Before you can plan out the format for your business event, you need to be clear on what your desired outcome is. Ask yourself a few questions: What business objective are we working toward? What’s the intended outcome of this event? What end result would define it as successful?
We often get people looking for corporate event space who really haven’t planned through the total budget for the event. A clear budget will help you determine how much you can spend on necessities, if you have funds for any extras, and what you need to do to achieve your overall goal.
Just like everything, what you budget could very well run over once you start finalizing the details. It’s wise to add a cost buffer of an additional 10 – 15% for unexpected expenses.
Sometimes, a business event can get some budgetary assistance by hitting up your vendors for sponsorship or donations. Your bookkeeping firm might sponsor the food for your annual meeting, your regular printer might donate course materials printing costs, and so on.
ALL events, whether business meetings or celebration banquets, are experiences. How can you make your event memorable for those attending. What needs to be part of the design so attendees can get the most out of your event? When you plan the details of your event to engage people, your event will be successful.
Who knows the company better than the staff themselves? Getting your team involved in co-creating the event can go a long way in generating great ideas, improving morale, and allowing them to have a sense of ownership of the event. You might even achieve a little informal team-building in the process!
We saved the best for last! Finding the right space to host your corporate event has a tremendous impact on its success. The space must be conducive to your overall goal – equipped to accommodate all the aspects of the event, with an atmosphere that supports what you are trying to accomplish.
The location and space for your event influences people’s experiences on every level. From a location that is easy to find and park at to space that is the right size and comfortable for all your guests. No matter what the purpose of your event, you want people to feel welcome.
River Winds Farm & Estate can accommodate a variety of corporate event and business function needs. Our experienced team can help you plan and host a memorable experience for all your guests, and a successful event for your company!
Selecting the location for your wedding is an integral part of planning your celebration. Once you start making your wedding arrangements, booking your venue needs to be top of the list.
The venue for your wedding will set the style and mood for your entire event. It also sets your guest capacity, identifies accommodation options, and may also influence the menu and décor.
Reserving the venue for your dream wedding requires thoughtful timing. If you have a specific date or season in mind, reserve your venue 12 – 15 months in advance. Especially if your heart is set on a “peak season” (which can vary depending on where you are having your wedding), you need to secure your venue date as soon as possible. The best wedding venues are typically booked well into a year in advance, especially during prime seasons and weekends.
If you’re more flexible about your date, you can probably get away with booking the venue 9 – 12 months in advance.
There are a lot of advantages to planning your wedding during the off-season. You will find more availability for venue choices, as well as important vendors such as caterers, DJ’s, and photographers. You will often find potentially lower costs for some wedding essentials.
Late fall, winter, and early spring are off-season in Maine. These months are the perfect time to plan a cozy, indoor celebration. If you like the outdoors, what’s more romantic than a sleigh ride out of your reception? Or weekend activities like skiing and sledding for your guests.
Scheduling your wedding on a weekday may give you your dream location and choice of vendors. Holding your wedding festivities on a weekday can also save you money, compared to primetime weekend dates.
If you have out of town guests, they can secure less expensive travel arrangements, and likely save on accommodations.
Starting your planning well in advance of your wedding will ease your anxiety, but being flexible about your date will help you find the perfect location for your special day. Being open and flexible to off-peak months and weekdays over weekends will give you greater options to choose from.
River Winds Farm & Estate offers a unique and picturesque wedding venue and event space. The estate provides a beautiful backdrop for couples looking to create extraordinary memories on their big day.
A family getaway is just the thing to bring your family closer together. Whether you are planning a large family reunion, or gathering as a smaller group to relax, River Winds has the accommodations and amenities to help you make lasting memories.
Where you go and stay for a family vacation or reunion is essential to setting your trip up for success. River Winds features a fully restored antique farmhouse to make your own, an event barn for large groups, and many other buildings and outdoor spaces to enjoy.
Our farmhouse sleeps 16 comfortably, and features a rambling floorplan complete with chef’s kitchen, large dining room, sitting rooms, screened sunroom, and indoor heated pool. There’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy themselves together in small to large groups, or get some solitude indoors or outdoors.
With over 160 acres of lawns, pastures, woods and trails to get outside and enjoy, we are open and available year round. River Winds is near beaches and quaint seaside villages to enjoy summer in Maine, and has loads of space for winter activities right onsite. Cozy up by the firepit in the warmer months, or inside around the fireplace when it’s cold outside.
