Venue suggestion

NJhousewife22

Now that we settled on our date (11-12-11) I am starting to look for venues, but I'm feeling overwhelmed by the process. I don't want to fall in love with something I can't afford, but nobody will tell you their prices until you go see it! We are having about 90 guests in the Hoboken NJ area and want to spend $4000-5000 for the reception location/food (is this even doable in NJ??). Anyone have any suggestions??

nessi979

Thats going to be tough to do.   But it IS doable.   First, I would ask if your date is negotiable.   Saturdays are the most expensive day, and often come with a minimum of 100 or more required.    Next, are you ok with an afternoon wedding?  Afternoons are going to be less expensive then an evening.   Can you do a cash bar?    Or maybe just a cocktail party instead of a sit down dinner? 

If you can give more of an idea of what type of venue youre looking for, or what type of party, it might help.   Also do you want ceremony & reception at the same place?   Where is your ceremony site, and how far from there do you want to go?

Laurms15

Using the upper most number your budget per person is $55pp which is on the lower end. You may have better luck with a resturant or a hall which allows you to bring in your own catering over more traditional wedding halls.

NJhousewife22

Our date really is narrowed to either that Friday (which is 11-11-11 and we figured WAY more expensive) or the 12th. We definitely are considering doing cocktails and desserts only. I was thinking something more lounge type of setting, but I wasn't sure if that would be more expensive. Ceremony will likely be in the Englewood area, but its not set in stone, so I'm open to anything in that regard (and wouldn't mind if the guests had to travel a bit to get from one to the other....

I'm feeling SO lost! Please tell me venue is the hardest thing to do! 

JessicaLB2

In my opinion, venue is the hardest, and I think a lot of people will agree.

Hang in there!  I'm sure the girls on here will have some great suggestions!

hollyberry88

11/11/11 may not be more expensive.  Actually, being a friday, it may be cheaper.  When DH and I were looking around, we were shooting for 10/10/10, and found that because it was a Sunday, they gave us a break on the date.  (we ended up with the 8th, not because of price, but because my church would not do a wedding on a sunday).

Ditto looking at a Saturday afternoon (or morning) wedding...and with maybe sticking with just a cocktail hour/desert type reception.  Maybe stick with just beer, wine and a signature drink.  Try looking at resturants or halls that you can rent.  Lots of fire departments (at least in Central NJ) have halls that you can rent, and then bring in your own food.  Good luck!

akcrrr

We are having are wedding 11.11.11 at the Westin in Jersey City and it is surprisingly still cheaper than 11.12.11.

In terms of your budget, you could possibly do a brunch or lunch or just a cocktail hour at the Chart House in Weehawken.

If you are open to something more "casual/hip" you sould check out Park Ave Bar and Grill in Union City. Food is very good and I have pricing I could email you if you would like (they would be in your range per person).

As others have suggested, you could try an Elks lodge or Knights of Columbus. There is a beautiful one on the Riverfront in Weehawken that might work for you.

mbcdefg

I would look into restaurants. If you want your reception to be at a restaurant in the Hoboken area, try Rita & Joe's or Puccini's, both in Jersey City. Also try The Restaurant in Hackensack ... someone on this board had a buffet reception a while back and said it was pretty affordable.

Also try the new Knights of Columbus catering hall in Bayonne.

I was e-mailing back and forth with the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton while I was planning my wedding, and they seemed very willing to negotiate. I got them down to $90pp all-inclusive for an open bar and dinner reception.

There are a few reception halls in the area that aren't anything fancy, but they have decent food and good prices. Try the Chandelier in Bayonne, and Casino in the Park in Jersey City. I've been to both and I think they're fine.

And I would definitely inquire about brunch and lunch prices. You will probably spend a lot less on those meals than you would on a dinnertime reception. Plus you can always do a casual afterparty once the daytime reception wraps up ... rent out the back room at a bar and get a beer & wine package plus some little appetizers.

Heck, maybe make that the entire reception! I'd enjoy attending a casual and fun wedding like that. Willie McBride's in Hoboken is a cool place for this.

NJhousewife22

Akcrrr would love that info if you could send it!. Tried to PM you, but it wouldn't let me. I'm AntigoneNYC at gmail

Thanks!

akcrrr

@NJhousewife22 I just sent you the information that I have on the Park Ave Bar and Grill from my gmail account.

I also know that Da Noi (Italian restaurant) in Bayonne has a package that is salad/dinner/dessert/open bar for $40-$50pp all inclusive but I do not have the contact information.

mbcdefg

Da Noi is a good suggestion, akcrrr, I didn't even think of that.

Other Bayonne restaurants:

Cafe Bello
The Venice
Amici's
Buon Appetito
Hendrickson's
Ten East
Meditterraneao
Rincon de Espana

akcrrr

Oh, I almost forgot...Amanda's in Hoboken would be in your price range but the bar is consumption only.

kellybee83

mbcdefg- great suggestions!  Everywhere I was thinking you've already mentioned!

HobokensFury

I looked at Puccini's in Jersey City.  The prices range from $30 - $70 pp including taxes and tip.  It turned out not to be what we wanted but it's deffinately worth checking out!

cindy91788

Most places will tell you their prices (or send them to you) if you call or email and ask them. I didn't have to go see any of the 10 venues we saw before getting their pricing from them. Just ask.

NJhousewife22

Thanks everyone!!! FI and I decided to up our budget to give us more options and we are also looking into many of the places you guys suggested. What would I do without TK!