does anyone have any great suggestions for a wedding site on or near the beaches in and around new york city? don't want to go the traditional route in a catering hall but would like something non-traditional while still keeping expenses moderate.
plans are for august 2005 with about 70 guests. would really love a caribbean island but worried about hurricanes in that season. what do you think?
thanks. frustrated.

Congratulations veraroo...

Are you thinking Long Island or NJ for beach areas?

In NJ you might consider Spring Lake, Deal, Mantolooking, Avon or Bradley Beach or Bay Head Areas. Long Beach Island probably has some nice options as well, but that might be further south than you want to consider. Check each town's rules to see if there are restrictions about using the beach for wedding ceremonies.

Good luck with your planning!

As you probably know from last years horrific hurricane season, no one can predict where or when hurricanes will strike. The season is from June 1-December 1st however hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions do occur outside those dates. Aruba has been effected by these storms in the past and will be again in the future.

Hurricanes or Typhoons hit the east coast of the US, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, West Coast, and the Pacific Rim including Asia.

I would not base my holiday plans on weather that may or may not happen. Instead, I would purchase very good travel insurance in case something does happen, you can cancel without penalty.

I'm not sure how to reconcile a request for keeping expenses moderate with a "wish" for a caribbean island wedding. It always amazes me that YOU don't want to spend a lot but you don't mind if your guests have to. Sorry for the rant.

In answer to your question, many of the wineries on the east end of Long Island (both North Fork and South Fork) are being used for weddings and you could also have the ceremony at the beach as most are quite nearby a beach. Here's a list of them all
http://www.liwines.com/default.ihtml?page=vineyards

Tierra Mar is at the Westhampton Bath & Tennis Club (a hotel) and sits right on the beach
http://www.tierramar.com/

There are ways to have wedding right on the beach and under a tent. Here's just one event planner who would have ideas
http://www.robbinswolfe.com/

By the way, there are PLENTY of non traditional venues both in Manhattan and out. No need to do a "catering hall." Have you considered a wedding/reception on a yacht? I think World Yacht does them.

mclaurie,
Must you assume the wost intentions for people?
Of COURSE veraroo would be paying for flights and lodging for guests at a caribbean wedding. Nobody is THAT thoughtless toward their guests.

I got the impression that veraroo realized a Caribbean destination wedding wasn't realistic, and thus was polling for ideas for beach locations in the NYC area. Hmm...

Hopefully she'll come back and let us know what area she's considering so we can help more.

Springboarding off mclaurie's suggestions...Renault Winery in NJ might have similar option as a wedding site.

It's not exactly the beach in the way you mean, but I got married under at Brooklyn Bridge Park on a shell beach overlooking Manhattan this summer. I had about the same amount of guests and it was fabulous. Definitely nontraditional and memorable. You can see some pictures here: http://www.dorischang.com/portfolio/wedding/8.htm

Good luck!

Meg