New Jersey

New to TheKnot! Looking for North Jersey Venue info.

Hi Everyone!

My name is Allison and I got engaged to my fi, Joel, about a month ago.  Our projected wedding date is 10/6/12.  We are VERY excited to start planning!  

We are currently in the Venue-hunting/pricing phase, and there are tons to research!
We are looking for a venue in Northern NJ - i.e., Bergen, Essex, and Hudson Counties.  Ideally our price range is under $90pp (not incl. tax and grat.), around 150p.  Ceremony and reception on-site.  Preferably outdoor cocktail area. 

We have been reading all of your helpful posts and have a potential list of venues that we'd like to see.  Some of these include: Tides, Empire Club, Graycliff, Bethwood, Colonial Inn, & Woodcliff Manor. 
If anyone has additional information on venues that meet our criteria, and/or specific details that may be helpful regarding the above mentioned venues, please send it our way!  

Thank You in advance  Smile
-Allison & Joel 

Re: New to TheKnot! Looking for North Jersey Venue info.

  • maddie7maddie7 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Congrats to you! The only one I can comment on is Seasons in Bergen Co. next week. (attending a wedding there this wknd) Ive also been to the Florentine Gardens and that wedding was really lovely too. In Essex we looked at Mayfair Farms which I thought was nice and The Manor which wasnt our thing. We ended up with a venue in Union Co. though. Good luck!
  • shoebieshoebie member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Congrats to you! Thats my date too :) Join the Oct 2012 board no suggestions for that area just sending a congrats!
  • Raeven79Raeven79 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We had looked at the Woodcliff Manor, so I can speak to that a bit. The price we were quoted was slightly above your desired cost, however, given your size, I wouldn't be surprised if they would work w you. We thought the building was charming and different and the outdoor grounds were very nice. David, who is one of the owners was very friendly and helpful. 
  • mbcdefgmbcdefg member
    10000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Welcome!

    Our reception was at The Tides last April and we were very pleased with it. We had 120 people in the downstairs room and ended up paying $80pp (with tax and gratuity it came out to about $102pp). Our ceremony was at a church in Jersey City.
    image
  • Denise91980Denise91980 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Along with the ones you mentioned, you may want to check The Manor, Ravello's, Mayfair Farms, Richfield Regency and The Atrium Country Club. Florentine Garden's is beautiful, but way above 90pp unless you are willing to do a Sunday afternoon.
    BFP #1 1/1/11 EDD 9/10/11 dx:no hb DNC on 2/2/11 BFP #2 12/28/11 natural m/c on 2/6/12 BFP#3 2/16/13 dx:ectopic on 2/27 (given methotrexate)
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  • edited December 2011
    Hi! Congrats on the engagement.  I am still searching for a venue as well and have visited a couple of the options you mentioned.  We did not visit the Bethwood because I know someone who was married there and her brother's wedding at the Graycliff everyone agreed was a much better overall experience. We are looking in late summer/early fall and below are the 2012 prices we were quoted for the Graycliff.  Just note that the Graycliff has no outdoor area (very small gazebo area in the parking lot) and is on the corner of 2 busy roads. 

    Below prices are with upgraded filet or chateau (can't remember which) entree. Should be $5 less for non upgraded entree of prime rib or something similar:
    August (Sat Night): $80
    August (Fri/Sun Night): $75
    Sept (Sat Night): $85
    Sept (Fri/Sun Night): $80

    Viennese (with fire show) was an additional $9.95/pp
    All extra options (raw bar, viennese, other stations) was an additional $18/pp

    Their reception is also 5.5 hours long.

    We also visited the Colonial Inn but I don't have the pricing on hand. I can try to find the information later and get back to you.  They have a small outside area for cocktails and a small adjoining garden space for pics.  Main ballroom is pretty dark though.

    Another option might be the Brownstone.  They have a decent outdoor area for the cocktail hour.

    Good luck!
  • edited December 2011
    I am getting married at Mayfair Farms on 10/7/12!!!

    You should def check them out - if you want to chat or ask me any questions about the venue pm me :)
  • jcg98jcg98 member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Just wanted to say hello and welcome!  My venue is Ravello's, which fits most of your criteria except the outdoor cocktail area.  Definitely check out the venues that PPs have suggested.  Happy planning!


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  • edited December 2011
    I think for what you're looking for, Tides may be the best bet.  It's a nice venue and from what I hear, they're more than willing to work with you!
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  • StefaniBelStefaniBel member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Congratulations in your engagement!
    The Manor in West Orange is in your price range.  It is where I am having my ceremony and reception.  



