New Jersey — The Knot Community

Elegance on a Budget!

FatimahandStephen — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:31:28 +0000

Hello all-I'm trying to pick a venue back home in Jersey and will be planning from Boston. My fiancé and I are finishing up grad school, so we are students but have a little tucked away in savings. I've visited IL Tulipano and The Valley Regency and loved both. Their rates were about $100 a person. Anyone been to a wedding or had their wedding at the Richfield Regency? Or, any recommendations on venues in North Jersey that are affordable (70-100) and beautiful?

Transportation - US Coachways Review - DO NOT USE

misstish137 — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:15:46 +0000

I'm not sure if this is the right place, but I just really feel compelled to do something to warn brides before they end up in a bad situation.

My husband and I had a lot of wedding guests that were driving in from fairly far away. We arranged for a block of hotel rooms close to the reception, and decided to get a large bus to transport folks so I didn't have to worry about anyone drinking and driving.

We called US Coachways (a national chain. Must be good, right?). The representative took our info and said we'd have a contract via email in 48 hours. Days turned into TWO WEEKS. She claimed there was some confusion with our reservation... somehow they thought we wanted two busses. Ok, fine. We signed the contract, provided our credit card, and were charged the full amount the very next day. But the experience didn't leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling.

I decided to look for reviews. (Something my husband apparently didn't do before calling to book.) The reviews were abysmal. I started calling other bus companies to see if I could find someone available at the last minute.... even if it meant paying a cancellation fee with US Coachways.

The first company I called didn't have any availability. He felt badly since it was for a wedding. I thanked him and said I had a bus already, but saw reviews that left me a little less than confident so I was looking for other options. He said, "Can I guess who?" I said, "Sure." He said, "US Coachways?" I couldn't believe he guessed right away. He then proceded to beg me not to work with US Coachways. He said his company gets multiple calls a week from people who have been left stranded by US Coachways because the company calls to cancel on them with only a few hours notice. This man had nothing to gain by telling me this since he couldn't provide me with a bus himself, so I took him at his word.

Luckily we booked with another company and had no problems whatsoever. We called US Coachways to cancel and followed it up with an email and a fax per their contract. It took them nearly 6 weeks to credit us back (and we incurred a finance charge on our credit card in that time).

I've since seen multiple complaints about them on multiple sites. Every last one of the "recommendations" on their own Facebook page are nothing but complaints. A recent one is a man who said that the company cancelled their bus 6 hours before their wedding. I truly feel like my husband and I dodged a bullet.

You only get to do your big day once. I would hate for another bride to try to work with this company only to be left without any transportation for her guests just hours before the ceremony.

Outdoor ceremony and reception would be great! North Jersey

lilycsong — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:40:40 +0000

Looking for tips from fellow ladies! We would love to have an outdoor ceremony and preferably reception but are finding most can only accommodate outdoor ceremony. That said, we'd be looking for May or Sept 2014 dates.

We've seen a few venues in Bergen County but haven't found anything we love yet. Any suggestions?

Make sure you know where your "professionals" are coming from

Chrissy241987 — Mon, 27 May 2013 23:37:29 +0000

Was looking at Craigslist today looking at wedding related stuff and this post caught my eye so I clicked.

Photographer needs Videographer for Wedding

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/evg/3820360783.html

If I hired a studio to do my photo and video and found out the photographer hires inexperienced people who "need to make money" when I paid for a professional, I would flip out!

HELP...need hair and make up person for Central NJ wedding in one month!

danilynn72 — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:23:59 +0000

Hi girls, I know I'm running extremely late with this but who would you recommend that would come to my house in Middletown to do hair and makeup...THAT'S GOOD!! Thanks

Affordable DJ and Videographer in Central Jersey needed...

soontobemrsbuccheri — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:34:25 +0000

Our check list is slowly being checked off. A lot of the major stuff (Church, reception venue, photographer, bridal gown) has been checked off. Now we are looking for an affordable DJ and Videographer! I'm not sure if we will actually hire a videographer, but it wouldn't hurt to get pricing.

