Beechwood Inn Bed and Breakfast
Beechwood Inn - Certified Wildlife Habitat Designation 30 May 2012, 10:37 am
Beechwood Inn Bed and Breakfast Earns Certified Wildlife Habitat Designation
Press
release – June 1, 2012
NWF Certifies New Wildlife Habitat in Clayton, Georgia, a Bed and Breakfast
for the Birds!
Clayton, Georgia June 1 2012: The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) announces
that the property of Beechwood Inn Bed and Breakfast, located in Clayton is now
recognized as an official Certified Wildlife Habitat Site. The property
attracts a variety of birds, butterflies and other animals by providing a
wildlife-friendly landscape.
Owners David and Gayle Darugh said Beechwood Inn is already identified as an Eco-friendly
green lodging in Georgia but they wanted to go a step further and secure
official certification for Wildlife Habitat they have created on the property.
The property consists of 5 acres within the City of Clayton, and includes old
growth trees, hedges, shrubs, trees bearing fruit and nuts, and plenty of cover
for birds and other wildlife to rear their young
David says “Over the last 12 years we have added many native plants, water-gardens, nesting boxes, birdhouses, feeders for birds and hummingbirds, berry bushes and host plants for caterpillars to live on and that attract butterflies. We constructed a woodland trail to offer our guests an opportunity to stroll through the variety of habitats that are available for wildlife. We know our guests appreciate the variety of wildlife that can be viewed from the inn and its gardens.”
The National Wildlife Foundation began the Wildlife Habitat Certification Program in 1973 and has since certified more than 90,000 habitats nationwide. Certified habitats can be found everywhere from homes to hospitals, places of worship to community parks, corporate buildings to municipal facilities. In addition to providing for wildlife, certified habitats conserve natural resources by reducing or eliminating the need for fertilizers, pesticides or irrigation water, which ultimately protects the air, soil and water. The mission of the NWF is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for their children's future. For information, visit www.nwf.org .
Gayle says "We are proud of this certification and hope it inn-spires others to do the same. We also hope that our efforts to construct and protect habitats that attract wildlife to our grounds will influence the traveling public when selecting lodging. The next time you visit a box-hotel, with a concrete parking lot and cookie-cutter rooms, think of the alternatives out there, the small family-owned and operated lodging establishments that care about the environment and wildlife.”
It is Beechwood Inn’s mission to be the best bed and breakfast in Georgia, providing the highest level of hospitality and guest experience while preserving and promoting the unique historical and environmentally sensitive nature of the property and the area. Our goal is to minimize our use of natural resources while still providing a magnificent guest experience.
Visit our website to learn
more about Beechwood Inn’s Environmental friendly practices."http://www.beechwoodinn.ws/
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for Beechwood Inn 30 May 2012, 8:33 am
Beechwood Inn Earns 2012 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
Clayton, Georgia May 31, 2012 – Beechwood Inn today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only about 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.
To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.
David Darugh co-owner of Beechwood In stated “we are pleased to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, we strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.” Co-owner Gayle Darugh said she considers the award to be not only an accolade for Beechwood Inn but it is also a significant recognition for our region as a whole. “I believe the mark of a great destination is not only to provide impeccable service and great foods, but also to promote our region, its businesses and our local products as much as possible. Each glowing traveler review also reflects their experience in our North Georgia mountains and for that I thank our community.”
“TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by travelers on the site,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “The Certificate of Excellence award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience.”
Beechwood Inn is Georgia’s Premier Wine Country Inn and offers luxury accommodations and is located on 100 year old terraced gardens overlooking downtown Clayton. The Inn features 8 guest rooms, unparalleled service, gracious staff and attention to detail. Culinary Classes, Wine Tastings and Fine Dining are available by reservation. For more information call (706) 782-5485. . www.beechwoodinn.ws
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Beechwood Inn Earns 2012 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
Dillard Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival 2012 28 May 2012, 2:24 pm
Come Stay at Beechwood Inn while attending the 2012 Dillars Barbecue and Bluegrass Festival!
The 2012 Dillard Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival will be the 14th annual celebration. The Festival offers great bluegrass music by nationally famous musicians. In addition, the Barbecue competition attracts chefs and their crews from around the nation. They arrive in their rolling stainless stell kithens with air conditioning, fancy smokers and their secret rubs and sauces. The grounds are filled with the scent of wood smoke and the sights of smokey pork, brisket and other meats.
