Considering The Asbury Hotel for Your Wedding? 6 Things to Know Before You Say Yes
There are so many wonderful venues for a Jersey shore wedding, but one of the destinations that has absolutely blown me with its vibrant design, luxurious tone, and views that can’t be beat is the Asbury Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ. This is biased, of course, coming from a girl who loves vintage furniture, cried during the Elvis movie, and listens to the Beatles unironically. (At the same time, if a hotel feels even a bit grimey, I get major ick. Old brassware is cute; popcorn ceilings are not).
So, when you have the marriage of retro-fabulousness with modern amenities, it’s the perfect place for a beach getaway (and the start of your marriage). If you’re considering the Asbury Hotel as a venue for your Jersey Shore wedding, here are a few things I think every couple should know:
Your Wedding Photos will Read “Elevated Coastal” - literally
When I arrived to this stunning hotel for the first time and got acquainted with the reception and cocktail space, I was delighted. But it wasn’t until I took an elevator up 7 stories and stepped onto the hotel rooftop that my jaw dropped.
A green lawn contrasted with the envelopment of the huge sky. There were of course flowers framing the wedding alter, but the true show stopper was the view: imagine getting married with an entire coastline as your backdrop, framed by a white-picket fence that reminds you of summers-past.
You’re seconds from the beach, but that’s not the only bit of charm you’ll find
The ocean is what may bring you to Asbury Park, but the sprawling town is why your guests will want to stay.
When you arrive to the hotel, you’ll find yourself nestled in a quiet, but welcoming beach town, with gorgeous historic sites like the The Paramount Theater and a refurbished 19th century boardwalk.
You’re going to have that old Hollywood glam you need in your life
After you checkout the 1920s theater, it’s only apt that the hotel has created your very own marquis, celebrating your special moment.
With historic rockstar prints decorating the rooms, a lounge lined with old records and tapes, and a retro Volkswagen sitting poolside, you’ll feel like you’re living your 1950s movie star dream.
4. Get Your Bowling Shoes
Or rent them from Asbury Lanes, the adjacent boutique bowling alley that features concerts, hosts private events, and is the perfect rendezvous for your post wedding after party. And of course, there’s just an extra dose of vintage vibes here, with their 1950’s inspired teal and checkered diner, complete with booths that wrap around like a hug and formica tabletops.
5. It’s a Fully Functioning Hotel
If there’s one thing that’s stressful about planning a destination wedding (or even a 1.5 hour away wedding), it’s figuring out the accommodation situation for you, your mom, your aunt Sally, your old high school bestie, your cousin, your fiance’s crotchety uncle, etc.
And the worst part of a wedding is the 11:30 scramble to get everyone out of the venue, packed up wine, shoes, decor, and all
One of the best aspects of getting married at the Asbury is your guests can gracefully slip out of your reception and are just an elevator button away from their room for the night. With 110 rooms and suites and capacity to host up to 750 guests at events, the Asbury will eliminate the stress of reserving hotel blocks at 5 different locations, transportation for tipsy relatives, and the exhausted scramble to clear out after a night of partying.
As a Philadelphia-based live wedding painter and guest portrait artist, I’ve had the pleasure of painting couples and guests in so many spaces down the shore, but the Asbury Hotel remains one of my favs. It offers that delightful mix of industrial-vintage chic, charming street lamps, and an aesthetic that makes you feel like you’re living in a French 1960s film. And, at the end of the day, its location offers an unbeatable backdrop to the start of your forever.
If you’re planning a New Jersey wedding and are considering the Asbury Hotel, I’d love to hear more about your story. Inquire today, and let’s begin planning an artwork that will capture one of the most beautiful places and moments of your love story.
Photography credit (all photos except final photo): Grace Brown Photography
Live Guest Portraits: Rachel Shannon Art
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