101-150 guest capacity
This venue can host up to 150 guests
About this vendor
Hello Lovebirds,
Get ready to embark on a journey to the heart of Cape May's historical district, where elegance meets enchantment at The Southern Mansion – your unparalleled wedding destination.
A Victorian Jewel:
Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of The Southern Mansion, a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel that stands as a masterpiece of Victorian architecture. Built in 1863, our luxurious interiors and meticulously landscaped gardens provide the perfect canvas for your special day, ensuring your wedding reflects your unique personality. As Cape May's only AAA-rated Four Diamond establishment, genuine southern hospitality is not just a promise; it's our specialty.
A Grand Entrance:
Picture the magic unfolding as you get ready in one of our impeccably furnished suites. Then, make your grand entrance down our spiral staircase for a ceremony set amidst our award-winning Victorian gardens. Your love story seamlessly transitions into an extravagant cocktail hour in this lush haven – a picturesque backdrop for your perfect day.
Gourmet Delights and Dancing Dreams:
Indulge in a gourmet dinner in our spacious solarium, with views of the gardens creating an unforgettable ambiance. As the night unfolds, venture into our romantic speakeasy for music and dancing, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Tailored to Perfection:
Just like your love story, we believe no wedding is alike. Whether you envision a traditional summer celebration or dream of a magical winter wonderland, The Southern Mansion caters to your specific needs and desires year-round. With nearly thirty years of experience in crafting personalized experiences for couples, our professional team is dedicated to making your wedding a resounding success.
Timeless Beauty, Lasting Memories:
Infused with stunning beauty and original character, The Southern Mansion is not just a venue; it's your perfect wedding sanctuary. Your dream wedding in Cape May awaits, where every detail is meticulously curated, and every moment is an everlasting memory.
Ready to start planning your magical celebration? Let's embark on this journey together!
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
Handicap Accessible
Business Attributes
- Woman-owned Business
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
Guest Capacity
- Up to 150
Settings
- Estate
- Historic Venue
- Hotel
Venue Service Offerings
- Cakes & Desserts
- Destination Weddings
- Food & Catering
- Rentals & Equipment
- Service Staff
Reviews
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5
out of 5.045 reviews
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The Southern Mansion is hands down the best wedding venue in Cape May. Ken and his team were amazing to work with and made sure our day was everything we wanted and more. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly and accommodating, and the venue itself is just stunning. We highly recommend The Southern Mansion to anyone looking for a truly magical wedding experience.
We are so glad we decided to go with the Southern Mansion for our big day. The venue is absolutely stunning, so they can accommodate both weddings with intricate decor and minimalistic weddings. They conveniently have a list of vendors they are used to working with so that you don't have to go hunting for bakers, alcohol vendors, etc. yourself. It's also nice that the venue has a gorgeous bride and groom suite and 23 other rooms that the couple and their close family/guests can stay in after the reception is over. Super convenient when everyone is tired at the end of the night. They also give guests freshly-made, personalized/to-order omelets and breakfast the morning of the wedding and the day after right before you checkout. Their breakfast was absolutely DELICIOUS. Would 100% recommend.
The venue provides linens, plates, silverware, glassware, napkins, water, and the food/catering. The bride and groom handle the cake, alcohol/drink mixers, DJ/Band, Photo/Video, and any decor/flowers. The alcohol vendor that they work with delivers the alcohol to the mansion the afternoon of the wedding and picks up any extra alcohol the next day. Any cases or wine/liquor bottles that are unopened get refunded to the bride and groom, so that is really nice.
One of the best parts about having our wedding at the mansion was working with the Wedding Consultant/Manager, Ken Stefanide. He was a pleasure to be around and always had good energy. He's really good at socializing with the families of the bride and groom and makes sure that everyone feels welcome. Our parents loved Ken and really enjoyed his infectious personality. Ken is also very flexible and caters to the specific needs of each couple. If there is something particular you want done or if you have an unusual request, Ken is good at finding solutions and getting the information you need.
The staff is very attentive and were on top of everything the day of the wedding. Everything went smoothly, and I was very relieved that I could just focus on getting myself (the bride) ready the morning of my wedding. Granted, my mother and friends handled a lot of the logistics the day of, so just make sure you have a solid bridal party and allocate work accordingly. Or you can hire a wedding planner just for the day of the wedding to give you a helping hand.
Our wedding day, 9/18/21, was the best day of our lives and the Southern Mansion played a huge role! We chose the Southern Mansion after our first walk through with Ken, the Mansions on site coordinator. We did not hesitate we knew after that first walk through that the mansion was our venue! The mansion was the perfect destination for our closest family and friends to spend an entire weekend celebrating right along side us. The mansion offers a uniqueness that other venues do not have. For example, the ceremony, reception, and dinner each took place in different areas of the venue. Our guests got to experience a whole new vibe throughout the day and we were able to make each moment special. Everyone who stayed over got to relax around the mansion and knowing that our best friends and family were all there on site staying over for our event made it so memorable. The breakfast that’s included with each hotel room was excellent. Ken and the entire staff did everything the entire weekend to ensure our wedding and our guests were having an amazing time. The beauty of the mansion, the grounds, and the rooms are what hooked us. We will remember this weekend forever.
