The Grand — Attraction in Totowa

As a bride, I am extremely disappointed and upset at how my wedding day went. I hate to leave bad review but it is warranted. As the day started, my maid of honor had to track down service for the littlest things (water, sodas, and other non-alcoholic refreshments). Not one time was my mom or mother in law asked if they needed anything to drink. When we asked for cocktails, I was offered champagne that was malt-based, and they knew I have severe celiac disease. I expressed I cannot drink malt based (thank god I read the label otherwise I would have been ill and missed my own wedding day). They only had one bottle of traditional champagne in the entire venue for 8+ people to split. I was promised gluten free and celiac safe options, but was served cross contaminated food during cocktail hour. People were scooping fried food with the same spoon as my "celiac safe option" so I couldn't eat ANY of it. However, during booking I was informed I would have a dedicated section of cross-contact free food which clearly was not the case. Again, I was told I would be offered gluten free chicken piccata as my dinner (my favorite dinner), but the night of was directly told "the piccata is off the table at this point, we could probably get you a steak"... I informed the staff I was told the chicken would be a safe gluten free meal option but they had absolutely no plan of what I could eat. I ate a salad with dressing that they later said was meant for the groom to eat, thank god I had no reaction to it. Traditional bread put next to my dinner plate that could have also made me sick. I was served "chicken piccata" after expressing that I was supposed to have that for dinner and I was given an extremely dry piece of chicken with just capers sprinkled on top, no sauce. My entire wedding night I ate 1/2 of a chicken breast because I was terrified of getting sick. During my photos, I had NO ONE attending to me. My FLORIST was fluffing my dress, grabbing me a seat to rest on, and reapplying lipstick for me.... NOT my bridal attendants or maitre'd. There were hour-periods where no one was there to help me, THE BRIDE. I was also told that I could take photos "anywhere except the cocktail room and garden area" before my ceremony (which I understand because there was another bride on-site who had her time slot in those areas), however I was NOT told that we would be limited to a literal shoe-box size of a lobby for photos that was not at all senior citizen friendly, no seating for my grandparents, etc. We had to cut 5+ photos from my photography list because the lobby space was not large enough for my family portraits. ON TOP of that my photographers went out of their way to find an outdoor location AWAY from the other bride, but we were told we couldn't go there either. So I had 10+ people there for first look photos with no where to take photos. The vendors literally saved the day. My florist went above and beyond to care for me. My DJ kept the energy positive although there was so much stress. My photographers did the best they could with the limited space we had. Honestly, I feel awful for my parents who spent so much of their hard earned money on this venue. As someone with celiac disease, I could have been extremely sick and missed my own wedding. Thank god I was sober and aware of what I was being served. If I was not sober and consciously looking at what I was being served, I would have missed my own wedding due to being served contaminated food. My father called to express these concerns post wedding, and unfortunately his concerns were not understood and shut down. There was another wedding on site that was much larger. I was clearly the less important bride, limited staff to fulfill basic needs, limited knowledge or care for how sick I could have been... In response to the reply, I was kind when I picked up my items because the man who I picked up the items from had nothing to do with the issues at my wedding. I am NOT perceiving anything wrong, my review is clearly written to state exactly...

We recently had our wedding at The Grand, and it was nothing short of a dream come true. It was an experience beyond our wildest dreams. The venue and its outstanding staff played a pivotal role in making our special day truly magical. From the stunning location to the exceptional service, everything about The Grand exceeded our expectations and made our special day truly unforgettable.

From the moment we first visited The Grand, we were captivated by its elegance and charm. The breathtaking scenery, sophisticated architecture, and beautifully manicured gardens provided the perfect setting for our wedding. Every detail of the venue is thoughtfully designed, creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere that left us and our guests in awe.

What truly made our experience exceptional was the impeccable service provided by the staff at The Grand. From the initial planning stages to the day of the event, Jason Baldanza (General Manager) and his entire team were incredibly attentive, professional, and dedicated. They worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of our wedding was executed flawlessly, making the entire process stress-free and enjoyable for us. Words cannot express the level of gratitude we have for how the entire team went above and beyond to ensure every detail was perfect. Their professionalism, warmth, and dedication were evident in every interaction. Jason Baldanza and his team were incredibly attentive, making us feel supported and cared for throughout the entire planning process and on the wedding day itself.

