The Highlawn Pavillion

Nestled at the top of the hill in the Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, the Highlawn Pavilion features a breathtaking view of the New York skyline and surrounding areas. The lower level houses an upscale restaurant, while the upper floor is dedicated to weddings and special events. An elevator provides easy access to the upper floor.

The reception room has large windows and your guests can enjoy the view of Manhattan as they dine and dance. A separate area is set aside for the cocktail hour. The cocktail hour features many exceptionally well prepared dishes and the hot food is all labeled. I personally always like to know exactly what it is I am eating.

The seating and dance floor form a "T" shape. The guests are seated at the top of the "T" along the windows. The dance floor forms the base of the "T". The tables at the ends of the "T" cannot see the dance floor from their seats. People who enjoy conversation at weddings view this as a big plus. The separation from the dance floor is also a separation from the sound, making conversing during the dancing a breeze. On the flip side, if you are thinking of dancing and want to know if there is anyone else out there before you join in, you cannot tell from your seat. If you have some guests who do not like loud music and do not care to dance (and we all do), the outside edges are a great place to seat them!

For more information, visit the Highlawn Pavilion online at:

http://www.highlawn.com/

The Atrium

The Atrium Country Club in West Orange, NJ was always a bit of a puzzle to me. The facility has a beautiful glass Atrium--and you could not see it from the outside. The trees had grown over the years and the building had disappeared! What a pleasant surprise to pull up to the building and witness the new landscaping! There really is an Atrium under all those trees and it looks beautiful! In addition, the inside looked spruced up as well.


Guests were greeted at the door as they arrived with champagne and their place cards and directed to the cocktail hour room.

The cocktail hour space at the Atrium is exceptionally roomy. Plenty of seating--in fact probably one of the biggest cocktail hour rooms in the area. The food is well spread out throughout the actual atrium and the stations were never crowded as a result. Quite a variety of hot and cold dishes as well as butler service. A full list of all the available choices can be found on the Atrium's website A piano player in the room added an elegant touch.

The main ballroom can accommodate up to 400 people, and the dance floor is nice and roomy! The staff was very pleasant and kept the DJ well informed all evening regarding the evening's timetable. The first course, which was a salad featuring fresh mozzarella was delicious!

Restrooms were conveniently located and the building has an elevator for access to the lower floor.

As the guests left, there were additional treats provided near the exit door to enjoy on the way home, which included fresh warm pretzels!

A Kosher menu is avalable.

For more information, you can visit the Atium online at The Atrium

Pantagis Renaissance

Pantagis Renaissance is located in Scotch Plains, NJ. Pantagis is one of the industry leaders is reception affordability. Prices as of this writing start in the $59 range and include cocktail hour, dinner, centerpieces and the cake. They can accommodate 50-340 guests in one on their many rooms. Two indoor chapels are available for ceremonies.

A staircase is available for indoor pictures at times. People do use them regularly as parties enter so they cannot be blocked. There really is not an extensive area for outdoor pictures.

Cocktail hour is simple but tasty combining a buffet style setup with additional items passed around. The pasta and salad courses are very good and the warm fresh bread is a great touch. Courses are served with the utmost speed allowing more time for you guests to party. And cocktail hour usually takes place in the same room as the reception, eliminating the time lost moving the guests from one room to the other.

Vendors however all rank Pantagis as one of their least favorite places to work. And it all has to do with the elevator. Vendors are not permitted to use the elevator to take equipment to the second and third floors. They must load everything up the very large marble staircases while dodging guests on those same stair cases. Frankly, it is a dangerous situation for both guests and the vendors. Carrying heavy speakers and equipment up and down the stairs is such a problem that many DJ's will not work there. Even when all the guests have left for the evening, the elevator actually gets turned off to keep the vendors from using it. If you are thinking of Pantagis as your reception site, your vendors will be really happy if your reception is in one of the first floor rooms. If you do have a second floor room, make sure you let your potential DJ know the elevator situation. They will need to hire an assistant or allow extra time to get set up.

