The Director of Sales for the Boathouse, Anne Roy, was recently invited to share some thoughts on staff and cake cutting in a recent blog entry by Kara Buntin of A Cake to Remember. http://www.acaketoremember.com. Kara has been adding flavor and flair to Richmond Wedding Cakes for over eleven years. Working out of a licensed and state-inspected home kitchen, Kara bakes all of her cakes from scratch and makes the decorations by hand. Kara shares thoughts and insights on wedding cakes, home businesses, and family life in her popular blog articles at http://acaketorememberva.blogspot.com/2010/07/who-wants-leftover-wedding-cake.html.

Who wants the leftover cake? by Kara Buntin of A Cake to Remember

One of my favorite things is getting a note or card in the mail from a bride or her mother saying that everything at the Boathouse wedding was wonderful and perfect.  I love reading the notes, and passing on the compliments – because I can’t take any of the credit. We have a fabulous event staff at the Boathouse, and the star of the show is our Senior Event Coordinator: Julia Wingfield.  

Julia, Our Senior Event Coordinator for the Boathouse at Sunday Park

Julia joined us at the Boathouse after being with the Event Departments at the Jefferson and Virginia Crossings Resort (now Wyndham Virginia Crossings). Julia draws on her wealth of experience as she helps bridal couples turn their visions and dreams into reality. Her patience and professionalism help them and their families relax and enjoy the wedding day.

Many people who choose the Boathouse for their event ask what the Staff Coordinator will actually do.  No job description could really explain the amount of care and attention the coordinators give to their events. At the Boathouse, the Event Coordinator is the main point of contact for the hosts of the event. This ensures that details are not overlooked, and all questions are answered by someone who is familiar with the event.  The Coordinator meets with the hosts and planners of the event, communicates the needs of the event to the Boathouse crew (Chef, Operations Director, Banquet Captain and Event Staff), assists the officiant at the wedding rehearsal, verifies the setup on the day of the event, helps get the bridal party in place for the wedding ceremony, and acts as a liaison between the hosts, wedding professionals, and the Boathouse crew during the reception.  

Being an Event Coordinator is an exhilarating – and often exhausting – job. We appreciate the time and the attention to detail our Event Coordinators give to the Boathouse brides, grooms and their families. Thank you, Julia for all you do to make the events at the Boathouse a success and for giving our guests wonderful memories of their time with us.

by Anne Roy, Director of Sales for the Boathouse

I have introduced engaged couples to the Boathouse at Sunday Park property for over 10 years.  Some come to their initial site visit armed with binders and lists. Some couples have already visited the website. Some were just driving past, and stopped in for a quick visit. For most brides and grooms, their wedding is the first large scale event they have ever planned. But all too often, I get the impression that the bride and groom have never discussed the wedding as an event prior to visiting with me.

So, my words of wisdom for newly engaged couples:  Before filling your day with appointments at local wedding venues, take the time to talk to each other.  Step away from the excitement and hustle & bustle for a few moments and visualize your wedding day.  Sit down with your fiancé and share what is important to each of you.  Is there something you have always dreamed of having at your wedding? Is a seated dinner important to the groom? Have you always wanted to have a butterfly release? Is a garden wedding your fantasy? Once you have identified and made a list of the things that are most important to each of you, take a look at wedding venues in your area.  Some local websites that will help you find the locations that fit your list include: www.richmondbridalassociation.com, www.richmondweddings.com  and www.pbrichmond.com.  After narrowing the field, make appointments for site tours. But don’t try to do it all in one day.  Visits to wedding venues should be fun and relaxed.  Whenever possible, the bride and groom should visit the sites together. If one set of parents is involved in the decision-making process due to finances, they should also be at the appointment with the couple.  Limit the number of people who are visiting the site with you. Even if the Matron of Honor has been your friend forever and just got married last year, think twice before bringing her along. If too many people are on the site visit,  you begin to worry about making everyone else happy.

Ceremony Gazebo at the Boathouse at Sunday Park

Throughout the wedding  planning, please keep in mind: the people the bride and groom should want to make happy are each other.

  by Anne Roy, Director of Sales for the Boathouse

Event Sales Specialist and Private Party Coordinator for the Boathouse at Sunday Park

Joanne Bogese is truly the backbone of the Event office at the Boathouse at Sunday Park. Joanne handles inquiries for private parties in the Boathouse restaurant for groups of 20 or more. She acts as the coordinator for most events in the restaurant, including some larger parties, rehearsal dinners and corporate events in the Gardens Pavilion building. Joanne is also available for  introductory tours of the property for wedding events.

With over 5 years of experience in special events, Joanne has been a wonderful addition to the event department. If you are interested in having a party, give Joanne a call. She would be happy to share information and answer your questions about the Boathouse at Sunday Park.

by Anne Roy, Sales Director

Bridal Party on the dock at sunset

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Jamie and Manny became husband and wife. The afternoon wedding at a local church was followed by a dinner reception at the Boathouse at Sunday Park’s Garden Pavilion.  As the Bridal Party arrived at the Boathouse, the photographer led them from their limousine to the dock for some terrific sunset photos. David Burke, from Nards Professional DJ service http://www.nardsrichmond.com/ introduced the Bridal Party in to the reception, where the guests were enjoying some appetizers (including the Boathouse Crab Dip) and beverages from the bar. After a welcome by the father of the bride, Jamie and Manny took a few moments to visit with their guests before dinner. The Buffet menu was enjoyed by all of the guests, especially the Tilapia Royale and the Sirloin steak with Mushroom Marsala sauce. Toasts were given by the Best Man, Manny’s older brother, and by the Maid of Honor, Jamie’s best friend since college. Jamie and Manny chose a wedding cake from Westhampton Pastry Shop, with tiered layers of pound cake and butter rum cake. Gorgeous Fall weather, fun guests, a beautiful bride, and a happy groom were all to be thankful for on this wonderful wedding day.

Jamie and Manny, our Best Wishes for a long and happy life together – Anne Roy, Sales Director for the Boathouse