Merion Brides

misschristinec

Hi Ladies...
I realized in a post a few days ago there are a bunch of us getting married at the Merion. 
So I'd like to get a better survey of the Merion Brides (maybe we should to a G-2-G.
Also The Knot just announced their Best of 2010 and The Merion is one of their best South Jersey Venues.. Yay!
Survey
What's your wedding date:
What time do the festivities begin:
Which Ballroom:
How many guests:
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)?
Where are you taking pictures?
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?):
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner:
Are you hiring a DOC?
Who is your Florist?

misschristinec

My Response:
Survey
What's your wedding date: Saturday, January 15, 2011
What time do the festivities begin: 6 (err I think)
Which Ballroom: Starlight
How many guests: 220-240 (inviting 280)
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)? Yes, Palazzo
Where are you taking pictures? Not sure yet
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?): Wyndham in Mt Laurel (yay Shuttle Deal)
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner: Not sure yet
Are you hiring a DOC? Absolutely (she's from North NJ)
Who is your Florist? Still up for grabs (awaiting a a quote)

aprovencher21

Survey
What's your wedding date: 1/7/11
What time do the festivities begin: My ceremony begins at 6:30pm
Which Ballroom: The reception is in the Empire ballroom
How many guests: Well originally 150.....now more like 190-200
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)?  I get to pick which ballroom I'd like to use for the ceremony depending upon which ones aren't book for my night by October.....
Where are you taking pictures? Inside, outside, hallway, stairs, in front of the art deco mermaid, etc.
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?): The Wyndham in Mt. Laurel.....I have a room black for $89 a night.  If I book 15 rooms I get a free shuttle to and from the Merion for guests.  We will be staying in Philadelphia on our wedding night since we fly out on our honeymoon the next day.
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner: That's a big question right now....probably an adorable Italian place in my area
Are you hiring a DOC? I don't think so.  I'm overly organized and on the ball......plus I have two aunts who are more like second mothers who are anxious and happy to ensure everything goes well.
Who is your Florist? Michael Bruce....he is simply amazing

LisaLPharmD

Survey
What's your wedding date: November 6, 2010
What time do the festivities begin: 5
Which Ballroom: Palazzo
How many guests: 200-240
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)? No
Where are you taking pictures? Outside area/stairs/hallway
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?): Marriott - No free shuttle, grrrr
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner: Cafe Capris possibly?
Are you hiring a DOC? No
Who is your Florist? Still looking for the right price!

ev4149

Survey
What's your wedding date:  Saturday, April 30, 2011
What time do the festivities begin:  6pm
Which Ballroom:  Empire Ballroom
How many guests:  150ish
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)?  Nope, church ceremony.
Where are you taking pictures?  No idea....
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?):  Yes... but I haven't picked one yet!
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner:  I don't know this one yet either.
Are you hiring a DOC?  No
Who is your Florist?  Don't know.

Wow, I feel way behind on everything.... 

jayme707

Survey
What's your wedding date: 9/17/2010
What time do the festivities begin: 6:30 ceremony, 7:00 cocktail hr
Which Ballroom: Skylight
How many guests: 150ish
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)? Yes, in the chapel
Where are you taking pictures?  Lakeview cemetary (Iit's not as bizarre as it sounds, I swear)... and inside the Merion
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?):  Wyndham... $99/ night, free shuttle service with 20 rooms booked (I didn't know this was up for negotiation )
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner:  Cafe Madison in Riverside
Are you hiring a DOC?  No but a friend of ours who used to manage Ramshead Inn might help us out
Who is your Florist?  We're leaning towards Eastwick's, but no contracts have been signed as of yet

jayme707

Maybe I should say Lakeview Memorial Park instead, that sounds a little more ideal than "cemetary"

ev4149

It seems a lot of people use Lakeview.  My photog recommended it.  I am kind of superstitious, that's why I want to go elsewhere. 

jayme707

yeah, I've heard good things about Lakeview also... but people who don't know it kind of look at me funny when I say we're taking pics at a cemetary lol

misschristinec

I've never seen Lakeview- What's it like?

