Dear Steve, Magic! If challenged to define in one word, last week’s wedding of our daughter Marissa and son-in-law Noah at the Bourne Mansion this would be it. You and the Lessings’s Organization helped make our celebration one which everyone who was there said was “amazing!” Working with you was a true delight. We felt totally confident in your command of the day’s flow in everything from getting the ceremony “just right” to getting us fed first so that we could make the rounds to personally greet each of our guests. You also worked terrifically with our wedding officiant and our band to bring a seamless flow to the day. It has also occurred to us that you have this other wonderful skill set that probably often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. You so well managed the intricate ballet of getting two hundred-fifty people comfortably seated for ceremony, “toasted” afterwards, happily served at multiple bars throughout the entire party, and well fed at cocktail hour and again at dinner. We were quite amazed! Many of our guests - including a band’s music director, the owners of an entertainment-D.J business, and a P.R. director for a large corporation who does a lot of events - commented about what a terrific maitre’d we had. We didn’t have to be told . . . we know we had the best and appreciate that fact immensely! Working with you, your assistant, Fegge, Ben Nierenberg (who came through with promised facility improvements that exceeded expectations), Jason Henry (who was so helpful and supportive), and Neal in your office has been a wonderful experience. While we would imagine managing party after party can after a while make them seem mundane, throughout ours you gave ours your all. You and the entire Lessing’s Organization should take pride in the wonderful way you make folks special occasions extra special!

Dear Mr. Melita, We could write a novel about all of the great things that you and your team did to bring a "fairy tale" reception in a "fairy tale" setting to Michael and Dana's wedding day, but a simple and heartfelt "THANK YOU" sums it all up! Your attention to detail, coordination, presentation, and concern for all of our guests was over the top. This is true for every one of your staff members we came into contact with. We also cannot say enough about the quality of food and the service that your team provided. Our guests are still raving about it! Lastly, we can't thank you enough for turning what could have been a very stressful situation for my wife, Anna, after losing her diamond bracelet, into another "memorable moment"! While she was still being overcome with both the agony of losing it to the thrill of your coming up with it, I acted on her behalf by showing my "feminine side" and giving you a kiss. Believe me, it was worth it! Unfortunately, our friends caught the moment on camera and I will be forever explaining it! Again, on behalf of Michael and Dana, my wife Anne, our friends and relatives who traveled all the way from Massachusetts, Colorado, Dominican Republic, and Baltimore, we sincerely thank you for making this day a most memorable and happy one. We would recommend Lessing's and Steve's team to anyone and everyone with a resounding "nobody better!" Sincerely, Michael and Anne Wanyo

Steve. Dave & I waned to extend our gratitude to you and your staff for the outstanding service we received at Sara & Dan’s wedding reception. The fashion in which you handled the event truly made the entire evening such a wonderful success. It was a spectacular display and our family & friends thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Thank you again fro the care you granted to us, the newlyweds and our new in-laws. Maybe our paths will cross again when we are in the NY area. P.S - We hope our fountain jumper didn’t have a cigar in his pocket. Lynn and Dave Kuhar

Steve and Ben, I have been planning events in my career for the last 10 years for three major corporations I have worked for: Disney, Sprint and Pepsi. I was a bride who knew what I wanted and how I wanted it. The hardest part about planning any event is assuring you communicate your wants to the venue and vendors who has to execute and trusting them. I handled my wedding as any other event I have planned in the past, and I tried not to get emotional attached. In all the events that I have done, this went by far the best, the smoothest, and all of my dreams were truly met, thanks to the two of you and the staff at Lessing’s. From the moment Rob and I walked into the Bourne 14 months ago, we realized this was the venue of our dreams. An old mansion, the nostalgic smell, the rich colors, and the feeling that brought us back to generations before us. Ben guided us through everything and worked with us to assure we were able to get everything we wanted with all the extras the Bourne had to offer. He was like our miracle worker. Less than a week before the wedding, we met with Steve, who was going to assure everything we setup with Ben was going to be executed. Robert and I had 18 boxes of stuff, from pumpkin place cards, key chains for the valets, candies throughout the mansion, menus, table numbers, and pictures. Oh and those apple pies favors there were dropped off the day before. My job at this point was to trust, god was that hard. We walked into the mansion on our wedding day, Steve was like our personal bodyguard. He was more attentive to both rob and I more than we could even imagine. He helped us when we were seating. He told us when to eat. He handled a lot of out-0f-control kids' and he did everything with a smile. We used the Bourne house florist, and when I saw the room come together with all my touches, the lighting and the florist Ben gave us, a tear came to my eye. It was more beautiful than I ever dreamed. My guests are still talking how this was the best wedding ever and I truly know they aren't just saying that. From the food to the service to ambiance it was magically. Rob and I look at each and know as much I would like to take credit for everything, I can only say we couldn't have done it without the staff at the Bourne and the vendors they recommended. Any bride and groom would be crazy not to have their wedding there. It is the most unique, well-put-together venue on Long Island. Andrea & Robert

A daughter, with her mom and dad and her fiancé selects the perfect wedding reception venue. She tours the rooms, makes notes in her head of the rooms, tapestries, furnishings, flooring, rugs, and most importantly the feel of the venue. She pays special attention to the driveway, the sunlight, the patios, the vista, and the irresistible splendor of the Bourne. Her wedding day is more than a year away -but she envisions the date blessed with abundant sunshine, warm temperatures, low humidity and clear star-speckled night. She tours the Bourne Mansion with her family. Her decision is already made, but allows Mom and Dad to ask questions and make their own opinion. She is confident she knows the answer already. Her smile is confident and contagious. The ride home concludes that, after all is said, done, and calculated, the Bourne Mansion in Oakdale is perfect... if the weather cooperates with blue skies, late spring temperatures and calm winds from Great South Bay, the formal wedding will have the most perfect backdrop ever at the Bourne Mansion for a truly spectacular event. Time passes as the day approaches. The morning of Sunday, arrives. Brilliant blue skies, whispy white thin clouds appear from time to time, warm afternoon, calm winds... perfect day! The Bourne, fountain waters dancing, green lush verdant lawns, manicured flowering patios, the grand presence of the mansion set at the end of the regal driveway, give way to what little girls' dreams are made of... fairy-tale wedding... The sweeping views from the patios to the Great South Bay and rolling lawns offer not only a tranquility of the Bourne but a truly magnificent setting for photography, graced by sunshine, flora, and an effervescent bride and groom. The sun begins to set to the west as the moon rises in the eastern sky, Stars brilliantly shine at dusk. Boats occasionally dot the southern horizon to Fire Island. Lights glimmer in the distance. The guests arrive. They are mesmerized immediately as they turn into the driveway from Montauk Highway. The guests are now in awe, ready for more. Perfection begins at 6:00 pm on Sunday, May 30, and continues uninterruptedly for the next seven hours and more. Every guest, including the parents of the bride as the hosts for the wedding, are extremely awed, satisfied, gleaming, beaming, and amazed as the evening progresses so elegantly, so seamlessly, so impressively, so continuously. Every exception is exceeded. Every need is anticipated. Every smile is meant. Every courtesy is offered. Every promise kept. And every concern is never materialized. The cocktail hour was magnificent indoors and out. The food was presented professionally, abundantly served, and received accolades of praise from guests. The ballroom created the most breathtaking ambiance for the formal setting of the wedding. Walls awash in magenta lighting, floors polished, table setting meticulously executed brought an unrivaled, unparalleled sense of elegance for the wedding