is additional cost worth it?

Well, is $10,000 a large amount for you? Can you afford it?

Also, what exactly are the differences? What's the food like for each?

If you have the money, go with with the chateau.

I have never heard of these venues (you might want to indicate a location), but $10k extra for a venue? They'd better be giving you some sort of gold carpet.

When is the estimated completion date? If your getting married in 6 months an un finished venue is a huge risk

So the nicer place is 10k more?

Is it on your budget, can you afford it?

I'd be concerned that neither venue is fully built. With fall and winter weather they might not be done. Never heard of those venues but I'm probably in a different part of the country. Also, to me 10k is a lot of money so I would go with the cheaper venue.

T-rex: we can afford it - it will not put us in debt (thankfully). still not sure if it is "worth" it.

food differential is really cocktail hour:

cc: 8-10 hor d'oeuvres and 4-5 stations. also - no cake is included but i included that in the 10,000 differential.

park chateau is just a different world: they have 9 stations just included, 12 passed hor d'oeuvres, 6 chafing stations, 7 chef stations.

A.L. - east brunswick is park chateau, and glen ridge is the country club.

erin - park chateau already has 120 weddings booked and they have spaced it out to not schedule anything prior to them being able to finish. glen ridge country club will be finished months before they start any parties - valid concern but i am not worried about it with the professionalism.

melissa - yes 10K is for the more expensive one. our budget became unrealistic after looking at the reality of getting married on a saturday night in new jersey. it comes down to if we want to extend the 10K or not.

thank you so much for the feedback!!!

I mean, March is seven months from now, so I'd be pretty worried about things not being done.

As a guest, I'd be happy with the amount of food at the cc. As the Park Chateau I'd feel overwhelmed, lol.

T-Rex - right? so much stuff.

The food is one contributing factor. The cc will have open golf - although I do not think many will be playing after sunset. They will also have the restaurant open downstairs which hypothetically should not impact anything.

The chateau will be a much more grandiose feel. I think that is what I want but I am having a lot of trouble digesting the delta in cost and if it is truly worth it in the long run.

Having worked at the other venues (Nanina's and the Park Savoy, where we are recommended) I'd pick the Park Chateau. These are venues that are totally flawless in terms of food, decor ,and staff. I have not worked at the GRCC in years, so that's not to say that it's NOT good, but the PC is a totally different animal.

And that would be my choice. That being said, it is ONE DAY, and I'm sure both parties would be nice, but different kinds of nice.

I worked at the PS before and after their renovation. They were right on time, and the first weddings in the new building were gorgeous.

Can you clarify if you are actually getting married in March? Because nobody is going to play golf in March in New Jersey.

Celia milton - thank you so very much! you are right and that is what i continually hear. i feel so comfortable at park chateau. just really having trouble with the money aspect. do you feel that that is nothing in comparison to the professionalism and quality they offer?

Well, I don't know if I'd go THAT far; there are a dozen or so venues in North Jersey that are totally top notch. They happen to own three of them.

A couple of things that impress me about the PS, where I work the most (obviously, I haven't worked at the PC yet....)....

The managers are ALWAYS on the floor, bussing tables, delivering drinks; they are very, very hands on and as a former caterer, that is a super good sign. They don't delegate; they do.

When the PS reopened after they closed to renovate, their staff was almost identical; everyone stayed. In an industry where 2 years is a long time to be anywhere, their people are remarkably loyal which is also a good sign.

These are not newcomers to the market; they have been running consistently superior venues for years; both parts of that are signifiant. 'Consistently superior" and "years'.

Again, all that being said, it IS one day. No one you're inviting to your wedding knows what else you looked at; they just know that this was a wonderful party, wherever it ends up.

Celia - thank you again! that is why i am so torn!!! i do not know what to do or how to make the call.

You need to decide what your heart wants and if you can stomach the price. $10k is a lot of money and things start to add up quickly. Things you don't even realize that you "need," i.e. Want. $10k is also a realllly nice honeymoon!

I just can't see dropping an *additional* 10k on my wedding. Go with the cheaper venue-- all that money won't make you any more married.

Melissa - WE LOVED RILC - wanted to get married there too! the dates did not work out.

i don't know what groupme is...

How many guest do you plan on having? The more expensive venue has so many stations that it might be overwhelming. But if you are having 300-400 guests, it ensures food lines will be short.

10k is so much to me, but if you got it... More power to ya.

DATE TWIN! I agree with some of the other PP's. Is the money in your budget? what are you getting for the additional money?