Choosing the Best Entertainment Options for Your Wedding

One of the most fun parts of wedding planning is picking entertainment. You want options that will keep your guests engaged and make your celebration truly memorable. Here are some tips on selecting the best entertainment for your big day!

Research Your Wedding Venue’s Offerings

Start your entertainment search by looking at what your wedding venue provides. Some locations have in-house DJs, bands, or MCs you can use. Ask your venue what’s included and how much they cost. The site may also have restrictions on outside entertainment. For example, amplified music after 10 p.m. could be prohibited. Knowing venue policies upfront prevents hiccups later. If you want something the site doesn’t offer, you can still bring in outside talent.

Pick Music That Fits Your Style

Music is central to keeping guests entertained at your wedding. Carefully choose songs that match your taste and vision for the event. Share tune ideas with your DJ or band to create an ideal setlist. Provide examples of genres, artists, and vibes you enjoy. If your wedding venue allows dancing, be sure to include upbeat tempos guests can groove to. Slow songs are also nice for romantic moments, like the first dance.

Consider Interactive Elements

In addition to great music, interactive elements keep your guests engaged. Photobooths with fun props are popular. You can also provide lawn games, like cornhole or oversized Jenga. In 2020, there was an 11% increase in outdoor weddings, according to Wedinsights, and for good reason due to the various activities the outdoors can provide. If kids will be present, a face painter or balloon artist makes for great entertainment. For weddings with a theme, tie the interactive features to it. At a casino night, add blackjack and roulette tables. At a craft beer wedding, you could have pint glass painting. Tailored activities aligned to your vision make for memorable fun!

Hype Your Crowd With an Emcee

For extra energy, hire an emcee to pump up your crowd. They’ll make announcements, facilitate events like the bouquet toss, and lead dances. A charismatic MC engages guests and keeps the party flowing seamlessly. Some wedding DJs offer emcee services alongside the music. Alternatively, you can hire a separate professional host.

With so many options out there, you can create an unforgettable experience at your wedding. Research your wedding venue’s offerings and restrictions first. Then get creative as you pick music, interactive activities, and emcees perfect for you. Your entertainment will set the tone for the celebration, so choose wisely. If you’re looking for the perfect wedding venue for your big day, call us at Jonathan’s Landing to tour our venue and find out if it’s right for you.

A Complete Guide to Organizing Your Corporate Golf Outing

Are you planning a corporate golf outing? This is a great way to gather your team or entire company together for a fun day out of the office. If you’ve never planned such an event before, you may wonder how to go about it without causing any hiccups. Here is a helpful guide to ensure it all goes to plan.

Get a Headcount

Start by taking a general survey on how many people would be interested in a golf outing. You may consider the overall age range of your team or company as a good head start. After all, according to a Statista survey, Americans aged 30 to 49 are the ones most likely to play golf. If you have a large team or company-wide corporate event, you need a golf course with enough space to accommodate everyone.

Choose Catering Options

When people are on a golf course all day, they’re going to need good refreshments. Luckily, most golf courses do have catering or banquet options available. As you’re looking at golf courses in the area, get an idea of the type of food offerings they have.

Consider the Objective

What is the objective of this golf outing? Is this simply a team-building event or a reward for a job well done? Are you rewarding your team for high sales, or are you trying to welcome your new hires during your massive expansion this year?

Pick the Right Location

You want the ideal location that makes it easy for everyone to get to the gold outing. You may plan on having everyone meet at the corporate office and arranging buses or vans to transport everyone to the golf course. It’s especially important to make sure the golf course is in a convenient location if people have to provide their own transportation.

When you want to have a fun day out of the office, there’s no better way to do so than by enjoying the outdoors with some golf time. Whether you have a small team or a large company to please, golf can bring people together. By following the above steps, you can get started on having an annual golf outing many people will look forward to. Contact Jonathan’s Landing today to see how we can accommodate your company’s needs.

4 Questions to Ask an Event Venue

Are you preparing to host an event? If so, you need to choose the right space for it. Asking the following four questions will help ensure you find the perfect venue for your needs.

1. How Many People Can You Accommodate?

Before you begin sending out invites for your event, you’ll need to choose an event space that can hold as many people as you plan on hosting. After all, you don’t want your guests to feel cramped. Assume that all of your guests will RSVP “yes,” and ask any venue you’re considering if they can accommodate this number of people.

2. How Far in Advance Do I Book?

Did you know that, according to Martha Stewart, the best event venues may get booked as much as 12 to 18 months ahead of time? The sooner you get started on your planning, the more likely you are to get your first-choice venue. While an event venue may say that they take rolling or short-term reservations, you’ll want to do your due diligence and get a date booked as early as possible, especially if you’re holding a major event like a wedding or graduation party.