Cape May was definitely where me and my husband wanted to get married. There are so many beautiful places there! When we first started looking around for a venue, of course the southern mansion was on our list. It was actually our first stop! Looking online at pictures, we just loved the overall look of this bed and breakfast! It took you back to the 1800s! So beautiful! So of course we had to go see in person. We got there and was greeted by Ken and he told us all about it and gave us a tour right then and there! Oh my goshhhh! We instantly fell in love. So after getting some information about our wedding being done there, we left and started driving to our next potential venue. Honestly, we got to the next venue, didn’t even get out of our car, and said to each other “let’s go back to the mansion”. So that’s what we did! Haha!! Literally drove back to the mansion and said “yup, this is it.” The first and only venue we looked at! So then we stayed a little longer to book our wedding and that was it! From there on out, Ken was our go-to guy (our wedding coordinator)!! What a fun and incredible man! Even though COVID, he was always very responsive to my emails and calls. I’m very OCD and very organized so I probably made him nuts from time to time (haha) but he always had a great sense of humor and helped me with everything! Even until this day we keep in touch! He’s a forever friend! So fast forward to wedding weekend! Yes I said weekend! We booked the whole weekend with family and friends and everyone was just in awe with the mansion. So incredibly beautiful and very relaxing! Everyone just loved their rooms and all the common rooms to hang out in. Breakfast each morning was incredible! We had a long list of food to choose from and when it was your scheduled time to eat, (had to choose your time due to COVID), your food was nice and hot and brought to your table!
Wedding day- ahhh! What a perfect day!!!! We were the first wedding that happened since Covid. Everything was absolutely perfect! What I loved, I mean really loved about the mansion, is that each part of your wedding is in a different area. It makes it so different and so unique! We had the ceremony and cocktail hour outside, dinner in the solarium, and reception in the ballroom. I absolutely loved that you are not stuck in one place the whole time and it also showed our guests every area of the mansion (especially to the guests who didn’t stay the weekend). You saw all the beautiful history of the mansion. Oh and the food on wedding day was absolutely amazing! Of course my husband and I already knew that because of our taste testing, but we so glad our guests felt the same way! One thing I wish the mansion had offered or had options for would be for the centerpieces. Especially having three different areas couples have to decorate. I know every wedding is unique in their own way and want a certain look, but maybe having on site options if the couples wanted to choose that. It would’ve definitely helped with one less thing to worry about lol. But other then that, we couldn’t have chose a better place! Whether it’s having an event there, or just going for the weekend or the night, I highly recommend The Southern Mansion. It’s walking distance to the beach and also walking distance to Washington Street. Couldn’t have been a more perfect spot for the mansion to be! Thank you Ken and staff for everything! Couldn’t have asked for a better place and staff for our wedding weekend!
We hosted our wedding celebration over Labor Day weekend in 2019 at The Southern Mansion and we couldn't be more pleased! From the moment we first visited back in February, when looking for a venue for our destination wedding, we knew this was the place for us. The Southern Mansion has history and character, but at the same time is clean and updated, allowing for a comfortable stay.
Ken, the on-site wedding coordinator, was phenomenal, from our first tour all the way through the wedding and checkout. I didn't hire a coordinator and planned the wedding myself, which I was a bit nervous about, but Ken really came through for us on flawlessly executing all details laid out for him. He’s clearly very experienced in service and also incredibly knowledgeable about the property.
The food was fantastic, from the breakfast every morning to the cocktail hour appetizers and plated dinner. The bar staff even accommodated us by mixing our favorite signature cocktails perfectly. We enjoyed the convenience of having everything in one location, and while many wedding venues that offer that lack character, we are so happy we went for this package deal. It was a truly unique experience that brought our friends and family together in a beautiful location, just blocks from the beach and downtown Cape May.
The weather was in our favor, but if it hadn't been, the indoor ceremony site would have been just as lovely. The bridal suite (room 2) was perfect to host hair and makeup for the mothers and bridesmaids and room 12 was the ultimate groomsmen quarters. Housekeeping, waitstaff, and front desk staff were all friendly and efficient. All of our friends and family were very pleased with their stays there, each one in a truly unique and comfortable room – several of whom said this is the best wedding they’ve ever attended. We look forward to visiting for future anniversary trips.
We just hosted our daughter's wedding June of 2019 at the Southern Mansion in Cape May, New Jersey, and I can only say it exceeded our expectations! From the outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour in the the gorgeous Victorian Garden, to the dinner in the Solarium with the beautiful ceiling fans and cathedral-high glass windows, overlooking the garden, to the reception in the ballroom, everything was magical and perfect. The guests all raved about the historic building, the setting, and the food. The waitstaff was efficient and unobtrusive. Everything ran like a well-oiled machine. Ken, the wedding manager, and Denise, his boss, could not have been more accommodating and reassuring in the months leading up to the actual wedding. We booked the Southern Mansion after we first met Ken, because we unanimously decided we wanted to work with him. It was clear that Ken loves weddings and making them happen. When we first met with Ken, he suggested that we try to have our guests book the entire Mansion for the weekend so that the entire place would be ours. So glad we took his advice, the entire place was ours for the weekend filled with family and friends and by the time Saturday evening rolled around, a lot of the guests knew each other and it just made it seem like a weekend long party. The rooms are simply gorgeous, the bridal suite - beautiful, comfortable and spacious. The cooked to order breakfast each morning was delicious, and the reception dinner, especially the 7 oz filet was mouthwatering. Even the Italian Wedding Soup was easily the best I have ever had. We have gotten so many compliments on the food and the wedding itself. Many people said it was one of the nicest weddings they had ever been to. While I did have my reservations in the beginning, having the dinner and the reception in separate rooms, that was actually the best part. It was not a "cookie-cutter" wedding and the different locations just added to the enjoyment of things. While we were lucky, and the weather could not have been more perfect, I can't imagine that even if the ceremony had to be moved inside, that Ken and the staff at the Southern Mansion would not have made an indoor ceremony and cocktail hour just as wonderful. Having the entire place to ourselves was like having it as our home for the weekend. No one made us feel that we were in the way or on someone else's property. The front desk staff and everyone we met was gracious and welcoming. Ken, the wedding manager, also recommended the perfect DJ as well, Ken Schaffer of Ken Schaffer Entertainment - DJs & Lighting Design, who kept the dance floor hopping. The added perk for those who watch Ghosts Hunters, on which the Southern Mansion was featured, is that several guests reported some "strange" but friendly happenings, including me. I know this review seems over the top but I honestly can't say enough good things about the Southern Mansion and their wonderful staff. If you are looking for a destination wedding location, check this out, you won't be disappointed.
