Introduction and request for venue

SewInLoveWithDMB · September 2012

Hello all!

I am newly engaged and just wanted to say hi!

I am also looking for venue suggestions. I have been browsing the boards for a while so I have some ideas, but am seeing if anyone has anything additional to add since you guys have some really great ideas - I really appreciate it.

We are looking for an end of June or early July 2013 reception, on a Saturday (June 22, July 6, July 13 appear to be good dates as I know of some vendors I would really like to use and they are all open on those dates) We should have approximately 150 guests - maybe a little less, maybe a little more - ballpark figure.

I am very much interested in an afternoon wedding rather than an evening wedding, but time limitations might change that - I don't know if I can do church at 10, pictures after and not miss our entire cocktail hour for 12 pm. I'm also nervous about getting hair and makeup done for myself/family/bridesmaids for a 10 am ceremony.

We are looking for: (and forgive me if this is a tall order)

-Ability to have the reception from say, 2 - 7 instead of the normal 12-5

-Close proximity to Montclair - my church is located in Montclair and our houses nearby

-Ability to have "stuff" added - photobooth, possibility of an event painter, etc (are permits needed? space issues?)

-Open bar - can give or take. I would be happy with beer, wine, champagne and some specialty drinks if that changes any options

-Under $100, if possible - including tax and tip

I have called the Manor, Highlawn Pavilion, Tides and Brownstone and they fit with the price but not with the times. I have not tried to negotiate (or change the times?!) or do anything more than an initial phone call. My sister held her reception at the Glen Ridge Women's Club, and I hear the accoustics at Montclair Art Museum are not the greatest so I am totally open (and would like) some non-traditional or "different" locations. I know I'm asking a WHOLE LOT, but I don't know if I want to be involved down to the smallest details (renting tables, flatware, chairs, etc) so a restaurant of some kind could be better? I just don't know.

Let me know what ideas you have or if I forgot any specs. Seriously, thank you all so much in advance for your advice.

(I think the date will come up as June 22nd, but that is obviously not set - the knot just wanted me to fill in a date)

(edited cause I had some typos)

[Deleted User] · September 2012

You might want to look into a Sunday wedding. Many venues will try to do two weddings on a Saturday, especially as you're looking to get married in a heavy wedding season. A 2-7 time slot basically prevents them from doing that, so they'll charge more, as they're now limited to one wedding on that day. My sister wanted an afternoon wedding and ended up going for a Sunday as most of the places either charged a whole lot more or just flat out refused to do that time on a Saturday (and she was getting married in December, which is a pretty off time of year).

Also, are you sure that those places quoted you at $100 per person INCLUDING tax and tip? I wanted to do under $100 and I know that Highlawn and Brownstone were higher than that (not by much but by like $15 a head, which can add up if you're having 150 people) - and I'm getting married in early April on a Sunday.

I don't know non-traditional venues, but these *might* be able to accomodate your price range and your time slot: Mayfair Farms (does multiple weddings so they might be ok, if they can have other things going on in their other room), Old Tappan Manor, The Graycliff, Woodcliff Manor, and The Elan.

Good luck!

xxstardust · September 2012

You may want to look at the Greycliff in Moonachie. We're paying $80pp, so about $103 with tax and gratuity (but we did get money knocked off for removing all shellfish from the menu) - and that that's on a Saturday night in August. I know when we picked our start time, they told us that they don't start two events at the same time when they're running two and that whichever party booked first got first dibs on starting time. So a non-traditional start time might actually work in your favor there.

DeDeSwe · September 2012

Out of curiousity - why the request for the early/daytime wedding? Seems like a harder point to negotiate. If it is for price, then why not just do 12-5?

On another note, if you do go with a nicer hall - be forewarned that they will be expecting you, all guests, any remaining stuff, out the door by 5:02, especially if they are hosting another event that night. there will be no lurking on the dance floor saying last goodbye's inside the hall. just 2 cents to think about.

SewInLoveWithDMB · September 2012

Thank you all so much for your suggestions!

RozwedDion · September 2012

Try the Valley Regency in Montclair which is across from Montclair State University or the Welshire Grand Hotel in West Orange ask for Kelvin. They maybe able to work with you. Good Luck ...

Introduction and request for venue

Re: Introduction and request for venue

Choose Another Board

Search Boards