New Jersey NJ where did u wind up booking or what venues are u looking at? Why did u pick it?

THE MERION IN CINNAMINSON, NJ!!!

They have STUNNING ballrooms, a grand staircase...everything about just screams GLAM!

ALL of their packages come standard with a full top shelf open bar

They offer INSANE amounts of food and stations for cocktail hour...32 passed hor d'oeuvres, yes, you read that correctly THIRTY TWO! I dare you to find a venue with more. AND 3 butlered stations for cocktail hour.

For the sit down dinner, it's 4 courses, and guests get to choose between chicken, beef, or fish!! They get 3 options to choose from, unlike the standard 2 most other places offer.

Then they offer an INSANE dessert hour that even includes a chocolate fountain and tons of different desserts.

They also include the wedding cake in all their packages!!

For Sundays, they charge $140 per person, BUT they price match!! So if you find a similar venue offering a lower Sunday rate, they will price match! AND YES, that price is the TOTAL price, including all taxes and gratuities!

Also, Lucien's Manor is VERY similar to The Merion! (Run by the same family)

I would've thought these venues were too good to be true, if it weren't from all the rave reviews my FH and I have heard from tons of friends and coworkers who have attended weddings there!

Oh, and tons of parking available and free valet for all guests.

Don't worry about the prices they quote you either. Like I said, they price match and are open to negotiations. My FH and I were able to get them to drop the price for us by $45 per person LESS than the price they originally quoted us!

Aww man I got all excited until I saw how far out it was. it will be an hour & half drive for most of the guests. looking for under an hour commute time for our NJ/NY guests. Thanks so much for suggesting it!!

We are actually looking into buying a house in Burlington county next year.

Total budget of 15K?

You're going to be hard pressed to get a venue and catering for 15K for 100-125 people. I'd seriously consider cutting the guest list back.

As far as the drive? if you're in north NJ- then good luck- you're going to need to drive or up your budget.

Is the budget $15k total for all wedding (dress, photographer, DJ, etc) or just food food/alcohol/caterer? My wedding is 110-120 people and I'm at 15k just for food & alcohol (at $130pp with tax and gratuity included - off season winter wedding in central NJ) - you may have to cut your guestlist if that is total wedding budget but if that is just for food and alcohol you should be OK.

No its the budget for just the reception venue!! does not include taxes or gratuity. wouldnt mind if it did though lol.

@brieliz where is your wedding booked at?

I'm booked at the Nassau Inn in downtown Princeton, they are very accommodating and I would definitely recommend. Only thing is the package I picked was offered when we booked in 2015 but isn't on the list for 2016 bookings, so I don't think it is offered. I think the cheapest package is $130 pre-tax/gratuity now, but they offer 10% off for Sunday and Friday weddings, as well as all weddings Jan - Mar. So it would be $117 pp + tax and gratuity. Not sure if it is too far but I would definitely recommend. It is beautiful and historic.

ETA just saw your comment that said 15k didn't include tax and gratuity so Nassau Inn is definitely in that range for your size of guest list - if it isn't too far I would check it out!

Look at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Toms River. That's where we're getting married. They have 2 rooms (up to 80 guests in one or up to 250) in the other. You get liquor, the cake, the center pieces and the chair covers with the price per person. Plus it's right off of the Parkway so it may be easier for your guests depending on where in North Jersey they are.

The only reason my guest list is up to 125 is because the venues have a minimum. I only wanted 80-100 guests before.. but it's not enough. So I will pay for the 125.

Nassau Inn had a minimum but it wasn't 125, it was lower. I think you would be fine with ~100 there.

I think Honeybee works for the Merion.

People throw out names in these discussions and I cringe because I've been to almost all of these venues. (I'm not talking about the Merion, just for the record; I've never been there.) Of course, taste is subjective, isn't it?