There can be “too much of a good thing” so space for alone time and gathering in smaller numbers is as valuable to the benefits you’ll get from spending concentrated time together as a large group. Because the Estate is so sprawling, with several indoor and outdoor spaces, the choices are numerous for outdoor activities in any number – from many to a few or just getting some alone time.
Vacations are important for families because they provide a chance to spend quality time together, and have been shown to have positive effects like helping to relieve stress, and improve moods.
Family getaways and reunions begin at River Winds Farm & Estate! Come with your clan and enjoy everything Maine and River Winds has to offer. Contact Us to start planning your family event today!
Getaways for families are important because they provide a unique opportunity to spend genuine quality time together. We get so busy and distracted by daily life and responsibilities that family time often suffers. Getting away for a family vacation takes you out of your normal routine and into family-focused time to make special memories.
There are so many benefits of taking family vacations that it’s worth putting on your bucket list. Here are some of the primary paybacks:
Even if you make an effort to get together for family birthdays or Sunday dinners, they can become predictable after a while. The familiarity of repetitive activities establishes set expectations and behaviors, so we don’t really learn anything new about one another. When you get away from your usual family routine, get people out of their comfort zones so to speak, it gives individuals a chance to show up in a different way.
If you’re lacking family time on a regular basis, a family vacation is a great way to really reconnect with your immediate and extended family. When you come together, in a new location, for the set purpose of getting away as a group, it’s harder for people to bail out on group activities.
When you take a family vacation together, it’s putting everyone on a more even playing field. Everyone is experiencing something new. You’ll make one-of-a kind memories that bring you all together and give you stories to share forever.
Dedicated family time together fosters stronger relationships. Spending extended periods of time together, doing things you don’t normally do, builds bonds either through the challenges or the laughter. These are times when you get to know one another on a deeper level, acquiring insights about individual personalities.
Why not invite the whole gang?! Let’s not forget grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and other extended family members. Invite those that live farther away from you. A family getaway where everyone has to travel levels the playing field and is an equitable effort for everyone.
Every family has challenges between its members. These issues don’t magically go away because you are on vacation. However, being more relaxed, away from everyday life, and in a neutral environment can give people more space to find ways to connect.
One of the best things about vacations is that you can go to different places with different cultures. Children and adults alike can learn together through trying the local cuisine, seeing other traditions and customs, and experiencing different environments. You can see people with different ways of thinking and doing things, helping everyone to be more open to other points of view. This can be a great mirror for family and/or generational differences. Traveling as a family promotes greater cultural awareness and understanding that can be shared as a group.
Most of us, even children, do not get outside nearly enough. Vacations are a perfect opportunity to explore your surroundings, spend time in nature, and get some physical activity. Spending time outdoors is proven to improve overall mental health, sleep and concentration.
River Winds Farm & Estate is a 160-acre family owned and operated property featuring full accommodations, numerous indoor spaces to relax, and outdoor space to enjoy and play. Stay in our historic farmhouse, Austin House, a 8-bedroom, 4 ½ bathrooms house that sleeps 16 comfortably and features a sprawling floorplan complete with chef’s catering kitchen, large dining room, sitting rooms, screened sunroom, and indoor heated lap pool. There is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy themselves together, get some solitude indoors, or walk our several miles of groomed trails down to the Saco River.
Dreaming of saying your wedding vows by the ocean? There certainly isn’t anything quite like a coastal wedding. We’ve rounded up a list of advantages to having your wedding on the beach or near the ocean for you to consider as you plan your special day:
The ocean provides an ambiance that pretty much takes care of itself. Getting married on the beach or near the ocean means panoramic views, the sounds of waves and the smell of the salt water. There’s nothing like an ocean backdrop as you say your vows.
Wedding attire can be stressful for both the wedding party and for your guests. But a beach wedding is far less formal than a traditional wedding. At a beach wedding, the overall environment is casual and informal, your guests can relax and enjoy themselves.
An ocean setting gives photo-opps for days. You can plan pre-wedding photos of you as a couple, as well as family photos by the water. Capture group photos with friends and family on the beach. A coastal wedding gives you a lot of extra ambiance for your wedding photography.
Whether your coastal wedding is a destination wedding, or being held in a local seaside community, many of your guests can take advantage of including a vacation getaway as part of their attendance. A coastal wedding offers the opportunity to add activities before and after the wedding that let you and your guests spend more time together. Your guests can take a few days off to relax and soak up the surroundings. Add smaller events and excursions for your guests to enjoy.
