3 Factors to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Wedding Venue

Wedding planning involves what seems like a million decisions — from the food to the guest list to the wedding day attire, there are a lot of choices to make. And one of the most important, and often most difficult, choices is deciding on a venue. The venue of your wedding sets the theme for the entire day, so it’s important to choose the right place. And to help you make the right decision, here are a few important factors you should consider.

Location: First things first, you need to decide on a location. Most weddings are local, but you do have the option to travel too. No matter where you choose to host your wedding, you need to think about if there are nearby accommodations for guests as well. This is especially important if you are traveling or if you have guests coming in from out of town. Overall, whether you look at romantic wedding places or more casual venues, the venue should be somewhere that the majority of your guests will be able to get to.

Amenities: You also need to think about the amenities the potential venue has to offer. You should not only ask about whether or not the venue offers catering options, but you should also find out if they offer the use of their chairs, linens, and other items. Other amenities you should think about are parking, bathrooms, and even their sound system. Furthermore, with Hudson Valley Weddings Showing that 35% of weddings now take place outside, does the venue have the ability to accommodate an outdoor event with a tent and proper chairs? You should think about all of the amenities potential party venues can offer.

Atmosphere: If you have a specific theme or ambiance you’re looking for, make sure the venue you choose can meet your expectations. From romantic wedding places to more unique wedding venues, like golf courses, there are a lot of different venues that could produce different atmospheres. Consider the architecture and decor the venue has to offer and how much work you’ll have to do to make it how you want it.

Choosing a place to have your wedding is not a decision that should be made hastily. So keep these factors in mind during your search to ensure you find the right venue for your special day.

Want an Outdoor Wedding? Check Out Country Clubs

Your wedding day might arguably be one of the most important days of your life. You get to make a public commitment in front of those you care about to the person you love. So, of course, you want every last detail to be perfect. Whether you’re hosting a family brunch before the wedding or looking for unique wedding places for your reception, every element matters. Outdoor wedding places have been especially popular in recent years and country clubs can be an excellent place to host a wedding. The often beautiful landscapes of the club can check the box for outdoor wedding places, while country club facilities can handle the reception with ease. Indeed, many country clubs across the country are listed as top places to have a wedding reception!

The Popularity of Outdoor Wedding Places 

Hudson Valley Weddings reports that around 35% of weddings are now outdoor affairs. More and more couples have been attracted to gorgeous backdrops and “natural” settings. And in our age of social media, wedding pictures (and the overall aesthetic) seems to matter more these days. An outdoor setting allows the wedding photographer to move around with more ease (and be relatively less noticed).

Practically speaking, you don’t need to decorate as much for an outdoor venue (saving time, stress, and money), and if you’re having a large wedding, it can be better for fitting more guests in. Having an outdoor wedding also means you can really add your own special touches to the decorations you do choose to have — think of it as more of a blank canvas! There’s no existing architecture or decorations (other than what nature provides), so you can arrange as you see fit.

Why Choose a Country Club as My Reception Venue? 

All told, couples will spend an average of $28,385 just on their wedding ceremony and reception. A country club can offer both a lavish and elegant setting for a wedding, while still offering plenty of perks for the price. As mentioned above, a country club is an ideal venue if you’re looking at outdoor wedding places, given the beautiful natural grounds that most country clubs cultivate. And, country club facilities can offer a great Plan B if the weather turns out to be inclement (which is one of the biggest worries/stressors when it comes to planning an outdoor wedding).

Country clubs are also used to hosting big, sophisticated events. Many offer all-inclusive food and beverage options and so couples won’t worry about having to source catering or bar staff. They can simply sit down and look at pre-designed menus. Most places will also offer the option to customize some of these menus or bar services as well, so couples shouldn’t be worried that they’re locked into just those options.

And having your wedding at a country club also means that there’s less shuffling back and forth. It’s likely that the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception will all be at the country club, so guests can stay in one place. And everything the bride (or groom) needs is in one area, so if something’s forgotten, the mad dash back to the room is much shorter!

What Else Should I Consider With a Venue? 

Some country clubs might offer a wedding package, which you should go through carefully and see what’s included. For example, you might be asked to bring in your own DJ and flowers or other decorations. You should ask who’s in charge of setting up and breaking down the event, and if they offer rental services for things that aren’t included (like linens, chairs, tables, and so forth).