For more information, you can visit Pantagis Renaissance online at:

http://www.snuffypantagis.com/

Mayfair Farms

Mayfair Farms is one of several reception halls located in West Orange, New Jersey. There is a choice of rooms to accommodate guests lists of all sizes. All feature wooden dance floors and carpeted seating areas which are nice and easy on your guests feet. The downstairs room can be accessed around the back from the outside for guests with disabilities.

The most recent wedding shot there was an "all in one". Ceremony and reception all at Mayfair Farms. The outside grounds are gorgeous for an outdoor ceremony! And there are many areas inside and out to unleash the creativity of your photographer and videographer.

Rain and high winds caused the ceremony to be held indoors. Guests were greeted with nice hot coffee, tea and pastries as they awaited the start of the ceremony on this chilly autumn day. The cocktail hour began immediately after the reception and there was something to please everyone. A sample of what is offered can be found here:
Mayfair Farms Cocktail Hour and Dinner offerings

The "Baked Brie Cheese and Fresh Raspberry Coulis in Puff Pastry" and the "Sesame Breast of Chicken with Honey Ginger Glaze" are 2 of my favorites.

The reception itself was held downstairs in the Wellington Ballroom with an awesome view of the beautifully landscaped outdoors.

For more information, you can visit Mayfair Farms online at"

http://mayfairfarms.com/index.html

The Venetian

I have to say I will always have a soft spot for The Venetian in Garfield, NJ. My sister and I both had weddings there when it was the Cameo. When I enter the reception room, I can almost feel my friends and family there once again...

The Venetian has come a long way since its Cameo beginnings. And a major expansion is underway as we speak.

Rain or shine, The Venetian is a great place for pictures. Little distinctive gardens line the main driveway. And an indoor fountain, staircase and piano await you indoors in the event of rain.

The cocktail hour was held in the lower level. An elevator provided easy access to the room. Guests were greeted with champagne at the door and an incredible variety of delicious food--a mashed potato bar, lobster ravioli, fresh grilled mini burgers, pasta, seafood, cheeses, fruit and so much more! The main ballrooms have a nice neutral decor complimenting virtually any wedding color scheme. The last hour of the reception featured an incredible array of desserts. Wedding cake, fresh baked waffles, a towering chocolate fountain, fresh popped popcorn, cotton candy, an ice cream cart, fruit sushi (totally delicious) and more! And the evening's matre'd Carlos was full of enthusiasm and energy and always a pleasure to work with!

And I so understand every time I am there what a reception hall can mean to a bride. I danced with my father in that room. I danced with my grandfather in that room. I hugged and talked with family and friends in that room. And so many are now gone. But they and the Cameo live forever in my wedding video. And now since I am totally crying as I think about them all, I cannot stress enough what my wedding video now means to me. They are still there in that room anytime I want to see them. And they are forever young.

You can visit The Venetian located in Garfield, New Jersey online at:

http://www.thevenetian-catering.com/

The Mill

The Mill, located in Spring Lakes Heights, New Jersey, is another wonderful location for a daytime wedding . We were in the ground level "Blue Room" for this reception. A wall of windows provided a spectacular view of the lake! There were so many trees visible in the distance that one could only wonder how amazing the view must be in the fall. A graceful swan was in view the entire time. As darkness fell, a most unusual tree that arches towards the water was lit by a spotlight and reflected beautifully onto the water.

The wedding at The Mill was scheduled to be outside lakeside, but mother nature had other plans. Torrential rain comes to mind. However, the room the service was held in was beautiful and did have a lake view and a skylight bringing the outdoors in. And the valet parking was much appreciated by the guests who arrived during the thunderstorm!

The bride and groom had their table in an unusual location. Usually when there is a view, the couple's table is against the window. In this case, the couple was on the far side of the room facing the windows. They got to enjoy the view of the lake too instead of sitting with their back to the view! Smart!!! And that made it great for the toasts. Nothing much worse for video than everybody against a bright window for the toast.

The Mill strives to keep weddings affordable. As of this writing, packages begin at $64.95. There are many options and choices to make your wedding truly unique. This couple opted for a simple cocktail "half hour". Dinner consisted of a pasta course, a salad course and a choice of three entrees for the guests. The DJ's, photographer and videographer received their food with the first of the guests. A big thank you to The Mill for that! It can take 20 minutes to serve a room their dinners. And most places feed the vendors last. The first guests and the bride and groom and often ready to party while the DJ or band is still waiting to eat. Feeding the vendors first allows your vendors to be ready to get the party going ASAP!