Gorgeous views in every direction, a laid-back vibe to your ceremony, and an overall feeling of calm and relaxation are just a few of the reasons why couples decide to get married on the beach. There are plenty of great reasons that beach weddings are a popular choice, but there are downsides. Being totally dependent on the weather, no escape from heat and wind, and hosting a party in the sand, brings up a lot of challenges. Beaches also tend to have some pretty strict rules about use that can stifle your plans.
While your vision for your wedding is no doubt one that goes off without a hitch, it’s smart to be realistic about potential drawbacks of planning your entire event on the beach. However, you can have the best of both worlds when you plan your ceremony on the beach, but have your reception close by at a venue that can provide a second lovely location in a more manageable setting. Keep the beautiful ocean backdrop for your ceremony, leave the wind, sand and seagulls behind for the rest!
River Winds Farm & Estate is just minutes from several Maine beaches and other coastal spots. Enjoy your ceremony, then make your way back to River Winds for the reception. Our full catering kitchen and bars can accommodate all your food and refreshments (sand-free), and there’s plenty of power and places for seating and dancing. We also have accommodations for you and your wedding party to stay with us, or for getting ready before the ceremony.
Choosing an Event Venue – When you’re planning a special event, finding the right venue usually tops the list. A venue can definitely make all the difference. No matter how much hard work you put into making your event perfect, the wrong venue can overshadow all your hard work. Whether you’re planning a business meeting, a holiday party, a weekend long retreat, or an anniversary party, there are some important things to consider when exploring venues.
As the old real estate saying goes, nothing beats a great location. The venue you choose should be easy for your guests to get to, have ample parking, and be accommodating for individuals of varying mobility. If your event will have out of town guests, choose a location that has a selection of hotels and restaurants in the area. If it’s a multi-day event, try to find a venue that offers attractions to visitors so they have something to do during downtime. For business, and professional or personal development events, choosing a venue in a location where there is great sightseeing, unique cultural or entertainment activities, and other interesting things to do and see, can be a big selling point to get attendees to register.
The venue must be the right size for your event. A space too small will make guests feel crowded. Too large, and it will feel cavernous and underattended. You need to have a pretty good idea how many people will be attending before choosing a venue. Event venues can give you specific capacity information for all their rooms and spaces, so be sure to check that information.
A venue that has different rooms or spaces is a great feature should your event turn out smaller or larger than you originally planned. These options will also give you choices for where to have areas such as registration, special displays, and food set up. Your guests will also appreciate the extra room to move about.
What is a special event without some sort of refreshment?! Whether you are hosting a midday business meeting or an evening cocktail reception, your venue needs to either offer catering or be able to accommodate outsourced catering services. A venue with an adequate kitchen for food preparation is preferable. Also inquire about bar and beverage service options. In order to serve alcoholic beverages at a public venue, someone needs to hold a liquor license. Does the venue have its own staff that will accommodate these needs or will you have to hire an outside caterer to come in and provide everything? The food and beverages is a big part of your overall budget, so be sure you are clear on what you need and what your venue can provide.
All events have a budget, and choosing a venue often comes down to price. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples when considering venues. A venue may charge flat rates for certain things, while others charge by the number of guests. Some require food and beverage minimums, others offer packages. Some venues have a lot of event resources such as tables and chairs, linens and dishes, and A/V equipment on site. These may or may not be included in their packages. At some venues all these items are an additional rental you will need to coordinate and pay for. Be sure to ask what exactly is included, and what might be additional fees. While of course price is important, you want to be sure you can create the event you envision with the least amount of hassle. A lot of individual charges and fees can add up quickly.
Make sure the venue has experienced, helpful and friendly staff! Even if you get a great deal and all the amenities you want, inattentive or cranky staff can ruin your event. Ask questions about the experience of the staff, who is your point of contact throughout the planning process, and who will be there to help you the day of the event. Professional event venues generally have an Event Manager, and you should feel you are getting great customer service right off the bat. You want to be working with someone that will help ensure you have a successful event.
Working with a venue with staff that is experienced in hosting similar events to yours can be priceless. Dedicated event staff can help you with planning details, make helpful suggestions, and guide you through some of the logistics of putting an event together. They will know what type of set up and catering will work, provide A/V support, and even help you plan the menu. Because they know the venue inside and out, they will be able to provide creative solutions should issues arise (and they always do) on the day of your event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-with-country-roads-at-river-winds-farm-tickets-605843001727
Show is 21+ Valid ID is required. No ID No Show
Doors are at 5:30 pm – NO COVER
Show is 6:30 – 9:30 pm – This show may be outdoors weather permitting. Dress accordingly.
