Cape May

Jessie888 · February 2010

the arcade sounds like a cute idea!! I am sure they will still be open! I am really excited about most of the photos being done in the southern mansion's gardens. (weather permitting! *crosses fingers*) and just going down to the beach. The sury is such a cute idea, but yes becareful about your dress!

caityinphilly · February 2010

We thought about getting engagement pics in Philly. You can definitely do some pretty ones in Love Park or at the art museum. We didn't end up doing e-pics, though, since we decided on a 5 1/2 month engagement. i've always wanted to get married in the Spring and I didn't want to wait a year in a half. We had already checked out the venues a few months before so it was easier to make a quick decision. So instead of doing e-pics, we just had someone take a picture of us and we e-mailed save-the-dates. I think pictures in Philly would be really pretty.

For the wedding, we are having an hour and a half for the cocktail hour, so while our guests are there, we are going to sneak away and do some pictures. I was definitely thinking about doing some in the arcade. I want to do a few minutes on Jackson Street, a few in the arcade, and then maybe find one other place. Since our wedding is on the beach, we will already have beach shots before we leave to do other pics.

zavockye · March 2010

Hey! I am another girl getting married in Cape May! I am getting married in The Grand Hotel during labor day weekend! Hopefully the weather holds out

Cape May is a great place to get married.... I am very excited!!

coolroxygal86 · March 2010

I haven't set a permanent date yet - thinking about 8/11/2011 also in Cape May or Ocean City. I would like the ceremony and reception to be outdoors - any thoughts of where on the beach or who would cater/set up tents outside for a wedding on the beach?

cmaygrl · March 2010

Coolroxy - welcome to the "cape may" bridal website. lol
I am bias .. have your wedding in Cape May.
I have never seen a wedding reception "on the beach", but I am sure you will need an extra permit or something for that no matter where you have it.

I recommend you call the "city hall" office of where you will be married to get the details of that. YOu can find that on the respective websites.

We will be having our ceremony (only) on the beach, and of course, we needed a permit for that ($25.00 in Cape May).
I am not at all familliar w/Ocean City.. I haven't been there since my much younger days.

Also.. welcome zavockye. The Grand HOtel was very nice... we looked at that last year, but it was a little out of our price range. I am sure the weather will be great... and not too hot. no worries.

My FI & I will be heading down to CM this weekend to finalize our cake w/the bakery...and hopefully I will be able to check out a few florists as well.

I soo need a CM fix!!

I am only 2 months away from my big day!! OMG!! soooo much to do! BREATHE

sbf2 · March 2010

Welcome to the board! Ditto Cmaygrl, definitely check with the City Hall for permitting. I am pretty sure tents and actually having the reception on the beach is a no-no.

There a lots of venues with all different costs that are located overlooking the beach that give it a similar feel...and also keeps the sand out of the food. I believe there are some places on Long Beach Island that have the reception area built into the beach, so it is more a part of it.

Can't wait to hear more about your details!

caityinphilly · March 2010

The Washington Inn (whose food is supposed to be excellent... anyone ever try it) has some sort of service where they will set up a tent and cater something on the beach. I think it's pretty expensive, though.

Here is their website http://www.capemaybeachweddings.com/

Jessie888 · March 2010

Welcome to the board coolroxy and zavockye!!

coolroxy: I am pretty sure you cant have a reception on the beach in either cape may or ocean city. But i could be wrong! Flanders Hotel is right on the boardwalk in Ocean City ( I looked at them when i was hunting for venues) and they do all the work to have your ceremony on the beach. They have police set up to block off traffic while the bridal party walks across the boardwalk. They had enhancements like mack and mancos pizza. It was pretty nice!! The ballroom ended up not being my style, but I honestly really liked it!!

zavockye: I looked at the Grand Hotel as well! Congrats!! I know it will be very nice there!

cmaygrl: let us know how it goes this weekend!! so excited for you!

My ceremony is actually being held in the gardens at the Southern Mansion. I almost went with having it at the beach, but i really fell in love with their gardens!

cmaygrl · March 2010

jmplasket.. oh I WILL definately let everyone know how our yuuummmmyyy cake tasting was. This will be a big check off the list! I am soo happy!

