Reception Venues to Please Any Couple
New Jersey has many fine established reception venues, the best of which have decades of experience providing a memorable setting for weddings of all designs. Beach weddings can take advantage of a wide range of options dedicated to providing the finest service for your breezy "Down the Shore" wedding, whether you're partying inside or out.Stunning Beach Reception Sites
Bayside or seaside, a shore reception can be as small or grand an event as you wish, given the proper catering. You will also want to consider an indoor reception, an outdoor reception, or options for a tent wedding on the sand. A tent wedding is a good option in case of inclement weather which could mar your beach wedding day dreams.The Crystal Point Yacht Club caters to beach-loving couples in the Point Pleasant area. With sweeping ocean views, your choice of served courses or buffet style menus, and on-site inn for out-of-state relatives makes this a popular choice for many couples.
The Breakers on the Ocean of Spring Lake, New Jersey, offers the perfect backdrop for a lovely beach-themed wedding. Their dedicated "Wedding Specialists" regularly receive rave reviews from satisfied brides, offering helpful support and advice with planning and setup.
Exquisite Statewide Reception Halls
New Jersey's many botanical gardens and elegant woodland reception facilities offer couples plenty of choices for ceremonies throughout the year. Drifts of lilacs and meadow violets can be found throughout the state in late spring, and likewise the maple trees burst into flame each fall. Look to these and other venues with a sterling reputation for service when embarking on your reception site search.Flanders Valley offers well-priced wedding packages at a suite of manicured lawns, gardens, flowers, picturesque gazebos and more. As a popular wedding and reception venue, they have attracted many of the state's top service providers as partners for their bridal events.
Since 1943, Mayfair Farms has offered service worthy of your wedding day in a beautiful locale. A sweeping 19th century mansion provides a luxurious backdrop to your nuptials.
Finding the Reception Site You've Imagined
If you're from the Jersey shore, you can find local reception centers by searching online for '[your zip code] wedding reception or [your zip code] catering'. You can further refine your search by browsing the local yellow pages, and asking friends and family from the area for advice.Being "The Garden State," NJ also has many botanical gardens to choose from. Try Skylands Manor, a 19th Century Tudor-style mansion surrounded by the New Jersey State Botanical Gardens. Another fine option is the Howard Van Vleck Gardens in the Montclair Museum, which can accommodate weddings of up to 200 for a sitdown meal, or 350 guests for a standing reception.
Of course, if you're planning on a New Jersey destination wedding, any area of the coast or local botanical garden is open to you as a reception site. The southern end of the state is generally considered to have the best beaches, and many of the state's top reception planning and catering services make their home in Monmouth, Point Pleasant and the other charming towns that line the Jersey shore.
Beginning the Accommodation Adventure
Though New Jersey is small, a wedding reception site can be held just about anywhere depending on your theme, colors, season and guest totals. Whether your marry near the shore or inland, a banquet hall is not your only choice. Many New Jersey brides are opting for a fun, romantic garden or beach-side reception these days. While decorating the walls will not be an option, the natural views and vistas will make the time most memorable for you and your guests. If you do decide to hold your reception indoors, based on weather or decor wishes, here are a few things to keep in mind as you scope out the sites:- Is the location a convenient walk or drive from the ceremony site?
- Your wedding reception budget.
- Facility rental fees.
- Does the location have on-site ceremony availability?
- How many guests will be attending and whether the location can accommodate them.
- Whether the location has an on-site coordinator.
- What decorations or supplies you or your wedding team will need to provide.
- Any rental fees you will need to factor in to your budget.
- The quality of food served: restaurants are often best, while hotels may be "generic."
- Do they have a dedicated caterer or a preferred caterers list? Can you provide your own caterer?
- Space and equipment available for music and dancing.
- Bar and beverage area setup.
- Proper restroom facilities.
- Any permits or restrictions necessary to use the location (outdoors, museums, noise levels, etc.)
- The timing of the reception -- do they have multiple events happening on the day of your wedding?
- Privacy issues, as with receptions held in public spaces or restaurants.
- Are there bridal changing areas available?