Who says bigger is always better? 

Technically, that’s usually me, along with a host of other people, most of whom are in the wedding business. Whether it’s your first wedding or your fifth; a destination wedding, elopement to Atlantic City, civil union or mini-moon; a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, engagement party, first anniversary dinner or bachelor, bachelorette party, there are a lot of fun, exciting and affordable ways to make your event sing to your soul, without having to sell it.

Yes, your event can be unique and elegant without a massive mortgage-sized bank loan. If your budget isn’t up to the standards of your Colin Cowie / Martha Stewart / celebrity wedding taste, a smaller event will allow you to add a few lavish details or something you might not be able to afford with a larger guest list. If you can and want to do the over-the-top thing – fantastic! Just keep in mind, whatever size event you plan, your marital bliss will not be determined by whether or not your sweet and low packets are wrapped in gold foil and monogrammed.

Additionally, a smaller, more intimate event can also be more enjoyable because you’ll have more time to mingle with your guests and savor the special moments throughout the day. Perhaps, you’ll even be able to sit down and eat.

You can make your event affordable, unique and memorable using rentals, decorations, imaginative themes or venues and thinking outside the box. Whatever the event you’re planning, here are some suggestions and ideas to make it a standout!

Weddings and special events don’t all have to take place in large, traditional banquet style reception venues. But thinking outside the box goes beyond that. Suppose for a second, that the dream wedding you’ve envisioned is at mega-site A, known for its opulence and breath-taking views. If your heart is set on a specific reception site, be sure to inquire about the pricing and availability of the sites' smaller banquet rooms, off-season pricing or Friday/Sunday discounts. You may even want to consider a morning wedding followed by a champage brunch reception.

Fun Venues for Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Engagement Parties 
and Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

Outside of the so-called "traditional" wedding venues, there is a lot of room to get creative. Some of the non-traditional venues that have hosted fun and elegant special events include Absecon Lighthouse, Lucy The Elephant in Margate, The Noyes Museum in Galloway (look for an upcoming wedding spotlight featuring a wedding at the Noyes), The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, The Camden Aquarium and The Steel Pier. Special permits or insurance can be required for some of the more unusual venues, but that isn’t always a hindrance, just a little extra cost and paperwork. For non-traditional venues, chair and table rentals will be a factor as well as catering. For catering, consider a favorite restaurant which may also offer off-site catering.  Tun Tavern, for example, offers off-site catering.  Another suggestion is to contact Bill McGinnity, who handles all the catering and food for The Ocean City Yacht Club as well as off-site catering.  Reach Bill at bmcginnity@hotmail.com or 609-457-7112.  

Absecon Lighthouse, located on Rhode Island Ave. in Atlantic City, is New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse and is a beautiful venue for weddings. They offer a number of reasonably priced wedding packages for 2-150 guests starting at $400 and up.  They also have an  on-site wedding officiant for your ceremony. For larger weddings, with up to 150 guests, tent rentals have been set up on their two-acre lawn which can accommodate dance floors, djs, the caterers, tables, etc. For more details on some of the packages Absecon Lighthouse has to offer, print out their wedding package flyer. Of course, you can customize your event as well.

Other venues, that one often only imagines as crowded, busy restaurants, offer elegant event space that is spearate, or can be cordoned off, from the main restaurant. 

Carmines in the Tropicana, is another standout and offers a great atmosphere and famous Italian cuisine. Lynn Manzi, Director of Special Events at Carmine’s, has hosted many events including engagement parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and small weddings. Check out this printable flyer with details on Carmine’s group dinners for 15-30 guests.

Hear what others had to say about their special events at Carmines!  

Tun Tavern, next to the Sheraton Atlantic City, is another great venue for rehearsal dinners and bachelor/bachelorette parties and they also offer off-site catering with great food and customizable menus. Besides the great food, another wonderful plus about holding an event at Tun Tavern is the convenient parking across the street and next door accommodations at The Sheraton for your guests.

I recently spoke with Diane Tharp, Director of Special Events at Tun, who told us about just some of what Tun Tavern has to offer.

"As your Wedding approaches, you may want to consider Tun Tavern as a unique location for your Rehearsal Dinner, Informal Wedding, Shower or Engagement Party! Tun Tavern takes pride in offering a fun, upscale setting – with fabulous food and great drinks! "

Our award-winning restaurant, adjacent to The Sheraton Hotel, is a most convenient site for events, connected to the Atlantic City Convention Center via a short enclosed walkway. We combine an exciting Marine Corps-themed, art deco atmosphere, gourmet food, hand-crafted beers, and a full service bar.

Tun Tavern offers a perfect setting for lunch, dinner, or a cocktail reception…with impeccable service, reasonable pricing, and attention to every detail. We can accommodate groups from 25 to 450, with additional space on our deck!

Our Executive Chef will be happy to customize additional menus if necessary. Contact us today for sample menus and special offers! Diane Tharp dianetuntavern@aol.com or 609-425-0958 "  

Another recent surprising find was Morton’s Steakhouse in Atlantic City. Located on the ground level of Caesar’s, they offer elegant event space separated from the restaurant by beautiful, dark-paneled sliding doors with etched-glass windows.

Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts

Hotels are another non-traditional venue to consider. In Ocean City, one would normally think of the Port-O-Call Hotel for beach accommodations. However, the Port-O-Call is also a great venue for special events. Their restaurant, The Pink Parrot Grille, offers spectacular ocean views and has hosted elegant, small weddings and rehearsal dinners. Get a special discount on parties of 25 or more - follow the link above for details. Print out a flyer with one of Port-O-Call’s all-inclusive wedding packages. You can also customize an event at the Port O Call. Contact Sandy Triboletti, Special Events Planner at 609-399-8812 ext. 7353.

Bed and Breakfasts throughout Atlantic and Cape May County are also wonderful venues to consider with event space and accommodations rolled into one. The Carisbrooke Inn in Ventnor, for example, offers an Elopement Package that is perfect for the couple who doesn’t want an elaborate affair. They have hosted weddings and civil unions for two with this package which includes 2 nights accommodations at the Inn, minister, flowers, photographer, dinner for two and more. Print out the Elopement Package flyer for all the details!  They also offer great romance packages, perfect for a first anniversary weekend or romantic weekend retreat.

Churches, VFW's and Fire Halls

Some venues that can offer huge savings include churches, VFW’s and fire halls. Creative decorating will come into play here and you might want to apportion more of your budget for decorations and catering than you might otherwise. Finishing Touch Designs has transformed many a boring event space with fantastic results. 

An exciting and affordable event space for rent in a local church can be found at The Vineland First Church. Their space has a state-of-the-art sound & video system your DJ can hook into and a dance floor. Plus, your chairs and tables are all included with your hall rental. For a more elegant look, you can also rent table linens and chair covers. For more information on having a wedding at the Vineland First Church, contact Nelda Wheat (856) 696-4380 x 100.

Outside venues are another great option and you can decorate and customize an outdoor event just as elegantly as an indoor event. Beach ceremonies can feature sand sculptures and floral trellises with soft, violin music as you walk down the aisle. Outdoor tents that protect against inclement weather can be set up in many outdoor locations but you’ll need to look into permits and insurance. Jersey Shore Party Rentals offers a large variety of tents and other décor for rental. Decorating a tent with elegant table and chair accessories and centerpieces can transform a space from ho-hum to upscale. Remember, though, a few considerations for any outdoor event include parking, restroom availability and site accessibility, especially for older or handicapped guests.

For more on planning an event outside, see also our articles:

• Diary of a Backyard Weddings
• Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Sites (Permit Requirements)
• Planning a Beach Wedding Ceremony in the Cape May Area

These are just a few ideas for the types of non-typical venues to consider when planning your event.  If you are planning something unique or unusual and would like to be featured in an upcoming article or wedding spotlight, we'ld love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@atlanticcityweddings.com.  

Destination Weddings are another popular choice with couples because they combine the wedding and honeymoon into one package. Typically, this can save a couple quite a bit of money. One of the drawbacks, however, is the added expense guests will have if they want to attend a destination wedding. To get around this, some couples will invite just close relatives to attend their destination wedding. Then, after the couple is married, they will host a more informal reception to celebrate with friends and family.

Perhaps the most popular and well-known chain of resorts offering destination weddings is Sandals, with locations throughout the Caribbean. Plenty of other all-inclusive resorts offer destination wedding packages including The Reef Resort on Grand Cayman which offers oceanfront accommodations and a great all-inclusive package for couples. For more great ideas, our resident honeymoonologist, Karen of Take Wing Travel, has the heads up on many more resorts and special deals for couples interested in destination weddings.

Popular themes for after parties and informal wedding receptions include a Hawaiian Luau or a Barbecue on the Beach. An Asian theme could incorporate thai food, fortume cookie favors and chinese lanterns for decorations. For an informal event, you can consider any party theme and customize it. See also our article on theme weddings.

Shorter romantic getaways of 3-4 days, mini-moons, have been gaining in popularity in the last few years. As a lot of couples have explained to me, by the time you get done paying for the wedding there isn’t much left for a honeymoon. Mini-moons have also grown in popularity, though, for another reason. In the week leading up to the wedding, many couples are busy all week with the last minute details and arrangements. Then, if you want to spend time with your guests, perhaps have a breakfast brunch with some of your guests the morning after the wedding, that leaves you exhausted. Some couples are instead choosing to take 2-3 days after the wedding and then take a week long trip or extended honeymoon, later in the year.

Believe it or not, Atlantic City is a hot spot for couples who want to take a little mini-moon. Between casinos, the beach, great dining and entertainment, it’s the perfect place for a mini-moon without a lot of fuss. At a recent bridal show, one couple was planning a mini-moon that combined a bed and breakfast stay with local winery tours. Other great places for a mini-moon close to home include Cape May, the Poconos and Philadelphia.

Remember, it's not the amount of money you spend or the final destination.  Life is in the journey, so try to keep your event planning fun and enjoy every minute of it!