Shocked at costs!!

Yes, although I knew how expensive it would be going into it. I tried to convince FH that we didn't want a big wedding. I failed, but he quickly saw what I was talking about.

They say the biggest saver is cutting the list. My original list was at 80, I'm now down to 50 because I thought, "why should I invite that aunt and uncle that I last saw New Years four years ago?" and "why should I invite my cousins who I haven't seen in about eight years?" that sort of thing.

Laura, I'm a NJ Bride. We lived in Central Jersey and we got a rude awakening about prices & what was or wasn't included. Except me as a "couple you know" & I can give you a great venue to contact that will work with you, etc.

NJ bride here! Let me know if you're looking in central Jersey because I have a bunch of quotes from places. Stay away from the beach and the places that take huge ads in all of the publication magazines because they start at around $130 for the cheapest plate.

Food was a big deal to us, we wanted options and a lot of it. By wheeling and dealing I got $109 for a ridiculous amount of delicious food at a gorgeous place.

Edited for typos.

Also a NJ bride. Check out some local bridal mags--some of them have basic price ranges so you know automatically if something is too expensive. Look into small town wineries (not big name ones) and small non-private golf courses. The cheap ones will be the ones that you never thought would be a wedding venue. Some catering halls have different levels of pricing too (ours goes from about 85 up to 150pp with cake and centerpieces included). Worse comes to worse-cut the guest list.

Not from the jersey area, But I was also shell shock when I started looking and booking, I finally decided what was important to me, so we picked a state park, having outside food catered in, and also can bring our own alcohol. for a third of the cost at a venue. we decided that having more people at our wedding was more important then the venue..

Cutting the guest list not only decreases food costs, but also table & chair rentals, chair covers & sashes, centerpieces, bar costs, favors, STDs, invitations, postage, etc.

Thank you all for your advice I appreciate it. I am from the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County so prices are going to be a little jacked up especially places on the water. I am definitely going to try to cut my guest list as much as possible but its hard considering we are a pretty close-knit family. I’ve even thought of doing a destination wedding in Florida where my 90+ year old grandparents are so they don’t have to travel, keep it small and have a party back here in NJ, but I think in the end it would still end up costing the same. Either way keep the venue suggestions coming if anyone comes across anymore, even the little hidden gems. I did find a decent place, it’s far from me but a possibility, and for you other Jersey gals looking – it’s a DIY but looks pretty and it holds 200, Camden county boathouse http://www.camdencountyboathouse.com/

I would pick the Brownstone just so I could meet the Manzo's. Just sayin.

I'm a Monmouth County bride as well! What kind of venue are you looking for? Reception hall or something more unique? I am getting married at the Sandy Hook Chapel, with an outdoor ceremony on the bay, followed by a tented cocktail hour and a sit-down reception inside of the chapel. It might be a little small for you guest count (130 max indoors with a dance floor I think), but they can accomodate larger groups if the dinner part of the reception is outdoors under a tent. I'm using Merri-makers as the caterer (they do not have exclusive rights to the venue, but they have the most experience hosting weddings there.) They have been very flexible with pricing, cutting down the amount of food during cocktail hour saved me $10pp.

Merri-makers also does weddigns at the arts center in homdel, which is a larger venue and a more typical rection hall: http://merrimakers.com/wordpress/pnc-center/

Listen to what everyone has said and cut the guest list as much as possible. Sometimes you want champagne on a beer budget but in reality that doesn't happen. I would make a list of priorities and choose what is most important.

Just remember that an all inclusive venue can seem more expensive in the beginning but end up being cheaper in the end. DIY'ing everything can be a headache and end up costing more to out source vendors for things like tables, chairs, catering etc. You have a descent amount of time before your wedding so don't worry.

@Michelle - I am looking for something a little more unique. I actually called the Sandy Hook Chapel the other day and it seems really nice, but maybe too small for my group, unless I cut the list down. If you know of any places let me know, I've exhausted all my searches I think, haha.

I agree with you Briggitte too - all inclusive will be cheaper in the end or at least close.

And I'd love to meet the Manzo's too. I'm sure the Brownstone is a pretty penny though!

The Brownstone is not inexpensive and it's not all it's cracked up to be. I was extremely disappointed in it the last time we were there for a family party. Dirty glassware, hair in food, broken tile in the bathroom etc... The function was also in the Conservatory and you could see beer bottles and trays left out on the fire escapes above where employees take breaks. FH looked at me like I was crazy because I had told him how great it was and how we always had our family parties there. So don't feel bad that it's out of your price range. ;-)

Go inland a bit and see what you come up with. Attend bridal shows. I thought I had seen/searched all the venues in our area. I attended a bridal show at what became our venue. 1. I didn't realize they held weddings. 2. I thought they were way out of our price range.

Check out the "dry towns" like Ocean City. Since you're providing your own alcohol you can save costs that way too.

The Raddison in Freehold was about 80 per person for me!

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