Looking for the perfect wedding venue?
One of the biggest decisions in planning a wedding is choosing a venue. By doing a quick Google search, I was able to find 3,348 reception venues within 100 miles of where I live in Sussex County. In the greater northern New Jersey/New York/Pennsylvania area, there must be thousands more to choose from. Whenever I speak with a newly engaged couple who hasn’t yet chosen their location, they’re usually overwhelmed with the amount of research, meetings, and tours they endure during wedding planning in hopes of finding the perfect venue.
That’s why I’ve put together a catalog of the best venues in the area. There’s something for every taste! My favorite places to photograph weddings are the ones that offer more than just a pretty location or good dinner options. The venues you’ll find below have it all.
Note: the information below is subject to change, especially guest capacity while COVID is a factor.
Mountain Creek Resort - Vernon, NJ
Style: Rustic, Mountain, Lodge
Amount of guests: 15-200
Best time to of year get married: Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
If you’ve ever wanted to proclaim your love from a mountain top, Mountain Creek is the place to do it. Boasting possibly the most unique and stunning ceremony location in New Jersey, your wedding at Mountain Creek is sure make for some incredible photo opportunities and have your guests reminiscing for years. After the ceremony, you’ll take a ride down the gondola to the exquisitely rustic Red Tail Lodge at the base of the mountain to enjoy your cocktail hour and reception. The elegant, warm reception space features vaulted ceilings, exposed wood beams, chandeliers made of antlers, and much more. If you’re not already sold on Mountain Creek, wait until you meet the staff. Colleen is the most detail-oriented and enthusiastic coordinator you’ll ever have the privilege of working with, Linda is insanely attentive and always has the sunniest disposition, and Frank has his crew running the place like a well-oiled machine. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding in New Jersey, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not having Mountain Creek on your list.
The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds - Augusta, NJ
Style: Timeless, Elegant, Understated
Amount of guests: 50-250
Best time to of year get married: Spring-Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
One of the largest venues on this list is the Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. The grounds are extremely expansive and include a footbridge, horse stables converted into open pavilions, and one of the most gorgeous, naturally-lit reception spaces in the area. Because of the mainly glass walls and ceiling, it’s just as great a location for a daytime reception as it is at night. The wood beams add a rustic flair to an otherwise very modern and clean building. There is ample space for an indoor or outdoor ceremony on-site. The Conservatory will appeal to couples looking for multiple different styles, so make sure you don’t skip over this one!
Sylvan Ridge Farm - Milford, PA
Style: Elegant, Rustic, Adaptable
Amount of guests: ~50-150
Best time to of year get married: Summer-Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
Just over the border lies one of Pennsylvania’s best kept secrets when it comes to wedding venues. Sylvan Ridge Farm is yours for the entire weekend - Thursday through Sunday! - when you book your wedding there. It’s tucked in the woods, so privacy is abundant, and you never have to worry about transportation on the day of your wedding. With multiple indoor/outdoor ceremony and reception location options, the venue is practically weather proof, and every option is just as picturesque as the next. The team at Sylvan Ridge really prides themselves in quality of service and the value they provide, and it comes through in spades when you read their reviews!
Rock Island Lake Club - Sparta, NJ
Style: Upscale Rustic
Amount of guests: 125-200
Best time to of year get married: Summer
Number of weddings at a time: 1
Rock Island Lake Club opened in 2014, and since then they’ve been known for their beautiful setting and exemplary service. Nestled in the woods away from any main highways, Rock Island serves as a private oasis for a medium-sized wedding. I love shooting at Rock Island because of the lake, the woods, the amazing cocktail hour offerings, and most importantly, the staff. Everyone there treats every bride, groom, guest, and vendor as if they’re family. I’ve been there as a guest and as a photographer, and their service is top-notch every. single. time.
Click here to learn more about Rock Island Lake Club
The Farm at Glenwood Mountain - Vernon, NJ
Style: Rustic, Working Farm
Amount of guests: Up to 200
Best time of year to get married: Summer/Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
Probably the newest venue on this list, the Farm at Glenwood Mountain is chock full of gorgeous settings for your wedding. If you’re a fan of outdoor ceremonies with amazing views, the Farm has one of the best spots in the area. If you’re into rustic barn receptions, look no further. When it comes to food, the Farm’s farm-to-table menu is unmatched. For a true farm-style wedding, you owe it to yourself to check out this venue.
I was honored to photograph the first ever wedding at the Farm at Glenwood Mountain!
The Palace at Somerset Park - Somerset, NJ
Style: Romantic, Glamorous
Best time of year to get married: Any time
Number of weddings at a time: 2
The Palace is the perfect venue for couples who are looking for a timeless, elegant location and a staff that will truly take the utmost care of you. The Palace offers wedding suites for brides and grooms, two completely independent and exclusive wings on opposite sides of the property (each with their own entrance,) cocktail hour and reception menus that are fully customizable to your tastes or culture, 30 acres (!!!) of grounds, and an irresistible Viennese dessert display. And as if that wasn’t enough, The Palace even offers fireworks displays! If you’re looking for the ultimate metropolitan-style venue, I highly recommend The Palace at Somerset Park.