You should also keep in mind that tax and gratuity are often not included in the quote or estimate, so be sure to add that on when you’re calculating for your budget. You don’t want to be surprised later on!

Consider getting married at a country club! It can provide the perfect venue for your wedding, decreasing stress, centralizing events, and providing a gorgeous setting to say your vows.

What to Know About Hosting a Post-Wedding Brunch

sunday brunchIf your wedding is coming up quickly, you probably have a million things on your to-do list. But if “Sunday brunch” isn’t on your list, you may want to add it. Many couples now plan a Sunday wedding brunch for guests. Even if the couple doesn’t attend, it’s a great way to wrap up your wedding celebration. And after all, who doesn’t love brunch?

So if you’re looking to celebrate with brunch the day after your wedding, let’s take a look at a few things you should keep in mind.

Reasons to Have a Post-Wedding Brunch

After beginning in England at the turn of the 20th century, brunch took 30 years to become a popular activity in the United States. Fortunately for humanity, brunch is becoming a regular thing nowadays. So why should you host a Sunday brunch after your wedding? First off, it’s a nice way to say thank you, and goodbye, to out-of-town guests. Additionally, it gives you another chance to talk to people you may have missed at the wedding the night before. And after a long night of dancing and drinking, your guests are sure to be grateful that you’re giving them some yummy food the morning after. Hosting a brunch is surprisingly easy, especially if your wedding venue offers a brunch special. Overall, having a post-wedding brunch is a perfect way to conclude a wedding full of love and fun.

Tips to Make Planning Easier
Since you’re busy tackling every other task on your wedding to-do list, delegating the brunch planning to someone else may be a good idea. This can be a great opportunity for other family members, like step-parents or grandparents, to get involved in the wedding planning. Whoever is planning the brunch should ensure that separate invitations are sent to those you want to attend because guests might not expect brunch to be offered. However, it may be beneficial to keep the guest list smaller so you don’t have another mini wedding to attend.

When it comes to the brunch menu, it’s important to keep the food light. Food options like eggs, waffles, yogurt, and fruit are great choices and can be a refreshing meal after a night of drinking. And as for timing, make sure it’s not hosted too early. No one, including you, is going to want to drag themselves out of bed at seven in the morning for brunch. So be mindful that people are going to be tired and may need extra time to get to brunch.

While hosting a Sunday brunch may seem like just another thing added to your to-do list, it can be a great experience. With yummy food and your loved ones, you’re sure to have a great time wrapping up your wedding celebrations.

3 Unique Bridal Shower Events to Consider This Summer

celebrate with brunchWith wedding season upon us, you may find yourself in charge of choosing the perfect bridal shower for a lovely bride-to-be. Bridal showers are the time when friends and family come together to show the happy couple how much they care about them and how happy they are about their marriage. But instead of hosting a cookie-cutter bridal shower, consider one of these more unique ideas.

Host a DIY party: More and more couples are finding ways to have their guests be interactive at pre-wedding festivities. One way this can be done is by having a DIY party. Whether it’s glass etching, painting canvases, or any other craft, a DIY party is sure to be a hit. Instead of sitting around watching the bride open presents all day, guests will be able to be active and create something with their own two hands. And best of all, this craft will go home with them and will help them always remember the happy couple.

Celebrate with brunch: No bridal shower is complete without a friends and family brunch. England got to enjoy brunch 30 years before it caught on in the U.S. — but now it’s one of the most popular meals! A Sunday brunch is the perfect way to celebrate a bride-to-be. With a yummy brunch menu, sparkling drinks, and all of her closest friends and family, every bride is sure to love being able to celebrate with brunch. After all, what’s not to love about it?

Go with a nautical theme: Before the happy couple ties the knot, they deserve to be showered with a sea of love. Whether the wedding is going to take place on land or out in open waters, you can’t go wrong with a nautical shower! With some repurposed pallets, striped linens, anchors, and sailor hats, both the bride-to-be and her guests are sure to have a blast. Coastal vibes will help take the shower guests to a sunny island no matter the weather where you are. This is a great option for a summer shower so you can actually get outside and pretend you’re somewhere on a beach.