Oh yea...our invitations (the rest of) are going out TODAY!! THat is a BIG CHECK for me. I am sooo glad to get them out of the house!! Now... as everyone does, I will be stalking the mailbox for rsvps. lol

Have a great weekend everybody!! The weather is supposed to be in the 50's!!!! WOHOO!!! SPring is on the way

larmoser · March 2010

i looked into the beach reception in cape may. the place only that hosts it is the cape may beach club but you have to use the washington inn caterers (jennifer rafferty was really helpful with information)....the rental of the site was $3800-$5800. and then when we factored in all the rentals (tents, tables, chairs, etc.) it was out of our price range. i still have all the information if you want it, just email me. larmoser at gmail dot com
hth!

caityinphilly · March 2010

So what kind of dresses are you guys having? Are you going the beachy route or is it going to be more traditional?

I am basically going with a very traditional look. My dress is form fitted (not quite a mermaid, but I am a little curvy so it goes out at the hips and then goes back in.) The whole thing has a lace overlay and a long train. The train wouldn't normally be long but I am short and I can't really get it altered too much or it would look weird. I absolutely love my dress. I bought it as a sample sale gown (I think it's by Venus bridal) but it looks sort of like this Maggie Sottero. http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=J1183LU

How about you guys?

cmaygrl · March 2010

I am going way out of left field. My dress is definately NOT traditional at all. My dress is an off-the shoulder navy blue!!! Not at all what I had in mind. I was thinking chiffon all the way. WEll, you can't help what you fall in love with. I just found my shoes last week.. AND.. they match perfect w/dress. I will try and get a pix of dress (it won't be the color, but at least you will see the style).

Follow-up from a few weeks ago w/my cake tasting. Our final flavors are: bottom tier = choc. hazelnut; 2nd tier = raspberry filling w/fresh strawberries; top = choc fudge w/van custard layered. We will be having white cake w/white choc shells scattered around all layers; and a little bit of a filagree design. Since we couldn't decide on on one, our cake topper will be a variety of (lightly colored) bigger shells. It will be most beautiful and I can't wait to see finished product.

oh yea and... flowers are ordered!!! We (well I) did that after the cake. I met up wmy Mom & sister, and went to the florist. My bouquet will be a variety of white flowers w/cascadeing blue (of course) "delphinia's" (spelling). The girls have a much simpler smaller bouquet ... white/ivory roses w/delphinia surrounding them on the outside. wohoooooo!! AND.. rsvp's are coming in!! :-)
Next....

caityinphilly · March 2010

Wow, cmaygrl, congrats on all of your checks. I'm so glad you've got a dress that you love. I can't wait to see pics. That cake sounds sooo yummy.

tecloud · March 2010

We are getting married at the Peter Shields Inn too!! Our date is 8/21/10 and we are so excited. We are planning the ceremony outside of the Inn and the reception right after. Bridget is the coordinator there and she is wonderful.

LilStinker22 · April 2010

Hi Ladies!

I am actually looking into the congress hall and the southern mansion, my wedding is not unitl 2012 but i want to at least get most of the planning done asap so i dont have a millin things left to do. I am not sure if i want to do June or September. Any suggestions??

caityinphilly · April 2010

June would be pretty because all of the gardens are in bloom then, but if you have your wedding between memorial day and labor day, it will probably be more expensive for your guests to stay in Cape May because that's peak shore season. When I was looking at places, a lot of them were booked for most of the weekends in September, so book early if you decide you want to get married then. It sounds like you still have some time, though.

BTW, both venues are gorgeous and I think that they would be great choices in either June or September.

cmaygrl · April 2010

Yes, I agree w/caityinphilly.... the summer months are more expensive. September would be gorgeous w/the weather & summer flowers would still be in bloom. That was my second choice of my wedding month (but in the end, I choose May).

You do have plenty of time, but I would suggest making phone calls to check prices & meeting w/the respective venue wedding coordinators.

Try and book your venue first.. and go from there.

Good Luck. Enjoy the planning and Try not to get too streesseeedddd. (there will be times you wish you eloped). LOL kidding.

LilStinker22 · April 2010

thanks girls you both have great points, i actaully talked to the one lady today at the southern mansion and she told me that june would be cheaper than September because september is prime wedding month for them, its 2 years away so they have the date open, but i just need to decide, my only concern is that they dont really offer you much for your money at the mansion its basically everything is additional and its BYOB, i actually found some other places that i am keeping in mind that i can get more out of for my $$ but well see i sooooo love the mansion. Its stunning well to me anyway...

