Top 10 NJ Wedding Venues

Our NJ Wedding Venues feature is here to help you pick that special place for your big day. When you’re looking for a location to throw the biggest party of your life, it’s easy to get lost going from site to site trying to find the place that fits your style, your personality and your budget. That’s why we’re here. We provide you with a style guide to the best wedding reception sites in New Jersey.

We started doing features like this a few years ago when we published a story on Frenchtowner.com about the best wedding venues in Bucks County Pennsylvania. It turned out to be one of our most popular guides that we have ever done. With our new site we wanted to do something similar but on a bigger scale so we’re undertaking the task of finding the best wedding venues in the entire state of New Jersey.

We have considered these factors in choosing our Best NJ Wedding Winners: Beauty, Drama, Style and Location. We’ve worked to include some locations in every region of the state.

Skylands Castle Fountain . Pool . Promenade

Skylands in Ringwood, Passaic County, North Jersey

Style: Traditional, Classical, Tudor, English, Continental, Elegant, Formal, Grand

Our first winner is Skylands Manor in Ringwood in the northwestern part of the state. Skylands is an American castle surrounded by an enchanted forest on a hilltop. The castle makes for a grand location for weddings. The 100 acre estate features formal gardens, expansive lawns and fountains. It is the home of the New Jersey Botanical Gardens. The mansion can accommodate up to 300 guests for weddings. It features 54 rooms, a Great Hall entrance, a bridal suite, a stone patio, a private chapel, a ballroom and more. To get a better feeling for what the location has to offer see our virtual tour photo documentary of Skylands here.

The facility is owned by the state of New Jersey, but managed by Frungillo Caterers, a family owned business that has been catering weddings for three generations. To learn more about Frungillo Wedding Caterers, go here.

To learn more about Skylands Castle or Skylands Manor and the New Jersey Botanical Gardens, go here.

*** Update *** Frungillo Caterers was very fast in getting back with us with more information. They also have become quite famous since we started this feature. They now are the subject of a reality television show, “Masters of Reception” on The Learning Channel. Learn more about the show here.

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The Palace at Somerset Park: Somerset, Somerset County, Central Jersey

Style: Traditional, Classical, Federal, Elegant, Extremely Formal, Pristine, White

Our second Best of NJ Wedding Venues Winner is The Palace at Somerset Park. The Palace looks like one gigantic wedding cake. It is a stunning location for a wedding with its circular driveway, imposing Federal style façade, and manicured grounds. The facility is especially beautiful at night in any season.

The Palace features a grand foyer, a private upstairs bridal suite, a personal bridal attendant, a flower-filled outdoor terrace, gardens, imposing grand staircases, fireworks displays, ice carvings, ballrooms, an incredible variety of culinary options and hotel shuttle service.

To learn more about this elegant wedding venue in Central New Jersey click here.

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Trump Marina in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, South Jersey

Style: Traditional, Classical, French, Italian, Grand, Exceptionally Elegant, Formal

Our third winner is the grand ballroom at the Trump Marina. We fell in love with this space the moment we saw it. It is one of the most elegant wedding reception spaces in New Jersey. It has a classical romantic appeal reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles.

Trump Marina can accommodate parties of over 2,000 guests, which makes it the biggest wedding venue in our study. The resort can handle the entire wedding, including the catering, the rooms for the ceremony and the reception, the flowers and of course the honeymoon suite. Wedding guests can stay at the hotel and enjoy the shows, the casinos, the world class cuisine and the beaches of Atlantic City.

Trump Marina features grand ballrooms, a spa, steam rooms, saunas, a tennis court, a marina, a swimming pool, a gym, 24 hour room service and luxurious 2 bedroom suites.

Find out more about weddings and wedding packages at Trump Marina here.

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Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club: Farmingdale, Monmouth County, Central Jersey

Style: Traditional, Refined American Plantation Style, Relaxed and Casual Elegance

Our fourth winner is the Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club. The impressive grounds of the golf course make for a wonderful setting. The club house has a refined yet relaxed style that reminds me of a grand mansion in the low country of Savannah or Charleston. The expansive porches invite you to sit back and relax.

Eagle Oaks offers valet parking, a terraced wedding garden, impressive wrought iron staircases, a bridal suite, a ballroom, a wine cellar, a golf course [of course] and more.

Eagle Oaks can accommodate up to 600 guests for your wedding.

To find out about wonderful country club weddings in Central Jersey go here.

