An Intimate Wedding in New Jersey Creates Lasting Memories
An intimate wedding in New Jersey offers couples the chance to celebrate with their closest loved ones in a warm, meaningful setting. Certainly, the fanfare and excitement of a big blowout wedding doesn’t quite hit the right note for some. Luckily, The Whistling Swan Inn in North Jersey, combines a romantic atmosphere and gorgeous 19th-century-inspired decor for a small ceremony surrounded by loved ones.
Credit: The Whistling Swan Inn
Intimate Weddings at The Whistling Swan Inn
A Personal Approach from the Owner
We spoke to Rosalind Bruno, owner of The Whistling Swan, about helping couples craft beautiful intimate wedding celebrations. Acting as the inn’s resident wedding planner, Rosalind works closely with engaged couples to organize events for up to 75 people.
Why Couples Choose This Venue
“It’s a way to have an intimate, elegant, yet affordable wedding,” she told us. “We get a lot of people who are doing second or subsequent marriages, because they’ve had a big wedding the first time around and they want to do something nice but don’t feel the need for a big production.”
Wedding Packages with Charm and Flexibility
The wedding package offered by The Whistling Swan Inn is perfectly suited to this desire for a low-key affair. The Inn allows for a 4-hour event wherein the couple may exchange their vows before a crackling fire, out on the spacious veranda, or in the beautifully-tended garden. The per person rental fee includes catering, chefs, wait staff, linens, crystal, china, silver, tables, chairs, and set up. For an added fee, a tent can be erected on the grounds as a guard against inclement weather.
Collaborating with Trusted Vendors
While some wedding staples, such as the cake and floral arrangements, are not included in The Whistling Swan Inn’s wedding package, Rosalind has florists and other vendors she regularly collaborates with and can recommend. She also welcomes couples who prefer to bring in their own florist or bakery. “Sometimes brides come to me and they already have a florist and that’s fine. Sometimes they come and already have a bakery. We’re very flexible.”
Important Considerations
There are, however, certain things where flexibility is limited. For example, The Whistling Swan Inn does not have a liquor license, so they cannot sell alcohol. They can serve it, but clients must bring their own beer, wine, and champagne.
Photo Credit: The Whistling Swan Inn
Guest Limits and Customized Celebrations at The Whistling Swan Inn
Intimate Guest Capacity
Another aspect in which flexibility is limited is party size: guest counts are limited to 60–75 people for outdoor celebrations and 35 for those taking place indoors.
Photo Credit: The Whistling Swan Inn
Full Inn Buyout Experience
While some might find paring down their guest list to only a few dozen names daunting, The Whistling Swan Inn can provide a truly unique experience. For a fee, the bride and groom can reserve the entire inn for one or two nights, putting themselves and their guests up in its nine guest rooms. “It almost serves as a mini family reunion because they have the whole property to themselves,” Rosalind said. “They get full access to all the rooms, common areas and gardens and have our complete attention for their entire stay. They get a country breakfast every morning, time to relax out on the porch and enjoy each other’s company.”
Creative and Personalized Events
The Whistling Swan Inn puts a lot of effort into executing customized events for the couple’s vision for their day.
“I had a wedding one time where the groom was a wine importer and very particular about food. Normally, I handle the food for weddings, but he wanted to do it. So, I said ‘okay,’ and we came to terms on the details.
One of the things he wanted was a roast pig that sat on the dining room table. He went to a local creamery and bought $600 worth of exotic gourmet cheeses in three sized wheels. We were asked to stack them in tiers and decorate them like a wedding cake. We used curly parsley and brussels sprouts with grapes in the center to make flowers. It was a challenge, but it turned out looking amazing and was a beautiful wedding.”
A Perfect Place for a New Beginning
When looking for an intimate new beginning together, The Whistling Swan Inn is the perfect venue for saying “I do.”
