Help needed. Rockleigh or Venetian

PrettyGirl815

Hi Ladies (and Gents)

I'm back with another post. Need your opinions. Based on our size wedding and the venues available nearby, FI and I have decided to  do Rockleigh or Venetian. He's leaving the decision up to me--I think he just wants to set it and forget it, and I can't blame him.

At this time, looks like wedding will be May 2012 based on the availibility of these two venues and our size party.

Would love to get some more external feedback about each venue. I have not been to a wedding at either and I'm somewhat disappointed they don't do tastings, especially with the amount of money that you have to invest into your wedding.
I'd love to get some pros and cons from other people to help weigh my options.

Also, just wanted to say thank you ALL for all your help during the planning process. This website has been a huge help with planning and relationship advice in general and I really value the feedback I've gotten. So, thanks again and looking forward to your comments! 

Reilly626

PERSONALLY my impression of the Venetian is lavish gaudy Italian, and the Rockleigh is more classic elegant. Who is paying for it- if its your parents ask them to decide.

PrettyGirl815

Thanks for your feedback.

My parents are paying-- my dad liked both places. My mom really liked Rocklleigh though. Not as crazy about Venetian.

Overall, I like both places-- plusses and minuses for each. But definitely appreciate the feedback. Have you been to a wedding at either place?

wagnerdi

My wedding is at the Venetian next weekend...so I can let you know after that

ants624

I was actually between both places and I don't think you can go wrong with either. I think the grounds at The Rockleigh are beautiful and the Veranda at the Venetian is perfect for people to step out and come back in, as well as take pictures. The food is great at both places(You are looking at the Palazzo Room?). Everytime I talk to someone that got married at The Venetian they always say-people still talk about their wedding. My cousin got married at The Rockleigh and I remember it being beautiful and one of the reasons it was on the top of my lists. 
Like you my parents are paying for my venue, we have known one of the owners of the Venetian since I was baby so my dad wanted to give him our business(not like they are hurting for it), so that was kind of how my decision was made. Which actually made it a little bit easier for me because we were having a hard time deciding, like you.
But just know either way you will have an awesome wedding.

KarKarnj

The Venetian is a palace in the middle of the worst neighborhood you can imagine. I've been to both and the food is great in both. The Rockliegh has a lot more grounds for photography, and like Reilly said its an elegent venue and in a nice neighborhood.

37 Butter Knives

Rockleigh. By far.

I haven't been to either, but my parents have been to both, and they liked Rockleigh better - it's nicer on the outside and it has grounds (unlike Venetian), and it doesn't hit you over the head with its opulence as much ... although it's still too opulent for my tastes!

PrettyGirl815

Thanks for your comments and advice. I just want everyone to have a great time at my wedding--enjoy the food, the venue, and service. But I guess that's what everyone else wants too, when they pick a place-- LOL. I also want to get the venue decided and doen with so I can start looking for bands and dresses.

Wagnerdi--you must be so excited about your wedding!! I hope you have great weather with lots of sunshine. It would be awesome if this milder weather could stick. Which room are you having it in? Who helped you over there? --I've been dealing with Mike--seems like a nice, straightforward guy. -- I hope your big day is everything you want it to be and more.

Ants624-- It's so hard picking, isnt it? I feel like I'm going crazy. Glad you made your decision--hope I can make mine soon!

kristen8040

I vote Rockleigh, but that's just because I like the style of the venue more.  I don't think you can go wrong with either.

wagnerdi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_needed-rockleigh-venetian?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:1ed7f9df-c7d7-436e-a9d2-17b1ef5a164dPost:ad159ceb-13fe-4d8c-980c-d11903db39aa">Re: Help needed. Rockleigh or Venetian</a>:
[QUOTE]Wagnerdi--you must be so excited about your wedding!! I hope you have great weather with lots of sunshine. It would be awesome if this milder weather could stick. Which room are you having it in? Who helped you over there? --I've been dealing with Mike--seems like a nice, straightforward guy. -- I hope your big day is everything you want it to be and more.
Posted by PrettyGirl815[/QUOTE]

Thanks!! I hope so too! I can't believe the 1 1/2 years went by so fast!!
The rest of this week it's supposed to get cold, but so far they're saying the 40's for next week...LOL, it'll probably be nice all week then rain on Saturday! We're in the Palazzo, I'm so excited. Honestly, if my wedding was in warmer months, I would have considered Rockleigh, but with everyone being inside (assumingly atleast) the whole time we just LOVED the room soo much. And the cocktail room is huge to fit everyone comfortably in without needing to worry about outdoor cocktail space.
We've dealt w/ Carlos initially, but any time I have a question or need anything, whoever is avail. helps me and they have all been great.

