Skylands Manor by Frungillo Caterers

imy sales tactics to pressure you to sign quickly including telling you over and over again that there are other couples interested in your dates after you make any slight indication that you are unsure (too expensive, not the right time of year). Don't feel pressured. Make decisions when you are ready to make the decision. - they have internal policies that are not geared towards good customer service including: 1) making you coordinate with a separate person to participate in their menu tasting (an extra $200 + tax) instead of giving you one person to coordinate everything for your wedding 2) provide purposely confusing documents describing the difference between their day of vs month of coordinator services (which use different language to basically describe similar tasks) so you will just say yes in your confusion to spending more money (if this is not purposely done, then they need to seriously consider getting someone to re-vamp their materials bc wow) 3) the person I was emailing with (I will protect their identify by not specifying who) had a major attitude when asking clarifying questions on different sheets she provides 4) All communications is made through text and all documents/ instructions are given to us as text links. They also don't provide a complete package of all necessary documents at one time. Instead documents are randomly sent at unknown intervals when THEY are ready to communicate. 5) when you make your menu selections, it's via a form that does NOT send you a copy afterwards. The Skylands team will also not be able to see your responses to the form unless you input the same phone number into the phone number field that they text you with (which they don't tell you about in advance) 6) I had to ask 5x how many tables tops and low top tables and chairs came with the venue before I got a straight answer 7) we were given a passive aggressive warning not to move the furniture in the getting ready room. After investigating, this was bc the couch was standing on wooden blocks without being permanently affixed to them...this is an active room, they need furniture that can handle the needs of a wedding party. PROS: A) While we were allowed to have a flower cannon with really, fresh flower petals. (If dried flowers were not allowed to be used, but that rule may change depending on who you talk to) B) someone from the venue ended up helping my wedding planner set up my memories table even though that was not part of their responsibilities which was kind of them Overall the wedding turned out great, and I'm glad I had it there, but as others have said, just know you are paying for the beauty of the venue, nothing else. If you are someone who's experience will be ruined by poor customer service, you might want to reconsider. If you are okay treating this like a cold transaction, you'll be fine.

first impression, from the moment we saw Skylands Manor we knew it was our venue. - Day of, our maitre’d Linda was absolutely fantastic, everything went off without a hitch & she was super helpful & supportive & made sure everything ran smoothly. - The food day of was fantastic throughout cocktail hour & reception. Our guests said it was the best wedding food they ever had, especially the filet mignon. - Most of the waitstaff during the wedding were helpful & friendly, especially Captain Laura, who served us at the sweetheart table. - Linda & her team efficiently took down all the decorations & packed them away for us. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: - They give everyone the “free” second bar during either cocktail hour or reception - Communication is confusing, sometimes we’d email one person with a question and get a response back from someone else. (Nancy, Michelle, Laura, Lisa, Linda) - We didn’t pay for the additional month of or day of coordinator package, Linda was the main point of contact. Until a week before the wedding, we felt like just another business transaction to her. Most emails were usually delayed, full of typos, and only half answered the questions we asked her. - The tasting is a group tasting that you pay for & you can’t bring guests. The menu served was different from the menu that was offered to us for our wedding. The cocktail hour tasting menu was great, the entrees were lackluster. The entrees were all much better at the reception. - Vegetarian meals seem to be an issue for Skylands. It’s “not on the menu” even at the tasting, by request only. It’s the only dish they require a quantity of for your reception before the wedding. We think they only prepared the 6 that we had told them about, but threw together something else for anybody in excess of those 6. - The tablecloths in the ballroom were wrinkled even though we asked Linda multiple times if they could be ironed for our wedding. We were assured that they are “fresh pressed daily,” but they weren’t and there was nothing we could do about it. - The breakfast & lunch getting ready snacks were fine, but overpriced & most didn’t get eaten. - The staff didn’t direct guests during cocktail hour so some people missed some rooms with food stations in them. - The bartenders were rude until they started getting tips & softening up. - We would not recommend hosting an on-site after party. It’s an additional cost for a minimum of 50 people, any additional were $20 per head plus a “tab bar” that all goes back to the couple’s credit card on file. Communication issues with the timing of our after party also arose, it seemed like Linda checked out before the end of the night. - We would not recommend staying at the on-site hotel. Rooms are beautiful, but expensive & there are only a few. We recommend getting a shuttle to a local hotel to stay with more of your guests & doing your after party at the hotel bar instead. - Most of our decor got packed away the night before, but the next morning, some of our vases and fake flowers were missing. With Nancy’s help, we tried looking for them, but nobody could find them. Nancy told us she would try to find them & let us know if they turned up, saying “this just happens sometimes.” Not accepting that answer, we kept looking. We spoke to the cleaning lady to find that all of our vases & flowers were in the back of her car. We got everything back, but if we hadn’t pressed, she would have stolen our stuff. VERDICT: - We would absolutely recommend Skylands Manor because of the experience we had the day of our wedding. Though, be wary about rough communication, false food tasting, & asking for anything above their norm, you may not get everything you wish for.

