The Highlawn Pavilion wedding venue is located in West Orange, New Jersey and sits perfectly atop the historic Eagle Rock Reservation. The venue features several dining areas as well as a wine cellar and outdoor patio. 

The main dining room features wall to ceiling windows which offers it’s guests features breathtaking views of the New York City skyline and a gorgeous view of Montclair Township. If you’re looking for something more casual, the Piano Room features a solid oak bar, professional live entrainment and easy access to Highlawn Pavilion’s gorgeous outdoor patio. I’ve dined at Highlawn Pavilion several times and I must say, if you’re into beer, they have an excellent selection. They have both Chamay red and blue plus Leffe and numerous other high end beers on tap. What’s not to love?!

For the wine lovers, Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, New Jersey offers it’s guests a wide selection of high quality and rare wines via it’s on-site wine cellar. This breathtaking room is located on the lower level of their building and can also be utilized for private events. If you’re in the area and a lover of wine don’t hesitate to visit Highlawn Pavilion to see what they have to offer.

For warmer weather, their outdoor patio is the perfect spot for those looking for a view. Like I mentioned before, this patio features unparalleled view of the New York City skyline as well as Eagle Rock Park and Montclair Township. Be sure to arrive early since seating on the patio is on a first come, first serve basis. Although Highlawn Pavilion does take reservations for their main dining room and piano room.

Want something even more upscale? Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, NJ offers it’s guests the option of a completely private dining experience all catered specifically to your needs by their world class chef. This option is terrific for business dinners, family reunions and any other special occasion where privacy and an upscale setting is of the utmost importance. This option is sure to impress any guest.

Finally, for the true music lovers, Highlawn Pavilion features live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Numerous pianists and trios perform regularly at Highlawn Pavilion and provide the perfect acoustical backdrop to any meal.

Highlawn Pavilion – The perfect spot for any New Jersey wedding

Sophisticated elegance and their award winning cuisine make this venue perfect for your wedding or special event. No matter what the occasion, be it a lavish ceremony with hundreds of friends and family, or a small, intimate event featuring your closest friends and family, Highlawn Pavilion offers everything you need to host the perfect celebration. From first hand experience, I know that their staff handles every one of your needs and does it all with ease. Not a single detail of your day goes unnoticed. They have hosted weddings and other special events for more than a quarter century. That is experience you can count on.

The main draw of the Highlawn Pavilion is their generously sized Pavilion room which is used to host events of all kinds including but not limited to weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, bridal showers, corporate events and special occasions. This room is connected to another generously sized room used to showcase Highlawn’s exceptional cocktail hours and vast amount of desserts.

Their delicious menu is personally created by their on-staff world renowned chefs and their fine dining experience is second to none. Highlawn Pavilion prides itself on working within your budget to help make your dreams a reality. Their extensive food menus are tailors to your specific tastes and the personal style of your wedding or event. For couples of all cultures, their staff is well versed in ethnic food and deserts. They are beyond committed to making sure your special day goes perfect from start to finish. That is just one of the many reasons why Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, NJ is one of the top North Jersey wedding venues.

With over 100 years of history, Highlawn Pavilion is the clear choice if you desire something more high end and upscale.

For your convenience, here are just a few reasons Highlawn Pavilion is the perfect location for your next New Jersey wedding

• Beautifully landscaped lawns and gazebo perfect for outdoor ceremonies of all kinds
• Large ballroom perfectly designed to hold a generous amount of guests with separate space for DJ and cocktail hour/desserts
• Exceptional wedding menu all perfect crafty by Highlawn Pavilion’s world renowned executive chefs
• Highlawn Pavilion not only offers and outdoor ceremony space, but an indoor one as well
• Same sex marriages and civil union friendly
• Professionally trained waitstaff with years upon years of high level dining experience
• Onsite wine cellar featuring unique and rare wines
• Excellent selection of high end beer and cocktails
• Situated in West Orange, New Jersey, only a short drive from NYC
• Highly experienced in the following types of events: Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Special Occasions, Birthday Parties, Corporate Dinners/Events and Bridal Showers

About Barbara and Corey’s wedding day at The Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, New Jersey

Barbara and Corey’s North Jersey Highlawn Pavilion wedding started off at the Hyatt House in Whippany, NJ. The bride and groom had separate suites only one floor away from each other, which made photographing both sides of the bridal party a breeze. I always enjoy when couples choose to get ready at the same location. It saves on driving time and I’m able to accomplish many more photos in a shorter amount of time.