3. What Services Do You Provide?

As you pick an event venue, make sure you find a location that can provide the services and amenities you need. For example, if you’re hosting a wedding, you likely want the venue to connect you with recommended caterers and offer a full-service bar. Asking about matters like this upfront will help make the planning process easier.

4. What Events Do You Often Host?

The types of events a venue often focuses on can say a lot about the areas in which they excel. For example, you may feel more comfortable hosting your wedding day at a particular venue if they have a track record for also successfully hosting other weddings.

These are just a few of the many questions that you should ask a local event venue. You want to make sure your special event goes off without a hitch, and the right venue will help ensure you have a day full of happy memories. If you’re looking for a fabulous event venue that hosts all kinds of events from golf tournaments to weddings, look no further than Jonathan’s Landing. Contact us today to learn more.

4 Benefits of Private Golf Lessons

Have you ever considered taking private golf lessons? Getting one-on-one instruction from an expert can make a huge difference in improving your golf game faster. According to the National Golf Foundation, roughly 17% of golfers take private lessons. Here are some of the major benefits you’ll enjoy from investing in personalized lessons at your local golf course.

1. Improving Faster With Customized Instruction

You’ll make faster progress working directly with a pro who can tailor drills and advice to your specific swing flaws, strengths, body type, and goals. A good coach will customize practices to help ingrain proper mechanics like grip, stance, swing plane, follow-through, pre-shot routine, and course management based on your game. Private lessons let you get straight to problem areas without wasting time on irrelevant information or waiting to ask questions in a group setting.

2. Fixing Bad Habits and Establishing Consistency

One-on-one attention lets your golf pro diagnose poor habits you may have developed over the years, whether from self-teaching or watching friends, and replace them with proper techniques. An experienced instructor watching your swing and ball flight can pinpoint minor form adjustments faster than you trying to self-analyze. Private lessons give you a reliable process for weeding out inconsistency-causing bad habits and trouble shots for good.

3. Learning at Your Own Pace

Solo instruction allows you to progress at your own comfort level without feeling embarrassed if you don’t grasp concepts as quickly as others or frustrated when the pace is too fast. You also won’t get stuck only focusing on areas you already excel at. An expert coach guiding each session based on your abilities ensures you build a well-balanced, solid game grounded in fundamentals from the tee box to the green.

4. Getting Focused Feedback and Accountability

One major advantage of private golf lessons versus group clinics or YouTube videos is getting immediate feedback personalized to you. An instructor will offer specific tips during the lesson to implement in real-time, like adjusting your posture or grip. After watching your swing, they can provide detailed input on what body mechanics to focus on rather than vague or contradictory advice. You also gain accountability through assigned custom drills to ingrain muscle memory and track progress week-to-week.

Now that you know all the key ways one-on-one golf instruction can quickly improve your play, call your local golf course today to inquire about private lessons. In no time, you’ll have the skills and strategic direction to shoot for new personal records and get the most enjoyment out of every round. If you’re looking to obtain private golf lessons at a golf course, reach out to Jonathan’s Landing today.

3 Ways to Prepare for Your Next Golf Outing

Do you have a golf outing on the calendar? To prepare and maximize your enjoyment, there are some things you should do before you head out. This article contains three key ways you can prepare for your next golf outing.

1. Get Your Game Sharp

According to the National Golf Foundation, a record 3 million Americans played on golf courses for the first time in 2020. Whether you’re a new golfer or just went golfing last week, you’ll have a better time if you feel like you’re hitting the ball well. Until you’re a pro-level golfer, your game will ebb and flow. Before you approach the first tee, you might want to consider a couple of things. The first is a tune-up with a golf coach who can assess your swing. The second is a bucket or two on the driving range, preferably right before your round, to make sure you feel comfortable and are hitting the ball well. You don’t want to spend the first several holes getting loose.

2. Get Your Clubs Right

Especially if it’s been a while since you’ve gone golfing, you’ll want to look through your bag and make sure that you have all the clubs you need and that they’re in good condition. If needed, you can get them re-gripped quickly and cheaply. If you’re missing clubs, you may need to search for them or purchase replacements to make sure you have what you need. Finally, it’s a good idea to clean your clubs and get dirt out of the grooves if needed. With your swing and clubs right, you’ll be ready to swing away.