as amazing. Linda helped us every step of the way with making sure our wedding day was the best day possible. Laura and Lisa were instrumental in ensuring that everything was handled on the back end for us. We can't stop talking about how perfect our wedding was here, and we can't thank the team at Skylands and Frungillo enough for making such a momentous day for us so perfect!

nd detailed setup list, the Frungillo team handled everything flawlessly and was incredibly accommodating. They customized the menu to provide me (the bride) with a dedicated gluten-free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cake, ensuring I could enjoy every moment without worry. Our coordinator, Linda, was an absolute gem—sweet, organized, and professional from our first meeting. Her expertise shone throughout our time working with her, and she made us feel at ease knowing everything was under control. Even when rain threatened our outdoor ceremony, she seamlessly arranged a tent, allowing us to proceed without a hitch. The venue’s responsiveness to our questions and flexibility with changes made the planning process and day of the wedding stress-free. Our bridal attendant, Nicole, was equally amazing. She was attentive, anticipated my every need, and kept us on schedule throughout the day. Her care and attention to detail made me feel truly pampered and allowed me to fully soak in the joy of the occasion. Skyland's Manor exceeded our expectations in every way, and we’re so grateful for their dedication to making our wedding day perfect. Highly recommend this venue to any couple!

venues was the uniqueness of the Castle. Skylands offers a unique and charming overnight experience for the bride and groom and their guests. We had our family and bridal party stay overnight in the castle, get ready on the morning of the wedding, and had breakfast the day following the wedding, and it transformed our wedding day into a memorable wedding weekend. For three days, we felt transformed into another time, our own fairytale. Food was also extremely important to us, both coming from large Italian families. The cocktail hour was amazing, as it flows from room to room in the castle. The quantity and variety of the food displayed was tremendous. It was also presented beautifully and was absolutely delicious. Our guests are still raving about the steak they cut with their fork, and the fresh mozzarella station. For the reception, we had 200 guests in the ballroom. It is an intimate space, but never felt crowded. This is partially because the table service was outstanding, so there were never lines at the bars. Our guests have repeatedly told us that the dinner entrees were the best they have had at a wedding, and everything came out hot. As the bride and groom, we also felt taken care of by the staff the entire night, who coordinated well with our other vendors. Above all, I could not recommend Skylands more highly. It feels special and offers something truly special!

on finding solutions, and completely trustworthy. Matthew was phenomenal. He was meticulous from beginning to end and easy to reach throughout the entire process. They followed our vision and kept us in the know constantly. I can't say enough good things about this venue to all potential couples. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed in the slightest. The food is the best around as well.

r were ready to go upon arrival. Champagne greeted us as we stepped in the door. The staff was very professional and so friendly. The food was delicious and plentiful. The bartender did a great job with the drinks. Linda checked in with my husband and I throughout the night, right till we ended the evening. She was wonderful to work with! We hope to keep this yearly dinner tradition at the Manor, right in our own backyards. Denise and Paul Scutti

e mansion and grounds make a perfect backdrop for swoon worthy pictures. Beyond being a gorgeous venue with spectacular food, the staff makes the experience something special. In particular, Linda Pergola kept the day running smooth as silk and with her in charge, I knew I didn’t have to worry about anything. She and her staff made me and my family and friends feeling like royalty and catered to my every wish. I definitely made the right choice to entrust my wedding day to the team at Skylands Manor.

could not have been more accommodating and amazing! The place is so so beautiful and magnificent. This is where you want to get married. The food is phenomenal! Just a 10 out of 10 in every aspect.