Bar available cash or credit – NO BYOB! No beverage containers of any kind allowed on the property.
Beach Dawgs will be onsite at 5:30 pm BBQing all your favorite eats. Please bring cash for BBQ.
Smoking in designated area only – do not dispose of cigarette butts on the property – be cool – use the receptacle!
We close at 10 pm
NO BEVERAGES OR CONTAINERS OF ANY KIND IN OR OUT! Title 28 Maine State Liquor Law.
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Hosting a destination wedding that is far away from home means you’re in for a much greater event and schedule of activities than a local ceremony. Destination weddings are usually more intimate affairs, so you can really plan out how your guests can get the most out of exploring and enjoying their “vacation” getaway to your wedding. It will also be a two-for-one wedding and honeymoon for you and your partner. Consequently, planning such an event is a bit of a project.
You’ve probably decided on a destination wedding because you have a particular place in mind. Not all destinations are the right spot for hosting a distant wedding. The island you fell in love with on vacation may not have any of the accommodations you need for a wedding event. When you decide on a destination wedding, make sure you choose a location that is safe, and will have all the resources you need for your event. Remember things such as accommodations, accessibility, childcare and transportation.
Out of the country, make sure there are no travel warnings, political unrest, or health issues happening in the region. Make sure all your guests will feel comfortable and secure with your location, and be able to get around on their own.
Since you are planning a wedding that is away from your regional area, it’s wise to hire a local professional to help you coordinate your wedding details. This will save you time and money since there are so many details that are difficult to determine from a distance, and someone local will likely get better answers and service. This will save you from spending hours on the phone and computer trying to figure out what will accommodate your needs.
You will need feet on the ground at your location to make sure what you see on a computer screen is legitimate, and to handle local details in person. They will help you have everything organized before you arrive, and be able to finalize last-minute preparations so you don’t arrive to all the hectic details to manage yourself.
If not a planner, than look for hosting your destination wedding at a resort with an on-site concierge-coordinator.
Asking your loved ones to travel for your wedding is a significant request. While many will be happy to join you on your wedding excursion, do your best to make their arrival and stay as comfortable as possible. Check on availability of accommodations around your date. It would be terrible to plan your wedding only to find many of your guests can’t find adequate lodging.
While you don’t have to feel obliged to cover the cost of guest accommodations, it’s thoughtful to offer a list of places to stay close by for a range of budgets. If you’re providing lodging, negotiate and reserve room blocks or multiple condos to save money, keep everyone in the vicinity of the wedding, and to make transportation easier.
Everyone attending your destination wedding will be traveling, and likely unfamiliar with the location. Make sure you or your planner provide resources for various needs such as provision shopping, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and hospitality options. You essentially become a mini-tour guide when you ask people to travel to your wedding. You don’t want your guests to feel lost and abandoned when they arrive.
A destination wedding is more than a one-day ceremony and reception event. Since everyone is traveling, destination wedding activities typically span several days. You want to help your guests acclimate to the location, and enjoy all of their time there, by working out an itinerary ahead of time.
You don’t need to manage guests’ time every moment, but hosting a welcome party and/or expanding your rehearsal dinner to include the larger group for a party afterwards is a nice touch to bring the whole group together. Put together some sort of meet and greet at the first part of your schedule.
Everyone enjoys activities that help them explore new places. Even if you don’t schedule and spring for guest tours or excursions, providing a list of places to go and landmarks to check out will make the most of your guests’ time. Consider interactive activities that will help people get to know one another, such as tours, a wine tasting, or a spa afternoon.
We have the whole package to make you and your guests feel welcomed and entertained in Southern Maine! Our Estate has on-site lodging available, several event spaces indoors and outdoors, and many activities that can be enjoyed right on the property. We are also conveniently located, just minutes from the interstate, beaches, charming Maine communities, and local restaurants and shopping.
The goal of a luxury wedding is to take the traditional wedding up a notch or two, and provide an experience that makes guests feel special and celebrated. Luxury weddings have a feeling of classic style and elegance. The entire event is handled with professional, lavish, and high-quality care.
Many assume that when we talk about a luxury wedding, the most important component is having a huge budget to pull it off. The larger the budget, the more elaborate various wedding elements can be. However, extravagance doesn’t necessarily define luxury.
