The Glastonbury Boathouse: One Blank Canvas, So Many Possibilities

The Glastonbury Boathouse:

One Blank Canvas, So Many Possibilities

Simple Elegance was started on the premise that all couples deserve the wedding of their dreams, even on a small budget. We achieve those dreams by offering a multitude of affordable services such as Planning, Decorating, Rentals, Music Entertainment, and Photo Booth Rentals. Each day we love bringing you inspirational ideas, designer looks for less, cool DIY tips & crafting advice. We know our audience is a trending breed of DIY Brides that not only love crafting, but love to save money by crafting!

So in our ongoing pursuit of all things fabulous yet frugal, we continue our exploration of gorgeous venues around New England. And this time, we’ve literally stumbled across The Glastonbury Boathouse, a perfect blank canvas for all your DIY dreams to come true!

                                          Photo by Simple Elegance Event Planning

                                                 Photo by Dan Cardon

Last week, I visited the Boathouse, and was given a tour by Kathryn Kell, Marketing & Communications Specialist for the Town of Glastonbury. Let me tell you, I was blown away by the building, the grounds, and the amenities that the venue has to offer. I was like, “Why haven’t I heard about this place!” And funny thing is, we did a Photo Booth Rental at the Glastonbury Community Center right next door last year, and I still didn’t know the Boathouse was there! But better believe, now that I know…so will you!

Let’s talk facts first. I asked Kathryn to tell me how the Boathouse came into existence. The construction of the Boathouse was partially state funded and it is owned by the town of Glastonbury. Kathryn explained that “the state wanted to grant people more access to the river for recreational activities”, while keeping residents and neighboring town residents in this part of the state, versus having them travel out of their way to the shore. By having a location close by, where people can enjoy the outdoors and the Connecticut River, not only sparks a sense of community pride, but adds economic benefits to the town. But Kathryn assured me, the town is not in it for profits! The rental fees are competitively priced and funds are mostly used to maintain the upkeep of the grounds and building itself. That speaks wonders to you couples who are trying to maintain your budget! That means you won’t have to promise your first born to pay for the rental! LOL!

The event space actually sits above an actual boat and kayak storage facility. Residents can store their water vessels and launch them right onto the river when they’re ready. The ground floor also houses an exercise room for the Glastonbury Crewe Team. There are separate entrances for the storage and training facilities, so you shouldn’t have any unwanted wedding crashers. The Boathouse has a full time event coordinator, Kristen Michaels, to act as referee when there’s sporting activities and an event happening on the same day. She makes sure nothing will interfere with your wedding! Kristen is also your point person for your event. She manages the production and execution of all the details that go along with having a wedding at the Boathouse.

Now let’s talk figures. The tour began in the main event space. The space can hold 75 to 300 guests, depending upon seating arrangements, for any corporate event or wedding. So it’s functional in that whatever size wedding you’re having; small and intimate or large and grand scale; the space will be exactly what you need it to be.  Rental prices are dictated by the day of the week and the length of time you need. Prices range from $675 for a week day corporate event, to $3,850 for a six hour Saturday wedding. The price includes the rental of the space, and tables and chairs for up to 150 guests. That's a good deal! Now it could be a hefty problem if you’re working with a very small budget. But they do offer special pricing for Friday night and Sunday events in the $1,300 to $2,800 range. So put on your budget savvy cap and bank on getting married on a Friday or Sunday when it’s affordable. 

There is an outdoor space right next to the water where a beautiful ceremony could take place. You can rent that for an additional $125 an hour. The venue only does one event a day, so you are getting the royal treatment for that price. As a planner, that’s HUGE when it comes to coordinating your day’s timeline. You won’t ever be rushed to hurry up and get in and out of the facility. And that means the world to a couple who might be running late, but still needs to fit in all the special festivities they’ve planned for the reception. And it is a big plus for your guests, who have full access and time to enjoy the picturesque water fountain and grassy landscapes surrounding the venue. So all of that might be worth the money to you.  

                                         Photo by Simple Elegance Event Planning

                                         Photo by Simple Elegance Event Planning

Now on to the amenities of the Boathouse. Let’s tackle the boring but important amenities. The Boathouse is conveniently located. A quick trip off 84 and Route 2 for me, Glastonbury is pretty centrally located in the state, so your guests won’t have an issue traveling to and from the town. The venue is also very close to a downtown area with hotels, restaurants, and shops. Which is extremely necessary for out of town guests.