l like you are insignificant and just another business transaction--not someone getting married once, having a special day. I could go on and on about the ridiculousness and the horrible treatment that I, myself, my family, my photographer, and my guests received. The only thing it has going for it is that it is beautiful and the food is good. But that is not what a wedding is about. TRUST me, do NOT get married here, you WILL regret it. Suffice to say, the coordinator, Linda, ruined my day. She was wildly uncommunicative beforehand (who needs to plan, right?) and was rude and unhelpful when she did. The manager of the overnight rooms laughed at my MIL when she asked a question, and was unavailable for weeks when we were trying to book. They also never seem to be working or to be available. We had multiple lapses and timelines of hearing nothing, despite multiple attempts. Then the replies would be so grammatically erroneous or mistyped that they were hard to read (what a priority I felt like receiving quick replies from an iPhone). They misplaced things the day of so guests did not even get some of our favors. They rushed me (the bride) so much that I did not even get all of the pictures I wanted, the one chance I had to do so. Linda's rudeness was noticed by all. We had the venue until 9, and they started cleaning up and closing things down as our guests were filing out... it was so embarrassing. The hotel guy made my family, including my 2-year-old nephew and mother who has lung cancer, to wait outside in the cold because "it's my job to get out of here in 15 minutes." They told certain people they could not eat because god forbid they had such a rushed timeline for whatever reason. They told one of our guests that there was no valet parking, even though there should have been, so they had to walk quite far. The day before the wedding we had an emergency and had to change the timeline, and Linda called and barked at me and told me it was alllll about her staff. I suspect that because my photographer was not one of their recommended vendors that she received the poor treatment that she did. I honestly could go on and on and I hope every person considering this place see's this. Not to mention, the rehearsal was a disaster... Linda was not even there because she never seems to work, and they acted so confused and had nothing organized. They also placed the microphone in front of myself and my groom during the ceremony so those pictures are just fantastic, we can only see our officiant. There were surprise fees, increase in prices, and never-ending contention when we tried to be reasonable with our requests to honor our contract, which we would have definitely revoked had we not put a deposit in already. You can tell this is only a business to them and that they don't really care about individual couples. I cried multiple times and had several panic attacks, all to continue to be treated poorly. You're not supposed to regret anything about your wedding. I regret booking here, staying over night, giving them money, and not getting pictures I wanted because we were constantly rushed because anything can't be a second late, which people told me they had never heard of before-rushing a bride/groom. DO NOT GET MARRIED HERE.

bout them as we were looking for venues. To say that I am still dreaming about this day is an understatement. Coming from an Italian family, food was beyond important to us, and the Frungillos impressed them beyond what you can imagine. The food was amazing, and on top of that, the showcasing and presentations of food were unbelievable. I booked Skylands for the obvious reasons: The beautiful castle, the grounds, and the stunning interior, but I quickly learned that along with that, I would get the most amazing day of my life. You do not just become the Frungillo's clients, but you build a relationship with them forever. From meeting with Matthew at the start, he could not have been more accommodating and helpful through the entire journey. As I would nag him with questions, he would always answer in seconds with the proper answers I needed. I could not be more thankful for the Frungillos and everyone at Skylands Manor for helping me make my dream day come true

xuding class and timelessness, with picture-perfect grounds offering numerous photo options. Matthew and the rest of the Frungillo team was exceptional from the beginning to the end. On our wedding day, we didn't have to worry about a single thing; everything was seamlessly handled, allowing us to relax and savor the special moments with our closest friends and family. Ensuring our guests' comfort was a priority for us, and choosing a venue with only one wedding per day was crucial. The team not only accommodated all our requests but also demonstrated responsiveness to our numerous questions, provided valuable assistance in the planning process, and more. With 120 guests at our wedding, the rave reviews about the food and service haven't stopped. We enthusiastically recommend Skylands Manor and Frungillo Caterers to anyone dreaming of planning their perfect wedding! A heartfelt thank you to Matthew and the entire team!