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  • michelle221michelle221 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments First Answer
    edited December 2011
    Seasons is very highly rated and it's truly a venue you want to visit. It has an outdoor balcony for guests and the cocktail hour is beyond all expectations, as is the service.
  • edited December 2011
    Welcome and congrats!  I'm a Graycliff bride, so I vote for them. lol.  They don't have an outdoor cocktail area but they do offer on-site ceremonies.  You should also look into the Atrium in West Orange.  We went there and they're around the same price as the Graycliff, but they don't include as much, and we thought the food at the Graycliff was so much better (the food was the deciding factor for us).  But it is another option.  Feel free to ask any questions :)
  • ginabean82ginabean82 member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Congrats!  During my research, October is one of the most expensive months to get married in, so it might be hard finding something for under $90 pp.  And seing that 10.6.12 is a Saturday night I highly doubt that you will come close to that price.  That being said, you should consider having it during the day on Saturday or moving it a day later to sunday.  Mayfair Farms in West Orange was the cheapest we found and I believe they were over 90 in October.
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  • HefferpinHefferpin member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Congrats!

    I'm getting married at Perona Farms in Andover (right by Sparta) this coming September. They're really flexible with their pricing, have two completely separate room options (depending on your size), an outdoor area for cocktail hour, a few different ceremony options, and REALLY good food. Of course I'm biased, but you should check them out!
  • AliJo2012AliJo2012 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_new-theknot-looking-north-jersey-venue-info?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:f37ce7a8-370a-455a-bd62-a02692ef0b19Post:2500c2ed-d792-4457-a901-a1ac298e361b">Re: New to TheKnot! Looking for North Jersey Venue info.</a>:
    [QUOTE]We had looked at the Woodcliff Manor, so I can speak to that a bit. The price we were quoted was slightly above your desired cost, however, given your size, I wouldn't be surprised if they would work w you. We thought the building was charming and different and the outdoor grounds were very nice. David, who is one of the owners was very friendly and helpful. 
    Posted by Raeven79[/QUOTE] 
     
    Thanks for the rec.!  I actually spoke with David on the phone and he WAS very helpful, we hope to make an appt here soon!
  • AliJo2012AliJo2012 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_new-theknot-looking-north-jersey-venue-info?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:f37ce7a8-370a-455a-bd62-a02692ef0b19Post:6afe78fa-e9d9-4a42-b8e6-76b7fab9f82b">Re: New to TheKnot! Looking for North Jersey Venue info.</a>:
    [QUOTE]Hi! Congrats on the engagement.  I am still searching for a venue as well and have visited a couple of the options you mentioned.  We did not visit the Bethwood because I know someone who was married there and her brother's wedding at the Graycliff everyone agreed was a much better overall experience. We are looking in late summer/early fall and below are the 2012 prices we were quoted for the Graycliff.  Just note that the Graycliff has no outdoor area (very small gazebo area in the parking lot) and is on the corner of 2 busy roads.  Below prices are with upgraded filet or chateau (can't remember which) entree. Should be $5 less for non upgraded entree of prime rib or something similar: August (Sat Night): $80 August (Fri/Sun Night): $75 Sept (Sat Night): $85 Sept (Fri/Sun Night): $80 Viennese (with fire show) was an additional $9.95/pp All extra options (raw bar, viennese, other stations) was an additional $18/pp Their reception is also 5.5 hours long. We also visited the Colonial Inn but I don't have the pricing on hand. I can try to find the information later and get back to you.  They have a small outside area for cocktails and a small adjoining garden space for pics.  Main ballroom is pretty dark though. Another option might be the Brownstone.  They have a decent outdoor area for the cocktail hour. Good luck!
    Posted by Kerry313[/QUOTE]

    Thanks for all the great details Kerry!  We have an appt with Colonial Inn, so we'll see soon what they have to offer.  Wow, it seems like the price is right for Graycliff but what a bummer that they don't have an outdoor space. Good luck to you too! When is your projected wedding date??    
  • AliJo2012AliJo2012 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_new-theknot-looking-north-jersey-venue-info?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:f37ce7a8-370a-455a-bd62-a02692ef0b19Post:da02d87e-16a0-4fa1-b15d-b7c086ac2461">Re: New to TheKnot! Looking for North Jersey Venue info.</a>:
    [QUOTE]Welcome and congrats!  I'm a Graycliff bride, so I vote for them. lol.  They don't have an outdoor cocktail area but they do offer on-site ceremonies.  You should also look into the Atrium in West Orange.  We went there and they're around the same price as the Graycliff, but they don't include as much, and we thought the food at the Graycliff was so much better (the food was the deciding factor for us).  But it is another option.  Feel free to ask any questions :)
    Posted by christin228[/QUOTE]

    Thanks, we have the Atrium on our list as well as the Graycliff.  How is Graycliff with negotiating?  We had some prices quoted to us over the phone, which were great - I'm just afraid of how any add-ons/details will affect the budget...
  • AliJo2012AliJo2012 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thank you everyone!!  All of your reccomendations were extremely helpful in these early stages of our venue search.  Now, onto many phone calls and visits...sigh. lol. 
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