PrettyGirl815

I totally agree with you that the grounds inside the Venetian are lovely. The two bars in the cocktail room are incredible--and it's pretty neat that the walls slide open for cocktail party and dessert extravaganza if you do it! Good luck and much happiness to you both!

Juliet212

Rockleigh.

TaraK22

I vote for the Rockleigh - but I am definitely biased, because I'm having my wedding there in April. I am actually going there tonight to finalize the menu, etc., but I can honestly say that despite not getting a tasting (which sucks b/c the food is supposedly great), they have been nothing but fantastic to work with so far.

kozacs

I haven't been to either place, but I was in a similar situation.  I was down to two comparable places- one with beautiful grounds and one with a prettier inside but no real grounds.  Due to availability and needing everything to start after sundown for some religious relatives, we opted for the place with the better indoor space.  If we could have done an outdoor ceremoney earlier in the fall or started earlier in the day, I would have chose the venue with the beautiful grounds! GL!

Giaspo

Hi! 
Did they specifically say they wouldn't do a tasting?  Our venue didn't offer one prior to booking, but we asked about it, and for a price ($250) they'd do a formal tasting for 8 people, and then credit that $$ to the cost of the wedding.  We decided not to do the tasting but it was a great idea.

Good luck!  I've heard both are amazing!

PrettyGirl815

Giaspo--neither does a tasting. Rockleigh said maybe I could sneak into a cocktail hour they were setting up and they could give me a small plate to try. Venetian said no tasting at all.

LudaSeka

If grounds are important to you (and for May brides, it may be) I say Rockleigh. The Venetian does not have much as far as outside grounds but everything else makes up for it. And it is not in as bad a neighborhood as everyone rants about. Sheesh, you'd think that you're stepping out into Harlem the way some folks talk. It's certainly not pretty.. it's just basically off an industrial road. Once you turn into the parking lot and walk into the place you forget about it.

I've been to a wedding at Rockleigh (very nice) and I know many that have been to the Venetian and the feedback is all the same. The Venetian wedding was the most unforgettable wedding they've ever been to. Everything is over the top.

So, it really all depends on your taste. If you want something more traditional and elegant, go with Rockleigh. For something out of this world, Venetian. ESPECIALLY if you are going with the Palazzo room.

Tara2316

The Rockleigh.. the grounds are beautiful and I've heard nothing but amazing service. I'd pick there, hands down. 

The Venetian is pretty, but like PP said, I'm not a fan of the location.

Magenta728

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_needed-rockleigh-venetian?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:1ed7f9df-c7d7-436e-a9d2-17b1ef5a164dPost:01e5ff34-4909-4359-bd04-3a79d6834e89">Re: Help needed. Rockleigh or Venetian</a>:
[QUOTE]The Venetian is a palace in the middle of the worst neighborhood you can imagine. Posted by KarKarnj[/QUOTE]

Seriously?? That's a bit of an exaggeration.

stapletond

We were married at the Rockleigh in July '10.  We had a great experience there.  My city friends still talk about the food and how amazing it was.  My husband is a chef, so wedding food was important to us (even though we usually eat local and seasonal produce).  If you are having a large wedding and want a an elegant venue, then I feel like you can't go wrong.  We booked the Bristol Room (which I actually liked better than the larger room).  Everything was so pretty( you can see my profile pics)!

We never considered The Venetian due to the fact that I really wanted to get dressed at my parents' house, and they live a few towns away from Rockleigh.  Also, The Venetian is a little glitzy for our tastes...at first we didn't want a venue with chandeliers...but we loved the rooms at The Rockleigh.  Regardless, I've heard great things about the food at The Venetian...you just have to go with which style you like better.

Faith2730

I have been to a wedding at the Venetian and it was amazing!  The cocktail hour was phenomenal.  I've never been to the Rockleigh but have heard people rave about that place too.

TripleJTobe

Rockleigh! Venetian is in the dump...so unfortunate they built it there because the place is great!!

michelle221

The Venetian is known for its over the top cocktail hour which will blow away your guests. The service is also exceptional. The interior has an ambiance of a Roman Empire, majestic and vast. If this is your style, go for it. 

KarKarnj

Magenta, not really over exaggerating. It's in the middle of Garfield surrounded by passaic, Clifton, Elmwood Park, and Paterson. These places aren't know for thier great reputation. They are known for being dumps.

mariantheb

Never been to the Rockleigh but I just went to the Ventian last week and it was amazing...yes maybe a bit over the top but as a guest I thought it was awesome! I am not from the area at all and it was really dark when we got there so I was not really paying attention to the neighborhood but it looked a bit like a sad neighborhood but I thought the Venetian was incredible!