New Jersey

Trying to find a Venue

Hi! 

I'm new here! I got engaged this past summer and have been looking at reception sites. We hired a wedding planner in September but the first few sites her team sent us were so wildly out of our budget and/or had insane minimum requirements that I was flabbergasted.

We're planning an April 2012 wedding in North Jersey on a Saturday night (we will be having a lot of out of town guests)...we're expecting around 100 guests and we don't want to spend more than 130pp++...is this doable?

We've only seen one place so far that is within our budget...The Tides, I liked the venue but I didn't really like the Manchester room downstairs, it wasn't what I was expecting after seeing the foyer. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I scrolled through the forum and you all know so much!!

Thanks!
Diana
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Re: Trying to find a Venue

  • sgdc2011sgdc2011 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Try the Atrium Country Club in West Orange,
    The Manor in West Orange,
    The Primavera Regency in Stirling

    They should all be within your budget.
  • edited December 2011
    -Il Villaggio
    -Crystal Plaza
    -Fiesta
    -The Royal Manor
    -Valley Regency
    -The Venetian
    -Mayfair Farms
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  • DianaF312DianaF312 member
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    That was fast! 

    We're going to look into The Atrium.

    My cousin just had her wedding at The Manor in West Orange so that's out but it was really pretty there.
    Stirling is too far from us. Our guests would have to drive over an hour just to get there from the church.

    We looked at Il Villagio a few weeks ago but they had a minimum of 150 people...the guy who sat down with us was rather offensive. I walked out of that meeting knowing exactly what race I am because he kept pointing it out. 

    Venetian, Crystal Plaza, and Mayfair Farms' minimums are too high for us.

    Thank you and keep them coming!  Laughing
  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Does the 130 include tax and gratuity?  It is doable, but it might help if you tell us the places you went to already.

    The fiesta is a hot mess, don't go there.
    I'm not really sure why someone would recommend the Venetian or Crystal plaza for a Saturday wedding in April, that's near impossible for $130.

    The boards are pretty empty on the weekends, you might have a better shot posting again tomorrow!


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  • lynzandgreg1lynzandgreg1 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Reconsider the Tides. I didn't like the Manchester room either when I first saw it, but I went back and they were setting up for a wedding and it was gorgeous! You can also try
     Empire Club in Little Ferry
    Meadow Wood Manor
    Bretton Woods Mansion
    Westmount Country Club

    Can you change your time to the afternoon because you would be able to save a lot of money. The difference between saturday afternoons and saturday evenings is CRAZY!!

    Goodluck!

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  • DianaF312DianaF312 member
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_trying-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:1352398b-0342-4d2d-9a36-a2901f0b4a7cPost:9c1f73b9-4a94-4700-b7bd-5b6e692fff4b">Re: Trying to find a Venue</a>:
    [QUOTE]Does the 130 include tax and gratuity?  It is doable, but it might help if you tell us the places you went to already. The fiesta is a hot mess, don't go there. I'm not really sure why someone would recommend the Venetian or Crystal plaza for a Saturday wedding in April, that's near impossible for $130. The boards are pretty empty on the weekends, you might have a better shot posting again tomorrow!
    Posted by kristen8040[/QUOTE]

    <div>$130 does not include tax/gratuity/service fees. </div><div>
    </div><div>We went to The Tides, Il Villagio, Nanina's in the Park and Westmount Country Club (the latter 2 didn't fit in our cost or # of guests parameters).</div><div>
    </div><div>LOL to the Fiesta. I had a feeling...</div><div>
    </div><div>Thanks for letting me know about the weekends!</div>
  • DianaF312DianaF312 member
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_trying-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:1352398b-0342-4d2d-9a36-a2901f0b4a7cPost:82788301-7961-4dd3-bf2c-e675c1013c5b">Re: Trying to find a Venue</a>:
    [QUOTE]Reconsider the Tides. I didn't like the Manchester room either when I first saw it, but I went back and they were setting up for a wedding and it was gorgeous! You can also try  Empire Club in Little Ferry Meadow Wood Manor Bretton Woods Mansion Westmount Country Club Can you change your time to the afternoon because you would be able to save a lot of money. The difference between saturday afternoons and saturday evenings is CRAZY!! Goodluck!
    Posted by lynzandgreg1[/QUOTE]

