Northern NJ Affordable Venues

Yep. Welcome to my world.

First, cut the guest list. There is literally no place in NJ that will end up being under 100.00 per person with tax and service in 2017. Even in November. Even on Sunday or Friday.

Look at Galloping Hills in Kenilworth (talk to Jenn), the Westwood in Garwood, The Elan (in Lodi, talk to Lisa), Garden Vista Ballroom in Passiac (talk to Jim).

But seriously, pare that guest list down; that is crazy.

Congratulations. Try Bridgewater Manor. They run specials throughout the year. Not sure where you want to be per person.

I feel your pain. My fiancé and I live in north Jersey and after looking at a lot of venues who wanted way too much money for what they were asking I ended up deciding to do it in Pennsylvania near where I grew up and he went to medical school. My venue is about 2 1/2 hours away but you might want to look into Lehigh Valley and Poconos regions of PA. It's still an easy drive over, but prices drop a lot when you cross the Delaware River.

I also live in North Jersey and am getting married in Pennsylvania in the Poconos, at the Shawnee Inn. It's actually closer to our house than some of the more central and shore venues we were considering, it's beautiful, not a traditional Jersey banquet place, and has customizable food and alcohol packages that make it possible to stay around $100/head. The wedding coordinator Simone has also been amazing so far.

We also could have spent about the same amount per person renting a room at a nice restaurant in NJ but would have had to keep our guest list smaller and wouldn't have had as much room for dancing. Here everything is in the same place at this one resort--it's perfect for us.

This area is expensive; that's a fact of life and it's the price we pay for being near NYC. "They are asking too much money" is a comment that doesn't take into account the cost of doing business here; venues don't pull prices out of thin air.

Thank you all for your input! He and I will have to look everything over together to see what's realistic. Celia - we've pared the guest list down a ton already, and of course we are working to pare it down even more. Believe me, that was the first thing we thought of lol

Check Perona Farms for an all-inclusive option. The Glenburn Estate in Riverdale is a cheaper DIY option. Only $500 to rent the property and I see tent weddings there every other weekend.

I'm getting married in August at the Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick. We were really insistent on an outdoor venue and we have a guest list of 150. I even wanted to use my uncle's backyard but the rentals for 150 people were way toooooo pricey. If you're down for a little DIY and the whole preferred caterer bit, the Gardens were $4000 to rent (The Chapel at Sandy Hook is around $2000, but you need a tent after 130 people). Food Architects are very reasonable in comparison to what I was being quoted and they are super helpful at helping us figure out alternatives to meet out budget.

I live in northern New Jersey and getting married at the Madison hotel in Morristown. We looked at several venues and they were all in the same area. You'll be looking at $220 a plate all on (++). Try getting married in January. My friend had a $50,000 wedding on January 3 at the brownstone for literally like $**** and had about 150 people.

That's good to know Celia. I only live one town over but didn't really know much about Glenburn till this year.

It really is gorgeous! One of my colleagues marries couples there all the time, and she loves it!

The Madison is gorgeous and yes, January through March is way, way cheaper.

I'm getting married at Lakeside Manor in Gibbsboro NJ. It's more like south/central jersey, but it's beautiful, right next to a lake with woods, and is amazingly affordable ($70 pp for a buffet, not including alcohol).

Rosemary did I miss your BAM??!

More central, but we went with Royce Brook in Hillsborough, chose the Four Weddings package which went up $10 since the time we chose it, but with tax and gratuity it brought us right under $100.

Gran Centurions in Clark (central) has a nice size ballroom and is very affordable and Gregg is wonderful to work with, very accommodating and really takes his time with trying to perfect your day.

The Brownstone in Paterson has delicious food and works with budgets.

Biagio's in Paramus is very accommodating with their menus and pricing.

I got married at The Manor in West Orange. I thought for what I got, it was very affordable.

All the manor properties (highlawn, manor, pleasant dale) are reasonable.

I'm also in North Jersey. I have a few suggestions for affordable venues, some I've been to functions at. Not sure where you are, but these are all in Bergen County: Empire Club in Little Ferry, Graycliff in Moonachie, Woodcliff Manor in Woodcliff Lake. Also in Woodcliff Lake, I have a friend who got married at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton and she recommended them as well.