*** Update *** Eagle Oaks has been the most gracious of all of the winners in our feature. We are currently working with the facility to do an exclusive feature article and get some photos to share with you.

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The Conservatory at the Madison Hotel: Morristown, Morris County, North Jersey

Style: Traditional, Classical, English, Elegant, Light, Exotic Victorian

Our fifth NJ Wedding Venues Winner is the Conservatory at the Madison Hotel. The conservatory offers one of the brightest and unique wedding venues in New Jersey. The space is reminiscent of London’s famous Crystal Palace with its vaulted glass ceilings, hanging planters and huge crystal chandeliers.

The Conservatory features: a hotel with spacious sweets, an award-winning steak and seafood restaurant, a ballroom, a swimming pool, a fitness center and more.

To find out more about weddings at the Conservatory in Morristown see their wedding website.

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The Imperia: Somerset, Somerset County, Central Jersey

Style: Transitional Modern, Classical and Modern Blend, “Luxurious Warm Modernity”, Contemporary

Our sixth winner is the Imperia in Somerset. The Imperia exudes a luxurious and warm modernity. One of our favorite features of the facility is the double spiral grand staircase in the lobby.

The Imperia features: two ballrooms, a terraced waterfall garden, a patio garden, on-site culinary staff and event coordinators. The facility can handle up to 500 guests for your reception dinner.

Investigate the Imperia more and be sure to see their magnificent virtual tours here.

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Nanina’s in the Park, Belleville, Essex County, North Jersey

Style: Traditional, Classical, Italian, Tuscan, Elegant, Formal, Italianate

Our seventh winner is Nanina’s in the Park. Nanina’s is unique for its gardens, park setting and bridal walk. The facility is one of our favorite reception sites for weddings after dark.

Nanina’s features: marble and wrought iron staircases, a grand ballroom with Austrian crystal chandeliers, a library with a fireplace and romantic gardens with a waterfall a brook and a bridge.

The facility can accommodate up to 1500 guests or 400 guests for a seated dinner.

To learn more about this elegant Essex County New Jersey wedding venue go here.

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One Atlantic: Atlantic City, Atlantic County, South Jersey, Jersey Shore

Style: Minimalistic Modern, Simple, Spartan, Stark and Stunning

Our eighth winner is One Atlantic. If the Trump Marina Wedding Ballroom is the epitome of traditional elegance; One Atlantic is the epitome of modern elegance. They both have their own beauty but this is our favorite venue in the survey. I can just imagine one incredibly beautiful event here because the space is a blank white canvas where the event itself becomes the masterpiece. The guests, the flowers, the table settings, the glassware and the bride and groom become the stars here.

One Atlantic features: grand ballrooms with floor to ceiling windows that face the never-ending horizon of the Atlantic Ocean, valet parking, chauffeured limousines, gourmet international cuisine, event planners and more.

The facility can host cocktail receptions of up to 1000 guests, dinner receptions of up to 500 guests and wedding ceremonies of up to 750 guests.

Read more about wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions at One Atlantic here.

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Pleasantdale Chateau and Conference Center, West Orange, Essex County, North Jersey

Style: Traditional, Classical, Tudor [actually Norman], English, Elegant, Formal, Grand

Our ninth winner is Pleasantdale Chateau. Pleasantdale resides at the center of a 40 acre estate surrounded by gardens and grassy rolling hills. It has the feeling of an English Country estate. It has a domed grand ballroom that is one of the most dramatic spaces in New Jersey. The gardens at Pleasantdale are exquisite. They are wonderfully designed and extremely well-kept.

Pleasantdale features: luxurious accommodations, a dramatic indoor pool, a fitness facility, a stunning hexagonal grand ballroom, formal English gardens, grand entrance with stone paved circular driveway, wooded paths and charming wooden bridges.

To find out more about Pleasantdale see their beautifully designed website here.

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The Venetian, Garfield, Bergen County, North Jersey

Style: Traditional, Classical, Italian, Elegant, Formal, Grand

Our final NJ Wedding Venues Winner is the Venetian. The Venetian first came to our attention when we did the Best of Bergen County Weddings feature last year. The facility features one of the most extravagant interiors in our survey. It truly feels like a place of fantasy and magic. The Venetian features: grand ballroom with marble floors and gigantic crystal chandeliers, dramatic staircase, lighted indoor fountain, on site catering and bar, outdoor patio with bar and balconies.

To find out more about the Venetian, go here.