    <div>Thanks, I'll definitely ask to see it when they're getting ready for a wedding.</div><div>I'm looking into Empire Club, Meadow Wood and Bretton Woods right now. I haven't even heard of these places. My WP sent me a list of places where her team always does weddings so I haven't seen too much variety yet.</div><div>
    </div><div>Westmount was insane! It was so beautiful and we fell in love with it but they quoted us $170pp++ on a Saturday night with a min. of 175 people. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cry.gif" border="0" alt="Cry" title="Cry" /></div>
  • hcer0708hcer0708 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The Brownstone
    Bridgewater Manor
    The Atruim
    The Villa at Mountain Lakes
    Ridgefield Regency
    The Westwood
  • edited December 2011

    perona farms, grand chalet, paris inn, brownstone

  • edited December 2011
    The Tides have great prices and the food is good.  If you need a stationer, you can consider Invites by Kelly, located in Bergen County. Visit www.invitesbykelly.com
  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Kelly, you can't post on here, you're a vendor.
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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Yea westmount is crazy, I looked there too.

    I've heard good things about:
    Il Tulipano
    Hamilton Park Hotel

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  • edited December 2011
    There's also Berkely Plaza and Seasons.

    And some of the others I mentioned, like Crystal Plaza, The Venetian, etc.. ARE in fact under $130 pp before taxes. I didn't realize your only expecting about 100 guests. oops.
    And yea.. Fiesta. I didnt even bother looking at Fiesta because eveyone I know and their moms have parties at Fiesta.  But I have been to some pretty nice receptions there..so from a guest point of view theyre not a COMPLETE mess.. lol

    Like lynzandgreg1 mentioned, if you can consider changing your wedding from Saturday evening to Saturday afternoon, its an insane difference in price! I believe the seasons went from $110 pp on a Saturday evening to  $95 if it were in the afternoon.

    I'm in the same boat as you.. still looking at tons of venues.  I've only been looking at venues in North Jersey as well. But now I'm starting to realize the farther you get from NYC (i.e. more South Jersey) the venues become less pricey. So these are some details to consider as well.  Good Luck! =]


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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    My cousin just had her reception at seasons this past April on a Friday night and paid $150 pp, you're also going to have problems with minimums there too since the same people own them as the Venetian.  

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  • michelle221michelle221 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments First Answer
    edited December 2011
    Definitely try Seasons; they have a smaller room upstairs with lower minimum gurantees. It's a very nice spacious room perfect for 100 guests! Talk to Carl; he will work with you regarding the price.
  • kindada81kindada81 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I went to a wdding at The Graycliff that was really nice.
  • HobokensFuryHobokensFury member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    We're getting married on a Saturday night in March 2012 at the Graycliff in Moonachie.  It's less than 130 pp with tax and tip.  They're minimum for the smaller room is 100 people.  But you better hurry because I was there last week and every Saturday in March 2012 is booked already.
     
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  • jeanna85jeanna85 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My brother just had a Saturday wedding at Seasons it was $189 with tax and gratuity but they did have a Viennese hour and raw bar so not sure what the price would be without it. The Venetian would be more than $130 as well. Try the Woodcliff Lake Hilton, Sheraton Crossroads, Colonial Inn (Norwood NJ), Old Tappan Manor (in NY but minutes over Jersey line). Those were all under $130 when I priced them about a year ago.
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  • Reilly626Reilly626 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I recommend my venue, The Grand Summit. It was wonderful and now we have a place to go every anniversary.  We loved the history and character of the hotel and it was nice that we all went to the bar then up to our rooms later that nite.  We had a gorgeous free suite and will get one on our 1st anniversary too.  The food is fabulous.  Good luck on your search..
  • edited December 2011
    I agree with lynzandgreg1, I also didn't like the downstairs room at the Tides but when I went back and saw it all done up for a wedding I signed the contract that day.I am paying way less than 130 pp with tax and gratuity, I'm having my reception there in May 2012. I have heard nothing but great things about the food and service at the Tides. All the places i would have recommended the girls already posted above But my favorites are below.

