If you've been researching New Jersey wedding venues for any amount of time, you'd soon learn they all follow a very predictable formula: winding marble staircases, fancy chandeliers, and catering hall carpet that has certainly seen better days.
If you look long enough, there's probably a gazebo somewhere, as well as a grand piano, and some sort of a fountain with a cherub spouting water from its mouth.
And if that's what you're into, you're in luck - you'll have no shortage of NJ wedding venues to choose from!
But what if you wanted something a little...different?
What if you didn't want your reception space to be adorned with mini chandeliers and "Jersey Gold" wallpaper? (which is totally a thing by the way). What if you wanted something that was a little bit more modern, contemporary, or something that was a little bit different from I think you're seeing in all those wedding blogs and magazines?
Friends, allow me to introduce to you: The Stone House at Stirling Ridge.
I remember attending an industry event here over 16+ years ago, marveling at all the compositional gifts that this wedding venue had to offer: clean sight lines, warm tones, and a modern, contemporary flair - all of which became the hallmarks of my work whenever I'd visit this venue in the future.
And after all these years, I can definitely say there are no other wedding venues in New Jersey that's quite like it.
(Throw in the fact that The Stone House at Stirling Ridge is conveniently located only 11 minutes from my house, it's easy to see why this place ranks in my all-time top five list favorite NJ wedding venues.
Over the past 16 years, I've had a distinct pleasure of photographing more weddings than I can possibly count at the Stone House at Stirling Ridge. They are a sister venue to The Liberty House in Jersey City, and the Ryland Inn in White House Station, all of which are part of the Landmark Hospitality Group, which own and operate close to two dozen venues here in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
What does this mean to you?
Well, it means that these folks know what they're doing, and they are pretty darn good at it.
But today we're gonna be focusing all of our attention on the Stone House, and what makes them awesome, why our clients love them, and why as a wedding photographer, I absolutely love working here.
Ready for the most amazing wedding photography experience?
50 Stirling Road
Warren, NJ 07059
866-683-3586
Wedding cost: $$$
Capacity: Up to 325
Possible number of simultaneous events: 3
Venue Space Type: Garden, Ballroom, Restaurant, Mountain,
Website: https://stonehouseatstirlingridge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonehousenj/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoneHouseAtStirlingRidge
All that gorgeous space.
Whether you're hosting 30 guests or 300 guests, there's a space at the Stone House (or Lodge) that's a perfect fit for you. From the Grand Ballroom, to The Lodge, and even the Townhouse - you'll get to enjoy all the luxury and eye-candy that the venue has to offer.
Nestled off a quiet road in the Watchung Mountains, the Stone House at Stirling Ridge offers a modern and contemporary take on what a wedding venue can look like. Just imagine if Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe had a lovechild, this venue is precisely what you'll get.
Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, an abundance of natural light throughout the building interiors, as well as meticulously landscaped gardens, fire pits and water features, couples never have to worry about not having enough photo locations, rain or shine.
Food & Service at The Stone House
As a member of the Landmark Hospitality family, you'll never have to worry about food or service; I can speak from both personal and professional experience that both will be exceptional.
Look at it this way: they take amazing care of me, and I'm just a vendor!
Comfort & Convenience
When couples are researching NJ wedding venues, convenience will certainly be a factor. Why? Because Grandma shouldn't be in the car longer than she has to be, and guests are already spending an incredible amount of time, effort and money to come to this celebration; making their trip a smooth one is the least that couples can do!
The Stone House at Stirling Ridge is located just minutes of of I-78, 35 minutes from the airport, and about an hour from New York City - making this a (relatively) easy trip for your guests, wherever they may be coming from.
Additionally, The Stone House at Stirling Ridge has no shortage of photo locations on the property itself, so you don't have to research photo locations off-site for your photos. This means one less thing to worry about, and one less moving part in an already busy day!
Unique Space = Unique Couples = Unique Photos
My couples who book here are looking for something different, something off the beaten path - which I believe perfectly aligns with my photography style. Sure, you will always get some of those traditional elements, especially when it comes to family photos, ceremony coverage, and things like that. But the common theme is that my clients here desire something that is different from anything that screams traditional weddings.
The Stone House provides a bottomless inventory of compositional gifts. For a photographer who creates composition–forward wedding portraits in untraditional ways by using interesting lights, and shapes and lines, this venue gives me all of those things. Whenever I photograph weddings here, it's like Charlie walking into the Chocolate Factory for the very first time.
"It's like fishing with dynamite!"
For a photographer who creates composition–forward wedding portraits in untraditional ways, with interesting lights, and shapes and lines, this venue gives me all of those things. Whenever I photograph weddings here, it's like Charlie walking into the chocolate factory.
