Is 6 months too soon?!

JerseyAKL

Hi ladies!

My fiance and I knew we were looking between late fall 2013 and early spring 2014 because of my brother's wedding in May in New Mexico. When we started looking at venues (and realizing a Jan/Feb/March wedding is pretty risky), we realized we could get great rates for 2013 and possibly avoid a full year of wedding planning chaos. My question is.....are we totally crazy to even consider a wedding in 6 months?

Also, if anyone has feedback on the Park Avenue Club and/or the Bernards Inn, I would love to hear from you. We are also looking at the Madison Hotel as another option, but loved these two venues (and crossed off the one other that we saw).

Thanks!
Allison

jaz3088

In Response to Is 6 months too soon?!:
[QUOTE]Hi ladies! My fiance and I knew we were looking between late fall 2013 and early spring 2014 because of my brother's wedding in May in New Mexico. When we started looking at venues (and realizing a Jan/Feb/March wedding is pretty risky), we realized we could get great rates for 2013 and possibly avoid a full year of wedding planning chaos. My question is.....are we totally crazy to even consider a wedding in 6 months? Also, if anyone has feedback on the Park Avenue Club and/or the Bernards Inn, I would love to hear from you. We are also looking at the Madison Hotel as another option, but loved these two venues (and crossed off the one other that we saw). Thanks! Allison
Posted by JerseyAKL[/QUOTE]

I think its totally possible to plan something in 6 months you might not get every vendor you want, if you have your heart set on certain things but i think its totally possible.  Happy Planning!!  

thecatm

I'm a Madison Hotel bride  Its a beautiful place and I'm so excited to have our reception there. My fiance's family has nothing but glowing reviews about the place--his sister AND cousin got married there!

It's possible to plan something in 6 months, absolutely. It just means you need to be on top of things and yeah, you might not get every vendor you want. My future sister in law planned her wedding in 6 months though and they were able to pull it off just fine. Good luck!

JerseyAKL

Good to hear about the Madison Hotel. We are HOPING to get in there this week, but have not heard back. We saw three venues this weekend (loved two, disliked one) and decided it is silly to go look at all of the venues on our list if we would be happy with these. We just felt like the Madison Hotel would be a good option to add.

Any surprises in planning there? Anything that stands out as good or bad about the venue or the people you are working with? We have a sense of pricing, but I don't know what their pricing will look like if we go for a 2013 wedding.

We'll see. Thanks for the feedback!
Allison

GeersGreen15

Madison Hotel is very nice and their prices are reasonable. That was my fiance and my second choice. We ended up going with Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge. We also looked at Bernard's Inn. It's very small. Has great charm, but might not be good if you're planning on having a lot of guests. The don't have a lot of hotel rooms and the rooms are pricey.

The main thing I love about Olde Mill Inn is that only one wedding can happen in the hotel. It sounds selfish, but once I knew I could be the only bride at a venue I really liked that.

JoanE2012

In Response to Is 6 months too soon?!:
[QUOTE]Hi ladies! My fiance and I knew we were looking between late fall 2013 and early spring 2014 because of my brother's wedding in May in New Mexico. When we started looking at venues (and realizing a Jan/Feb/March wedding is pretty risky), we realized we could get great rates for 2013 and possibly avoid a full year of wedding planning chaos. My question is.....are we totally crazy to even consider a wedding in 6 months? Also, if anyone has feedback on the Park Avenue Club and/or the Bernards Inn, I would love to hear from you. We are also looking at the Madison Hotel as another option, but loved these two venues (and crossed off the one other that we saw). Thanks! Allison
Posted by JerseyAKL[/QUOTE]

I visited the Madison Hotel and did not like it.  The conservatory is beautiful, but the cocktail hour would've been just outside the conservatory near the main road in the front of the venue.  Not only did it not feel "intimate" with all the passing cars, our guests would've also seen the staff changing the room over to the reception. They showed us an alternate room in case it rained (or, in your case, it's too cold!), but I remember it feeling dark and closed in.

I know someone that got married at the Bernards Inn and loved it!  It was out of our price range so we didn't bother looking at it. 

I think you can definitely plan a wedding in 6 months.  The only reason we didn't was because I knew getting a dress often takes longer than that.  If you are willing to buy off the rack or at David's Bridal, you will have an easier time. 

JerseyAKL

All good advice and feedback; thanks!

I was not planning to shop at Davids Bridal, but we will see whether I have any other options for a dress given the timeline.

ohmrs2014

In terms of a dress, I'm not sure where in New Jersey you are located, but I would try Alfred Angelo (boutiques that sell his designs might be able to do this as well).  I went to the AA Signature Store in Cherry Hill (def a drive, but well worth it because they carry all his dresses and there is one in the Poconos if that is closer to you).  I ordered my dress in September and it arrived the first week in January.  I only ordered so early because I loved the dress and so did my dad, it was totally unexpected but I didn't want to regret not buying the dress if they happened to not sell it anymore.  I had over a year for my wedding and they were still able to get it in 4 months.

