Jersey Shore Weddings
Say 'I do' with ocean breezes and stunning views. From Victorian estates to beachfront resorts, find your perfect shore wedding venue.
Wedding Styles
Beach Ceremony
Toes in the sand with ocean backdrop. Many beaches allow permitted ceremonies.
Victorian Garden
Cape May B&Bs offer charming garden settings with historic architecture.
Oceanfront Ballroom
Grand venues with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic.
Bayfront Sunset
West-facing venues on the bay capture spectacular sunset ceremonies.
Featured Wedding Venues
Congress Hall
Cape May
A National Historic Landmark and the nation's oldest seaside resort, Congress Hall has hosted weddings since the 1800s. The grand Victorian architecture, manicured lawns, and proximity to the beach create an unforgettable setting. Full-service venue with on-site catering and accommodations.
- ✓National Historic Landmark
- ✓Full-service venue with catering
- ✓On-site boutique hotel
- ✓Multiple ceremony and reception spaces
- ✓Spa services for wedding party
Best For
Tip: Book 18-24 months in advance for summer dates. Off-season weddings offer significant savings and equally beautiful settings.
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
Stone Harbor
An intimate waterfront venue on the bay side of Seven Mile Island. The Reeds offers sophisticated charm with stunning sunset views. The boutique hotel accommodations make it perfect for intimate destination weddings where guests can stay on-site.
- ✓Stunning bay and sunset views
- ✓Boutique hotel for guests
- ✓Award-winning on-site restaurant
- ✓Intimate, elegant atmosphere
Best For
Tip: Request the waterfront deck for your ceremony—sunset timing is spectacular. The restaurant is excellent for rehearsal dinners.
Bonnet Island Estate
Manahawkin
A private estate on the bay offering exclusive use for your wedding. The secluded location provides privacy and incredible sunset views. Gardens, waterfront ceremony spots, and elegant indoor spaces create a truly special setting.
- ✓Exclusive use of entire property
- ✓Stunning bay sunset views
- ✓Beautiful gardens and grounds
- ✓Private and secluded
Best For
Tip: Book a sunset ceremony time—the views over Barnegat Bay are unforgettable. Consider a boat arrival for dramatic effect.
Icona Golden Inn
Avalon
A beachfront resort offering the complete package: ceremony on the sand, reception in elegant indoor spaces, and guest accommodations steps away. The property spans beach to bay, offering multiple venue options.
- ✓Direct beachfront location
- ✓Multiple ceremony options
- ✓On-site accommodations
- ✓Full resort amenities
Best For
Tip: The beach ceremony with barefoot guests is their specialty. Have a backup indoor plan for weather.
All Wedding Venues
The Grand Hotel
Cape MayHotel
Classic oceanfront property with wraparound porches and beach access.
Mallard Island Yacht Club
ManahawkinYacht Club
Waterfront venue with nautical charm and beautiful bay views.
McLoone's Pier House
Long BranchRestaurant
Oceanfront restaurant venue with stunning pier views and excellent catering.
The Channel Club
Monmouth BeachYacht Club
Waterfront yacht club with panoramic views of the Shrewsbury River.
Windrift Hotel
AvalonHotel
Beachfront boutique hotel with rooftop bar and ocean views.
Southern Mansion
Cape MayPrivate Estate
Italianate Victorian mansion with stunning gardens and historic charm.
Venues by Region
Northern Shore
Long Branch to Asbury Park
Urban-chic venues with ocean views and modern style.
- • McLoone's Pier House
- • The Channel Club
- • Asbury Park venues
Closest to NYC. Great for guests traveling from the city.
Central Shore
Bay Head to LBI
Yacht clubs and bayfront estates with nautical charm.
- • Bonnet Island Estate
- • Mallard Island Yacht Club
- • Bay Head venues
Beautiful bay sunset locations. Booking essential.
Cape May Region
Avalon to Cape May
Victorian elegance, beachfront resorts, and classic shore charm.
- • Congress Hall
- • The Reeds
- • Icona Golden Inn
- • Southern Mansion
Most wedding venues. Book 18+ months for summer.
Wedding Planning Tips
Book Early
Summer weekends book 1-2 years in advance. Consider shoulder season (May, September, October) for better availability and rates.
Weather Backup
Beach ceremonies need indoor backup plans. Most venues offer covered alternatives. Include tent rental in your budget.
Guest Accommodations
Block rooms early. Shore hotels fill fast in summer. Venues with on-site hotels simplify logistics.
Local Vendors
Shore vendors know the locations and logistics. Ask venues for preferred vendor lists. They often offer package discounts.
Transportation
Arrange shuttles between ceremony, reception, and hotels. Many towns have limited parking and narrow streets.
Off-Season Savings
September and October offer beautiful weather, fewer crowds, and significant savings—often 30-50% less than summer.
📅 Shore Wedding Planning Timeline
Shore wedding venues book fast—especially for summer. Here's when to book what to avoid scrambling.
12-18 Months Out
Critical PriorityBook your venue
Prime dates (June-September Saturdays) book 14-18 months ahead. Fall back dates go next.
Lock in your caterer
Many venues have exclusive caterers. If not, top shore caterers book out a year.
Hire a photographer
Good shore photographers know the light, the beaches, the backdrops. They book early.
💡 Insider tip: January is "engagement season"—everyone books at once. If you got engaged in December, start calling venues January 2nd.
9-12 Months Out
High PriorityBook band or DJ
Top shore wedding bands play 40+ weddings a summer. They're booked by March for September.
Send save-the-dates
Shore weddings require guest travel planning. Give them time to book rentals.
Reserve room blocks
Hotels release unsold blocks 30 days out. Lock in your rate now.
💡 Insider tip: If you're getting married in Cape May, book EVERY hotel room block you can. Guests will thank you—Cape May sells out.
6-9 Months Out
Medium PriorityBook florist
Shore florists source from local farms (it's cheaper). Give them time to plan seasonal arrangements.
Order dress/tuxes
Alterations take time. Beach wedding dresses often need hem adjustments for sand.
Plan ceremony details
Officiant, readers, music—figure out the 20 minutes that actually matter.
💡 Insider tip: Beach ceremony? Bring a backup plan. Wind ruins updos, sand ruins heels, high tide ruins photo spots.
3-6 Months Out
Standard PriorityBook cake/desserts
Local bakeries like Lucienne's (Cape May) and others book months out for summer.
Plan transportation
Shore roads are congested summer weekends. Shuttle buses need to know routes.
Finalize guest list
Numbers affect catering, rentals, seating. Stop waffling.
💡 Insider tip: Pro tip: Have dessert stations instead of a big cake. Shore weddings are hot—fondant melts.
1-3 Months Out
Details PriorityFinal venue walkthrough
See your exact setup. Confirm tent placement, dance floor size, cocktail flow.
Create day-of timeline
Sunset times change weekly. Build your schedule around golden hour photos.
Confirm all vendors
Call everyone. Confirm times, addresses, contact numbers for day-of.
💡 Insider tip: Sunset in Cape May is 8:25pm in late June but 7:30pm in September. Plan your cocktail hour accordingly.
💰 Shore Wedding Budget Reality Check
Jersey Shore weddings cost more than inland venues—but you're paying for the backdrop. Here's what to actually expect.
Budget-Friendly
$15,000-$30,000
This works for:
Off-season (October-April), weekday wedding, smaller guest list (50-75), restaurant reception, DIY details.
Venue types:
Restaurant private rooms, beach clubs off-season, B&B buyouts, backyard with tent rental.
Trade-offs:
Limited dates, fewer vendor options, smaller guest capacity, weather gamble in shoulder seasons.
Mid-Range
$35,000-$60,000
This works for:
Summer Friday or Sunday, 100-125 guests, full venue rental, professional vendors, some custom details.
Venue types:
Hotel ballrooms, yacht clubs, historic estates, golf club venues, dedicated wedding venues.
Trade-offs:
Most popular range—competition for venues. Saturday premium often $5-10K more.