The Mill also has a Sunday Brunch from 10am until 3pm. The brunch was going on when I arrived and I can see why they suggest reservations. They really had a full house!

For more information about The Mill in Spring Lake, NJ, visit their website at:

http://www.themillatslh.com/wedbanquet/special.html

The Buttonwood Manor

Planning a daytime wedding? The Buttonwood Manor in Matawan, NJ truly has a room with a view! The Caribee Room with its wall of windows looks out on a picturesque lake. The smaller Greenhouse Room overlooks the gardens. An attached deck is is available for an outdoor wedding, nestled between the lake and the gardens. A waterfall, small pond, the lake, and assorted greenery and flowers lend on site variety to your pictures!

The Caribee Room at the Buttonwood Manor itself is down a flight of stairs, but there is a ramp around back providing access to the room. Restrooms and the bridal suite are located beside the reception room.

The Buttonwood Manor has info available in the entrance area which talks about their "Affordable Elegance". Floral centerpieces and the wedding cake are included! The cocktail hour and dinner menus can be customized to your needs and budget. The hostess that greeted the vendors and bridal party as they arrived for the service was very helpful and accommodating. I really appreciated the nice cold glass of iced tea I was offered! Thank you!

One thing I noticed about the Caribee Room was although we were there for hours in the daylight, the sun never hit the windows directly. Sunlight streaming onto a dance floor or into the eyes of your guests can be harsh. Kind of defeats the purpose of a beautiful view if you have to close the curtains in order to see. The Caribee Room at the Buttonwood Manor provided a perfect view all day long!

For more information, you can visit the Buttonwood Manor in Matawan, New Jersey online at:

http://www.buttonwoodmanor.net/

The Berkeley Plaza

Located on Springfield Ave in Berkeley Heights, NJ, the Berkeley Plaza features 2 beautiful reception rooms. Each room is pleasantly neutral in color. No matter what your color scheme is for your wedding, either room will provide the perfect setting. And the staff? They are just plain fun to work with! Great people!

The downstairs room at the Berkeley Plaza is the larger of the two ballroons and features a majestic staircase for your grand entrance. A bridal suite for all your belongings is provided right down the hall. The upstairs room has the bridal suite right inside it. You and your bridal party will be introduced from the bridal suite entrance. You can all hang and and chill until the very last moment! Both rooms have a spacious dancefloor.

An outside gazebo is available at the Berkeley Plaza for your service or pictures. And you can change the look of your pictures just by taking a walk around the back of the gazebo. Lots of greenery for a change of scenery.

The variety at cocktail hour is always a hit. And the choice of what gets served is yours!

Dinner at the Berkeley Plaza can be customized as well. This particular dinner consisted of fresh bread on the table, a pasta course (penne alla vodka), a wonderful salad with walnuts, madarin oranges and cheese in a balsamic raspberry dressing, and choice of a Chicken Francaise or Beef Tenderloin. The Deluxe Venetian table and a chocolate fountain followed the traditional cake cutting.

Below is a direct link to the Berkeley Plaza cocktail hour choices:

http://www.berkeleyplaza.com/menus.htm

On behalf of all my fellow videographers and photographers, a BIG THANK YOU to the Berkeley Plaza for always providing us with our own little table for the entire reception right in the room with the guests. We often miss cocktail hour taking pictures or getting set up, and a typical day can have us on our feet for 10 hours or more. We do get a dinner at most places 2 hours before the reception ends, but often with no where to sit and surprisingly no utensils to eat with. The Berkeley Plaza treats us as well as the guests. Every course is served to us. Even coffee and dessert! Thank you Berkeley Plaza! We really, REALLY appreciate it!