babyt1528

Survey
What's your wedding date: October 2, 2010
What time do the festivities begin: 5:30 cocktail hour, 6:30 reception
Which Ballroom: Palazzo
How many guests: 365 Invited (hoping for close to 300!!!)
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)? No, Church Ceremony
Where are you taking pictures?  Still trying to figure this out, but hoping to talk FI into Lakeview...I have seen protographer pictures there and they turn out BEAUTIFUL and you def cannot tell you are in a cemetary!  And then hopefully inside the Merion, stairs, hall, etc. (still going to be interested to see if I have to wait my turn or not for pictures since I have heard different stories on whether or not you see other brides)
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?):  Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill (no shuttle service so had to get it else where....eerrrr)
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner:  Cafe Aldo Lamberti's Cherry Hill
Are you hiring a DOC?  I keep going back and forth.....every time I read someone's posts about getting one and/or previously having one I keep leaning towards yes, but still have not pulled the trigger....
Who is your Florist?  Addie Rose (they are in the shopping mall behind Lucien's in Berlin).

jayme707

misschristine, Lakeview is really pretty... it really is more like a park than a cemetary.  Here's a link to a photog's wedding pics so you can idea of what the grounds look like

http://blancophotography.blogspot.com/2009/09/wedding-of-christine-and-patrick-on.html

ChanelShades

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_south-new-jersey_merion-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:128Discussion:5661ce75-44d8-4e91-b56f-2609985eca18Post:b2ea86b8-142d-4b91-8daa-38cb475e00ec">Re: Merion Brides</a>:
[QUOTE]Maybe I should say Lakeview Memorial Park instead, that sounds a little more ideal than "cemetary" :)
Posted by jayme707[/QUOTE]

In your defense, I drove by their the other day and the part where the Lakeview sign is happens to be beautiful! I think it said Lakeview Memorial Park, and I was like hey I can take my pics here. But then I drove up and saw the tombstones and wasn't sure if ppl would think I was a weirdo. I think it is a great idea! It crossed my mind too! :)

misschristinec

@jayme -- you're right it's definitely pretty... wonder what it will be like in the winter time.. hmmm that's why I need and indoor option and an outdoor option

ev4149

Has anyone done anything regarding a cake tasting?  Just curious.... (I am looking forward to this part!!)

And what stations is everyone going with?  We haven't decided yet, but I think we are doing seafood and either carving or the roasted lamb....

misschristinec

I have a while to go until my tasting, but are the regular tastings private or are there mobs of people?

cynnnabun

What's your wedding date: 9/12/10
What time do the festivities begin: 4pm ceremony
Which Ballroom: palazzo 2+3
How many guests: 200-225
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)? palazzo
Where are you taking pictures? lakeview + merion
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?): no
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner: coastline? my MIL picked
Are you hiring a DOC? no
Who is your Florist? not sureeee.  

i need to go do my tasting, because apparently the place doesnt do any tastings in august. so i need to hurry it up.

AND the merion's tastings are private, usually downstairs in a room next to the empire, and you can bring up to 6 people.

i used to work for them, and ive done tastings. haha.

CHarley2B

SURVEY
What's your wedding date: December 4, 2010
What time do the festivities begin: 6:00pm
Which Ballroom: Palazzo
How many guests: 200
Ceremony Onsite? Nope. At my church
Where are you taking pictures? Inside and Outside at the Merion
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?): Yes but not sure where yet
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner: Not sure
Are you hiring a DOC? No
Who is your Florist? Not sure...interviewing people now. Let me know if anyone has someone they'd recommend and who has reasonable rates.


I don't think the Merion's tastings are private anymore. You can bring 6 people but I was told that they have specific dates they bring brides in for tastings now so it may not just be you and the people you bring.
I haven't contacted the bakery yet either...I will soon...maybe..  

jayme707

I just came from my tasting tonight... they basically have a bunch of tables set up and everyone sits at their own table, but there are other people there having their tasting at the same time.  They bring out a few hors d'oeuvres for you to try, even though you don't select anything.  Then they'll bring a plate for each category, chicken, fish and beef.  Each plate will have both selections. it looked like it was a half portion of each.  Then they'll give you some chocolate mousse for dessert.  

It was actually really nice, they had a guy playing the piano and they give you complimentary drinks from the bar.  There is a lot of food, so go hungry!  They said after the tasting, you have to call and set up your menu finalization meeting where I guess you go over all the details for the menu and the wedding... I wasn't aware of this until tonight.  I forgot to ask about a cake tasting or about the bakery so I'm not  sure how that works...  I guess I'll have to email them about that

Cynnnabun, I know they have two tastings in July... one is on the 7th and then another closer to the end of the month... both on Wednesdays.  I think they may only do tastings on Wednesdays, I guess it's a slow night for them.  

CHarley2B

Jayme what did you taste for your entrees? How was it?