If anyone knows of an affordable DJ, that will make our day special with out breaking the bank, please send recommendations our way! Same goes for videographer.

Thanks in advance to everyone!!!!

DJ HELP!

Tmmurphy615 — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:40:56 +0000

Hi all!

Getting married Oct 2014 in Central NJ (Monmouth County) and looking for a FUN DJ that will keep the party going. I've been to too many weddings where there's a lull at certain points and it just kills the whole party/dance mood. We don't want anyone cheesy (no games!). We want people to walk away and feel like they just came from the best "party" not necessarily a wedding (if that makes sense!) If you don't mind, please let me know price ranges. Thanks for the help!

NJ item for out-of-town bags

AJuliaNJ — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:31:30 +0000

I am tasked with getting a NJ item for our out-of-town bags. Since I lived in NJ my whole life, I am drawing a blank on what item I could get that would be considered uniquely NJ. I also don't want it to be expensive as I need to buy 30 of whatever I pick. I want to avoid chocolate as we did a chocolate item from my current state. Do you have any ideas?

The Mill, Spring Lake

HappilyEverAfter2702 — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:32:00 +0000

Has anyone had a wedding/party here? How was the food? Atmosphere? Ceremony? Thanks!

Show me your: Wedding Shoes!

SewInLoveWithDMB — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:50:40 +0000

Why not! A post with all pretty shoes will be fun!

Custom Dress Makers in North Jersey?

cendsthomo — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 15:24:46 +0000

Hello - I'm using some fabric from my mother's wedding dress to have a dress made, but I am having trouble finding a really good dress maker in North Jersey. Does anyone have ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks!

Wedding Called off - Wedding date available

brokenhearted15 — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:28:42 +0000

My FI and I have unfortunately called our wedding off. On top of being completely heartbroken, the venue is holding us to the date. In order to not be responsible for the entire day, the date must be rebooked. If anyone is looking for an amazing venue in northern NJ in September 2013, please contact me.

Thank you

Colonia Country Club

Amy348 — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:41:23 +0000

Hi Everyone. I was wondering if anyone has had their wedding or has been to a wedding at Colonia Country Club? It looks beautiful online but I haven't seen many reviews of this place at all. I would really like to have our wedding reception at a golf course or at some type of venue with sprawling grounds. Preferably the reception venue should be in Union, Essex, Middlesex, Morris, or Somerset counties if anyone has any other suggestions. Thanks so much! -Amy

Photographer!!!

PrincessNikki4 — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:24:13 +0000

Looking for a photographer and videographer duo. Any recommendations?

outdoor ceremony/reception in NJ

1CuteCruiseCouple — Mon, 13 May 2013 02:13:28 +0000

Hello,

Just got engaged last month and planning and smallish wedding for next year. Not having much fun or luck looking at venues so I was hoping for some help please.

Here's what I'm looking at:

1. outdoor ceremony and venue (garden type with gazebo preferably)
2. accommodate approx. 100 guests
3. budget around $100 pp (could be a lil more if necessary)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance! :)

Ink for Guestbook tree

jbmh8384 — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:38:44 +0000

Anyone have any recommendations for ink for a guest book tree. One that is vibrant but wipes off easily?? anyone ever us Memento??

Small garden reception

Joolie567 — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:26:59 +0000

We're looking to hold a very small (50 people) outdoor, garden-like reception, but we are having a hard time finding a place that allows such a small party & an outdoor reception. Ideally we'd LOVE a backyard wedding, but unfortunately none of our wedding party has a yard large enough to borrow. We live in northern NJ, but are looking for anywhere in NJ, NY, PA and the surrounding areas (our family/friends are from all over so everyone's traveling anyway). Any ideas are VERY MUCH appreciated!!

Rumor has it David's Bridal dropped photo and video???

Chrissy241987 — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:34:57 +0000

A friend of mine said David's Bridal is no longer offering photo and video. Does anyone know if the chain in financial trouble or did photo or video just not work out for them? Been looking at gowns there and want to be sure they are still going to be in business.Tempted to ask at the store but employees always seem to be the last to know...

