PARSIPPANY — Weddings are a sacred event where families and friends come together to celebrate the undying love of two people. However, there is no denying how stressful wedding preparations can be. However, with proper preparation and coordination, your perfect Parsippany wedding is just a plan away. 

Whether you want historical elements in your wedding or simply want a fairy tale wedding amidst nature, Parsippany has something for all.  

Planning a wedding and selecting vendors is not easy. Whether you are looking for caterers, florists who offer flower in a box delivery, or the perfect live music, effective planning is vital. Here, we will discuss the step-by-step process of planning the perfect Parsippany wedding of your dreams.  

We have covered everything from setting a budget and booking venues and vendors to planning pre-and post-wedding events. Hence, follow these steps to have a beautiful, smooth, and stress-free wedding in the heart of Parsippany.  

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning the Perfect Parsippany Wedding 

Planning a Parsippany wedding requires effective decision-making and thorough planning. Hence, it is vital to stay calm and organized throughout the wedding planning process.  

By undertaking these following steps, you will have a seamless experience planning your wedding without feeling stressed or overworked. Here are the steps to follow to ensure an ideal Parsippany wedding.  

Set Your Budget (and Stick to It) 

The very first step you need to take towards planning a wedding is setting a budget and ensuring you stick to it. Do not go overboard with your expenses without having a plan. Allocate your funds and distribute them into different categories.  

Hence, you must set a separate budget for venue booking, different vendors, attire, and music.  Lastly, use a wedding planner or an app to keep track of your expenses.  

Create a Guest List  

Creating a guest list is the next, most crucial step toward wedding planning. Your wedding planning depends on the final guest list, which ensures the total headcount. With the headcount, you can decide the amount of food and space required for your guests.  

Hence, remember that your final guest list should accommodate everyone in your chosen venue.  

When finalizing the guest list, ensure to keep your venue’s capacity and budget in mind.  

Moreover, to make the planning easier, you can categorize your guest list into family, colleagues, and friends. In this way, your RSVP process will become easier, and you can plan the seating arrangement.  

Choose a Wedding Date 

Before choosing a wedding date, be mindful of several factors. Some of these factors include weather conditions, seasonal changes, important events or holidays, and others that might affect your plans.  

Check with close family and friends and ask them about their availability on a few chosen dates. Choose a few potential dates and finalize the perfect wedding date that aligns with everyone’s plans after you consult with key guests.  

Moreover, be sure to check your venue’s availability before you finalize the date. It is always better to have a flexible date range to help you book your favorite venue and ensure the availability of your loved ones.   

Venue Selection  

Check out some of the most popular wedding venues in Parsippany.  

The Manor 

The Manor is a luxurious venue in West Orange. It is known for its beautiful gardens and breathtaking ballroom. The venue offers perfect indoor and outdoor spaces for wedding events and ceremonies.  

The staff at Manor offers exquisite service and delectable cuisine, offering your guests a unique experience.  

The Madison Hotel  

This is a sophisticated venue with exquisite ballrooms and beautiful gardens. It is a popular choice for Parsippany weddings as the venue is known for its perfect fairytale wedding setting and delicious meals. The staff will work very closely with you to live your fairytale wedding.  

Knoll Country Club  

Clubbed with a charming clubhouse and beautiful gardens, the Knoll Country Club is a great choice for couples seeking an elegant wedding.  

You will find multiple spaces to hold your wedding events. The venue also offers a grand ballroom and outdoor patio, which are fit for any type of wedding.  

The Palace at Somerset Park  

Known for its grand architecture and elegant interiors, the Palace at Somerset Park offers a regal ambiance.  

The Palace is the perfect venue for couples looking for a grand and luxurious wedding. With picturesque gardens, ballrooms, and high-end luxuries, it is simply perfect for a Disney-style wedding.  

Frelinghuysen Arboretum  

For all nature lovers, Frelinghuysen Arboretum is the best venue to have a wedding in the heart of nature.  

The venue highlights include beautiful greenhouses and gardens. Perfect for an outdoor wedding, the lush landscapes offer the perfect setting for your big day.  

Hiring Key Vendors  

No wedding is complete with the following vendors. Be sure to ask relevant questions and ensure there are no hidden costs.  

Moreover, you must be clear about your goals, have a picture of the ideal wedding, and inform all vendors about all aspects of the wedding. If you create a vision board, ensure to share it with vendors.  

Photographer/Videographer 

Many will argue that spending extra for a professional photographer is a waste of resources, especially when there are iPhones and digital cameras all around. However, the reality is far from this.  

You will make the biggest mistake if you don’t hire a professional photographer to capture all your key memories. A wedding binds two people in love together, and they commit to loving each other every day.  

