You don’t need to call a shotgun to sit next to your boo anymore, do you? Congratulations girl, on booking a seat next to your sweetheart forever (not only in his car but everywhere)! Yes, we know he has recently popped the question. Wondering what to do next? Take a deep breath and enjoy to the fullest! Go on long drives with him, watch late-night shows in your favorite theaters laying your head on his shoulder, sit on a rock and share your sweet nothings while watching the sun setting in the blue waters. Now is the time to bask in your "just-got-engaged" bliss! Fret not! And once you have made the news viral on all your social media accounts, made phone calls to your family and friends, got your ring sized and insured, opened a joint account (yep, for wedding-related expenses), and had a mind-blowing engagement photo session with an expert engagement photographer (click here if seeking photogenic engagement photography locations in New York City) it’s time to start pinning or making your Pinterest board, set a wedding date, prepare your wedding guest list, go for wedding shopping, and most importantly picking out a wedding venue to finally say those two magical words- “I do”. Yes, in a nutshell, we mean- it’s time to prepare a wedding checklist only if you have spent quality time together (talking about anything EXCEPT the wedding!) and celebrated your engagement with your nearest and dearest.

Coming back to the wedding venue element of your wedding planning, we don’t know what wedding theme or style your heart is set on but all we know is that the Big Apple City beats in your heart and that’s why you are looking for a New York wedding venue to get married to the love of your life. Who doesn’t love the tee with “I <3 NY logo” printed on it?! Home to Central Park, Grand Central Station, the Brooklyn Bridge, and a mesmerizing NYC skyline, the city that never sleeps fulfills lovers’ dreams in a wink! Also called Helluva Town, New York City has witnessed millions of love stories amidst its cloud-piercing glittering skyscrapers and array of arresting architectural styles. Enough to take your breath away? If not, read on, please. You never know when you’ll turn a corner and stumble on a spite triangle or one of the oldest buildings in the city. If you are one of those soon-to-be brides who always wanted to visit New York since they were knee-high and would watch Powerpuff girls or you are a New York bride (Ah! So lucky!) who has been absorbing its energy, and understanding its nuances since her childhood, New York does not disappoint when it comes to wedding venues!

We (our professional wedding photographers) absolutely love shooting New York weddings and if you ask our favorite New York wedding venues then let us tell you we are fans of New Jersey wedding venues especially- The Mill at Spring Lake Heights. Not because the venue offers myriad photo ops but also because The Mill Lakeside Manor weddings are special in itself! Sitting in the heart of Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey, The Mill Lakeside Manor is the breathtakingly beautiful wedding and reception venue that hosts only one wedding at a time to provide its couples an experience that is unique and unforgettable! The gorgeous Lakeside property turned more gorgeous after finishing wonderful renovations in 2019 spring performed by the new owner, Clarks Landing Group of Wedding Destinations. Featuring an array of full-fledged event spaces, the venue lets you host your fairytale wedding in a romantic movie style. The location on the lake provides a very intimate setting for a wedding, and the inside decor is just as beautiful as the outside scenery.

The venue has a history and how can we move ahead without letting you know that previously known as ‘The Old Mill’, this Spring Lake Heights location has been hosting events for more than 7 decades. Though this business has been active since the 1930s, the property itself was shown on Lt. John Hills’ 1781 map for the British Army. In the early 50s, this location was run as a bar and grill by restaurateur William Brauweiler. Throughout the years, the business was owned and operated by a variety of people. As of 2017, this venue joined the Clarks Landing collection of premier wedding destinations. And what you see today is the result of well-thought renovations. Yes, the renovations inside the venue that were recently done are absolutely jaw-dropping.

Boasting a top-shelf open bar, open kitchen food stations, and a lakeside dock, this gorgeous lakeside venue lets you have your guests talk about your wedding day for decades. After exchanging your vows in their outdoor event space overlooking the scenic lake views, head to their first floor for a killer cocktail hour. The interiors are just as breathtaking and will help you take your New York wedding photography closer to perfection. The Waterview Room is perfect for a party of 220. This room overlooks the lake and allows your guests to admire the majestic view through two large picture windows. The covered roof deck is a great pick for a stylish cocktail party, while the Sienna Café can be seen as the ideal environment for an intimate wedding gathering of up to 100 people. Their brand new, elegant ballroom on the second floor is a spectacular reception location decked up with custom mood lighting, cosmic crystal chandeliers, and a state of the art audio system. Picture this- you are having your first dance with your soulmate under the golden glow of glistening chandeliers making you look like Cinderella and her Prince Charming! Dreamy enough!? Our NYC wedding photographers love capturing newlyweds lost in each other in the most romantic frames!

Next, you’ll want to research and book your photographers. A lot of wedding photographers in NJ typically get booked 12-18 months out so they should be at the top of the list of vendors to book after securing your venue. If you have your heart set on a specific photographer, make sure you reach out to them before even booking your venue to inquire about available dates.