    I really liked Mayfair Farms, The Bridgewater Manor, and The Atrium they will defiantly be in your price range.
    Good Luck!
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  • LuvOBLuvOB member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I am so sorry about your experience at Il Villaggio.. We are having our reception there.  I loved the food and the staff was very professional.  I am Latina and did not have any emphasis placed on that (Im not sure if this is what you meant).

    We also met with the staff at the Graycliff in Moonachie.  Their banquet room was very nice and the seemed very accommodating with our budget.

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  • tstrayer27tstrayer27 member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are having a wedding about the same size as you and from looking around we found that the biggest problem was our size. Most minimums are higher and Saturday night is when they are at the highest.The Venetian and Westmount will definitely take you and fit your budget, but only if you have a Saturday afternoon wedding.

    We actually booked the Westmount with our ceremony starting at 12:30pm and the reception ending at 6pm. It's beautiful, I'm so excited! We are working with Stephanie and she's been great so far.

    We marked the Venetian off so quickly because we really wanted the option of having our ceremony outside and that's not an available there.

    We totally thought we were going to book the Tides because it was so reasonably priced and their minimums were low, but we hated the Manchester room as well (we didn't go and see it set up for a wedding though).

    I suggest definitely considering an afternoon wedding, otherwise I think you will have to go farther away from the city. Good luck! 
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  • DianaF312DianaF312 member
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    WOW!!! Thanks everyone. This is AMAZING. I wish I could hug each and every one of you right now!

    I will definitely have a lot to look into now!! I'll keep you updated!

    @LuvOB...the guy we met with at Il Villagio kept telling me what I would like and would not like because I'm Asian. It was super obnoxious. However, the place is very pretty, good luck with your wedding!
  • HobokensFuryHobokensFury member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    I'm glad we could help you. I'm just wondering if you hired a planner why the heck would they send you to places that are out of budget/will not work with your minimums.  It looks like either 1) they didn't listen to you or 2) they didn't do their homework and research the venues before sending you, both of which you are paying for.  I'd honestly be pissed at them and would probably go elsewhere with my business.
     
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  • DianaF312DianaF312 member
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Yes. I can't say I'm leaping with joy at them right now. Cry

    However, there's still time for them to make it worth it.
  • edited December 2011
    Hamilton Park Hotel was mentioned- thats where I am getting married. If you go w/ the higher end package, the min for a Sat night is 125. Higher than what you are looking at, but they may be able to work w/ you on that. We are estimating 150 and I agree it was very hard to find a place that would work w/ a minimum under 150 for a Saturday night.  We liked the Highlawn Pavillion, but the room is a weird shape. With 100 pp though, it may work great and the view is beautiful
  • hobo18hobo18 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    the Oakside in Bloomfield or the Woodcliff manor
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  • LuvOBLuvOB member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    the ladies on this site have been my wedding planners!  They are great and will guide you in the right direction.

    Once you find your hall everything will fall into place! 
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  • altimat873altimat873 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am also booked with Il Villaggio and so surprised about the comments they seemed to have made. The price range and min person is right though, I dont think you can get less than $150-$165 for a Sat night, less than 150 people and thats on the off season. I booked with them and havent had any issues, so Im just so surprised and feel awful that you felt that way after your meeting with them.
  • DianaF312DianaF312 member
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Sorry for the late update but I just wanted to thank everyone for your help! We booked with the Graycliff and got a fabulous price with all the additional stuff. They accepted my minimum on a Saturday night too! Laughing

    Thank you so much! Couldn't have done it without you!
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