Okay, with the business end done, DIY-ers, the moment you’ve been waiting for! You’d probably think it’s decorated in a traditional nautical fashion, being that this is a boat house. WRONG!!! This space is anything but nautical. Decked out in classic white walls and cool green toned shaker wall panels, this event space is a decorator’s dream come true!! So many times, I’ll walk into a venue and cringe at the drabby walls, the carpet from the 1960s, and the heavy patterned curtains that should never have been made! I usually have to “work around” the bad decisions that the event space builders made decades ago. From hiding bad paint jobs, to requesting the removal of hideous artwork, to having to staple falling wall paper, I’ve had to deal with it all, just to make a client’s décor look beautiful. The Boathouse has not made any such mistakes! You literally have a blank canvas in which to construct your Pinterest masterpiece. Any wedding style: traditional, rustic, shabby chic; anything works in the space because the space planners did a marvelous job of leaving out their two cents about what they wanted to see in the room, and left the décor up to what the consumer wanted! There are so many possibilities with the décor that can be placed inside of the room. If you create it, it will work! LOL

                                         Photo by Simple Elegance Event Planning

                                          Photo by Simple Elegance Event Planning

                                         Photo by Dan Cardon

Every inch of the room basks in the natural light that shines in from the walls of windows and a sky light near the main entrance. The windows have new age shades for after dark dinner and dancing. So don’t fret if you’ve paid your DJ for uplighting and you fear all the windows! The uplights will show up once the shades are down, trust me. 

                                         Photo by Dan Cardon

When I asked Kathryn what the best physical attribute of the event space was, she led me to a door off of the main room, and onto the balcony. Of course, the best attribute is the Connecticut River. The view from the balcony was exceptional. Panoramic views of the river, trees and shoreline all around you, will blow your guests away when they come out to the balcony for the cocktail hour. On a pristine day, some may not want to come inside for dinner! It’s that special!

                                         Photo by Simple Elegance Event Planning

                                         Photo by Simple Elegance Event Planning

                                         Photo by Dan Cardon


Kathryn and I then discussed the services that the Boathouse has to offer. The rental space exclusively uses a list of preferred vendors, made up of three caterers, two rental companies, and one audio visual company. So when you rent the space, you are required to use one of their highly recommended and sought after caterers, like David Alan Hospitality Group, Gourmet Gallery Catering, and Max Catering and Events. Equipped with a full catering kitchen, these vendors have access to everything they need to prepare and serve you an exquisite meal.

                                         Photo by Simple Elegance Event Planning

Now you might be thinking, you’d rather bring in your own caterer to save money. Nope, don’t do it! Kathryn explained to me that these vendors went through a state bidding process to give them exclusive preference to all Boathouse clients. And if you want to bring in your own caterer, you’ll have to go through a process of getting your caterer approved, vetted, insured; then you yourself will have to pay additional fees. Your best bet is to work with one of the caterers to find a menu that works well with your taste buds as well as with your wallet!

Also remember, when you decide to use a rental space for your wedding, and not a full service banquet hall, you usually have to bring in everything that makes the space functional. That means linens, china, flatware, and glassware must be rented. None of the exclusive caterers offer these services, so I recommend looking to the two rental companies that are preferred vendors. I have had a relationship with CT Rental Center for years, and I highly recommend them. I have just recently used Taylor Rental of West Hartford and were extremely happy with their service as well. So you definitely can’t go wrong with these vendors. As far as pooling together all of your rentals, Simple Elegance can coordinate the set up and tear down of the table & chair essentials, as well as any DIY decorations you may have.

                                           Photo by Dan Cardon

As I continued the tour, I inquired about bundled pricing, because I know our audience is constantly on the hunt for something special yet affordable. Getting more bang for our buck is king! But the Boathouse nor the caterers offer bundles. It would be cool if in the future, the entities could come together and create packages that include rental space and full service food service with tables/chairs/linens/dinnerware. As you guys know, that would mean so much to couples on a budget. Less vendors to get involved, the less money out of your pockets. Kathryn completely understands that perspective and intends to work diligently with their preferred vendors in the future towards bundled pricing. 

