Wedding Planning Update #6F - Reception Site Visits
Well, I was right. Today’s visits were a waste of time. I’ll still post some relevant info, just in case someone googles this page and the information ends up being helpful to them.
11) The Hilton Woodbridge was actually pretty nice - inside. The building looks again like 1960s to 1970s NJesque style. A close comparision would be the Continental Hotel the monorail drives through on the way to the Magic Kingdom in WDW, but brown. They were VERY busy, and VERY crowded, I guess they do a lot of corporate convention stuff during the week. They are close to the train station, which would be nice for my guests wanting to go to NY for a day, or coming from any of the three major NY/NJ airports. But otherwise, they were definately not my first choice.
They had two different packages, which did not really vary, and neither included an ice sculpture. Again, not like I need one, but for the same price or less, I can get one included in the package at almost every other site we visited. The hotel rooms were also not really impressive, with just a very small bathroom. You can tell the hotel was constructed quite a few years ago, and hasn’t really undergone any major renovations.
12) The Forge in Woodbridge was ok, if you were looking for a good deal on a budget, and didn’t mind the possability of having 3 other functions going on at the same time as yours. Also definately the place if you want bride and groom showcased on large rounded-back white wicker chairs (as featured in “The Wedding Singer”), and up on a platform. Too cheesy for me. There is also, somehow, a lake in the back, and there’s definately some nice places you can take pictures on the facility, but all in all, not what I was looking for.
My first impressions of the place were bad too - the lettered sign out front, the smoky entryway and office my mother and I had to suffer talking to the facility manager in (OK, this was a huge problem for me because NJ passed the “No smoking in any public buildings” law, and it shouldn’t have been like that). They also added everything in a la carte, not a total package. And they had an inn on site - but all it is is one of the lowest-grade motel things, and did not include a breakfast for guests.
My mom and I then headed down to visit my grandmother and her sister in the hospital. On our way home, we we able to hit up a bridal showcase for this one company The Pros, who are basically completely digital, and will give you all your images and the rights to them. In this age, there is absolutely no reason why photographers should be able to hold onto your proofs for ten years and still be able to charge you an arm and a leg to get a reprint. I think we might just go with them for that very reason. We also got to see a bunch of their DJs, and meet them and the actual photographers AND videographers. The company also has a good deal where if you book all 3 services with them, they give you a huge discount. I think it might be totally worthwhile to go with them.
We capped off the evening by stopping by my mom’s MahJongg group, where I got to show off my ring, my dress pics, and even play a game! 
