Seriously. Is there anyplace else you can ride in on horseback, cruise a river with The Statue of Liberty and Manhattan in view, plus end your wedding night under a stadium marquee?”
🕍 1. Vows & Victory at Medieval Times, Lyndhurst
Forget the traditional walk down the aisle. Taylor and Travis? Imagine riding on a beautiful horse, into the center of a castle. You two lovebirds could exchange vows horseback, in full royal fashion at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. In fact, the entire wedding party can arrive by horseback, with expert knights riding along to make the entrance truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
Think about this Lyndhurst castle’s grand arena transformed nto a cinematic ceremony complete with a knighting, falconry, and a royal feast. And we have a feeling you don’t have to eat chicken with your hands (although that IS the tradition at Medieval Times, and quite tasty). We’re just about 100% sure they will cater to both of your palates’ desire.
🛶 2. Riverkeeper Romance (Carlstadt & Secaucus)
Nothing says Meadowlands like its winding estuary. Ride along with the Hackensack Riverkeeper with boats launching from both Carlstadt and Secaucus. It’s the perfect way for a quiet “first look” surrounded by our very unique marsh reeds — phragmites — while admiring the skyline shimmer, trains, and highways.
🌇 3. Golden Hour at Overpeck County Park
Overpeck County Park offers one of the area’s most stunning natural vantage points — sunset light, the NYC skyline, and tranquil wetlands all in one frame.
🚢 4. Spirit Cruise from Weehawken
Take a Spirit Cruise for brunch, lunch, dinner, or all three! Operating out of Weehawken, NJ at Lincoln Harbor Marina, the local getaway offers themes galore and views like no other. The buffets are great, the views amazing, and the atmosphere FUN.
But we have no doubt a popstar and an NFL tight end can come up with something never done before, and even more FUN. But it’s all about you two — of course you can just kick back and enjoy the buffet, DJ, and amazing views of the New York City Skyline, bridges, and highways with the added bonus of an up close and personal view of our lovely Statue of Liberty.
📸 5. Pictures on Boulevard East, North Bergen
We all know you’re a history buff and now you’re an actual figure in history. It’s exactly why you MUST head to The Bouelvard East in North Bergen. It’s a few blocks long and totally free and you will feel the battles lost and won. (I’m not a history buff so I’m not sure what happened there, but I always shed a tear when I’m there.)
Despite my lack of history knowledge, I can absolutely take you and your wedding party there; it’s a confusing but gorgeous postage stamp-sized section of a Hudson County road. An extention of Kennedy Boulevard (that’s pretty much ALL of Hudson County) this stretch is Wedding 101. Perfect views of the Hudson and NYC, plus lots of American history.
The Boulevard in New Jersey.runs through Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg, and North Bergen and the area is steeped in Revolutionary War. All that aside, it’s perfect for stylized, editorial portraits that nod to the area’s heritage.
And since Jersey is once again the country’s film capital, you will both be disappointed to miss this and not have it as part of YOUR history.
🐦 6. Birding at DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst
Before the vows, a bird-watching tour at DeKorte Park connects the celebration to the heart of the Meadowlands. Open daily from dawn to dusk, DeKorte Park is a premier birding spot in Northern New Jersey. Waterfowl in the winter, shorebirds in Spring/Summer, and gulls and terns throughout the year — every season is bird season here.
💐 7. Flowers by Rutherford Florist
Flowers by Rutherford Florist brings a local touch with delicate Meadowlands-marsh palettes—white lilies, soft greens, and blue accents, all horse-friendly for those arena garlands. More important? It’s a family-owned business since 1975, creating and delivering superior floral arrangements and assortments.
🤵 8. Tuxedos in Rutherford + American Dream Style
The groom’s party gets fitted at Biltmore Tuxedos in Rutherford, while the bridal party scores accessories and manicures at American Dream Meadowlands — complete with a spin on the Dream Wheel for skyline photos.
🏡 9. Private Rutherford History Walk
A local historian-led walking tour through Rutherford’s tree-lined streets, historic homes, poet corners, and artists’ enclaves, make a perfect pre-wedding bonding moment for family and VIPs. We are history aficionados here in the Meadowlands and Rutherford is just a starting point because we were lucky to have the poet doctor — William Carlos Williams.
The pediatrician poet lived and died in Rutherford and his home and practice are in tact (although I think it’s a gynecologist now). But he was famous as a poet who succeeded in making the ordinary appear extraordinary and seeing the beauty and reverence in the everyday things most don’t see — like a plum or a wheelbarrel.
