If you’re looking for a venue in New Jersey to host your wedding reception, I have no doubt you’ve come across a few hundred ballrooms. Loud carpeting, over-the-top chandeliers, gilded fixtures. Some of them look like they’re straight out of Versailles.
And while that may work for some weddings, it certainly doesn’t work for the more modern or bohemian weddings I’ve photographed lately. So today, I’m sharing one of my favorites. And five reasons why you should consider it for your New Jersey wedding.
Okay, let’s get to it: Art Factory Studios
With its century-old brick walls, cobblestone courtyards, factory windows, and loft-style ceilings, the Art Factory is the ideal urban backdrop for so many styles of weddings. And because it’s located just 12 miles outside of New York City, you can get the same industrial vibe of NYC without any of the traffic or parking headaches.
Here are 5 more reasons to consider The Art Factory for your wedding day:
1. It’s unique
I already mentioned above how hard it is to find something “different” in NJ. But this venue is truly one-of-a-kind in the tri-state area.
The Art Factory was originally constructed in the 1840s as a textile factory. Today, most of the floors, walls and windows are original. The wood plank floors have been stripped and stained. The brick walls covered with a rich patina that can only be produced with age. And the way the light spills through the floor-to-ceiling factory windows just can’t be replicated!
If you know much about photographers, you know we’re always chasing good light. So, it should be no surprise why this is one of my favorite spaces to work. And good news for you: you’ll love seeing how that light plays out when you see your full wedding gallery.
2. Its outdoor spaces are out of this world cool
It doesn’t take long to realize that the exterior of the Art Factory makes for some pretty epic photos.
the Art Factory is home to cobblestone courtyards that are enclosed by ivy-covered, red brick facades. Others are covered in graffiti, giving it that ‘Gangs of New York’ vibe. Rustic wooden doors and doorways, iron stairways leading to small patios, and corrugated steel walls are other interesting spots.
You’ll quickly see why Netflix and Steven Speilberg (shameless name dropping here!) have used the space. It’s a photographer’s playground! And, you’ll want a photographer who is familiar with the space to take advantage of all its possibilities.
But the outdoor spots aren’t just for photography! The venue also offers a deck space that can be utilized for ceremonies and a lush (depending on the season) ‘backyard’ surrounded by trees for a cocktail hour.
And did I mention that the venue basically backs up to a national park? We can easily hop on a trolley to Great Falls National Park to grab an awesome shot on a charming bridge with cascading waterfalls. Talk about a cool backdrop!
3. The venue never stops transforming
Not only is the Art Factory home to rotating art galleries, but the in-house design team is dedicated to customizing customization.
There is a full showroom equipped with decor, props, and a wide away of furniture. And the team there is ready and willing to navigate the options and help find pieces to further enhance your wedding decor.
Basically, the loft-style spaces are a canvas for your creativity. So you can walk into your day confident that your wedding is truly one-of-a-kind — and your photos will be too.
4. There are tons of after-hours photos ops
Nighttime at the Art Factory presents an opportunity to create something cinematic.
Much of the lighting is custom-made. So, instead of those flashy ballroom chandeliers I mentioned earlier, their light fixtures are made up of Edison bulbs and string lights. They add this amazing warm energy and glow to the space and to your photos.
And back to the outdoor spots, the dramatic, bold, moody photos we’re able to capture when the lights get low are next level. If you give us the time to take some shots at night, you’ll receive a gallery of images that will blow your mind.
5. The food!
Okay, if you’ve read much about me, you already know how much I LOVE being in the kitchen. So, it should come as no surprise that the food at a venue is a key ingredient.
The Art Factory has a limited list of caterers that are allowed to work at the venue. But don’t worry! They are some fantastic options. Two standouts: Willow & Sage and Ultimate Caterers.
I’ve been photographing weddings for 12+ years. And I’ve had my fair share of wedding cuisine. At a recent wedding, Willow & Sage prepared THE.BEST.FOOD. I’ve ever had at a wedding. Seriously. The sliders were seasoned perfectly and served on a fresh, sweet roll. The short ribs were fall-off-the-fork-tender. The tortellinis tasted homemade, just like my grandma used to make. Just writing this makes my mouth water.
Both are trusted options and consistently provide top-notch food and service. Basically, with either of these, you can’t go wrong.
Final thoughts:
This venue is vast, especially considering its urban setting! There are 21 different buildings (nearly 300,000 square feet of space) set on 5 acres! And four different ballrooms – accommodating anywhere from 200 to 650 guests. So, there’s a ton to choose from. That also means you really need to hire a nimble photographer who knows the space well. Why? Because they’re going to have a lot of ground to cover on your wedding day!
Lastly I’d like to mention two of my other vendor friends that we enjoy working with at the Art Factory! Bespoke Floral Design – does absolutely stunning florals at the Art Factory, and Ikonic Music Group knows how to bring the party to life like no other in the unique reception spaces!
Want to see even more weddings at the Art Factory looks like? Shoot this nimble guy an email, and I’ll get you more information!
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