Newly engaged!!!!! And need reviews/recs on a few venues

soontobemrsbuccheri

I can't believe I'm engaged!!!!!  My boyfriend (now fiance!!!) asked me to marry him yesterday evening after work and I couldn't be more thrilled!!! I am slowly coming off Cloud 9.  All last night I was getting congratulatory texts and facebook messages/comments wishing us well.  When I went to bed, I had a huge smile on my face and when I got up, I thought it was all a dream until I saw my fiance's face and the beautiful ring on my finger. 

I've already been bombarded by my mother asking if we picked a date or if I had any idea of where and when. To which I've said that I would start focusing on the details once the weekend hits. We are still tossing around the idea of a church wedding w/venue reception or a venue ceremony and reception.  I'm thinking we may lean towards it being all under one roof, but if not I know which church we'll be married in (St. Hedwig's Church in Trenton, NJ - we're both parishoners there). 

With that being said, I'm looking for reviews and/or recommendations for venues in/around Central Jersey that won't break our 10k budget.

So far, I have a list:

East Windsor Ballroom in East Windsor (rave reviews from my co-worker, but wondering if anyone else has any experience there)
Hamilton Manor in Hamilton, NJ (Mercer County)
Waterview Pavillion (Riverview Pavillion) Belmar, NJ
Trenton Country Club in West Trenton, NJ

I want to thank you all in advance for the warm welcome.  I look forward to getting to know you all and swapping ideas, etc.

Peaseblossom55

I am in the process of planning my reception venue and have looked at some of the venues you mentioned.  I don't know what day you are looking for but what info I am giving you are for spring 2014 on a Saturday night
Hamilton Manor- ranged from $125- $159pp the ballroom was gorgeous.  It would have looked too big for the number of guests we plan to invite

Trenton CC- we didn't go to see it, our date was already booked but the packages ranged from $110-$140pp

Depending on your guest size and how far you want to travel after the church I would also look at Crystal Ballroom at the Radisson in Freehold, Courtyard On Main in Freehold, HIlton Garden Inn in Hamilton. They were already booked on my date but check out Mercer Oaks Golf course in Princeton Junction, the ballroom was real nice and so were the grounds. Hope that helps and good luck!

SewInLoveWithDMB

Best wishes on your engagement!

My best advise would just be to slow down for a moment. Revel in the excitement and the joy for now, but don't stress yet. You have a long road ahead of you and you don't need to make all decisions right now.

Over the next few weeks, I would suggest calling each of the places you have mentioned. Over the phone, I was able to get a lot of information from a lot of different locations. I learned about time of year options, day of week options as well as time of day options. Some offered 4 hour receptions, some had 5.  Some have 3 weddings at once, some only have 1. Some only do 1 a day.

You really need to call and get the information from them - it's nice to have an idea going into it, but some places were far less than I had imagined and some were far more. I had a legal pad and had one page for each place I called. We were then able to review all the prices and information and make sense of it.

Then, after being engaged for about a month, we had a date and a location - and that is even pretty quick!

How many people do you plan in having attend? 10K just for food/reception, or everything?

If you have 100 guests, then you are looking at $100 per person, which includes tax and tip. That's about $75 pre tax and tip (7% tax and 20% gratuity). More people would be less, less people gives you a bit more.

Some places also might have a minimum requirement - you might need to promise them that 100 people will attend. You won't know until you talk to each location.

Good luck!!

soontobemrsbuccheri

In Response to Re: Newly engaged!!!!! And need reviews/recs on a few venues:
[QUOTE]Best wishes on your engagement! My best advise would just be to slow down for a moment. Revel in the excitement and the joy for now, but don't stress yet. You have a long road ahead of you and you don't need to make all decisions right now. Over the next few weeks, I would suggest calling each of the places you have mentioned. Over the phone, I was able to get a lot of information from a lot of different locations. I learned about time of year options, day of week options as well as time of day options. Some offered 4 hour receptions, some had 5.  Some have 3 weddings at once, some only have 1. Some only do 1 a day. You really need to call and get the information from them - it's nice to have an idea going into it, but some places were far less than I had imagined and some were far more. I had a legal pad and had one page for each place I called. We were then able to review all the prices and information and make sense of it. Then, after being engaged for about a month, we had a date and a location - and that is even pretty quick! How many people do you plan in having attend? 10K just for food/reception, or everything? If you have 100 guests, then you are looking at $100 per person, which includes tax and tip. That's about $75 pre tax and tip (7% tax and 20% gratuity). More people would be less, less people gives you a bit more. Some places also might have a minimum requirement - you might need to promise them that 100 people will attend. You won't know until you talk to each location. Good luck!!
Posted by SewInLoveWithDMB[/QUOTE]

I've spoken with 2 venues so far and have appointments for both (Waterview/Riverview Pavilion in Belmar & Windsor Ballroom in East Windsor). I was able to get a rough estimate of cost pp from the Windsor Ballroom, and I'm certain I can get a rough estimate of cost pp from Waterview/Riverview Pavilion. We're looking at 10k for everything. I've been told by numerous people it can be done, especially since I have family/friends in the photography industry as well as in the disc jokey/emcee industry, both w/discounted or free services (I've been told this the past few days by them and one even said it would be my "gift" if I decided to go with them.)

Since I know I have time I know I don't have to rush into it, but like you said even a month after engagment having a date/venue is fast I'd like to have an idea by the 1 month mark so by 2 months I can have it booked. We've talked about everything and we're seriously looking into a beach wedding ceremony and venue reception.  Belmar offers beach weddings (any beach in Belmar) for free outside of the "beach season" or before/after the beaches open/close during the season.  There are fees for the gazebo and pavilion (about $100) which isn't bad. 

I'm going to be purchasing a notebook in the next few days to keep information all neat/tidy...right now I have computer paper with notes written on it.

Thanks girls for your advice! Dually noted!