Costa Del Sol in Union - Review

cindy91788

We just went to see Costa Del Sol in Union today. I figured I'd share my review here.

They have 2 sitdown dinner packages. The first is 5hr with open bar, cocktail hour, dinner and wedding cake. The cocktail hour seemed VERY small to me compared to other menus that I have seen. We are looking to book for September 2011 and we were quoted $90 for a Saturday, $80 for Friday. The second package is for 6 hours, and also includes a Vienese table and an option of Surf & Turf for the dinner. That one is $110 on a Saturday, $100 on a Friday. They charged 18% gratuity. Overall, I just don't feel like you are getting that much for your money. I've seen other places for less money, with a MUCH larger menu.

As for the rooms -they have two ballrooms. The smaller holds up to 200 people. The larger holds up to 250. Both of the rooms are really pretty with super high ceilings and beautiful chandeliers. The smaller room has a wall of glass windows up to the ceiling, overlooking the patio. However, we felt the dance floor in both rooms are VERY small. We couldn't imagine having any space to dance once the DJ was setup. The larger room did not look like it would fit even close to 250 pepole. The small room has a bar in it, the bigger room has a bar outside the room around the corner. I didn't like that, because most people would probably end up hanging out there instead of in the room where the wedding was.

As for cocktail hour - they have a cute patio with seating for up to 150 people. That's unheard of, so that was nice. If it rains, and you are booked in the larger room, your cocktail hour would be in the same room as the reception, which I personally do not like at all. If it rains and you are booked in the smaller room, there is a closed in Pavilion outside that would be used for your cocktail hour. The pavilion was huge and there would be PLENTY of space, but to me, it felt like I was at a BBQ.

There is also a small gazebo near the patio that is used for the ceremony if you wish. They don't charge a ceremony fee - but they don't decorate for you either.

One last thing - if you want to use the large room on a Friday night, your cocktail hour has to start at 6pm - and 7pm if you are using the small room. On a Saturday, if you book the large room, your cocktail hour has to start at 7pm, and 8pm if you are using the small room. I really don't like that. I wouldn't want the reception to be starting at 8 or 9pm.

Overall, I really wasn't impressed. While the rooms are nice, you don't get a lot for your money, and I don't like the restrictions of time and cocktail hour areas.

Tomorrow, we are going to see Mayfair Farms, The Highlawn Pavilion, Ravellos and Richfield Regency, so I will be posting my reviews of those!

Denise91980

Good Luck! Hopefully you will find one you like tomorrow. I am getting married at Ravello's. Heard good things about Mayfair Farms and Highlawn Pavillion (in terms of food). I just didn't like the set up of the room. You may also want to check out The Manor which is in that vicinity and price range as well.

mrs.amma

I'm going to have to disagree with your review. We are having our wedding at Costa del Sol in August and I got a much different feel from the venue. I thought the cocktail hour is very generous, especially since we were quoted $88/person for a Sat. night in the summer. Even if other places offer more on their cocktail hour, I think quality is more important than having a hundred things at the cocktail hour. And personally i think 6 chaffing dishes, 6 passed hors d'oeuvres, a seafood station, a chef station, and 2 carving stations is more than enough.

I agree that the dance floor in the smaller room (the one with all the glass-called the Celestial room) is a bit small. But i've been to big weddings with big dance floors that looked empty and made it look like no one was dancing. Plus they said the DJ will be set up on the edge of the dance floor not on it.

When we booked, we were given an option for start time. We opted for a later start because we are night people. But we could have started the ceremony at 5 if we wanted to.

I think you get a lot for your money and we have been nothing but happy with their service so far.

NJgurl19

Thanks so much for your review.  I will also start hitting venues in June so far I have 15! I really pray I don't get overwhelmed.

cindy91788

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_costa-del-sol-union-review?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:1dc0c0aa-7222-44ec-98a6-54891746ddd9Post:90d7bdb9-62fb-4380-ae1a-325bed92d532">Re: Costa Del Sol in Union - Review</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks so much for your review.  I will also start hitting venues in June so far I have 15! I really pray I don't get overwhelmed.
Posted by NJgurl19[/QUOTE]
Not sure when you plan to get married, but I can tell you that we are looking for Sept 2011 and many places have a lot of dates booked already. If you are looking to book for a June wedding, I would start ASAP, as that is a very popular month and may be completely booked already.
I was really surprised that September was already getting booked, but I am glad we didn't wait any longer and didn't want to get married sooner than that!