Wedding in NJ

I'm not familiar with the area, but your guest list seems unrealistic, I'm sorry, if you know that area is expensive, I would cut the list way down! Hope you can figure something out!

I was MOH in a wedding in Nothern Jersey and she had about 145 people and was at about 35k. And she chose a cheaper venue (which I was not a fan of, personally). I think you should do a little more research into more than just venues. Look at vendors as well and then see where you're at and if there is any way to increase the budget if necessary. If not, you will most likely have to cut your guest list.

Celia always had good suggestions for this area so hopefully she will see this.

Just based on what I have experienced living in an expensive area, that budget seems a little light for guest count so I would start thinking about cutting that down.

Yes, maybe edit your title and add "paging Celia" in your title, Karen!

Northern nj here. Is the 15-20K budgeted for just the venue or the entire wedding?

I'm in NJ but my venue is in central NJ at Doolans Shore Club in Spring Lake. If you're willing to make the trip, it's worth it and could save you a ton of money because they include almost everything you need for your wedding. I'm paying $70 per person there.

NJ is a pricier area, unfortunately your guest list is unrealistic for your budget. Is the budget your overall spending once it's all said and done or is that how much you're willing to spend on just the venue? I'm keeping it under 8-10k and I live in a very unpopular area.

You may need to cut your guest list, because things aren't cheap once you add in food/drinks/flowers/decor, etc... you won't be near your budgeted price. Either cut your guest list, or lower your expectations for the venue.

Edit: or hope and pray you can find an all inclusive venue that provides the majority of what you'll need, most likely you won't be near your budget though.

I would definitely consider going more south, or even consider a venue in DE or PA for that budget. Unfortunately the closer you are to Manhattan the pricier $$$ the venue. I'm on Long Island, similar pricing here but we did find a place right around that budget for about the same # of people but we did go further east (about 1.5 hr from Manhattan).

I just went to a wedding at Fiesta Banquet Rooms in Wood-ridge NJ. Not sure what the cost was but it could be with looking into. The reception room was much better than the ceremony space. Your budget of 15-20k consists of what? If it's just for venue that is doable but if it's total it might not be. I'm in Long Island & that's about what the venue is costing which includes the ceremony, food, open bar, & ceremony decorations for 120 people.

Yeah I hate to break it to you.. but 130 guests for 15-20k in northern NJ isn't happening... unless that is just your food and bar budget. Even then... yikes.

I'm in southern NJ. Most places have 150+ guest minimum requirements. Our venue " off season " pricing is 103 PP including filet/fish/pork choice, premium open bar and cocktail hour (5 hrs total), 5 passed apps, and cake/coffee service, without service fees and sales tax. Without a tip, it's about $130PP.

South jersey is much cheaper than North... I just don't think your budget is possible where you are.

If your total budget is 15-20k with flowers DJ photos venue and all, then your prob not gonna find much unless you do a brunch wedding on that Sunday, with it being a holiday weekend, they may not even have cheaper rates for a sunday brunch.

Cut the guest list down. It no where in New jersey will you find this rate for that many people

I'm a North/Central Jersey girl and boy oh boy, the sticker shock with this area is real! Never fear though, you have options- your budget sounds similar to mine, though mine is for about 100 guests.

I'm getting married on a Friday, in Northeastern PA- about an hour from my home. Crossing the border instantly helped me save as did a non-Saturday wedding! At my venue, summer is cheaper than spring or fall, so that's another save. With a winter date, you might get cheaper rates too. Having the wedding at a hotel is less expensive than country clubs and the like.

I spent a ton of time researching venues to find the best price, and I'm happy with our final choice! Best of luck in finding yours!

@JMA Price is just for venue.

I hope Celia will see this, I tried looking for past threads where she brought up venues but couldn't find it. She is an officiant in that area and knows all the places. Will try to keep this bumped for her.

D

Good morning! I"m sorry, I thought I posted last night, but apparently the tooth fairy ate my response.