JerseyAKL

I'm in Morris County. I was planning to go to I do...I do... in Morristown, but am not sure how long they take. I heard that Group USA in Secaucus was a decent option. I wear a 14/16 (although watching that number shrink by the week) so I am also worried about sizing. Argh!

ohmrs2014

Size was also my concern, at AA they have the dresses in all sizes available to try on.  I didn't go to Group USA but I heard that I Do, I Do is great.  They key is to look at designers that can have a quick turn around in terms of being ready in less than 6 months.  You figure you need to factor in alterations as well.

GeersGreen15

I just ordered my dress from I Do I Do and would HIGHLY recommend going there, but definitely check to see if they can order your dress in time. The staff is very friendly and the salon is nice and clean.

thecatm

In Response to Re: Is 6 months too soon?!:
[QUOTE]Good to hear about the Madison Hotel. We are HOPING to get in there this week, but have not heard back. We saw three venues this weekend (loved two, disliked one) and decided it is silly to go look at all of the venues on our list if we would be happy with these. We just felt like the Madison Hotel would be a good option to add. Any surprises in planning there? Anything that stands out as good or bad about the venue or the people you are working with? We have a sense of pricing, but I don't know what their pricing will look like if we go for a 2013 wedding. We'll see. Thanks for the feedback! Allison
Posted by JerseyAKL[/QUOTE]

Ahhh lets see. The conservatory is beautiful and super unique to me...but we arent having our wedding in there because we have too big of a guest list. We are having our reception in the ballroom. I love the classic feel of everything there and the food is absolutely outstanding..i've eating at the restaurant attached a few times (Rod's steakhouse) and also got a chance to taste the food at the bridal show there. Everyone we have worked with has been really friendly and accomodating. I'm sure i'll have more to say in a few months when we are working with them all the time as the date gets closer lol I have nothing but positive things to say so far

HobokensFury

In Response to Re: Is 6 months too soon?!:
[QUOTE]In terms of a dress, I'm not sure where in New Jersey you are located, but I would try Alfred Angelo (boutiques that sell his designs might be able to do this as well).  I went to the AA Signature Store in Cherry Hill (def a drive, but well worth it because they carry all his dresses and there is one in the Poconos if that is closer to you).  I ordered my dress in September and it arrived the first week in January.  I only ordered so early because I loved the dress and so did my dad, it was totally unexpected but I didn't want to regret not buying the dress if they happened to not sell it anymore.  I had over a year for my wedding and they were still able to get it in 4 months.
Posted by 50ShadesofMe[/QUOTE]

I went to AA too! Just an FYI- you don't pay taxes at the one in NJ but do at the one in PA. 

marymargaretxo

I went to look at the Park Avenue Club and I absolutely love how accomidating and sweet everyone was, even though it was my first visit! The inside is very rustic and old-fashioned (in a good way!). I thought the ceremony space is gorgeous, but I'm not sure if you're considering an on-site ceremony. My cousin used to work there and she said the food is excellent and they always heard rave-reviews!!The only reason that I am not going here is because it wasn't really the look I was going for; I wanted a more mondern look.

I hear nothing but good things about the Madison Hotel, I'm planning to go look at it myself soon!

AnaK32_2345221

I have an October 18th, 2013 date at Mayfair Farms in West Orange, NJ up for grabs... My husband we had a courthouse wedding first is being unexpectedly deployed overseas so we can't have our dream wedding until he returns. Unfortunately for us, we have already put in deposits and have planned out everything...fortunately for you, it can all be yours if you want it. We got it for 100pp including taxes and gratuity plus some additional items. Contact me for more details if you're interested.

JerseyAKL

AnaK, I am so sorry that you are in that position! I think October 18th would be too soon for us, but I will spread the word in case I know anyone else interested. Thank you and good luck!

Blondie211

Hi

I just saw this post.  My husband and I planned our wedding in 6 months and were even halted by Hurricane Sandy.  As long as you get the dresses and reception hall(PArk Savoy)  you are set.  The places tha said it was too soon, i didn't use.  I also bought my dress at I do, I do and they were WONDERFUL!!!  Made me feel so at ease!  Good luck!!

dalm0m

We planned in 9 months.  You will need to be flexible. 

Our reception was at the Madison Hotel; they made it very easy. 

Getting the dress of your dreams may be hard because many take 8-12 to make.  I bought mine off the cash & carry sales rack at RK Bridal on 39th St in NYC.

JerseyAKL

Thanks, all! We're now 3+ months into planning and getting married on November 23rd. We have pretty much everything handled, other than the smaller stuff. I am SO glad we chose to do it in 6 months rather than drag it out.