Premium
$70,000-$120,000
This works for:
Saturday summer wedding, 150+ guests, upscale venue, premium vendors, full coordination, custom everything.
Venue types:
Oceanfront resorts, private estates, Cape May Victorian mansions, exclusive beach club access.
Trade-offs:
Requires 12-18 month planning. Top venues and vendors are selective even with budget.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Tent rental
Required for outdoor backup. Price varies by size and style.
Transportation
Shuttle buses between hotels, venues, ceremony locations.
Guest accommodations
Room block deposits, welcome bags, hospitality suite.
Rentals
Tables, chairs, linens, dinnerware for non-inclusive venues.
Parking valets
Many shore venues have limited parking. Valets are expected.
Permits
Beach ceremony permits, noise permits for outdoor events.
Smart Ways to Save
Go off-season
October weddings are stunning—fall foliage, cooler temps, 30-40% venue discounts.
Friday or Sunday
Saturday premium is real. Friday sunset weddings have become trendy.
Brunch reception
Morning ceremony + brunch = 50% food cost savings, no DJ needed.
Skip the open bar
Beer and wine only saves $15-25/person. Guests rarely complain.
Local florist, seasonal flowers
Shore florists use local farms. Dahlias in September cost half of peonies shipped in.
🗓️ Best Time for a Shore Wedding
When you get married at the shore matters more than you'd think. Weather, costs, and guest experience vary dramatically.
Peak Summer (June-August)
Weather
Hot and humid (80-90°F). Occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Sea breezes help but outdoor ceremonies are uncomfortable midday.
Best For
Couples who want the full shore experience and don't mind paying premium prices.
Pros
- +Perfect beach photos
- +Guests can vacation around wedding
- +Best sunset times
- +Everything is open
Cons
- -Highest venue costs
- -Traffic nightmare for guests
- -Everything sells out
- -Heat affects outdoor comfort
💡 Insider tip: July 4th week is impossible to book and triple the cost. Avoid.
Early Fall (September-October)
Weather
Ideal (65-75°F). Lower humidity, warm days, cool nights. Hurricane season peaks mid-September but storms are rare.
Best For
Couples who want great weather without peak summer chaos. Most planners' top recommendation.
Pros
- +Best weather overall
- +Moderate pricing
- +Smaller crowds
- +Fall colors in photos
Cons
- -Hurricane risk (have backup plan)
- -Some seasonal venues close after Labor Day
- -Earlier sunsets
💡 Insider tip: Late September is the sweet spot—summer vendors still available, fall pricing kicks in, weather is perfect.
Late Fall/Winter (November-March)
Weather
Cold and unpredictable (30-50°F). Wind is the bigger issue than temperature. Indoor venues only.
Best For
Budget-conscious couples who want a small, intimate wedding. Victorian B&Bs shine in winter.
Pros
- +Lowest venue costs (40-50% off)
- +Available dates
- +Cozy indoor ambiance
- +Holiday decor options
Cons
- -Limited outdoor options
- -Shorter days
- -Some restaurants/hotels closed
- -Guest travel uncertainty
💡 Insider tip: New Year's Eve weddings in Cape May are surprisingly affordable and festive.
Spring (April-May)
Weather
Variable (55-70°F). Can be rainy, especially April. May is more reliable but still cool.
Best For
Couples who love gardens and don't need beach activities. Victorian estate weddings excel.
Pros
- +Everything blooming
- +Moderate pricing
- +Pre-summer availability
- +Great for destination guests
Cons
- -Rain risk is real
- -Too cold for beach ceremonies until late May
- -Water still too cold for beach activities
💡 Insider tip: Mother's Day weekend books early—lots of multi-gen shore families celebrating together.
⛈️ Weather Backup Planning
Shore weather is unpredictable. Having a solid backup plan isn't pessimistic—it's smart.
Rain on ceremony day
Likelihood: Common (20-30% of summer days have afternoon showers)
Solution:
Most venues include indoor backup spaces. If yours doesn't, rent a clear tent with sidewalls.