perfection and exactly how we imagined our wedding day. Skylands Manor is truly a hidden gem! It is a big beautiful castle that you have all to yourself with a quaint and homey feeling. It's right in the botanical gardens making it perfect for absolutely stunning photos and a peaceful and romantic place to have your ceremony. We were so lucky to have a nice fall evening outside in Magnolia Lane. Our guests are still raving about the cocktail hour stations in the four different rooms. They also really loved our signature drinks and we received MANY compliments on how great the entrees and the cake were. Food was very important to us! My husband and I did not have to worry about a single thing throughout the day either. Our Maitre D, Linda was absolutely incredible from start to finish. As a control freak myself, I can confidently say that Linda and her staff can be trusted to make your day exactly how you want it. Leading up to our wedding, whenever I had questions she never hesitated to call me or text me. She's very detail oriented, attentive, and professional at all times. She even gave us some extra special things we wanted to have at our wedding and really made sure everything and everyone was taken care of. Linda also prepared plates of food for my husband and I so we could taste all the cocktail hour food before heading out to our guests. She really thinks of everything! Thank you Skylands Manor for the most unforgettable wedding day.

out traveling, or packing up after the reception. I want to specifically praise Linda (Maitre d') and Liz (the innkeeper) for being so kind and attentive. All of our wedding items (candles, lanterns, flowers, signs, etc.) were boxed up and ready to be packed into the car the next morning! This saved us so much time and stress!! Linda also set EVERYTHING up in preparation for the wedding. We had so much DIY stuff, and she handled it all. She reassured us that she would be able to do it, and she exceeded expectations. I did not want myself or family/friends stressing on the day of, I just wanted them to focus on getting ready and Linda made that possible. She has been in the industry for a long time which truly shows with her professionalism, leadership, and expertise. I also want to acknowledge Liz, who was exceptionally attentive and accommodating to all my bridesmaids as we were getting ready and to the wedding guests who stayed overnight. Everyone raved about these two ladies. My guests also raved about the food! (Liz and Linda also made sure I always had food which was so nice as a bride lol). Highly recommend Skylands Manor as you wedding venue. Hope this helps!

t are available for cocktail hour are just unmatched. It took us days to be able to decide. Linda was there to help us with every food decision and made sure I could relax the morning of without having to set up a single thing. I wish I could do the day all over again.

que and beautiful, Linda and her team are so experienced and made the entire process and day seamless. Highly recommend anyone looking for a venue that will truly wow your guests to take a look at Skylands, you won’t regret it!

ith hot apple cider for guests, and blankets for favors. The cocktail hour and reception were inside. The castle itself has rooms that were brought over from European castles, so it has authentic 500-year-old stained glass windows and intricate wood carvings. The cocktail hour was spread across several rooms, guests were encouraged to wander and mingle. The granite was mined in NJ, right on this property, and makes up a beautiful outside of the castle, two stone rooms inside, and a stone circular staircase - all make for stunning wedding photos! There is a bridal suite where the bride/bridesmaids get ready, and a library where the groom/groomsmen get ready. Both are architecturally stunning with intricate wood carvings throughout the rooms. The large white marble fireplace made for great family group photos. The food was excellent, and we had a completely gluten-free wedding - 4 fully stocked rooms with a taco station (mahi-mahi, beef & more), Tuscan spread (mozzarella, salads, crudites), seafood (oysters, mussels, shrimp), and carving station (skirt steak, ham). Also, waiters serving additional items. During warmer months, the ceremony can take place outside at the koi pond (a large rectangular pond with live fish), the magnolia garden (with flowering trees alongside) or indoors in a large room with 2-story-high huge stained glass windows. This is the NJ botanical garden, so the gardens are spectacular, with granite statues, fountains, and walls. An extra plus, the castle has 22 guest rooms, so our wedding party and family stayed overnight. There is a handicap room just off the grand ballroom, which was perfect for grandparents. The rooms are beautifully decorated with historic decor and carved wood. There is a large "rec room" with couches, tables, and foosball - it made for a nice "after-party". Also, a curator brought us on a tour and had us find 4 hidden safes in the castle. The next morning we had breakfast downstairs with an elegant spread of fresh muffins, bagels, and more. Everyone enjoyed the wedding, it is a stunning elegant castle with great food & service.

