Check out the Hottest Summer Wedding Trends!

Planning a summer wedding and looking for the hottest summer wedding trends? According to Marthastewartweddings.com, think bold & bright!  Don’t be afraid to embrace vibrant colors. Here are a few of the hottest summer wedding trends for your big day:

Marigold and Pewter: Combine yellow and gray and surprise your guests with a gorgeous color combo.

Think Great Gatsby. According to the Huffington Post, brides are falling in love with the elegance of the Roaring Twenties. Picture white-gloved waiters, crystal candlesticks and gold-rimmed china. Don’t forget the big band!

Spice up your event a little by adding some heat to the menu. It has been noted that guests reach first for the spicy things on the menu.

Remember, flavor is driven by season. When choosing your cake, think lemon flavor for the summertime.

According to TheKnot.com, one of the top wedding themes is rustic and natural with sophisticated, glam accents. Imagine a barnyard wedding with a hanging chandelier. This rustic glam theme is certainly one of the hottest summer wedding trends and can be shown by having branchy and green centerpieces with lush flowers and a pop of sparkle. Learn more here.

Unplugged weddings: While we all love social media, many brides are against it for their wedding. One of the upcoming trends for a wedding is an unplugged wedding where the bride and groom ask guests to refrain from taking photos or videos and just concentrate of having fun. It’s a nice touch to ensure everyone is living in the moment!

What are the hottest summer wedding trends that you’ve noticed? Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and colors.

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ

Treat Mom to a Mother’s Day Lunch or Dinner Cruise in NY or NJ!

It’s always a good time aboard the Spirit Cruises! This Mother’s Day, treat Mom to a memorable lunch or dinner cruise in NY or NJ. Hop aboard the Spirit of New York or Spirit of New Jersey and enjoy a special day full of festivities. Each cruise is conveniently located approximately 30 minutes from us at The Wilshire Grand Hotel.

The Spirit of New York cruises depart from Chelsea Piers, Manhattan, NY on May 11, 2014. Enjoy:

• Mother’s Day Early Lunch Cruise in NY, 10:30am-12:30pm.
• Mother’s Day Afternoon Lunch Cruise, 2:30pm-4:30pm
• Mother’s Day Dinner Cruise, 7:00pm-10:00pm

The Spirit of New Jersey cruises depart from Lincoln Harbor Marina in Weehawken, NJ on May 11, 2014. Enjoy:

• Mother’s Day Lunch Cruise in NJ, Noon-2:00pm
• Mother’s Day Early Dinner Cruise, 4:30pm-6:30pm

Many of the cruises include a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa for Mom and free juice and soda for everyone. Click here to learn more about the Mother’s Day Lunch or Dinner Cruises in NY and NJ!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there!

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ

Essex County TreeTop Adventure Course – An Exciting Weekend Event for the Adventure Seeker!

Love an adventure? Then, you’ll love the Essex County TreeTop Adventure Course, which is now open on the weekends. The world-class aerial obstacle course is located next to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and features a junior course, adult course and zip line.

The Essex County TreeTop Adventure adult course is approximately 35ft in height and offers 30 unique challenge elements with a run time of 1 to 1.5 hours. The junior course is approximately 10ft in height and offers 18 challenge elements with a 30 to 45 minute run time. The zip line has been redesigned and measures the length of over a football field and is approximately 40 feet in height.

Click here to learn about the rules and regulations for the Essex County TreeTop Adventure Course and plan your visit to Northern New Jersey today! This is the perfect event for adventure seekers in our area.

After enjoying the event, rest your feet in our cozy accommodations in NJ. Visit our website to book your stay today.

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ

April Showers bring May Flowers – Our Top Rainy Day Activities in NJ!

It is unfortunate to think about but sometimes we get stuck with bad weather during a vacation. Don’t let the rain clouds put a damper on your weekend plans. Check out our list of our top rainy day activities in NJ and make the most out of your family getaway with us at The Wilshire Grand Hotel!

Here are our top rainy day activities in NJ:

For those looking to kick back and relax, the AMC Dine-In Theatres Essex Green 9 is located right here in West Orange, NJ! Catch a movie and enjoy delectable treats and beverages from the menu and yes, there is beer and wine for the adults!

