(Paging Celia) Suggestions needed - Rustic NJ Wedding on a Budget?

No help with New Jersey, but um NO to @Priscilla. We got married on my family's ranch and it was a year's worth of crazy hard work to turn it into a wedding venue. I would be offended on so many levels if a random couple stopped by and said hey we want to get married here, we'll even invite you!

Hmmm, not a show and i am sorry you think that. Many people overlook communities and farms that have facilities all becuase they stick to commercialized companies. Theres pleanty of places were the owners have not learned how to make websites. You can tell who are open to sharing their property by the signs they put up along the roads. Besides whats wrong with a bit of a romatic road trip and a picnic?

Also look at the John J. Audubon Center in Audubon, PA.

Head desk. seriously.

Pantageous is about as far from rustic as you can get. I will say no more.

JoRocka seriously? So your saying in your community your missing people that would jump at the chance to help out with weddings? Even this site shows that there are people who want to help out strangers. Most people I know would be estatic. I'm on the west coast though so maybe people are not as welcoming else where?

Priscilla...your ideas are dangerous. We all love helping people; that's why there are a few vendors and many, many helpful, articulate, informed people here.

But none of them are going to offer their home to a random stranger who knocks on their door.

I need wine. Is it time yet?

Yeah, Priscilla we are from Jersey. We are the opposite of welcoming.

I'm offended at the fucking notion women are just sitting around waiting for some random stranger to come spice up their fucking life.

That's what I'm incensed at ultimately. That's insulting as fuxk.

If you're willing to cut your guest list (at least) in half, I would suggest the Inn at Millrace Pond. I'm getting married there with 45 guests.

@Jorocka; that's "the Bridges of Madison County"

@Future I am there tomorrow. I love it! We've done 100 guests there easily and their staff is just amazing.

@Kelly - if you do decide to venture into northern Delaware, check out The Farmhouse in Wilmington. From what I understand, it's a steal. I've attended a wedding there and it was fantastic. Also in the area is the Carriage House at Rockwood Park.

Moment booting up my laptop. Then im gonna look through the commercial venues in those areas. Search engines are intreasting they always show the most popular first. Plus use of keywords show differnt results. I didn't go into detail on my first post about how i look for signs and drop by places. I enjoy stopping for the produce, eggs and dairy. I always talk to people, you can ask questions and they will give you ideas. Communities are awesome plus have you ever checked out the Elks Lodges? Now theres an awesome nationwide group of people that not only help others but throw awesome parties. Not trendy hip parties but the classic ones.

@Priscilla - you regularly drive out to random farms and ask if you can host your wedding there?

@Priscilla

It's a nice thought but not at all realistic. There is a reason venues cost so much. They know what they are doing and are going to make sure that everyone is safe and happy for your day.

My boss went to a wedding last week. They had it at a neighbor's barn that they "fixed up" to be on trend. It was a DISASTER. Grandma got taken to the hospital by ambulance due to heat because they had no fans or anywhere to cool off, several other guests ended up at the ER later, at least one with food poisoning and one with broken bones after falling in a hole. No one had a good time. A lot of it was due to poor planning or poor execution. That's why you hire professionals.

Holy hell, I commented before I read through all these comments. @Priscilla, that's literally how every good horror movie starts.

My venue is one of the cheaper ones in NJ and has a somewhat rustic feel to it (it's not a barn, but it can easily be decorated with rustic style decor). Look up Old York Country Club in Chesterfield. It was $8,500 for 75 guests on a Sunday... if you cut your guest list down you could probably do a Saturday with that budget.

I like Megans post. So is it must have catering at venue or can venue and catering be seperate? How hands on or off?

How big is your volunteer group of helpers? My honey says it's weried that i end up getting invites to strangers parties/events, so back to traditional searching. Btw nice just going through the farms and campsites on the net in nj is fun, haven't even looked at the other two areas yet. Wonder if any of the greenhouses or garden places have venues to rent there as well, that would give your more options. Example: Bullock Farms fall event/party $15 per person, picnic party area, includes a sugar pumpkin each, no catering, barn available to rent. So that be 3k leaving lots for catering and rentals. You can rent creature comforts, heaters, fans, tents if they don't have them.

"How big is your volunteer group of helpers?"

Lol.

Summers are you saying the future groom and bride don't have enough family/friends that would work their butts off for them doing the crappy work of cleaning, set up and break down? I always like the option of helping out since I can't afford to buy fancy presents. http://www.rusticbride.com lists venues by state