ayed overnight the evening before and the night of the "Big Day". Right from the beginning, Linda Pergola and her team made the two days so very special for us. They were receptive to our questions, and always nearby in case there was anything needed - all done with smiling faces. I swear - she had to be a twin because she was always there when we needed her. The night before the wedding was a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other on both the bride and groom's side, as many stayed at Skylands. It was almost as if it was our own - especially on the night of the wedding, when no rooms would be booked but instead blocked for the wedding. As a Mom, I was expecting the day of the wedding to be stressful, but Linda and the Team were such professionals and guided us through the whole day. Upon arrival, our guests couldn't get over the beauty of the Manor - both inside and out. During the ceremony (held outdoors) the Botanical grounds were gorgeous with their just-turning fall foliage. It was beautiful and there weren't many dry eyes. On to the cocktail hour - Our guests were amazed by the quality and quantity of food - beautifully prepared and displayed in all the beautifully furnished and decorated rooms, along with the courteous staff tending bar, bringing trays of food around and serving at the different stations we chose. We got so many compliments during this hour. It was definitely one of the highlights of the evening - but there was much more to come! The reception was so well done and prepared by Linda and her staff. From the beauty of the room itself to Linda personally decorating it with Family Photographs, LED Candles, boughs of artifical flowers, wedding favors and welcome signs. She has a special touch and went way beyond what I expected. The dinners were quickly served after the bridal party made the entrance and toasts were made and blessings given. Again, the food was above expectations. After everyone danced the night away, so many of our guests told us it was one of the best weddings they had been to and thanked us for inviting them to such a beautiful event. Much Kudos to Linda and the Team at Skylands Manor and Frungillo Caterers. It was an evening that will always be remembered - not just by the family but also our guests. I personally thank them for making a dream come true for our daughter and son and a Mom that hasn't stopped crying with happiness yet.

at we were looking for! It's been a month since our wedding and our guests are still telling us that it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever been to! What blew us away from day one was the castle - it feels like you're in a European manor. Our cocktail hour was probably the most popular part of the wedding. The cocktail hour has every food station you can think of (carving, pasta, seafood, tuscan, etc) throughout multiple rooms of the manor. We specifically asked for a mac n' cheese bar and it was DELISH! Our ceremony took place out on Magnolia Lane, but there are multiple outdoor ceremony locations you can choose from since Skylands Manor is on NJ's Botanical Gardens. The photos that you will get in the gardens are unbelievably beautiful. I compare the gardens to Florentine Gardens in Italy. Linda was our coordinator and she was great! You can tell all she wants is to make your day special, and any special requests we had (mac n' cheese bar, velvet napkins, etc) she made happen. Overall our wedding day was the best day of our lives, and Skylands was everything we had dreamed of and more for our wedding day. Frungillo Caterers makes the best food all the way from cocktail to reception. I highly recommend paying the extra money to do the food tasting! We wish we could do it all over again. Skylands is a dream come true, and you will not regret having your wedding here. :)

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o our every needs. I highly recommend this venue and Frungillo Caterers for you special day.

s and promptness of service at dinner. Linda was a pleasure to work with and provided us with comfort, flexibility & care as we worked together through a Covid postponement. I am grateful for all the attention she and our bridal attendant Ashley paid to us on our wedding day! The whole team was really awesome, kind, and the entire experience is what magic is made of. Highly recommend.

s, and patience was one of the first reasons we decided to pick Skyland Manor as our wedding venue. Most places treat you like cattle. Nancy made us feel like part of the family and really cared about every detail and questions we had. The venue is beautiful and one of a kind. Definitely a must pick for New Jersey!

nd the venue and staff absolutely exceeded my expectations. Linda has been great throughout the past 2 years and made sure everything was perfect for my day! Cass was super attentive day of for my husband and I. My day could not have gone any better! My guests and family are still raving about how great the day was! Thank you Linda!!

t stunning venues. Classy and timeless, the grounds are perfection (SO many photo options). The Frungillo team was wonderful to work with from start to finish. We didn’t have to worry about a single thing on our wedding day, everything was handled and we were able to just relax and enjoy our special day with our dearest friends and family. We wanted our guests to feel comfortable and we wanted to make sure we picked a venue that held one wedding per day. The team accommodated all of our requests, were responsive to our hundreds of questions, helpful with decisions during the planing process and the list goes on! We had 120 guests attend our wedding and they haven’t stopped raving about the food and service provided. We would recommend Skylands Manor and Frungillo Caterers a thousand times to anyone looking to plan their dream wedding! Thank you Michelle and team!!

utely perfect. Frungillo Catering organized and planned everything perfectly. Linda was fantastic along with the entire staff! Our cocktail hour was held in the mansion and outdoors and our reception was in a tent outdoors on the property. The tent was styled and set up perfectly and every aspect of our wedding day was smooth and successful thanks to Frungillos Catering!!! We cannot recommend this venue/ Frungillos Enough!!!