What to Look for in an Event Venue

Choosing the perfect venue for your special event is no easy task, and there are a lot of factors to consider. No matter what your event is whether that be a wedding, a birthday party, a baby shower, etc., there are some things to look for when deciding on an event venue. Here are some tips for what to look for when choosing a location for your next event.

GUEST COUNT

If you have a good estimate of the number of guests that will be attending, you are ready to determine what kind of space you will need in your event venue. From party spaces for more intimate private events to banquet centers for large corporate functions, you’ll need to ask your venue what its max capacity is. Additionally, check what the parking situation is like. Will they have adequate parking for your event needs?

FOOD OPTIONS

Events usually serve food so once you decide if you need catering or you are doing your own food, make sure the event venue has accommodations ready. If the event is doing the foodservice, make sure to try it first as well.

NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are hosting a huge event that will have people from out of town, it is important to choose a venue that has overnight accommodations nearby. For those out-of-town guests, the ability to stay overnight in comfort could be a crucial deciding factor if they can attend the event. You can do your own research or ask the event venue what locations are nearby and if they have any partnerships with them.

One of the most important aspects of choosing a venue is cost-efficiency. Make sure the venue offers price flexibility such as pricing tiers or packages. Your venue should reflect the event itself and your guest’s interests. For more information on a wonderful event venue, contact us at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Course. Jonathan’s Landing is one of Delaware’s premier wedding, banquet, meeting and special events facility, located on the picturesque grounds bordering Dover, Delaware.

 


 

Tips for Planning a Wedding at a Golf Course

A wedding at a golf course is a beautiful option. Couples do plenty of research before deciding on a venue. In fact, before getting engaged, 24% of American Millenials will research venues. Many decide to get married on a golf course because of the outdoor scenery and the large event venues space. Here are some tips for planning your wedding at a golf course.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Oftentimes a bride can get too stressed out with the planning of the wedding that she forgets to take a step back and enjoy the process. Find a wedding event planner that is specialized in golf course event venues and seek out their recommendations. They can offer help on where to order your cake, where to rent your tables and chairs, who to hire as a D.J., etc. Also, consider social media help when planning a wedding. You can learn a lot from previous brides who will share what they did and what they wished they would do differently.

Think About Your Guests

Weddings at a golf course are even more great options for when your guests play golf. If you can, set up morning golf for them. This can be a great way for people to get to know each other better. Additionally, check out the best places for your guests to stay if they need an overnight venue. Some golf courses get special rates at nearby hotels. See if your chosen venue can work out a special rate for your hotel guests.

Get the Fine Details Planned Out

Golf courses offer a lot of different amenities. Decide which ones you will like to utilize for your big day and get all of the little details organized when you plan your budget. Choose your catering, location for ceremony and reception, and photography plans.

Golf course event venues offer everything you need for your perfect day. Our staff is ready to help you enjoy your wedding. Contact us today to get started on selecting your wedding venue at Jonathan’s Landing.

 


 

Tips For Choosing the Best Outdoor Wedding Venue

Outdoor weddings are increasingly popular. In 2020, the number of outdoor weddings actually climbed 11%. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you need to make sure that you choose the right event venue. Since outdoors leaves you vulnerable to the weather, you have to be careful when you look for the best outdoor wedding venue. Here are four things to consider as you make your decision.

Know Your Budget

The perfect event venue is one that you can afford. While a more expensive one might seem better, you’ll have less money to spend on other things. Or you might stress about paying for the venue, making it less enjoyable for you. If you know your budget before looking at venues, you can choose one that is affordable for you.

Plan for Bad Weather

You can hope that the weather will be beautiful for your wedding, but that might not be the case. As you consider an outdoor event venue, ask yourself what you’ll do if the weather doesn’t cooperate. If it is a good venue, you will have options to make everyone comfortable while still doing the ceremony outdoors. If you realize there is no realistic way to still have your wedding if it rains, then this is not the right venue for you.

Know Your Guest List

How many people are attending your wedding? And do any of them have accessibility concerns that you’ll need to address? Make sure you have a good idea of what your guest list will look like before you consider outdoor venues. This will help you look for any problems that might arise, then solve them early in the process.

Know What You Want

While the above concerns are necessary to consider, you also need to think about what you want. What is your ideal wedding venue? While you might not get everything you want, you should love your event venue. So, don’t forget about your own wants and needs as you look into outdoor wedding venues.

To find the best outdoor wedding venue, you need to know what you want and need before you begin searching. Then you’ll be left with the venues that fit your needs and budget, making it much easier to make a final decision about where to get married. Let us help you find your venue today!


