reception/ceremony for 50-75 guests 10/22/11

LilStinker22

Hi Ladies,

I've searched through the boards trying to find a reception idea for about 50 guests possibly 65 if the price is right, my original date was 9-22-12 but we really would like to move it to next year, we are paying for the wedding ourselves so we are really trying to keep the price down we are looking to spend about 10-12k on our wedding and honeymoon, i know fridays are cheaper but i would like a satruday wedding. Also i want my date to be the 22nd there is a Friday 7-22-11 and saturday 10-22-11 and i am really more interested in october than july we are in NJ and we all know what the Weather in July is like in NJ.

I called Auletto's today and spoke with a nasty woman who pretty much made me feel stupid for calling and asking about a Saturday wedding for 50-65 people in a prime month of October, and told me and i quote "if you put 65 people in a room that holds 150 its going to look like no one showed up to your wedding sweetie, our minimum is 80 people" First dont sweetie me and the website states 65 to 150, second is my $$ not good enought because i am looking to have a small wedding??

I also called Brigalia's the lady said the min is 80 people and said i should try Villa Catering Hall which basically looks like a deli from the front and in village square shopping center, and i really dont like the idea a "ballroom" being in a shopping center. kinda weird

so if you guys could give me some ideas on locations in south jersey area that accomodate 50-65, i tried doing a search in the SJ Boards and really didnt have any luck with that.

Thanks in advance for the advise ladies

mdrswedding

I am having a similar size wedding this october 10-22-10 (love the date!).  We actually preferred a Friday night but when I was initially calling I was asking about Fridays and Saturdays.  I experienced the same feedback over the phone...most places have a minimum especially on Friday and Saturday nights.  We ended up going with the Mansion in Voorhees and are having our reception dinner in their glass atrium room.  We invited 64 guests (a little more than we initially wanted to).  The Mansion might be a little more than your budget limit, but might be worth a call.  

miguelhilary2010

You could try Shannon's in Atco or Tomasello's in Hammonton.  They can accommodate smaller groups.

And PS - I had 74 people in a room that had a 100 person minimum (yes, we paid extra but whatever) and it didn't look bad.  They just spaced the tables a little further than normal.  I thought it was actually better than being squished.

teacup0618

Try Lucien's Manor in Belin. Not sure what their minimum is, but when we looked there they were VERY willing to negotiate.

lmparlett

I found that most places have a minimum for Saturday nights, especially during a prime month.  I had 100 people and still found places that didn't want to take us on a Sat.  They don't want to give up that prime spot, in case someone comes along and wants to pay them MORE for that night... sucks.  Try some of the smaller places, like the winerys, or look at a Friday.  We ended up going with a Friday and it was wonderful, looking back I wouldn't have had it on any other night.  Our photographer had told us (and it was definitely true for our wedding) that people tend to stay later and party harder at a Friday wedding.  Maybe because they have two whole days to recover. : )  But it was wonderful on Friday.

LilStinker22

Thanks ladies, i'll have to check out those places  the only thing about tomesellos was i read in someones else post about the ceremony location being out front with a lovely view of the highway, but i'll just have to go see it myself! 
I know ill save money with a Friday night wedding as well only thing is we are doing the ceremony at the same location and if i do friday i am afraid that it will be to dark if we do it outside

Thanks again
Jillian

delia5588

What about Bradford Estates? They are right in hainesport/Mt. Laurel area. A smaller venue, nice grounds, and they give a TON of food. We checked them out ourselves, but we opted for somewhere more spacious (the Mansion), since we are expecting around 150+ guests.

njgal26

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_south-new-jersey_october-2011?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:128Discussion:9d4f91d7-f351-463a-a1c8-1aaaea6804d6Post:8fe2a8b4-4657-4ad5-8a6e-aa2c30e99329">Re: reception/ceremony for 50-75 guests 10/22/11</a>:
[QUOTE]What about Bradford Estates? They are right in hainesport/Mt. Laurel area. A smaller venue, nice grounds, and they give a TON of food. We checked them out ourselves, but we opted for somewhere more spacious (the Mansion), since we are expecting around 150+ guests.
Posted by delia5588[/QUOTE]

Bradford Estates is good and so is their "sister" The Castle in Delran.   They both do one wedding at a time and the food is yummy!

balymullen

While you are looking at Tomasello go down the road and check out Valenzano winery. Their ball room will bee too big but the pavilion down the road is lovely. 

miguelhilary2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_south-new-jersey_october-2011?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:128Discussion:9d4f91d7-f351-463a-a1c8-1aaaea6804d6Post:a1ad59d7-4a43-44d1-b3a3-c046a65b0234">Re: reception/ceremony for 50-75 guests 10/22/11</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks ladies, i'll have to check out those places  the only thing about tomesellos was i read in someones else post about the ceremony location being out front with a lovely view of the highway, but i'll just have to go see it myself!  I know ill save money with a Friday night wedding as well only thing is we are doing the ceremony at the same location and if i do friday i am afraid that it will be to dark if we do it outside Thanks again Jillian
Posted by LilStinker22[/QUOTE]

Tomasellos has a gazaebo out front where I assume most ceremonies take place.  I'm sure you could find a nearby park  for the ceremony if you don't like it. 

One more rec... I personally didn't like it, but you could also look into Smithville Inn.    The atmosphere just wasn't what we were looking for, but it would hold 50-75  guests well.

Have you considered having the reception at a restaurant with a ballroom or large party room?  That may also work, and be cheaper than a traditional venue.

hstew23

I am having my Reception at Tomasello. They preform the ceremonies in the outside area under the tent outside of the ballroom. However they take down the Tent at the start of Oct so you would have to have it there. They didn't offer to have the ceremony by the gazebo. Tomasello charges the same for every day of the week but they do have a 100 person min in the prime months. We chose to have the ceremony at a local chapel on LBI where we live.

Our wedding will have aprox 70-80 guests and is being held 11/20/10.

I would encourage you to look at Smithville Inn, Renault winery, or Sea Oaks as well.

TheBachelorette

Have you looked at Valleybrook?  Tracy is wonderful.  I just held a bridal shower there and the people count was never a concern.  Plus Valleybrook was really reasonably priced!

miguelhilary2010

Ah, hstew is right... the ceremony is under a tent between the reception room and tasting rooms (the building in the front is kinda U shaped and the put a tent in the middle space.  Its actually not bad.  You can still see the road, but its much more private than the gazaebo on the front lawn.

patiln1978

Look into courtyard marriot in mount laurel/cherry hill.  They do small weddings as well.

cc+mm

Not sure if you are open to the Philadelphia area, but I found 2 places the we loved and we are inviting 65 people. the first in the Lippincott House a historic mansion/bed and breakfast right off of Rittenhouse Square. You rent the the entire b and b and then use their caterer. The other is the Valley Green Inn in fairmount park. Neither location has a minimun number of people, but Valley Green has a food and beverage minimum and the sire fee is higher on a Saturday vs. a Friday.

Good luck!