oceanfront receptions

mlatham1

Hey everyone! I'm newly engaged and just starting my planning! I would like to have a beach reception. Something on the ocean, where we can have cocktail hour outside, then have the reception inside with ocean views.  Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me.  I'm really loving Merrimakers, but they're pretty expensive, and I've seen some bad reviews also.  I'm open to any ideas! Thanks everyone..

mbcdefg

Do you know how much money you want to spend?

Also, where exactly on the Shore are you looking - maybe give a target city, because there's a big difference between, say, Sandy Hook and Cape May.

I briefly looked into Tmi McLoone's Supper Club on the Asbury Park boardwalk ... it used to be the Howard Johnson's near Convention Hall. It was too far from our Jersey City ceremony and a bit too expensive for us (around $100pp before tax and gratuity), so I quickly abandoned that idea. No idea about the food quality and the service, but the location looked nice and you'd have a lot of cool buildings nearby for photos.

dominoe611

My reception was at The Channel Club in Monmouth Beach - its not directly on the ocean but it is on the Shrewsbury River and only about 3 blocks from the beach if you wanted to take pictures.  The cocktail hour can be opened up to the outisde and the views of the river from the main ballroom on the second floor are gorgeous.  I had a wonderful experience working with the staff and you get a lot included in your package for the price. 

dominoe611

I have also heard good things about Windows on the Water in Sea Bright

rlb81

I was at a wedding at the Breakers in Spring Lake last month and it was very nice. Not sure about price but I think it was a bit more expensive. Do you mean Merri Makers Water's Edge? My cousin is getting married there next September and I was there for a bridal show- it looked very nice. My reception is at a Merri Makers venue as well (Neshanic Valley), and i've heard mostly good things about them.

JeannineG122

I had a good time at a wedding @ Windows on The Water.

mollydalessio

Cedar Bonnet Estate on Long Beach Island is absolutely picture perfect and has everything you want.   It is VERY expensive.  Depending on when you have your wedding, it's 16-25k just to step foot in the place.  That doesn't include food, drinks, or anything!  However, it's the nicest place I've ever seen in my life.
http://www.bonnetislandestate.com/tour/foyer

Denise91980

I would definitely check out the Channel Club. They often have bridal shows and you can taste their food and see the facility. They are reasonably priced as well.

ecg129

Hey!!

I'm getting married at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch. It has everything you described except the ballroom doesn't over look the water unless you are a smaller party.  In the same area in Pier Village is McLoone's long branch and the Avenue - both do what you are looking for  

30may09bride

Crystal Point Yacht Club, Clarks Landing, and Jack Bakers all in Point Plesant are options.  None are on the ocean, but all are on water.  Crystal Point has cocktail hour inside but guests can wander outside, and I when I was looking I think the higher end package that they had was around $136 inc tax and tip.  I just went to a b'day party at one of the rooms in the new banquet area that Jack Bakers built and it was nice, probably less expensive, but everything is new, the view is great, and the service was good.  Clarks Landing is likely the most expensive of those 3, but I really don't have a good feel for their prices. I know someone who got married there recently, and while I didn't attend, I heard nothing but raves about the place.  The bride and groom made their entrance on a boat and the cocktail hour was mostly outside.  Good luck! 

ballandchain10

if MerriMaker's water's edge is too expensive, then I would not even look at McLoone's Pier house/Supper Club or Ocean Place Resort, because they are way more expensive.

I second Windows on the Water...go check it out. 

You might want to check out The Channel Club or Crystal Point Yacht Club....not on the ocean, but on the river

akmackay

I am having mine at Channel Club and get the best of both worlds- good price and pictures on the water. My friend had her wedding at Water's Edge and loved it as well. Also, I am having my room block at Ocean Place since it's only about 3 miles away from Channel Club

dandb925

I'm getting married at the Water's Edge next September!

The first place we saw was Windows on the Water and I absolutely loved the outdoor space. But, they were pretty expensive when we compared it to other locations. We also looked at the Breakers (not a fan at all) and the White Sands. The White Sands has ceremonies on the beach and was our runner up. It's a hotel, which was nice too.

When we compared all the venues, we got the most with Merri-Maker's, in terms of pricing and food. I think it really depends on the time of year you get married. I think they open the beach May-September. When we met with them, they said they may even push it to early October. And, I know that they offer deals for the major holidays because those are hard to book (I assume).
 
Definitely try negotiating with them. We booked 2 years out, but once the economy tanked and they started dropping prices, we were able to negotiate our price per person down.

Good luck!

yetta18

I just got married at Mallard Island Yacht Club which is owned by the same people as Bonnet Island.  While it is not on the ocean it is situated on the bay, has a beachie area and is breathtaking!  Unlike Bonnet you are allowed to chose between MerriMakers and Taste catering.  Bonnet you can only use MerriMakers which was much more expensive than Taste and not as flexible with menu choices.  We went with Taste and could not have been happier.  Plus Taste works with Carlos Bakery and the cake price is included in the package!

mlatham1

thanks everyone for all the help!! i'm really looking for the ocean. it's just been my dream since i was a little girl to have the ocean waves in the background! i've been noticing that waters edge does have the best deal in terms of whats included.  As long as i can do my cocktail hour outside i'll be happy.  Ocean place is waaaay more expensive when you figure in everything they charge extra for! I definitely can't afford Bonnet Island. We were looking to keep the price around 25,000, so we wouldn't be able to step in there! I saw some very bad reviews about windows on the water, so that worried me a bit.  I'm glad people had some good experiences.  I'll have to contact them for prices, since they don't have them posted! but thanks everyone for the opinions!