Lessing's Waterfront Mansions

We got married at the bourne mansion and it was absolutely perfect. Steve was the one to run the day of planning and he was on top of everything. The food was great, the service was amazing and everyone is raving about the entire day and that would have not been possible with out Steve. Don't listen to the things you hear about Steve, people say he is hard to work with and I compeletely disagree. He was extremely professional and is a master at what he does.

An introduction: My fiancé and I had the wedding of our dreams (actually it was beyond our wildest imagination) last May (2009) at the Bourne Mansion. We fell in love with the cozy, home-like (but stunning) atmosphere (and were already imagining our old family photos decorating the mantles), half-way through our tour. We called back to book before breakfast the next day. It was the best choice we could have made. On the ‘big day’ the Bourne Mansion far exceeded our expectations. The staff were flexible enough to allow us to come in and take pictures well (4 hours, actually) before our start time. The ball room was the perfect place to first see each other on our wedding day! When our bridal party arrived ahead of us, Steve and the rest of the staff helped them settle into the bridal sweet and ensured everyone was well cared for. Our wedding happened to fall on Steve’s birthday, and everyone enjoyed celebrating the with a drink. The venue: The ambiance at the Bourne on my wedding day was breathtaking. The rooms are amazing and the sea-side mansion allowed me to weave in a motif of sea-shore elements (but not too ‘beachy’), while maintaining a timeless and classy overall feel. The staff perfectly incorporated all of my personal touches (personal photos, a sandbox full of real shell place cards, etc.) competing a vision beyond my anticipation. The staff worked seamlessly with my vendors, creating a perfect blend of flowers, music, scenery and memories. Many, many guests have told me it was unlike any other wedding they had been too. Everyone loved exploring the different rooms during the cocktail hour. And it was a perfect night to sneak outside to cool off and enjoy a view of the bay. My guests are still talking about how elegant, interesting, unique, and beautiful it was. The food: The display of food at the cocktail hour was endless; and I pride myself on having sampled, and loved every bit of it. When it was time for dinner, the servers were not only attentive, but added a bit of flair as they carried the trays across the floor (a really fun picture for my album). And the meal… everyone complimented the quality, and I (again) had a bit of everything; I was so full but it was too delicious to pass up. The service: The highlight of the event, what made it all come together, was the outstanding service, from every member of the staff. Throughout the reception, they managed every desire and concern I, or anyone close to me, encountered. Starting with the bridal attendant bustling my dress perfectly (I actually got complements specifically on how well I was bustled) and swiftly (I didn’t even notice her) plus a quick fix later when the strings broke; to the staff continually ensuring I always had a full glass and didn’t miss a favorite song; to warning stocking-footed dancers of a broken glass (cleaned up as fast as it happened); to laying cool cloths on my neck prior to a ‘photo-op;’ to making me a speedy but lovely “throw-away” bouquet when the florist forgot it… the staff were always kind, thoughtful, knowledgeable and eager make every moment perfect. When it was over, they had carefully boxed up all my special touches. A final note: The Bourne will provide you with a list of recommended vendors - who eat free if you use them. I highly recommend using them. I found each one to be highly skilled, professional and personable. The only vendors I had trouble with were not on the list. The Bourne staff members are familiar with and communicate well with their recommended vendors, and the vendors know they layout and style of the venue, making it easy for everyone to work together to ensure smooth sailing at the event. I am forever grateful to everyone at the Bourne for a perfect and unforgettable wedding day!!!

We can honestly say that our wedding was perfect! Steve, our Maitre'D was absolutely amazing! He took care of us and our families and his top priority was making sure that we were comfortable, happy and having fun at every moment of the night. Steve did an incredible job running the show and guests took notice of that as well. Lessings has the ability to please everyone! Our guests were raving about the kind waitstaff, the DELICIOUS food and impeccable service. My husband and I are so satisfied and pleased with every single detail. It was truly a magical night for us and our families and friends, and we cannot say enough about Lessings and its staff. We highly recommend them for any special day/event in your life.

The quality of the service, food, and attentivness of the staff at The Bourne Mansion was truly exceptional. It is just a breath-taking venue which makes you feel that you are living in a dream. Not only was the place itself lovely, the staff, especially Steve, were amazing. Every single minute of the day/night went perfectly without a hitch. They truly made our wedding a spectatular event that we will never forget it. The Bourne Mansion venue, food,and staff get the highest of recommendations from us.

From the moment we became engaged, we knew that we wanted to celebrate our marriage at the Bourne Mansion. When we called the very next day after our engagement, we spoke with Ben and he immediately set up an appointment to meet with us. After talking to Ben we decided that the Bourne Mansion was THE ONLY place for our reception. Needless to say, our expectations were not only met but greatly exceeded! On our wedding day, Friday, July 6th, as the limo pulled through the circular drive, rain began to pour down. However, that did not dampen our spirits! We were met by Steve carrying umbrellas and greeting us with heartfelt congratulations. He ushered us into the mansion and so began our dream reception. Though it had recently rained, the staff immediately dealt with the deluge by sweeping the water off the bricks and changing tablecloths, making it possible for us to take pictures with the Great South Bay in the background. It seemed as if Steve was everywhere at once. He saw to our every need as well as our guests while setting the mood for the evening and the best party of our lives! We cannot say enough for his attention to detail and the professionalism that he exhibited throughout the evening. We are convinced our wedding would not have been anywhere near as wonderful as it was without his presence. Then, there was the food! Peter outdid himself in every way. The guests raved about the food starting from the cocktail hour and continuing right through to the cordial hour at midnight. Every one of the 245 people at the reception was amazed at the delicious array of food choices. We are both indebted to Peter for his culinary expertise. It made our wedding reception that much more special! Today, four days after the wedding, we are still receiving phone calls and e-mails telling us that this was the best wedding our friends and family have ever attended. Our wedding reception was truly a beautiful and memorable one which we believe would not have been possible without all of the help from Lessings; especially Ben, Peter and Steve. We will continue to highly recommend them to all our family, friends and acquaintances.