We had our wedding at the Southern Mansion and everyone was blown away! Guests loved the historic location and gardens and we loved how it fit our vintage vibe! Ken and Denise were awesome and helped us tremendously. Their recommended vendors like DJ Ken Schaefer and Shore Thing Event Services were a huge help and we couldn’t have been happier with how things turned out!
We loved our wedding at the Southern Mansion! It was beautiful, memorable, and fun—just what we wanted. We highly recommend the Southern Mansion. Ken and the team were incredibly helpful in assisting us with our planning, helping us understand how the day would go and how our choices would enhance or detract from what we were hoping to achieve. We had a wonderful wedding.. Our guests loved the Mansion, saying how beautiful and special it was and it suited our wish to have a wedding that wasn’t “cookie cutter.” Everyone enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. We were incredibly pleased to have “pulled off” such an amazing wedding and credit everyone at the Southern Mansion for their recommendations for vendors to work with and for ensuring the day ran smoothly.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful ceremony site, wedding venue, and rooms to stay in!! I even planned to get married outdoors on their gorgeous grounds and when it rained on my wedding day they made it even more special and intimate when we had to bring the whole thing inside. Very accommodating staff and the food is amazing!! Highly recommend this venue
Thanks to the wonderful staff at the Southern Mansion, I had the wedding I've always dreamed of. The venue itself is gorgeous and the food was impressive. From the moment we met Kira, she went above and beyond for us. The emails we sent received prompt responses and nothing was too much trouble. The day of the wedding Kira and Ken worked like crazy so that everything went flawlessly and my husband and I could enjoy our wedding without any worries. I hope to return here with my husband in the near future for vacation to relive the wonderful memories here.
Every bride and groom's dream come true! What a fairy tale wedding venue! We both are still blown away by the dedication and amazing attention to details of every single employee at The Southern Mansion. Before my husband and I settled on the Southern Mansion we looked at many venues in Cape May. The Southern Mansion was the most private, accommodating and it was the best priced! Our 40 guests fit perfectly and comfortably. All our guests (included children) were blown away by the beauty and opulence of The Southern Mansion. It truly takes your breath away- from the gardens surrounding the grounds to the lavish interior. This venue definitely has character and is certainly unforgettable for guests and the wedding party alike! The food was beyond amazing- guests raved and were full! The appetizers and food displays were also quite amazing-- everything was high quality and delicious. No other venue in Cape May offers such luxury and that true 'wow' factor for guests. Kira, the wedding coordinator, at The Southern Mansion is truly God send. She was the calm in the storm and always knew the answer to all of my crazy questions. She never stopped planning and ensuring our big day was fabulous! Every step of the way, Kira was there. Kira is sweet and makes everyone instantly feel comfortable and welcome. We will never forget what Kira did to make our day amazing, she is truly a gem! The Southern Mansion also has an awesome officiant named Kenneth. He was so easy going and really embodied our relationship in his wonderful sermon. We still talk about how wonderful our wedding day was. Most people have regrets or wish they did things differently--- In all honesty my husband and I are so blessed to have had the MOST perfect wedding day ever. From Kira's amazing attention to details and ability to get things done without any prompt OR the amazing views and beauty of the Mansions gardens and lavish interiors, how can you go wrong? YOU CAN'T! The Southern Mansion was a fairy tale venue. I was never the kind of bride who imagined exactly what my wedding day would look like, but I can tell you this; The Southern Mansion made all my wedding dreams come true AND MORE. Thank you to all the hard working and dedicated staff members, Kenneth & Kira for making our dreams come true. Everything was truly amazing.
When my new husband and I started our search for the perfect wedding venue it was a struggle to find something that would accommodate our vision. It was the second marriage for both of us and we wanted the location to reflect our maturity, have some elegance and beauty to it and still be able to throw a true celebration! The Southern Mansion has always been one of his favorite locations in Cape May and ultimately became the location for our recent destination wedding. I could not be more pleased to provide a rave review of the Southern Mansion, the accommodations, the food, the services and support of our lovely Kira throughout the entire wedding planning process! Throughout the year of planning our questions were always welcomed by Kira, our nerves were always calmed and ultimately the day of ran like absolute clockwork. As the full inhabitants of the mansion that weekend it truly began to feel like our home with family and friends "visiting". The space for the ceremony was magical. The solarium for the dinner was elegant. And the party space was absolutely perfect for a full rockin party!!!! The staff was helpful and friendly. The food was delicious. And this space will forever hold a special place in our heart until we return home for a visit. Thank you so much to Kira and the rest of the staff for making this special weekend so memorable and amazing!!! Love, Bill & Rachel
Out of all the Cape May wedding venues, the Southern Mansion is absolutely the BEST! It does NOT get the amount of recognition it deserves, and I'm hoping to change that!! From the moment I walked in the door, all I could say was "WOW!" The beautiful decor and architecture alone is enough to make you want to get married there. That is only the beginning. Kira, the wedding coordinator, is possibly the most helpful, understanding, PATIENT people I have ever met. My mother is a bit of a perfectionist, and can we a lot to handle, but boy did she meet all of our expectations! From the first consultation to the day of the wedding, Kira is readily available to answer any question, big or small.
We had our ceremony and reception here. The ceremony and cocktail hour took place outside in the garden area; the dinner was in the Solarium wing, and dinner and dancing was in the South Wing Ballroom. Every area of the wedding was beautiful!! And not to mention the FOOD!! (insert heart eyes emoji here). From our tasting to the wedding, I couldn't wait to have our hour d'vours and dinner!! They have a giant menu to choose from, and so many different options; they are also super flexible and work with anyone with dietary needs to change their dish for them. (We had vegans and vegetarian guests, and they provided them with excellent meals!)
