When New Jersey couples search for a lakeside wedding venue that offers more than standard banquet halls, they discover North Shore House. Our boutique estate on Swartswood Lake has been family owned for 49 years, and we’ve built our reputation on something most venues can’t offer: one wedding per day, complete privacy, and culinary excellence that goes beyond typical wedding fare.
We’re located at 912 Swartswood Road in Newton, Sussex County, on 27 acres of lakefront property. Our historic 1930s inn features original cypress paneled walls and oak floors from 1938, creating a backdrop that feels both timeless and intimate. If you’ve been comparing venues and wondering what makes a lakeside estate different from a barn or ballroom, this is how we approach weddings.
What Makes North Shore House Different for New Jersey Couples
Complete Exclusivity You Won’t Find Elsewhere
One wedding per day isn’t just a tagline. It’s how we operate. When you book North Shore House, our entire 27 acre estate belongs to you. Your ceremony doesn’t wait for another couple to finish. Your photographer captures moments without other brides in the background. Your guests park without shuttles or overflow lots.
This exclusivity means your vendor teams load in without competing for space. Your last dance happens when you’re ready, not when the next event needs the room. For Northern New Jersey couples who want a celebration that feels personal rather than production line, this structure changes everything.
Lakeside Ceremony and Reception Spaces That Flow Naturally
Ceremony Point sits directly on Swartswood Lake. Your guests see water, open sky, and natural beauty without filters or distractions. We set up your ceremony here unless the weather requires our indoor backup, in which case the Reception Room maintains those panoramic lake views from a climate controlled space.
After your vows, guests move to the Cocktail Patio where string lights are included in every package. We installed them permanently because that warm glow shouldn’t be something you negotiate separately. The Bocce Patio offers additional outdoor space if your group wants to spread out during cocktail hour.
The Reception Room holds your plated or buffet dinner and dancing on our permanent dance floor. No rented overlay that shifts or creaks. The Front Bar is built in, which means your bartenders work from a luxury setup rather than a folding table.
Before your ceremony, you and your wedding party use our on site getting ready suites. The Gated Garden serves as the bridal suite, and The Lakeside Lounge is the groom’s suite. No one drives across town the morning of your wedding.
In House Culinary Excellence That Stands Out
We provide all catering in house. No outside caterers are permitted, and this policy protects what we’ve built over 49 years. 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 standardized plated chicken at every North Shore House wedding.
Your all inclusive package includes a premium open bar, cocktail hour, champagne toast, plated or buffet service, and a custom wedding cake. We also include an ice cream sundae bar with multiple toppings and flavors. Service is white glove using Lenox china, flatware, and glassware.
For New Jersey couples who’ve toured venues where food feels like an afterthought, our chef driven approach makes the difference between a meal guests tolerate and a dining experience they remember.
What’s Actually Included in Your Package
Your booking covers more than dinner and drinks. You get ceremony coordination and setup, which means we arrange chairs, set up your arch, and clear your processional path. 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.
On site parking means your guests don’t shuttle 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 your dog can witness your vows.
Late night hours are allowed. We don’t enforce hard curfews that cut celebrations short. Our event coordinators work with you from booking through your final exit, and you’ll have access to online planning tools that organize timelines, vendor contacts, and menu selections.
Open Vendor Policy With One Important 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 New Jersey couples personalize their day while ensuring the food and beverage experience meets our standards. We’ve spent 49 years building our culinary reputation, and we protect it by keeping those services under our team’s control.
On Site Boutique Lodging Extends Your Wedding Weekend
The Inn offers boutique on site lodging. 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 linger at the fire pit after your send off, then walk to their rooms rather than coordinate rideshares.
Winter weddings particularly benefit from this arrangement. When lake views are framed by snow, and the Reception Room glows with chandeliers, your guests appreciate not driving home in December weather. For destination weddings where guests travel from across New Jersey or beyond, on site accommodations simplify planning.
Historic Architecture That Photographers Seek Out
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 portrait backdrops indoors. For New Jersey wedding photographers, these details create images that stand out from standard venue galleries.
Why Newton and Sussex County Appeal to Couples
We’re in Newton, Sussex County, close enough for a local celebration but far enough to feel like a destination. Northern New Jersey couples from Morris County, Warren County, and Passaic County choose us because Swartswood Lake provides a natural backdrop without long travel.
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. Out of town guests enjoy the lakeside setting and boutique accommodations without complicated logistics.
Intimate Weddings and Larger Celebrations Both Welcome
We host celebrations for 2 to 175 guests. Micro weddings and intimate elopements receive the same white glove service, chef driven menus, and full venue exclusivity as larger events. If you’re planning a small celebration, you won’t feel like you’re rattling around in a space designed for 300 people.
Destination weddings, bridal showers, engagement parties, anniversaries, and rehearsal dinners at Blue Heron Tavern are also part of what we do. The restaurant operates Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM and Sunday from 4 to 7 PM, with reservations through Resy. Select corporate events are welcome for groups seeking lake views and elevated cuisine.
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 in Newton, New Jersey.
FAQs
What makes North Shore House different from other New Jersey wedding venues?
We offer one wedding per day on our 27 acre lakeside estate, ensuring complete privacy and undivided attention. Our in house catering features seasonal chef driven menus, string lights are included on the Cocktail Patio, and we provide on site boutique lodging at The Inn. These elements create an experience beyond standard banquet venues.
Do you accommodate intimate or micro wedding packages?
Yes. We customize all inclusive packages for celebrations from 2 to 175 guests. Intimate weddings and micro weddings receive the same white glove service, premium open bar, and full venue exclusivity as larger events.
Can we bring our own caterer to North Shore House?
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, DJ, and entertainment.
What happens if it rains on our outdoor ceremony?
Our Reception Room serves as the indoor backup with panoramic lake views and climate-controlled comfort. We work with you to transition outdoor ceremonies indoors seamlessly, ensuring your celebration continues without disruption. The space maintains the lakeside atmosphere even during inclement weather.
How far in advance should New Jersey couples book North Shore House?
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 wedding date in Newton, New Jersey.