There is no question that the core of a luxury wedding is quality. If you are planning a luxury wedding, your attention to detail is on every aspect of the event. From choosing the venue, to selecting the wedding attire, to the overall execution of the event. You are designing a day that is anything but ordinary.
The luxury wedding occasion is one that creates unforgettable memories through an experience that has great thought and creativity behind it. When you work with seasoned wedding professionals, you will have the support you need to create your vision and transform your wedding day into that vision.
It’s difficult to pull off a luxury wedding without utilizing the skills and experience of a wedding planner. This professional brings many benefits that actually will save you time and money. They can help with each step of the process, and their expertise will help you find the right venue and resources. Your wedding planner will coordinate the timeline, expectations, and all the vendors on your special day so everyone’s services can be delivered at the luxury standard required.
The gowns and tuxedos of the wedding party create one of the most essential visual elements of a luxury wedding. Attire and gowns will be quality textiles, and include special details like custom tailoring, hand-beading or other special detailing.
Of course, your venue must reflect the level of quality and excellence of a luxury wedding location. The venue should not just be beautiful, but usually offers all the amenities you need. Your venue needs to make your guests feel special and comfortable at the same time. A luxury wedding venue has experienced staff who know how to accommodate special requests, custom layouts, and other special needs.
The food and beverage choices, as well as food service, should really shine at a luxury wedding event. This is not the time for a chicken breast choice, but rather imported specialties or locally sourced cuisine. Choose the best caterer who can develop a menu that exceeds the typical wedding faire, using the highest quality ingredients.
The typical 3-tier wedding cake is not the fit for at a luxury wedding. Consider working with a cake designer who can craft a cake to your overall wedding vision, utilizing unique flavor combinations and distinctive aesthetics.
Often a luxury wedding has a particular atmosphere that possesses simplicity and elegance. From your theme to the uplighting, to fresh, seasonal flowers and luxury décor, everything should work together effortlessly and to your overall vision.
Most luxury weddings include excellent local entertainment. Members of the local symphony or jazz ensemble as a quartet during the cocktail hour. Live music from professional musicians who can deliver elegant dance standards, as well as fun party music.
The caliber of your luxury wedding staff and services is essential to the execution of your luxury wedding vision. Every person involved in your special day should be experienced, and committed to providing the best service possible for you and your guests.
At River Winds Farm & Estate, we understand that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to luxury weddings. Our experienced event staff can work with your planner and vendors, or help you directly with our resources as you plan all the luxurious elements of your wedding event.
Southern Maine is one of the top wedding locations along the eastern seaboard. The outdoor settings offer everything from sandy beaches to acres of countryside and miles of forests. Maine’s rugged backdrop makes this area an attractive location for a local or a destination wedding.
Maine features beautiful locations that provide modern event needs while still celebrating the natural landscape. Activities for you and your wedding guests are numerous. Guests can enjoy village shopping areas, beaches, and scenic drives. Get active outdoors with kayaking along the Saco River, hiking trails through the woods. or enjoy a round of golf. Enjoy Maine activities before the ceremony and reception. There’s fishing, whale-watching boat excursions, or a day at the beach reading a good book.
Unlike other Northeast states, Maine is not as densely populated. The unspoiled landscape offers plenty of access to scenic and uniquely-Maine wedding venues. Another great feature of Maine weddings is that venues are generally more affordable as compared to nearby destinations like Boston or New York City.
River Winds Farm & Estate offers a rustic country backdrop for a wedding, with all the accoutrements and comforts a couple could want.
The wedding venue is located in Saco, Maine. We are minutes from the Turnpike, shopping villages, and Maine’s largest beach. Our convenient location offers a large event barn, antique farmhouse with many modern upgrades, rolling fields, and manicured lawns and gardens.
Prepare in the upstairs chambers of the Austin House, let the groomsmen relax in the Mancave, and have your caterer prepare in our large chef’s kitchen. An outdoor event is perfect in our garden or under an event tent. We can accommodate large parties in our event barn as well. A cocktail reception can be held on the large deck off the barn overlooking the sunset and White Mountains. A buffet or plated dinner can follow inside the Barn with plenty for space left for dancing and celebrating.
We also have a full list of Wedding Resources we are happy to refer you to the pros who can cover all the other wedding details.
We are here to help! Our team can offer all the advice and assistance you could need for your Maine destination wedding. We’ve worked with hundreds of bridal parties, so we can guide you to local vendors and other resources to help you plan the perfect wedding event.