The Perfect Indoor and Outdoor Wedding Solution

Golf clubs and country clubs make an ideal setting for a wedding because they often have large banquet rooms, smaller rooms, gardens, a restaurant or catering service, and beautiful outdoor settings. At this location, you can have your shower and wedding receptions designed to meet your needs. A wedding venue can help you with photos, flowers, menu, planning, or an indoor or outdoor wedding reception.

Country Clubs Cater Events and Are Private

A wedding venue helps with many details of planning your event in Delaware. Golf clubs and country clubs have many different rooms and cater to many unique needs. They have a staff to help you plan your reception. They collaborate with florists, wedding planners, photographers, and transportation companies. Most wedding venues have restaurants and catering services that can help you plan your reception or bridal shower menu. They are connected to other businesses and can help with photos, flowers, and decorating the room or outdoor area. They tend to be in a country or rural setting so your wedding will have less traffic and noise. You can enjoy a quiet, peaceful setting and plenty of parking.

Designing an Indoor or Outdoor Wedding

These venues have the facilities to design an indoor or outdoor wedding that meet your dreams. They have banquet rooms, ballrooms, and rooms for smaller events. They often have beautiful, manicured lawns and gardens that make an ideal spot for an outdoor wedding or photos. If some of your guests like to golf, this can be an activity that is part of the wedding reception. They can set up tents for outdoor events when the weather is warmer.

A wedding venue like this can help you plan a buffet or sit-down dinner with a versatile menu that will please your guests. They often have sit-down or buffet dining packages that range in price and many options to choose what is served. They can arrange an open bar or specialized wine list. You can even plan your pre-wedding events there too.

Golf clubs and country clubs are great wedding venues because they have the facilities and catering staff to help you plan an indoor or outdoor wedding. They maintain the facilities and often have several rooms and beautiful outdoor settings to take pictures or have your event. They can help decorate and set up the rooms the way you want. Contact us today to learn more about planning your wedding.

 


 

Choosing a Golf Course for your Next Event

Event planning can be a great time or a stressful one. One major part of event planning is choosing the venue. Golf courses are a great event space for many events, including weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events. Golf courses provide an array of spaces for events, including indoor and outdoor. Here’s how to choose the right one.

THE GOLF COURSE NEEDS TO BE VERSATILE

When looking for an event space, the location must provide different types of indoor and outdoor areas. The golf course should offer intimate, small dining rooms for a family or intimate dinner with friends. Meeting or conference rooms should be offered for companies hosting a working lunch or business dinner for potential clients. Grand ballrooms are offered for a picturesque wedding or an awards gala. These rooms hold up to 500 people at a time.

A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE LUNCH AND DINNER

A great golf course is not just great for planning events, but for having a great meal. Having a public restaurant is a great gateway for people to see the place as an event space for special occasions. The public is able to see the decor, observe the architecture, and taste the menu as well.

A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR OUTDOOR EVENTS

A great event space offers outdoor venues with amazing light, decorations, and ambiance. According to Hudson Valley Wedding’s sources, 35% of weddings are now outdoor occasions. The outdoor area can be used with natural sunlight for your wedding. If a company is having a cocktail reception, look for coach lights and a lighted water fountain. These distinct amenities create a wonderful outdoor event for the hosts and guests.

LOOKING FOR A COUNTRY CLUB IN DOVER, DELAWARE

When looking for an event space, make sure they have experience in serving the public. The idea is to find a venue that has staff ready, willing, and able to organize all aspects of the event. It’s imperative that the event space provides access to the menu, linens, and accessories for a spectacular event. Make sure the golf course provides scenic and picturesque views of nature.

The golf course offers the best options for special occasions of all sizes, especially in outdoor areas. Take time to visit a golf course’s restaurant to get a nice layout of the event space, or just ask for a tour of the facility.


 

Trendy Ideas for Your Next Corporate Event

Many of us are looking for unique ways to come back together. Whether it be for work, weddings, or any number of other events, connecting in person is something we all need to begin feeling normal again. This idea especially comes in handy as so many are headed back to the office. So, we came up with a few ideas for your next corporate event or meeting to help everyone get back in the swing of interactions once more.

Carnival Culture

Lighten the mood with a little candy and prizes! Whether you have an outdoor space for athletic games tied up with treats or a limited space indoors, you can create an atmosphere of play and planning with a sweet incentive to work. You can dress up an area with a balloon arch and a number of game rentals, such as magnet fishing, duck pond, and tug of war.

