Bergen Co. Venue Pricing Help Please

mrs0120

Hi everyone, I am newly engaged and am looking for advice on finding a quality & budget-friendly venue in Bergen County.  I've read that some venues can be flexible with your budget.  What are your experiences with that and do you have any advice for me?  Did you opt out of anything to get a lower price?  I've already accepted not having a Saturday evening wedding because it is out of my budget.  I really would prefer to have a wedding during the busy season because I am not at all a fan of winter.  Any advice would be so helpful & thanks so much in advance!!

JoanE2012

What is your budget, per person, including tax and service charge?

We planned a November wedding.  Not quite winter, yet still considered off season.  Because of the cheaper pricing, we were able to plan a Saturday evening wedding. 

It was my experience that venues were more flexible with off-season dates.  They didn't seem to want to budge on minimum guests or prices for popular months because they're easier to fill so i you can't pay it, someone else will.

You may get a deal on a popular month if that date is coming up soon and the venue hasn't booked it.  For example, if a venue has a June date open for whatever reason, they may discount that quite a bit because they realize that filling that date with 3 months to go is going to be difficult.

Let us know your budget and I'm sure some of the girls will be able to give you ideas.

mrs0120

Thanks JoanE2012!!

Your advice is very helpful

Our budget allows for max of $135pp including tax and tip if that is at all possible.  I'm looking for a venue that has items included - open bar, cake, etc.

Most placed I've seen offers ice sculptures and some even have a raw seafood bar included in the price.  I was wondering how venues would respond if I were to offer doing without items like that to lower the price.

JoanE2012

It certainly won't hurt to ask!  

Also, look into country clubs.....I'm not sure about northern NJ but I know I've heard of a bunch throughout NJ that are fairly reasonable.  They often have the added benefit of only having one wedding at a time and beautiful grounds for photos.

mrs0120

Thanks JoanE2012!