Weddings, To Postpone or Not Postpone?

June 1, 2021 Marketing

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Events - Tips, Ideas & Resources, Golf Weddings, Special Events, Weddings

That is the question couples who have been engaged during the pandemic have been asking themselves. There is a tremendous amount of stress on couples, their families, and the entire events industry. No one planned for a pandemic. It’s not something you think of during your planning process, “OK but also, what do we do if there’s a pandemic?” When couples are engaged they live in that moment of exhilaration and bask in all the emotions of spending their future with this amazing person they love wholeheartedly. So what happens now?

Up and Down and All Around

It’s now 2021 and you have been engaged for over a year. Possibly only a couple of months or maybe just recently! You may have also updated your guest count – well, more times than you can count or wish to recall. There’s no doubt that it has been an emotional journey and although your plans may have changed (many times) it’s important to hold on to the feelings from that moment you said “YES!” Remember, this day is still YOUR day! Whether you want to postpone it or say “LET’S JUST DO IT” it will be the most epic day of your lives. If it’s most important to stay true to your vision, then you should stick with your gut feeling. Don’t forget to find a venue that has been accommodating and developing creative ways for couples to tie the knot. Things change quickly. You want to find a location that will be accommodating to these changes.

At Royal Ashburn Golf Club we have been working with our couples throughout this pandemic
to make their wedding dreams come true.

(INTIMATE ROYAL WEDDING or READY-SET WEDDING).

PHOTO CREDIT: ASHLEA MACAULAY PHOTOGRAPHY

That’s Trendy

If you’re wondering how couples have been choosing to celebrate their wedding day, we can tell you! We have seen no shortage of unique and extremely beautiful celebrations. From backyard ceremonies, to venues hosting wed-now and party-later options, to live action combo weddings with immediate family onsite and the rest of the guests present virtually. Your best bet is to speak with a wedding or events manager. Get all the details on all the possibilities with current restrictions in place. They will be your best guide to make your wedding day not only finally come to fruition, but be truly spectacular no matter the circumstances. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that dreams really can come true when you have the right people by your side.

Royal Ashburn Golf Club – Outdoor Wedding & Events Space

Royal Ashburn Golf Club has been busy building opportunities to continue celebrations safely and comfortably with a new large outdoor events space. This event space was created to provide a way to continue supporting celebrations by creating an outdoor environment and event space where guests feel safe, comfortable and can really enjoy the celebration. The 40’ x 80’ outdoor tent is 3200′ of spectacular outdoor covered space that can accommodate weddings and special events of up to 250 guests (100 socially distanced with a dance floor). Surrounded by beautiful gardens this outdoor space makes the perfect location for outdoor bridal showers, ceremonies and wedding receptions.

Building opportunities for Outdoor Celebrations.
Outdoor Wedding & Special Events Space at Royal Ashburn Golf Club.

CONTACT US

More about Royal Ashburn Golf Club and our Wedding Packages can be found on our website. We’d be happy to answer any questions regarding this post or any questions or concerns you may have in regards to wedding planning during the pandemic. Take care!

Being Engaged During a Pandemic

January 29, 2021 Marketing

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Golf Weddings, Special Events, Tool Box, Weddings

LOVE CONQUERS

2020 was quite a year for engagements, wedding ceremonies and receptions. As an event venue, we found it extra special and endearing to listen to our couples engagement stories and what it’s like being engaged during a pandemic. The more they spoke about their experiences, the deeper in love we fell as their stories brought with them hope and light during darker times.

The pandemic has had us all re-evaluate how to run our businesses safely and successfully during these uncertain times. In an effort to ensure the safety of the public and help curve the spread of COVID-19, government authorities insisted all banquet halls and event venues restrict the number of guests for events, forcing venues to develop creative ways to preserve their livelihood.

SHIFTING THE FOCUS

Many event venues shifted their efforts into the development of outdoor spaces, smaller event spaces and focused on micro style weddings and mini ceremonies. The basic thought process here was, what can we do to help our couples move forward with their wedding dates without compromising their overall wedding vision and experience? After all, this was (is) one of the most important days for any couple. It’s the beginning of the rest of their lives together and that is something to be celebrated.

We at Royal Ashburn Golf Club created wedding packages to suit the needs and wants of our couples
(INTIMATE ROYAL WEDDING or READY-SET WEDDING).

PHOTO CREDIT: PRECIOUS PHOTOGRAPHY

THIS IS YOUR ENGAGEMENT

So as newly engaged couples, where do you start? First we say, start by enjoying it. Couples often forget to stop and enjoy their engagement before diving into the wedding planning process. By all means, share your announcement through virtual experiences! Share your love and excitement with the world through social media platforms, we could all use more positivity and we will definitely be celebrating along with you, but don’t forget to share special moments together and celebrate with each other. Talk to each other over dinner, take some time think about being engaged, think about what that means to you both and live in that amazing feeling before hitting up that to do list.

WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR YOU

When you’re both ready to begin planning, we recommend starting with the guest-list. Decide the number of people you want celebrating this beautiful day with you, that will help set the stage for future decisions including timing and venue choices. Notice we said want? Not how many you can have. Times have changed due to unprecedented circumstances but that doesn’t mean you need to compromise your wedding vision to adhere to someone else’s plan or standards but most of all, don’t stress the things you can’t control and focus on the things you can.

PHOTO CREDIT: ROSENLEE PHOTOGRAPHY

If you’re working with a wedding planner or a wedding venue, make sure to voice your concerns, wants and must haves from the get-go and find out if your venue is willing to be flexible with all things considered. Remember this is your day and you get to decide as a couple what is most important. Is it the amount of people that celebrate this day with you? Is it the intimate experience of marrying your best friend surrounded by close family? Perhaps an elopement at your nearest chapel or a quick trip to City Hall? It is during these most uncertain times that positive direction is most desired and that love truly does conquer all. So whatever direction you happen to deem right for your wedding day, make sure you enjoy every minute of it!

CONTACT US

More about Royal Ashburn Golf Club and our Wedding Packages can be found on our website. We’d be happy to answer any questions regarding this post or any questions or concerns you may have in regards to wedding planning during the pandemic. Take care!

Small but Spectacular Weddings!

April 24, 2020 Marketing

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Blog, Events - Tips, Ideas & Resources, Golf Weddings

Does a spectacular wedding have to be BIG to be amazing? Do you need to invite your Dads, brothers, cousins, nephews barber? During these uncertain times, we are staying positive and hopeful that things will be back to normal sooner than later. Unfortunately, there is always that voice in the back of our heads that tries to reason with the unknown. But that’s just it, we just don’t know. We can only prepare with the information we have in front of us right now. Our hope is that other venues continue to work with their couples, like we at Royal Ashburn Golf Club have been doing, to provide the best solutions without compromising our couples overall wedding vision.

READY-SET WEDDINGS

One of the most challenging and most debated items on the wedding to-do list is the dreaded guest list. “Well if we invite Aunt Jill we have to invite cousin Marge.” “But, if we invite Aunt Jill and cousin Marge then we have to invite Uncle Alex, Aunt Bess and their kids.” Sound familiar? We’ve heard these conversations and most of us have lived them. We’ve heard the concerns of our couples and we’ve been working towards alternative solutions to try and relieve some of the stresses that go along with wedding planning, let alone the stresses of wedding planning during a pandemic. If a big wedding isn’t for you, and analyzing every grand detail just isn’t your style, that’s ok! For couples looking for a more intimate, unique, economical and adventurous wedding experience, we are proud to introduce the Ready-Set Wedding Package, smaller guest count, but mighty beautiful.

PHOTO CREDIT: K. THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY

THE QUESTION?

To provide an answer to the posed question above, does a wedding have to be BIG to be spectacular? Definitely not. The trend in smaller sized weddings such as Pop-Up Weddings and Micro-Weddings isn’t something new. It means more in the budget for celebrating your wedding day with the people who are closest to you. Or maybe using some of those savings towards a new house, a snazzier honeymoon, extra savings for well, saving! The point is, you’ll be saving money and celebrating what truly matters, love united. More intimacy, less planning and more time to enjoy your wedding celebration. When the time is right and you have worked with your wedding venue to coordinate all the details that bring your vision to life, it will be, what it should be, the most beautiful day of your lives.

Furthermore, we’d love the opportunity to work with you on creating a wedding day that speaks directly to who you are as a couple. Whether that is a WED NOW, PARTY LATER package you are looking for or just a ceremony in our beautiful gardens we’d love to talk about your options. For more information on our Ready-Set Wedding Package, Ready-Set Married Ceremonies, or any of our wedding packages, please reach out to our events team here at Royal Ashburn Golf Club. It would be our pleasure to help you create a truly magical wedding day, that you and your guests will remember always.

CONTACT US

The Ultimate Wedding Venue Checklist for Your Special Day

April 7, 2020 The Digital Marketing People

1 Comment

Blog, Golf Weddings

Congratulations! We are so happy to be joining you on your journey to find the perfect wedding venues in the Durham region. The most important aspect of a Royal Ashburn Golf Club wedding is that it is all about you. We want to help in our small way towards your ultimate wedding venue checklist, so you can view the venues with a standard list of questions and jot down the answers as you go.

Decisions to Make Before You Start Looking at Wedding Venues in the Durham Region

Some brides have always known the type of wedding they want, while others only have a vague idea. Making certain decisions before going on the ultimate venue search will make the process easier for everyone involved. Decide on the following:

Choose a couple of locations for your shortlist,
Set a budget,
Estimate a guest count,
Think about the date, and
Find your wedding style.

Wedding Venue Checklist Questions to Ask

When drawing up your ultimate venue checklist, remember to include the following questions:

1. Availability

What kind of venues do you have, what are their capacity, what is the availability on my chosen dates, what does your package include and do you have a coordinator?

2. Ceremony

Can we hold the ceremony here, are we allowed to use confetti and if the ceremony is held outside, what will happen if it rains?

