Shands General hosting a different kind of wedding showcase Oct. 6

Shands General & The State Room in Patchogue are hosting a Wedding Social on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., offering couples a chance to eat, drink, explore and meet local wedding professionals in a setting designed to feel more like a night out than a traditional bridal showcase.

Three spaces will be transformed to show guests what a full celebration could look like, with The Loft staged as a mock ceremony, The State Room set for cocktail hour and Shands General serving as the reception.

Food, drinks, music and local wedding vendors will be featured throughout the evening.

The team at Shands takes a restaurant-first approach to weddings and private events, with menus focused on local and seasonal ingredients and a beverage program built around cocktails and hospitality.

Event Director and co-owner Julian Rizzo also brings a background in luxury wedding planning, experience that now shapes how the team approaches celebrations at Shands.

The Wedding Social isn’t limited to couples still searching for a wedding venue. Guests can also explore options for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, engagement parties, post-wedding brunches and other events surrounding the big day.

And there’s no expectation to arrive ready to book. 

Couples are encouraged to bring a fiancé, parent or friend, grab a drink, sample the food, meet vendors and gather ideas for their celebration.

If you go

The Wedding Social runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Shands General & The State Room.

Admission is $10 for one guest or $15 per couple and includes a welcome beverage and food. Special incentives will also be available for guests who decide to book an event following the Social.

Reservations can be made in advance through OpenTable.

— Shands General courtesy photos