Montauk, The End: The Beginning of Wedded Bliss
For lovers, and for lovers of long, rolling waves, sunsets over the sea and sandy beaches scattered with dramatic cliffs, could there be anywhere more romantic than Montauk for a wedding?
Not if you want your guests to be able to drive there from the NYC-Tristate area. You can get to Montauk easily from New York City via the Hampton Jitney or the LIRR. The Viking Ferry offers express service from Block Island, RI, New London, CT and Newport, RI, and the Cross Sound Ferry offers daily service between Orient Point and New London, CT. Or, come by your own boat and dock at one of Montauk’s marinas. Want to speed things up? Check out Montauk Airport, which offers a courtesy van, and New England Airlines.
Once you arrive, call Main Street Drivers (917-421-0800), Lindy’s Taxi (631) 668-4747), MOKO Taxi (631-668-7070), or The End Taxi Ltd., for SUVs, (631-404-5058). Or look for Hamptons Free Ride—the 100% electric, eco- and wallet-friendly service that will drive you around town.
Now that we’ve laid out how to get there, the big question on most recently engaged couples’ minds is: When? Weddings in Montauk are celebrated throughout the year, with the fall months being especially popular. The weather is mild, even warm, and the summer traffic has dwindled considerably. Hotel rates might also be lower than in the summer months—which is worth considering given the many expenses of weddings! Guests from out of town can enjoy walks on the beach, hiking in Camp Hero State Park, visiting the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse and taking in the incredible feeling of being on The End, surrounded by nature.
Accommodations in Montauk include options suited to every budget and style—but you’ll have to plan ahead to reserve rooms. A few popular spots are Beachcomber Resort, Harborside Motel, Beach Plum Resort, Breakers Resort and of course Gurney’s Inn Resort Spa and Conference Center. The list goes on, though, so be sure to check out montaukchamber.com for complete details.
Montauk wedding ceremonies range from the outdoor, with ocean or bay views, to churches and other indoor settings. One recent wedding ceremony took place at Camp Hero, overlooking the sea cliffs. Another more traditional wedding took place at St. Therese de Lisieux. This is a gorgeous yet simple Roman Catholic church with exposed beam ceilings. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Montauk Yacht Club, with barefoot fun on Lake Montauk. Ladies in attendance were provided with pashmina shawls to wrap themselves with in case it got chilly.
Another reception, that took place in May (pre-Memorial Day), was held at The Surf Lodge—where guests danced on the deck and relaxed around fire pits in the sand overlooking beautiful Fort Pond. Overlooking Fort Pond Bay is Navy Beach—the wonderful restaurant—where a couple tied the knot and celebrated in August. The indoor area provided a warm glow so the party could continue past sunset.
Other popular spots include Solé East, 360 East at Montauk Downs, Gurney’s and the Montauk Lake Club and Marina.
Keep it local with cakes by Montauk Bake Shoppe or the Blue Duck Bakery (Southampton is close enough!) and local floral arrangements by Amagansett by Beth or Flowers by Topaz. Everyone loves wines from Wölffer Estate and Channing Daughters on the South Fork, and Lieb Cellars (among countless others!) on the North Fork. Most of all, keep it fun with creative ideas that suit your personal style—nautical themes, flipflops for guests or shell placeholders.
Anyone considering tying the knot in Montauk simply must visit montaukchamber.com for the 2014 Montauk Chamber of Commerce Vacation Guide, which will help you out with links to all kinds of information. With some of the nitty-gritty out of the way, now all you have to do is pick your dress or suit, a band, a photographer—and your guest list!