For the cake tasting and design you just contact Isgro and set it up. Here is the link: http://www.bestcannoli.com/cannolis.html

jayme707

Well, I chose my selections from the old menu... We tried the chicken franchaise, chicken romano, stuffed flounder, crab cakes, chateau briand, and prime rib

Everything was really good, you can't go wrong with anything you choose I don't think... I'm still really torn on what to choose for the chicken.  The franchaise was a little plain and the romano was good, but wasn't a fave at the table (it def a strong red pepper flavor)  We're def going with the chateau briand for our beef and probably the stuffed flounder for our fish (the crab cakes were really good too but they're extra for us, so I'm not sure if they're worth the extra cost)

Does anyone have any chicken recommendations?  

Thanks for the bakery info, I'll have to contact them soon!

LisaLPharmD

Does anyone have the new girl Stephanie as a coordinator? Is anyone having trouble with her getting in touch with you? I booked last August and the first time I even called her with a question was like 2 weeks ago, and she still hasn't returned my call.  I emailed her a week ago with the same questions, and no reply there either.  Am I the only one with problems?

ev4149

I have Stephanie as my coordinator.  She usually gets back to me within a day, so that is surprising.  Maybe trying calling instead of emailing.

ev4149

Also, I am excited to hear that the cake is from Isgro's!  I haven't tried them before, but I just ordered pastries from them for my engagement party....hopefully it will be good!

jayme707

Lisa, I'm not working with Stephanie but my coordinator keeps telling me how busy she is with proms right now...  Not that it's a good excuse by any means, but maybe that's why you haven't heard back?
All I have to say is screw proms, we have weddings to plan here!

LisaLPharmD

Seriously! Proms, shmoms haha    I didn't want to leave her another message and seem like a nag, so I just emailed my questions to the info@themerion.com address and Cliff called me like a half hour later. He's awesome!

aprovencher21

My coordinator, Cathy, typically gets back to me either that day or the next (obviously not the weekends!).  I'd keep calling or emailing and if she doesn't get back to you (proms or not) I'd ask for a manager.  I'd definitely ask for Cliff because he's been amazing when we've discussed my ceremony/ballroom options for at the Merion.  Good luck!

mariantheb

Survey
What's your wedding date: November 13, 2010
What time do the festivities begin: 6:30
Which Ballroom: Skylight
How many guests: We are inviting about 280 or so so it will probably be about 250...I hope it won't be cramped...does anybody else have that much in the skylight?
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)? Church
Where are you taking pictures? At the church and the Merion...It will be almost dark when the ceremony is over
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?): We booked the Wyndham in Mt Laurel
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner: Not sure yet...Villa Mannino's in Bordentown or KCPrime in Princeton
Are you hiring a DOC? Nope
Who is your Florist? Firori's in Trenton

CHarley2B

Mariantheb - I love KC prime and hadn't thought of using them for the rehearsal dinner...Have you already contacted them? How is their pricing and menu?

Rangergirl

Survey
What's your wedding date: January 16, 2011
What time do the festivities begin: Ceremony @ 5:30, Cocktail Hour @ 6
Which Ballroom: Skylight
How many guests: 150ish (Inviting around 170)
Ceremony Onsite? if so where (Chapel or Palazzo)? Yes, Chapel
Where are you taking pictures? I have no idea! I'm from nowhere near this area so I think I am going to borrow some of your ideas here!
Are you negotiating rates with a hotel (which one?): We booked with the Wyndham... $89 a night and the free shuttle with 20 rooms that most have mentioned... we're also getting one of the ballrooms the day of for all the bridesmaids to get ready together in for a GREAT price and doing a catered brunch for the entire bridal party before we start getting ready.
Where do you plan to have your rehearsal dinner: Not sure at this point but we may do the Wyndham for that as well. We don't know many places in that area.
Are you hiring a DOC? We have a friend working as a wedding planner so she will be there...
Who is your Florist? I'm VERY lucky that I have a friend who is a florist and he will be doing everything for us for cost.


Btw, we have Stephanie as our coordinator and the day we were there (May 29th) she mentioned that her Grandfather just went into the hospital the night before... she said it didn't look good so I'm not sure if her lack of communication may have something to do with that but I hope not... Just wanted to pass that on cause normally she was there whenever I called and took my calls right away.

LisaLPharmD

I was just wondering, we don't have to get our guests entrees ahead of time, do we? I went to a wedding ahead, and remembered ordering once I got there, and not seeing anything about it on the reply card.  I'm just wondering, because II'm about to order my invitations!