3. Get Your Bag Stocked

A round of golf requires that your bag is stocked with the essentials. Do you have all the tees and balls that you’ll need? What about a ball marker, repair tool, and glove? You’ll also want to make sure that you’re prepared for the elements with items such as a windbreaker and an umbrella. Finally, a round of golf can take several hours, so it’s important you have the things that will keep your body comfortable, such as water, lip balm, sunscreen, medication, nutrition, and more. You don’t want to have to borrow items from other golfers or make a mid-round run to the pro shop for something you forgot.

With your game and clubs on point, and your bag well-stocked, you can get out and enjoy the game of golf. A little forethought will get the excuses out of the way and prep you to play well, enjoy the natural beauty, and socialize with the other members of your group. When you’re ready for your next golf outing, contact Jonathan’s Landing to learn more about our course!

How to Choose a Venue for a High School Prom

Prom venues weren’t much of an issue back in the day, as most proms were held on school grounds. Today, however, proms are often held at elite venues with fantastic amenities. According to YPulse, 77% of surveyed high schools reported they hosted proms in 2022. If you’re helping to book a prom venue this year, here are a few tips on how to pick the perfect spot.

Location

Most schools want a prom venue that is easily accessible to students. This means students wouldn’t be required to drive long distances to get there. Finding a location close to the school or at least within the county should be a high priority on your list.

Size

Your next criteria for consideration should be the venue size. This will be based on the approximate number of students, faculty, and staff that are attending. It’s always better to book a larger venue than to get a venue that is too small.

Amenities

Amenities should be considered as well. One of the most important amenities for a prom is the dance floor. Many schools also incorporate dinner into the event. You will need to make sure that the venue provides catering and space for a sit-down meal. If your prom isn’t offering dinner, then refreshments such as soda, tea, and coffee should be provided. Reliable event spaces will offer recommendations for DJs and other amenities. Talk in-depth with the prom committee about what amenities are important for your event.

Price

You need to book a venue that can be realistically worked into the school’s budget. Students will pay for prom tickets to offset the cost, but ticket prices can’t be exorbitant. There is more involved in your prom budget than just the price of the venue, too. Budget conversations should be had early on to ensure the budget is sufficient and that venue options will work.

Availability

As with booking any venue for an event, availability is critical. You’ll need to plan well in advance to make sure the venue is available on your chosen date. Remember, proms for many schools are all held around the same time. There will be competition for venues.

If you’re looking for the perfect venue for your high school prom, please contact us today. We are here for your event planning needs.

What to Consider When Planning a Large Birthday Party

Planning a large birthday party is a fun and exciting time. However, carefully planning the party is essential to ensure the day succeeds. Consider these things during your party planning.

Date

Most people don’t have birthdays that fall on a weekend. However, planning a party for the weekend after or before a person’s birthday is popular for convenience. You’ll also need to consider the month of the birthday. According to USA Today, September is the most common month for birthdays. September 9 is one of the most common birthdays, so consider scheduling your party in advance if it falls on this date.

Venue

The venue is one of the most essential things to consider for any large gathering. Large parties need a venue that provides ample space for food, people, and mingling. Golf courses often have ample space for beautiful outdoor parties, as well as gorgeous indoor facilities for indoor celebrations. Contact local venues once you know how long the guest list is to find one that can accommodate the entire party.

Regulations

Many venues have regulations regarding what you can and can’t do. Some will allow you to serve alcohol, while others will forbid it. A venue may let you have the entire place to yourself. However, large venues with multiple spaces may provide you with one guest ballroom and host other events in other ones. Make sure you know all the rules and regulations before renting a venue.

Food

Most parties include a cake and maybe ice cream. However, all-day events often include a meal. Some people choose to have a table with appetizers, like fruit and vegetable trays. Finger sandwiches are another option. Hosts that would like to serve hot food must consider whether there is a place to plug in warming trays. Consider how you’ll store drinks and ask venues if refrigerator space will be available.

Entertainment

Plan activities and entertainment options suitable for the age of the guests. Parties for young children should include games to keep children entertained. However, parties for older individuals can consist of a DJ and a dance area to provide entertainment.

We specialize in hosting events of all sizes. Both our outdoor and indoor areas provide ample space to host a large birthday party. Contact Jonathan’s Landing today to discuss the details.

What’s the Best Time of Year to Get Married?

Many factors go into planning a wedding. Before they even get engaged, 24% of millennials in the United States will look into venues for their wedding ceremony & reception, according to 2date4love. However, location isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to wedding planning. Timing is also crucial. Here’s what to consider when choosing the best time of year to get married.

What Are the Most Popular Months for Weddings?

Certain times of the year, known as peak months, are more popular choices for weddings. These generally include the summer and early fall. That’s because the weather is usually a lot better suited to an outdoor wedding ceremony & reception. However, be aware that these months tend to be more expensive when it comes to booking a wedding venue.

