Posted on June 20 by njbride
Looking for affordable wedding venues in NJ? We’ve got you covered.
As you’ve probably already found out, getting married can be expensive. There are mansions, ballrooms, barns, bed-and-breakfasts, country clubs, hotels, restaurants and more that can create the wedding of your dreams. But for many brides, the choice is often dictated by cost, since the venue, food and beverage typically make up approximately 50 percent of every bride’s budget. This is why we often get asked: “Are there any affordable wedding venues in the state?”
Post-Covid demand and current inflation aren’t making things any easier. But while “affordable” is relative and means something different from one bride to the next, there are many gorgeous venues where you can get married—and keep your budget in check.
If you have your heart set on a “dream venue” but the price isn’t within reach, there are ways to get your costs down to make this dream a reality. Inquire about Thursday nights, Sunday afternoons, Saturday morning brunches, or if there have been any last-minute cancellations in the next month or two. Yes, this happens all the time. A two-month window to plan your wedding may seem impossble—it’s really not if you’re organized and determined—but if you’re willing to take this open date, venues are willing to give it to you a deep discount. They’d rather have a lower profit margin on a wedding than keep a ballroom empty, where they’d make no money at all. (For more tips on how to pay for your wedding, click here.)
Here are some of our favorite affordable venues for your wedding, all with prices at $150 per person or less. (Please note that these are STARTING prices, and will vary depending on day of the week, time of year, time of day, menu choices and which room you’re in. Use these prices as a general guide.)
Architect’s Golf Club, Lopatcong, 908-213-3080. This country club in Warren County offers outdoor ceremonies, great views, a tented patio and bridal suite.
The Arlington, Ship Bottom, 609-494-8848. This restaurant on LBI is steps to the beach and offers rustic seashore décor.
Atlantis Ballroom, Toms River, 973-731-8000. Just 10 minutes from the Shore, this venue attached to the Days Hotel offers indoor and outdoor ceremonies, along with rooms for your guests.
Basking Ridge Country Club, Basking Ridge, 908-953-8092. This newly renovated ballroom offers breathtaking views of Somerset Hills and the golf course, a garden tent and outdoor ceremonies.
The Breakers on the Ocean, Spring Lake, 732-449-7700. Situated right on the ocean in Spring Lake, the Breakers offers phenomenal views and great service.
Bridgewater Manor, Bridgewater, 908-658-3000. Bridgewater Manor, now under the Delicious Heights restaurant group, offers three ballrooms, outdoor patios, an outdoor ceremony area, gazebos and a scenic lake with fountains for photos. They can accommodate weddings from 50 to 225.
Brooklake Country Club, Florham Park, 973-377-2235. Set on 150 acres, this classic country club overlooks the golf course and lake, and offers outdoor ceremonies.
The Brownstone, Paterson, 973-595-8582. Owned by the Manzo family of N.J. reality-television fame, this historic landmark offers a variety of rooms for your wedding, including the grand ballroom for 400, the clubroom for 70, a smaller ballroom for 250 or the grand conservatory for 150. You have many options here.
The Buttonwood Manor, Matawan, 732-566-6220. The newly remodeled ballroom here has a scenic lakefront view with a large outdoor deck perfect for ceremonies and lush gardens outside. Accommodates both small and large weddings, up to 200.
Crystal Ballroom, Freehold, 732-780-3405. This ballroom at the Radisson Hotel offers ceiling cove lighting, chiavari chairs, crystal chandeliers, outdoor ceremonies and an outdoor patio.
Crystal Point Yacht Club, Point Pleasant, 732-295-7000. Beautiful views of the Manasquan River from every room plus a beautiful ballroom setting.
Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg, 973-827-1587. This resort offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, accommodating weddings of various sizes. Beautiful mountain views, hotel accommodations for your guests, two spas and golf. Perfect for a wedding weekend.
Daymark, Barnegat Light, 609-494-2100. Have your ceremony steps away at the Barnegat Lighthouse, then return to Daymark for your reception with views of the bay.
