South Jersey Bridal Shower Location help!

Adelphia's is the first place that pops to mind. But do you have a type of food/venue other than country club?

Which counties are you specifically looking in?

What is their budget? I threw one for my best friend at Sand Barrens in Cape May County and it was a minimum $500 food and beverage. I did a brunch buffet with a mimosa bar and it was awesome! If they're splitting the cost, that minimum might not be too bad.

How far south? Does central-ish work? My bridesmaids threw mine at Carlucci's Italian Grill in Princeton Junction/West Windsor. It was awesome for our crowd of about 30.

They want to keep at $20 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. They've only found one place that fit the budget and it wasn't that great. We want to stay around the Mt Laurel/ Cherry Hill area but since we live in Gloucester county that's totally fine too.

This is what we've looked at so far:

- Woodcrest Country Club- My FAV! $25 pp plus tax & grat, $150 bartender fee, $250 site fee and a consumption bar (we get the tab at the end for everything consumed)

- Laurel Creek Country Club- Runner up. $20 pp plus tax & grat, $100 bartender fee, $250 site fee, BYO

- Due Amici, Cinnaminson- $15 pp for brunch but the food was pretty subpar. French toast was thin and dried out, pancakes were OBVIOUSLY pre-frozen. Decor was like an upscale dinner and parking lot was small, BYO

- The Madison- $30 pp plus tax and grat

Others that I want to look into:

- Indian Springs Gold Club

- Tre Familia, Haddonfield, BYO

- Amici, Cherry Hill, BYO

- Giumarello's, Haddon Twp, BYO

- Terra Nova, Sewell

- Deerwood Country Club, Westampton

Also, would it be insulting if I told them I would like to help with the cost to have the place I want? I don't want to come off unappreciative but to me the $200 bucks that they may save in going to a cheaper and not as nice place isn't worth it to me. I'd rather just pay the difference than look back and go "........well it was a good value I guess...."

Why are you helping them plan it? Honestly? You should not have anything to do with it besides showing up, smiling big, saying thank you and appreciating that they did this for you. So just stop now.

You can "just stop now" with the negativity. Helping to plan the shower is more than just having a say (because I give them a general idea of things I like and let them run with it to plan themselves). It's about spending time with the girls who are closest to me. It's an opportunity to go try restaurants TOGETHER, to tie the favor bags up TOGETHER, to make the centerpieces TOGETHER, to make a guest list TOGETHER, shall I continue?.. So wanting to be involved with it and help out (physically, emotionally, and financially) shouldn't something to bash over. The girl who deserve bashing is the one that says " I want this shower, plan it, and don't involve me until the day"

Amanda, I am also a little confused as to why you are visiting the places and involved with the budget. And with all due respect, I think it's a little rude of you to comment on their budget.

Please remember that this is a party that is thrown in your honor. It is something that is not a guaranteed part of the wedding process and many women on here will not be having one because no one offered to throw them one. Please accept what they throw you and be appreciative that you have wonderful women in your life that would like to do this for you. I do agree with Celia. I think it would be best to let them plan it, and be grateful with anything they end up doing.

Amanda, you can just STOP NOW with being rude to people who have been on these forums, giving constructive criticism and very HELPFUL advice for a lot longer than you've been on the forums. If you aren't looking for negativity DON'T BE NEGATIVE YOURSELF.

You're welcome.

I completely understand this is not a guarantee, but a privilege. And I AM and WILL BE grateful for whatever they do for me. Like I said, helping to plan isn't about the planning as much as the time spent with them. But that is not up for debate. The beauty of weddings (and life) is that we all have our own ways of doing things and it is not for others to judge.

To answer your question, yes, unfortunately, I think it's completely out of line for you to offer to pay for the difference so you can have it at a nicer place. It comes off like what they can afford is not good enough for you. I understand that's not what you are saying, but at the same time it kind of is. You are saying you don't want to look back and not like the place or be embarrassed by the place. But really, the people you surround yourself with is going to make the different.

I think you are overthinking and should just let them plan what they can afford. But my opinion is that it's very rude for you to offer to pay for the difference.

@Jenn nailed it.

You are sadly misdirected Amanda. The shower is not about you doing anything 'together". It's about your BP theoretically surprising you on whatever level they can comfortably manage. You don't make favor bags together, you don't make centerpieces together. You show up, act shocked and grateful and go home with four blenders.

You're thinking that your BM's aren't going to plan something as grand as you deserve. Guess what? You don't get a say in this; you take what is offered, you smile and act gracious about the whole deal, whether it's at a pool hall or a palace. And along the way? You keep your opinions to yourself.

Sometimes small intimate local restaurants are the best place. You typically don't have to pay a booking or room fee and just cover the cost of the meals.