How Much Does an Oheka Castle Wedding Cost?

Last Updated on January 17, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Have you always dreamed of having a fairytale wedding? Look no further than the magnificent Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York on Long Island’s Gold Coast. This historic chateau-style estate is one of the most desirable wedding venues in the world and will make you feel like royalty on your special day.

In this article, we will answer frequently asked questions about having a wedding at Oheka Castle. We’ll discuss pricing, vendors, venue features, and more so you can get all the details on planning the wedding of your dreams at this iconic location.

Whether you want an intimate affair or a grand gala, Oheka Castle can accommodate it all in style and luxury. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know!

How Much Does an Oheka Castle Wedding Cost?

Oheka Castle offers customizable wedding packages to fit varying budgets and styles. Of course, hosting your wedding at one of the most exclusive venues around comes at a premium price. You can expect an Oheka Castle Wedding to cost at least $100,000 for a standard event with 100 guests.

Many factors influence Oheka Castle wedding costs:

• Site fee: This ranges from $15,000 – $35,000 depending on the time of year and day of the week. Saturdays in May-October are the most popular and expensive.
• Food and beverage minimum: You must spend a minimum of $15,000 – $45,000 on catering through Oheka’s exclusive caterer. Costs depend on menu selections.
• Number of guests: More guests mean higher site fees and catering costs. Oheka can accommodate up to 400 guests.
• Rentals: Any additional rentals like chairs, linens, tents or lighting add to your total. Oheka can provide most rentals or you can bring in outside vendors.
• Season: Summer weekends are peak season and priced higher than spring and fall dates.
• Time of day: Receptions on Saturdays before 3 p.m. or after 9 p.m. offer some savings.
• Day of the week: Fridays and Sundays are more budget-friendly than Saturdays.
• Room rental: Many couples reserve a suite or guest rooms for wedding prep and their wedding night. Rooms start at $395 per night.
• Service fees/taxes: Like any venue, Oheka charges service fees and taxes on top of their base pricing.

While $100,000+ is clearly not an accessible price point for every couple, Oheka Castle does offer some more budget-friendly options to those set on having their wedding there:

• Host your reception in the less expensive Terrace Room rather than the Grand Ballroom
• Opt for a brunch or daytime reception which offer lower site fee rates
• Limit your guest list to reduce headcount-based fees
• Avoid peak summer season dates
• Skip having accommodations onsite for your wedding party

Lapkovsky notes that the cost per person for a wedding at the Oheka Castle venue starts at $330 in high-demand months, with holidays being the most expensive, followed by Saturdays. Monday through Thursday in the first three months of the year are the most budget-friendly.

According to Oheka Castle FAQ, the venue does not offer packages because there are many variables that may change the pricing. However, it mentions that there is a minimum adult guest requirement of 125 for events Monday through Thursday.

Rebecca Ou Photography writes that the cost for a Friday/Sunday wedding is $320 per guest for cocktail and dinner. Kosher meals are available for an additional $40. The venue has a minimum guest requirement of 200 people, which would result in a cost of $106,000 for food alone. On top of that, there is a site rental fee of $22,000.

WeddingWire notes that the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season is $20,000.

No matter what, expect that having your wedding at Oheka Castle will be one of the biggest expenses of your wedding budget. But for many brides and grooms, saying “I do” at this iconic Long Island venue is worth every penny!

What is Oheka Castle and Why is it a Popular Wedding Venue?

Built between 1914 and 1919 by financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn, Oheka Castle is one of the largest private homes ever built in the United States. The stunning chateau-style mansion sits on 443 acres and contains 127 rooms. The palatial estate was designed to showcase Kahn’s substantial art collection and entertain the elite of high society.

After falling into disrepair in the late 20th century, Oheka was restored to its original grandeur in the early 2000s. Today it is operated as a historic hotel and event venue, including hosting some of the most glamorous weddings on Long Island.

There are many reasons Oheka Castle is such a sought-after wedding venue:

• The sheer elegance and beauty of the grounds, architecture, and interior design transport you to another time and place. From the perfectly manicured formal gardens to the ornate furnishings inside, every detail oozes luxury.
• Its grand size allows even large weddings with hundreds of guests to feel intimate. There are indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception sites to accommodate any wedding style and size.
• The onsite 32-room boutique hotel provides a place for you, your wedding party, and out-of-town guests to stay onsite. The charming guest rooms and lavish suites make getting ready on your wedding day a breeze.
• Excellent in-house catering and event planning services elevate your experience. You can enjoy gourmet cuisine and customized planning while letting the venue handle all the details.
• The location provides easy access from NYC while feeling set apart on Long Island’s prestigious North Shore. It’s convenient for your guests while providing an escape from the bustle of the city.
• As a historic icon, it creates a wedding experience your guests will never forget. You’ll forever cherish having your photos taken on the sweeping Oheka Castle grounds.