The 2012 Dillard Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival looks to be the best yet with Bluegrass bands from around the country. Also, the slate of Barbecue competitors is already filled, with many returning winners from past events. The winner of the Georgia State Championship at the 2012 Dillard Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival gets to proceed to the National Championship in Kansas City. The Championship team of the 2011 Dillard Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival was Butt Rub (www.buttrub.com).
The 2012 Dillard Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival Music lineup includes:
"LIzzy Long and Roy Lewis" Performing 2 shows Saturday
FRIDAY, August 3rd
OPEN STAGE - 1 PM - 2 PM
3 PM - Opening Ceremony
MUSIC STARTS AT 3 PM
Oliver Rice and the Blue Ridge Mountain Band
Mississippi Sawyers
The Foxfire Boys
Last Road
Each band will perform twice during the day
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 4th
OPEN STAGE - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
MUSIC STARTS AT 11 AM
Lizzy Long & Little Roy Lewis
Mississippi Sawyers
Curtis Blackwell and the Dixie Bluegrass Boys
Shadow Ridge
Suggins Brothers
Close for the evening 8:00 PM
There's more information on the 2012 Dillard Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival website at http://www.dillardbbq.org/
Wild Fennel Pollen 25 May 2012, 6:41 am
At Beechwood Inn we try to use as many fresh and local products as possible. However, we also want our guests to experience a world of flavors. Therefore, we source exotic products from unique sources from around the world. Have you tried Wild Fennel Pollen?
The flavor lies somewhere between the muskiness of sage, the bright bite of anise and the floral delicacy and slight bitterness of saffron. In an article for Saveur magazine, Peggy Knickerbocker wrote, "If angels sprinkled a spice from their wings, this would be it." The flavor is incredible, like taking the fennel seed, sweetening it and then intensifying it a hundred times.
Tuscans traditionally used fennel pollen on pork, but modern chefs use it's unique flavor on a broad array of foods. At Beechwood Inn we use it on tomatoes, in rice, on salmon and quail - and of course on pork. It makes a rich cream sauce to use with pan seared scallops. Fennel pollen acts not just as a flavoring agent but as a flavor booster, instantly amping-up a dish's umami—that deep savoriness and intensity that chefs struggle mightily to develop. We buy organic fennel pollen by a big 7 ounce bag from Franconi.
Fennel Pollen is harvested by hand. To prevent spoliage, the pollen is dried. This process begins on large wooden slabs under the sun. The still moist powder is spread on these boards and left to dry for 7 - 10 days. After most of the moisture dissipates, the pollen is sifted and moved to enormous cloth bags for the final drying. You can find both California and Italian Fennel Pollen online. We get our Tuscan Organic fennel pollen from http://www.markethallfoods.com/
Our Wild Organic Fennel Pollen is not inexpensive, but as a chef I would not cook without a stash in our cupboard. But, use fennel pollen sparingly as a pinch goes a long way.
Chef David Darugh
Beechwood Inn
See our Beechwood Inn Recipes
Reviews of Dining at Beechwood Inn 30 Apr 2012, 2:25 pm
Jul 24 2011: Let’s start with the gazpacho. This was made with some local heirloom tomatoes and other local vegetables. It was incredible, and probably what I most enjoyed about this meal since it is about as hot as the sun here in Georgia. I really loved the way they nailed this dish.
Next, we enjoyed a cucumber yogurt salad with local tomatoes and greens. Again, this was just great. The cucumber salad was served inside a squash blossom, and was delicious. So far so good.
They gave us a break after that and served a refreshing peach and lavender sorbet. It was so completely perfect to lead up to the main dish.
Pan seared wild salmon was the hit of the night. Unlike the menu, they did not serve it on sauteed spinach.. as advertised….to my disappointment, but it was still very good with the corn salsa. Maybe the heat has killed the spinach crop around N. GA?? Anyway, small issue with what was overall a wonderful dinner.
I am not knowledgeable about wines, but the varieties chosen for the dinner were all extremely good, and I almost could understand the passion people have for good unique flavors they offer. It was a lot of fun hearing about each before we indulged.
