My fiance-to-be(!) and I are thinking of getting married either Nov '09 (my sis is getting Married 8/8/09 so couldn't be earlier that fall) or Spring '10 - like late April/early May. Any thoughts? I figure I'll aim for the cheapest - or at least take that into strong account. Probably will get married in the NYC or NJ area.
I'd consider winter, but his family/friends are all in Chicago and I worry about inclement weather messing up flights.
We are getting married November 1st which is still considered high season in NJ but if you wait one more week it is considered low season and you could save lots. I suggest trying to find a venue you like and then talking to them about budget. The sooner you book the better because usually you can lock in lower prices. We booked October 07 and if we waited just a few more weeks the price was going up. As it is we never booked the breakfast and it went up $11 per person so now we can't do it. I am partial to the fall because I just love it but there are much better flower choices for the spring. Another suggestion in deciding the date is how much money the two of you need to save and which one will give you enough time so you aren't financially strapped. It adds a lot of stress when that happens. Good luck!
Late April is probably low season but May is probably high season. It definitely varies by venue. I know you said winter is probably out but the best prices I believe you can find are usually February or March. My girlfriend got married the first weekend in January in 2007 and it was 80 degrees so you never know! We are getting married in Sussex County which I think varies a bit in seasons because the weather is a bit more extreme there in the mountains.
One good thing about the spring is that a lot of flowers will be in season, and therefore cheaper. Also, another thing to consider is that flights for guests might be more expensive in November if you cut it too close to Thanksgiving.
I agree with pinklau325 that you should start talking to venues about prices. You may find that there is a big difference amoung the seasons, or absolutely no difference at all. None of the vendors I used generally give lower prices for off season. But then I live in SoCal, where the weather is pretty much the same at all times of year.
I think that April is low season, and that May (maybe the second week?) is considered high season. Check out The Tides in North Haledon- the food is really good and they have some of the most competitive rates. I also looked at The Seasons in Washington Township, Bridgewater Manor, Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park (alot cheaper for Friday and Saturday Weddings) and they all were nice with reasonable prices too.
The Bretton Woods also in Florham Park was very willing to work in budgets. If it could hold more people I would have been sold! Also my soon to be sister in law is getting married at the Valley Regency in Montclair and he was very willing to work with her.
My fiance-to-be(!) and I are thinking of getting married either Nov '09 (my sis is getting Married 8/8/09 so couldn't be earlier that fall) or Spring '10 - like late April/early May. Any thoughts? I figure I'll aim for the cheapest - or at least take that into strong account. Probably will get married in the NYC or NJ area.
I'd consider winter, but his family/friends are all in Chicago and I worry about inclement weather messing up flights.
Thanks!!
posted by ArtichokeHeart 34 posts 2 months agoWe are getting married November 1st which is still considered high season in NJ but if you wait one more week it is considered low season and you could save lots. I suggest trying to find a venue you like and then talking to them about budget. The sooner you book the better because usually you can lock in lower prices. We booked October 07 and if we waited just a few more weeks the price was going up. As it is we never booked the breakfast and it went up $11 per person so now we can't do it. I am partial to the fall because I just love it but there are much better flower choices for the spring. Another suggestion in deciding the date is how much money the two of you need to save and which one will give you enough time so you aren't financially strapped. It adds a lot of stress when that happens. Good luck!
posted by pinklau325 119 posts 2 months agoThanks very much! Is late April/Early May high season too?
posted by ArtichokeHeart 34 posts 2 months agoLate April is probably low season but May is probably high season. It definitely varies by venue. I know you said winter is probably out but the best prices I believe you can find are usually February or March. My girlfriend got married the first weekend in January in 2007 and it was 80 degrees so you never know! We are getting married in Sussex County which I think varies a bit in seasons because the weather is a bit more extreme there in the mountains.
posted by pinklau325 119 posts 2 months agoOne good thing about the spring is that a lot of flowers will be in season, and therefore cheaper. Also, another thing to consider is that flights for guests might be more expensive in November if you cut it too close to Thanksgiving.
I agree with pinklau325 that you should start talking to venues about prices. You may find that there is a big difference amoung the seasons, or absolutely no difference at all. None of the vendors I used generally give lower prices for off season. But then I live in SoCal, where the weather is pretty much the same at all times of year.
posted by lc80 55 posts 2 months agoI think that April is low season, and that May (maybe the second week?) is considered high season. Check out The Tides in North Haledon- the food is really good and they have some of the most competitive rates. I also looked at The Seasons in Washington Township, Bridgewater Manor, Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park (alot cheaper for Friday and Saturday Weddings) and they all were nice with reasonable prices too.
posted by FutureMrs 153 posts 2 months agoThe Bretton Woods also in Florham Park was very willing to work in budgets. If it could hold more people I would have been sold! Also my soon to be sister in law is getting married at the Valley Regency in Montclair and he was very willing to work with her.
posted by pinklau325 119 posts 2 months agoThanks very much for the advice - and the recommends on venues - I'll check them out, but keep them coming!
If anyone has heard of anything reasonable in NYC, I'd also consider that, since it's where I live, but I know usually ridiculously $$.
posted by ArtichokeHeart 34 posts 2 months ago