Posted by Kate Moreland on Sat, Sep 03, 2011 @ 09:13 AM
Once upon a time, a young intern started work at the historic and picturesque Ceresville Mansion, an exquisite wedding venue located in Frederick, Maryland. Okay, so “once upon a time” was really only three months ago, and the “young intern” was me.
When I began my internship, I was completely new to the wedding industry. Sure, I had been to weddings over the years. I was even in a wedding once…but I was three years old and my role was being the flower girl. I had never seen the inside workings of a wedding…unless you countmultiple viewings of “The Wedding Planner” over the years.
Meghan and Carrie hard at work in the Event Planning office!
After working at Ceresville Mansion for the summer, I would certainly not consider myself a wedding expert. However, I have gotten an insider’s look on the events that lead up to a bride gliding flawlessly down the aisle. And let me tell you, planning a beautiful, memorable wedding is no piece of three-tiered wedding cake.
When clients consider using Ceresville Mansion as their wedding venue, the first step is to book a tour. Exploring the mansion and grounds in person often gives couples a better idea of whether or not the mansion fits their unique wedding vision. If the couple decides to book a day for their wedding, the weeks and months of planning begins.
It is time to nail down the specifics of what the couple wants for their day. Brides and grooms must determine the approximate size of the wedding and begin booking wedding vendors. They study and compare the packages of different florists, DJs, cake bakeries, and photographers to find professionals that fit their vision and budget.
The wedding menu is a vital part of the reception that takes a lot of time and brainpower to perfect, if guests have more than one option for an entrée. Of course, many couples will choose to have a buffet style meal, which is yet another decision to make. And considerate couples will also think about guests who are vegetarians, or have allergies and dietary restrictions. If this sounds like a lot to think about, then I must be getting my point across. It is.
But never fear. At Ceresville Mansion, the event planners spend countless hours in communication with clients via phone, e-mail, and in person to organize all these minute details into a perfect day. The goal is to guide clients through the planning, and carry out their wedding day vision without the complication of stress.
On the day of the wedding, Ceresville takes care of everything, which is what makes the venue stand out from others. It is the job of the banquet manager to take care of every day-of issue, from cuing the music, to telling the bridesmaids when it is time to float gracefully down the aisle. Without fail, couples receive their dream weddings at Ceresville Mansion.
And after three months of setting out placecards, making copies of paperwork, typing menus, setting out customer items, organizing vendor information, sitting in on meetings, and hundreds of other tasks, I am not running away from the wedding industry. Instead, I am sprinting toward it because I now know for certain that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
The reason that I’m drawn to the wedging industry is simple. My job as a wedding planner is to create one of the most memorable days of a couple’s life. It is a joyous occasion to be celebrated, and I will be able to plan the celebration…a celebration that marks the beginning of a lifelong journey together. It will be a daily blessing and honor to make a couple’s dreams of a perfect wedding into reality.
And the young intern lived happily ever after. The end.
Posted by Carrie Spade on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 @ 08:31 PM
"Some interns will run away from the wedding industry after working here for the summer," Ceresville Mansion event coordinator Jenni Meisner warned at my interview. I assured her that I would not be one of those interns. I knew that the wedding industry was where I wanted to be. Now here I am today, sitting at a desk in the Sales Office, and loving every minute of it.
When I graduate from Bridgewater College next year with a dual degree in Communication Studies and English, I want to be an event planning. My particular interest is wedding planning. I cannot wait until the day when I get to sit down with brides (grooms, too, of course) and bring their vision of a perfect day into reality.
The wedding is a beautiful time in couples' lives. It is not only the beginning of a life together, but the gateway into a lifetime of children, grandchildren, laughter, tears, and memories. It can also be a stressful time for many couples. The pressure of planning a flawless day with exquisite food, stunning foliage, and an entertaining party atmosphere for guests can be overwhelming. Add to that the demand of looking your absolute best the entire day for photos, and the bride and groom might decide it might just be better to elope.