So whether you choose to celebrate with brunch, host an interactive DIY party, or choose a fun nautical theme, you’re sure to give the bride-to-be a day to remember.

If you’re looking for a venue to host a bridal shower at, consider Deerfield Golf Club. As a premier special events facility, we can help host a one-of-a-kind bridal shower for the bride-to-be.

Same Sex Wedding Trends: What Can Be Expected in 2018

same sex weddings

Weddings are a time to celebrate love, friends, and family. While there are many traditions surrounding weddings, more and more couples are choosing to put their own personal twist on their big day. Especially with same sex weddings, we are seeing more uniqueness, from the ceremony down to the shoes the couple wears. Same sex couples seem to be leading the way for unique wedding trends, and this article takes a look at a few trends that experts expect to continue to see at gay weddings in 2018.

Skipping the bridal party: While common wedding traditions include having bridesmaids and groomsmen, more and more same sex couples are adding their own flare to ceremony traditions and choosing to forego a wedding party. In doing this, they are allowed more freedom when it comes to the processional and recessional. Many same sex couples are also choosing to walk down the aisle together, instead of separately or while accompanied by a family member. Additionally, with no bridal party, they don’t have to incorporate them into the processional or recessional.

Unique attire: Since same sex couples don’t have as many conventions to lean on as others, they have the option to get creative with their wardrobe choices. Same sex couples are continuing to make bold and unique wardrobe choices, and this trend is spreading to any and all couples. Wardrobe choices range from pantsuits to unusual dress colors. While some brides or grooms still decide to stick to traditional outfits for their gender, original wardrobe ideas are definitely an up-and-coming trend among same sex weddings. Along with their wardrobe choices, same sex couples also tend to choose more unique wedding venues and a lot of them are outdoor wedding places. In fact, Hudson Valley Weddings’ statistics show that 35% of all weddings now take place outside.

Heavy focus on the after party: This may be a new tradition among all couples, but the after party seems to have gained popularity specifically among same sex weddings. While traditional weddings may feature a Sunday brunch special the morning after, a lot of same sex weddings feature food and fun the same night. Whether it’s in a separate part of the reception space, at a nearby location, or back at the hotel, the after party is becoming a big part of many same sex couple’s wedding day. Since this party is usually more casual than the rest of the day, many same sex couples choose unusual decor or a unique theme for their after party. And of course, no wedding is complete without a late-night snack.

A lot of exciting and unique new trends are coming from same sex weddings, and people are definitely following in their footsteps. Whether it’s with the attire, ceremony, or food, there are tons of way to personalize weddings to fit the wants and needs of the happy couple.

Planning a Wedding Can Be as Easy as a Walk in the Park With Deerfield

golf course weddingPlanning a wedding can incite panic in even the most level-headed bride. Wedding planning provides a formidable checklist and there are so many moving pieces to keep track of. Let us take some of those items off your checklist and add them to ours. At Deerfield, our hospitality professionals will help you create the perfect wedding for you and your guests, from an exquisite rehearsal dinner, a dazzling wedding venue (a golf course wedding, anyone?), and a well-executed reception. And, to keep the wedding party and guests entertained, we offer plenty of activities on our grounds from beautiful strolls in the White Clay Creek State Park, to golfing on our pristine grounds, to enjoying a tasty Sunday brunch, and much more. Let us help you create a distinctive, joyous, and unforgettable wedding — we promise to give you memories you’ll treasure.

Why Should You Choose Us?
If you’re looking for unique wedding places, Deerfield is perfect. Is your hubby a huge golf fan? What about a golf course wedding? Do you want to take in the natural grandeur and elegance of the outdoors? We have 145 acres in White Clay Creek State Park. Hudson Valley Weddings reports that around 35% of weddings are now held outdoors and you can’t beat our property for outdoor wedding places — or one of the most romantic wedding places around!

Our atriums are a popular spot for holding rehearsal dinners, which are soaked in natural light, and a cocktail reception is perfect on our wide, flowing Terrace. For ultimate romance, there’s a lighted fountain, coach lanterns, and a beautiful view of our grounds. If you’re looking for a great place to shoot wedding photos, we have you covered. Plus, our Ballroom is a grand 10,000 square foot space that can hold up to 500 guests.