One of the best things about B&B’s is meeting new people. Tonight we sat with a couple from Atlanta…..Mary and Sherman. They were excellent company and we found out about new books, places to go and even that before prohibition North GA was the leading wine grape producer on the east coast. I was floored to hear that considering that vineyards are in their infancy here….or at least it seems that way.
Beechwood Inn is well worth checking out if you are in the area. The rooms are very nice and also exceedingly clean…and there is the Chattooga River a few miles away to white water kayak or raft, plus lot’s of hiking options. Marshall Scott http://www.marshallscott.com/fun-stuff/gourmet-dinner-clayton-ga-beechwood-inn/
May 13, 2010: The innkeepers, David and Gayle Darugh, are also the chef and pastery chef for the inn's dinners. My wife and I have dined at the Beechwood Inn on several occasions. Each time, the food was outstanding -- imaginatively and carefully prepared, mostly from local producers. David also has a superb wine cellar and always matches the courses with unusual and delightful wines. As David briefly introduces each course and the paired wine, you can see the pride and joy he puts into each selection. Our most recent dinner (last weekend) featured such delights as stuffed quail with wild cherry sauce, home-made rosebud sorbet to cleanse the palette, followed by wild salmon glazed with a balsamic vinegar reduction. Finally, Gayle had prepared for dessert a chocolate and peanut butter pate'--- think Reese's Cup, cordon bleu edition. Among the wines that David served, with generous pours, were a 2001 French Mourvedre and a top-end Beaux Freres pinot. Finally, dinner was preceded by a relaxed gathering of the inn guests and dining visitors on the veranda, with a spectacular view of Black Rock Mountain in the distance, during which everyone was served a great little Basque white, accompanied by garlic and goat cheese stuffed mushroom hors d'oeuvres. At $80 a person, dinner was not cheap, but it is a good value considering the extraordinary quality of the food and wine that David served. The same meal in Atlanta would likely have cost twice that much. We are already looking forward to our next visit.
Mar 17, 2012: They are proud to use organic and locally grown/raised ingredients. The Tuscan wine dinner was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. What a casual but elegant weekend!
Jan 23, 2012: I highly recommend the Beechwood Inn. My husband and I went there to celebrate my birthday and had the pleasure to experience one of the wine pairing dinners. Everything was delicious and the wine was great! In fact, we brought home a few bottles. Breakfast was a gourmet treat as well. The Inn Keepers pride themselves on serving only the highest quality food, some of it from local farms, organic and fresh.
The bed was very comfortable and we loved the fireplace in our room. I would definitely return. Thank you to Dave and Gayle (Ashley was great too). You are lovely people with a strong work ethic, kindness and passion that shines through in the 5 star quality of service you provide your guests. Thank you for making my birthday a special one to remember.
Sept 11, 2011: Saturday evening's 5 course dinner w/ matched wines was exceptional!
July 28 – Fresh and Local Farm to Table Dinner 30 Apr 2012, 5:28 am
Beechwood Inn offers Fine Dining in North Georgia with Saturday Chef's Table Dinners using the best of fresh and local ingredients from nearby farms, orchards and dairies.
July 28 – Fresh and Local Farm to Table Dinner: With warm Summer weather we are offering some seasonally inspired dishes that are farm fresh. At the Beechwood Inn we celebrate local ingredients and include as many as we can. Our recipes present us with the opportunity to use the most flavorful produce, meats, and cheeses in our region. We hope you enjoy our recipes. Dinner is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity and includes one glass each of the suggested wines. Additional wine is available on our wine list. Wine-thirty at 6:30 and sit down for dinner at 7:00pm.
Aperitif: Torte de Pesto, Fresh Torte of Cream Cheese and Garden Basil Pesto
2011 Beechwood Inn Chardonnay
Appetizer: Heirloom Tomato Tart with Fresh Basil and EVOO
2009 Memo Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
Salad: Thai Basil Roll - Thai Basil, Angel Hair Cabbage, Red Peppers and Cilantro Wrapped in Rice Paper with Satay Peanut Sauce
Intermezzo: Fresh Raspberry Lavender Sorbet
Entrée: Pan Seared Organic Chicken on House-made Linguini
with Fresh Herbs and Toy Box Tomatoes
Roasted Red and Yellow Peppers with Garlic Sauce
Organic Bread with Local Creamery Butter
2007 Domaine Grand Nicolet, Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau, France
Dessert: Caramelized Peaches with Crème Fraiche
Fresh Brewed Coffee and Herb Teas
MG 2012 Georgia - National MG Conference 26 Apr 2012, 1:59 pm
MG 2012 Georgia.
