need a NJ venue for a BIG FAT wedding

adrenalina19

hi ladies,
this is my first post on here! basically we're having a big wedding (400-500), and we're looking for a cheap place around central/north jersey. So far we've only looked at Grand Marquis, and we have appts to look at South Gate Manor and the Imperia. We really cannot afford to spend more than 65+ per person (we're planning to do it on a sunday). Any suggestions? Have any of you been to these venues or any other ones? Thank you!!!

sgdc2011

If that is your budget, you might as well cancel those appointments, they are goign to be way over your budget.

I would check out hotel ball rooms, maybe the Freehold Radison?

adrenalina19

really? i was hoping that with so many guests, they would bring their prices down, esp. on a sunday

Reilly626

Try Panatagis. Gran Centurians, La Affaire, The Westwood, Galloping Hill Inn for those prices.

ev4149

I was quote at $150/person for a Saturday at South Gate in May 2011.  I doubt they would go down to $65/person, even for a Sunday.

smw42

You will get a discount for a Sunday, but probably $10/person, not half off. I honestly don't know of a venue for that price range that has that kind of capacity. You may need to either adjust your guest list or your price per person to find something that fits that criteria.

Edit: Galloping Hill is an excellent suggestion for that price range and capacity!

Re-Edit: Is your ticker correct that you're planning for this to happen in the next four months? If so that may change things...

KarKarnj

I would check one of the big hotels with that many people.

adrenalina19

No my ticker is wrong, thank god! we're aiming for november or april, not sure yet. Well, grand marquis gave us $65/pp, so we have that place so far. Some of the venues mentioned above i just checked and they don't hold that many people, but I'll keep looking. I'll check galloping hills, I've never heard of it... is it nice?

badkittyct

I would also suggest doing an off season wedding. If you book a place between Nov and March you will get a much better rate because it isn't as popular as the spring/summer. A sunday will certainly save you money though!

Many venues do not list capacity sizes, so you should call places and ask about capacity before asking about their pricing. If you know that they cannot hold more than half of your guests then you can save yourself time and trouble and move on to the next place.

ev4149

Where I am getting married (The Merion) in South Jersey definitely has the capacity.  I doubt they'd go that low (unless it was off-season and an off-date), but you could try, I guess.

TripleJTobe

You might want to check out Skylands in Randolph. Its pretty big and they can accomodate weddings up to 1,000 guests. They have 3 or 4 ballrooms on the second floor where they slide back the dividing walls to accomodate larger groups. The place was built to be a casino in the early 80's but went belly-up towards the end of construction and was converted into a large banquet venue instead. The pricing starts around $100 per head I believe, however they will rework their menues to accomodate your pricing. To be honest, when we checked it out it was obvious they needed to get more weddings booked so you can work a good deal there if you like it. Just wanted to throw it out there for ya!

adrenalina19

thanks ladies!!!

gymchick05

I think the Royal Manor in Garfield lists it can hold up to 600 guests. Not sure of their pricing, but my guess is its $100/head or a little less for that many. Maybe w/ such a large number you can talk them down.

Im also pretty sure the Sheridan in Parsipanny holds a huge number.

lisab711

The South Gate accomdates up to 550, but starts over 100 pp, even on a Sunday. I have been to a wedding at Grand Marquis and for $65, that sounds pretty good...

katenchris820

try forsgate country club in monroe.