For action seekers, Funplex in East Hanover is an indoor family amusement park, which features unique attractions and over 100,000 square feet of fun!

For museum lovers, Morristown is home to many exciting attractions, which includes the Morris Museum or you can head to Newark and visit the largest museum in New Jersey, the Newark Museum. It’s all just a short drive away from us in NJ!

Of course, these attractions are great, rain or shine! But, if you are looking for indoor family fun, don’t miss out on these top rainy day activities in NJ.

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ

The 22nd Annual Easter Bunny Express at the Whippany Railway Museum!

Celebrate Easter and the beginning of the spring season at the Whippany Railway Museum in Whippany, NJ! The fun themed train ride is returning to the family attraction for the 22nd Annual Easter Bunny Express this April 2014. Continue reading to learn about the beloved holiday attraction and plan your stay in NJ today.

Take in the sights of northern NJ as you experience a 45-minute round-trip ride along the Morristown & Erie Railway’s historic Whippanong Trail. Sit back and enjoy the heated passenger coaches as the Train Crew hands out holiday treats for the kids. The Easter Bunny will also be on board greeting each guest during the trip. Visitors are welcome to being their camera to take photos during the 10-mile round trip excursion.

The Easter Bunny Express at the Whippany Railway Museum departs the Whippany station on: 

Saturday, April 12th
Sunday, April 13th
Saturday, April 19th

All train run rain, snow or shine and leave at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Children under 12 are $9 and adults ages 12 and over are $14. Infants on laps, one-year of age and under, are free. Make the day extra special by purchasing tickets for the elegantly restored 1927-era Central Railroad of New Jersey club car, ‘Jersey Coast.’

Visit the Whippany Railway Museum website to learn more about the annual Easter event in northern NJ and plan your stay today! If looking for hotels near the event, we invite you to plan your stay with us at The Wilshire Grand Hotel.

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ

Tips for Planning an Outdoor Party!

Spring is just around the corner. Once the weather starts to rise, the desire to plan an outdoor party begins to grow! We are all waiting for those warm and sunny days, which is why we’ve dedicated this blog post to tips for planning an outdoor party. Check out these tips for planning an outdoor party this spring or summer.

First, purchase a tent or covered area. There is also a chance that a rain shower may pop up during your party. While we hope that won’t be the case, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Purchase a tent and plan ahead. Even if it is clear skies, you’ll want to keep the food and drinks out of the shade and your older guests will appreciate a place to escape from the sun.

Seating: Always make sure there is enough seating for everyone to comfortably relax. While most will mingle, it is important to make sure your guests have the option to sit back and rest their feet. You can rent extra chairs or lay pretty quilts on the ground for a picnic-style party.

Lighting: If you’re planning a party in the afternoon than there is a good chance your guests may still be there once the sun goes down. Make sure you have enough lighting to ensure your guests aren’t left in the dark. You can string lights, use lanterns or even tea lights to create a nice atmosphere.

Keep the bugs away! Remember, mosquitoes breed in standing water so make sure all kiddie pools and rain gutters are clear prior to your event. Consider plugging in some fans or offer your guests bug wipes.

Keep the children entertained with kid-friendly activities, such as a sprinkler or slip ‘n’ slide depending on the size of the area. A great tip for keeping kids busy during a party includes buying inexpensive disposable cameras and letting them be the photographers for the day!

We hope you enjoyed these creative and helpful tips for planning an outdoor party. If looking for event venues in NJ, be sure to check out our elegant event space at The Wilshire Grand Hotel.

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ

Take the Family to see Stars on Ice at the Prudential Center!

The U.S. Olympic Bronze Medal Figure Skating Team is coming to Newark, NJ for Stars on Ice at the Prudential Center. Tickets are now on sale! Don’t miss this exciting spring event taking place just minutes from us in NJ.

USA’s golden couple Meryl Davis and Charlie White along with their bronze medal teammates will headline the 2014 cast of the Emmy-award winning Stars on Ice® at the Prudential Center on Wednesday, April 9th, 2014 at 7:00pm. This will be the first time ever the U.S. Olympic figure skating team will headline the annual nationwide tour!

