Hampton Insider's Advice

Ocean Front Resorts? Not hardly!
Many years ago when I was new to "The Hamptons" I worked for a bit at the Chamber's of Commerce information center. Not only did I learn a great deal about the "who and where" of the area, but I also learned what visitors expected it to be - and the picture in their minds didn't always equal the reality! The number one question I heard from first-time callers was "Where can I find an oceanfront resort (or restaurant)?"

A little historical background on the South Fork
The towns of Southampton and East Hampton proudly trace their origins back to the mid 1600's, when settlers from Lymm, Connecticut first landed at Conscience Point in Southampton and were met by members of the Shinnecock Indian tribe. The early families made their livings by farming and fishing, and many of their descendents still live here and continue these traditions.

In the late 1800's, the communities began to attract wealthy summer residents, mostly from Manhattan. The summer "cottages" they built were quite naturally built on oceanfront property. Therefore, from the outer boundaries west of Southampton Village to the east end of the hamlet of Amagansett in East Hampton Town, you won't find a single motel with an oceanfront view.

Are there waterfront properties anywhere?
Yes, certainly. West of Shinnecock Hills, in Hampton Bays through to Westhampton Beach... Sag Harbor and Noyac... a small part of Amagansett, Napeague, and almost anywhere in Montauk offer properties with a view of -- or nearby access to -- water. Unfortunately, you won't find it in the heart of the Hamptons, unless you're lucky enough to know someone who has a beachfront estate.

But the good news is, while the very wealthy may own the fabulous homes that overlook the ocean, the beaches themselves are open to the public. You can learn about holding your ceremony on the beach on our "Ceremony" pages. (See Venues)

Which "Hampton" do you mean?
The area commonly nicknamed "The Hamptons" is only thirty miles long and runs from Westhampton to Montauk, the tip of Long Island. The communities that make up "The Hamptons" are generally located off a single road, Route 27 a.k.a. Montauk Highway. This road runs from Southampton to Montauk Point . (The new Route 27 acts as a bypass to points East. The Old Montauk Highway, or Rt. 80, offers spectacular views of the Atlantic.)

Montauk
Each town on the South Fork has its own "feel." Gentle Remsenberg is serenely out of the nightlife and offers quiet tree-lined streets meandering down to views over Moriches Bay. Westhampton Beach's pretty little village features a great performing arts center, with summer concerts that have included Janis Ian, Art Garfunkle, and Elaine Boosler. Sag Harbor's whaling village history and abundant shops and restaurants are well known, but nearby Noyac offers bay frontage and quiet coves relatively unspoiled by development. Montauk, the only hamlet built and planned as a resort community, has more accommodations for visitors than all the rest of the Hamptons combined, and by a factor of ten! Montauk is surrounded by sea on three sides and is renowned for its windswept vistas The villages of Southampton and East Hampton are famous for their lively summer seasons of parties, benefits, and charitable events. There's so much more to "The Hamptons" than glitzy parties and famous people. In spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the crowds aren't quite as heavy, you can see and experience those qualities that have attracted the rich and famous to "The Hamptons" in the first place: sand dunes, the moon over the Bay, great sweet corn.

We live here all year round. In the company of a local friend like SouthForkWeddings.com, you can find the "Hampton" aspect that is meaningful to YOU for YOUR wedding.

Please take the time to get to know us.

Let us get to know you better!

Let our local people know you met them here!

Promotions

Lodging Promotions

"A Butler's Manor" in Southampton has been named by Fodor's as one of the top 15 B&B's in the country!! Read the article by visiting www.abutlersmanor.com

More Promotions

East End Experience Membership is now available! Enjoy VIP Discounts at the East End's most prestigious lodging establishments, wineries, restaurants, shops, museums and more! Over 80 select businesses already participating and the list grows daily! Click here for more information.

One of the first things you should do if you are planning an event or wedding on the East End is to purchase an East End Experience Membership Card. This card will afford you so many VIP benefits that you will not only save money, but also enjoy your time out East. Membership offers you such benefits as a FREE Tanger Outlet Coupon Book providing super savings at most of the stores in the mall, FREE tastings at many of the premiere wineries on the East End, (Martha Clara Vineyard gives members a certificate for FREE private wine tasting including wine friendly snacks for up to ten people), and discounts at hotels, B&B's, restaurants and boutiques. You can even get discounts off invitations and music for your event! If your event requires guests to find lodging, each of them should have a card. If you can afford to purchase them yourself and would like over twenty of them, you should write info@eastendexperience.com to get the large order discount. The cards retail for $25. but a purchase of twenty or more is considerably discounted. Your guests can enjoy savings on their lodging as well as savings at the the participating establishments while here on the East End. The cards make beautiful favors as they are presented stylishly in vellum envelopes tied with your color ribbon if you wish. The East End is not just a place; it's a state of mind. Make sure you and your guests get the full advantage of an East End Experience.

Wine Cruise Saturday, July 22nd, 4:00 PM Tickets $45.00 per person VIP tour of East End Seaport Museum with lecture on Maritime History. One and a half hour tour of Greenport Harbor aboard the Peconic Star. Local Wine (Watercrest Winery), local cheese (Catapano Farm) and local fruits (Wickham Fruit Farm) served aboard. Reservations must be made at B&B where you are staying. Reservations on a first-come-first-served basis. Maximum boat capacity 100 Call 477-4911 for reservations.

Peconic Photography by Dawn Carroll Free Engagement Session With Each Full-Day Wedding Booked (631) 734-2718 (See Hamptons Photographers)