How We Can Help You
Let us bring awe-inspiring elegance, unbeatable natural views, and a host of professional wedding planners to your wedding planning. Our attentive staff will help greet and manage your guests with ultimate courtesy and take a load off of your shoulders as you get ready and oversee the final details of your big day.

We also offer customized menus, special packages, and lots of flexibility to make your wedding a dream come true. A sales manager will help prepare a proposal for your wedding and takes care to include the elements most important to you. From bar service, to hors d’oeuvres, to entrees, we have it all covered.

There are testimonials on our website that speak to our professionalism, courtesy, and attention to detail — and plenty of happy brides and grooms! Furthermore, we have five stars from the Wedding Wire’s Couples’ Choice Awards for 2017.

Come take a tour of our grounds and venues — if you want that golf course wedding, consider taking some rounds on our course — and see what we have to offer in person. Whether you want an indoor or outdoor wedding, a golf course wedding or a beautiful ballroom reception, we have it all and are ready and waiting to make your day one that you’ll never forget.

3 Reasons Why a Golf Course is a Perfect Wedding Venue

golf course weddingBelieve it or not, there’s much more to golf courses than 18 holes. In addition to practicing your best golf game, you can book a party, plan a Sunday brunch, or even host a wedding at a golf course.

Golf courses can be very unique wedding places, and can be customized to fit your needs. While you may not have thought about having a golf course wedding before, here are some reasons that you may consider it:

  1. A remote, yet accessible location
    Because of the golf balls that are usually flying through the fairways, a golf course can’t be situated in a highly populated area. There’s a need for green space and not a lot of neighbors. Because of this, you’ll likely have peace and quiet on the course or inside without interruptions. Yet, unlike a remote outdoor wedding location, there’s still plenty of parking and other amenities.
  2. A picture perfect setting
    With groundskeepers on staff maintaining the courses, you’ll be surrounded by flawless, vibrant green grass. Even in the winter, when snow may be your backdrop, the white hills and valleys will appear pristine and unspoiled.
  3. Save money with a one-stop wedding
    When planning a wedding, it’s often the case that you’ll need to book separate locations for the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, and next-day brunch, as well as pay for catering, table and chair rentals, linens, and more.In 2013, brides spent an average of $1,184 on their rehearsal dinners alone, and $457 on morning-after brunch. But when you have a golf course wedding, everything is already on-hand and available to you, which is great for couples on a budget.A golf course has everything you need for a wedding, including exceptional kitchen staff, large indoor banquet spaces, and plentiful outdoor space. Table linens and seating are already stored on-site from previous banquets, so all you’ll need to do is provide other decor if you wish.

    It’s likely that the golf club you’ll work with will already have connections with florists, bands, deejays, and other vendors that you may want to contact, so be sure to inquire if you do not have someone in mind already.

Golf courses are often overlooked as wedding destinations, but rest assured, they can offer everything you want and more.

Deerfield Golf Club boasts excellent service and a gorgeous estate that will leave you and your guests in awe. When looking for wedding venues, don’t forget to give us a call.

Why You Should Take Your Wedding Outdoors for Huge Fun and Savings

 golf coursesWeddings are a big deal. Everyone knows that! The average person would be hard-pressed to think of an event that requires more detailed planning than a wedding ceremony. One might also be hard pressed to find a time where emotions are flaring up so highly, which are making an already complicated process even more difficult to manage. Planning for any event type can be daunting, though the sheer amount of excess stress and emotion involved with a wedding can truly put them on another level entirely.

While finding unique wedding places is typically treated as a sort of fun process which can bring couples closer together, there are a lot of real-world logistics to factor in which can make even the most fun and lighthearted of planning efforts turn sour in no time. Churches or other venues take up a huge amount of the budget, if you’re anything like the average American. That is one reason why couples are opting more and more for outdoor wedding ceremonies.

After all, you aren’t going to be able to find very many romantic wedding places that are more intimate than out among nature’s beauty and under the night stars. According to Hudson Valley Weddings, 35% of weddings are now held outdoors. It’s hard to imagine any other single choice saving so much money and presenting so many new options than the decision to take a wedding ceremony outdoors. No wonder this option is becoming more and more popular.