The Peachtree MG Registry of Atlanta (www.peachtreemg.com) will host the National Convention of the North American MGB Registry (NAMGBR) for 2012 dubbed MG 2012 Georgia. This will be the first time in the twenty-year history of NAMGBR that the National Convention will be held in the southeast. The event traditionally has moved around the country to provide geographic parity and easy access for members, but has previously been held in eastern, mid-western and western states.
The Registry has chosen the Dillard House Inn and Resort in Dillard, GA as the host facility MG 2012 Georgia. The Conference runs June 6th through the 10th, with the main show taking place on Saturday the 9th from 10am to 3:00pm. Our northeast Georgia mountain location was selected to provide cooler (top down) temperatures as well additional recreational and sightseeing opportunities. For more details and to register go to www.mg2012.com.
“I believe that having this event in the south will give NAMGBR the ability to double the amount of cars attending the National Convention,” stated co-chair Bill Gillson of the PMGR. With 22 NAMGBR chapter clubs in the surrounding states, attendance for MG 2012 Georgia is expected to be very high.
NAMGBR (www.namgbr.org) is the national organization and register for MGBs produced from 1962 to 1980, MG Midgets produced from 1961 to 1979, and the MG 1100/1300 Sports Sedan produced for the U.S. market from 1962 to 1967. All of these models will be represented at the National Convention. So, bring your camera and get some great photo ops at MG 2012 Georgia!
Oh, and if you’re driving an old rag top or roadster, you’re invited to come stay at Beechwood Inn.
1st Annual Chattooga River Festival 2012 22 Apr 2012, 5:40 am
1st Annual Chattooga River Festival June 22-24, 2012
The Chattooga River Festival was created to encourage environmental stewardship in conjunction with the responsible recreational use of the Chattooga River watershed. Its mission is to increase awareness of the importance of protecting and preserving the unique ecological environment and scenic beauty of the Chattooga River.
Rabun County, GA, and Oconee County, SC, are collaborating on this new
Festival to celebrate the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River and its abundant
natural and cultural resources. The 1st Annual Chattooga River Festival will be
held from June 22-24, 2012 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the film “Deliverance”
that made the river and our region world-famous.
There will be a number of events designed to showcase the movie and the region and
they will occur in Rabun County, GA and Oconee County, SC. Here are just a few
of the activities at the Chattooga River Festival 2012:
Friday, June 22 - Clayton, GA
Deliverance. redemption. salvation. Artist's Reception
Ronny Cox Band Show
Saturday, June 23 - Long Creek, SC
Banjo Boogie Adventure Race
Guided Nature Hikes
Whitewater Rafting
Chattooga Belle Farm Music Festival + Artisan Village
Dueling Banjos: The Deliverance of Drew book signing (Clayton, GA)
VIP Access: Wine & Hors d’oeuvres with Ronny Cox (Clayton, GA)
Warner Brothers 40th Anniversary Deliverance Premiere, Blue Ray High Definition Edition (Clayton, GA)
Sunday, June 24 - Clayton, GA
American Whitewater & Georgia Canoeing Association River Clean-up (Long Creek, SC)
Makeshift Boat Race
Lakeside Pavilion Picnic
Gospel, Storytellin' + Medley of Era Music
Tiger Drive-in Showing of Deliverance
In addition to music and festival activities – have fun by participating in one of the Chattooga River Festival contests: Banjo Boogie Adventure Race, Dueling Banjos and the makeshift Boat Race on Tallulah Lake. See the Chattooga River Festival Official Website for detailed entry information. http://chattoogariverfestival.com
Since there are 3 full days of events, come stay at Beechwood Inn. As a sponsor of the Chattooga River Festival 2012 you will get 10% off your lodging if you stay both Friday and Saturday nights (just show us your tickets).