In season, in NJ, with pricing, tax and service, that's not a do-able budget in most venues. To be at 15,000 for 125 guests (which is the minimum for most venues on a Friday or Sunday) , you have to start with under 100.00 PP, to which you'll add tax (7%) and service (usually 18-22%) That means compromise; either no outside space, no single wedding at a time, or not so great food.

The easiest compromise for more bang for your buck is to switch to March, possibly April, consider Thursdays. Sunday before a holiday generally isn't discounted.

Galloping Hills; we love it, we love Jennifer, and I've never had a couple do a cocktail hour before their ceremony.

Florentine is gorgeous, but I don't know that it will be in your price range.

The Garwood is very nice and the people are wonderful there. We're there all the time and it's always a nicely run party.

The Palace is gorgeous; we're there a few times a month, and it's amazing. Again, always a beautifully run party.

Look at;

The Tides in North Haledon, especially on a Friday. Talk to Tom or Tito and tell them I sent ya, lol...

The Sterling Ballroom in Tinton Falls. Surprisingly innovative menu for a hotel venue and lovely staff.

The Olde Mill Inn, in Bernards Township; talk to Marien. The bonus is that if people need hotels, they can stay on site; it's like an overgrown B&B. We absolutely love this venue; the food is amazing, the staff is fabulous (every review mentions that, as they do at Galloping), and the setting is beautiful.

Perona Farms in Andover. I don't know that the Barn can fit in that budge but I bet the venue part can. Talk to Marley.

Ballyowen in Hardyston. Talk to Julie. A gorgeous venue within a group of places that also have lodging.

Graycliff in Moonachie

Woodcliff Manor in Woodcliff Lake Talk to Dave

The Nassau Inn is really nice. The Chauncey Conference Center, also in Princeton might be a thought too.

@Celia I was hoping you'd chime in Thank u. yes the budget of 15 does not include the graituity or service charge. and is just for the reception venue. it just gives us a starting number.

The places Ive been to so far was in our budget but I wasnt sold just yet until I saw some more.

also Im one of those brides who want the first look to be me coming down the aisle. and Galloping suggested our photos be done before the ceremony. I rather take photos during cocktail hour. I will reach out to Jennifer and see what she says about it and if it's doable

Thank u so much for those suggestions, will check them out!!. I know that if I truly fell inlove with a venue slightly out of our budget..id pay lol

important things to me

-one wedding at a time

-separate cocktail area, would love patio

-Would love an outside ceremony

-Reception room must have windows or outside entrances. hate those stuffy closed in ballrooms.

I just had my wedding at the Olde Mill Inn and it was amazing! People commented on how it was the best food they've had at a wedding. Great staff, beautiful grounds and within budget.

Natirar/90 Acres- they are really lovely and accomadating for medium sized parties.

James Ward is smaller- they can do cake/punch/cocktail for a larger party- I had 30 there for a full dinner- we could have probably squeezed 40 maybe in there? it was really lovely- but I wouldn't do more than 50. But depending on layout but they can handle more for a cocktail style.

My date is def flexible. Meadow wood was reasonable if we did it in April on a Friday, so thinking heavily about that!

LOL @ Celia!!!! Hey, I am SUPER excited about my venue. You can count on me posting that rave Merion spiel whenever someone asks about a NJ venue on these forums for as long as I am here! :-)

I'm getting married at The Madison Hotel in Morristown, NJ. The only way you may be able to get it within your budget is if you have your wedding in an offseason, on a Friday or Sunday, and select their menu without any upgrades (for both the cocktail hour and the entrees). We have 125, getting married next Saturday. Coming in around 19k.

Im getting married at davids country inn in hackettstown! beautiful and timeless! one wedding at a time and they are so amazing and helpful whenever i talk to them. its a little pricey, but depending on time of year and day, they might really work for you! def check them out! were having a friday night wedding and the minimum is 125 guests, room holds 200, good luck finding your venue!

Honeybee- you haven't gotten married there- you really only have a basic understanding of the facility based on what they told you.

I'd reserve your glowing reviews till after you get married there.