Create Your Budget. You certainly need to have an idea of the overall budget for your wedding before securing your venue. A good way of generating an estimate of the amount you will spend on the venue is by splitting your budget in half. Having this number will help eliminate the venues that may be out of your price range and will allow you to focus on those that fit your budget accordingly. Working with your planner to find the location of your dreams and stay within budget is always key!

Ask Yourself, Where and When? Have you always dreamed of a wedding on the beach? Exchanging your vows atop of a mountain? Whether inside, outside or somewhere in between, the date and time of your wedding definitely plays a factor. When booking a venue, know that prime wedding season is April through June and September through November. Pricing is generally higher during peak season and these dates tend to book quicker. If you are working with a tighter budget and are flexible with your date, consider asking the venue if they offer any value dates. These may be limited dates they have not booked in the coming months and may be able to offer a discount.

The Travel Factor. If you are planning to have your ceremony other than at your reception venue, be sure to keep in mind that travel will be involved. This may help eliminate venues on your list that are a bit too far for traveling in a large group. If you have a lot of out of town guests, be sure to allow enough time for travel before and after the ceremony.

Do Your Research! Once you finalize your budget and have a general idea of location and time frame, take some time to do your research. Visiting every venue in the state of New Jersey would be overwhelming – and time consuming! Narrow down your options by discussing how you both envision your day and collaborate. Share your vision with your planner and allow them to offer you some recommendations. Working with your planner to find the best location is a plus as they have experience working with many venues and can recommend locations based upon what you want.

Check out more on (201) Bride’s ‘Getting Hitched’ blog on Bergen.com!

Three coordinating enclosure cards on textured matte stock included a directions/accommodations card,  reception card featuring an image of Mallard Island Yacht Club, and response card all printed in color laser. Coordinating outer envelopes in textured cream matte stock were created with the return address printed on the back flap.

We look forward to sharing more details from their amazing wedding day on April 14th – stay tuned!!

Special thanks to Yaskovic Wedding + Portrait for these great photos!

No need to worry!

Dessy Group has launched a new website called NewlyMaid.com where you can send in your old bridesmaid gowns and receive credit toward new ones. You simply request a prepaid envelope from NewlyMaid.com, package it according to the directions given and send over your old dress inside of it. Your dress can be designed by almost any brand, and as long as it is not damaged you will receive anywhere from 30-50% off towards one of their six black dress styles. After the discount, the six black dress styles cost around $75-$100 each. Your old bridesmaid dress will either be broken down and recycled or donated to Clothes4Souls.

This is a great chance to do some shopping, and help others and the environment all at once!

After the beautiful ceremony, guests headed over to Camillo’s Cafe for the reception. A Manzanita branch arrangement was set up to display the custom escort cards that were hung with pink ribbon on each of the branches. The room was decorated with pink and white floral arrangements at each table along with custom table names and menus that were also created by our design team.

For dessert, TFT designed a pink, white and silver candy bar for guests to take home a sweet treat. Another great addition to the table was mini cupcakes from The Bent Spoon. Guests also received a favor box to take home a memento from this special day that was wrapped and adorned with coordinating favor tags.

Congratulations to Gabby, Mike and baby Amelia! We wish them all the best!!

Special Thanks to Jenn M Photography for these great photos!