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Reception in Buffalo

Hi, I am considering having my wedding at Samuel's Grande Manor but I have never eaten there or been to a wedding there. I am also in Albany trying to plan a wedding that will be in Buffalo. Any feedback including both pros and cons would be wonderful? How was the food? Could you hear the music from the other banquet halls? Were all 6 banquet halls being used at the same time? Were there enough bathrooms for everyone? How was the overall atmosphere?

I also recently visited the Barton Hill Hotel in Lewiston and thought it was beautiful. Any information from someone who has attended a wedding there would also be so helpful.

Thank you in advance.

11 Comments

I am in the same situation. I am currently in Albany and planning a wedding in Buffalo. My sister had her wedding at Samuels and it was really nice. Anyone else have any good ideas because it has been a while since her wedding.

Hi Everyone, thanks again for all your help. I actually went back to salvatore's ate dinner there. The food was good (I did request that they make the food more spicey for my reception) and the atmosphere was great. My fiance and I had a very romantic nite out. They are also renovating the baquet halls and building a new contemporary one. So we booked and we are happy with the choice.

Thanks again for all your comments. I am going home this weekend and I am going to eat at Salvatore's and give it another shot. I have been looking at other places, but I want some place near my house (people are already driving along way, don't want to have to add anymore to the driving), that is reasonably priced, and will be a treat (something special) for my out of town as well as my family that lives there. I have about 200 guests with a lot of people coming from out of town so I need a place with a hotel. Salvatore's rates are reasonable for rooms and so is the prices for the food. But food is important to me so I am going to go and eat there and see if I can have a tasting. Does anyone know if they allow tastings before you pick your menu? If it doesn't work out for Salvatore's, I am going to find something so I can make a deposit this weekend. I will let you know what happens.

Samuels & Salvatores have wonderful managment & wait staff. The food is excellent for reception food. Not all weddings do conga lines that enter each room, FYI. You can mention that when you sit down with your banquet captain or manager. You can not hear the music from the other room to answer your question. Samuels is a hopping place in the summer & I have found that if you plan your wedding at either place, you will not be disappointed. The gardens & grounds of Samuels are beautiful to have all your photos taken as well. So does Salvatore's, especially Salvatore's Garden Place in case the weather is bad. I have worked with many couples over the years and if your wedding location is around these to places, I would recommend them. There is also a beautiful Grotto a few minutes from both places if Glen Falls and The Art Gallery are not on your list of locations for your photographs.
My favorite venues in Buffalo for weddings are the following
Downtown Buffalo Area:
1.) The Twentieth Century Club ( private club on Delaware Avenue, Downtown)) Outstanding, outstanding outstanding! Beautiful inside & out! Amazing cuisine and staff!
2.) The Saturn Club , a wonder club also on Delaware Avenue. A beautiful private club with a wonderful courtyard.
3.) The Statler Ballroom, great architecture downtown & a beautful place to hold a reception. Good eats as well.
4.) Rich's Atrium, great service & saff. Good food well prepared for any affair.

I agree EVERYONE and their mom has had their reception at Samuel's. As for Salvatores the food is always great. Never been to a wedding there but several large conferences and parties. Good luck

When are you planning on getting married? I don't have too much to say about Salvatore's, I thought it was sort of gaudy, but people in Buffalo love Salvatore's. The prices weren't too bad and people love to say that they are having their wedding at Salvatore's (or attending a wedding there). A con is that you have to have an alternate photo location - which is fine if you don't mind an extra stop.

I don't have a huge budget and am not getting married here, but I looked into Top of the Falls and it might fit into your budget (plus it's unique and what a great view).
Beer & Wine (4 hours) $15/person
Dinner Buffet $30.95/person
*Your can have the entire facility in September, but the summer months before that only back of restaurant and outside area. You could email them - there are many different packages. I really liked the idea of the live stir-fry stations!

You could also do the Botanical Gardens and choose a caterer from their list. Additional rental fees apply:
Botanical Gardens:
(1) Room is $850 including the security guard.
(2) Rooms is $1,200 including the security guard.
(3) Rooms is $1,800 including the security guard.
Entire facility $2,200 including the security guard.
Outside, is an additional $200/hour.

*Beyond 100 people will require additional table and chair rental.

I think for myself, I'm leaning toward Glen Oak Golf Course as it seems to fit in my budget. If you are going to go the route of golf courses & country clubs -- there are a lot of them in the Buffalo area to compare. We just went to one this summer at Lancaster Country Club and it was very nice ... gorgeous view outside, but small dance floor. Food was OK - I am not a steak fan so I can't judge.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Based on your comments I have decided to take Samuel's off the list. I am concerned with so many weddings being there at the same time. I love Barton's but it is a little pricey. I went to look at Salvatore's Italian Garden and I loved the banquet room. Has anyone been to weddings there? How's the food? Atmosphere? Service? Any info would be great because I am hoping to put a deposit down somewhere by the end of this month.

Thanks again!

If the Barton Hill Hotel fits into your budget, I would choose that location. I have been to TOO MANY weddings at Samuel's. It seems that that is the only reception location that brides choose. I've also had my prom there, etc. Barton Hill will be a treat for your local guests!

Also, every time I've been to Samuels there have been other events going on. I believe there are three rooms downstairs (main ballroom and one on each side and then two rooms upstairs?) Usually when you do the conga line, the wedding party goes into the other weddings.... just FYI.

I have had the pleasure of assisting brides at both venues. At the Barton just this past Nov and Rich's Renaissance Catering did a fantastic job. The food was fabulous. The ombiance is rich at both locations but in their own way. I believe that you would be very happy either way. Though I have become very partial to The Barton!

Thanks for the info, it was very helpful and reassuring!