Kira runs a well oiled machine, and kept our wedding right on schedule. We didn't miss a beat, and everything was timed perfectly.
I really can't say enough about The Southern Mansion. It truly is a gem within the heart of Cape May, and is not one to be missed. I really hope that more people get a chance to experience the place that gave us the wedding of our dreams, and was, as many exclaimed the day after "The best wedding we've ever been to."
If you are looking for a Mansion setting this is it! We booked The Southern Mansion for my daughter's wedding on 10/7/2016 and everything was wonderful. Her outside ceremony was delightful, followed by the cocktail hour on the grounds by the manicured gardens and we chose to offer our guests their dinner upstairs in the Solarium wing which was nothing but a timeless treasure. Kira the wedding coordinator at The Southern Mansion was a charm and our day went off smoothly and timely and her staff was just as sophisticated as she was. Kira is very hands on with her clients and keeps her brides and parents calm before, during and after even when little curve balls come up. Professionalism at its finest and Kira is to be rewarded for that. Our guests enjoyed the wedding and overnight accommodations and met for breakfast and we heard nothing but the finest reviews from their first steps on the property till their check out. Thank you Kira and Staff of The Southern Mansion for making the Wedding Of Caitlin and Ryan a Success!!!
We were married here in July 2016. We were so pleased with all aspects: the overall venue, rooms for our guests, the planning process, communications, and the whole wedding weekend. Kira was so easy to work with and very professional throughout the entire planning process. We wanted a short engagement and were able to get everything done in a short five months in large part due to Kira and the entire staff at Southern Mansion. We could not have been more pleased with how everything turned out.
The Southern Mansion was amazing! From the planning to the day after, Kira was so helpful and attentive. She listened to my every silly question and request with a lot of patients. We had our ceremony in the main front room. It was beautiful and super intimate. We had about 50 guests and being married in that room made it feel like we were so close to dearest friends and family. After that we enjoyed cocktail hour in the solarium and proceeded downstairs to the ball room for dinner and dancing. Everything went off without a hitch! Many of our guests stayed over and loved the rooms. They also raved about the food. We stayed in the master suite both the night before and the night of our wedding... we already booked it for our anniversary! The entire staff was super helpful and very nice. For a quaint, intimate wedding the Southern Mansion can not be beat!
We were married on Saturday, 03/26/16 at The Southern Mansion.
The venue is not your normal, cookie-cutter, catering hall, typical wedding venue. It’s unique in every way. We looked at several venues from Long Island to South Jersey endlessly searching for a venue that fit us and our smaller guest count. Once we parked our car in the Mansion’s front lot we knew we found our venue. The outside grounds are full of color from the landscaping to the building itself. The vibrant charm doesn’t end once you enter the Mansion, it only intensifies. The colorful nature of the building perfectly fit our colorful personalities.
When we first sat down with Kira Moyer, the event coordinator at the Southern Mansion, we were questioning that we could pull everything off. After seeing so many venues that were similar in how they handled everything from the food to the alcohol to the rooms, the Mansion seemed the opposite. In the end all of these nerves turned out to be nothing as everything came together seamlessly. Just know that when you begin planning your Mansion wedding you will have a few additional responsibilities, but also know that it’s worth it. The venue gives you the opportunity to continue building on this by letting you, the couple, be very selective with items like alcohol, cake, DJ and décor. We had the opportunity to hand select every detail for our wedding and ensure it truly reflected us.
Throughout the planning process (which spanned 13 months or so), Kira was always available to answer every question or concern we had. No question was too minor. Even as the date approached and we bugged her more frequently she made time for us. Once the day arrived Kira was always visible, always available. From the moment we arrived on-site she took amazing care of us and made sure we always had everything we needed. She walked us through the building and made sure she knew where every piece of décor was going. After the walk through she helped us conduct a brief rehearsal of the ceremony.
The day of the wedding flew by. The mansion staff, including Kira did an excellent job of making sure our guests were checked in and guided to the appropriate locations. We were free to take our photos and focus on our wedding day knowing the Mansion staff had everything under control. Once the ceremony was over and cocktail hour began is when the staff really went to the next level. These people worked extremely hard to make sure everyone was being served, helped, assisted and having fun throughout the event. The servers, bartenders, front desk staff and Kira were all fantastic. Everyone seemed to have an amazing time and the wedding, over a year in the making, went off without an issue.
Our guests, who flew or drove many hours, all had nothing but rave reviews for the Mansion. Once they arrived they understood why this venue was so special and why we chose it. They made our guests and us feel at home. The building, it’s staff, and the day itself were all perfect and the Southern Mansion’s crew had a huge part in that. Thank you to everyone who helped us along the way and on the day itself!
My wedding was on 1/16/16, my wedding was absolutely magically !!! Kira and her staff did everything with such dedication and professionalism, I had no stress on my wedding day and believe me things happened that could of stressed me out but the staff was on it ! And took care of it for me , i had a specific image for how my wedding would come out (as we ALLL do when planning) and it all came thru 100% how I imagined thanks to the southern mansion, the rooms are gorgeous and well taken care of the ambiance is Victorian but in such a comforting inviting way , I absolutely love this place and would recommend anyone to get married here , it is such a beautiful venue I can't say enough
I cannot even begin to describe how perfect my wedding was at the Southern Mansion. The beauty of the building speaks for itself, but really it is the staff you work with that make the day go off without a hitch. When I walked in to tour the Southern Mansion for the first time in the summer of 2014 I absolutely fell in love with the place. It was the perfect spot for a slightly unconventional bride like myself. The previous wedding coordinator, Andrea, showed us around and gave us all of the information we needed to make our decision. I went home and looked up reviews and every single review talked about Andrea and how wonderful she was to work with. Right before we signed our contract we learned that Andrea was leaving and she was training Kira to take her place. I was a bit nervous that this transition was happening right as I was beginning to plan my wedding. Well...I had absolutely NOTHING to be nervous about. Kira was incredible. You really have no idea when you first start how many details go in to planning a wedding. I feel like I spoke with Kira constantly over the last year and she handled herself with such professionalism each time. Every single email was answered super fast and every single request was granted. I had really great vendors at my wedding, but nothing would have come together without Kira. Not only is Kira clearly great at her job, she is such a sweet and awesome person and without her my wedding day would not be what it was. I could never thank her enough.