It is the biggest day in the lives of a couple. Hence, it is vital to capture these memories that last a lifetime. Hiring a professional will help you click pictures in low light and edit them perfectly.  

Caterer  

What is a wedding without food? It is simply a failed event. Hence, choosing the right caterer for your big day is vital. If your venue doesn’t offer catering, seek out local vendors.  

Before planning your caterer, consider your guests’ dietary preferences and set a menu that resonates with the overall theme of the wedding.  

Florist 

Meet with local florists who can deliver flowers on the same day.  

Floral arrangements, bouquets, and other details set the whole ambiance of the wedding.  

Hence, choosing the right florist is vital to giving your wedding the vision of your dreams and achieving it.  

Live Music 

Based on the venue and style of your wedding, you can choose a live band or a DJ to make your wedding lively and entertaining.  

Select a band that offers the right setting for your events and D-day.  

Provide your DJ or band with a list of your favorite songs or songs that need to be played at special times, like the first dance, etc.   

Hiring a Local Wedding Planner 

We are aware of the stress involved in wedding preparation. When it comes to destination weddings, the duties double. Therefore, hiring a local wedding planner will relieve some of the load and make your work easier.  

A local planner would also be familiar with the specifics of the area. They will instruct you about local suppliers, events, and laws. Local wedding planners have contacts all around the city, from top food vendors to florists.  

Thus, choose a wedding planner wisely by looking at positive evaluations and testimonies. Employing a local wedding planner will also reduce your stress level so you can concentrate on other crucial wedding planning details. 

Wedding Attire  

Every girl’s dream is to get married in the perfect dress. Hence, dont leave your wedding attire shopping for the last minute.  

Your wedding dress and other wedding attire like bridesmaid dress, grooms and groomsmen’s outfits, and flower girl dresses should be ready five to six months before the wedding.  

This gives enough time to make any alterations and fixes. Remember to choose your wedding attire in accordance with the theme of the wedding and the venue.  

Invitations  

Sending out your wedding invites is an integral part of the wedding planning.  

Be prepared to send out your save the dates almost eight months before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to make the required arrangements for your big day, which is incredibly important for a destination wedding in Parsippany. Moreover, ensure that you include accurate and important information about your wedding. These should include the date, venue, and a note to invite guests formally.  

Your wedding invitations should align with the theme and style of the wedding. Order your invites, maps to the venue, and other popular attractions nearby.  

Add important details like date, time, exact location, dress code, and additional information in your RSVP and invites. Additional information can include seating arrangements and whether children are allowed.  

Transportation and Accommodation  

Ensuring guests’ comfort is a crucial component of a perfect vacation wedding. As a result, you must ensure your guests have a comfortable stay and easy travel and lodging arrangements.  

You can search for reasonably priced, cozy hotels near the chosen location. Prior to booking your accommodation, don’t forget to obtain an accurate headcount of the number of guests. Guest transportation is another crucial component.  

Shuttles and other forms of transportation to and from the event can be reserved. Give your guests a thorough itinerary that includes maps and local transit options in case transportation is out of your price range. 

Legalities and Documentation  

You must ensure all your legalities and documentation are in place before you decide to get married in Parsippany. You must get a marriage license from the local Registrar of Vital Statistics. Moreover, you and your partner need to show proof of identity for the documents.  

Required documents include driver’s license, birth certificate, passport, proof of residence, and social security number.  

Moreover, a fee of almost $30 needs to be paid. Remember., New Jersey has a 72-hour waiting time from when you apply for the license. Moreover, from the day of issuance, you have 30 days till the license loses its validity.  

Planning Pre- and Post-Wedding Events  

Pre-wedding events, such as engagement parties, bridal showers, and bachelor/bachelorette parties, are the best way to blow off some steam before the big day.  

These events are mostly held by wedding parties, which include bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other important family members.  

You can upgrade your Parsippany wedding with thoughtful pre- and post-wedding activities. A welcome party or rehearsal supper might be arranged to greet guests and set the mood.  

To spend more time with family and friends before they depart, arrange a farewell brunch. Parsippany has a variety of venues for these events, so your wedding will have a more elegant feel on every occasion. This will ensure that the party is memorable while also giving it more coziness and personality. 

Day-Of Coordination  

On the wedding day, keeping calm and organized is vital. Get your wedding planner and instruct them and the entire wedding party about their respective roles and responsibilities.  

Remember, on D-day, the couple should simply focus on each other without stressing over the nitty-gritty of the wedding. Stick to your wedding timeline and be ready on time with all your appointments. Remember to share your wedding timeline with all your vendors to ensure smooth coordination. 

Moreover, an emergency kit should be provided in the venue in case of an emergency. Remember to tip all your vendors after the wedding and send a “thank you” note to all your guests. If your budget allows, you can also offer some party favors.   

