Atlantic City Wedding!

So, you're thinking to yourself much like I was that Jersey ain't known for romance... lately, it's mostly known for Jersey Shore (which I have never watched and still know lots about-- that's how prevalent it is) and it seems to always be in the constant state of mockery for it's nickname, "The Garden State." In my previous life as an airline ASA/CSA I knew it for Newark, the least on time airport in the world and home to the people who hated to be forced to fly there.

Great way to start a blog entry on weddings, amirite?

It's because of all these things that places like Atlantic City have had to step up their game and reinvent themselves, though, and that's why my second "classic/cliche" (if you can find a way to combine those two words, I will pay you. In love.) wedding destination is Atlantic City, NJ-- the Vegas of the East Coast.

You can honestly tell a lot about a city by the website they put together-- my hometown's website, for example, is simple, cute, and functional which is very Decatur. Cities in the middle of nowhere mostly go for simple and functional with most attempts at attractive thrown out the window. Atlantic City has gone all out and created a subtly snazzy website with a lot of information, pictures, and links for the inquisitive tourist.

Much like Niagara Falls, Atlantic City has made tourism its bread and butter. They have spots on their site specifically for tour groups and meeting planners, so clearly they have this down. If you're looking to do a wedding that is well executed, you don't even need to hire someone like me. Dear God, Atlantic City, NJ just made me obsolete!

ANYWAY-- you're wondering how a casino town could be a great place for a wedding? I mean, sure, Vegas but Vegas is THE casino town, right? Apparently not-- I, for one, would be all about this view on my wedding day:

(via)

I'm right, right? So anywhere that's smart enough to have views like this is bound to have good food, right? One Atlantic is where this shot was taken, and they feature a wide array of attractive attributes. You know, outside of the shiny shiny above. Not only do they cater, but they cater with attention to organic food and farm to table supply chains! They are a Two Star Certified Green Event Facility, which is fantastic and lends a little more credibility to that Garden State thing... 

Outside of the venue, Atlantic City provides plenty of fun in the sun (and shade) for the wedding party on the go. The website even has a section on "Free" and "low cost" options in the area, which is a catch! Like any good casino city, there are also some amazing restaurant options-- everything from sushi to burgers and boardwalk fare. Another fantastic point? The website (I know, quiet about the website already) says it's 72 degrees there! I'm not sure about where you are, but here it's 81 feels like 84 and that's a cool night this week! Add to list of summer wedding destinations? Yes.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I've already sold myself on Atlantic City and I'd sworn previously I was never going to set foot in NJ... just goes to show you what a fantastic website will do for tourism. Oh, and a completely re-vamped public image... Well played, Atlantic City, second on my "classic/cliche" weddings list!