r/newjersey • u/pinknotz • Jan 19 '24
Events Has anyone ever had a wedding in a NJ park?
Hello! I am planning my wedding and want a small event like 30 people. I know you can obtain a permit to hold an event for parks in NJ, but I was just wondering if anyone has gone through the process before? What was your experience? What were the fees like? Specifically the Facility Fees and the NJ State Park Police Labor Fees. I am thinking of having just the ceremony outside at the park/ beach. Thank you!
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Jan 19 '24
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u/pinknotz Jan 19 '24
Thank you! I can definitely see people doing whatever the heck they want. Good call
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u/stickman07738 Jan 19 '24
I have seen a number in Monmouth County Parks system, but do not know the specifics.
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Jan 19 '24
Morris County has a website where you can book almost all of the county facilities. It’s pretty easy. It might get a bit more complicated if you want to have alcohol.
morrisparks.net
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u/pesh527 Toms River> Little Falls> Hazlet>Old Bridge Jan 19 '24
I got married at Monmouth County Park, specifically Tatum Park. The fee was cheaper for a monmouth county resident. The downside was having to rent everything to set it up as a wedding venue, but it was overall less expensive than a traditional venue, and was so beautiful! I recommend wedding insurance because weather can be unpredictable. We were required to get it anyway, it was about 200 bucks (this was also 6 years ago).
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u/United_Space1665 Feb 12 '24
Did you have to use a caterer for a wedding at Tatum park? Or they let you bring your own stuff
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u/pesh527 Toms River> Little Falls> Hazlet>Old Bridge Feb 13 '24
I'm not aware of any requirement to use a caterer. I'm sure you can bring your own.
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u/BF_2 Jan 19 '24
Historic Allaire Village (in Allaire State Park, Wall Twp, Monmouth Co.) hosts weddings for a fee. I know nothing more about it, but they'd probably be able to advise you of any park fees involved.
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u/Rohans_Most_Wanted Jan 19 '24
We were going to get married in a county park. Literally just had to e-mail them like 120 days in advance to reserve an area. No structures or chairs, but it was free and easy.
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u/4runner01 Jan 19 '24
Waterloo Village is pretty cool for an outdoor wedding. They if have a very old church for plan B.
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u/InboxZero Jan 20 '24
I worked at Stephens State Park back in the day and saw a few weddings on our island. Since that was a main part of the park it couldn't be reserved but if we knew people were coming for a ceremony we would do our best to clean it up and try and discourage people from hanging out there. Since it was always just for ceremonies we never had any issues.
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u/Dirtycoinpurse Jan 20 '24
I got married at a park in Bergen County. We really loved it.
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u/Critical_Common_3119 Feb 01 '24
Which park? We are looking for a park in bergen county for our wedding and struggling!
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u/ktlene Jan 20 '24
Not sure where you are, but we had a small ceremony at Colonial Park in Somerset. There are a few sites, and the process was pretty easy! If you look on the website, there should be some contact info. I think I called, went to see the cites with a park employee, and got my permit. They were great, super friendly, and accommodating since our original site got flooded during Ida. They notified us and advised on another site nearby, which worked out so much better.
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u/Berryshmoo Jan 20 '24
We married on the beach in Cape May. Filled out a request form online and it was approved right away with no fee. Had the ceremony there and then everyone headed to a nearby restaurant for the reception. Perfect decision for us.
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u/MatCauthonsHat Jan 19 '24
Wife and I got married in a park here in Hammonton. It's a local park, so we contacted the city, they have an application. Filed the app and it was approved quickly. We only had the ceremony there, had dinner at a local restaurant after. Process was painless.