Have a Marvelous Parsippany Wedding 

A wedding is a beautiful time when two lovers commit to each other for a lifetime. What is a more beautiful place to get married than the beautiful land of Parsippany? Much like its name, Parsippany’s landscape looks straight out of a fairy tale. Hence, if you are looking for historical places with beautiful gardens, Parsippany is the ideal location.  

We sincerely hope you use these suggestions to your advantage and have a stunning wedding.  

Remember, celebrating your day and love with your partner is the end goal.  

You are about to embark on a lifelong commitment; it is about more than just the celebration. So, unwind and use the advice in this comprehensive guide to arrange your dream Parsippany wedding. 

PARSIPPANY — Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life. If you are living in Parsippany, New Jersey, you are lucky to find many good colleges around you to choose for higher education and get a good job after graduation. If you are aspiring to go to any of these colleges, in the upcoming paragraphs, we are providing you data and descriptions of the various best colleges around Parsippany so that you can pay a visit to some of them before applying.

1. Fairleigh Dickinson University – Location: Madison, NJ

FDU is a few miles away from Parsippany and provides a wide variety of programs on its four campuses. The Madison campus, also known as the Florham Campus, has a small-town feel, making it a pleasant place to study. The college is known for its business, nursing, and psychology programs. With small class sizes and a focus on community, it is an ideal place to get a personal education.

2. Drew University – Location: Madison, NJ

A second strong option in Madison is Drew University (‘the University in the Forest’), which is also a short drive from Parsippany. It’s a tranquil and beautiful setting for learning. Drew has strong programs, such as:

• Undergraduate Programs: Drew provides over 40 undergraduate majors, including areas like Biochemistry, Computer Science, International Relations, and Psychology.
• Graduate Programs: The university offers several master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as History and Teaching.
• Minors: Students can choose from over 60 minors to complement their major studies.
• Dual-Degree and Pre-Professional Programs: These are structured pathways, such as pre-law and pre-med, aimed at preparing students for professional schools.
• Certificate Programs: Focused, short-term studies in specific areas are also available for students looking to enhance their skills in particular fields.

It also has a solid alumni network, and its tight-knit community promotes student achievement both academically and personally.

3. Montclair State University- Location: Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University is a large public institution not too far from Parsippany, located just a convenient drive away. With more than 300 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations, one is sure to find something that aligns with their passions. Montclair State has a reputation for its education, business, and arts programs. It combines vibrant campus life, a variety of to-join student organizations, and an abundance of up-to-date buildings.

4. College of Saint Elizabeth – Location: Morristown, NJ

Moving north, just a few miles up NJ Route 10, is the College of Saint Elizabeth, a small, Catholic private college that emphasizes leadership and social responsibility in all its programs. The college offers an expansive set of undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in health sciences, psychology, and business. Small class sizes and student-faculty interactions and relationships distinguish the institution’s learning environment. With a strong campus community and a distinguished tradition of celebrating diversity, Saint Elizabeth is especially welcoming to international exchange students.

5. Rutgers University – Newark – Location: Newark, NJ

Rutgers University – Newark is a part of the larger Rutgers University system, but it has its own campus in a large city. For students who like campus life in a more urban setting, Rutgers has lots of interesting programs – business, law, and criminal justice are well-reputed in that location. Rutgers Newark offers a diverse environment that provides students with an excellent chance to engage in social justice and get exposed to a very interesting group of students and various people and ideas. The school is in a major city with abundant internship and job opportunities.

6. Seton Hall University – Location: South Orange, NJ

Founded in 1856 in South Orange, New Jersey, by Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley (an uncle of President Theodore Roosevelt), Seton Hall is a gorgeous suburban campus with convenient light-rail service to New York City, and provides transportation to major airports in New York, Newark and Edison, NJ, for fall and spring break visits home. The university sits just west of Interstate 78 and outside of Interstate 280, which provides easy access to the George Washington Bridge and NYC. Strong programs in business, law, and diplomacy have made Seton Hall a prestigious place. Ethical leadership is a concept heavily emphasized at Seton Hall. Students have various opportunities within the community to develop as mutually respectful, decent, hardworking, and contributing members of that community. This includes the discipline of a number of clubs, fraternities, and sororities, and nearly two dozen athletic teams, which all show great commitment and spirit.

These colleges have something for everyone, so be sure to check them out. If you need help with your college application, you can contact an academized university essay writing service. This company has many experts skilled in writing admission essays that can hepl get you into any school. 

Your Future Awaits!

Picking a college is a personal decision and everyone will have to find what works for them. But the area of Parsippany has something for everyone on a separate campus, big or small, whether you are into art, sports, or sciences. Check these colleges out, visit the campuses, and see what feels right for you. Happy college hunting!