My husband and I fell in love with the Southern mansion the first time we visited. It has a charm and uniqueness that no other vendor had. We did not want to have a "cookie-cutter" style wedding. It met all of our expectations and made for some gorgeous photographs. The staff was very accommodating and Kira, the coordinator, went above and beyond in making sure everything was to our liking. We had a Friday evening wedding in August. It was hot (as expected) but was actually not too bad. Our ceremony and cocktail hour were outside in the garden and dinner and reception took place downstairs in the ballroom. I wanted to have dinner in the solarium which is a long hallway with floor length windows looking out into the garden, but I had too many guests to fit. The ballroom worked well though and I was not disappointed. My husband and I stayed the weekend as did several if my family members. Overall, it was a wonderful day and I'm very happy we chose to have our wedding there!
My husband and I just had our wedding at The Southern Mansion on August 9th and we can honestly say it was the best day of our lives! Kira made planning so easy and enjoyable! All of our guests absolutely loved the mansion and are still raving about the delicious food! The eclectic and beautiful decor made it a wonderful venue! We can't wait to stay at The Southern Mansion again in the future! I would most definitely recommend The Southern Mansion to any bride and groom looking for a unique but elegant wedding venue!
I would highly recommend the Southern Mansion to any bride looking to get married at a unique and sophisticated venue in Cape May. It not your "cookie cutter venue" and thats just what I wanted. The ceremony took place on the lawn and guests moved to the cocktail hour which was on the lawn as well. We ate dinner in the sunroom that looked over the garden and went downstairs to the ballroom to dance. It was nice to move from location to location not having that feeling of being stuck in the same room all night. The food was excellent, Filet Mignon and Crab Cakes were to die for as well as the appetizers served at cocktail hour. The service was great, hardworking, they had positive attitudes, they were professional and were very attentive to our guests. Kira- the wedding coordinator was amazing, could not say enough positive things about her- she was very organized, motivated, receptive and easy to work with. Throughout the day of the wedding she kept an eye on me- checking in and asking little detail questions (not in an annoying way). The Southern Mansion's prices were very reasonable (much lower than other venues in the area) and worth every penny. I was nervous about the other guests staying at the venue (since its so small) on the day of my wedding but they were respectable and unseen. We felt like we were the only ones at the Southern Mansion- which is another positive. I literally have nothing but good things to say about this venue. Everyone cannot stop talking about how wonderful the venue, food and service was. It was executed perfectly. When looking for venue for your wedding I would consider checking this place out!
Not only is The Southern Mansion a beautiful and intimate venue for a wedding ceremony and reception, but the staff is excellent and friendly as well. I had the pleasure of working with Kira, Denise, and Ken very closely over the past year throughout the planning process for our wedding that was just held on May 29th. We felt so comfortable asking any questions or for suggestions on literally every single aspect of our big day.
There were times I called Kira literally freaking out about something I forgot, and she always helped me to feel calm and to figure out all the details going into our important day. Even on the day of our wedding I forgot to ask someone to hold my train and veil and the girls had already lined up for the ceremony, Kira immediately calmed me down and offered to do it for me.. without any hesitation (and she did). Kira was also outside with me, digging through the garbage (on my wedding day), to find my headpiece that went missing!!! I will never forget that... <3
The entire event went without a single hiccup. The food that was prepared by the chef was fantastic and enjoyed by all of our guests. The service during the rehearsal, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception was phenomenal!!!
We would recommend The Southern Mansion to anyone thinking about a wedding in Cape May!! Our day was literally PERFECT!!!
I could write a small novel on how fantastic this venue is. Not only the venue but also the coordinator Kira! She was a pleasure to work with, and even when a small glitch or bump came in the road she was quick and responsive. The venue is perfect for anyone who wants a charming slightly off beat wedding. My husband and myself are not the typical couple who wanted to get married in the diamond room with cookie cutter style and decorations. The Southern Mansion is vast and beautiful with Victorian charm beautiful gardens and wonderful food selections. It is literally impossible to walk on these grounds and not ohhh and ahhh. Our day went off perfectly! Everyone including the staff were warm and gracious to all of our guests! We cannot wait to come back visit on our one year anniversary. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories forever etched into my heart!
I celebrated my wedding at The Southern Mansion in September 2014 in Cape May, NJ and the day was truly perfect. I started my planning with an excellent wedding coordinator who ended up leaving the venue a few months prior to my big day. Any reservations I had about loosing my planner before the wedding were out the window the minute I met Kira Moyer, the current wedding coordinator. She was so kind and attentive, I was made to feel extremely comfortable with the switch right away. She truly made the day seamless and worked as hard as she could to make myself, my family, and all the guests happy. The service was exceptional from start to finish, and all the staff worked together to provide my guests with all they needed. What I especially love about this venue is the food! Each course came out piping hot, was beautiful, and tasted DELICIOUS. This goes for food during cocktail hour, as well. The space at the Southern Mansion is beautiful. I was blessed with perfect weather, so the ceremony and cocktail hour where outdoors. Rain the day prior had made the ground a bit wet in the area the ceremony was set up, but Kira swept in with a really cool vintage rug to put down so I didn't get any muddiness on my dress or shoes! The effect was actually quite nice and I was oblivious to the behind the scenes tweaks to keep things running smoothly and on time. When my husband decided that it was time to start the dance party (before coffee service began in the dining area) no one batted an eye, and my guests were ushered down stairs with coffee and desert waiting for them in no time. I had 140 guests, which seemed like a perfect fit. The ballroom area is really lovely, my only advice would be that it may be a little snug for a party much larger than that. I could go on and on about how wonderful the day was! I would highly recommend this venue. Great atmosphere, great food, and it's such a unique set up with the beautiful wrap around porch and gorgeous grounds outside. I didn't realize how important working with the coordinator would be prior to the wedding, but I know now that I couldn't have planned such a great day without Kira. I'd like to thank everyone at Southern Mansion for an amazing day and tell brides to be to that this is a place you MUST check out in the Cape May area!
