Hi ladies!!
I am very newly engaged and although I am loving looking online, in magazines and everywhere in between for ideas, I am feeling completely overwhelemed and don't know where to start!
We are looking at a guest list of probably 100-150 and are flexible in terms of timing (we would love next spring but my brother is getting married on memorial day and we would be happy with this fall, but worry it might be too tight of a turnaround). We know we do not want the cookie cutter windowless ballroom reception in a hotel, but I bet most people say that when starting out! We love the idea of doing it at a vineyard or somewhere unique, but are on the fence about whether it is worth all of the extra work (and money). Perhaps a mix of indoor/outdoor will be best.
We have started to look at the usual list of NJ venues, but would LOVE any recommendations....and any other advice.
Thanks so much!
Re: Newly engaged....and no idea where to begin! (venue suggestions, please!)
Does anyone have experience with the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park?
Congratulations. Planning can be daunting but it does at least help to know what you don't want.
Fair warning, October is now the most popular wedding month.
Since you asked about Park Avenue in Florham Park I'm going to assume that NW NJ works as a location. FWIW, that place is pretty much the ballroom you said you don't want. It's nice but it's not off the beaten path.
If you want nature / outdoors, I'd check out the following:
Four Sisters Winery in Belevidere (Warren County)
Rutherford Hall in Allamuchy / Hackettstown
Crossed Keys in Andover
Farmstead in Andover
Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta
Jefferson House on Lake Hopatcong
The Arlington in Mount Arlington
Perona Farms in Andover
Given the size of your even the glass conseratory at the Madison Hotel may also work. It's in Convent Station.
Northern NJ is best, but we are flexible. I think we are now looking at a late fall/winter wedding simply because of other weddings already planned over the next year. I guess that changes the whole outdoor thing...
Does anyone have experience with Crystal Springs or Olde Mill Inn? Our list of venues is so long and it's hard to decide what to chop/what to add.
I just went to a reception at the Brownstone in Paterson. The decor wasn't something of my taste, but it was still pretty if that Victorian look is something you are going for, however the food was DELISH!
An alert just popped up about this thread so I thought I would circle back. We booked November 23, 2013 at the Park Avenue Club. We looked at a few other places -- Bernards Inn, Madison Hotel, Westin Governor Morris -- and am happy to share feedback about any of them.
Now let's see if we can pull this off in 6 months!
Not sure where you are from and if that is too far for you or not.
They are SO reasonably priced, beautiful and tenfold is amazing.