The bride and her bridesmaids started off the day by having their makeup and hair professionally styled while the boys shared some delicious cold beer before getting officially dressed for the start of the happy couple’s wedding day. During the “getting ready” time at the hotel, I normally will photograph all of the couple’s details such as the wedding dress, rings, flowers, shoes, suits, cologne/perfume and any other misc. jewelry and accessories.

After the bride and groom were officially dressed and ready we all headed over to the Highlawn Pavilion for first look. The “first look” is something of a newer tradition that started several years ago. Instead of seeing one and other for the first time during the start of their ceremony, many couples are now opting to see each other earlier in the day. Once the couple is officially married they can go straight to cocktail hour and enjoy this time with their friends and family. It really is a win/win for everyone and I try to suggest this to all my brides and grooms. Think of it this way, the moment you first see your bride walk down that aisle is gone in an instant. She takes around 15-30 seconds to walk into the church or ceremony space and then you’ve both set off right into your ceremony. There is hardly any time to relax together and enjoy this moment. If you choose to do a “first look”, this moment can last for 5-10 minutes. You see your bride in her wedding dress for the very first time and then you can spend as much time together as you like. Hugging, kissing, whispering in each other’s ears and taking in this moment together, instead of having it gone in an instant. Now there really is no right or wrong way to have this reveal. It’s all up to the couple.

After first look, we went straight into some creative photographs of the bride and groom. Highlawn Pavilion’s property is vast, which makes it easy to capture many different scenarios in a short amount of time. No golf cart needed, just simply stroll around their beautiful manicured lawns and shoot away. The key to really relaxed bride and groom photographs is to get the couple to interact with each other in a way that feels natural. Get them holding hands and walking together. Something couples normally do all the time. Get them to hug and embrace each other in a location that feels romantic. Allow the bride and groom this time to be together and let their real emotions for each other come through. A good photographer will be able to see these moments and create beautiful photographs without the need to shout directions and interrupt the couple’s time together.

Once the beautiful bride and groom photos from Highlawn Pavilion were complete, we started on photographs of the bridal party with the happy couple. Again, super easy to shoot on the North Jersey wedding venue’s property. We completed these photos just in time for the wedding ceremony to begin.

The bride and groom chose to have their ceremony outdoors using Highlawn Pavilion’s beautiful gazebo situated right atop Eagle Rock which provides the guests with awesome views of the NYC skyline and Montclair Township, NJ. Their wedding ceremony was absolutely perfect. The weather held up and I was able to capture a ton of really beautiful, emotion filled photographs for the couple to cherish for forever.

Upon finishing ceremony the bride, groom and their family and friends headed inside for a spectacular cocktail hour provided by the Highlawn Pavilion’s excellent waitstaff and world renowned executive chef. I’ve shot several weddings at Highlawn Pavilion and I can say from experience that their food does not disappoint. The venue even provides the couple with their own specially designed signature cocktail.

Their wedding reception was held upstairs in the very large Pavilion room. The bride, groom and their guests danced the night away with music provided by their excellent wedding DJ. Receptions are one of my favorite parts of a wedding day. I really do enjoy running around the dance floor capturing tons of super fun dance photos. If anyone has ever been at a friend’s wedding where I am the photographer, you will definitely remember my smiling face running around the dance floor having just as much fun taking pictures as the people are having fun dancing haha.

At the end of it all, Barbara and Corey’s wedding was a blast. The couple was happy with each part of their day and their wonderful friends and family were nothing but helpful and supportive. All of the vendors did an amazing job helping to make the bride and groom’s day a happy and joyous occasion. I want to personally thank Barbara, Corey and their family for allowing me the honor of documenting their wedding day. I wish the happy couple nothing but the best as they start the next journey of their lives together as husband and wife.



If you wish to contact me to inquire about pricing and information for your wedding, feel free to email me any time at info@ryansandsphotography.com. PLEASE NOTE: I book up 1-2 years in advance, so if you’re interested in hiring me for your wedding, do not hesitate to contact me. All dates are on a first come, first serve basis and I only book one event per day.