Long Island is its very own hotspot. Yet, it remains attractively close to The Big Apple and the hip, happening and burgeoning boroughs. Yet, while we are no doubt quintessential New Yorkers, we have always stood out and have had a unique culture all our own. In fact, we march to the tune of our own, quite different and distinct drummer. We love to make a splash and a statement. So, when it comes to celebrating your Big Day, you’ll want to decide on your particular and personal style.

Will your event be traditional, trendy or an eclectic combination of both? Are you opting for a full on formal white tie wedding, a black tie event or one that is black tie optional? Is your style more casual, cocktail or garden party posh, beach chic or country and rustic couture?

Making this decision, among one of the first of many choices sets the tone for the rest of your event. From your venue to your menu, your signature style is the foundation for your fairytale fete.

Destination and Location: We’ve all heard the saying about location, location, location. Getting married at Long Island’s opulent Oheka Castle pretty much will mean a Cinderella-style celebration with all the pomp and circumstance of a traditional and tasteful event complete with a fanciful 6 to 7 course sit down dinner while a seaside celebration translates into a more beach vibe with less formality. East End Vineyard weddings can go either way, but heading “south” into The Big usually mean chic celebrations that are fabulously formal with plenty of Broadway and Hollywood glitz and glam.  Southern celebrations, those being held at plantation-style venues south of the Mason-Dixon Line also tend to be more traditional and less “trendy” with most couples opting for a couture yet classy celebration with plenty of grandiloquence and splendor.

Time of Day: Events held earlier in the day give you more flexibility when it comes to compromising on formality, while late day and evening events warrant a less whimsical and more polished and posh party. From the formality of the attire to the majesty of the menu weddings taking place later in the day tend to be much more lavish and legalistic.

Venue:  How and where you wine and dine your guests may define your style or it may work the other way around. Remember, if you’ve always dreamed of a chic country chic celebration barn side, you may want to look into less opulent establishments and instead opt for east end vineyards, farms, barns, etc. Love the water and the great outdoors; seek out places with great and grand sea and landscapes including beachfront venues, gardens and arboretums. However, if your dream is an over the top Gatsybesque grand gala where you get to pull out all the stops, think traditional, tasteful and lavish locations such as Coindre Hall, The Mansion at Oyster Bay, NYIT de Seversky Mansion, The Fox Hollow and many others that Long Island is famous for.

Dress for Success: Weddings by the sea and/or beach call for casual but chic summer attire such as seersucker pants, rolled up khakis and more casual shirts often sans ties; with ladies in shorter, bright vibrant floral patterns that are airy and light. Garden parties or afternoon events held at arboretums, museums and other eclectic locations mean much the same, when it comes to feminine ensembles for female guests and more formal yet relaxed attire for men such as lighter fabrics and summer suits. Lavish extravaganzas, especially those held in the late afternoon and/or evening translate into more traditional attire for both men and women. Women can wear somewhat shorter dresses (depending on the formality of the venue) but they should be opulent and usually black or blue or grey or something chic and sophisticated. Men should also wear darker suits or tuxedos depending again on were the event is being held. It’s always a good idea to give guests a heads up on how you see your event (remember it will be documented for posterity in photos and video) how you want it remembered…and what type of attire is suggested or required.

Finances and Budget Basics: Frugal couples should seek out a less formal celebration that will give them plenty of financial flexibility when it comes to everything from fine wining and dining to all the finer details of their day. The fancier the feast, the more you will spend, so make sure you choose wisely keeping your personal finances and budget in mind. Remember it’s easy to get carried away when planning your very special big day.  You may want to splurge on a planner to help you achieve the wedding of your dreams without blowing your budget.

The stunning photo provided by Long Island wedding photographer Studio 27