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chirovcm · November 2010

Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice venue that is reasonable? I am open to North/Central/South Jersey, upstate ny, long island. We are looking to invite 150 people. The list is the only thing that we have finalized. Please help!!! I need advice.

peaches85 · November 2010

Does it matter to you what day of the week? Do you need your ceremony there as well? Is your entire budget 18K or just the venue?

chirovcm · November 2010

I would like it to be Friday or Saturday...

kristen8040 · November 2010

Is that 18k just for the venue or the whole wedding? If it's the whole wedding, you might have a better shot in south Jersey, things are typically cheaper there. It can be done though!

peaches85 · November 2010

18-20K is absolutely doable for an entire wedding... especially in the fall on a Friday (I'm assuming you want it at night). However, you're definitely going to have to do some shopping around and know that you may have to sacrifice some things (maybe skip a limo, skip a videographer, only have a couple bridesmaids and groomsmen, don't get the most expensive flowers or the most elaborate bouquets/centerpieces... things like that). Luckily, the girls on this board are great and can give awesome recommendations for reasonably-priced vendors for just about everything! :-)

Oh, and once more girls are on the board in the morning, you'll get a lot of responses... especially since you're pretty much up in the air in terms of location.

Some reasonable places that I can think of off the top of my head (ladies, please correct me if I'm wrong about any of these) include:
- The Westwood (Garwood)
- Galloping Hill (Union)
- Pantagis Renaissance (Scotch Plains)
- The Manor (West Orange) <-- my venue, so I'm biased :-)
- Mayfair Farms (West Orange)
- The Atrium (West Orange)
- The Tides (North Haledon)
- The Brownstone (Paterson)
- Perona Farms (Andover)
- The Graycliff (Moonachie)
- Gran Centurions (Clark)
- Bridgewater Manor (Bridgewater)
- Mansion at Bretton Woods (Morris Plains)
- L'Affaire (Mountainside)
- Costa del Sol (Union)

chirovcm · November 2010

Wow thank you so much!! I am investigating your suggestions now. SOoo helpful. \These look great. Please keep the suggestions coming! Our goal is to find a venue within the next month. Thanks again.

peaches85 · November 2010

No problem! And like I said, the girls will have tons of great suggestions for you in the morning... so just hold tight. :-)

JandP51212 · November 2010

Don't go by what the Magazines say. Peaches gave some great advice on venues, ( i'm always agreeing with Peaches lol) My venue is The Tides Estate, I picked the downstairs room and I saved so much from picking that room. I am getting married on May 12,2012 which is a Saturday night. I have gone to 16 venues and I have negotiated so much at all of them and I have gotten great prices but FI and I are very pickiy. You budget is doable, my venue is a little less then 15,000.00 and all together I'm sure my wedding will be 22,000.00 - 25,000.00. Good Luck!

mbcdefg · November 2010

Another ditto for The Tides. My reception was there this past April for 120 people, and we didn't spend a whole lot more on our whole wedding than your goal budget. And this was for a Saturday night reception.

Tips to save money:

- keep the bridal party small ... less money on flowers, gifts, limo space. Or consider not having a bridal party at all.

- you don't need Save the Date cards. Don't waste money on fancy invitations and a bunch of insert cards, because they'll just go in the trash. Plus, lighter invites require less postage.

- keep the flowers very simple. Ask your florist what they can do for your price range. Our fresh flower centerpieces were $23 each, including the vases. You don't need an arrangement for the guestbook table, cake table, etc.

- we didn't get a videographer. This was personal preference, though. Our friends got the special dances and toasts on tape with their own cameras, so this was more than enough for us. We hate watching ourselves on tape.

- favors are not required. Skip them to save money. Other little things add up, so skip those as well unless you REALLY want them ... aisle runner, unity candle, guestbook, petals and confetti, garter, etc.

- people may give you things as gifts, and/or the reception hall may provide them, so don't go around buying one-time-use-only items. We were gifted with a signature platter, toasting clutes, a cake cutting set and a cake topper. You can borrow them from the hall, or from friends/family.

