Alec:

 

Here's my suggestion: BUY MORE GUNS! Because after the fact, not so much anymore. Just sayin'

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

Don't worry Bob, I plan to sneak one or two more guns in before then.

 

 

.... Oops I think she's reading this

Alec:

 

When the fallout starts, I've got dibs on the 327

Pizza Bob has contacts. Maybe he'll use his influence to have Starbucks rope off the joint and you can have the reception there!

http://www.palmsplazanj.com/

 

They are in matawan

 

I have been to many parties there... Reasonable costs and very nice hall that's not over done

Ask hotels about any cancellations they might have. We got about half off of an engagement gone bad by using the date that they had picked and put deposits down on. We got open bar, filet/salmon/chicken francais for $56/head at the Hilton in Rockaway in 2005. Everyone else was really close to $100 each.

we had our wedding at Our House in farmingdale. I also used the Pros for DJ, video, and photos. (ask for willie for Photos!)

Alec,

 

I sent you a PM. Let me know if I can be of any help. I do it for a living.

 

C

The wifey says check out the hunderdon hills playhouse she loves the place. And the bonus is the clay range is close by to get rid of the pre wedding jitters...lol

Have you considered a Friday night wedding?

 

We saved a boat load of money on that.

 

Also, ask the place where you finally decide if they have any cancellation dates that can be booked on the cheap.

 

We got a Friday night at the Shadowbrook for short money...I think $40 a head. Granted, we planned it in 4 months, but it was cheap. This was also 19 years ago. Good Lord how time does fly.

Friday night weddings save you cash, but are hell on your guests...

Less Hell than a destination wedding, and having the Saturday after to be home and getting prepped for the honeymoon was terrific. We got to relax, have breakfast, then go visit family that was in town. We spent a great day before departing for our honeymoon.

Bridgewater Manor has some of the best food I've ever tasted.

 

Palms Plazza has pretty good food and throws a great party.. but its not really your typical catering place, its in a strip mall.

 

Need a lot more info on what you guys want and are willing to compromise on. From what we've found the initial cost per head isn't too bad.. but the extras and add-ons on top of the food kill you. "We've" been in various states of planning for over 2 years now.. from going to see every place imaginable.. to holding off for more cash.. to planning a wedding we put together on our own.. etc etc etc...

 

Prepare for stress! To the point of just calling the whole damn thing off multiple times..

 

#1 thing i would say would be come up with your budget together and stick to it. BEFORE they start selling her the princess dream at these places.. and then you are the bad guy with the calculator shaking your head.

 

So.. we finally decided on a Carnival Cruise Wedding. Our important family will be there.. and who ever wants to come on the cruise can enjoy 8 days of partying. Whoever doesn't.. can get off before the cruise departs and can wish us bon voyage. Its a very short ceremony, but its cheap.

 

I have over 100 people in my family, most of whom i only see at Christmas and/or the two or three birthday parties a year for the small children or whatever. Sure, they are family.. but not being in your daily life requires you to spend $150+ to feed and booze them up?? That's up to you and your girl to decide.

 

There is a kick ass deli in Middletown who does catering really affordable.. we are thinking after the cruise.. just let them put out a spread.. get a couple 30 packs, some cheap trader joe's wine.. and then the family can come and have a meal on us.. no need to pay for the whole production for that many people in our eyes..

 

We are looking back on it now.. and we shoulda just got married in vegas 2 years ago after i proposed in the grand canyon.. we where driving around.. and where like.. "we should just do it".. and then we decided not to because of all the family that we are NOW not inviting! haha

If you were willing to head to North Jersey, the Boathous in Alpine is amazing. City views. It's a big, raised and covered space but open air. Decorate it nice, get a grill master to cook, have a party. We looked there before we decided to elope. Total cost for the space was around 5-6 hundred dollars. At the end of it, we were looking at about 15k, which is pretty cheap around here. But, we did elope to Vegas with her kids, came back and had a keg party in the back yard for 65 friends and family. It was a good plan for us.

 

C

I'm getting married in February at Crystal Ballroom in Freehold. It's in the Raddison hotel which is great for out-of-town guests and they cut us a great deal cause its in February. Most places are way cheaper in the winter months if your flexible.

We got married at Carlisle on the Green . Its at the bethpaige state park.

 

It was a small fortune and I'm hindsight we both would have preferred to drop the 50k on a house. Like some have said , we both wish we would have eloped.

 

Call the immediate fam, put em on a plane if the wanna be there and that is it.

So.. we finally decided on a Carnival Cruise Wedding. Our important family will be there.. and who ever wants to come on the cruise can enjoy 8 days of partying. Whoever doesn't.. can get off before the cruise departs and can wish us bon voyage. Its a very short ceremony, but its cheap.

 

I attended a destination Saturday wedding in Miami for a couple from Minnesota. On Sunday we got on a Royal Caribbean 3 day cruise for the reception. It was great!!!

My reception was at Nanina's in the park in Belleville NJ, was about 68,000 for 250 people.

As a wedding photog, I've seen it all and done it all. Been to lots and lots of really nice joints over 25+ years! Almost every place listed here, and most more than once! Even on a Bermuda cruise!

 

So call me with the budget and I'll fill you in Alec!

 

Dave

Well it looks like lots of people seem to be getting married, so here is to all you.

If your willing to travel a little south:

Smithville Inn in Galloway, Atlantic County.

Beautiful historic inn, lake out back, garden and arch well maintained. Great food. They accommodate weddings of all different sizes. Reasonably priced.

Open bar huh? I'm in. Don't worry, I'll wear a suit.