Spring wedding on the Water???

susana&pedro

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I have been engaged for a year and we finally found a venue  that we both love called Windows on the Water. There are some things that I am iffy about and I would really like to get some opinions especially if you are familiar with this venue?

1. The chef does not offer a food tasting?! Has anyone gotten married or been to an event  at Windows on the Water in Sea Bright, NJ that can vouch for the food? 

2. We are planning  a Spring wedding in April, although we are not having a beach ceremony cocktail hour is outside on a deck overlooking the beach? Has anyone married in April near the beach and liked/disliked the weather??

Thanks everyone!

sh228955

Congrats on finding a venue you love! While I cannot comment specifically on the venue, I will say that no matter what time of year you get married, you should make sure there is a backup indoor plan. Last year it was 60 degrees in December and there was a blizzard in October, so there are no guarantees that it will or will not be comfortable in April on the beach. Perhaps you could plan to provide pashminas in case it is chilly? Just make sure that you express your concerns with the venue so that no matter what the weather, there is an alternate plan. If there is not, i would think about looking at some other venues. Good luck!

jcg98

Ditto PP, you should have a backup plan for inclement weather if any part of your wedding is outdoors.  Most venues with outdoor spaces have indoor alternatives, but make sure you see it for yourself - I remember at least one venue (can't remember specifically which one, wasn't WOTW since we didn't look there) thinking that the indoor alternative for the outdoor cocktail hour was very cramped.

Not all venues offer a tasting so that in itself is not necessarily a bad thing.  I've definitely seen bridal shows advertised for that venue so maybe keep an eye out for that, you can usually sample at least the cocktail hour food that way.

Giaspo

I went to two late April/early May beach weddings - one at Bonnett Island Estate and the other at Water's Edge.  Both had cocktail hours that were planned for outside, and both wound up being indoors.  It was just too cold and rainy to be outside.  It didn't take away from the cocktail hour at all as the Plan B space was very nice.  Just make sure you like the Plan B, and you should be good to go.  PPs are right - weather is the one thing you can't control. 

agu101

Congrats!  We looked at Windows back in Jan 2011 when it was just a construction site.  Although we wound up booking at another venue, I can certainly see why you fell in love with it.  

1) When we looked back in 2011 the chef said he only did food tastings with couples who booked with him.  Is that no longer the case?  I have gotten emails for bridal shows that do take place on occasion from Windows on the Water.  Maybe the chef or wedding coordinator can let you know when one will take place so you can check it out then.  The only thing is that a lot of times bridal show venues only feature their cocktail hour food, not the main entrees.  Another option I've heard of is to coordinate with the venue and go on a night when a wedding being hosted is having the same entrees you are interested in.  You can sit downstairs and try the food while the wedding is going on upstairs and no one knows you are there.  

2) I live year round at the beach and as PP said it can easily be 10 degrees cooler right on the water.  April is a weird month, so I would plan to do cocktail indoors, and if it happens to be one of those really stellar warm spring days, then you can speak with your venue that morning about moving cocktail hour outside.  

lnf616

I have to agree with PP.  I live just down the road from Windows on the Water, we spend a lot of time at the beach in all seasons, and it can be a real crap shoot.  So do keep in mind that it may be colder than you expect, or it can be amazing and almost summer like!

The good news is, regardless of whether or not it is chilly, you will be able to get amazing photos right there on the beach!  And that in itself it well worth it!! 

Best wishes!