Taylor’s favorite poet is Emily Dickinson and we can’t argue with that choice. WCW is distinctive in his own way and he’s rarely in the top 10 (is there even a Top Anything for poets?) I’m sure Taylor or Travis would immediately see WCW’s greatness if they gave him a read.
🏟️ 10. MetLife Stadium Marquee Magic
MetLife Stadium lights up with “JUST MARRIED T + T”— a once-in-a-lifetime photo op in the same arena where both stars have made history.
🐎 11. Meadowlands Racetrack Finish-Line Kiss
Post-reception, the couple races to Meadowlands Racetrack for a “photo-finish” kiss under the lights.
🍽️ 12. Marsh-to-Manhattan Menu
Local flavor means Italian in the Meadowlands but you’ll find every ethnic bite you want to sink your teeth into. Not only is there a pizzeria or Italian restaurant on every corner, but there is Greek, Mexican, Chinese, Korean, Sushi, and, of course, diners, where you can get scrambled eggs or meatloaf anytime of day and it will be delicious.
In the Meadowlands, if you do Italian food you have to make your own mutz. It’s only three ingredients — how hard could it be? Quite. It’s actually an art, really, and the Meadowlands does it best.
(Mutz-aholic here. I’ve had every mutz on the east coast and some scattered states in the south. New Jersey and New York are the masters by a landside. Old Forge, Pennsylvania has excellent square pies and I never asked about cheese. Their crust, sauce, and cheese are delectable and we’re too busy stuffing our faces to even think about questions.
But I can’t make mutz so I’m impressed by the fresh melt-in-your mouth greatness. If you live in the Meadowlands, why bother making it when everyone else does with more passion, more gusto, and that jais ne sais que that differentiates one from the other.
It’s hard to beat Vinnie’s Mootz in Lyndhurst or Annabella’s in East Rutherford. Michael’s Salumeria in Lyndhurst is fabulous and there is a Mozzerella Bar at American Dream.
Some say her Eras album was full of cheese referencs but who knows? And while she doesn’t say she has a fave — she loves them all — cheese has made its way into a lot of her songs.
Her self-titled debut album is cheese curds. Swift’s “Fearless” era? It’s represented by a “fresh, rindless, but nonetheless beloved cheese: mozzarella,” the chesseprofessor.com reported. Fans have used mozzarella as a metaphor for specific eras of her music. For example, one analysis connected the “Fearless” album to mozzarella because it is “fresh, rindless, but nonetheless beloved”.
New Jersey did, after all, name our official state sandwich “Taylor Swift Ham, Egg, and Cheese.”’ When it comes to plan the wedding menu, it will cheesy in the best possible way. (Taylor: Meet me in Austin on Oct. 22 — Cheese Festival! And then we can work on the rest of the food details. We at the Meadowlands Chamber will happily be you wedding planner and guide to the Meadowlands.}
🚉 13. Door-to-Door Ease
Guests can take NJ Transit to Secaucus Junction, then hop onto shuttle vans, boats, and carriages—seamlessly connecting river, racetrack, and royal feast all within minutes.
The Meadowlands is the only place where you can celebrate love across rivers, racetracks, skylines, and castles — all in one day.
Here’s a Sample Wedding Flow
Morning: Bird-watching at DeKorte Park → Rutherford historic tour → First-look cruise via Riverkeeper.
Afternoon: Overlook Park portraits → Spirit Cruise cocktail sail.
Evening: Horseback ceremony + feast at Medieval Times.
Nightcap: MetLife “Just Married” photo → Racetrack kiss → Dream Wheel skyline finale.
But Wait — There’s Always More — Here’s your Lineup
| Element | Local Highlight |
| Ceremony & Reception | Medieval Times, Lyndhurst – Horseback entrance + royal feast |
| Pre-Ceremony Photos | Hackensack Riverkeeper boats (Carlstadt & Secaucus); Overlook Park |
| Cocktail Cruise | Spirit of Weehawken |
| Photo Spots | Boulevard (North Bergen), MetLife Marquee, Meadowlands Racetrack, Dream Wheel |
| Florals & Formalwear | Flowers by Rutherford Florist; Tuxedos in Rutherford + American Dream Mall |
| Nature Moment | Bird-watching at DeKorte Park (Lyndhurst) |
| Local Touch | Private Rutherford walking tour with historian guide |
