Are you dreaming of a wedding fit for royalty? Oheka Castle, with its rich history, stunning architecture, and exclusive setting, is a venue that truly stands out when it comes to creating a memorable and unique wedding experience. 

Nestled on Long Island’s “Gold Coast,” this magnificent estate allows couples to step back in time and celebrate their love in truly stunning surroundings. With over a century of history and pristine gardens rivaling those at Versailles, Oheka Castle is the perfect choice if you’re envisioning a European oasis (that’s not too far from home). 

As wedding planners based in NYC, we’ve planned and executed weddings at Oheka Castle, and we cannot sing its praises any louder. We have 3 compelling reasons why Oheka Castle should be at the top of your venue list, along with some additional features that make it an unparalleled choice. Enjoy!

3 reasons you should have an Oheka Castle wedding

1. Rich history

Oheka Castle isn’t just a beautiful building; it’s a century-old piece of history. Built in 1919, it is the second-largest private residence in the United States, surpassed only by the world-famous Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Its rich history and grandeur make it a truly unique and prestigious wedding venue. 

Do you enjoy classic American literature? Imagine exchanging vows on an estate that inspired one of the greatest love stories! 

During the Gilded Age of the 1920s, the estate was used as a summer home by Otto Hermann Kahn, the original owner, whose photo was used to create the character “Mr. Monopoly.” He often hosted grand parties with A-list celebrity guests, influential government leaders, and even royalty!

Sound familiar? It partially inspired Jay Gatsby’s lavish estate in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, “The Great Gatsby.”

Oheka Castle is a member of the Historic Hotels of America, a program created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation that celebrates and preserves America’s most culturally significant hotels.

The castle’s French-style architecture has been meticulously maintained after its refurbishment in 1984. Today, 85% of the 443-acre property has been returned to its original grandeur, with plans to turn the remaining space into a luxury spa. 

2. Incredible living architecture

Oheka’s meticulously manicured lawns and gardens create a breathtakingly green setting for the estate– but it didn’t look like that for its entire century-long history.

After a period of abandonment and a few devastating fires, Long Island developer Gary Melius purchased the estate and began a meticulous restoration process, bringing the property back to its former glory. This dedication to preserving the estate’s beauty and history is a testament to the care and attention that Oheka Castle puts into every aspect of its operation. 

The $40-million restoration, still the most expensive in the US, took many years. 

The French-inspired Formal Gardens, initially designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers (the architects of Central Park), include 8 reflecting pools and 3 fountains. 

They planted thousands of new trees and shrubbery, including the 500 Red Cedars lining the West Gate Drive, 44 London Plane trees in the Formal Gardens, and 2,505 Boxwoods surrounding the reflecting pools.

Can you imagine how stunning your photos would be?

3. Exclusivity

Exclusivity is the ultimate sign of a luxury wedding venue, and Oheka Castle does not disappoint. Booking your wedding at Oheka means securing a venue that’s breathtakingly beautiful, highly sought-after, and limited in availability. 

Hundreds of notable figures throughout history walked its halls. Oheka Castle became a formal wedding venue in 1987. The only wedding on the pristine property before then was Otto Kahn’s daughter Maud’s marriage to John Charles Oakes Marriott in 1920. 

Who wouldn’t love to join the elite list of couples who have celebrated their love in one of the most prestigious wedding venues in the world?

Additional features that make an Oheka Castle wedding a dream come true

On-site accommodation

Today, Oheka Castle has 34 guest rooms and suites for your closest friends and family, making it a perfect setting for your multi-day celebration. You can have your rehearsal dinner in the castle and breakfast with your guests the morning after your wedding. 

Originally, there were 127 rooms in the castle, along with 29 fireplaces. Khan employed 126 full-time staff to maintain the grand estate in the 1920s. The famous staircase from the Chateau de Fontainebleau in France inspired the grand staircase in the entry foyer. You can literally get lost in Oheka’s magnificent details. 

In-house catering

Oheka’s in-house culinary team ensures your wedding menu is as impressive as the castle itself. 

Oheka’s website states, “Our world-class in-house catering offers wedding couples and guests delicious menus from scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and enticing entrees to the decadent dessert cafe and customized wedding cake. Signature cocktails, a top-tier bar, and white-glove service complement the Castle experience.”

Large capacity

The newest addition to the castle, the Terrace Room, has a capacity for 350 guests for a formal dinner and dancing. There is also a grand ballroom, formal dining room, and expansive lawns to host your wedding activities, ensuring that all your guests will be comfortably accommodated. 

As your wedding planners, we can tailor the estate to suit your needs, whether it is a classy, intimate affair in the historic ballroom or Oheka Castle’s special Gatsby-style events that can accommodate up to 1000 guests.

Naomi + Jordan: A fairy-tale “Black Royalty” themed Oheka Castle wedding, planned by Christine Ferguson Events

Naomi and Jordan came to us looking for the perfect team to take their royalty-inspired wedding vision and create an event their guests would rave about for years. 

We curated sophisticated and luxurious details, including a stunning seating assignment card display and towering floral centerpieces with purple and white roses that adorned every table at the reception.

You can read more about their spectacular event on Inside Weddings.

Oheka Castle weddings: frequently asked questions

Why is Oheka Castle famous?

Aside from the incredible history and grandeur we’ve already discussed, Oheka Castle has also been the setting for many notable films, television series, and music videos.  

Here are just a few from Oheka Castle’s star-studded celebrity guestbook:

• Film Citizen Kane
• TV shows, including Royal Pains, Succession, As the World Turns, Project Runway, and the Real Housewives of New York City Season 12 reunion
• Music videos, including Brandy’s “Brokenhearted,” Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” and Liam Payne and Rita Ora’s “For You.”
• Countless charity events, celebrity celebrations, editorial shoots, and fashion shows

What famous people got married at Oheka Castle?

Many celebrities have chosen Oheka Castle as the backdrop for their nuptials, including Kevin Jonas and Danielle Deleasa, Dancing with the Stars ballroom dancers Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd, NSYNC’s Joey Fatone, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, and singer Brian McKnight.

Can you take engagement photos at Oheka Castle?

Yes, you can! 

How much does Oheka Castle charge for engagement photos?

There is a $2,500 fee to use the estate for your engagement photos.

Is there an Oheka Castle dress code?

Their dress code states, “proper country club attire is required at all times in the Castle.”

Can we look at Oheka Castle’s floor plan? 

Yes! The floor plan is available here.

Can we take a virtual tour of Oheka Castle?

Yes, you can schedule a virtual tour on Oheka’s website. 

Should you hire a wedding planner for your Oheka Castle wedding?

Yes, definitely! You deserve a wedding as grand and spectacular as Oheka Castle itself.

While professional planners can work at any venue, hiring a planner who has worked at your venue is valuable. Having a planner with a designer’s eye is excellent if you need advice about wedding details related to your venue. 

No matter where you choose to host your nuptials, we’d love to help you create the wedding you’ve dreamed of. Inquire with us to get to know us better, and of course, if you need venue recommendations, we’ve got them!