How Much Does Florentine Gardens Wedding Cost?

Published on October 20, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale is a classic North Jersey ballroom venue with manicured gardens, a grand lobby, and an all-inclusive catering model, so the bill mixes per-person pricing with a few flat fees like the on-site ceremony and optional upgrades.

As of October 2025, The Knot listing shows a starting reception price of $30,000 and a ceremony starting price of $1,500, with couples “usually spending” around $34,775 before service and tax, and peak season running April through November.

Those headline figures do not include New Jersey’s 6.625% sales tax or the service/administration charge many NJ banquet venues apply (see the fee language in Seaview’s wedding packet), and upgrades are common (for example, options on Marco’s Uptown weddings pages).

Article Insights

• Florentine Gardens lists $30,000 starting for reception and $1,500 for ceremony, with couples near $34,775 pre-fees as of October 2025.
• Add 20–25% service or admin where applicable and 6.625% NJ tax to get the all-in.
• Comparable Bergen County venues like The Rockleigh show $183–$293 per person plus fees, a useful proxy for peak Saturdays.
• Typical DJ $1,700–$2,500+ and uplighting $250–$500+ can be added without blowing the base.
• Liability insurance is modest, often $75–$235 for a day policy, and many couples review wedding insurance 101 before booking.

How Much Does Florentine Gardens Wedding Cost?

The cost to celebrate a wedding at Florentine Gardens start from $32,000 for 80 guest up to $95,000+ for 175 guests.

Plan for three levers that drive pricing—package level, guest count, and calendar. At this venue tier, base inclusions usually cover cocktail hour, a plated dinner, cake service, premium open bar, and linens; then you choose bar upgrades, late-night stations, uplighting, or dessert displays as add-ons. The listing shows $30,000 starting for reception and $1,500 for ceremony, plus a couples-spend median of $34,775, noted again as before fees and taxes.

To translate sticker prices into a realistic budget, add the local service or admin percentage if applicable, then add 6.625% sales tax. For example, when a nearby venue posts a 21–24% administrative or service charge on food and beverage, the total can rise by a quarter before décor or entertainment (see a regional example in The Mill’s package PDF).

The venue offers an all-inclusive experience with catering, bar services, event rentals, and staff included in the pricing. Pricing varies based on season, guest count, and customization options, with peak seasons in spring and fall commanding higher rates. Florentine Gardens can accommodate up to 350 seated guests, making it suitable for medium to large weddings (Zola profile; independent perspective in Lapkovsky’s guide).

For current pricing snapshots, couples also check the alternate Knot venue page and the official site for inclusions.

Some recent wedding parties have reported costs near $60,000 for Friday events guaranteeing about 200 guests, with larger or more customized events potentially costing more. Pricing includes ceremony fees (~$1,500), setup and cleanup, event rentals, staff service, and liability insurance. Despite the high cost, many couples cite the venue’s elegance, attentive service, and scenic ambiance as well worth the investment for their special day (WeddingWire discussion; regional chatter on Reddit).

Real-Life Cost Examples

Weekday or winter, 125 guests. Use the venue’s $30,000 starting reception as an anchor, add a $1,500 ceremony, then layer a 22% service charge on food and beverage and 6.625% sales tax; the reception portion becomes about $39,025 all-in, with ceremony tax bringing a working total near $40,624 before décor, DJ, and tips.

Peak Saturday, 175 guests. In Bergen County, a comparable luxury ballroom like The Rockleigh posts $183–$293 per person plus a 23% administrative fee, which implies $32,025–$51,275 base food and beverage before fees for 175 guests, then admin and tax on top—Florentine Gardens lives in the same tier.

Premium touches. Add uplighting and DJ enhancements for $250–$500+ in uplights and $1,700–$2,500+ for a DJ, and consider vendor packages like Jason Mello DJ—this is where a mid-package becomes a luxury package.

Micro-wedding tradeoffs. Some menus offer vendor-meal pricing and scaled-down food minimums (e.g., sample menu PDF), and area averages for catering can help benchmark (WeddingWire catering costs).

Also read our articles on the costs of having your wedding at Franciscan Gardens, Crossed Keys Estate, or Chateau de Tourreau.

Cost Breakdown

Food and beverage dominate the bill. Nationally, catering averages about $80 per person, while New Jersey ballrooms often exceed that with expansive cocktail hours, premium open bars, and tableside service. Budget the on-site ceremony fee (~$1,500 where applicable), any administrative/service charge around 20–25%, and the 6.625% state sales tax; these three lines swing the final invoice.

Add-ons stack quickly. Popular choices are uplighting $250+, monogram or dance-lighting bundles $400–$900+, live musicians, late-night bites, or an espresso bar. For reference on DJ lighting bundles, see All Class Entertainment. Vendor meals commonly price around $45–$95 each at other venues and caterers (sample hotel menu; community reports on WedditNYC).

Factors Influencing the Cost

Calendar is king in North Jersey—peak months are April through November—so off-peak winter Fridays or Sundays usually price lower or carry smaller minimums. Guest count is the multiplier; every ten guests can add thousands because bar and entrée costs scale linearly.