How to Pick the Perfect Lodging 18 Apr 2012, 9:31 am
How to Pick the Perfect Lodging - Best Lodging in Georgia
When we contemplate a vacation we engage all of our senses in choosing a destination that will satisfy our wanderlust. Last summer our thoughts drifted to the Mendocino Coast and the smell of salt air accompanied by the sound of waves breaking on rocks as we contemplated our upcoming California vacation. We also longed for the smell of fresh planked Salmon plucked from the nearby inlet. But once we’ve settled on a destination we face the arduous task of picking the perfect lodging.
On leisure trips Gayle and I seek ambience and local flavor so we generally avoid the big chains and box hotels. To us, the choice of lodging is much more personal than selecting an airline. Flying coach is like bus travel in the air, seats are seats, aisle, window or the dreaded middle. So why do I suffer angst about choosing the perfect lodging? As leisure travelers we want a memorable and relaxing experience – no negative surprises. And everyone seeks their idea of perfection. One traveler's favorite digs is another's fleabag dump. I will gladly trade a lumpy bed for a stunning view. And in every case, there is the highly variable factor of location, location, location.
Unfortunately, the major booking sites (Expedia, Orbits, etc.) list the major chains and little more. As Inn owners, we understand that there are dozens, even hundreds of off-the-radar properties to be found in every city, town, tourist outpost and roadside stretch. We have enjoyed visits to many charming inns across the United States that merit the traveler’s attention. So how does a traveler find a good, clean, comfortable local hotel or inn? Finding the perfect lodging can take a little time and ingenuity.
It doesn't help that these days even small hotels and Inns have Web sites full of tantalizing photos and slick promotional copy that make you believe you'll be bathed in luxury as soon as you step foot through their door. How can you tell if an inn will live up to its own hype -- and, more importantly, if it's the right place for you?
As we prepared for our trip I dreamt of a secluded location on the Mendocino Coast with cliff-side ocean view, fireplace, rustic but with a touch or two of luxury, and with oodles of complimentary amenities. Why was I thinking complimentary amenities? We recently spent three days attending a conference in a luxury box hotel. The conference rate was economical but everything else was extra. The only coffee available was from Starbucks in the lobby. During our stay we paid $27 for coffee, $12 for bottled water out of a vending machine, $24 for WIFI, $36 for parking and $4.00 for two aspirin.
Where to Start? Before beginning your search, ask yourself what type of accommodations you want and what your budget will permit. Price is not the sole indication of quality, but cheap properties can often-times be pretty scary places to lie down your head. We own an inn, so we understand what we expend in order to ensure each Beechwood guest enjoys a safe and clean visit. To increase the likelihood of cleanliness we’re willing to pay a little more to ensure the perfect lodging experience.
Maybe three or four years ago, I would have embarked on this challenge with endless clicking and surfing to Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor Bureau websites. I'm someone who uses the Web all the time – but I’ve grown impatient, and can no longer abide this tedious process. If I knew someone in the area, for instance if I had a cousin Ernie in Mendocino, I could call him and ask for the perfect lodging recommendation. But, no such luck.
So this time I took a much more random approach. My first Step was to call upon an Integrated Mapping Software Site. Specifically, I used Google Earth. What I wanted was a map that would show inns and hotels as pinpoints on the map. To test this I pulled up a map of the Mendocino Coast and then did a search for Inns and hotels. Within the first 15 listings I discovered a number of properties that didn't appear on Expedia or other hotel search engines. By the map I could clearly see which properties appeared to “cling” to the coastline - very promising. Then, using Google Earth I could zoom into the property from every direction permitting me to view even the features they may not want to highlight on their website. Wow, really cool, I discovered several properties that looked like just what I wanted.
Okay, they look good on the map, but can we anticipate having a great guest visit at one of these properties? On both Yahoo! Maps and Google Maps, you can click on a particular property to find more information about it, including driving directions, user reviews, photos and a link to the property's Web site. Reviews can be very helpful. While many negative reviews tell you a lot about the property, sometimes a bad review will tell more about the reviewer, especially where there are mostly positive reviews. In this case, the property I singled out evidenced very positive reviews. While anonymous, the only bad review appeared to have been written by Charlie Sheen.