We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Southern Mansion and it was lovely. Andreea, the on-site coordinator, could not have been nicer throughout the whole process. She went above and beyond for us, made excellent suggestions and helped make our vision a reality.
The event was wonderful. Everyone remarked at how beautiful the mansion was when they arrived. The food was excellent - it exceeded our expectations! And the entire staff was professional and gracious.
At the end of the evening, many of our guests sat on the rocking chairs on the porch just relaxing, enjoying each other's company as well as the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere unique to the Southern Mansion.
We highly recommend this venue and cannot wait to visit again and again! It's an absolutely stunning place.
Words can't describe how perfect our wedding was and it's largely due to our venue of choice. From the beginning it was easy to work and plan with Andreea, their ONSITE PLANNER! The place was gorgeous and needed little effort on the day of to make it photo ready. The staff were miraculous in that you barely knew they were there except when you needed them. I've been to weddings where food was clearly an afterthought, but this was absolutely not the case here. Everything was elegant and delicious! Andreea could not have been more sweet and made sure we and our guests were well cared for and the day ran seamlessly. It would honestly take a novel to say all the good things I have to say about TSM and their staff, but I'll end with the rooms. The bridal suite was STUNNING. Hand-carved antique four post bed (and soo comfortable), our own porch, immaculate bathroom, I can go on and on. All of our guests complimented us on the choice, but I could only take credit for having chosen the best venue in NJ. Having looked at all options this was, BY FAR, the best place to get married and if not for all the stress that goes along with event planning, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks to TSM and especially Andreea!
Our day was incredibly flawless and stunning thanks to Andreea (Wedding Coordinator) and all of The Southern Mansion's staffs' hard work the day of our wedding. Even the days leading up to the wedding were relaxing and lovely, at the mansion, with their stunning rooms and relaxing atmosphere (and terrific breakfast too!)
Throughout the year and a half it took planning our day with Andreea, she continuously worked with us in a timely and flexible manner that always met our requests and needs. Not only did she help to coordinate our day and make sure it ran smoothly and comfortably during the ceremony, she also was hands-on throughout the entire evening with the rest of the cocktail hour and reception staff. All of the cocktail hour and reception staff were EXTREMELY kind and professional and certainly added to making our day feel magical.
The food was outstanding at both our cocktail hour and reception. Guests continue to tell us how delicious all of the hor d'oeuvres and food displays were, and are still commenting on how the filet mignon and flounder with crab imperial was the best they've ever had. Guests certainly did not leave hungry from our wedding! All were satisfied and so impressed with our venue.
We could not have asked for a more beautiful, memorable day. Our guests are still raving about how amazing The Southern Mansion and our wedding was!
I had my wedding at the Southern Mansion this May & could not have dreamt up a more perfect wedding. I live in North Jersey, so we relied heavily on Andreea our wedding coordinator to make sure everything went smoothly. She was beyond helpful and amazing. Very professional. We were also thrilled with all of the vendors she had recommended to us. The location is breathtaking and so romantic it is impossible not to get caught up in the surroundings. Our wedding went off without a hitch and was a day we will never forget. We have no regrets with having our special day with the Southern Mansion and are sad at how fast the weekend passed by. Our guests cannot stop talking about how great everything was, weeks later. Andreea was extremely responsisive and I don't think we could have planned our wedding three hours away from home without her. She was on top of everything that morning which meant we could all relax and concentrate on getting ready stress free. Wish we could do it all again.
My husband and I just had our wedding at the gorgeous Southern Mansion this past March. The venue alone was completely perfect and Andreea and the Southern Mansion staff were beyond amazing. Always taking my numerous amount of calls and emails, and making sure that anything we needed was possible. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Except for the rain!! :)
The Southern Mansion is the destination for a beautiful, romantic in Cape May. Welcome to a historic site that offers charm, uniqueness, beauty and many other features. Andreea is the wedding planner to have. Pay the extra for her services. The grounds are ideal for an outdoor ceremony with gorgeous placement for cocktail hour to follow. The ballroom is perfect for an intimate reception. The color scheme is beautiful. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed. Breakfast is fabulous. The dinner
was to die for. I recommend the crab cakes and filet mignon. The lamb chops were wonderful for the cocktail hour. Not a guest at my recent September wedding could do anything but rave about my wedding.
From the minute my fiance and I set foot into the Southern Mansion, we knew it was our wedding venue. The exterior and gardens are natural and lovely, and the interior rooms (think luxurious parlor, beautiful open sun porches, antique furniture and beautiful decor everywhere) are absolutely stunning. The venue is old-world charm with all the modern amenities you want.
Our coordinator at the Mansion, Andreea, was great from start to finish. She helped us coordinate all the little details, and she's obviously very experienced because she made great recommendations on the best way to do things for our day. She followed through on everything we asked, and even on the day of the wedding was constantly silently behind the scenes, making sure everything got done. We couldn't be more grateful for her help!
The ceremony we had was absolutely lovely and the most unique part (if you choose to do an outdoor ceremony) is your grand entrance down the spiral staircase at the back of the garden. It makes for some incredible photographs as well.