Menu style and bar tier matter. Plated service with premium liquor costs more than a buffet or a beer/wine bar, even before enhancements like signature cocktails. Entertainment choices also move the needle, since New Jersey DJ packages average $1,700–$2,500+ and bands far more.

Alternative Products or Services

Benchmark against nearby venues to frame value. The Rockleigh (10 miles away) posts $183–$293 per person plus 23% admin, positioning Florentine Gardens squarely in the luxury banquet cohort for Bergen County. Hotel ballrooms such as Hilton Woodcliff Lake or Courtyard Montvale may offer favorable room blocks and brunch spaces for the weekend buildout. For broad budget context, see Zola’s wedding cost overview and a regional package example at The Mill.

Ways to Spend Less

Keep the guest list tight and target shoulder dates like early spring Sundays or late winter Fridays. Choose a strong base package, then swap expensive stations for high-value favorites and avoid duplication between florist, venue, and DJ lighting. One smart change can save $1,000–$2,000.

Lean on included linens, chargers, and centerpieces, then allocate funds to a single statement floral piece or a premium bar during the first hour only. A well-reviewed DJ with a modest uplighting add-on often delivers the best value per guest at this venue tier.

Expert Insights & Tips

Confirm three lines in writing: the exact guest minimum by date, how reductions work after your RSVP deadline, and whether the service charge is taxable. A tax on the service line is common in New Jersey when it’s considered part of the sale (see NJ Treasury guidance).

Budget tips: North Jersey planners suggest earmarking a gratuity for the maître d’ or event manager, often $5–$10 per guest or 15–20% of food and beverage at many venues—always adjusted to local custom and contract (New Jersey Bride tipping guide; quick checklist on WeddingFile).

Total Costs

From deposit to final payment, expect a schedule with an initial retainer, progress payments, then a final balance due one to two weeks out—after your hotel blocks and shuttle contracts are set. For lodging strategy, review Brides’ room-block guide and coordinate with nearby options through Marriott’s group accommodations page.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

Watch for power drops (some caterers list $95 per 20-amp circuit for bands or extra lighting) and cake-cutting fees where cake is not included (often $1.50 per guest). Vendor meals at $35–$65+ each can also swing totals for large creative teams (see sample menus: hotel packet 1; hotel packet 2).

Warranty, Support & Insurance

Many venues require event liability insurance naming them as additional insured. Liability-only policies typically run $75–$235 for a single day in 2025, while combined liability plus cancellation packages average $250–$600. Easy online options include The Event Helper and WedSafe (background primer: what wedding insurance covers).

Financing & Payment Options

Venues often accept card payments with processing fees, checks, or ACH for larger installments. If you use a card, weigh rewards against a 2–3% surcharge and pay the statement in full, or consider a 0% intro APR window timed to your final payment date.

When comparing quotes, pin the same inclusions for each proposal—hours, menu format, open bar tier, on-site ceremony, gratuity/service charge, tax, staging, power, and vendor meals—so the per-person math tells a clean story.

Resale Value & Depreciation

Weddings don’t have resale value, so aim for experience ROI. Allocate budget to what guests remember—the food cadence, the band/DJ energy, and lighting that photographs well at Florentine Gardens’ ballroom scale—then trim quiet extras.

Opportunity Cost & ROI

Headcount elasticity matters. Reducing by twenty guests at a $225 working per-person with fees and tax frees roughly $4,500–$5,000 for lighting, an after-party, or an upgraded bar for one hour. Small changes create room for one big “wow.”

Seasonal & Market-Timing Factors

Book early for April through November. Couples in this corridor compete with NYC suburbs, so prime Saturdays hold strong and premiums appear around holidays. Off-season dates can carry friendlier minimums and negotiation room on upgrades. For weekend logistics, proximity to Park Ridge, Montvale, or Woodcliff Lake hotels simplifies shuttles and can unlock block perks, comp rooms, or discounted brunch space.

One-Table Snapshot: Typical Tiers at a North Jersey Luxury Ballroom

*Ranges reflect starting prices and comparable Bergen County per-person brackets plus typical 20–25% service and 6.625% tax as of October 2025.

Answers to Common Questions

What drives the per-person prices most at this venue tier?
Menu density at cocktail hour, premium open bar level, and peak-date demand, with service/admin and 6.625% tax multiplying the base.

How do rates change by day and season in River Vale?
Winter Fridays and Sundays price friendlier than Saturdays April through November, which the vendor listing flags as peak.

Are ceremony and service separate from packages?
Yes—ceremony is often a separate line (~$1,500) and many NJ sites add 20–25% service or admin to F&B.

What about DJ and lighting ballparks in New Jersey?
DJ packages commonly run $1,700–$2,500+, and uplighting add-ons start near $250–$500 depending on scope.

Do we need event insurance and how much is it?
Many venues require it. Liability policies often cost $75–$235, with combined packages $250–$600 in 2025 (what it covers).