Engagement gifts

mbcdefg — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:45:45 +0000

I'm going to DD my answers in this thread because my friend was looking at this board last night and might join up. *waves to S*

Thanks everyone! :)

Joint Bachelor/ bachelorette party

brazilianbride2013 — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 04:08:15 +0000

My wedding is in 2 months in Las Vegas and we are looking for a fun place for our joint bachelor/ bachelorette party. Does anybody have suggestions? We are currently living in North Jersey so we could go to the city to a nightclub with our friends or stay in Jersey ... any ideas and/ or suggestions?

Please Help

aracely1234 — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:24:13 +0000

Please help me find someone that can do the custom name light and fume for my wedding? I don't have that much time left. Please help

List of venues with price ranges?

xcitedbride — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 22:43:52 +0000

Newly engaged second time NJ bride here I was wondering if there was a list of NJ venues with approximate price ranges so I don't bother calling, researching, falling in love with out of budget venues. Thank you!

Honeymoons

flojo973 — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:28:05 +0000

I'm dreaming of vacations since its so dreary out today! So where is everyone going on their honeymoon?? For the married girls, where did you go on your honeymoon?

Makeup Longevity

srfliess — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:28:36 +0000

Hi Everyone!

For my wedding makeup, I am getting it proffessionally done, and airbrushed. My makeup needs to be completed by 1 so that I can start my pictures, but my wedding is not until 4:30. I am afraid that the makeup will begin to wear off by then, so I'm asking how to prolong the airbrush longevity. I know that Sephora and Ulta sell a spray to put on after your makeup is done, and I asked my artist if she would use this, which she said "no".

Should I go and buy the spray myself and use it after she leaves? Or do you think the makeup will be fine without it? Or, does the spray not work on airbrush?

Thanks so much!!

Bachelorette party location suggestions?

AJuliaNJ — Wed, 29 May 2013 00:20:30 +0000

Does anyone have any recommendations for bachelorette party locations in Bergen, Passaic, or Hudson County? My bridesmaids had something planned, but then found out it was a theme night, which none of us are into. So we need to find a place to go out on Saturday night. I don't like any of their suggestions as they are clubs and I don't dance so I want to have some alternate suggestions so I'm not just vetoing everything.

Ideally, I'm looking for a fun bar, maybe with live music.

Great Videographers for under 2k?

Dancer2873 — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:30:55 +0000

It doesn't have to be all the bells and whistles just someone to do ceremony and reception, raw footage, and possibly an edited video. TIA

Westmount Country Club

laur6327 — Fri, 31 May 2013 05:16:43 +0000

Hi ladies! I am newly engaged and today my fiancé and I booked the Continental Room at the Westmount for 12/5/14. I've been in love with the WCC since I went to a wedding in the grand ballroom a few years ago. That was the room I really wanted but budget just didn't permit it. I just wanted to see if anyone else has been to a wedding here in the Continental Room and if so how they liked it. We will have at least 200 guests and I am a little nervous of may be too small. Any insight would be amazing to help with my nerves! Thanks!!

Bridal Shower venues NNJ

AllieCat16 — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:37:06 +0000

I am a former knotie...this site helped me so much when I was planning my 10/2010 wedding! I am searching for a bridal shower venue, preferably for brunch anywhere between Summit/Union area up to Bergen County, but prefer somewhere in between. A BYOB place would be best, but an option for mimosa's or a champagne fountain are fine too..Don't want to spend more than $30pp (would obviously be higher if booze is included)..Thanks and happy planning!

Abella Studio vs Endless Wave

Kimachado — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:52:07 +0000

Hi all, I was wondering if any had any insight on either. I really love Endless Wave, but Abella is a bit more reasonable for Photography/Videography? I'm meeting Abella on Thursday and Endless Wave on April 18th. Can anyone share their experiences with either company? THANKS!!

Hotels Near Grand Marquis

onebaddboo — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:28:07 +0000

Good afternoon all!! I need some help! I am having a Sept 2013 wedding at the Grand marquis and was looking for hotels near the area for our hotel room block. I know they are mostly 10 mins away but any help with hotels that others have stayed at would be great!! Thanks in advance!!!