Landmark Learning

Go off-campus to a place of interest during your next corporate event or meeting. This could be a local museum, resort, botanical garden, or golf course. Giving your team a shared experience to bond over will create higher morale and a willingness to get the work talk out of the way so they can move on to exploring the area. Speaking of golf, more Americans than ever (over three million) played on a course for the first time in 2020. That’s a leisurely enough activity that everyone could get involved. Memories made!

Game On

Put everyone’s brain in high gear by renting arcade machines. From pinball to racing, having fun ways to get some blood pumping will only get people motivated to tackle other work-related issues around the office. Employees will be pumped from strategic winning and be ready to get involved in discussions with coworkers.

These are fun and creative ways to stimulate the minds and hearts of the people you work with. Whether you want a formal affair or something casual to just enjoy the time, there are plenty of special ways to make the vibe a little different on a company level. Don’t let your next corporate event or meeting be a drab affair, add a kick of the whimsical. Your team will be sure to appreciate the gesture!


 

How to Plan for Your Fall Wedding

Fall weddings, when done right, have the potential to be amazing experiences for everyone involved. Follow the tips below to plan for your fall wedding ceremony & reception to make an amazing and unforgettable event for yourself, your partner, and everyone else who will be involved.

Set Your Budget

Working with a budget will help you keep expenses manageable, as well as get everything you need. Make sure that your budget covers decorations, food, the venue, and everything else. Doing this early enough will help you stay ahead of expenses and pay vendors in good time. When you can look back and not have a moment of regret over expenses you had, it will be the best gift you can give yourself and your spouse for the future.

Find the Perfect Venue

During fall, the weather will be cold and you don’t want your guests to freeze. It’s best to have an indoor venue for both the wedding ceremony & reception if possible. If not, find a covered area that will provide a bit of shelter from strong winds and more. If you opt for an outdoor experience, prepare for the worst by having a sheltered venue on standby so that people can take cover from extreme weather if it happens.

Consider the Design of the Wedding Dress

While inspiration for sleeveless and short-sleeve wedding dresses is in plenty everywhere you look, a fall wedding may call for a more covered design. Consider getting a long-sleeved dress so you don’t have to contend with goosebumps, and have throw-blankets or even pashminas for your bridal team.

Set up a Fall-Inspired Menu

Finally, prepare warm and toasty fall meals, snacks, and drinks for your wedding ceremony & reception. Organize cups of coffee and hot cocoa to either be delivered to your reception or prepared for your guests by the catering team. These will keep your guests warm because everyone enjoys seasonal teas, candy apples, pies, and other seasonal fall treats.

In 2020, there was an increase of 11% in outdoor weddings, and this trend will probably continue. Use the four tips outlined above to plan for a great fall wedding that will blow everyone away and leave them with warm memories to last them for all time.


 

Indoor Or Outdoor? Country Club Weddings Offer The Best Of Both Worlds

For a good while now, outdoor weddings have been steadily rising in popularity. This is in part because alternatives to traditional church venues are becoming more popular in general. According to Hudson Valley Weddings, about 35% of all weddings are now outdoor affairs. Of course, some people would rather have the best of both worlds, with a venue that will allow people to spend a good amount of time outdoors while still offering valuable indoor space. There are relatively few venue types that give this advantage, but one of them is certainly the classic country club. While country clubs have long been popular venues for weddings, you may not fully understand their benefits. Let’s look into country club weddings below.

1. A BEAUTIFUL ATMOSPHERE
A country club, unlike many more rustic or casual venues, does not need to be specially cleaned and prepared for your wedding. Rather, a country club will always have a beautifully presented indoor space as well as well-manicured grounds and gardens outside. Additionally, there will be a constant staff readily available, and further staffers can be called in for your wedding. It’s simply less for you to worry about.

2. READY-MADE PHOTOGRAPHY OPTIONS
Many country clubs have contracts with local photographers, and they can offer you great deals for wedding photography packages. Furthermore, it will be easier for you to get great photos at a country club because there will be plenty of spaces that are ready to go as the perfect backdrops. You won’t have to work as hard to find a photographer, and your photographer won’t have to work as hard to get the perfect shot.

3. GREAT FOOD AND BEVERAGES
You won’t necessarily have to outsource for food and beverages as well. Most country clubs can offer catering in-house, and often open bars as well. You can work with your venue to ensure that everyone has food that will accommodate their dietary needs, and you won’t have to look around for a caterer.

4. IT’S ALL IN ONE PLACE
Rather than having people move from one place to the other for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, you can have it all take place at the same venue. This is easier (and safer) for your guests.

Ultimately, having your wedding at a country club will give you a beautiful, more relaxed event.