3. Food and Wine

Do you have an in-house caterer, do you provide the alcohol, and/or must I make my own arrangements and do you have a list of preferred vendors?

4. Reception Decor and Styling

What crockery/linen/cutlery forms part of the package, what type of tables do you have and do we have to decorate the venue ourselves or do you offer the service?

5. Wedding Reception

What time do guests have to leave the venue, what is your noise policy, what are the details of your dance floor and do you have microphones for the speeches?

6. Accommodation

Is the bridal suite included in the price, what accommodation does the venue offer and is there accommodation for disabled guests?

7. Facilities

How many restrooms are there, is the venue child-friendly, is there an outdoor space for smoking, also is there enough parking and is it free?

8. Financial

What is the venue’s fee, what is the cancellation policy and are there any additional fees and/or charges I need to be aware of?

The Royal Ashburn Golf Club offers the most perfect wedding venues in Whitby, Ontario, with competitively priced and all-inclusive, customizable packages. Contact us today if you are looking for spectacular wedding venues in the Durham region.

5 Unusual Wedding Venues for a Truly Unique Event

March 17, 2020 The Digital Marketing People

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Blog, Golf Weddings

Congratulations on your recent engagement! Your fiancé proposed to you in a romantic setting and now you can’t wait to start planning the wedding of your dreams! You’re looking for the perfect setting to start this next exciting chapter in your lives in an unforgettable and spectacular manner!

The first important thing on your checklist as a bride-to-be is to find your ultimate wedding venue. Durham Region is the place to get married. With many unique and historical wedding venues, every bride is bound to find her perfect grand setting. Here are just 5 unusual wedding venues to choose from to ensure a truly unique event:

1. Royal Ashburn Golf Club

The Royal Ashburn Golf Club is a uniquely traditional venue that can play host to your ultimate fantasy. For over three generations, the venue has provided a magnificent backdrop to hundreds of golf course weddings. With tranquil and picturesque surroundings, you can say your “I do’s” in an intimate and breathtaking setting. Comfortably seating 240 guests, the expansive clubhouse is beautifully appointed from top to bottom.

2. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery

Situated on the ancestral and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, and the traditional territory of the Mississauga Nation, this vibrant and engaging art gallery will play the perfect host to suit any wedding style. If you and your fiancé are intrigued by art, this is the meeting place where art, artists, and community come together in conversation.

3. Trafalgar Castle School

Built in 1859, Trafalgar Castle School is a uniquely Canadian treasure that has borne witness to many luxurious weddings in Whitby. With fifteen towers and a 105 feet (32 meters) long hallway, the school grounds will make your wedding feel like something out of a royal fairy tale. The school has a chapel on site that can easily accommodate 175 guests.

4. Herongate Barn Theatre

If ‘country’ is your thing, the Herongate Barn Theatre plays host to one of the most beautiful and unique outdoor settings. With rustic charm, this venue features warm and cozy spaces indoors and out, spanning over ten acres. Couples can choose to say their vows on the spacious lawns or in the century-old barn with the capacity for 180 seated guests.

5. Parkwood Estate and Natural Historic Site

This venue showcases over a century of history and natural beauty. With lush gardens and architectural landscaping, couples have the option of choosing from several picturesque spaces (on the grounds or in the mansion) to exchange their vows. If you are a history buff, the magnificent grounds and heritage grounds would make the perfect backdrops for your wedding photos.

Now that you’ve found the venue to match the wedding of your dreams, sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful journey leading up to your big day!

Contact us today for more information.

5 Reasons to Choose a World-Class Golf Club for Your Wedding Day

October 10, 2019 The Digital Marketing People

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Blog, Golf Weddings

Golf & country clubs aren’t just for hosting golf tournaments or playing a round of golf with your friends. They also make an excellent choice for your wedding venue. Here are five reasons why you should consider a golf club if you are looking to get married in Whitby, Ontario:

The Setting
Most people want an upscale setting for their weddings. And, a golf club usually has the white linen, crystal glasses and banquet room to meet this need. If you want a venue that has a luxurious and exclusive feel to it, the Royal Ashburn Golf Club delivers.
Avoid A Busy Atmosphere on Your Big Day
The last thing most bridal parties want is to run into each other in the hallways or bathroom. With multiple spaces and banquet halls, you can rest assured that your wedding party will have its own dedicated space on your big day.
Perfect Pictures
The long, rolling fairways and gorgeous gardens offer a magical backdrop for your wedding photos.
You Don’t Need to Be a Member
You don’t need to be a golf club member to host your wedding at the venue.
Culinary Feasts
With expert chefs and amazing culinary staff, your menu can be tailored and perfected for your wedding day.

If you’re looking for wedding venues in the Durham region, look no further than Royal Ashburn. Our most popular wedding packages include a professional wedding manager, uniformed staff, bridal gardens for photography, LCD projectors and screen, microphone and podium, complimentary menu and wine tasting for the bride and groom, and more. Contact us for more information now.

Gorgeous photo by Lisa Hughes Photography.