By Mary Scholz Austin

One of the most important decisions you will make, besides deciding who to marry, is deciding where to marry, or more specifically, where to have the big party once you and your groom say “I do.” As with most wedding decisions, the choices are endless and can be overwhelming. To make this task easier, you might be tempted to cross many sites off your list right away, such as private or country clubs, thinking they are inaccessible or too expensive, but hold on. You may find that these choices are not only practical and interesting options, but could, in fact, translate into your dream location.

Many of these types of clubs are actually semi-private, which means that the club and its culinary staff are available to nonmembers for weddings or other events. If membership is required at a particular location, don’t count it out. If you know a member of the club, they can often “sponsor” you and your event, or a past member may pay a one-time social fee for the use of the club for your gathering.

The advantages of having your reception at a country club or private facility are many. For starters, the ability to exert some control over your party, rather than having only a limited variety of standard options from which to choose, is a big plus. Rebecca Parliman, catering director of Sea Oaks Country Club in Little Egg Harbor agrees. “In my eyes, the one feature Sea Oaks offers brides and grooms that other wedding and banquet facilities do not is the ability to completely customize their wedding package from start to finish.” Customization can also be friendly to your budget, allowing you to add items that are important, while cutting out things you don’t want or need.

Finally, you usually can’t beat the setting or the facilities. Picturesque golf courses, spectacular water views, and centuries-old fieldstone clubhouses all provide stunning and romantic backdrops for your reception. If you are looking for a secluded natural setting within New Jersey’s bustling metropolitan area, a country club is the ticket. Knoll Country Club located in Parsippany, for example, offers 360 acres of wooded grounds and secluded fairways. “Outdoors your guests can take in the cool breezes while enjoying a cockjail on the terrace or while posing for pictures at the gazebo,” says general manager Kyp Andreaou. They offer a full variety of menu options, with a wedding package to suit every budget. Other clubs offer superb amenities such as waterside ceremonies or cocktails under the stars. What better place to celebrate your “I dos”?