Outdoor Reception Venue?

mattingles

We are looking for an outdoor reception venue.  Preferably something like an estate that allows tenting (or already has a tent) and that has some ambiance.  Is there anything like this in NJ?  We really don't want to do it at a typical "wedding factory"--it just isn't our scene. Just to give you an idea, our ideal spot would be something on one of those awesome lawns on the river in Rumson.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

uppereastgirl

Our venue -- Hamilton Farm Golf Club -- was pretty much exactly that...

Old estate (this is the back lawn where cocktail hour was): 

... with tent for reception:

bluepop

Crossed Keys Inn in Andover, NJ... awesome venue!

smw42

Grounds for Sculpture does tented weddings as well and is very nice

reese511

does it have to be NJ?  my BFF got married at The Wainwright House in Rye, NY.  it was GORGEOUS!

uppereastgirl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_outdoor-reception-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:239006ce-c8b7-47cb-9d5d-946b3330174cPost:290f7cec-3d8f-40ee-bd21-fb6b132682e2">Re: Outdoor Reception Venue?</a>:
[QUOTE]does it have to be NJ?  my BFF got married at The Wainwright House in Rye, NY.  it was GORGEOUS!
Posted by reese511[/QUOTE]

<div>That's a good point.  A vast majority of venues in NJ are "wedding factories" (which to me means a place that exists solely for the purpose of churning out several weddings/mitzvahs/corporate events a week)  -- we looked high and low for something that wasn't a reception hall or a hotel ballroom and ended up with very few options.  If you look into more rural areas of NJ or are willing to look into NY or PA, you may find more places.  Is that an option for you?</div><div>
</div><div>Also, if you give us an idea of how many guests you expect to have and your budget, that may help as well.  There are some even more untraditional venues for small crowds, for example.</div>

mattingles

All: Thanks for your responses.  We will definitely look into those suggestions.

We are definitely open to NY (within an hour or 2 of Manhattan--i.e. Long Island, Hudson Valley, etc.) but not so much to PA.

I think we are looking at the 100-120 range for guests. 

Hope this helps and thanks again for suggestions.

Reilly626

This place looks awesome and they are highly rated!

http://www.frungillo.com/frungillo_new/oak/oakeside.html

bluepop

Only comment about Oakside manor is that it is right next to the parkway and you will get the traffic noise.  This will probably not be a problem during the reception with the DJ/Band playing, but will be during the ceremony.  It's the first thing I noticed when I checked it out.

cherylnj81

Windows on the Water at Frogbridge has an outside area for a cocktail hour

reese511

i have no clue what your budget is, but FI's cousin got married at The Bourne Mansion on LI and it was really pretty.

smw42

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_outdoor-reception-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:239006ce-c8b7-47cb-9d5d-946b3330174cPost:b3236c45-96cd-4d2e-8522-091c8e91c8b2">Re: Outdoor Reception Venue?</a>:
[QUOTE]i have no clue what your budget is, but FI's cousin got married at The Bourne Mansion on LI and it was really pretty.
Posted by reese511[/QUOTE]


We just attended a wedding at the Bourne Mansion and it was fantastic. My only suggestion is to have the ceremeony there, because in our experience the ceremony was in the Bronx and it was such a nightmare trying to get to LI in the middle of June on a Saturday. Loved the wedding- not so much the insane traffic.

viviannac

Maybe try looking into the Park Savoy. 

http://theparksavoy.com/weddings.htm

K&J64

The Mansion at Brettonwood in Morris Plains is lovely, we went to see it. It has a gorgeous garden for the ceremony. Not sure about tenting/outdoor reception, but you would be the only people there, the whole mansion is yours! http://www.brettonwoods.net/

JNJHOG

My son is looking at Hamilton Farms. What happens if it rains?

uppereastgirl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_outdoor-reception-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:239006ce-c8b7-47cb-9d5d-946b3330174cPost:da8ec5f2-121a-439a-ace3-4647b73b0dbb">Re: Outdoor Reception Venue?</a>:
[QUOTE]My son is looking at Hamilton Farms. What happens if it rains?
Posted by JNJHOG[/QUOTE]

<div>The reception takes place in the tent either way.  The tent has glass walls and is heated/air conditioned, so it isn't exposed to the elements.</div><div>
</div><div>Cocktail hour can take place in the mansion and/or the cocktail hour lawn can be tented.  </div>