Estates

by Lindsey Getz

January 8, 2009

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Imagine having an entire property to yourself for your special day. That’s one of the biggest perks of hosting your wedding and reception at an estate or bed-and-breakfast.

“We only host one wedding at a time, so you have a full day to enjoy the grounds,” says Katherine Rodriguez, owner and coordinator at Crossed Keys Inn, a bed-and-breakfast inn located in Andover (973-829-9922; crossedkeys.com). The inn was built in 1790 and offers five guest rooms—four in the main house plus a separate honeymoon cottage that includes a Jacuzzi for two.

“It’s like being on a private compound,” adds Terry Anderson, director of operations at Chimney Hill Estate who runs the historic Lambertville Inn with her husband, Richard. “That’s usually something only folks with a lot of money can afford to do. But our prices are definitely in the realm of what a bride would expect to pay in the New Jersey and Philadelphia areas.”

Having an entire property makes the event feel like a destination wedding without the hassles involved with travel. Some brides opt to turn their wedding into a weekend-long event in which guests can really get the most out of the location. “We specialize in taking care of the bride and groom and their families,” continues Anderson. “We can coordinate little adventures locally like kayaking or even just a carriage ride through the downtown area.”

Estates and B&Bs also give the bride more control over the planning, whereas big hotels might have strict guidelines on what can and can’t be done. “It definitely gives you an opportunity to impart your own personal style in regards to décor for the day’s events,” says Rodriguez. “We do tented weddings on the grounds so brides are dealing with a blank pallet and can create whatever they dream.”

Of course, the beauty of these unique venues cannot be overlooked. Each locale has its own charms. “Our property is lovely,” says Anderson, of Chimney Hill’s eight and a half acres of woods, fields and perennial gardens. “It’s an historic estate property so it also offers total privacy.”

No matter which location you choose, a unique venue such as an estate or B&B offers the opportunity for a wedding and reception that’s truly one-of-a-kind. It will be an event that your guests will long remember.
 

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Latest Comments

  • B&B in Central Jersey

    We had our wedding at the Fernbrook Bed and Breakfast in Chesterfield. It was stunning, averagely priced, and has the kind of unique character and outdoor setting we wanted. It's really hard to find a place that will do both ceremony and reception, and this place was great. They have a tented patio, and even though it briefly rained during the reception, it was really no problem. We went back there for a Mother's Day brunch this year, and it was just as I remember it with some small improvements. Worth looking into...

    Posted by Katie September 14, 2011 14:24:42

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    Posted by Lindsay July 19, 2011 19:52:17

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    Posted by Anieve December 17, 2010 00:23:24

  • Casual outdoor wedding

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    Posted by JMF December 10, 2010 11:53:35

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