NJ wedding venues look forward to business getting back to normal as COVID restrictions ease
SPRING LAKE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Sixteen years ago, John Nagel made an investment that paid off - transforming a restaurant and nightclub into the now famous and elegant Spring Lake Manor, a premier catering venue for weddings, showers and charity fundraisers.
As COVID restrictions relax, Nagel is looking forward to getting business back to normal.
"We try to keep up with requirements, but it's challenging," Nagel says.
Venues across New Jersey have felt the crush of COVID.
"A few days before the ceremony, the whole family had COVID, so we had to postpone," said newlywed Gina Vitale.
Vitale had plans for her big January wedding, which downsized, in the end to 19 guests at the Voorhees, New Jersey venue, after COVID kept bringing bad news.
As millions of people in the state are now vaccinated, Governor Murphy has increased the indoor gatherings capacity to 35 percent. However, Nagel says the real numbers come from what's happening with the groups who book.
"A lot of events are still being postponed - at least fall before people feel comfortable again," Nagel said.
Spring Lake Manor has several events booked - the biggest hopes are for 2022, when venues are crossing fingers that COVID restrictions of any kind could possibly be a distant memory, and full capacity will fill the elegant rooms once again.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a News Tip
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
Find out if you are eligible and where you can go to get your vaccine
Do you have coronavirus symptoms?
Where to get tested in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
WATCH: Eyewitness to a Pandemic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus
Submit a News Tip or Question
