How Far In Advance Should I Book My Ceremony Site?
If possible, book your wedding ceremony site 12-18 months in advance for a New Jersey wedding. This is particularly true if you plan to marry in May, June, August or September, the state's busiest months for weddings. Wherever you tie the knot, you can be sure that your guests will find plenty of activities to fill out their weekend, from horseback riding to sunbathing, aquariums, a stroll down the boardwalk and more.New Jersey Beach Wedding Ceremonies
Seaside or soundside, the Jersey Shore is a popular wedding ceremony site for both in-state and out-of-state couples. Couples of every budget often get married right on the beach in the company of family and friends. You may be able to have an oceanfront beach wedding in your hometown or the town of your choice. Check with your local New Jersey Chamber of Commerce to find public beaches and the best locations for your ceremony.Bonnet Island Estate -- For a lavish, memorable wedding, rent your own private island! Their grand staircase, soaring cathedral-ceiling ballroom and breathtaking ocean scenery make for gorgeous photo ops for you and up to 250 of your closest friends and family. The Bonnet Estate's considerable charm is completed with an intimate "Boathouse Chapel," shipped beam by beam from New England.
Mallard Island Yacht Club -- Southern hospitality has finally found its way north of the Mason-Dixon line. Bayside views, charming design, elegant catering and reception options for up to 250 guests await you and your spouse-to-be.
Ocean Place Resort & Spa -- For a ballroom by the beach or a barefoot tent wedding, the lovely accommodations of Ocean Place may be the elegant ceremony spot for which you've been searching. Great options are available for a combination ceremony and reception package.
A New Jersey Museum Wedding
The great thing about museum weddings is that they give your guests plenty to talk about. Depending upon the size of your event, one of New Jersey's many museums may be able to provide the setting for a memorable event.Grounds for Sculpture -- 35 acres of beautiful, intriguing sculptures, many involving ponds and waterways. Located just outside of Trenton, this fun, hip venue accommodates up to 400 guests.
Morris Museum -- Art, science, history and more to delight your guests in Morristown. Upcoming exhibits include Space & Astronomy, Rembrandt, and (appropriately) Bridal Gowns 1812-Present.
Newark Museum -- Located in the town of the same name, this large museum is wonderful place for a medium-sized wedding of up to 210 guests. Engelhard Court, the main event space, features dramatic marble floors, beautiful natural lighting and access to the museum. The Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden is a popular choice for smaller tent weddings and receptions, and features a courtyard sculpture garden.
Outdoor New Jersey Wedding Locales
New Jersey sometimes takes a bum rap, but it's actually got some extremely pretty spots nestled inside its small geography. Beach weddings are the favorite in the south, but an autumn woodland wedding is a possibility throughout much of the state.NJ State Parks -- A great outdoor option for those who love the woods, rather than the water. From the Pine Barrens to Cheesequake to the Delaware Water Gap, you can explore some of the state's loveliest inland locations for your ceremony.
New Jersey Botanical Gardens -- A flower lover's dream of blossoming beauty awaits you and your guests, with dedicated gardens for annuals, perennials, lilacs, wildflowers and more. Skylands Manor (a 54-room Tudor Revival Mansion) is one of the state's most popular wedding destinations, surrounded by picturesque terraces and woodland hills. Event reservations can be made through Frungillo, the exclusive catering partner of Skylands.
The Bethwood -- Dedicated staff to help you plan every aspect of your dream wedding, from ceremony to reception, on-site catering and beyond. Let their experienced professionals obsess over the details as you stroll through their park-like setting, studded with wedding gazebos, waterfalls, light-filled chapels and impressive ballrooms.
Flanders Valley -- Explore a beautiful 45-acre farm for thoroughbreds with beautiful gardens and reception areas. The wooded dales of this refined estate come alive with color during the autumn season.
New Jersey Wedding Cruises
Whether on the Atlantic Ocean or the Delaware River, the waterways surrounding the Garden State provide a stunning backdrop for a wedding ceremony and reception.East Coast Yacht Cruises -- Catering to ocean-going lovebirds of all kinds. Their lavish accommodations and amenities will wow your guests, and the beautiful backdrop of the Atlantic may provide the perfect setting for a sunset ceremony.
The Liberty Belle -- For a South Jersey wedding, consider this Mississippi River-style steamboat. Their considerable experience will help you plan a ceremony and reception, adding much to the charm of a riverboat wedding on the Delaware.
The River Queen & River Belle -- For those closer to the shore, cruise the inland waterways of Manasquan River and Barnaget Bay on these lovely steamships. Exclusive rentals are available from April through New Year's Eve.