And that is why I'm here in the Sales Office right now. I want to be a wedding planner who can keep couples from becoming overwhelmed with the miniscule details of the day and revel in such a joyous occasion as the joining of two lives together. Let me worry about telling the servers that the groom's cousin twice removed has a shellfish allergy, while you relax and take in the moment. Ten years from now, you'll be glad you did.
Today marks my two week anniversary of interning at Ceresville Mansion. I have given tours, set out place cards, hauled boxes of decorations, made copies, and started to learn how much paperwork is truly involved with the job. I love it all. Something tells me that I've chosen the right career path when I look forward to coming in for my internship at Ceresville Mansion.
I've watched two brides walk down the aisle, and it was magical each time. I've heard wedding planners say that is the moment that makes the job worth all the time and planning...not to mention working on the weekends.
As I continue with my internship this summer, I'll be gaining experiences that will help with my future career in the wedding industry. And maybe one way I'll be able to convince the couples I work with that their wedding is about their lives together and the love they share, not the stress that comes along with it.
Posted by Kate Moreland on Tue, May 31, 2011 @ 12:13 PM
Congratulations, you are engaged! You have the bling and "the" dress and now the next step is to choose a wedding venue. You have decided against a hotel wedding, a destination wedding or a rental hall but instead have decided an historic mansion is more your style. A elegant Maryland Mansion wedding!
However, all mansions are not created equal and it will save you time, money and heartache to find out now just what to look for and consider when choosing a Maryland mansion for your wedding.
There are several things you should look for when considering a historic mansion for your wedding venue.
.jpg)
Ceresville Mansion - A well maintained venue for your Maryland Mansion wedding.
1. First, is the property well maintained, inside and out? Are the walls freshly painted, is the wallpaper peeling, is there a funny smell inside the rooms? Are the lawn and gardens properly cut and pruned, is there visible signage and is there a paved parking lot? Are the restrooms clean??? These visuals and more are important to note because you only have one chance to create that first impression.
2. Is it easily accessible to major roadways? You want your guests to be able to easily find your ceremony and/or reception. You don't want them to be thrashing around the countryside and miss your reception. In the winter months your guests should not have to deal with snow covered roads or poor lighting at night. Make sure, for your guests conveience, that your Maryland mansion wedding is not off the beaten path.
3. Is it well heated and air-conditioned? Maryland experiences warm to hot weather nine months out of the calendar year. Even in the winter time you will need air conditioning to combat all the body heat from 125-150 guests in one room. Also, Air conditioning provides cool air but also reduces humidity. You don't want your expensive wedding up-do to fall due to the weather. So, provide your guests with a comfortable space in which to enjoy your wedding reception. Would you like to get all dressed up (high heels and all) only to have to sit under an outdoor tent with heat, humidity, bugs and possible rain?
Is it an established business with good reviews? It seems that new wedding venues with discounted prices are popping up all over Maryland. But, buyer beware. The old adage is true..You get what you pay for. Anyone who owns a large house or theater or unique outdoor space can decided to rent it out for weddings. They believe running a wedding venue is a snap and nothing could be further from the truth. They want to collect your mansion rental rate and really just want to leave your actual reception up to your caterer. But, your caterer specializes in food not wedding planning. Look for as established manison that offers a full line of services so that you can enjoy your day. Remember, you only have ONE chance to get it right on your wedding day.
If you would like a free 30 minute consultation with one of our experience event planners just click below and begin planning your Maryland Mansion wedding!
The Ceresville Mansion Event Planning Team
Posted by Kate Moreland on Thu, May 19, 2011 @ 10:40 AM
So you've picked your date and booked your wedding venue and now it's time to plan a menu your guests will rave about.
Whether you are planning a formal seated dinner, wedding buffet or cocktail buffet (food stations) you will want to plan a wedding hors d'oeuvre menu to offering elegant, decorative and colorful finger foods during the cocktail hour.