The average ceremony itself typically costs about $28,385. That’s a tremendous amount of money, and the running costs of a full wedding aren’t going to stop anywhere near there. Many are now opting to include a range of different activities for guests to partake in. In particular, weddings held at venues that also have golf courses are becoming staples of the wedding industry. Golf courses provide guests with a physical activity to engage in and bond together over, without requiring the participants to leave the facility or place themselves at any serious risk of injury.

Just don’t let yourself or your significant other get too confident out there on the green — studies taken recently show that the chances of two holes in one on the same course are 67 million to one.

Exploring the Style and Beauty of Country Club Weddings

country club weddingsWhen it comes to weddings, it’s not uncommon for brides and grooms to want their day to be perfect — and if you’re one of them, you’re not alone! From choosing a venue to picking the menu, you have plenty of choices to make before the big day. One you might be considering right now is having a wedding and/or reception at a country club.

What are some of the advantages of country club weddings? Here are some of the best features you can expect for your special day.

    • Location, location, location: Most wedding venues give you just one option in terms of the space available. For many banquet halls, that’s just one space indoors, and it doesn’t allow for much variety in terms of layout.Country club weddings, on the other hand, can offer a number of unique wedding places both indoors and outdoors. Whether you’d like an outdoor venue or something indoors for all seasons, there’s something for all couples in a country club setting. According to recent statistics, more than one-third (35%) of all weddings today now take place outdoors, and there’s no scenery more beautiful than the perfect landscaping found at a country club.

 

    • Catering options: Today’s country club weddings can be designed to cater to all tastes — and we do mean culinary ones as well! In fact, you even have options beyond the day of the ceremony itself. The rehearsal dinner can take place at the country club, and the day after the wedding is ideal for a brunch with close friends and family.If you’re interested in having a wedding brunch, similar to what you’d see at a Sunday brunch, then you can arrange for this at the time you book your wedding. Brunch began in England and took approximately 30 years to catch on in the U.S., and today it’s a favorite meal for all sorts of occasions. Today, the average couple will spend $457 on a morning-after brunch and around $1,184 on the rehearsal dinner, and the amount can vary depending upon how simple or elaborate those meals will be.

 

  • A unique way to say “I do”: No matter what you have in mind for your wedding day, working with a country club can give you the chance to make the ceremony, reception, and other details one-of-a-kind. Most importantly, however, the best places to have a wedding are the ones where all of your wishes are granted, so make sure to get started planning ASAP!

Have more questions about hosting the ideal country club wedding? Contact us today to discuss wedding packages and custom options for your unforgettable ceremony and reception.

It’s Almost Time! Brunches With Santa Claus Are Back Christmas 2015

fruits and salads on the holiday table in the restaurant

The English language is notoriously hard to learn. Not only is the grammar nonsensical, but pronunciations are totally random. But there’s really one special trait that sets American English apart from the rest: we have more words, by far, than any other language.

Brunch. Christmas. Buffet. Santa Claus.

There might be happier words in the English language, but probably not very many. And when you combine them, the result is one of the most wonderful phrases of the year — Brunch With Santa Claus!

Yes, it’s almost that time of year, when two beloved American traditions are magically combined for one glorious event. On special Sundays in December, the all you can eat Sunday brunch buffet is combined with jolly old St. Nick, fused together with the magical adhesive properties of good ol’ fashioned American Holiday spirit. Moms and dads can indulge in the amazing buffet, while kids can indulge in the holiday excitement by meeting Santa.

Brunches were imported to the American cultural tradition from England almost 100 years ago, but it’s only in recent years that brunch has become a staple of American traditions. Brides now spend an average of $457 for morning after wedding brunch buffets. That’s not much compared to the average $28,385 wedding budget, but it is a lot for breakfast (even if you are getting breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the price of one). Meanwhile, Holiday brunches have become part of Easter, Mother’s Day, and even Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Coming Soon: Brunch With Santa Claus!

So this Christmas, discover the culinary magic of brunches with Santa. Combine your love of brunch with your love of the Christmas spirit. Treat yourself to all your favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert items in one fantastic meal. Your whole family will love it, because the best Sunday brunch buffets have a little (or a lot) of something for everyone. Kids menu items feature all your young one’s favorites, while adults have been known to get lost at the dessert station on their way to the carved meat station.

And did we mention Santa Claus will be there? For Christmas 2015, come discover why Brunch with Santa is fast becoming an annual holiday tradition for Americans of all ages.