Ceremony: Officiants, North Fork Parks, Beaches, & Churches

Officiants
Parks & Beaches
Churches

North Fork Wedding is unable to assist you with finding an officiant for your wedding.  Many caterers, vineyards and event planners do have the names of some.  Remember also that any judge can marry you, including the judges of each East End Town.  To find out the names of local judges, go to the official site of the each township: Southold, Riverhead, Southampton, Shelter Island, and Westhampton and East Hampton.

There is no more romantic backdrop than the natural beauty of a beach on the East End. The North Fork, including Riverhead, Shelter Island, and Southold Townships, has beaches on the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay. Inlets and coves abound and there are even a number of ponds and lakes. Of course there are risks: the weather, noisy swimmers, off shore boats and even some pushy seagulls! It might be wise to have an alternate plan such as having the ceremony performed at your covered reception site. All shorelines have locations that offer access to non residents, though you should check with the town halls about parking and other permits required. Although no individual homeowner can lay claim below the high water mark, waterview property owners do control the area above. Access to a beach through private property is not permitted. The East End is also home to many parks. Some are quite small but have wonderful "photo ops;" others, such as state parks, have all the amenities.

Riverhead town extends from the west in Wading River to the east in Laurel.  A town noted for its agriculture and horse farms, it is also blessed with some lovely shorelines on LI Sound and Peconic Bay. In addition, there are  some lovely parks here. One park overlooking Peconic River which has its headwaters in the town of Riverhead  offers some great "photo ops." If the idea of a casual funloving wedding appeals to you, you might consider Wildwood State Park in Wading River. It has over 600 acres of hardwood forest, high cliffs overlooking LI Sound, picnic areas and pavilions.
For a listing of town beaches and all parks, go to www.riverheadli.com.
A useful website for Riverhead businesses is www.riverheadchamber.com.

The township of Southold extends from Laurel to Orient Point. Within its boundaries are town beaches, park district beaches, and Orient State Park. Each has its own regulations. There are a number of establishments on the water and you may make arrangements with them directly. (See Lodging and Restaurants) For town regulations, permits, etc. contact Southold Town Hall, Main Street, Southold (631) 765-1800.

You are welcome to have your ceremony on any beach, but tents etc. are not permitted nor is alcohol. Although the town has no official guidelines, large weddings are frowned upon. (The Gazebo, located in the hamlet of Southold, is often used for photographs, but it's best to get  a permit from the town to ensure availability.) For a full listing of Town Beaches click here: http://southoldtown.northfork.net/parks-beaches.html

All parks in this category are limited to residents except for a true jewel: Horton's Point Lighthouse. Located on a high bluff, the historic lighthouse is now a maritime museum and the grounds provide a stupendous view of LI Sound. The Wharf House at Founder's Landing, so named for its historic significance, is available for rent to property owners within the park district. The views across to Shelter Island are magnificent and the building and grounds are available for rent. For photos and a full listing click here: www.southoldparkdistrict.com.

This gorgeous park boasts pristine beaches overlooking Gardiner's Bay and all the amenities you would expect from a state park. There is a pavilion available for private events. You really should go see it! For information call (631) 323-2440.

This is one of the most beautiful islands you will ever visit. It has rolling hills providing spectacular views of both the North and South Forks. You can only get there by boat so there are ferries that run continuously to both Greenport and Sag Harbor. The ride is inexpensive and takes less than 10 minutes. The ferries carry cars as well as passengers, but on busy weekends, the car line can be extremely long. There are a few public beaches, but they are right along the roadway.  It would be worth your while to visit Shelter Island. One bride we know drove around the island and saw a privately owned gazebo she just loved. She asked the homeowner if she could have her ceremony there and he said yes!  Another bride had her wedding ceremony at Quinipet, a camp operated by the Methodist Church. Although it is used for youth programs, it is available to all and not restricted to religious groups. Quinipet has one of the most beautiful outdoor chapels imagineable. Take a look at these two websites to see some gorgeous pictures.
http://www.umcamps.org/quinipet.htm
http://www.bobmcinnis.com

The Shelter Island Chamber of Commerce also has a website, though it is not particulary dynamic. Still, it does offer useful information. The address is http://www.shelter-island.net

North Fork Churches

The East End's churches reflect the deep religious roots of the North Fork. While it would be impossible to list each insititution here, the list below is representative of major faiths. Many churches permit ceremonies for non-parishioners; some require pre-marriage counseling. If you call the office of a church in your faith, the staff will be sure to tell you of its requirements and advise you about other churches in the community.

Catholic Churches
Protestant Churches
Jewish Temples
Inter-denominational Churches

This church is in the center of historic Polish Town and reflects the architecture and ethnicity of the early Polish immigrants.

This large church has a Mediterranean edifice that seems more in keeping with the town since the arrival of the vineyards.

Founded in 1640, this historic church is located in the heart of the hamlet of Southold.

The interior of the church is designed to represent a ship; the pulpit is a ship's prow.

A charming country church filled with a sense of history and reverence.

An exceptionally lovely meeting house built in the Puritan tradition, this building is available for the exchanging of wedding vows in any denomination. Its simple beauty is intimate but large enough to accommodate up to 120 wedding guests. Owned and maintained by a preservation trust, the Jamesport Meeting House is conveniently located and available for use by residents and non residents alike.

This lovely chapel is situated very close to the Greenport-Shelter Island Ferry landing. It is open for services mid June to mid September.