Team work makes the dream work.
Having worked with this team for well over 10+ years, I'm incredibly honored to not only call them my colleagues, but also my friends. Having a friendly face working alongside you can certainly make your workday go by a lot quicker (and also a whole lot more fun).
Here are some of my fave photo spots when my couples get married at The Stone House at Stirling Ridge
The Candle Wall. Right outside of your reception space is a covered corridor which can serve as your semi-indoor/outdoor ceremony space. In the cooler months, there are heat lamps available for everyone's comfort (but I'd highly recommend doing your ceremony indoors in the Grand Ballroom if it's an option!). Additionally, the warm lights and clean lines leading up to the candle wall can also be a fun and creative backdrop for your wedding portraits.
The Giant Red Door. Around the corner from The Candle Wall is a stone path which will lead you to a giant red door. Trust me, you can't miss it :). This is a "must-have" shot if you're getting married on the Grand Ballroom side at The Stone House at Stirling Ridge!
Reception courtyard. The most obvious choice for photos is the large, open-air courtyard right outside of your main reception space. Featuring fire pits, evergreen shrubs, and the wood/metal/glass facade that The Stone House at Stirling Ridge is known for, you'll find no shortage of amazing backdrops for your group photos (or for your couple's portraits, for that matter!).
Cocktail Room. Featuring large floor-to-ceiling windows, you'll have plenty of natural light for those bright, timeless photos that you're going to love. Even if the weather's nice outside, it's still worth a stop to give your photos some variety!
Cocktail Deck. Immediately outside of your cocktail room is an open-air deck overlooking the fountain and gardens below. Your guests will enjoy the view to go along with their delicious cocktails. When the afternoon sun lights up this picturesque deck, it's the perfect backdrop of those casual candids of you and your guests.
Fountain & Gardens. Saving the best for last, the gardens and fountain here at The Lodge is simply the cherry upon your proverbial wedding cake. Adorned with a giant chess board, cabanas and perennials surrounding a large fountain (though it may seem tempting to go swimming in it, I would strongly advise against it!), this is every wedding photographer's dream come true. The photo possibilities here are endless.
Wine Cellar. Regardless of where you decide to host your wedding at The Stone House at Stirling Ridge, someone at some point in the evening, will recommend going to the wine cellar for a quick night shot. And they all do this for good reason: it's an iconic photo at an iconic spot when people get married here at the Stone House, no different than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or Times Square in NYC. Nobody leaves without that photo!
Outdoor Bar Patio. With so many photo locations available to you at The Stone House at Stirling Ridge, this modest patio can be easily overlooked. But for a photographer who appreciates simplicity, quiet, and (most importantly) privacy when creating wedding portraits, I love photographing my couples here because it takes them away from all that attention (believe it or not, many folks don't like being at the center of it!).
Love what you're seeing?
Want the best photos at The Stone House at Stirling Ridge? Then you'll want to read this!
The sun will rule the day. Why? Because the sun's position is going to determine how I'm going to photograph your group photos and portraits. Nobody likes squinty photos, or hot-spots on grandma in your official family photos. When in doubt, just follow my lead - I'll know exactly where to take you and your guests, regardless of what the sun may throw at us :).
Generally speaking, you can only take photos in the space you booked. The last thing anybody wants is a queue to use a photo location (or have random couples walking around in your background while you're trying to eat dinner). As a rule of thumb, 99.9999999% of your photos will be taking place on the side of the property that you booked. The exception to this rule is the wine cellar - but your attendant and I will help coordinate that for you.
Your suites are going to be cozy. If you have a larger wedding party, you may be better served by getting ready at one of the nearby hotels.
Shooting indoors will require a bit of experience & skill. In the event of inclement weather on your wedding day, your default photo option will be shooting indoors, and here's the cold honest truth: not all photographers excel at shooting indoors, neither with window light nor with artificial lights. And while this wedding venue does offer many compositional gifts, both indoors and outdoors, it would require a skilled & experienced photographer in order to take advantage of all of it. When in doubt, asked to see some portfolio for some rainy day weddings at the Stone House at Stirling Ridge.
Stone House at Stirling Ridge Stone House at Stirling Ridge
50 Stirling Road, Warren, NJ 07059
Grain & Cane
250 Connell Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Trap Rock Restaurant
279 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Stumpy's Hatchet House
159 US-22, Green Broo k, NJ 08812
If you are currently engaged and looking for a wedding photographer to help document one of the most amazing days in your lives, I would love to hear your plans and seeing what we can do to be a part of them!
- Ben