- people will never know the brand name of your dress, shoes, jewelry. Don't be afraid of no-name or inexpensive things. Borrow accessories from friends. Don't buy a veil from a salon, look on Etsy or eBay instead.

HobokensFury · November 2010

We're getting married at the Graycliff on 3/17/12. Their prices are very reasonable. We got all the bells and whistles for 120 people for about $15,000. If you go with the basic package it's even cheaper.

[Deleted User] · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_just-engagedlooking-venue-fall-2011budget-18k?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:2fff42b3-43cc-4b38-8a8a-fa2b6c4db738Post:2f4cd6cc-ed2e-4d8a-bd33-084e4f0516f5">Re: Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k</a>:
[QUOTE]Another ditto for The Tides. My reception was there this past April for 120 people, and we didn't spend a whole lot more on our whole wedding than your goal budget. And this was for a Saturday night reception. Tips to save money: - keep the bridal party small ... less money on flowers, gifts, limo space. Or consider not having a bridal party at all. - you don't need Save the Date cards. Don't waste money on fancy invitations and a bunch of insert cards, because they'll just go in the trash. Plus, lighter invites require less postage. - keep the flowers very simple. Ask your florist what they can do for your price range. Our fresh flower centerpieces were $23 each, including the vases. You don't need an arrangement for the guestbook table, cake table, etc. - we didn't get a videographer. This was personal preference, though. Our friends got the special dances and toasts on tape with their own cameras, so this was more than enough for us. We hate watching ourselves on tape. - favors are not required. Skip them to save money. Other little things add up, so skip those as well unless you REALLY want them ... aisle runner, unity candle, guestbook, petals and confetti, garter, etc. - people may give you things as gifts, and/or the reception hall may provide them, so don't go around buying one-time-use-only items. We were gifted with a signature platter, toasting clutes, a cake cutting set and a cake topper. You can borrow them from the hall, or from friends/family. - people will never know the brand name of your dress, shoes, jewelry. Don't be afraid of no-name or inexpensive things. Borrow accessories from friends. Don't buy a veil from a salon, look on Etsy or eBay instead.
Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]

I would go by these suggestions! So true. You can even do non floral centerpieces to save money. Programs aren't needed either.

The only thing i dsagree with is the no favors - you're asking guests to celebrate with you. most invites say "request the honor of your presence" - no favors (even if they're .50 a couple) is rude in my opinion. What would you think if not one guest gave you a gift/card with money? You must thank them properly for joining you on your day. Sorry if this offends anybody who's not doing favors - just an opinion.

kasabby · November 2010

Not sure how far north you want to go but I am getting married at Flanders Valley Inn in Flanders, NJ and that would be within your budget.

http://www.flandersvalleyweddings.com/

kwilkinson14 · November 2010

Some ones in more the central NJ area specifically Monmouth County. I have a similar budget I'm working with.

1. Jumping Brook Country Club - Neptune <where I am having my wedding />
2. Courtyward on Main - Freehold
3. Channel Club - Monmouth Beach
4. English Manor - Ocean

Danes983 · November 2010

The Windsor Ballroom in West Windsor or any of the three that these people own. If you go on the site or look in mags it will show. Berkeley Plaza and Somerset Hills Hotel to add to the above list.

To save money if you decide to do a plated dinner dont have so many courses. IMO no one cares about intermezzo anyway. I would do a Salad or Soup, entree and cake/dessert with an open bar. A lot of people I find prefer less food since they eat so much during the cocktail hour.

For photography and ceremony music check out a local art school. These people are usually establishing themselves and go amazing work with lower prices. I wish I would have done that before I spent so much of these two items.

Buy some things on your own that you can. I got all my vases from a former knottie for pretty cheap so check the TTT board.

LuvOB · November 2010

In an effort to save some money I waited til we booked the hall before I decided on my wedding colors. This made it easier to work with the existing decor and finding flowers, BM dresses, "theme" to compliment. So I didnt go crazy seeking anything in specific. I was just able to give a budget to my florist and colors.