You can visit the Berkeley Plaza website at:

http://www.berkeleyplaza.com/default.asp

Perona Farms

Located in Andover in Sussex County, NJ, Perona Farms is incredibly picturesque! An outside gazebo, a little island and apple orchard are all available choices for your wedding service. The wooden bridge that leads to little island on the lake and the island itself are great for pictures. Perona Farms offers a choice of two different size and different looking rooms to fit your needs. Both rooms as well as the outside ceremony locations and cocktail hour areas are on the ground level providing easy access for guests with disabilities.

The cocktail hour at Perona Farms is amazing! Each room has its own scenic spot outdoors when the weather is good, and plenty of room indoors if the weather is not so good. The food is wonderfully prepared, extremely tasty and every dish is labeled. With food allergies so prevalent and so serious, it is a much appreciated touch. And even if allergies are not an issue, your guests will enjoy knowing what delicious treat awaits in each dish. Perona Farms is famous for its smoked salmon. In fact, it has been featured on the Food Network!

Perona Farms will work with you the customize your menu from the cocktail hour all the way to dessert creating a wedding celebration that is uniquely yours!

If you would like to visit, Perona Farms has a wonderful Sunday Bruncheon served each week from 10:30am to 1:30pm. Its a great way to experience the great food and warm, friendly staff that are so much a part of the Perona Farms experience!

For more information, visit the Perona Farms website at:

http://www.peronafarms.com/

UPDATE!

In April 2009, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Perona Farms. I cannot say enough about how wonderfully we were treated! The food was delicious and the staff treated my parents like absolute royalty all day. They never had to leave their seats to get a drink at the bar. Everything was brought to them. We had chicken and fillet mignon and all the beef was cooked to order. I am a big fan of really rare beef and it was perfect! There were always several staff members in the room making sure everyone had everything they needed. My mother is still on a high from the days events! My sister and I put together a slide show honoring our parents 50 years together. May every couple be as fortunate as they have been! If you would like a peek at my parents slide show, click here!

The Bridgewater Manor

Located in the town of Bridgewater in central New Jersey, every wedding at the Bridgewater Manor is truly a unique experience. Couples have a choice of three rooms for their wedding or special event. The cocktail hour can be customized to your needs and budget from "simple and elegant" to "I've never seen so much food in my life!"

A spacious gazebo overlooking a beautifully landscaped pond with a fountain is the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding at the Bridgewater Manor. The grounds are spectacular for photography and videography. In addition to the area by the pond, there are great locations near the front entrance and behind the building as well each providing a different look and setting for your photos. If it rains, a majestic staircase in the lobby is available as well.

An electronic sign in the lobby of the Bridgewater Manor allows guests to easily find the location of their party. In addition to valet parking, there are several handicapped spaces available right by the front door and an elevator provides access to the second floor reception rooms. Each floor has it own restrooms --a great convenience for your guests. And your disc jockey or band will appreciate the easy load into all the rooms.

And did I mention the fresh baked bread? Ahhhhh! About 15 minutes before your guests enter the reception room, wonderfully warm bread fresh from the oven is placed at each guest's seat. When doors open and your family and friends enter the room, they are greeted by the scent of fresh baked bread!

For more information, please visit the Bridgewater Manor's website at

http://bridgewatermanor.com/index.php

The Tides Estate

The Tides Estate is located in northern New Jersey in the town of North Haledon. The grounds are among the most stunning and beautiful in all of New Jersey. An absolutely PERFECT location for pictures! There is no need to go to a park between the ceremony and reception, saving valuable time normally spent in travel. Heading straight to The Tides after your service also lessens the likelihood of overtime fees for you limo.

In addition to their seven gardens available for pictures, The Tides offers a choice of reception rooms as well.

But what if it rains? No problem! The entrance lobby and staircases are a great location for indoor shots!

This celebration was held in the downstairs reception room. For guests that find stairs difficult, there is direct stair-free access to the lower level from the side of the building in the self-park lot. The cocktail hour had something to please everyone. This cocktail hour featured fresh mozzarella and tomato, assorted cheeses, fruit and veggies, a pasta station, a carving station, assorted hot dishes, a variety of seafood and more! The different areas were well spaced and well stocked. An ice sculpture completed the picture. Additional appetizers were served butler style. The cocktail area also had outside seating available. For more information on what The Tides has to offer, you can visit their website at:

http://www.thetides.com/