When you walk through our doors at North Shore House, you’re stepping into a 1930s lakeside inn that’s been in our family for 49 years. The original cypress paneled walls and oak floors haven’t changed since 1938, and neither has our approach: one wedding per day, complete privacy, and a culinary experience that goes far beyond standard banquet fare.
We’re on 27 acres along Swartswood Lake in Newton, New Jersey. Our boutique lakeside estate hosts celebrations from 2 to 175 guests, which means we design experiences for intimate elopements and larger celebrations with the same level of care and attention. If you’ve been searching for a venue where your celebration doesn’t compete with another event happening in a separate ballroom, this is how we’ve always operated.
What Makes a Boutique Lakeside Estate Different
At North Shore House, one wedding per day ensures complete privacy across our 27 acre lakeside estate. We combine historic 1930s architecture, seasonal chef driven cuisine, included string lights, and boutique on site lodging for truly intimate Newton NJ weddings where your celebration receives our undivided attention.
The Spaces and How Your Day Flows
Ceremony Point sits directly on the lake. Your guests see water, trees, and open sky. We set up your ceremony here unless the weather requires a backup plan, in which case the Reception Room maintains those panoramic lake views from a climate controlled space.
After your ceremony, guests move to the Cocktail Patio. String lights are included in every package, not an add on. We installed them permanently because we wanted that warm glow to be part of your cocktail hour, not something you negotiate separately. The Bocce Patio offers another outdoor gathering spot if your group wants to spread out.
The Reception Room holds your plated or buffet dinner and dancing. We installed a permanent dance floor, so no rented overlay shifts or creaks. The Front Bar is built in, which means your bartenders work from a luxury setup rather than a folding table with a linen skirt.
Before all of this, you and your wedding party use our getting ready suites. The Gated Garden is the bridal suite. The Lakeside Lounge is the groom’s suite. Both are on site, so no one drives across town the morning of your wedding.
One Wedding Per Day Means Undivided Attention
Your wedding is the only celebration on the property that day. Your ceremony setup doesn’t wait for another couple to clear out. Your vendor load in happens on your schedule, without competing timelines or shared access. Your last dance occurs when you’re ready, not when the next event needs the room.
This exclusivity extends to our 27 acres. Your photographer shoots wherever the light is best without worrying about another bride in the background. Your guests park without shuttles or overflow lots. When you book North Shore House, the estate belongs to you for the day.
Culinary Excellence and What That Actually Means
We provide all catering in house. No outside caterers are permitted, and we built our reputation on this policy. Our culinary team creates seasonal menus that rotate based on what’s fresh and what our chef wants to feature. You won’t see the same plated chicken at every wedding.
Your package includes a premium open bar, cocktail hour, champagne toast, plated or buffet dinner service, and a custom wedding cake. We also include an ice cream sundae bar with multiple toppings and flavors, which tends to be a late-night favorite.
Service is white glove. We use Lenox china, flatware, and glassware. Our event coordinators work with you from booking through your final exit. You’ll also have access to online planning tools that keep timelines, vendor contacts, and menu selections organized in one place.
What’s Included With Your Booking
Your all inclusive package covers more than food and bar. You get ceremony coordination and setup, which means we arrange chairs, set up your arch, and make sure your processional path is clear. The cocktail patio string lights are part of the package. Climate controlled spaces ensure comfort year round. We’re wheelchair accessible with multiple restroom locations.
Ample on site parking means your guests don’t shuttle in from remote lots. Valet attendants are available if you want that service layer. We have a fire pit and outdoor lounge for guests who want fresh air between dances. We’re pet friendly for ceremonies, so if your dog is part of your family, we welcome them on your wedding day.
Late night hours are allowed. We don’t enforce a hard curfew that cuts your celebration short.
Vendor Flexibility and the One Exception
We maintain an open vendor policy for most services. You choose your photographer, florist, DJ, and other professionals. We provide a preferred vendor list, but it’s not mandatory. The one exception is catering and bar, both of which must be in house.
This structure lets you personalize your day while ensuring the food and beverage experience meets our standard. We’ve spent 49 years building our culinary reputation, and we protect it by keeping those services under our team’s control.
On Site Lodging Extends Your Wedding Weekend
The Inn is our boutique lodging option. It’s on the property, so you and your guests stay steps from your ceremony and reception. This setup eliminates morning logistics and extends your celebration into a full weekend. Guests can linger at the fire pit after your send off, then walk to their rooms rather than coordinate rideshares.
Winter weddings particularly benefit from on site accommodations. When the lake views are framed by snow, and the Reception Room feels cozy with chandeliers glowing, your guests appreciate not driving home in December weather.
The Historic Details That Photographers Love
Our property was purchased in 1930 by John and Andrew Rivara and opened as a lakeside resort in 1938. The cypress paneled walls and oak floors from that era remain intact. We haven’t covered them with drywall or modern finishes because these textures photograph beautifully and give your images a sense of place.
The grand staircase, waterfront areas, vintage library, and tree lined entrance are signature photo locations. Ceremony Point and our signature arch are the most photographed spots, but couples also use the cypress walls as a portrait backdrop indoors.
Newton and Sussex County as Your Wedding Destination
We’re at 912 Swartswood Road in Newton, Sussex County. Northern New Jersey couples choose us because we’re close enough for a local celebration but feel like a destination. Out of town guests enjoy the lakeside setting and boutique accommodations without long travel.
Swartswood Lake provides the backdrop, and Sussex County’s quieter pace makes your wedding weekend feel separate from daily routines. You’re not in a city ballroom or a generic event space. You’re on a historic lakeside estate where your celebration is the only event happening.
Events Beyond Weddings
We host micro weddings, destination weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, engagement parties, anniversaries, birthday parties, family reunions, and private dinners. Blue Heron Tavern, our upscale lakeside restaurant, is available for rehearsal dinners and private events. The restaurant operates Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM and Sunday from 4 to 7 PM. Reservations go through Resy.
Select corporate events are also welcome. If your company wants a private venue with lake views and chef led seasonal menus, we can accommodate groups from 2 to 175 guests.
Conclusion
North Shore House has hosted celebrations since 1938. We’re still family owned and operated, and we still believe one wedding per day is the right way to honor your event. If you want a boutique lakeside estate where culinary excellence, historic character, and complete privacy come standard, we’d be honored to show you the property.
Call us at (973) 383-5460 or visit northshorehouse.com to schedule your private estate tour. See available dates and start planning your lakeside celebration.
FAQs
Do you accommodate intimate or micro wedding packages?
Yes. We customize all inclusive packages for celebrations from 2 to 175 guests. Intimate weddings receive the same white glove service, chef driven menus, and full venue exclusivity as larger events.
Can we bring our own caterer or bar service?
No. North Shore House provides all catering and bar services in house. This policy ensures our culinary standards and allows us to feature seasonal menus crafted by our team. We do offer an open vendor policy for other services like photography, florals, and entertainment.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
Our Reception Room serves as the indoor backup. The space maintains panoramic lake views while providing climate controlled comfort. We work with you to transition outdoor ceremonies indoors seamlessly, ensuring your celebration continues without disruption.
How far in advance should we book?
Popular dates, especially in June and October, book 12 to 18 months in advance. We do accommodate celebrations with shorter timelines when availability allows. Contact us to explore current openings for your preferred date.