I really want to book my venue this summer at some point so that is out of the way. then comes all the fun stuff but i am really creative and am all ready starting with the DIY stuff i just need to find the right place hahaha

Thanks again girls

caityinphilly · April 2010

Just so you know, many of the places in Cape May are BYOB. We were happy that we got to provide our own alcohol because it's much cheaper. We are doing wine, beer, and basic types of liquor (vodka, rum, gin, whiskey, scotch, etc.) with basic mixers (tonic, sodas, and juices.) It's a good way to save money and it still offers your guests a lot of options.

In addition to the Southern Mansion and Congress Hall, check out the Union Park Dining Room, the Peter Shields Inn, the Hotel Alcott, The Washington Inn, and the Grand Hotel if you haven't already.

cmaygrl · April 2010

Again, ditto w/caityinphilly - many places in CM are BYOB. And if it does serve alchol, it will jack up the price. I wanted our venue to be across from the beach, and we have a small gues list and budget, so we are having an afternoon reception at the Union Park Restaurant. We will only be serving wine and beer.. no hard liquor. The restaurant provides soda, mixers, etc.
Take your time looking at various venues... Union Park (of course LOL) (it is connected to the "Hotel Maccomber"), The Inn of Cape May, Peter Shields, The Grand Hotel, Congress Hall, Physich (sorry spelling) Estate, etc. There are many more, I just can't think of them. Go onto the Cape May website under "Weddings"... you will find a list there.
And in the end, whatever you decide, just know that your wedding will be beautiful!! You're in Cape May!

Good Luck.

nikkix2 · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_south-new-jersey_cape-may?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:128Discussion:7ef2c300-d2b5-4726-8234-b7d8fa699f85Post:2ad3ffd0-d4ae-452e-8c25-1188b73ca805">Re: Cape May</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi Ladies!! I am a cape may bride as well. I am getting married in September at the Southern Mansion! The ceremony is being held outside in the gardens and the reception is inside in the ball room! I love reading about all your ideas!!
Posted by jmplasket[/QUOTE]

The Southern Mansion is BEAUTIFUL!!! My mom & I stayed there for a few days for in August of 07. It's breathtaking - everything about it. Great choice! :)

kaytay63 · April 2010

yay!!! I am another Cape May bride!!

May 16th at the Southern Mansion..

caityinphilly · April 2010

KayTay,

You and I have the same wedding date. Can you believe we only have one month to go?

loshea05 · April 2010

I am possible Cape May bride, having a really tough time making a decision though. We went up this weekend and looked at almost all the Cape May venues (southern mansion, alcott, grand, chalfonte, union, cape may yacht club and congress hall). I am absolutely in love with Congress Hall and always pictured getting married there but it is so expensive. My family used to stay there when I was little so it is a sentimental choice as well. We are thinking about having the wedding on a Sunday of a three day weekend (Oct. 9th, 2011 to be exact) to cut costs. Has anyone ever been to a Sunday wedding on a three day weekend? How did it turn out?

cmaygrl · April 2010

I have never been to a Sunday wedding, but i don't really think it would really matter. You are in Cape May, so you will still have such a beautiful day anyway.. and yes.. a little cheaper than Saturday (which is a beautiful thing)! :-)
AND.. I am sure that (if you choose) Congress Hall will make it exactly what you are looking for. I've read that a few knotties have their wedding there, so I am sure you willl get a few positive responses.

Since we are paying for our wedding, and to save on costs, we are having a small reception (only 60 people.. mostly family).

I don't think i really helped, but good luck in the final decision. And remember.. wherever you choose, you will make it beautiful and special!!

caityinphilly · April 2010

Our wedding is on a Sunday, but it's not on a three-day weekend. A lot of people are able to take time off and there are other people who are going to drive home afterwards (obviously they won't be drinking, and it will only be a few cars since our friends are all carpooling to the wedding.)

Just make sure that the prices aren't higher on a holiday weekend. Even if the reception costs per person are cheaper on a sunday, a lot of hotels will have three night minimums on a holiday weekend and the prices will be higher for your guests. It's just something to keep in mind.

