this is the code for the render ad
Community› Local Wedding Boards› New Jersey
New Jersey
New Discussion

Venue recs needed- outdoor, interesting, under $110 pp!

dp867dp867 member
Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments
in New Jersey
Ok Ladies, I need your advice and experience!

We need to find a venue for 120 people on a suday in april/may 2014, anywhere in NJ, at less than $110 pp inclusive.

The ideal place would have a ceremony/cocktail hour on a patio/deck, a beautiful, non-banquety, antiquey interior (not a tent), and woodsy, natural looking grounds (not a golf course or overly manicured garden, water would be great), and modern/flexible/delicious food with interesting vegetarian options. I value quality of food and beauty of venue over quantity of food.

Our favorite place was Lake Valhalla, but the manager wouldn't negotiate price/menu and was a little difficult. We also liked the interiors of the women's clubs of Glen Ridge and Upper Montclair, but didn't like the limited outdoor space and I'm nervous about the set up and outside vendor process there.

Did anyone else start out with a similar wishlist? Where did you end up? Recommendations and comments/prices are appreciated!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Venue recs needed- outdoor, interesting, under $110 pp!

  • lauraminnlauraminn member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    We are getting married at Lake Mohawk CC. It is similar to Lake Valhalla and should be within your budget.  http://www.lakemohawkcountryclub.com/  Our minimum for a Saturday night is 130 but it may be lower for a Sunday. 
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    500 Comments
    Mayfair Farms and Perona Farms both fit the bill. We were looking at early April and prices were hovering around that. Both have pretty outdoors and kind of nice, indoor manor house feels (we went with Mayfair and have been SUPER happy so far, especially with the food).

    Bretton Woods is another one worth checking out.
    Report Reply
  • littlekiklittlekik member
    Second Anniversary 10 Comments First Answer
    The English Manor! We went there in July last year and the grounds were absolutely beautiful and the upgraded package was 114 a head I believe...and they were willing to negotiate.  We ended up not choosing them only because we fell in love with the venue we chose, but grounds wise, it was lovely
    Report Reply
  • Aliadee1984Aliadee1984 member
    10 Comments
    The Manor in West orange, also, the Club at Orange lawn has similar interior to the glen ridge, but the ceremony space isn't as nice as the manor.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • silver0319silver0319 member
    Fourth Anniversary 500 Comments 100 Love Its First Answer
    Lake Valhalla is a beautiful venue.  I've attended a wedding there and also met with Perry and his assistant a few months ago.  FI's family used to belong to LVC, so we decided against it just because it was too familiar.

    The grounds are beautiful at Perona; they have an awesome barn on the property that they are planning to turn into additional banquet facilities.  That being said, I was really put off when the sales person I met with didn't take my food allergy questions seriously.  

    I've heard that David's Country Inn in Hackettstown phenomenal and their pricing is fairly reasonable for everything that you get.
      
    I've also been to a wedding at Glen Ridge Women's Club; the interior is beautiful.  You should also look into Oakeside Mansion and the Inn at Millrace Pond.   I went to a wedding at Oakside and the food was exactly what you described; quality and presentation over quantity. 
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
    Report Reply
  • tiffany104tiffany104
    100 Comments
    Wilshire Grand in West Orange.  Ask for John.  The place is gorgeous and within your price range.  John gave us better pricing than originally offered without us even asking!  He is great!  Good Luck!
    Report Reply
  • SewInLoveWithDMBSewInLoveWithDMB member
    1000 Comments 250 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
    I second the Manor in West Orange. If you do it on a Saturday afternoon (12 - 5 pm) you would probably be able to hit many, if not all, of your requirements.
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers

    image 293 (Adults) Invited
    image198 Yes (+ 12 children and 3 babies)
    image95 No
    image0 Unknown

    Report Reply
  • dp867dp867 member
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments
    I took your suggestions seriously!- went to see Bretton Woods and David's today. Was able to negotiate to get both to be within our budget for an April Sunday. We rejected David's because their outside ceremony space is actually a few miles away and they charge a substantial fee to use it. Bretton is a possibility, but we weren't blown away. The food seems on the more traditional side and I didn't appreciate the carpets and wallpaper there. I prefer plainer spaces. Next we will be hitting up Orange Lawn, the Manor and Mayfair. Again, thanks!
    Report Reply
  • dalm0mdalm0m member
    Ninth Anniversary 500 Comments 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2012
    The Madison Hotel in Convent Station might work but it is a manicured property. 

    Since you said April & only 120 people you may want to look at the Jefferson House.

    The Arlington may also work for you; Lake Hopatcong is across the street. 

    Farther south the Somerville Elks has a glass room that backs to woods. 
    Report Reply
  • dp867dp867 member
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments
    Today we went to see Mayfair and Mountain Lakes Club. The Manor quoted me at $120pp and said they wouldn't go any lower, so we didn't visit. Orange hasn't gotten back to me yet, but I found a review elsewhere on tk that made it seem like it will be out of our budget. Mayfair's interior didn't win us over, and we would have to have a 12-5 wedding to be in our price range, so we nixed that.

    However, we were REALLY impressed with Mountain Lakes Club. Comfortably in our budget, we didn't need to take anything out of the menu and it can be whatever time we want. The interior is very close to everything we wished for- only complaint is that I didn't care for the carpeting in the ballroom. The main con is the ceremony space. Its pretty cramped into a corner between the pool and the lake.

    I think this is it, but its hard to find reviews for MLC. Has anyone had any experiences there? We're also now considering having the ceremony in a local park if we can find a nice space.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards