The History of Asbury Park, NJ, starts way, way back, as a Victorian summer seaside getaway, boasting a boardwalk pavilions, trolley systems, and an artesian well, as well as wide tree lined streets, numerous parks, churches, and a thriving business district at the oceanfront.
Considered something of a progressive music and art mecca, as well as being home to a long standing and vibrant LGBTQ+ community, the city continued to go strong until the 1970’s, when The Garden State Parkway was completed and many of the tourists moved on.
But, I’m happy to say that the city has since undergone a massive revitalization owing in a large part to many of the residents, newcomers, and organizations, like the Asbury Park Historical Society! And, one last note! In 2022, Asbury Park’s beach was named one of the best in the world by Money Magazine! Check out a small part of what Asbury Park has to offer for your wedding!
The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel
The Berkeley Hotel is a 100 year old boutique hotel, built in Beaux-Arts style design by New York architect Whitney Warren. As such, The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel is one of the most timeless and iconic wedding and event venues in Asbury Park, NJ, mixing old World elegance and a ton of charm, with convenient modern amenities.
And, if you choose The Berkeley, an in-house event coordinator will work with you to help arrange every aspect of your big day, including décor, custom catering menus, audiovisual needs and more. Your dedicated coordinator will ensure that your gathering unfolds effortlessly and perfectly in tune with your vision. And, when it comes to your event space, you’ll have plenty to choose from, as the hotel boasts five luxury ballroom venues, each with a unique character and potential, as well as a more intimate rooftop patio space.
Cross & Orange
Cross & Orange is a fantastic place for an upscale casual, one of a kind wedding reception! Whether your style is ultra laid back, or ultra swanky, Cross & Orange will deliver. We’ve been to weddings they’ve planned for 200 guests, and to intimate wedding dinners for 15, and they excel at both. And, the very next morning they’ll be ready to host their always sold out Drag Brunch! Impressive don’t you think?!
But, even with all of that going for it, the real star of the show is the delicious food! Chef Mike and his team prepare everything on the menu with great care and attention, and it shows! Seriously! And, if you or your guest have dietary preferences and restrictions, let them know what you need and it will be accommodated. As a last note, the kitchen at Cross & Orange buys local fresh ingredients whenever they can, because that’s how invested they are in their community.
The English Manor
The English Manor is a gorgeous venue for a wedding (no matter the season) with a meticulously landscaped garden patio, complete with fountain, as well as a large manicured lawn with a wide stone path leading to their ceremony pavilion that happens to be surrounded by a lush backdrop of trees. Once you move inside, their recently renovated grand ballroom will wow, with its floor to ceiling windows, beautiful painted woodwork chandeliers and classic design elements, along with modern built-in décor lighting and a state of the art sound system. And, if that’s not enough, there’s also a large covered outdoor space, that is perfect for cocktails, or an alfresco cocktail style reception!
Speaking of the reception, the weddings at The English Manor are a full service type affair. Their 5 hour wedding reception package takes care of almost every detail of your party, allowing you to focus on the more important things, like spending time with your nearest and dearest!