Planning a New Jersey wedding means you have your pick of charming estates, gorgeous banquet halls, private country clubs, golf clubs, stunning ocean-front resorts and more.
Although couples normally prefer to hold their marriages during the spring and summer seasons, winter weddings are more common in NJ. New Jersey has a great selection of gorgeous winter wedding venues that will give you and your guests a magical holiday experience.
Wedding venues in New Jersey are predominantly located in North Jersey, Atlantic City, Jersey Shore, South Jersey and Newark. The most common styles of wedding reception halls in the garden state are ballroom, beach, country club, historic venues, hotels and restaurants.
North Jersey refers to the northern part of the state of NJ, though it has no precise boundaries. North Jersey's proximity to New York makes it an affordable getaway marriage destination for New York residents. Cheaper real estate in North Jersey means larger, more spacious venues. North Jersey wedding venues are often outdoor private estates, parks, gardens and golf course ballrooms.
Atlantic City is known for its casino resorts, boardwalk and beach. Atlantic City wedding venues range from modern spaces with ocean and waterfront views to hotel resort ballrooms. The dense city real estate of wedding locations overlooking the Atlantic ocean make Atlantic City wedding venues more expensive than other New Jersey regions.
Jersey Shore or "The Shore" is the coastal region of NJ stretching from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point. While it shares a name with the controversial reality TV series, the area is quite diverse, encompassing over 40 communities each with its own flavor. Jersey Shore wedding venues are often hotel resorts with a waterfront view overlooking the Atlantic.
South Jersey refers to the southern part of NJ between the lower Delaware River and Atlantic. Like North Jersey, there is no formal definition of this region and is a colloquial term for NJ natives. In contrast with the rest of NJ, South Jersey is considered to be under the influence of the Philadelphia metro area. Historic outdoor event centers, parks and golf course resorts wedding halls dominate this region.
Newark is the most populous city in New Jersey. The city has a strong economy and is the headquarters of large corporations like Prudential and Panasonic. Getting married around Newark gives you access to stunning urban museum & gallery wedding reception venues and charming private estates.
The off-peak season for wedding venues in NJ usually begins as temperatures begin to dip in November. Except for New Year's Eve and Valentine's day, the off-peak season tends to last till April before the peak wedding season begins again. When you plan your wedding in the NJ off-peak season, you can expect to receive 5-15% off the total price.
Depending on wedding location, amenities, and services, typical New Jersey weddings range from $125 to $220 per plate. New Jersey tax laws require venues to charge 7% NJ sales tax.
On top of the quoted price, wedding reception venues in New Jersey will usually ask for an additional 20% service fee to pay for the coordination and service for your wedding. It’s important to keep in mind that the quoted price per person often will not include the 7% New Jersey sales tax and service fees.
When applying for a New Jersey marriage license, you will need 3 documents:
Proof of identity (e.g. driver's license, passport or state/federal I.D.)
Proof of your residency (e.g. utility bill, bank statement)
Your social security card or social security number (which will be kept confidential)
In addition to these documents, a witness (18 years of age or older) and a $28.00 application fee are required.