Even if you decide you can't get married at Congress Hall, you can always take a couple of pictures in front of it when you guys do your couples pics.

margaret b soon to be v · May 2010

Hi All,
I'm looking to have my wedding in Cape May area as well but I'm having major trouble deciding on a place. I'm also starting to look in the Stone Harbor, Avalon, Wildwood Crest areas. While I love all that Cape May has to offer my guests, I don't love the whole Victorian/antique look that a lot of the places around there have. I think it makes for a beautiful wedding, just not mine. I'm trying to look into restaurants on the water but I'm having a tough time finding a place that can hold 200+ guests. I went to the Isaac Smith Estate/vineyard and its gorgeous but we'd have to tent which makes me nervous. Any suggestions??? We have a place in WWC so I think I may just have to do a lot of legwork since not all the restaurants in the area have websites.

caityinphilly · May 2010

The Cape May Grand hotel is right across the street from the beach and isn't Victorian looking. Congress Hall (where a few of the ladies from this post are getting married) is basically right on the beach and will definitely hold a wedding for 200 people.

Why does using a tent make you nervous?

caityinphilly · May 2010

I posted this as it's own thread but I wanted to attach it to this thread, too.

Long story short, I give an A+ to pretty much everyone I worked with. Everyone I used was so professional and the quality of their work was outstanding.

Venue: The Peter Shields Inn in Cape May. Gorgeous! The food was sooo good and Bridget (the coordinator, who also officiates weddings) was such a pro. We stayed there for the weekend and the rooms were perfect. It was a great location for picture taking and it is directly across from the beach. We got married on the beach and then had a cocktail hour on the large porch overlooking the ocean.

Hair and Makeup: Karen Capcino. A lot of you have used her so you know that she does amazing work. I just wanted to add to that because she and Kelly (her business partner) were awesome. They were so nice, they were able to work quickly, and I felt like a super model when they were finished.

Music: I used the ThomasD band, which you can find on the Gigmasters website. He (Tom Duffy, the band leader) played solo guitar for our beach ceremony and then played as a jazz trio for the cocktail hour/ reception. He works with a bunch of other musicians so they can put together a band based on your requirements. They do jazz bands, funk bands, swing music, etc. We could only have three instruments in our venue, so we used a guitarist (Tom), a bass player, and a pianist. They were excellent and I got so many compliments about them.

Photography: Perfect Day Photography did our pictures. They really speak for themselves (you can go to perfectday.smugmug.com and search through the wedding pictures. If you check out the Brett and Caitlin album under weddings/2010weddings you can see our pictures.) I am not photogenic at all and I was very happy with how these turned out. The price was also very good (you can find pricing info on perfectdayphotography.com)

Flowers: We used Robertson's, which is in Philly. The flowers were absolutely gorgeous. They are a bit pricey, but it is so worth it. People were raving about the flowers all night.

The Dress: I got my dress at Sabrina Ann, which is a consignment shop in Ardmore, PA. My dress was a sample dress, so it was 50% off. They were so helpful and they had a really good selection. The most telling part is that I was torn between two dresses, and one was much more expensive. The woman who helped me basically told me that the cheaper one was more flattering on me (and she was right.) She could have talked me into spending more money, but she didn't.)

The only vendor that I was not particularly happy with was our baker, Bredenbeck's in Philly. The cake was delivered with a couple of smudges in it and they didn't quite get our order right (they didn't remember to put flowers on any of the tiers except the top tier even though we asked them to, which I have in writing.) However, the cake was still pretty and it was actually very tasty.

Oh, we got our invitations from Wedding Paper Divas. They were easy to work with and the invitations looked really good.

I think that's it. Let me know if you have any questions about these vendors.

Shache · May 2010

Hi, ladies. I am considering Cape May and came on to the Knot to see if there were any other brides and here I find a thread. Thanks a lot!

We are looking at the Hotel Alcott or the Grand Hotel for our reception, with a beach ceremony. We are in the early stages and I have mainly been on destination wedding sites because we were initially getting married in TX.

I have never been to Cape May but it is the closest thing in NJ to the wonderful beach wedding that I want to have.

Any advice or anything that you ladies can share will be much appreciated and invaluable.

Thanks,

Aisha

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