I strongly believe The Glastonbury Boathouse is a premier choice for your wedding day. If your budget is $27,000 and up, rental of this space is definitely doable. That budget will allow you $5,000 for space rental cost/ceremony set up/other miscellaneous fees; a menu of $90 per person for 100 guests plus tax/gratuity totaling $10,000; a $2,000 linen/dinnerware allowance, and a $2,000 decorations budget. As always, when every penny counts, I advise you to splurge on your MUST HAVES and skimp on the rest. If you don't have $10,000 for a full sit down or buffet style meal, talk to the caterer about doing appetizer stations and have your guests fill up on salad and pasta. If you don't want to pay the $125 for the ceremony space, inquire with the town about a permit to get married in neighboring Riverfront Park, then head over to the Boathouse. I'm just saying, where there's a will, there's a way. Don't let a small budget stop you from enjoying this venue.

There has been nothing but positive feedback from The Boathouse since they opened for business in 2015. Check them out at www.glastonbury-ct.gov/boathouse.

The beauty of the CT River is the super star; while the blank canvas of the event space plays a leading role. There are always pros and cons for every venue. But The Boathouse captures what DIY-ers hold most dear, a vehicle that will allow everything they’ve created for their wedding day to shine, without being hindered by an ugly duckling carpet, or the white elephant in the room wall paper from the ‘70s. At this venue, you can truly make it what you’ve always dreamed about. By making good choices when renting and planning your menu and linens, you can do it on a modest budget; just be your savvy self and get it done! Use The Glastonbury Boathouse to create your work of art!

Editor's Note: Updated website link and rental costs 5/25/16

Your Wedding Style Is In Your Closet

 YOUR WEDDING STYLE IS IN YOUR CLOSET

Over the years as a wedding planner and decorator, I've had clients give me a synopsis of their vision for their wedding. Most will describe their Must-Haves and dislikes to me and then I will come up with a game plan to achieve and execute that vision according to their wants/needs. I must say, I'm pretty good at taking an idea and running with it, especially on a tight budget. But sometimes, I'll run into a snafu and something will get lost in translation.

A bride might tell me she wants a "Rustic" wedding, so I will present venues and decor items with that style in mind. But then that bride will hate everything I propose and ask why am I showing her earthy, natural ideas. Well, because that style incorporates certain earthy elements...the elements she told me she wanted by saying she wanted a "Rustic" wedding! Well turns out, this bride thought that just because her wedding ceremony was being held outside, meant that her style was Rustic! O.M.G.!!

I can't tell you how often this happens! Many brides know what they like but end up attaching the wrong label on to it. With the craze of Pinterest and soo many sites that brides go to find wedding ideas, it can be difficult for them to define the style category that their pins fall into. Well, a few years ago, I came up with a universal analogy that every girl can appreciate, to help label their style!

What's that expression, let fashion work for you? Well, I am using fashion to help clarify four of the most confused labels brides use to describe their wedding: Classic, Traditional, Formal, and Elegant.


Classic
Classic style can be described as plain, necessary, or just serves the purpose. Sort of like that White Cotton Blouse in your closet! That blouse is only a filler piece to go with a skirt or jeans in a pinch. You won't spend alot on it, because you won't wear it alot. So in terms of weddings, that White Blouse is say white or ivory linens on your table...a necessity but nothing to get excited about. Or that pack of plain white wedding invitations, no fuss no muss.

 Traditional
Traditional style can be described as pretty and functional, nothing to say wow about. Sort of like that Black Blazer in your closet. You keep that blazer because everyone has told you over the years that you need it as a standard wardrobe piece. It serves its function and wears well. That blazer takes your outfit from blah to "oh, okay, nice" in twenty seconds. In wedding terms, that Black Blazer would be a 3 tiered white wedding cake...pretty but its just a cake, because you to have to have a cake. Or going back to invitations, traditional would be invitations with a cute border and font.

Formal
Formal style usually begins to kick things up a notch. Its upscale, serves many purposes, looks like you spent alot, and your purpose is to definitely impress people. So, what's that one piece in your closet that you go to to impress people??? Yup, that Little Black Dress! That black dress can be dressed up or dressed down, and you look like a million bucks in it! And you know it! Formal style is just that, selecting items that are a knock out, so people's head's turn and say WOW! Think of formal in wedding terms like rented Chiavari Chairs...impressive, pricey, and they WILL get noticed! If we want to keep the invitation reference going, formal styling would be invitations with a satin ribbon accent in a foil lined envelope. Your guests are definitely noticing that!