Whether you envision a glamorous black-tie wedding or more casual garden party, Oheka Castle’s beauty and first-class amenities make it a perfect place to host your special day.

What Do You Get for the Money at Oheka Castle?

For the base site fees and minimum spends, here is an overview of what is included in an Oheka Castle wedding:

• Use of your chosen ceremony site (options include the Flagpole Terrace, English Garden, Croquet Lawn, or East Lawn)
• Access to your reception venue for up to 5 hours (usually the Grand Ballroom or Terrace Room)
• In-house catering, tables, Chiavari chairs, linens, silverware and glassware
• Bridal suite for wedding day preparations
• On-site suite for wedding couple on the night of the wedding
• Hotel accommodations for the wedding party at a discounted group rate
• Coordination with Oheka Castle onsite wedding planner
• Valet parking for all guests during the event
• Set up and breakdown of all rentals and event spaces

Keep in mind any additional rentals, lighting, entertainment, flowers, photography, videography, wedding cake, alcohol or transportation will be additional expenses on top of Oheka’s fees. However, their all-inclusive packages simplify booking multiple wedding vendors.

You might also like our articles about the cost of organizing a wedding at the Rosecliff Mansion, the Rainbow Room, or Mar a Lago.

While expensive, couples are paying for the unmatched experience of getting married at one of the most iconic luxury venues on the East Coast. The impeccable service, gourmet cuisine, jaw-dropping photo backdrops and sheer romance of Oheka Castle make it worth the splurge for many.

What are the Top Oheka Castle Wedding Venues?

Oheka Castle offers both indoor and outdoor options for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Here are some of the top wedding venues that allow you to take full advantage of the sprawling mansion grounds and gardens:

Ceremony Sites

• Flagpole Terrace – With sweeping views of the grand chateau, this stone terrace surrounding the front flagpole creates a dramatic ceremony backdrop. The intimate space accommodates up to 130 guests.
• English Garden – Blooming floral borders and a charming gazebo provide a sweet, romantic setting for exchanging vows in this 2-acre garden. Fits up to 260 seated guests.
• Croquet Lawn – Say “I do” on the impeccably manicured lawn adjacent to the kitchen garden. The large green space can seat up to 500 people.
• East Lawn – Offering privacy from the front of the estate, the sprawling back lawn works for very large weddings of 300+ guests.

Reception Spaces

• Grand Ballroom – The ultimate spot for a grand Oheka Castle wedding! The palatial two-story ballroom with 23-foot high handpainted ceilings, chandeliers, and French doors is breathtaking. Accommodates 100-400+ guests.
• Terrace Room – A more intimate reception site for 50-130 people. The second-floor room opens onto a balcony overlooking the gardens.
• Formal Dining Room – For smaller weddings, the dark-wood paneled dining room that once hosted royalty provides an elegant backdrop. Fits 50 seated guests.

Outdoor Areas

• Versailles Courtyard – This European-style courtyard is ideal for a cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
• Italian Gardens – Designed after ornate 17th-century gardens, these intimate walled gardens work beautifully for wedding photos.

No matter which venue you select, you’re guaranteed a picture-perfect setting steeped in old-world romance and luxury.

How Do You Book Oheka Castle for a Wedding?

To begin the process of booking your Oheka Castle dream wedding, you will first want to reach out for pricing and availability:

Call their dedicated wedding sales office at (631) 659-1400. Be prepared to provide your desired wedding date and estimated number of guests.

• Email the sales team at weddings@oheka.com with your name, wedding date, projected guest count, and contact information.
• Schedule an in-person tour or virtual tour via Zoom to view the venues and discuss options. Tours allow you to visualize hosting your wedding at Oheka.
• Upon reserving your date, a 50% deposit is required along with a signed contract. Generally, a minimum spend is required depending on the date and time.
• Over the next 12-18 months, you’ll work with Oheka’s seasoned team to customize food and beverages, rentals, and other wedding details.
• A final headcount is due 2 weeks before your big day. The final balance is due 3 days before the wedding.

Booking Oheka Castle for your wedding is definitely an investment. But their dedicated sales and event teams are there to walk you through the process to ensure your special day goes off without a hitch.

The splendor and romance of getting married at this iconic Long Island mansion will create memories to treasure for a lifetime. Let Oheka Castle turn your wedding dreams into reality.