Faith and Stevie’s Masquerade wedding at The Palace
Waterloo Village - Stanhope, NJ
Style: Outdoor, Historic
Amount of guests: Up to 250
Best time of year to get married: Summer/Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
As a wedding photographer, I always appreciate shooting at venues that have a lot of opportunity to explore. If you value this, too, Waterloo Village needs to be on the top of your list. Rivers, gardens, waterfalls, fields, forests, historic buildings, mountain veiws, they’re all here. You can get ready in the adorable bridal cottage, so you don’t have to worry about traveling between locations. Their Meeting House reception venue is a charming, rustic, barn-style space that works great in all seasons. Don’t skip out on Waterloo Village when considering wedding venues!
Sam and Nick’s Waterloo Village Wedding
Stroudsmoor Country Inn - Stroudsburg, PA
Style: Natural, Charming
Amount of guests: 30-350
Best time of year to get married: Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 6
Stroudsmoor Country Inn is one of my favorite wedding venues to tell people about. Well, it’s six of my favorite wedding venues to tell people about. Yes, the Inn has six separate venues available to their couples! Each one is unique in its own way, yet each one stays true to the natural and charming feel of the entire property. Adventurous couples are able to explore the wooded grounds, take in scenic valley views, and enjoy the architecture of the buildings and passages.
Ledges Hotel - Hawley, PA
Style: Quaint, Intimate, Natural
Amount of guests: 25-150
Best time of year to get married: Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
The first time I shot a wedding at Ledges Hotel, I stood in awe of the scenery for so long that I almost missed the wedding. Not really. But if I didn’t have an amazing wedding to photograph that day, I could’ve spent hours by the waterfalls and rock ledges just taking in its beauty. Aside from the obvious visual attraction of the falls, Ledges offers a charming courtyard with string lights, multiple cocktail and dinner locations, and even a fire pit to enjoy after the festivities are over.
Andre’s Lakeside Dining - Sparta, NJ
Style: Lakeside, Outdoor, Intimate
Amount of guests: Up to 80
Best time of year to get married: Spring-Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
In 2020, intimate weddings were the only option for tons of couples. A lot of people got to experience these smaller weddings and have gained a new appreciation for them. I wouldn’t be surprised if, even after COVID is under control, more couples start having more intimate wedding celebrations. If you’re one of these couples, Andre’s Lakeside Dining is a perfect candidate. The ceremony space is right on the lake, the outdoor reception area is a perfect size for boogieing, and award-winning chef, Andre’ deWaal offers some of the finest cuisine in the area. COVID or not, Andre’s Lakeside Dining is a truly perfect solution for your intimate or micro wedding!
Nanina’s in the Park - Belleville, NJ
Style: Indoor/Outdoor, Majestic, Garden
Amount of guests: Up to 400
Best time of year to get married: Spring-Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
Nanina’s in the Park is a New Jersey landmark nestled in cherry blossoms. Outside, there’s a lovely garden area complete with a stream and footbridge that makes for stunning outdoor portraits. Indoors, Nanina’s boasts one of the most spectacular multi-tiered ballrooms, a spacey cocktail hour room, and many picturesque locations like the staircase you see above and a cozy library area with a fireplace. With a beautiful historical park nearby, there’s certainly no shortage of places for amazing photos. Their attendants and maître d’s are phenomenal, too!
Whitewoods - Wapwallopen, PA
Style: Woodsy, Natural, Charming
Amount of guests: Up to 225
Best time of year to get married: Spring-Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 1
Whitewoods is a seriously unique venue tucked in the forests of eastern Pennsylvania. The house you see above is where couples and their guests can stay, and it makes for quite a fun and memorable day-before and morning-of experience (to see the other parts of the venue, check out the links below.) The natural beauty of Whitewoods is breathtaking, and their options for ceremony and reception spaces are just as impressive. For those of you looking to be surrounded by nature but still have that modern touch, Whitewoods is for you.
Perona Farms - Andover, NJ
Style: Barn, Industrial-Chic, Contemporary
Amount of guests: 30-300
Best time of year to get married: Spring-Fall
Number of weddings at a time: 3
Perona Farms flaunts three separate venues on their property. Each one is unique and worth a visit. The barn was built in the 1930s and rustic charm oozes from the boards. The Reserve brings about more modern elegance while still keeping touches of rusticity. Their newest venue, the Refinery, looks like it was transported from Tuscan Italy on the outside, while the inside boasts all the industrial chic charm of a Brooklyn loft. The grounds are show-stopping, with trees, ponds, fields, and golf carts to get around in.
Renault Winery - Egg Harbor City, NJ
Style: Vineyard, Historic, Charming
Amount of guests: Up to 500+
Best time of year to get married: Spring/Summer
Number of weddings at a time: 2
The only winery on this list has just been renovated! When I shot here in 2019, I spent about 30 minutes with the bride and groom doing portraits of just the two of them. The photos from that half hour look like they could have been taken at four completely different locations. From the vineyards to the fields to the woods to the chateau-like indoor setup, there’s no shortage of incredible spots to take advantage of. Now that they’ve added to it, there are even more possibilities. You don’t have to go to Italy, California, or the Finger Lakes to have a vineyard wedding, just check out Renault Winery!
This list will be updated periodically. If you have any questions about any of these venues, feel free to reach out to me!
Too many couples nowadays worry about their photos being overly posed and ending up with the same cookie cutter images as everyone else. I know this because I got married, too. The last thing I want is for my couples to feel uncomfortable or ordinary on the most important day of their life.
I want you to enjoy your day. I want you to be present with the ones you love. I want you be able to trust that your memories are in good hands.
You deserve a photographer who will laugh with you, adventure with you, care about you, and go above and beyond for you, not just another dude with a camera trying to take pretty pictures. Get the experience you deserve with Garret Torres Photography.
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