To save money in addition to what has already been mentioned:
-If you chose to have video you could opt for just a few hours
-The DJ could just play at the reception/ not cocktail
-You can make a donation in honor of your guest instead of favors
-Ask your hall/florist about candles for the tables (they may throw it in)
-Ask your hall if they supply the escort cards

I also found great dress deals at RK Bridal.

These are a few of my suggestions. Your budget is reasonable, Good Luck!

mbcdefg · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_just-engagedlooking-venue-fall-2011budget-18k?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:2fff42b3-43cc-4b38-8a8a-fa2b6c4db738Post:ca7090d8-c825-4386-a8c7-0dd7c7aad797">Re: Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k :
The only thing i dsagree with is the no favors - you're asking guests to celebrate with you. most invites say "request the honor of your presence" - no favors (even if they're .50 a couple) is rude in my opinion. What would you think if not one guest gave you a gift/card with money? You must thank them properly for joining you on your day. Sorry if this offends anybody who's not doing favors - just an opinion.
Posted by dalmatinka77[/QUOTE]

The dinner and open bar, plus walking around to talk to them/receiving line, don't count as properly thanking them? I don't get how guests would be offended if they got all that but didn't get a 50 cent package of M&Ms.

I don't think the gift from guests thing really can compare, either. Ideally, you're inviting people to share in your joy, not to get a gift from them. Now, granted, we didn't recieve anything from a few people and we were kind of put off (especially since a few were in our immediate families) ... AND, as a guest I'd never show up without some kind of gift ... but it's not like we were implementing a cover charge to get into our wedding, so it's not like they didn't fulfill an obligation by not giving us anything.

37 Butter Knives · November 2010

I think the Colonial Inn in Norwood is reasonably priced.

I never see it mentioned here, and I honestly don't know much about it, except that a grammar school classmate had her reception there. Maybe I'll start a thread...

FutureMrsW9 · November 2010

David's Country Inn in Hackettstown is really cute, intimate, gorgeous, and super super affordable. They can easily accomodate 150 guests. I'd recommend getting married in the winter months, as it's by far the cheapest. Second cheapest is Spring...most Expensive will be May-November, with Aug-Oct be the MOST expensive. Sunday-day is also the cheapest anywhere you go, otherwise Friday will be your best option. Sometimes Saturday afternoons are cheaper, but this varies based on where you look. FI and I visted over 20 venues before we made our decision, so I'm confident in the consistency of my advice. Good luck!

M&R7111 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_just-engagedlooking-venue-fall-2011budget-18k?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:2fff42b3-43cc-4b38-8a8a-fa2b6c4db738Post:c9921a3b-fbdc-4f74-bee1-ded788a07a65">Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k</a>:
[QUOTE]Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice venue that is reasonable? I am open to North/Central/South Jersey, upstate ny, long island. We are looking to invite 150 people. The list is the only thing that we have finalized. Our budget is max 18k. Please help!!! I need advice.
Posted by chirovcm[/QUOTE]

Central Jersey - Mercer Oaks Golf Course - it is the best!

Their service is amazing - Samantha is an amazing coordinator and they really take care of you. They have awesome package deals.

Lolyalyssa · November 2010

Also take a look at the Valley Regency in Clifton and the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack.

mrs.spunky1508 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_just-engagedlooking-venue-fall-2011budget-18k?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:2fff42b3-43cc-4b38-8a8a-fa2b6c4db738Post:4f982315-58b0-43fb-b44d-3d2821eb52c7">Re: Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k : Central Jersey - Mercer Oaks Golf Course - it is the best! Their service is amazing - Samantha is an amazing coordinator and they really take care of you. They have awesome package deals.
Posted by M&R7111[/QUOTE]
They have basically no non-outdoor cocktail hour space though, and even that space is super tiny - unless you're off the patio. We went to a wedding there in May. It was in the high 90s. No one wanted to be out there, there was incredibly limited seating - 10 chairs maybe? Cold food was not staying cold.
They moved the cocktail hour inside, after the groom's mother threw a fit, because of it. Totally ruined the dramatic entrance into the reception, introductions, etc. For a fall wedding, with unpredictable weather - it was in the high 70s a week and a half ago and I'm now wearing a turtleneck sweater and Uggs - you do not want variables and what ifs like that.

