Need *Affordable*, Unique Venue in Tri-State Area (NJ, NY, PA)

What about a University or College? Montclair State has a nice conference center with views of the NYC skyline. Some of them are restricted to Alumni only. No idea what this costs, but here's the link. http://www.montclair.edu/conferencecenter/about.html

Thanks for the suggestion, Karen. I've seen some universities offering venues but will dig a little deeper!

If you would consider a brunch reception (instead of dinner), Bear Mountain should be in your price range. They list their prices online:

www.visitbearmountain.com

I don't know how much it is per person - but a coworker of mine is getting married at the Ryland Inn - very rustic looking and newly renovated.

http://www.rylandinnnj.com/

I am getting married at Jericho Terrace in Mineola, NY. We are paying under $100 per person (11:30am ceremony start on a Saturday) including an open bar with a minimum of 150 people (we will probably have around 175 ). They include ceremony pedestals for flowers, amazing kinetic lighting, different gorgeous rooms to choose from.

They have around ten main entree choices and their food is delicious. You get a book with different options of what to choose for your cocktail and courses. Your cake is included. White glove service, valet and coat room all included for no additional price, as well as a planner. Here are some pictures of our reception room we chose.

This is the ceremony space we chose.

1. The entrance to the Dome room.

2. The hallway to the Dome room.

3. Outside of the venue.

It's beautiful and absolutely worth checking out.

It's further west than the Delaware but I LOVE Friedman Farms, this was my #1 choice but out of our budget... maybe it would work for you! http://friedmanfarms.com/. Stroudsmoor in Stroudsburg, PA is a really nice venue, and it's pretty close to the NJ/PA state line.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! Will definitely check these out.

Keep 'em coming! ;-)

Stroudsmoor is GORGEOUS!

I am getting married near Valley Forge in PA. I have an all inclusive price (from linens to cake and open bar... AND TAX AND SERVICE!). the venue is now used as a catering hall but it used to be a passenger train station. They even have an antique caboose on site to serve as the bridal party suite. They have prices that start at $100-110/ pp depending on day of week/season.

Erin, have you considered the Brotherhood Winery in the Hudson Valley? It has the look you're probably going for, and I think it's in your budget. According to one bride getting married there in 2014, they charge $6500 for the venue rental, and she's paying another $7500 for linens, food, and bar. Altogether, it's costing her about $15K for 140 guests. Here's a link:

http://www.brotherhood-winery.com/wineryGrandSalon.html

A few photos (love this look!):

http://www.brotherhood-winery.com/_images/grand_salon_2.jpg

http://nyweddingmaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/brotherhood_winery-21.jpg

http://nyweddingmaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/brotherhood_winery-18.jpg

Nicole, that pricing sounds great. What is the name of the venue?

Centerpiece Flowers - love that venue, and pricing sounds doable! Will check it out. Thanks!

I'm getting married on the Pavilion on Crystal Lake in Middletown, CT. It is very rustic with a gorgeous lake view. There is no rental fee and for our Friday night wedding we are paying 80pp and that includes food, open bar, linens, silverware. glasses and cake cutting.

Do a search for this. There have been at least four posts in the last three weeks with great lists of venues.

Try Perona Farms, Rock Island Lake Club and Valley Crest Farms.

I'm getting married at Le Chambord in Hopewell Junction on May 18th. It's a country inn and the wedding packages are amazing! Comes with ceremony, cocktail hour (lots of food!), all booze, a 4 course meal, wedding cake, floral center pieces, and if you pick the platnum package it comes with 5 hotel rooms for your VIP guests. Oh! and for 120 people it came to about $11,000

Thank you for all these recommendations! Very helpful.

Good luck with your venue search! I had so much fun with mine! Google questions to ask and write down everything. It will make it easier to compare details later.

Out of curiosity, what venue did you end up choosing?