With the average cost of a wedding on Long Island being over $67,000, nearly double the national average of $34,000, newly engaged couples can be overwhelmed by the price tag and the sheer number of vendors to contact.
Valerie Mazarowski, owner of the newest event space, The Lovely on 61 Main Street in West Sayville, who has 15 years of experience in the wedding world from a vintage lemonade vendor, photographer, videographer, and day-of coordinator, saw a paucity in venues that could provide all the elements of the sumptuous and elegant Long Island wedding dream, but with a guest list of 50 to 65 instead of the more recent 150 to 200.
“When you pare down the list to 50 to 65 people, you’re really encompassing your family and closest friends,” said Mazarowski.
In the past, she has hosted a 70th birthday party in the venue space for 70 people, so the 50 to 65 range would allow for a dance floor and all the trimmings of a big wedding.
The space was designed with Mazarowski’s over-a-decade experience in the industry with a welcoming foyer in the front, complete with vanity stations for brides and their entourage to have hair and makeup done in the front and changing rooms ingeniously crafted with birdcage-like drapery.
Breakfast is included in the bridal day-of package.
“Breakfast is the most important meal of that day because once the day starts, you won’t have a chance to eat, but we’ve taken care of all that here at The Lovely, so you can focus on your friends and family and making memories,” said Mazarowski.
The lighting in The Lovely is pure South Shore brilliance, even creating an inviting atmosphere on a fully overcast, heavy rainy day.
The main space of The Lovely works as a blank canvas, where Mazarowski configures tables, round or rectangle, food service, buffet, sit-down or passed hors d’oeuvres, with the couple to capture their unique style and wishes for the event experience to be special for their guest.
“I want everyone at the wedding to feel special and welcomed. Especially now when young couples likely have a $700,000 mortgage, it is still possible to have your dream wedding without the nightmare cost,” said Mazarowski.
A self-proclaimed antique-er, Mazarowski collected the items from The Lovely to be unique and have a history to them to lend itself as a venue of amassed treasures, much like a bridal trousseau.
A robin’s-egg blue 18th-century French-inspired couch was picked up all the way from Brookyln, and The Lovely even has a collection of boho fine china for the whimsical bride.
The glass collection is impressive, with multiple champagne flutes from stark and modern to intricate crystal.
Much of Mazarowski’s experience came from her time organizing and designing intimate backyard weddings in the Hamptons and Montauk.
“In the rush of wedding, there can be so many details forgotten, and things like cleanup are probably the last on your mind, but this was my vision for The Lovely, a place that could take care of all those elements that are crucial to giving you and your guests the wedding experience you’ve dreamed of having.”
While The Lovely specializes in weddings, the event space is easily converted for Sweet 16s, birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and any other type of celebration.
“What The Lovely offers is deep attention and fine tuning of letting your personality and vision create your celebration.”
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