Elegant
Elegant styling is style on Fleek! It's high end, fabu-locity that brings the wow factor. Elegance makes a statement but always remains in style, never falling prey to a fad. Sort of like those Red Bottom Shoes in your closet! When you wear those shoes, you're telling people: Look at my shoes, now look at me...look at my shoes, now look at me! LOL Elegance doesn't have to be expensive if you choose quality items, but elegant styling is always eye-catching and memorable. In wedding terms, you could say that rock on your finger is elegant. Your guests may not remember the food, the music, or your vows, but they will remember that DIAMOND! Continuing on with that invitation example, elegant styling would be those invitations with pearl beading or rhinestones. When your guests open them up, those invites are like BAM! WHAT?!? MIC DROP!

Hopefully this will help just one bride define her likes and dislikes while planning her wedding. It's been a successful tool for me to get a clearer understanding of what my clients want and don't want. If there's one thing that holds true, we women love to shop...no matter what we're shopping for!

Middletown: The Little City with Big Selections - Part II

Middletown: The Little City with Big Selections

As part two of our exploration of Middletown, CT as a local wedding destination; we’re going to take a look at a seaside venue with New England appeal.

The Canoe Club sits on prime real estate in Harbor Park, in Middletown. Harbor Park is one of those places you and your family can go on a lazy weekend afternoon to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mattabesett River flowing into the vast Connecticut River. According to the Canoe Club’s website, the restaurant was built in 1915 and is still the only restaurant open year round on the CT River.

The Club would host your wedding on their second floor banquet room, which would include a cocktail hour on their balconies. Talk about a beautiful view of both sky and sea! The shoreline and plush landscapes of trees are more than enough beauty to draw you to this venue. If you’re into Nautical style, without overdoing it, this is the spot for you! The best and only feature of this facility is the view. But wow, what a view! You won’t have to wait until the summer to get that “Cape Cod” or “New England” feel you want for your wedding…you can get that here year round! You can be on the water, without the unpredictability of pending bad weather.

The Club can host up to 125 guests in their upstairs room, a manageable size crowd for any budget. The menu selections listed on their website are pretty standard, with a typical array of chicken, beef, and fish entrees. What I do like is that you get Wine Service with Dinner at no extra charge. Most venues add on fees for that.  I absolutely adore the Chilled Martini or Frozen Drink Station that you can add on for just $8 per person. A fab idea for that is to create a signature drink that fits your wedding theme! You seem to get a lot of bang for your buck with their menu and add ons at the Canoe Club. Banquet prices are only $89 or $99 depending upon the weekend day you select. Plated service is $25 more, but well worth it if you’re just not into buffets. So the Canoe Club would work well with a budget of $30,000 and up, since you’ll be spending about $15,000 on the reception.

The only negatives I can see with this place, was my brief interaction with the staff member who handles the online banquet inquiries. When checking out the website, at first glance it wasn’t obvious that their prices were anywhere on the site. So I sent a query and was told in a kurt tone, and grammatically incorrect text, to click on the word “Wedding” and the listing would come up. So I’d just recommend a user-friendly update to the website to fix that misunderstanding. The staff member informed me that the prices listed were 2015 prices, and the 2016 prices would increase by 10%. Pretty standard practice to increase the pricing year to year, so if you’re watching your budget closely, do the calculations and make sure the increase doesn’t affect your bottom line. The staff member also proceeded to advise that if you book The Canoe Club, you’d have to rent place settings and glassware! What the what?????!!!!! I have to wonder why the second floor room is unable to use the plates, glasses, and silverware that the downstairs restaurant uses? Or do they not have enough to accommodate an event while serving customers in the restaurant? As a coordinator, a whirlwind of questions are spinning in my brain about that. But the staff member mentioned they use CT Rental Center for their rentals…who I absolutely LOVE and am a repeat customer of. So if you should choose The Canoe Club in Harbor Park as your venue, you’ll be getting a standard meal, a great rental company, and fabulous view!

Check out The Canoe Club:

               

 

And stay tuned for more info on the other locations! Just in time for your 2016/2017 Wedding!

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