A: Our standard weekend schedule is to have a single affair in both of our rooms with a 3 hours between the starting times of the affairs. This schedule allows for each menu to be fully prepared before the other event begins. Both the Main Dining Salon and the Victorian Ballroom are set up with their own cocktail spaces, entrance and restrooms to avoid the typical “wedding factory” effect. This room arrangement enables one to be independent from the other without conflict of services. There is also an option to reserve the entire facility for your affair exclusively at additional cost which is based on the particular date, starting time and minimum required adult guest count.
Q: Can more than 1 entree be selected ?
A: For our sit down dinner packages, your guests can have a selection of more than 1 entree to choose from. With our standard package pricing, an invitation menu enclosure is required which will allow you a choice of any 3 items from our standard package menu to be offered. This method insures that the dinner service won’t take up too much of your affair so that the guests can dance and socialize. If a menu with a night of service choice is desired, there is an option to have a selection of 2 items from a list of entrees that the Dutchess Manor will offer to you at a small additional cost. These entrees are quicker for our kitchen to prepare which will keep your event schedule comfortable and festive.
Q: Is there flexibility with the menu choices, cake styles, linen selections etc… ?
A: Our packages are arranged with a selection of different menu items, cake designs, fillings, floor length table linens and napkins in a variety of solid colors. There are many optional package upgrades to choose from as well as the ability to customize menus and other amenities at additional cost. Luxury shuttle coach shuttle transportation to local area hotels and Metro North train stations is just one of the many conveniences that we can provide for your affair. This excellent & guest friendly service is individually priced based on the requirement for each affair.
Q: Is there a bridal room available for my reception ?
A: With our standard package, a complementary, fully furnished bridal suite with an attached private restroom is included. Clients with a full facility reservation enjoy the use of both bridal suites throughout their affair.
Q: Is there an option for an interior ceremony in case of inclement weather ?
A: An interior set up of the ceremony is always available with our standard schedule of events. The decision to host the ceremony outdoors or indoors does not need to be made until 2 hours prior to your guests arrival time.
Q: Do you offer wedding ceremony rehearsals ?
A: We do include a ceremony walk through on the day of your affair, prior to the guests arrival. Due to our schedule of events, we typically cannot do late afternoon or evening rehearsals on Fridays or Saturdays. If a later afternoon or an evening rehearsal is required then Wednesday and Thursdays evenings may be available based on our schedule of events. Any additional costs involved with staffing & setting up the rehearsal will be added to your final bill.
Q: Is there an opportunity for overtime with my affair ?
A: With both of our standard time slots and exclusive facility reservations, overtime options are available. The options vary from 1/2 to 1 hour and can include the room and open bar service or the room service only. The decision for any overtime must be made prior to the last hour of the affair.
Q: Do you have recommendations for vendors such as bands, photographers, D.J.’s and hotels ?
A: Upon booking an event, a full referral list of entertainers, photographers, local hotels, inns and other vendors and services is given to our clients. These vendors have been carefully screened by our staff to ensure the quality of your affair is maintained. There is a preview of some of these vendors on our links page. You may use your own vendors for music, photography and other services as long as they provide to The Dutchess Manor valid proof of their business insurance prior to the event.
Q: Is a food tasting offered ?
A: We offer a food tasting to the couple which is complementary if have they booked their affair with The Dutchess Manor. Our tastings are held on days in which we have an affair so that prospective clients will experience an actual and accurate menu sampling. A tasting should be made closer to when your date is booked rather than when the menu confirmation is due so that you can take some time to make your choices. The majority of our tastings are scheduled during our primary event times, from April through December each year, and it is best to try and do the tasting during a similar season as your event date. Off season tastings, from January through March, are very limited due to the fewer dates that we have events scheduled and need to be booked accordingly. For couples that have not booked an affair with a deposit at the Dutchess Manor, there is a $ 45.00 per person cost for the menu tasting. Payment for the tasting is due prior to the scheduled date of the tasting and can be made by personal check or in cash. If you book your event within 2 weeks of your scheduled tasting the tasting fee will be credited to you on your final event bill. Up to 4 additional guests may be invited with the same $ 45.00 per person fee charged but the tasting fee for additional guests is not complementary.
Q: Do you offer Vegetarian Menus ?
A: We can prepare Non Vegan vegetarian menus for our clients from a variety of sit down or buffet menu presentations. Limited strict Vegan menus are available as well and are seasonally created.
Q: Do you offer wedding ceremony rehearsals ?
A: We do include a ceremony walk through on the day of your affair, prior to the guests arrival. Due to our schedule of events, we typically cannot do late afternoon or evening rehearsals on Fridays or Saturdays. If an late afternoon or evening rehearsal is required then Wednesday and Thursdays evenings may be available based on our schedule of events. Any additional costs involved with setting up the rehearsal or staff from the Dutchess Manor required for a rehearsal will be added to your final bill.