Here’s our custom Google Weddings Map

View Best New Jersey Wedding Receptions in a larger map

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Comments on the original feature:

17 Responses to “New Jersey Wedding Receptions . 2009 Best of NJ Weddings”

1. 
   MLee on June 26, 2009 @ 9:04 am (Edit)
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   How did you miss Florentine Gardens in Rivervale???? We just had a beautiful wedding there and it’s on everyone’s top 10 list!

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2. 
   John Stringfellow on August 13, 2009 @ 6:04 pm (Edit)
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   Bonnie,

   I have not been to the Park Savoy. I am glad that you had such a grand time there. I will consider your recommendation as I rework this feature and ask for more feedback. By the way, if any of you want to check out the Savoy, here’s their website: http://www.theparksavoy.com/

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3. 
   Carlee on January 8, 2010 @ 11:35 am (Edit)
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   Good afternoon. I am looking for spectacular sites to host a winter wedding. My fiancé and I are both very into skiing and love the snow. I am looking for sites but most have photographs from summer/spring with flowers in blossom. Could someone provide me with some suggestions for an elegant/cozy “pretty lodge” type of venue?

   Thank you.

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   • 
     John Stringfellow on January 9, 2010 @ 6:27 am (Edit)
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     Carlee,

     I think you might want to check out Crystal Springs in North Jersey.

     John

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4. 
   North Jersey Caterer on March 6, 2010 @ 4:09 am (Edit)
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   My cousin had her wedding in Skylands last September, and it was beautiful! It was perfect not just for the couple but also for all the guests. We all had a wonderful time.

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5. 
   johnmoore4u on May 7, 2010 @ 3:38 am (Edit)
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   I think you guys have seen this one – http://www.clarkslandingcaterers.com/new-jersey-wedding-receptions.html

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   • 
     BNJ on May 7, 2010 @ 5:26 pm (Edit)
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     I didn’t see this one John. Thanks for the link.

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6. 
   Maya on August 29, 2010 @ 11:12 pm (Edit)
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   Has anyone ever been to Liberty House? It’s in Liberty State Park in Jersey City. What a beautiful place. I attended 2 weddings there, one in 2007 and 1 a year ago. The food was excellent and the service was professional. The views (of Manhattan) can’t be beat, so beautiful. i heard they own other places too, Stone house in Warren but I don’t know what the other is. It’s very modern and unique so if you want carpeting and old school chandeliers, not the place for you.

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   • 
     BNJ on August 30, 2010 @ 4:03 am (Edit)
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     Maya,

     Thanks for the tip. I will go check them out for our 2010 awards.

     John

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7. 
   John Stringfellow on June 26, 2009 @ 6:31 pm (Edit)
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   Dear M.

   Thanks for stopping by. We didn’t miss Florentine Gardens and we’re not quite finished with the feature. It is evolving as we go. When we get further along we’ll be adding a group of outstanding venues that did not quite make the top 10 slots in our list but that still represent the best of New Jersey has to offer.

   Can you tell us what you liked about Florentine Gardens? We would love to hear more from you.

   John

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8. 
   Geovanna Vargas (Gabelli photography) on October 25, 2009 @ 11:23 am (Edit)
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   Was in the Florentine Gardens last night! Beautiful place very exquisite!
   I would recommend it for your wedding!

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9. 
   Bonnie on July 10, 2009 @ 10:09 pm (Edit)
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   Have you been to The Park Savoy in Florham Park? We chose it for our daughter’s wedding in April and are still reveling in the joy of the day and basking in the compliments of our friends who felt so pampered as our guests. The mansion is lovely—old and beautifully restored, graced with authentic antiques, and glowing with firelight. It’s a decidedly romantic setting. The evening of our wedding, the cherry blossoms were at their peak providing a gorgeous backdrop for the cocktail hour, which was held outside on the tiers of decks and lawns which slope down to a secret garden and pool. Inside the ballroom dozens of candles bathed the room in soft light and beautiful flowers were everywhere. The food at the Park Savoy is superb—inventive and original with each plate artfully arranged and balanced. The staff makes everyone feel special and someone is always at hand to refresh drinks or offer seconds on dinner. The dessert buffet dazzled even the most resolute non-desert eater, and the service wowed everyone. We are still receiving comments from guests who express that it was the best wedding ever. This is definitely one of New Jersey’s ten best.

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10. 
    Best of NJ on October 25, 2009 @ 12:41 pm (Edit)
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    Geovanna,

    Thanks for the recommendation. I will be adding more wedding pages soon and I will consider your vote!

    John

    Reply