By Elizabeth Wulfhorst
A wedding is ostensibly about two people professing their love for each other and joining together for a lifetime, but once the nuptials are over, it’s all about the celebration.
Finding the right wedding reception venue that fits your budget and your aesthetic – and is also available – can be a challenge, especially when popular event spaces continue to be heavily booked following pandemic cancelations. Park Loft on the former Fort Monmouth, a new luxury wedding and event space which opened in what was the Dance Hall, began taking reservations for June 2023 and already has 150 events booked, according to Alecia Brooks, co-owner and creative director.
While the wedding ceremony itself can be as short as a few minutes, the reception usually lasts a few hours or more. The reception is where couples and their guests will spend the vast majority of their time on the wedding day, which makes the venue decision one of the most significant of the entire planning process.
With that in mind, couples should consider these tips as they arrange their big day.
Decide what you want out of a venue. Do you want to get married in a place of worship? Or do you prefer a venue that can host both the ceremony and reception? Do you want an indoor, outdoor or hybrid ceremony and reception? Define what you both want before looking for a venue and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. A modern wedding could be at home in an art gallery or warehouse. A nature-themed wedding may work better on a farm or in a botanical garden. For those interested in history, Brooks said the design of Park Loft reimagined and modernized the 1941 Dance Hall space with a French industrial influence.
Zeroing in on the wedding style helps narrow down potential venue options.
Pick a venue before setting a date. It can be wise to pick a reception venue first and then choose your wedding date based on the availability of the venue. This is especially important for couples who already have an ideal venue in mind, and it also provides some flexibility as couples search for the venue. Brooks said Park Loft is currently taking inquiries and conducting venue tours for 2025 celebrations.
Additionally, couples working within a strict budget may not be able to afford a preferred venue during the height of wedding season, but that venue could be less costly during slower times of year or even on a less traditional day of the week. the date, you are increasing your options.
Go on a field trip before you decide. Couples should visit potential venues in person before making their decision and definitely before signing any contracts. Many details may be missing from websites or magazine advertisements. In person you can see how big the bathrooms are and if there is a separate area for the wedding party for touch-ups or just to decompress. Maybe the space is actually too large or small, too echo-y or oddly shaped or even has too many steps for your liking. “Park Loft can accommodate up to 220 formally seated guests in our Dance Hall and 200 guests in The Belvedere, our ceremony space,” Brooks said. “We love the idea of intimate receptions, however our venue is quite large.”
A host of factors, including accessibility, should be considered and they may only be visible when you are there.
Remember your guests. Couples should definitely prioritize their desires on their wedding day. But it is important to consider your guests before making a final decision on the venue. If you have guests coming from out of town, a venue located near transit hubs like airports and train stations will increase the likelihood that more people can attend. Venues near overnight accommodations – or venues with those accommodations on site – could mean the difference between a memorable party and one where guests leave early to drive home. In addition, if children will be invited, a venue that includes family restrooms, including at least one with a changing table, can make parents’ lives much easier.
Don’t break your budget. Not surprisingly, New Jersey has one of the highest average wedding costs in the country. In 2017, the average cost of a wedding in the Garden State was just over $38,000, according to Martha Stewart Weddings. The Knot 2021 Real Weddings Study found couples typically spend around 30 percent of their overall wedding budget on the venue, which makes it a big financial decision.
“Costs have definitely increased,” said Brooks, “and the unpredictability of it all keeps everyone on their toes.” A straight-forward discussion about cost between the couple and the venue owners is an important part of the conversation. Couples may be tempted to choose an awe-inspiring, costly venue for their reception, but should consider how devoting so much of their budget to the venue will affect the rest of their plans.
The best reception venue might be one that won’t drain the bank.
Look for package deals. Venues vary in terms of their reception packages. Some may offer catering, including beverages and the wedding cake, while others may only provide the space. Rentals for chairs, extras can quickly add up.
Park Loft offers an all-inclusive experience but if you find a venue you love that doesn’t offer food and beverage services, seek estimates from area caterers to determine how much it will cost to feed and serve your guests.
Many couples find it more convenient and less stressful to pick a venue that offers on-site catering, though separating the two items can give you more options and ultimately save you money.
The article originally appeared in the February 9 – 15, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
