olde mill inn, basking ridge

lcrowley99

Any input on the Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge would be appreciated.  I saw it last night and really liked everything about it.  The only issue I had was with the actual reception room--low ceilings, ugly chairs...
If you have gotten married here or been to a wedding, please share!

rlb81

We went to look at it. I liked the room in the Grain House which was smaller... with a max capacity of 100-120 I believe... so it was too small (we're inviting 140 people). And we didn't meet the minimum pp for the larger ballroom. However, I didn't like the ballroom at all... the carpeting, setup, chairs etc. and the price was higher than we wanted to spend pp, and they weren't willing to work with us. So it just wasn't a match for us. But I really loved that it was also a hotel so the guests could stay there etc.

TuffysMommie

I went to a wedding this last summer and honestly, I was not a fan and personally would not give it my business.

It rained - ceremony was then held inside, and cocktail hour in the lower inside hallway. That couldn't be helped though. Cocktail hour carving stations were really good, other cocktail hour food was good too.

Dinner was really terrible. I had chicken. My BF had the steak and he did like his. Waitstaff was really rude to another couple I was sitting with - that one worker may have had a bad attitude, but it was just awkward. There was a red pepper ravioli with a smoked cheese starter that was pink in color and somewhat tasty, but just very odd.

Moving from cocktail hour to reception dining room, a staff member was yelling at everyone to move into the ballroom. I understand things need run on a schedule, but there were many people talking to the bride, bride's family, etc. He was literally yelling at people in the middle of conversations with the bride to move into the dining room. It could have been handled differently.

The bar was outside of the main ballroom which some people see as a plus, some as a negative. I don't really have a feeling about it either way. I also vaguely remember them not allowing shots, but again, that didn't affect my judgement either way, but might be important to you.

Overall, I did have a very good time with the people there. The cocktail hour food was good. I'm sure the outside ceremony and cocktail hour would have been lovely had it not rained. But, there were negatives as mentioned.

Danes983

What did you like about it? Maybe we could rec a simialr place since it hasnt gotten rave reviews.

Lolyalyssa

I was going to book the Grain House and then I went for a food tasting (free and first Tues of every month).  I HATED the food.  I wouldn't feed this food to my fiance for dinner.  It was not seasoned, it was cold when they served it and they served cream in my coffee that was spoiled and curdled when they poured it on my coffee.  It is WAY overpriced for the food.  It should be at least $30-40 cheaper per head than what they charge and then the food would be on par for that lower price.  I would have been embarassed to serve that food to my guests combined with the low ceiling issue. 

My fiance and I joked that if it was an Irish wedding where alcohol is more imporatant than food rather than an Italian wedding where food rains supreme it would have been barely acceptable.  (this is a gross generalization based on my personal experience only and I say it to you to give you a frame of reference where I'm coming from).

Take a look at the Oakside Mansion in Bloomfield for a similar feel.  Oakside is also building a new tent that should be in by 2011 which will be a huge upgrade over the current one.  Only downside to Oakside for us was the road noise.

In the end, I gave up my dream of a place that felt old, historic and rustic in favor of a catering hall with good food.  I felt that for $150 a head I couldn't have both.  We ended up with Season's which serves a lot of traditional Italian food and is known for its food rather than its ambiance (would have picked the Venitian but didn't have the min # ppl required).  Food was just more important to us than a "dream" location because this wedding is really a family affair for us.

Reilly626

My friend had her wedding there and it was very nice.  Her family was from all over so it was nice that it was in one location.  People are not going to focus on ceiling height and chairs- its about you and your fiancee and the happy times.  Chairs are so minor, make your own choice!

SCGee

I am currently considering Olde Mill Inn, and might need to decide by this weekend. I thought about the low ceiling, but then realized people don't notice, and it is nice to find a ballroom with windows, and this one has French doors so people can step outside for a breather, which I didn't mind common at other places.  As far as the chairs, I use to be obsessed with making sure a place had nice chairs, but then I realized all the guys come in and put there suit jackets on their coat, so they get covered up so quickly.  So I got over that also. And, I did see a picture of the Olde Mill Inn ballroom with the bamboo style chairs, so maybe ask about them. The downside to those is they are very uncomfortable for older guests, because of the back, so keep that in mind.  As far as the food, I have heard both positive and negative about the food, and I think we can all agree you will find the same true with any other venue, not everyone loves the food at all places.  

I loved the venue for the character it has and convenience, and courtyard and picture opportunities, so think about what means the most to you and then go with it!

Good Luck!!

lcrowley99

yes i loved the convenience of it also.  i have also heard both positive and negative on the food.  i did consider that they could possibly use different chairs in the ballroom.  
i am also looking at the mill in spring lakes.  whats most important to me is a nice outside area (i plan to get married there) and a big dance floor.  also important is people being able to stay right where the wedding is held. 
anyone have any good suggestions?

[Deleted User]

I went to a wedding there this summer and did not like it at all! There was hardly any food during the cocktail hour. And my fiance and I hated the ballroom. The tables are in a separate room from the dancefloor and the ceilings are so low. It reminded me of a basement.

Pink7781

We just had my best friend's baby shower at the Grain House and she had her wedding at the Inn a few years ago. I thought the food on both occasions was incredible. The staff was great and the maitre d John was super helpful. It poured the morning of the wedding and they were out there with leaf blowers as soon as it stopped so she could have the ceremony outside. We looked there for our reception but just couldn't swing the price per person for a June wedding. The only bad thing I have to say is that the ball room in the Inn is a little small. I think they tell you it holds 200 (or something like that) but it was really cramped with 135.

gibribuz

We went to look at The Grain House... the room was nice but I thought it had a funny smell so it totally ruined it.

christina3769xo

I also looked into it and ball room was very strange.  Low ceilings..outdated decor.  They weren't willing to help on budget and they don't give you much food for your money.  Although I had heard good things about them..it wasn't for us.

christina3769xo

..I have heard good things about The Mill and The Berkely Hotel.

noonescookie

We booked our upcoming December wedding there in the Grain House, not the hotel ballroom. We liked the cozy feel of the space, and it will work well for the event we're having, which does not follow the flow of a normal wedding. I don't know what the chairs in the ballroom are like, but the room in the Grain House has gold (plastic) Chiavari-style chairs. Marien has been really flexible so far about our timing/order of events/use of space/decor plans, so you should ask if those chairs can be moved to the inn.

I haven't tried the banquet food yet, but we ate at the restaurant and liked it - not an especially memorable meal, but good food. They're having a bridal show on Sunday where they'll have hors d'oeuvres and food stations to try. You can still register for it on their website.

Reilly626

Other suggestions for a place where everyone can stay in The Grand Summit or Madison Hotel