On our wedding day, the staff at The Grand executed everything flawlessly. Their commitment to excellence were evident in every aspect of the event. They coordinated seamlessly with our other vendors, ensuring that every aspect of the event ran smoothly. Their attention to detail was impeccable, from the beautifully arranged décor to the perfectly timed schedule. They were always on hand to assist with anything we needed. They handled last-minute changes with grace, and ensured that every moment was perfect. Their warmth and hospitality made us feel like royalty and allowed us to fully enjoy every moment of our special day.

The catering team at The Grand deserves special mention. The catering team crafted a menu that was both delicious and beautifully presented. The food was absolutely delicious, and our guests couldn’t stop raving about the exquisite menu. The presentation was stunning, and every dish was prepared to perfection. The service was impeccable, with staff attending to our guests’ needs with grace and efficiency throughout the evening.

We are immensely and eternally grateful to The Grand, Jason, and their INCREDIBLE staff for making our wedding day everything we dreamed it would be and more. Our wedding day was a true fairy tale. Their passion, dedication, and attention to detail created an unforgettable experience that we will cherish forever. Their hard work, dedication, and passion for what they do made all the difference. I left our wedding day filled with so much tears of joy and happiness!

If you are looking for a wedding venue that offers unparalleled beauty and exceptional service, look no further, as I wholeheartedly recommend The Grand.

Thank you, The Grand, for giving us the most magical and memorable wedding day. We will cherish the...

Where should I begin?!… first off, when visiting The Grand and you’re thinking that you’ll be walking into the old Bethwood, W R O N G. You literally walk into what seems like a palace with marble flooring, gold detailing, beautiful hallways…It’s a bride’s dream come true.

My first tour & really the only tour I needed was with Sal. Let me tell you- if you want a maitre’d who is going to cross all your t’s and dot all of your i’s on wedding day, answer all of your ridiculous questions for months leading up to the day, and fulfill your wedding day dreams as best they can, call Sal. He was a literal gem & no wedding day coordinator was necessary with him on my team. He truly went above and beyond his duty, and we are so grateful for him. I almost want to plan another wedding, just to work with Sal again LOL! I’m lucky enough to call him a friend!! (He still checks in months later!)

Next- the actual venue. I cannot say enough. Everything was beautiful. The outdoor ceremony space and grounds is so elegant you’d never even know it’s on a main road. The bridal suites were spacious, and the Versace inspired men’s room, what a fancy touch LOL!! All of the rooms have been renovated in the last few years with constant updates so everything is modern and easily accessible for vendors.

My husband & I got married on 11/26/21 in the chapel upstairs, then moved to the cocktail hour downstairs & finished our night in the Crystal ballroom. The transitions were so seamless thanks to the wonderful staff at The Grand.

Speaking of staff - Celeste, my angel of a bridal attendant. She was so sweet and attentive. It was almost like she could read my mind. I’d look for her to refill my drink, and she was already bringing me a new one. She made sure I was comfortable all night, and did whatever she could to make sure I was happy.

Also, Jason, The Grand’s manager. WHAT A GUY!. Sal was out when I had to pay my final payment so naturally I met with Jason. I figured I’d bust his hump a little knowing how amazing Sal has been and told him that Sal was offering caged tigers in the ballroom and to confirm with him upon final payment. Aside from looking at me like I had three heads, he didn’t say no off the bat HAHA. I of course told him I was joking, but he was such a good sport about it. He made sure to check in with me after cocktail hour and during the reception to ensure everything was going how I hoped.

Now the part everyone wants to know… the food and drinks. From what I heard from many guests, drinks were awesome. I love a good mojito - bartender made it happen for me. I was enjoying myself the whole night! When I tell you my guests were raving about their entrees and cocktail hour food for weeks, I’m not kidding. My husband and I were able to sample all three entrees for dinner, and oh my goodness, even the potatoes were phenomenal. I honestly can’t decide still what I liked best - the mango salmon, chicken saltimboca, or the filet. All three were delicious.

Obviously I had a five star experience and I would recommend booking with The Grand ASAP. It’ll be worth it...