Overall, we just couldn't be happier with how our day went. I highly recommend checking out the Southern Mansion. We're already hoping to spend some anniversaries in some of their beautiful guest rooms in the future!
The Southern Mansion is a beautiful venue, and our day went absolutely seamlessly. We could not have asked for a better venue.
I had both my ceremony and reception at The Southern Mansion located in Cape May NJ on 11/17/12 and it was everything I could wish for. The employees at The Mansion are so kind and friendly we all felt at home. Me and my (now) husband and some family members check in on Friday before the wedding which was held on saturday afternoon and really were able to enjoy The Mansion. Andreea the wedding corrdinator is very good at what she does very cheerful and made my wedding wonderful!! I would highly recommend looking into The Mansion you will not be disappointed!!
We were so taken aback by the beauty of the Southern Mansion and put at ease after speaking in detail with the wedding coordinator, Andreea, we booked and then went on the tour. Our year long planning process went so smooth. Andreea and all the staff members; front desk, waiters, bartenders, hospitality members--everyone... were wonderful and we had a more than perfect wedding day 2 weeks after Hurricane Sandy!
Mel and I got married at the SM on September 9th, 2012. The premises at the Southern Mansion are beautiful; it's a place full of color and elegant vintage detail. Our first impression of Andrea (wedding coordinator) was great! She was pleasant, pretty, professional and most importantly, it was clear that she knew the business and that she had orchestrated multiple weddings. She provided us with our options and a list of trusted vendors in the Cape May area. She didn’t miss a thing. The SM enabled us to have a different type of wedding—the way we wanted it to be, so we booked it. Through-out the planning months, I found myself consulting the information Andrea provided to us and everything was in there. Sometimes, I emailed her with curiosities of a bridezilla and she always replied promptly and efficiently. She is very organized. We settled in on the Saturday before our wedding and Andrea was there to greet us. She instantly made us feel like the SM guest of honor. Our wedding day was perfect. We had a good night sleep, our rooms were impeccable and breakfast with our family was the perfect start to our wedding day. As soon as Andrea started her shift on the day of our wedding she came in to say hello and to make sure we had everything we needed. She also went in to see me before our ceremony began and backed up my MOH every step of the way to make sure everything was perfect. We loved our wedding and so did our guests. We are still receiving compliments from our guest. Everyone loved the food, especially the flounder turbans and the lamb chops. The bartenders were excellent. Our guest drank a lot and no one had any complaints. In fact, I thought the bartenders were very professional. Mel and I were very satisfied with the way our wedding turned out. To us, it was perfect and that, we owe it to the fantastic staff employed at the SM—everyone was very attentive and the food was incredible. Kudos to the Chef for doing such a great job and keeping our guest happy.
My husband and I got married on 9-22-12 an had our reception at the Southern Mansion. Andreea and the rest of the staff were everything we could have asked for and more! The food was amazing and the Southern Mansion itself is timeless. Our families enjoyed every moment and we had the best day of our lives!
We had a wonderful wedding experience at The Southern Mansion and wish we could do it all again! Our guests are still talking about the great time they had - we highly reccomend this venue. When we first took a trip to Cape May to check out The Southern Mansion we immediately both said, “this is the place”. It is a very unique and elegant venue – we were able to have our ceremony and cocktal hour outside, dinner in the sunroom and our reception in yet another location. We found the staff to be very friendly. accommodating, and flexible (we had a few last minute room and location changes that were quickly taken care of). What we really appreciated was the fact that many of our guests were able to stay at The Mansion during our wedding weekend - we were able to celebrate all weekend long with our guests (and the rooms are beautiful). And because The Southern Mansion specializes in weddings Andreea and the staff made the planning very easy for us. Andreea is a great asset to The Mansion; she has great attention to detail, was (unobtrusively) present during the entire wedding and ensured that all Mansion functions went according to schedule. We are looking forward to celebrating our 1st Anniversay at the Mansion next year.
So I wasn't one of those girls who fantasized about every wedding detail, BUT...when it came down to it, I realized that I had somehow been programed to want a wedding from the time I was little. We were able to make so many details about us - as a couple. I don't think we could have pulled it off nearly as well without the help of the entire staff at the Southern Mansion - especially our wedding coordinator, Andreea. She was extremely professional, kind, and accommodating. We communicated a lot via email and I was able to work with her very well from afar (as we were living in Colorado at the time leading up to our wedding).
The Southern Mansion is a stunning place, fit for an intimate wedding. We had 80 guests and were able to do it with the best food and the best environment and it was SO EASY. To be quite honest, I'm a big fan of planning and organizing - so maybe I'm biased about it being "easy." I will say, however, that due to Andreea's help with understanding my vision and therefore executing it the day of the wedding, everything was smooth and perfect.
My husband (wow - still getting used to that word) and I were delighted with the way our entire wedding turned out. We recommend the Southern Mansion to anyone with style and appreciation for classic beauty.
I had the most beautiful wedding at The Southern Mansion. The location, food and service was AMAZING! I could not have imagined a more beautiful place to have my wedding!
I can not begin to describe the wonderful experience we had with having our wedding at The Southern Mansion. It was the perfect day. Working with the event planner Andreea was a dream come true. She was so organized and easy to work with. She listened to all or concerns and made sure to execute every detail in our wedding. She made planning this wedding smooth and easy with very little stress :)
The food at the Southern Mansion (cocktail hour and reception) was delicious. Our guests were raving about the food all night. Everything came out on time and was nice and hot for our guests.
The ceremony was held on the grounds in their beautiful, well taken care of gardens. The ceremony was beautiful and everything we could want.
Our stay was also a wonderful experience. The entire staff was very accommodating and the rooms were beautiful and immaculate. I can not imagine having my wedding anywhere else. Again, Andreea outdid herself and our wedding at the Southern Mansion exceeded our expectations.
Living almost 3 hours away, planning and organizing with. the Southern Mansion was an easy process. I highly recommended having your wedding at the southern mansion. You will not be disappointed at this beautiful venue in Cape May.
