Oheka Castle allows its couples to be transported back to the era of elegance and sophistication once they enter through the doors of this French chateau. Any couple planning their wedding here feels like royalty with their impeccable service, ambiance and the award winning estate and cuisine. Standing in the enchanted gardens you would never believe that the busy lifestyle of Manhattan was less than an hour away.
I was able to chat with the Director of Sales, Kelly Melius, who has had the opportunity to see Oheka transform over the past 25 years into the elegant and enchanted castle that it is today. Over the years, owner Gary Melius, has over saw the thirty million dollar renovation that restored this property back to its grandeur and making the Oheka one of the most celebrated wedding venues in the world. She gave us an insider’s look into how every bride and groom is treated like royalty at Oheka Castle.

GO: What is your unique role when it comes to a couple’s wedding day and how does your property distinguish a couple’s experience as opposed to getting married somewhere else?
KM :As the Director of Sales, I personally meet with Oheka’s brides and grooms. What distinguishes Oheka is first and foremost the grandeur and beauty of the estate and gardens. Second, Oheka only hosts one wedding a day and has a “No Two Bride’s Shall Meet” policy which gives our staff the luxury to give each Oheka couple the royal treatment. On the day of every wedding there is a banquet manager, bridal attendant and grooms attendant on the premises to ensure every wedding is truly special. After the wedding the couple and their guests can choose to stay overnight in one of our 32 luxury guestrooms and suites on the upper floors of the estate and wake to enjoy breakfast together in the grand ballroom.

GO: From start to finish, what can a couple expect if they choose to get married at your property?
KM: An Oheka couple should expect European ambience and white-glove service on their wedding day.

GO:If you had to describe your property in three words, what would they be?
KM: 1920’s Historic Mansion!

GO:What are the unique locations that a couple can host their ceremony and reception at in your venue?
KM:
One of our most popular sites for outdoor ceremonies are our Oheka’s Formal Gardens designed by the Olmsted Brothers. Indoor Ceremonies may be hosted in the elegant Grand Ballroom. Receptions may be hosted in either the grand ballroom or the terrace room depending on the number of guests in attendance.

GO: Do you have areas where a couple can elect to take their wedding pictures at your property?
KM: Oheka brides and grooms are free to take photos and video throughout the day of their wedding. Oheka is unique in that it is a coveted film and photo location offering many beautiful backdrops in the formal gardens and within the grand rooms of estate. Photographers favor photographing couples in the formal gardens, courtyard, bridal suite, library, and grand staircase. In addition, we love to use real Oheka couples for our advertising and frequently sought out the next stunning wedding photo or video for placement in our ads or website.

GO: Do you have customizable packages? Tell me a little bit about them?
KM: Oheka couples have many options available to them to make their wedding day unique. We also offer many wonderful upgrade options. Some of the favorites are to upgrade the wedding cake, add a lobster station, or extend their wedding with a jazz hour.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding, tell me about your menus/culinary team?
KM: Oheka serves an award winning culinary menu ,which prompts many accolades from guests attending weddings at Oheka. The quality and presentation of the food served at Oheka is very important to the owner of the estate and is under his constant watchful eye.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting married at your property?
KM: Couples should call our sales office at 631-659-1402 for an appointment to meet with a sales manager.

GO: Does your property have any unique features that you would like us to share with our readers?
KM: Oheka is the second largest private residence in America and family owned and operated therefore couples who get married at Oheka become more like extended family. Of course, the beauty and grandeur of the estate speaks for itself and the service and cuisine are distinctively designed to live up to the expectations of anyone who comes through the gates of the estate. For more information about Oheka’s unique features I recommend visiting www.oheka.com and viewing our photo galleries and Oheka On-Demand videos.

Thank you Kelly Melius for giving GO a look into your enchanting castle!

Oheka Castle
135 West Gate Drive
Huntington, New York 11743
631-659-1400
www.oheka.com
weddings@oheka.com