Tip: Morning ceremonies have lower rain risk than afternoon. Weather moves in from the west—watch Philly forecasts.
High wind
Likelihood: Very common (shore is windy year-round)
Solution:
Skip the beach ceremony and do it somewhere sheltered. Use anchored decorations, skip tall centerpieces.
Tip: Wind ruins hair more than rain does. Bridesmaids should use serious hairspray and skip loose styles.
Extreme heat
Likelihood: Occasional (several 90°F+ days per summer)
Solution:
Evening ceremony, air-conditioned cocktail hour, fans at outdoor reception, water stations everywhere.
Tip: Dark suits are miserable in heat. Consider light gray for groomsmen at summer weddings.
Tropical storm/hurricane
Likelihood: Rare (1-2 threatening storms per season, actual hits much rarer)
Solution:
Wedding insurance is cheap (~$300). Have a backup date clause with your venue. Create an emergency communication plan.
Tip: Storms are forecast days in advance. Don't panic until 48 hours out—forecasts change.
Must-Haves for Shore Weddings
- ⚡Tent with sidewalls (even if you're hoping for outdoor)
- ⚡Guest shuttle (parking lots flood, roads close)
- ⚡Backup ceremony location confirmed in venue contract
- ⚡Indoor cocktail hour option
- ⚡Wedding insurance (covers vendor no-shows, weather cancellations)
👥 Working with Shore Wedding Vendors
Shore wedding vendors work together constantly—they know each other, they have preferences, and they'll tell you who's good.
Photographers
$3,000-$8,000 for full coverage
Shore photographers know the light. Golden hour at the beach is different than inland—there's a reason they charge more.
Questions to ask:
- • Do you know my venue?
- • What's your beach portfolio?
- • How do you handle midday sun?
- • Wind backup shots?
Caterers
$75-$200 per person depending on service style
Many shore venues have exclusive caterers. If not, local caterers know shore logistics (heat, transport, limited kitchens).
Questions to ask:
- • Have you worked my venue?
- • What's your backup for power outages?
- • How do you handle heat?
- • Local sourcing options?
Florists
$2,000-$6,000 for full floral
Shore florists use Jersey farms. They know what blooms when, what wilts in heat, and what survives beach wind.
Questions to ask:
- • What's in season for my date?
- • Heat-hardy flower recommendations?
- • Do you do beach setups?
- • Delivery logistics?
DJs/Bands
$1,500-$4,000 (DJ) / $4,000-$12,000 (band)
Shore wedding bands play 30-40 weddings a summer. They know every venue's acoustic quirks.
Questions to ask:
- • Have you played my venue?
- • Outdoor sound system backup?
- • Generator requirements?
- • Do you MC or just play?
Vendor Coordination Tips
Ask your photographer for vendor recommendations
They've seen every vendor work. They know who shows up and who doesn't.
Create a shared vendor timeline
Shore venues are tight on space. Everyone needs to know when to arrive and where to set up.
Designate a vendor parking area
Shore venues have limited parking. Don't make your florist park a mile away and carry arrangements.
Book vendors who've worked together
Shore wedding vendors have crews they prefer. Familiar teams work smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we have a beach wedding in New Jersey?
Yes! Many beaches allow permitted ceremonies. Popular spots include Cape May, Avalon, and LBI. You'll need a beach permit and usually must use the town's designated area. Most couples do ceremony on the beach and reception at a nearby venue.
What is the average cost of a Jersey Shore wedding?
Costs vary widely from $150-$500+ per person depending on venue and season. High-end venues like Congress Hall run $300-500/person, while restaurant venues and off-season dates can be $150-200/person. Budget $30,000-$100,000+ total.
When is the best time for a shore wedding?
September and early October offer the best combination: warm weather, beautiful light, off-peak rates, and hotel availability. Summer (June-August) is peak season with highest demand and prices. May is lovely but can be cool.
How far in advance should we book?
For summer weekends: 18-24 months. For fall/spring: 12-18 months. Off-season or weekdays: 6-12 months. Popular venues like Congress Hall book even further out.
Wedding Planning Tips
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