Again, thank you to the Southern Mansion, staff, and especially Andreea!
Amanda & A.J. - 7/10/11
My husband, Sam, and I are two busy professionals, having a blended family consisting of five children ranging in ages 21 to 8. So certainly, anyone would understand some delays in the ordering and receiving of our wedding pictures. Well, the day has finally come and even though we saw a glimpse of how the wedding appeared in our guests’ eyes, now that we have the professional photos, we can truly begin to appreciate the beautiful Southern Mansion, and our favorite Wedding Planner, Andreea Leaha. Andreea, as promised, the Southern Mansion was beautifully appointed in antique holiday Christmas decorations. You can tell by the photos, that Andreea’s experience in transitioning from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the formal reception was seamless. Both Sam and I can’t begin to share our appreciation for how Andreea managed the support staff to be attentive to all our guests’ needs. Our guests came from all over the country to meet and stay the entire wedding weekend with us at the Southern Mansion. Andreea’s professionalism, attention to detail and complete care of our needs made it a wonderful experience for all of us. In closing, my family and I want to thank Andreea and the Southern Mansion for making our special day truly beyond any expectation. We love Andreea and the Southern Mansion.
Love,
Vera Romania
My husband and I had our reception at the beautiful Southern Mansion in Cape May, NJ on May 14, 2011. I always wanted to be married down at the shore. My parents, husband and I checked out a few places in Cape May. After seeing the Southern Mansion, we knew it was the place we wanted to have our reception. No other place came close to the beauty of the Southern Mansion. The gardens, the decor, everything about the Southern Mansion will have you in awe. We had about a two year engagement so I had plenty of time to plan for everything. Andreea, the wedding coordinator, was a pleasure to work with. She accomodated our needs every step of the way. She made sure everything ran smoothly. I had not a care in the world with her running everything.
We had a small wedding of 100 people which fit perfect in the South Wing Solarium. Dinner was delicious! We had a taste testing about 2 months prior to the wedding and chose the dinner choices. Everything at the tasting was delicious but we agreed on Crab Cake and Filet Mignon. All the food, including hors douvres and our soup and salad were excellent. Hats off to the chef!
We had planned on having cocktail hour outside in the beautiful garden, however, due to the weather forecast, Andreea called me the day before the wedding and said that we had to go with plan B, which was to have cocktail hour in the South Wing Ballroom. We were still able to take pictures outside as the day was not a total washout. Even though this was our plan B, we still got so many compliments on how beautiful everything was.
We received so so many compliments on how great the venue was and how different the reception was from any other wedding they had been to. This was exactly why we chose the Southern Mansion. It is not your typical wedding reception venue, but that it what we wanted. I would not have changed anything! Please check out the Southern Mansion for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
My husband and I were very fortunate to be married at the lovely Southern Mansion in magical Cape May, NJ on April 17, 2010. This review has been a long time coming. Words cannot express how lovely we feel the Mansion is nor how wonderful, kind, organized and professional Andreea the Wedding Coordinator was and is. Those close to me describe me as meticulous, particular, obsessive and demanding. I made extensive calls and wrote numerous emails to Andreea as well as to Denise, the B & B Manager as I live in Northern NJ, so I had to rely on Andreea, the coordinator and her colleagues immensely. Consistently, they responded promptly and answered my questions (i.e., do you think this dish is better than the other dish, which tastes better, which is the best dessert, what do you think of my flowers, etc...). Andreea deserved a drink or two after dealing with me! Even during unexpected occurrences, such as a change of room, cancelled and rescheduled reservations, they were on top of it all! Andreea and the Beautiful Mansion and excellent staff truly made my day everything and more than what I had expected or imagined.
My guests still thank me for having invited them to my wedding, as they had such a great time. They loved everything about it, the place, the management, and the food! It was a great reassurance to know that on such a stressful day for any bride, Andreea took care of everything, leaving me without unnecessary worries. Had I gotten married in Northern NJ, my wedding would have been a cookie cutter type wedding that most have up north, not to mention my beautiful wedding would have certainly been much more expensive.
I would highly recommend the Southern Mansion to anyone.
Our wedding was wonderful, I wouldn't have changed a thing. The food was great and service by waitstaff and bartenders was professional and courteous (I would give the servers a rating of 5 stars if judged on their own) and the venue and grounds are beautiful.
However, I believe much of the success of our day was due to our decision to hire a coordinator to work with us over the last month, after having difficulties with the coordinator at Southern Mansion.
The flexibility needed to assist in planning a wedding that was special and unique to my husband and I wasn't taken into account as much as it could have been. We didn't ask for anything crazy, but things like moving certain tables to create more space were met with a response that it wasn't usually the way they did an event.
Also, administrative elements were not handled in the most appropriate way, such as the damage hold on a credit card that is required for the day of the event. We were fully aware that we needed to do this and were happy to comply, however, the coordinator picked the middle of our photos prior to the ceremony to address this item. This could have easily been taken care of earlier that day (as I had stayed at the Mansion the night before and was available all morning) or even the night before at the rehearsal. And, though it's a very nit-picky thing small details like spelling errors on materials and details such as our wedding date being incorrect on documents cast doubt on the level of customer service.
This is a beautiful location and we wanted to have our wedding there from the moment we thought of it (we are local to town so we were familiar with the presence of the Mansion in town), we just wish that there was more cooperation and attention to detail given by the staff. Having to hire additional coordinators to handle the ceremony coordination and to make sure we had the confidence that things would go as we wanted take away from the value of the packages The Southern Mansion offered.
My overall rating of 4 stars reflects my idea that this is a wonderful site to hold a beautiful ceremony and reception with quality food and service staff. This could have easily been 5 stars across the board if we hadn't encountered the difficulties we did.
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720 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ
The Southern Mansion
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