The cocktail hour part of your wedding reception will happen immediately following the ceremony or when your guests arrive from the church at your wedding venue.
You and your bridal party will be taking pictures and freshening up at this time but as a gracious hostess you don't want your guest to go hungry. So while they are enjoying a cocktail or glass of wine offer them some elegant bite size works of art to satisfy and stimulate their appetite.
If you have never planned a wedding cocktail menu before, don't worry. Just follow these simple guidelines.
First, just what is the difference between an appetizer, canape and hors d'oeuvre? Wikipedia defines the three terms as follows.
- Appetizer (usually plural) A small, light, and usually savory first course in a meal
- A canapé is a small, prepared and usually decorative food, held in the fingers and often eaten in one bite.
- Hors d'œuvre ( literally "apart from the main work"), also known as appetizers, are food items served before the main courses of a meal.
Here are the recommended guidelines to follow when choosing your wedding passed and displayed hors d'eouvre.
1. Choose bite size finger foods that are colorful, fresh and elegant. Save the fried mozerella sticks for the Superbowl party.
2. Avoid sauces that are messy and could drip on clothing.
3. Have some hors d'oeuvre butlered on trays so you have food coming to your guests while they are socilaizing.
4. Have some displayed items such as cheese and fruit displays or dips so guests can help themselves at their leisure.
5. You could include a food station such as a raw bar or satay station but don't order so much food for the cocktail reception that guests ruin their appetite for what coming next...dinner. Remember, the cocktail hour should include bite size and elegant, coloful and decorative foods that satisfy and stimulate your guests appetite.
5. Take into account dietary needs such as allergies or vegetarians. Choose a mixture of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items and for example, don't select all seafood.
6. Don't overthink your selections. They should be representative of your tastes and budget.
So, if you follow these guidelines you should be able to select a nice variety of passed and displayed hors d'oeuve for your wedding cocktail reception that will appeal to all of your guests.
Posted by Kate Moreland on Mon, May 02, 2011 @ 01:33 PM
Location is everything when planning your companies offsite meeting or retreat. It's important to get out of the office and into a setting that is conducive to work without the interruptions.Looking for a peaceful setting that is also centrally located? Look no further. Ceresville Mansion is the perfect choice.
Conveniently located near historic Frederick, MD, Ceresville has everything you need to create a productive, comfortable environment in a truly unique setting. An historic, 4-story Victorian mansion. Surrounded by beautiful grounds with idyllic mountain views. Riverside acreage and a pastoral meadow with pavilion. Elegantly-appointed rooms with onsite audio-visual support, and an array of customized menu and beverage service options. All this… and an experienced staff to manage every detail, from décor to menu selection to the grand finale.
Call us to reserve a date for your next business event. We will be happy to work with you to create a truly memorable corporate event that surpasses everyone’s highest expectations. We'll make you look like a star but don't worry we won't say a word!
Call 301-694-5111 today!
Posted by Kate Moreland on Mon, May 02, 2011 @ 01:08 PM
If you are looking for a venue to host a corporate event in Maryland don't overlook Ceresville Mansion. A full service special event facility in Frederick, Maryland the mansion is equidistant from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and is an easy drive from either major metropolitan area.
The mansion is situated on 26 riverside acres perfect for team building events or a relaxing outdoor lunch on our Terrace or in our picnic meadow.
The main Ballroom is perfect for an all day presentation and the mansion's twin parlors can be used as breakout rooms for smaller meetings.
The chefs can create customized menus for breakfast, lunch, breaks throughout the day or choose from the many selections available on our corporate menus. After a busy day of meetings you can relax and enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvre on our outdoor Terrace or even dig into a bushel of crabs at a feast in our meadow.
Our experienced event planners can help you plan a day of great food and fun events all in the peaceful setting conducive to getting work done. Your boss will be so impressed with you but don't worry we won't say a word!
Call 301-694-5111 today to begin planning your next business event!