 

What You Should Do Before Booking a Wedding Venue

When you’re planning a wedding, there are many decisions to make. One of the most important things is picking where your guests will witness, eat, and dance the night away. In fact, in the United States, 24% of millennials will look for a venue before getting engaged. But before you start looking for venues, it’s worth considering all of your options. Here are eight things to consider before booking a wedding venue.

1. Size Does Matter

You may think that bigger is better, but smaller can be more intimate and cost-effective. Consider how many guests you’ll be inviting and pick venues that can accommodate all of them.

2. The Wedding Style

If you’re a bohemian couple dreaming of a wedding by the sea, there’s no point booking a hotel in the middle of the city. If you want an outdoor ceremony, make sure your venue can accommodate it. And if you have quirky elements in your big day, look for venues that can support them.

3. Availability of Dates

You might find the perfect venue, with an amazing atmosphere and incredible food. But if it holds your wedding on the same day as another couple, you’ll have to change your plans. Check availability of dates and times before you book anything.

4. The Price Tag

While you don’t want to sacrifice the quality of your wedding for budget reasons, it is important that you find a venue within your price range. If you have a limited budget, focus on finding venues that offer food and drink packages or those that can be adapted to suit your needs.

5. Getting Around

When looking for a venue, consider how easily your guests can get to and from the ceremony and reception. If it’s in a remote location or if there are no hotels nearby, you should look at transport arrangements to ensure everyone can attend.

6. The Wedding Theme

Some venues are more suitable for certain wedding themes than others. If your big day has a specific theme (rustic, industrial, vintage), it’s worth choosing a venue that can really bring it to life. Equally important is the number of guests you plan to invite. You don’t want to lose the intimacy of a small wedding in favor of an extravagant party.

7. The Extras

You’ll need to pay for more than just the venue when you book a wedding. You may be responsible for providing your own bartenders, parking attendants, security guards, and entertainment, among other things. Be sure to look into what you’re required to provide when booking the venue so that your big day doesn’t become too stressful.

8. The View

Nothing quite gets your guests in the mood for romance more than a picturesque view. Whether it’s mountains, cityscapes, or even lush gardens, make sure your venue is somewhere you and all of your wedding guests will enjoy.

It may seem daunting, but finding a wedding venue doesn’t have to be a challenge. Just follow these eight simple steps, and you’ll find your perfect match in no time.


 

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Wedding Venue

Choosing the perfect wedding venue is a big decision, and you don’t want to make any mistakes when selecting the place that is best for you. Unfortunately, there are many mistakes that many couples end up making because they’re easy to overlook. To help prevent you from having venue remorse, here are five mistakes you need to be aware of.

1. The Venue Is Too Small

One common mistake that many couples make is not taking into account the maximum number of occupants a venue can hold before booking it. For small guest lists, this may not be a huge problem, but when you start having over 150 guests, you can run into spacing issues. Always ask about occupancy before booking your venue to ensure everyone can be included and that there is plenty of space to move about in.

2. Who Is Catering?

Another mistake to avoid when picking a wedding venue is not thinking about catering at the same time. Preferably, the venue you choose will provide catering options as a part of a package deal, but if they don’t, you’re going to have to search locally to find someone who can provide what you need. Having to do this can eat up time, and you may end up not having the food that you wanted. If possible, try to find a venue that can provide catering onsite.

3. Paying for Decorations

Another mistake that couples often make is not asking about decorations that the venue can provide. If you don’t know what decorations they can provide, you could end up unnecessarily spending more money bringing your own, when you could have had them provided by the venue you’ve chosen. Optimally, the wedding venue can provide things such as linens, napkins, lights, candles, and table decorations. With the average budget for a wedding and reception being $28,385, you’ll want to make sure that you get the most bang for your buck without needing to spend more than needed.

4. Where Are the Guests Staying?

When picking a wedding venue, you’ll also want to ensure that it is easy to access for guests, particularly those coming from out of town. Some venues will be partnered with hotels to provide accommodation for the bride, groom, and guests, as well as shuttle services to and from the venue. This can be especially helpful as you won’t have to worry about people being late or getting lost on the way. The biggest mistake you can make is not asking about services like this when booking your venue.

5. The Venue Is Booked

Lastly, and possibly one of the most significant mistakes, is not booking the venue far enough ahead of time. Selecting a venue in Magnolia, Delaware is something that you’ll want to do as soon as possible because they may book up fast. You don’t want to have the perfect venue in mind only to find out that it’s already booked on the day of your wedding. Try to book as soon as possible to avoid this mistake.

If you are looking for the perfect wedding venue in Central Delaware, make sure to keep these five mistakes in mind so that you can avoid them and ensure that you have the best wedding day experience possible.