By Patricia Simone

Whether you are considering a simple, intimate affair or a large elaborate celebration, weddings by the water are a popular choice. There’s something about watching the sunlight dance on the water or set against a backdrop of sailboats and a beautiful sky—it’s the perfect setting for romance. Besides numerous scenic seaside locations, New Jersey boasts a variety of other spectacular waterside venues: from breathtaking city skyline locales to pastoral river and lake settings.

“We have a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Navesink River, which is 15 minutes away from the beach,” says Jeanne Rehor, senior catering manager for the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank. The 1928 facility—a full-service luxury hotel that was completely remodeled fifteen years ago—has retained all the charm and panache of its heyday. In addition to the intricate hand-finished ballroom ceiling, marble lobby with fireplace, and outdoor promenade for the cocktail hour, wedding guests enjoy spectacular water views from all rooms. The Molly Pitcher Inn can accommodate 130 to 175 guests and can easily orchestrate multi-day affairs—from the rehearsal dinner to the reception to the after-party breakfast or brunch. “The food is really extraordinary, more of a restaurant quality. Between the ambiance, service, and lovely water views, the Molly Pitcher Inn is a very popular choice for weddings year round.”

For another kind of water experience without the sand, consider the Crystal Point Yacht Club, located on the Manasquan River in Point Pleasant, where brides have been known to arrive by boat or water taxi. “The renovated building is fifty years old and features beautiful marble dance floors, neutral tones, and a gracious atmosphere,” says Laura Stansfield, banquet sales manager. According to Stansfield, the main goal is to offer water-themed elegance, from gourmet food and private cocktails in the water-view bridal suite, to marina level reception cocktails on the patio for the guests. The Crystal Point Yacht Club, which has hosted seaside themed weddings complete with candy carts and photo booths (as found on the boardwalk), also has a picturesque gazebo overlooking the river for stunning photo ops, and three ballrooms able to accommodate receptions from 75 to 285 people.

Whether cosmopolitan or casual, New Jersey is the perfect spot for wonderful waterfront weddings.