The historic Chapel at Sandy Hook (732-264-3355; merrimakers.com) was renovated in 2006, making New Jersey’s most northern beach a coveted wedding spot. “You not only get the bay and the view of Manhattan just around the corner, but you also have the ocean on the other side,” says Andy Bott, owner of Merri-Makers Caterers, which runs weddings on the peninsula. You can get married or have the reception inside the chapel, which seats 200, or outside on the waterfront. You can also be married in the restored Fort Hancock Post Theatre. It has fixed seating for 320 people, and you can literally get hitched up on a stage.

The Foundation Room at the House of Blues in Atlantic City (609-236-2583; houseofblues.com) might be known as a concert venue, but this location also includes the Foundation Room, a luxurious, elegant space ensconced in velvet, sequins, and a lot of good karma. It has space for 65 for sit-down dinners and 200 for cocktail receptions. Since it’s a members-only, private music club, the Foundation Room has its own bar, and built-in areas for music and dancing. It also has balconies for perfect Atlantic City Boardwalk and ocean views.

The Pop Shop in Collingswood (856-869-0111; thepopshopusa.com) is perfect if you’re a retro bride with a heart for kitsch. The shop recently opened a separate party room with space for 90 people. How retro? How about a chrome-ringed soda counter, diner booths, classic game boards framed on the wall, and an authentic photo booth on-site. The Party Room is an opportunity for the Pop Shop, which has catered weddings offsite, to offer their specialty items, like a grilled cheese bar, in their own space. It’s attached by a kitchen to the main restaurant but has its own entrance.

The Salt Creek Grille in Rumson (732-933-9272; saltcreekgrille.com) offers the perfect entrance, since it’s situated on the Navesink River and has its own dock. “We’ve had brides arrive by boat and leave by it,” says Steve Bidgood, regional partner of Salt Creek Grille. The water views don’t have to stop after the ceremony, either: the banquet room, which can accommodate parties from 20 to 150, has floor-to-ceiling windows, and Bidgood says that receptions can spill out onto the perfectly manicured riverfront lawn. The banquet room has its own kitchen, too, so weddings aren’t affected if the restaurant is busy.

Shanghai Jazz in Madison (973-822-2899; shanghaijazz.com) is a jazz club and restaurant, which might not be an obvious wedding choice, but it plays homage to the glamorous and elegant Shanghai of the 1920s and 1930s, when the city was considered the Paris of the Orient. “We work with prospective couples to create a custom event that fits their personality, fits their preferences, and fits their budget,” says Martha Chang, co-owner. They can accommodate parties from 10 to 150 either in a private room or by taking over the entire club. Since it’s a jazz club, Chang can also help wedding parties book Grammy-winning artists at the special in-club rate.