Are You Looking to Save Money?

It’s understandable to want to conserve as much of your budget as you can. Fortunately, there are some times of the year when weddings are not as expensive. These months, known as off-peak months, include January, February, July, and November. Not coincidentally, off-peak months tend to be colder, with the exception of July. If you’re looking to save some cash for other expenses, like your honeymoon, one of these months might be ideal for your wedding.

What Is Your Schedule?

Your and your partner’s daily lives should also be considered when you plan your wedding. It’s especially critical to choose a time of year when you can both take time off of work if needed. For example, if one of you is an accountant, you wouldn’t want to get married during tax season. The day of the week you choose for your wedding is also important. While weekends are naturally more expensive to book, choosing a weekday means your loved ones are less likely to be able to attend. Don’t hesitate to ask your guests about what would work best for their schedules to ensure as many people as possible can RSVP “yes.”

Once you’ve decided on a date, you’ll need to choose the right venue for your wedding ceremony & reception. If you’re looking for the perfect place to say “I do,” look no further than Jonathan’s Landing. Contact us today to learn more about our wedding packages!

How to Get Into Golf as a Beginner

Golf is a wonderful sport that people of all ages can enjoy. If you’re interested in learning how to golf, you’re not alone. According to the National Golf Foundation, in 2021, 3.2 million people played golf on a course for the first time. Luckily, getting into golf is easy, especially when you follow these tips.

Work With a Pro

Golf lessons are a perfect way to begin your journey. It’s important to learn the proper techniques from the beginning rather than end up needing to unlearn bad habits. Working with a pro will provide you with the proper foundation that will allow you to grow your skillset. There’s no reason to try to figure out golf on your own when there are a wide variety of golf lessons available. Plus, when you work with a qualified pro, you’re more likely to stick with the sport, even when it becomes challenging.

Join a League

After you have a few lessons under your belt, consider joining a golf group or league. There are many groups that get together at the same time every week to enjoy a friendly round or two. The added camaraderie will enhance your experience and make it more enjoyable. You’ll make some friends while spending quality time outdoors learning a new skill. Golf is an excellent sport for everyone, as it’s not too physically challenging but provides enough activity to benefit anyone with a sedentary lifestyle. If you get trained by a pro, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to joining a league.

Get a Golf Buddy

Even if you don’t have any friends who play golf, it’s easy enough to find a golf buddy. You’ll likely get to know a few people in your golf league or training group who you want to play with. Spending another day on the course outside of lessons and group play is an effective way to improve your game. Even friends who aren’t serious golfers might be interested in spending some time at the driving range. Your golf game will improve the more often you play, so the more time you can spend golfing, the better.

If you’re ready to start playing golf, sign up for the Jonathan’s Landing Golf Instruction Program today. Our pros are patient, knowledgeable, and love to share their passion for the sport with beginners. Give us a call or stop by to learn more about our golf lessons.

Should You Take Your Child to a Golf Course?

Are you looking for more ways to spend time with your child? A golf outing is a perfect way to be together while teaching them something new. According to Statista, adults aged 30-49 years are the most likely demographic to play golf in the U.S., but it is a sport best learned at a young age. Here are a few reasons why taking your child to a golf course is a great idea!

Golf Skills Are Best Learned Young

Golf requires a lot of eye-hand coordination and mental toughness. These are two skills that are easier to acquire when young and will be a benefit to your child over their entire lifetime. The earlier they get started, the better. In addition to going on a family golf outing, lessons will also help them develop these skills even further.

Spend the Day Together Outside

How many parents are struggling to pull their kids away from their video games and device screens? Golf provides young people with an engaging outdoor activity in the sunshine. A day on the links is a wonderful way to get outdoors and enjoy some quality family time. One-on-one time spent with your child will strengthen your relationship and will often help you to communicate better. This is an important asset as a child grows older and begins to face life as a teenager. It makes sense to take advantage of the opportunity to spend more time together now playing a sport you both enjoy.

The Start of a Beautiful Hobby

Golf is a sport that’s also a fantastic pastime and hobby. Even if your child isn’t interested in pursuing golf as a competitive sport, it can still be a beautiful and important part of their life. Getting your child started early will provide them with a fantastic way to spend time with family, friends, and even work colleagues and clients. By introducing them to golf at a young age, you provide them with a lifetime of enjoyment. Let’s encourage children to spend more time outdoors!

If you and your child are ready for a golf outing, contact your local golf club. We encourage all young people to learn the sport of golf for a variety of reasons. Book your tee time today!