We ended up staying at a Select Registry Inn (the best 400 inns in North America) overlooking the Mendocino Coast. Each evening we relaxed to the sound of waves breaking on the shore. It was quiet and secluded but with all the complimentary amenities one would want including wood burning fireplace, full breakfast, daily wine tasting, WIFi, cookies, and all the coffee you could drink, but no aspirin. We got to sit with the inn owners who shared tips on local dining, hiking, and site seeing. We had a wonderful visit and it was the perfect lodging.
Finding the best or perfect lodging accommodations offers a challenge, but the personal treatment you will receive is the reward. I found using this mapping tactic increases the efficiency of locating an inn with the location, view and amenities you want. Then, check the reviews to see what other travelers are saying. We’re off to Maine in September, so I have already started my search for cliff clinging inns along the New England Coast. And, best of all, it will be lobster season! Bon Appetite.
About the Author: David Darugh owns and operates Beechwood Inn in Clayton, GA. It is considered Georgia's premier wine country inn and is a member of the prestigious Select Registry. It also has been named a winner of Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence.
Beechwood Inn Named to Best Food and Wine Destinations by Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Romantic Weddings in the North Georgia Mountains 17 Apr 2012, 1:15 pm
Romantic Weddings in the North Georgia Mountains - Beechwood Inn for North Georgia Weddings or North Georgia Elopements!
Congratulations! You are engaged to the love of your life and about to plan the dream wedding you’ve always imagined and it is time to start planning the wedding. Or, perhaps you’ve waited until this time to decide what style of celebration fits you as a couple. Either way, the details can be overwhelming as you add “wedding planner” to your already busy lives. Not to worry – the mountains of North Georgia have all the professionals and amenities, as well as spectacular venues, to assure a wedding that expresses your love and commitment in a very personal way.
First you need to ask yourself a number of questions. What is your budget? If you have a limited budget you may choose to have your wedding day party in your family garden. Do you want a church ceremony and a reception at some other location such as a hotel ballroom? Do you want ceremony and reception at the same location? Are you thinking indoors or outdoors? What amenities will you need to make your wedding a memorable event (i.e. party barn, horse-drawn carriage, bonfire etc.)? The wedding and reception venues will set the tone and motif for this important day, so it is vital that your location meet your expectations. The North Georgia Mountains offer many romatic locations.
Reception and Ceremony Church weddings remain the choice for many couples. You may have a particular church in mind. If so, then the reception location must be carefully selected keeping in mind distance and transportation. If you are planning a civil wedding, you have the option of looking at venues that can accommodate both the ceremony and the reception. This will certainly minimize the amount of travel for your guests.
Venue capacity: How many guests are likely to attend? Carefully determine each venue’s capacity and ask what happens if 20 additional people show up at the last minute. Some venues can offer a range for over or under turn-out while others maybe inflexible.
Seated or Standing Wedding and Reception: A short stand-up
wedding followed by a stand-up reception needs very little room. If you are
planning a multi-day itinerary that includes bridal party luncheon, bachelor
party night, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, open-bar, sit-down dinner for
200 followed by an all-night bonfire, you will need a much larger venue. Get a
firm idea as to what type of event(s) you would like before you start
approaching venues.
Entertainment Facilities: Are you thinking punk-rock band
or a strolling violinist? Bands and other entertainment need a large amount of
space, especially if you need a dance floor too.
Champagne, Liquor and Dining: Venues may need special licensing, insurance or security to support open bars, on-site dining and guests bringing their own beverages. Make sure you outline for the venue what your expectations are and find out what limitations there may be on your guests bringing their own drinks.
Now that you have determined some parameters for your wedding and reception it is finally time to select a venue. Where do you start? Location, location, location! You should not just go by the looks or beauty of a potential wedding venue; you should also take into consideration all the practical aspects such as catering, wedding day decoration, weather conditions, etc. Once you have selected a venue you will be able to identify a theme and start working on the details. Whether you want an intimate affair or an over the top celebration, the North Georgia Mountains offers an amazing array of wedding venue ideas.
Resorts, Country Clubs and Hotels: Many of these venues can offer one-stop shopping. They may even have a wedding planner on staff that can take care of all your needs including flowers, catering, alcohol, photographers, officiant, music, parking, etc. Just be sure to view their location so you are sure it offers the stunning location for your ceremony that you seek as well as all the amenities you expect.