Eagle Ridge Country Club, Lakewood, 732-901-4900. This beautiful neutral ballroom holds up to 300, with views of the golf course and a fireplace in every room.
The English Manor, Ocean Township, 732-776-8558. Absolutely gorgeous garden setting at this secluded estate. Outdoor ceremonies and cocktail hour. Bridal suite and groom’s room.
The Estate at Florentine Gardens, River Vale, 201-666-0444. Have your ceremony outside in the perennial gardens lined with rare stones, fountains and a gazebo, then go inside to the grand ballroom that holds up to 360.
Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, 732-521-0070. This elegant historic clubhouse offers two different ballrooms to choose from, along with a formal garden and outdoor terrace with beautiful views. P
Galloping Hill Golf Course, Kenilworth, 908-884-5657. This new clubhouse offers a large ballroom, outdoor ceremonies, outdoor terrace, fire pits, on-site event planner, beautiful views, bridal suite and a hotel a minute down the road with a complimentary shuttle for your guests.
The Gran Centurions, Clark, 732-382-1664. This renovated country-club setting offers a CIA-trained chef, a large dance floor, crystal chandeliers and an outside gazebo and courtyard.
The Grand Hotel Cape May, Cape May, 800-257-8550. Beach ceremonies, a grand ballroom that overlooks the ocean, indoor and outdoor pools, and 172 rooms for your guests make this an ideal spot for your Cape May weekend wedding.
Grand Marquis, Old Bridge, 732-679-5700. Waterfalls, huge chandeliers, marble floors, a glass atrium, lavishly manicured ceremony gardens and your choice of two ballrooms make the Grand Marquis perfect for your princess-style wedding.
Il Tulipano, Cedar Grove, 973-256-9300. There’s just one wedding at a time at this family-owned and operated ballroom venue with an outdoor piazza, waterfall and bridal gazebo.
The Imperia on Easton, Somerset, 732-469-2522. This new venue offers three sophisticated ballrooms with a grand staircase, outdoor ceremonies, waterfall garden and private stone patio.
Macaluso’s, Hawthorne, 973-427-7320. Macaluso’s is a hidden gem in New Jersey, with its gorgeous ballroom, elegant staircase, outdoor patio, amazing food and phenomenal service. Plus they can accommodate up to 400 with prices starting at $125.
The Madison Hotel, Morristown, 973-285-1800. Choose between the beautiful glass English conservatory or the traditional grand ballroom. They offer outdoor ceremonies and rooms for your guests.
The Mansion at Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes, 973-794-3900. This newly renovated classic ballroom offers rustic elegance along with both indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces and outdoor gardens.
Mayfair Farms, West Orange, 973-731-4300. This elegant family-owned country house set on 13 acres offers garden ceremonies, cocktails on a stone patio and traditional ballroom receptions.
The Meadow Wood, Randolph, 973-537-5454. A recent multi million-dollar renovation has transformed these gorgeous ballrooms and grand staircase. There’s also a private outdoor oasis with lush gardens, a stone bridge, softly lit water features all set among the natural greenery.
The Mill Lakeside Manor, Spring Lake Heights, 732-449-1800. The Mill Lakeside Manor is set on a beautiful private lake and hosts outdoor ceremonies and cocktail hours. The ballroom for up to 240 features a coffered ceiling, crystal chandeliers and large windows overlooking the sunset on the lake.
Mountain Lakes Club, Mountain Lakes, 973-334-4610. The main ballroom and verandas overlook Mountain Lake, and can accommodate up to 185 guests. Its wall of windows offers breathtaking views of the lake, regardless of the season. While the summer months are particularly popular, the beauty continues throughout the year with brilliant autumn colors and pristine snow on the ice-covered water.
Nanina’s in the Park, Belleville, 973-751-1230.This historic park setting offers outdoor ceremonies, a garden terrace, waterfalls, balconies, picture-perfect ballroom and amazing food.
The Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge, 908-696-2315. This 10-acre estate offers an eighteenth-century Grain House for intimate weddings, gardens and tented patio for outdoor ceremonies, the Grand Washington Ballroom for larger weddings, 100 guest rooms and two grand suites.
The Palace at Somerset Park, Somerset, 877-725-2234. This Palladian-style mansion offers two impressive ballrooms with 24-foot-height ceilings, along with outdoor terraces, balconies, fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, beautifully landscaped gardens, luxury bridal suites and amenities such as in-house event planners, lighting, custom cakes and fireworks. Accommodates between 125 and 600.
Pierre’s of South Brunswick, Monmouth Junction, 732-329-3219. Choice of five different rooms for wedding ranging in size from 25 to 500.
The Primavera Regency, Stirling, 908-580-0707. If you love Italian food—and lots of it—this is the place for you. Here it’s all about the food! They also offer Italian villa-style gardens, outdoor ceremonies and an elegant cream and gold ballroom. Prices start at $80 per person and are subject to change.
Ramsey Golf & Country Club, Ramsey, 201-327-0009. Castle-like setting on 200-acre estate with mountain and lake views. Beautiful outdoor ceremonies lakeside and a renovated ballroom.
The Royal Manor, Garfield, 973-478-8590. Marble floors, large chandeliers and an indoor waterfall for your wedding for up to 600 guests.
Seasons Catering, Washington Township, 201-664-6141. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, sushi chefs and ice carvings are just some of the luxurious offerings here.
Shackamaxon Country Club, Scotch Plains, 908-233-1300; shackamaxon.com. Ballroom weddings with additional living room with fireplace, outdoor terrace for cocktails and gorgeous views of the golf course.
The Sherwood Chalet at Forest Lodge, Warren, 908-754-7300. The Sherwood Chalet offers a rustic ambience with cathedral ceilings, crystal chandeliers, Chiavari chairs, outdoor stone patio, gazebo and fire pits. There’s also the Maple Grove Pavilion for outdoor events. Can accommodate between 50 and 185.
Smoke Rise Village Inn, Kinnelon, 973-838-7770. This historic stone building offers outdoor gardens, in-house wedding planner, a grand ballroom and enclosed gazebo room.
Sterling Ballroom, Tinton Falls, 732-544-9305. This upscale ballroom at the Doubletree offers a private entrance, outdoor ceremonies and large cocktail-hour space.
Seaview, Galloway, 609-652-1800. This historic resort offers two golf courses, three ballrooms, a spa, outdoor ceremony spaces and 297 guest rooms.
Versailles Ballroom, Toms River, 732-719-1206. This ballroom at the Ramada offers crystal chandeliers, gardens and gazebo, in-house wedding planners and fun food stations.
The Tides Estate, North Haledon, 973-423-2282. This estate set on seven acres features formal outdoor gardens for ceremonies and receptions, a grand ballroom, crystal chandeliers, a spiral staircase and expansive ballroom windows. Can accommodate between 75 and 375 for your guest list.
Westin Governor Morris Hotel, Morristown, 973-539-7300. Custom menus and modern ballroom for your wedding. Intimate wine room for rehearsal dinner and farewell breakfast. Rooms for your guests.
The Westwood, Garwood, 908-789-0808. Elegant ballroom with coffered ceiling, crystal chandeliers and indoor chapel.
Windsor Ballroom, East Windsor, 609-443-8000; windsorballroom.com. Outdoor patio for ceremonies and cocktail hour, large crystal chandeliers in ballroom, and personal wedding planners.
FOR MORE OF OUR FAVORITE VENUES, CLICK HERE FOR RUSTIC LOCATIONS.
LOOKING FOR A GRAND BALLROOM? CLICK HERE FOR OUR FAVE BALLROOM LOCATIONS.
DREAMING OF A WEDDING AT THE BEACH? CLICK HERE FOR GREAT SHORE VENUES.
