While New York City certainly offers its fair share of idyllic wedding locales, New Jersey also offers a myriad of options, and these can be just as perfect at any spot in Manhattan or Brooklyn. As New Jersey wedding photographers, we have a few favorite options for wedding ceremony sites as well as your reception.
6 Inspired New Jersey Wedding Locations
Throughout the state, there are dozens of amazing options for wedding ceremonies and receptions, but our list sticks primarily with venues closer to the NYC area or tri-state area. Here are just a few of the many options to consider for your Garden State wedding.
1. The Park Savoy Estate
When I think about the Park Savoy Estate, it beckons images of The Great Gatsby and, as you wander the grounds with a flute of champagne, you can practically imagine the days when the estate served as a fashionable speakeasy. The stunning mansion dates to the 1870s and the lush grounds serve as a picturesque background for those who long for an outdoor wedding. The grounds also boast a charming chapel for indoor ceremonies.
Aside from the beauty of the grounds, chapel and mansion, the estate’s staff is top-notch, and can truly help couples plan the wedding day of their dreams. The estate can accommodate small and large ceremonies and has space for your wedding party to prepare prior to the ceremony. If you long for historic charm and elegance, the Park Savoy can be a great option to consider.
2. Pleasantdale Chateau
You might not be a Rockefeller, but, for a day, you can certainly feel like one at the Pleasantdale Chateau. This stunning estate was established by a wealthy industrialist and now serves as one of the most popular wedding venues in the tri-state area. The massive grounds feature formal gardens perfect for your ceremony as well as amazing spots for photography, such as a picturesque bridge over a pond or perhaps a romantic gazebo.
The chateau features a grand ballroom that easily accommodates 300+ guests, but there are plenty of other options for your reception, as well. The remarkable staff also can make just about any of your wedding dreams come true, providing you with a wedding that is truly customized to you as a couple.
3. Liberty House (& Liberty State Park)
Liberty State Park, which offers amazing views of the NYC skyline (as well as the Statue of Liberty), can be a great spot for your wedding ceremony. New Jersey wedding photographers often recommend this site for couples who love the idea of using the Manhattan skyline as a background for their wedding photography.
Liberty House, which is located in the park, offers two indoor event spaces as well as several options for your ceremony including the Grand Ballroom, which is ideal for larger weddings. The Liberty Room and The Gallery are other options to consider for smaller events.
4. Battello
This Italian restaurant, which rests along the banks of the Hudson River, boasts amazing skyline views and exceptional cuisine and can be the perfect spot for your ceremony and reception. This is a great spot for couples who love the city view and enjoy a sort of industrial-chic vibe, although that’s not to say that this spot doesn’t offer touches of elegance and luxury. The staff consistently earns raves from wedding couples and your guests also will rave about the cuisine and the views.
5. Crystal Plaza
Much like Pleasantdale Chateau and the Park Savoy, Crystal Plaza also rests in an impressive historic mansion. The grounds offer several spots for your ceremony, and the mansion’s Grand Ballroom is nothing short of spectacular, accommodating up to 350 guests.
During the day, natural light flows into the ballroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows, offering views of the garden. For a night wedding, the ballroom is illuminated by no fewer than 30 crystal chandeliers. The venue also offers The Living Room for your reception, which can accommodate up to 350 guests.
6. The Chateau Grande Hotel
About Midway from Manhattan to Trenton rests this exquisite historic hotel. Not only is the setting impressive, but it also provides easy access from just about anywhere in the tri-state area.
As with many of the offerings on this list, weddings at the Chateau Grande are all-inclusive. You can enjoy your ceremony and reception here and even prepare for your special day in one of the hotel’s beautifully appointed suites. The Chateau Grande can accommodate up to 125 people, but if you have a larger party, the Chateau Grande’s sister hotel, the Park Chateau, is just steps away and is equally luxurious and charming.
Keep in mind, this is simply a shortlist of some of our favorites as NJ wedding photographers and most of these venues are ideal for larger weddings. For a small intimate affair, you might consider a ceremony in your house of worship and book a reception at one of the many excellent hotels in the area or perhaps a favorite restaurant. If you are searching for ideas, we can brainstorm possibilities as we discuss your wedding photography.
Proposal & Engagement Photography
As New Jersey wedding photographers, we also offer our services to those who need an engagement photographer. These are great sessions because we can truly get creative and snap the pictures anywhere meaningful to you as a couple. Of course, if you are searching for great scenic spots in New Jersey, I can provide you with a list of my favorites to provide you with some inspiration.
Keep in mind, that some of my wedding photography packages include an engagement photography session and it can be smart to use the same photographer for both services because we truly get to know you as a couple during the engagement session and can ensure that your wedding photographer matches your personality as a couple.
If you’ve been searching for a proposal photographer, we can arrange this service, as well. Again, we can suggest some great locations for your proposal or simply head to your special proposal site and unobtrusively capture this momentous occasion.
ETG Photos – Weddings, Elopements, Engagements & Proposals
If you’ve been searching for the best wedding photographers in NJ, ETG Photos has the experience and artistry to capture every aspect of your special day. In addition to providing services as a New York wedding photographer and New Jersey wedding photographers, you also can book ETG Photos for engagement photography, elopement photography and proposal photography. We can serve you from the proposal all the way to your wedding day.