Historic Buildings: Country houses, charming bed and breakfast inns, old barns, stately court houses and museums are all among the locations that may offer a dream venue for your wedding and reception. Many of these venues offer packages to help you with your budget as well as recommended caterers, photographers, musicians and florists.
Vineyards and Farms: North Georgia Vineyards and farms can offer rows of grapevines and miles of orchards, stunning cellar settings filled with wine barrels, or open fields with a backdrop of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. One need not go to the expense of flying to Napa or Tuscany, it’s all right here in North Georgia.
Marquee Location: This may include botanical gardens, waterfalls (on private or public land), mountain tops, river banks or on a dock in a lake. An outdoor location brings the unrivaled beauty of nature into your ceremony. Say your vows beneath a towering oak tree beside a mountain lake or tumbling stream. Just be aware that to hire a marquee location for a wedding and reception can often times be very pricy. The plus side might be that you can better control some of the costs of catering, flowers, and alcohol by managing this separately from the venue. Make sure you have a back-up plan for rain. Many locations can supply tents.
Restaurant Location: If the success of your wedding includes great food, real Champagne and wonderful table settings, then where better to start than at a restaurant or cozy wine bar. Just be aware that these venues may not be able to accommodate 200 invitees. Also, you will not likely be allowed to furnish your own caterer or allow your guests to bring their own drinks.
Sports or Social Club: Many private and social clubs own facilities that are perfect for weddings and receptions. Our mountain lakes offer marinas and rowing clubs with stunning waterside locations. Many lakefront and mountain communities have pavilions, stunning overlooks and community buildings that allow you to build your own wedding at a much more reasonable cost. Do your research so you know what limitations may apply as to the type of event and activities they will allow. You may need to secure your own insurance naming the facility/club as an additional insured.
Some Final Thoughts: Having a written contract for your event is fundamental. Make sure it spells out everything in detail including the cancellation and change-of-date policies. Understand what happens to your deposit or prepaid fees if there is a cancellation. Before signing on the dotted line, read it thoroughly. Watch for hidden and exaggerated costs, such as a hefty corkage fee or drink prices. These might mean compromising on other aspects of the wedding.
Make sure the venue has sufficient experienced staff to manage and assist in the events you plan. Flexibility is very important. Are they willing to adapt to your last minute needs? This will be a major factor in how smoothly your day runs. Is the venue suitable for guests with a disability, and can it provide appropriate seating for the elderly and/or young children? Is there a reasonable range of accommodations close to the venue? If the site is remote, are the access roads adequate for the number and type of guests you plan to invite. Does the site have adequate parking? Is shuttle service available back to local hotels and inns for guests concerned about after reception driving?
Consider the venue’s restrictions or limitations that that might impact your wedding and reception plans. Some venues stipulate no loud music after a certain hour, others don’t permit confetti, rice or candles. Is the venue photo friendly? If there is lots of natural light the photos will be better. You might also want to check that there are plenty of appealing outdoor spots close at hand. Are table linens, flowers, place cards and other decorations included in the quoted price, or will you have to provide your own?
Finally, make a list of what you want in a venue and as you visit places, check off the items that meet your criteria. Every place may not meet all of your wants, but may get really close.
As innkeepers, we attempt to serve as a conduit for brides, grooms, their friends and family in pursuit of romantic yet authentic mountain hospitality. We hope these insights on selecting a venue for that special day will be of assistance. We are confident that if you come visit our beautiful North Georgia Mountains you will find a wonderful location that fits your heart’s desire.
For places to start your venue search please visit the following websites: Rabun County Convention and Visitors Bureau http://explorerabun.com/category/weddings/
Although we can’t make all your dreams come true, the Beechwood Inn and its staff can assist in providing you a very memorable marriage ceremony. The Inn is a small intimate venue and can accommodate weddings and events for 25 – 30 people. Our specialty is personal service. The Inn offers romantic settings for your wedding in the North Georgia Mountains. http://www.beechwoodinn.ws/basic-wedding-package.html Beechwood Inn Elopment Package
By David and Gayle Darugh
Innkeepers Beechwood Inn
Georgia’s Premier
Wine Country Inn
