Ideal Weather Plans

Eagle Lake has considered the weather in its design, so you can relax as you make your plans. Our prime location on water is one of our main attractions, so we know how important an outdoor ceremony is for you.

• We're prepared for nearly any weather scenario. Rain, heat, cold, wind - when weather gets ugly, we know what to do.

  • If it rains, we have a beautiful indoor space to celebrate together

  • When it’s hot outside, we have large outdoor fans and evaporative coolers strategically placed throughout the grounds

  • When it’s cold, we start a roaring fire in our chiminea by the Koi Pond for garden cocktails.

• Each event is organized with the expectation that sunshine and rain have an equal chance of occurring. We schedule open houses to show you how adorable our rain options will look.

• A well-prepared plan can alleviate concerns, and keep you focused on your enjoyment rather than the weather.

• Ceremony Location: The likelihood of rain affecting your entire day is low. Summer often brings the possibility of afternoon storms, typically between 4 and 5 o'clock. The choice to use the chapel, which can be setup well in advance, can be delayed 30 minutes before the ceremony to allow guests time to take their seats. Any additional decorations you wish to add inside will be arranged at that point. Opting for the tent or for larger gatherings necessitates a minimum setup time of 60 minutes.

• Should the skies clear at the last minute and you wish to move your ceremony outdoors, we are more than willing to accommodate your request. However, please be aware that if the chairs are damp, we may need to ask your guests to stand during the ceremony. Keep in mind, if you elect to hire an outside DJ, which we don’t recommend, decision times may be increased. It’s only because our DJs are trained to use our equipment, that we can accommodate last minute changes.

• Cocktail hour setups in the upper garden require 90 minutes to prepare, and they cannot be moved once in place. Should the likelihood of rain be over 40%, we will keep your food and bar setups indoors. Guests may still venture outside to enjoy their drinks if the weather permits. Additionally, our catering staff can serve hors d'oeuvres throughout the gardens.

• Mid-spring to mid-autumn, guests venture outdoors after dinner to stretch and mill about. When conditions permit, they may venture to the rooftop and enjoy the overlook view of the lake. Sunsets are spectacular from this vantage point. The journey from the front yard to the rooftop overlook in our golf carts, especially on a warm and balmy evening, is an exhilarating experience that is certain to be one of many highlights of the night for your guests.

• Conditions permitting, we light a bonfire on the beach after dark. Couples may provide smores and cigars for beach goers to enjoy. Guests don’t expect these types of activities at weddings, which makes their experience quite unforgettable. All these factors together explain why Eagle Lake weddings are frequently acclaimed as the best ever attended.

Weather challenges: Even Eagle Lake can face weather that outflanks our greatest efforts. The good news is we address everything in advance and have constituencies in place.

• Hurricanes: It’s clear that extreme storms like a hurricane can make hosting a wedding reception untenable. If a hurricane, like Sandy, is predicted the day of your wedding, we will already be prepared to reschedule your event.

• Tornados: These are too unpredictable and don’t come with enough warning to reschedule, so if one approaches, we’ll move everyone in the bunker for safety and take comfort your entire party will be out of harm’s way; there’s no safer place in New Jersey. If the storm passes without damage the party will continue and you’ll all have something exciting to remember.

• Humidity: The spring and fall seasons pose a unique challenge. During these times, the tile floor beneath the tent can become cool. When the tiles are cool and it’s a warm, wet day, the dew point may exceed the floor's temperature, leading to puddling on the tiles.

  This has occurred a few times, so far only in November, yet the weddings have always turned out wonderfully. It's important to recognize and embrace that we can't control everything, so we adapt and move forward.

• Power Failure: We have a backup generator to run lights, sound, well pump and fans, but no AC. We’d love to have a huge generator to run the AC too, but at a cost of $100k, it’s not in our future.

• How we succeed despite the extremes: Understanding and accepting that some situations are out of our control is crucial. It's not a punishment from God, and fearing misfortune is futile. Together we will focus on the fact that it's your day and you're meant to enjoy it. We’re all human but that’s what makes us strong. We can choose to make the best out of any situation. Imagine the stories you'll tell; everyone enjoys hearing about triumphs over adversity.

Powerful Storm and Recovery Story

In our fourth year, a powerful storm toppled dozens of trees and wreaked havoc across the grounds, just two days before a weekend filled with weddings. The fruits of our labor were reduced to rubble, with debris strewn all around. Setting our emotions aside, we rolled up our sleeves; volunteers arrived, and together we cleared the mess in time. Positive intentions were crucial. We turned the cleanup into a game and enjoyed the process as a team. Positive individuals don't allow external circumstances to quench their spirit. If this had happened during a wedding we’d make the best of it. Life's challenges are opportunities to grow stronger, a disaster is merely a workout for the soul.