In addition to Gold medalists Davis and White, two-time U.S. champion Ashley Wagner, 2014 U.S. champion Gracie Gold, four-time and reigning U.S. champion Jeremy Abbott, 2014 U.S. silver medalist Jason Brown, and two-time reigning U.S. pair champions Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir will join the Stars on Ice 2014 Tour at the Prudential Center.

Doors will open at 6:00pm. Ticket Prices: $129.75, $79.75, $49.75, $29.75. Learn more about the 2014 Stars on Ice Tour in Newark by visiting the Prudential Center website.

If traveling to our area for Stars on Ice at the Prudential Center and looking for overnight accommodations, we invite you to plan your stay with us at The Wilshire Grand Hotel. Visit our website and book your stay today.

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ

We’ve been selected as a 2014 New Jersey Bride Love It award winner!

We are very happy to announce that The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ has recently been selected as a 2014 New Jersey Bride Love It award winner! We are so very honored to receive this accolade from New Jersey Bride, New Jersey’s premier bridal magazine.

The New Jersey Bride Love It Awards for 2014 feature companies in the bridal industry that New Jersey Bride finds instrumental in planning the perfect wedding. Our NJ hotel wedding and event venue has been featured as one of the best wedding hotel venues in NJ! Visit the New Jersey Bride website to learn more about the 2014 Love it Awards.

If you are searching for the top wedding venues in the Northern New Jersey area, we welcome you to contact one of our staff members to plan your tour of our hotel today. More information regarding our elegant ballrooms and intimate venues are available on our website.

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel

Book your Bar/Bat Mitzvah at our Venue in NJ!

The Wilshire Grand welcomes you to celebrate your bar/mat mitzvah at our elegant venue in NJ.  Our Wilshire Caterers will help customize your very own Bar/Bat Mitzvah NJ package to ensure that your special needs will be met.  Come discover what makes our hotel one of the most popular Bar/Bat Mitzvah venues in NJ.

Click here to view our Wilshire Caterers Bar/Bat Mitzvah Menu, which includes an Arrival Reception, Cocktail Reception, Cold Buffet Stations, a Complimentary Ice Carving of your Choice, Hot Captain Stations, Dinner Presentation and Appetizer/Salad Pairing.

Our Executive Chef Matthew Goldman and staff can create any dish that your child would prefer at our Bar/Bat Mitzvah New Jersey event venue. Everything you’ll need is under one roof. Our caterers in New Jersey have special group rates for your guests, a florist, photographer, DJ or band, an invitation specialist and more to make your special event flawless from beginning to end.

The Wilshire Grand Caterers is located at 350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052

Our Wilshire Caterers also offer our guests the opportunity to host their Bar/Bat Mitzvah at The Loft, one of our more elegant venues in NJ, which features a hardwood dance floor surrounded by LED lighting and a lounge furniture package.

If you are interested in planning your special event at one of the top Bar and Bat Mitvah venues NJ, contact one of our Wilshire Grand staff members today at 973-736-3240.

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ

Check out these St. Patrick’s Day Parades in NJ!

At The Wilshire Grand Hotel, we are looking forward to the St. Patrick’s Day parades near us in NJ! If you are planning to visit us this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, you can enjoy two great St. Patrick’s Day parades taking place just minutes from our hotel in West Orange, NJ.

Make your calendar! The 79th Annual Newark Parade is on March 14, 2014 and the 63rd West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on Sunday, March 16, 2014.

The Newark Parade is NJ’s First and Finest Parade!

Keep the Tradition alive on March 14, 2014 and join the many visitors and residents who will come out to witness this historic St. Patrick’s Day event in NJ. The festivities will kick off at 1:00pm and feature the 2nd Annual High School Band Competition, which will be sponsored by USBands and The Star Ledger.

Click here for more information regarding the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newark.

The 63rd West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade

This St. Patrick’s Day parade is taking place on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 12:15pm. Don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day festivities on Main Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue in West Orange, NJ. Grand Stands will be located on Main Street across from Community House and in front of Dugnan House.

Click here for more information regarding the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in North Jersey and plan your stay today. We hope to see you this St. Patrick’s Day weekend in NJ!

Until next week,
The Wilshire Grand Hotel, NJ