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Fiesta, Graycliff, Colonial Inn

Jujubees803Jujubees803 member
Second Anniversary First Comment
in New Jersey
Hey all, I'm new here as I just recently got engaged.  My fiance and I began looking at venues, and we have it narrowed down to Fiesta, the Graycliff, or the Colonial Inn.  I'm looking for some feedback on these places as they all have similar prices for a Friday evening wedding.  I'd say my biggest priorities are the quality and quantity of food, and also making sure there is a nice flow from the cermony, cocktail hour, and reception (I will be having these all at the venue).  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated :) 
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Re: Fiesta, Graycliff, Colonial Inn

  • HobokensFuryHobokensFury member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    We had our wedding at the Graycliff. The food was unlike any other wedding I've ever been too. If you have specific questions just ask.
     
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  • Jujubees803Jujubees803 member
    Second Anniversary First Comment
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_fiesta-graycliff-colonial-inn?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:a5324fe5-b19b-4b86-bd44-587e40eb6e14Post:b14d0e8e-f092-4109-b286-b5af62b292ea">Re: Fiesta, Graycliff, Colonial Inn</a>:
    [QUOTE]We had our wedding at the Graycliff. The food was unlike any other wedding I've ever been too. If you have specific questions just ask.
    Posted by HobokenBride2012[/QUOTE]
    Was there another wedding going on at the same time as yours?  If so, did you run into anyone from the other wedding?  Also, were you able to negotiate with them easily in terms of pricing/what is included?  
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  • HobokensFuryHobokensFury member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    There was another wedding but they have 2 separate entrances so no one crosses paths with each other. We really didn't negotiate because we got their premium package with all of the options and add ons at a great price to begin with.
     
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  • miclanmiclan member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    I looked at both fiesta and graycliff. Graycliff was gorgeous on the inside and from what I have heard the food is amazing. I really wish they had more grounds because I would have booked there in a heartbeat. I wasn't crazy about fiesta. The pictures online are very deceiving. The water fountain is down stairs in a parking garage type of thing. It is literally right on the main road. The inside looked nice. But I was very turned off by the "grounds".
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  • HobokensFuryHobokensFury member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited August 2012
    I honestly think food is more important than Grounds because that is what guests will talk about and remember. We just went somewhere else for outdoor photos. It was no big deal.
     
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  • mrsR12mrsR12 member
    100 Comments
    We are getting married at Fiesta in 2 weeks.  You have to see what's important to you.  For us, the food - which we had the tasting and love, the room - we got the big room that's recently renovated, and the fact that even though there might be other weddings/events going on, we have out own side of the building, separate entrance and bathrooms.  the space is beatiful, the staff have been very easy to work with.  we also got a great package for food also.
    good luck. 
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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    My sister's wedding was at the Colonial Inn and they did a great job.  My sister said they were always great to work with, the cocktail hour was huge, and the reception room was really big with plenty of space for their 150 guests.
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  • miclanmiclan member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_fiesta-graycliff-colonial-inn?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:a5324fe5-b19b-4b86-bd44-587e40eb6e14Post:7a00d21f-c326-4697-8a85-c3b1ed68a870">Re: Fiesta, Graycliff, Colonial Inn</a>:
    [QUOTE]I honestly think food is more important than Grounds because that is what guests will talk about and remember. We just went somewhere else for outdoor photos. It was no big deal.
    Posted by HobokenBride2012[/QUOTE]
    Thats a matter of personal opinion. I want an outdoor ceremony and the graycliff had a very awkward ceremony site. I'm having the ceremony and reception at the same place so it would be inconvenient to go somewhere else for photos. My venue still has lots of options and the food tastes great, so it was a much better choice for me.
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  • JElove05JElove05 member
    First Comment First Anniversary
    My fiance and I visited all three of those places within the past month.  We were also looking at Friday night prices.  (We just booked at The Empire Club yesterday.) This is how we felt about all three places, based on our initial meeting.

    The Fiesta: We LOVE their new ballroom and cocktail hour room.  Both rooms are gorgeous.  However, we didn't like the fact that there was no outside area for pictures or cocktail hour.  Also, when comparing menus, it seems like you are getting a little more food during cocktail hour at the other places for a slightly lower price.  The Fiesta says they don't do food tastings, but may be able to schedule one if you are between them and another place.  Denise was very helpful when we met with her.  I don't think they have a nice ceremony room though.  (We are having our ceremony at a church, so we didn't inquire about that.)  This was one of our top choices for a venue.  

    The Graycliff:  Maybe we just caught the staff on a bad day or time, but my fiance and I felt rushed during our initial meeting and the staff seemed a little distant/cold, which is why we did not consider this venue.  It's a pretty venue for a good price. I especially enjoyed the look of the place when you first enter and their cocktail hour room.  They have a nice outdoor area for pictures as well.  However, the location is not ideal.  It is located at the corner of two busy intersections (not sure if this matters to you).  Not sure how their food tastes. I've read mixed reviews on their food.  

    The Colonial Inn: We LOVE this place.  My fiance and I met with Paul Sr. and he was great.  I like the location, the outside look, the outside area for pictures, and they have an outdoor patio for cocktail hour as well.  You can be the only event at this place, which is nice.  I like their ceremony space.  The BEST part about this place is the food.  Paul Sr. graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and many of his staff members trained there as well.  His menu is extensive, the chefs like to get creative, and Paul likes to consider the backgrounds of the bride and groom's family when deciding what dishes to serve. They do frequent food tastings too.  Paul seemed very willing to work with us during all steps.  This was one of our top choices as well.  It was a tough decision, but ultimately my fiance and I booked with The Empire Club over The Colonial Inn yesterday because we liked the look of the ballroom in The Empire Club better.  (Both places are similar.  Not sure if you checked out The Empire Club or not, but it is in the same price range as these other three places.  Chris is awesome and their cocktail hour menu is huge.  Plus, they have a nice outdoor area for ceremonies and pictures.)  
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  • castel577castel577 member
    Fourth Anniversary First Comment
    We've been to many functions at the Fiesta and while the renovated ballroom is beautiful, we really didn't like the food or the fact that there are so many events going on at the same time.  We've also been to 3 weddings at the Graycliff over the past 12 months.  The ballroom was very pretty.  They give you a lot of food at the cocktail hour but we had to stand since there were not nearly enough seats.  We had our wedding at the Colonial Inn on June 30th. The ceremony room was beautiful, everyone had a seat at the cocktail hour and the ballroom was breathtaking.  We originally wanted an outdoor ceremony, but this actually worked out better.  Since the room is enclosed with glass we felt like we were outdoors without worrying about the weather.  We had the entire place to ourselves and the flow of the rooms was perfect.  They have beautiful outdoor grounds for pictures.  They also have a nice patio that is set up with tables and chairs for those guests that want to sit outside for a while.  Our guests are still talking about the food and service. The Colonial Inn far surpassed our expectations.  It was incredible and we cannot recommend the Colonial Inn enough.
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  • sobosamsobosam
    10 Comments
    We were initially really impressed with the Graycliff - but two things deterred us.  1) The staff always seemed to be rushed/not on time, and 2) the food at the tasting was horrible.  The meat was cooked poorly and the chicken was bland. They wow you with the amount of food they give you for the price (and a lot of the cocktail hour food is delicious), but I was less than impressed by the entrees.  The food at the colonial inn was amazing.  We booked there. 
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