Finding the right photographer for you might take a while. Take your time with booking your photographer because once the wedding is over, your photos are the only things that will remain. Make sure you don’t jump the gun by scheduling an engagement session with a random photographer. If you’re going to do engagement photos, it’s really important that you have your engagement photos done by your wedding photographer, specifically. After all, you’ll want to get to know him or her and get comfortable with his or her approach to posing. For a little guidance with which questions to ask your potential wedding photographer, click here. Our entire team of professional wedding photographers looks forward to making you and your guests comfortable in front of cameras for seamless wedding photography and/or videography experience. We are so excited to be a part of your journey and creating keepsakes for you to cherish forever!

At The Mill Lakeside Manor wedding venue, you will be treated like Royalty from beginning to the end. They offer world-class cuisine for your wedding guests, and their executive chefs help you customize and curate your wedding menu to your liking to make your special day culinary experience memorable! They also believe that your cocktail hour should offer an overabundance of food options for your near and dear ones to leave a lasting first impression. The menu options at the venue cover all the traditional and contemporary food trends. Their plated entrée service will offer your guests four options to choose from on the night of the wedding. For more information, you may check out their White Swan Reception Package. Along with your custom wedding cake provided by Chocolate Carousel Dessert Shoppe, they invite you to choose three individually plated gourmet desserts to offer your guests.

Another feature you would love about this gorgeous NYC wedding venue is that they offer over a 5-hour premium open bar with over 100 top-shelf liquor options. With top-shelf brands varying from Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire to Macallan 12 and Woodford Reserve. In addition, they feature 6 single-malt scotches from the largest regions in Scotland. Their beer rotation is seasonal with the signature staples always included, they offer an assortment of 25 different beers at any given time. A diverse selection of 28 red, white, and sparkling wines are also served to your guests. They love for their couples to feature signature drinks to personalize our premium open bar package! As your guests are escorted upstairs to the Grand Ballroom, they will be greeted by their welcoming staff as they find their seats. A chilled glass of champagne will be poured tableside in anticipation of the toasts to come. Open bar requests will also be provided tableside by their professionally trained staff. They offer a four-course reception menu to entice you and your guests. Your guests will be served in their outstanding white-glove style of service. With their grand parade performance, they serve each guest at the table at once, starting with a delectable appetizer for each guest that is chosen by you. Thereafter, your guests will be offered a choice between 4 incredible entrée selections that evening. Their Chef team will be at your disposal to accommodate any dietary restrictions and allergies.

In case you want to extend the cocktail hour, reception, or both, The Mill Lakeside Manor wedding venue assists you with a seamless timeline. If you would like to add a midnight snack station at the end of your wedding, they have the perfect station options for you to offer your guests! They provide a variety of items to enhance your wedding experience and truly make your special day yours.

Your magical ‘The Mill Lakeside Manor wedding’ is sure to get etched in the minds of your loved ones forever. Hosting one wedding at a time, like all Clarks Landing Group venues, this dazzling lakefront wedding venue will be exclusively yours on your wedding day. Their experienced and collaborative team of professionals do everything in their might to bring your dream wedding to life! Their motto is to make you feel welcomed as a family the moment you step into their beautiful estate. Throughout the entire planning process, your NYC wedding coordinator will thoroughly describe the venue details, service style, and exactly what your special day will look like. The coordination team at the venue will schedule your food tasting, record your plans, and keep you on track to nail a successful wedding day! The staff at The Mill Lakeside Manor pays close heeds to every single detail to ensure an easy-breezy wedding experience for both you and your wedding party. They also take care of all your wedding planning needs, vendor coordination, event set-up, and much more! 

Consider booking The Mill at Spring Lake Heights, a desirable restaurant in the New Jersey area only if you want to taste a fabulous wedding experience. This venue will stun you and your loved ones with its elegant settings, great ambiance, and fantastic cuisine. This is the place where all your culinary expectations will be exceeded on your wedding day. We love capturing The Mill Lakeside Manor weddings simply because we appreciate the simplicity and true sophistication of the decor that you can personalize to reflect your personal style. Spend some time in the lovely ceremony garden and admire the romantic stone patio while you discover the intimate atmosphere by the waterfront ceremony site that this stunning property features. 

Say your vows at the charming The Mill Lakeside Manor embellished with a serene lake and pristine natural beauty and allow The Mill at Spring Lake Heights wedding photographer to give you several swoon-worthy photos of you and your New York wedding. Add more romance to your love story on the lakeside deck, rehearse your vows in the middle of nature, and let our wedding photographers in and around New York capture each magical moment at The Mill. With endless possibilities and photo ops that this immaculate NYC wedding venue offers, your wedding and its coverage would be flawless and perfect!