Karen, that's a tough one. For starters, you're talking Christmas party season, and while Nov-March is usually thought of as off-season, all bets are off in mid December....

Let's do the math first. If you have 130 guests and 15,000 for the reception, that comes out to about 89.00 PP before tax and service of 28% average, which, when they are added, will bring you to just under 15,000.00. So you're looking to find a venue with food and beverages at 90.00 PP give or take a few. For NEXT year, so you can figure costs will rise a bit.

It's not unheard of, but I'd probably think about cutting your list a bit (which will also make more places viable.) The minimum requirement is going to be important for you because you may find that you get declines on the Sunday before Christmas (on that Tuesday), which makes planning a little wierder. (It's probably one of the few times I would recommend STD's.....)

Now that I have you good and miserable (sorry....) Here is where to look. These are all places we work regularly, so you can tell them you're working with me; hey, it couldn't hurt, right?

My top favorite is the Olde Mill Inn, in Bernards Township. They have a lovely hotel right there, (it's like an overgrown B&B) which eliminates the need for shuttles (snow, okay?) and we just love them. You can ask for Marien or John. They are both hilarious and wonderful to work with.

The Westwood at Garwood. The people there are lovely and they run a really tight ship. Ask for Cathy.

The Tides in North Haledon. We are preferred clergy there, and they just redid their more intimate banquet space. They have a lovely chapel room too. The food is terrific. Ask for Tom.

Ballyowen Golf Course and Black Bear. They are both part of the Crystal Springs resorts and they are both gorgeous (Ballyowen is my fave...) I am not entirely sure that they are both open in December, but it's worth a call. Talk to Julie or Selja (yes, she has my name, lol)

Ramsey Country Club. Pretty and really nice people. One of your favorite posters here had her wedding there, and we had a fab time.

Il Tulipano in Cedar Grove

Victor's Chateau in Cedar Grove

The Brickhouse in Wyckoff

Hird Lake Spa,in (I think) Blairstown

Look at the website for Emily's Cafe and Catering and James A.Miller Catering; they are both fabulous and they have dozens of cools sites like museums, historic sites, arborteums....We work at Waterloo Village a LOT (Stanhope, JAM catering) and it's the coolest. You might find that to be a good resource because people planning corporate parties don't often think outside the ballroom box.

I think a good way to move forward would be to put a little script together so you can call venues and not waste your time or theirs if it's not possible....."Hi, my name is Karen, and I'm trying to find a venue for next December for my wedding of ___ people. We're looking for hors, a sit down dinner and an open bar or wine/beer and we'd like to be at about 90.00 knowing that tax and service will be about another 27%. Is that something that is a possibility for your venue? The amazing, unbelievably fabulous officiant Celia Milton told us to call (ha ha ha ha ha)."

That will weed out a lot of venues that can't help you at all and save a lot of time.

Good luck!

I am in Central Jersey and let me tell you how much time it took me to find a venue with an affordable price. My venue is 5 minutes away from Princeton and it is very affordable, they have 3 different packages and during off season is much better. Plus the place is beautiful so you don't need much decoration.

If your budget is for just the venue at 15-20k its very do-able just plan on another 30-35% for your other vendors. We are right at about 20k for 120 people @ the Olde Mill Inn, as as Celia has mention the place is Beautiful and they have a restuarant/bar on the grounds as well for a nice after party. I will try and post photos in 2 weeks when we get back from the honeymoon.

I'm not sure about NNJ but our wedding is in SJ and is really close to 14k for 100 - 120 people for our venue only, but the includes the full five hour reception (cocktail hour/three course meal and open bar) as well as the additional fee we paid to have the ceremony on site. So it is certainly doable to do your reception in state for around 15-20k. but if that is your total amount for the entire wedding you may be pushing it. especially the farther north you go and the closer to NY the pricier things will get.

If that is your budget for the reception/food/drink I definitely think its doable. Just do a ton of research and make sure you're aware of any additional fees, as well as the tax and gratuity if its not automatically added in