New Wedding Packages Available - Ease and Convenience for the Bride and Groom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Wedding 'Package' from Virginia Crossings Resort Or, "Leave the Worries to Us"

A gorgeous setting, excellent food, elaborate amenities (white-gloved butler passing hors d’oeuvres!), choice of linen colors, deluxe room for the bride and groom—Virginia Crossings Resort’s new “wedding package” takes care of it all.

The bride, groom, family and guests need only arrive for a “Memorable Wedding” as Virginia Crossings Resort has named its package.

“People enjoy the convenience,” says Andy Christie, director of operations at the resort. Christie says the “package” wedding, that is, paying ‘per head’ for the works, has been popular at other resorts where he has worked such as Turtle Bay Resort on the North shore of Oahu, Hawaii; North Maple Inn, in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and Casperkill Country Club in Poughkeepsie, New York.

“The package wedding may be less familiar in Virginia”, Christie said, but he believes busy brides, grooms and their families will appreciate the convenience of, in effect, one-stop-wedding-shopping that is “tailored to our guests’ special needs”.

There are many options, the bride and groom may choose from time of the event, brunch, “deluxe sit down package”, buffet package or cocktail reception. Prices vary, as would be expected, according to the choices.

But the following are included in all the wedding packages:
floor length table linen, choice of colored linen napkins, the rooms for bride and groom with early check-in, courtesy special rate room blocks for wedding guests, a champagne toast, wedding cake, cake cutting, dance floor, gift and cake tables, easel for portraits, the gloved butler, wine service throughout the dinner, premium bar, seating charts, place cards, pedestal centerpieces for your flower arrangement, votive candles and menu tastings.

As Christie says, “Our mission at Virginia Crossings Resort is to provide the most memorable wedding event to our guests in the greater Richmond area.”

Wedding ceremonies may be held at the resort inside or in the courtyard over-looking the 20-acre beautifully manicured grounds in front of the imposing Colonial styled, white-columned hotel. As for the risk of outdoor weddings, Christie said “We always have a back up room in the hotel.”

“There are no hidden costs. Everything is up front,” he said.

The time of the event results in differences in prices. Saturday night is the premium time for weddings but Friday nights, Sundays and Saturday afternoons can save on cost.

The packages have been so popular that Virginia Crossings is beginning to fill in bookings for late 2005. In fact, 2006 inquiries are have started as well.

To give an idea of cost for an “all inclusive” wedding at Virginia Crossings Resort, A deluxe sit-down for 200 guests with top of the line choices (wine, open bar and top entrée such as tenderloin and shrimp) on Saturday night will run approximately $31,250. The cost per guest is about $122.

The most moderate package would be Sunday brunch for 200 for approximately $18,750. The cost per guest is about $75.

In both cases, 5 percent tax and 20 percent service charge figures will be added but amounts are available at the time of selection so hosts and hostesses know exactly what they will be paying.

“I believe Richmonders and Virginians will be as appreciative of this easy, relaxing way to host a wedding reception as I have experienced elsewhere,” Christie said.

Virginia Crossings Resort is managed by Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodland (Houston), Texas.

For more information contact: Virginia Crossing Resort’s Catering Sales Office, 804-727-1400.

CONTACT: Nancy Finch
804-644-7101 or
Andy Christie
804-727-1421

Virginia Crossings Resort is a Benchmark hotel that offers 183 guest rooms, a full service restaurant, sports lounge and, adjoining, The Crossings Golf Club, a Joe Lee designed championship course that is one of the most playable and scenic 18-hole courses in Virginia. The hotel is 90 miles from Washington DC, 90 miles from Norfolk and 75 miles from Charlottesville. Richmond International Airport is just 20 minutes away.

CONTACT: Ken Ellens 
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