PARSIPPANY — Councilman Justin Musella announced his bid to unseat Mayoral incumbent James Barberio in the 2025 Republican primary, promising his new leadership will restore core Republican principles and accountability to township residents.

The 32-year-old Musella spoke to a crowd of more than 150 supporters outside Morris County Republican headquarters, where he outlined his vision for Parsippany as a place where families thrive, businesses can thrive, and town hall as a place of service, responsiveness, and accountability, not cronyism.

“I believe the time has come for new leadership, and that is why I’m thrilled to announce my candidacy to be mayor of this great township,” Musella said. “I promise to restore the Republican party of Parsippany to its core principles and offer the residents a way out from gut-punching tax hikes, taxpayer-funded overdevelopment, and political cronyism. Under my watch, Town Hall will be a place of service, not a club for the well-connected to violate the public trust.”

Elected to the council in 2021, Musella clashed with Barberio on several issues, including the Barberio-sponsored 14% property tax increase in 2022, Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) that favor union contractors and increase construction costs for major township development projects, and the six PILOT agreements that provide tax breaks for developers represented by former Township Attorney John Inglesino.
“Working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and our most vulnerable have suffered greatly under the failed policies of this administration,” Musella said. “But it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Musella said he would balance the budget without raising taxes, enhance town services without breaking the bank, attract new businesses without taxpayer subsidies, restore professional and accountable management at town hall, and improve relations with the township’s Board of Education.

Musella also revealed he and his wife, Courtney, are expecting their first child at the end of the year, which made him reflect on the type of town in which he wants to raise his son. 
“I refuse to accept a declining quality of life, a feeling of insecurity, and a lack of responsiveness from elected officials,” Musella said. “You should, too.”

Musella appealed to his supporters to donate their time or money to his campaign and to message the current administration that enough is enough. “Together, we can make Parsippany a great place to live again,” Musella said.

The Republican primary for mayor is scheduled for June 2025.

Barberio, who is in his third non-consecutive term as mayor, said he will announce his plans for the 2025 election later.

Parsippany, which has more than 55,000 residents, is the largest town in Morris County and a swing district in state and national elections. Democrat Michael Soriano unseated Mayor Barberio in 2017 but then lost to Barberio in 2021.

PARSIPPANY — It’s almost Independence Day, and Parsippany is one of many towns in the Garden State set to light up the sky with fireworks to celebrate America’s independence.

This year’s show is on Thursday, July 4, and begins dark at Parsippany Hills High School. Gates open at 5:00 p.m., and the cover band, 90s Rockshow, returns to entertain guests before the fireworks start.

They’ll take the stage at 7:00 p.m., playing rock hits from the 1990s and beyond, including songs from Journey, Green Day, Nirvana, Kelly Clarkson, No Doubt, Alanis Morissette, Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam, Blink 182, The Go-Go’s, Whitney Houston, Cher, Led Zeppelin, Bryan Adams, and more.

Parsippany Hills High School is at 20 Rita Drive.

Please note that no pets are permitted at the fireworks show. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to Friday, July 5.

PARSIPPANY — The New Jersey Globe (click here to read) has reported that Parsippany Councilman Justin Musella, 32, is expected to launch his bid for mayor on Saturday, June 29, announcing plans to challenge incumbent Jamie Barberio in the June 2025 Republican primary. Parsippany Focus confirmed that the announcement will be held at 51 Gibraltar  Drive at 1:00 p.m.

The two Republicans have clashed for most of the last three years, with Musella alleging that Barberio’s budget process lacks transparency and criticizing the mayor’s inability to deliver tax cuts while providing developers with 30-year tax breaks through Payment-in-Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs.

Musella, a former chairman of Morris County Young Republicans, was elected to the township council in 2021 after local Republicans split their ticket in a contested and divisive primary. Musella emerged as the top vote-getter in the general election among all the candidates.

Barberio was first elected mayor in 2009 and re-elected in 2013.  Soriano ousted him in 2017 by 834 votes, 53%-47%. In 2021, Barberio defeated Soriano by a margin of approximately 1,000 votes.

Barberio hasn’t officially announced his candidacy for Mayor, although he filed his intent to run for Mayor with the New Jersey Election Enforcement Committee (Click here to view). Previously, Former Council Vice President Robert Peluso and President Lou Valori challenged Barberio in a Republican primary. Valori has moved from Parsippany.

Peluso has filed his intent to run for Mayor with the New Jersey Election Enforcement Committee (Click here to view).

Musella and Neglia’s council and Barberio’s Mayoral seats are up for re-election in 2025. The Primary will be held on June 3, 2025.