cindy91788 · November 2010

I would highly suggest The Richfield Regency in Verona. We are getting married there on a Friday in Sept 2011 and the price is $85 per person plus tax/gratuity. I believe we have to guarantee 100 people or something around that (maybe less).
If you plan to invite 150 people, you will probably get around 120ish people.. that would be you at around 10k for the reception.. and leave you with 8k to 10k for everything else.
The have centerpieces they offer for $200, which we got them to throw in for free - so that will save you money on centerpieces if you like them.

If you are looking to have the ceremony there too, they have a beautiful chapel that holds 175 people (I think). If you book their large room, you can use the chapel, and it is $750. You can then use that space for the rest of the night, for bridal party or whatever.

We got our photographer for $2k (Jason Rhee) - but it depends what you want in your package. The DJs I have been pricing, for a 2 person with 4 intelligent lights have been around $1800. For florist, if you don't need centerpieces, you can get the flowers well under $1000.....

Let me know if you want any more information! Good luck!

cindy91788 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_just-engagedlooking-venue-fall-2011budget-18k?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:2fff42b3-43cc-4b38-8a8a-fa2b6c4db738Post:a6606283-1a8b-47e4-916a-783df27ead37">Re: Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k : The dinner and open bar, plus walking around to talk to them/receiving line, don't count as properly thanking them? I don't get how guests would be offended if they got all that but didn't get a 50 cent package of M&Ms. I don't think the gift from guests thing really can compare, either. Ideally, you're inviting people to share in your joy, not to get a gift from them. Now, granted, we didn't recieve anything from a few people and we were kind of put off (especially since a few were in our immediate families) ... AND, as a guest I'd never show up without some kind of gift ... but it's not like we were implementing a cover charge to get into our wedding, so it's not like they didn't fulfill an obligation by not giving us anything.
Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]
Most guests expect a favor, regardless of what it is. If you don't give favors, expect comments.

peaches85 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_just-engagedlooking-venue-fall-2011budget-18k?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:2fff42b3-43cc-4b38-8a8a-fa2b6c4db738Post:dcfc4fb2-c3d1-4495-ab39-7279c340b9a2">Re: Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Just engaged...looking for venue fall 2011....budget 18k : Most guests expect a favor, regardless of what it is. If you don't give favors, expect comments.
Posted by cindy91788[/QUOTE]
I'm giving favors. But I don't expect them as a guest and I won't make comments if a couple doesn't give me a chintzy picture frame with the bride and groom's picture in it or a miniature box of M&Ms that I could buy myself at the gas station around the corner.

kristen8040 · November 2010

I think favors are a nice touch, especially if it's practical or delicious. But I wouldn't be offended if there were none. Now my mom on the other hand, still has chocolate hearts in her fridge from weddings in 1980.

cindy91788 · November 2010

Exactly.. so just because some of us wouldn't expect favors or make comments if we didn't receive one at a wedding, a lot of people would expect them, and rather than having to deal with that drama, I'd personally give some kind of favor to keep everyone happy. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but that doesn't mean it has to be chintzy either.

Dina2011 · November 2010

We are having our wedding on 7/17/11 at the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ. Their whole charge for the venue, and I mean the ENTIRE venue is $4,500. It was a steal!! If you're looking for an interesting venue that is certainly not typical, I'd recommend it! They are great!!

chirovcm · November 2010

went to see David's Country Inn....we really liked it but it was a bit too small. LOVED the concept though. Family owned, historical, affordable, antique decorations....any other similar recommendations????

chirovcm · November 2010

Thank you to everyone for the great suggestions....we have a bunch of appts. Please keep the suggestions coming!!!!

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