Due to Covid-19 Coronavirus, our wedding industry was turned upside down over night in the month of March. Fortunately my spring couples were able to postpone their weddings to later dates with ease. It was hard to see them come to the conclusion that the postponement must be done and see how disappointing and upsetting it was for them.

But each handled themselves SO well, and we are all just trying to stay positive and see the good in the situation. I reached out to a few venue coordinators to see how that process of scheduling changes went for them.

First of the list is Constance from Riverhouse in Saint Augustine. Enjoy!

Please Introduce yourself: Constance Wiecking River House Events Sales & Marketing Manager

1. At what point did you know you needed to contact the brides to let them know it was best to postpone their date?

On or about March 10th, I reached out to the upcoming March couples to say that we were taking it day by day and as long as we were not ordered to close we would stay open. March 14th was our last wedding and then we were told that following Tuesday that no large gatherings could occur. Since we had been in touch the week prior the couple was disappointed but understood . They rescheduled for July 17.

2. How did brides respond to such huge changes in their plans?

All things considered, they were very understanding as we worked very hard to help them find the next best date available. Luckily, all of our couples stuck with us and chose other dates- 17 postponements so far , no weddings cancelled. I consider us very fortunate and we are very thankful for their allegiance to us❤

3. What method did you advise them to reach out to their guests and vendors about rescheduling?

I came up with a “postponement” form rather than using our usual cancellation form and on it they could request a new date.I gave them 24 hours with a possible date to reach out to vendors and family and then they could finalize it . We transferred all payments to date to their new date without penalty.

4. What do you know about wedding insurance and if it covers situations like this?

We do not require event insurance only host liquor liability insurance. Although we strongly recommend our brides (especially in hurricane season) get event insurance. This is such a unique situation I am not sure how the insurers are handling it.Do you recommend your couples purchasing a policy for times like this? We have an “Act of God” clause in our contract and after that clause is where we recommend event insurance.

5. How do you foresee the wedding business in the fall with the overflow of spring brides rescheduling plus the couples already booked for fall?

Very busy with our business already booked for the Fall coupled with our “old” Spring business.

6. What advice did you give your brides to stay calm and show compassion during this stressful time for them?

I did not really give advice, I figured they were probably already getting too much advice from family .But, I definitely did my best to be empathetic and reassuring during this very unsettling time. I took the “we are all in this together” approach and that we will all get through it together!

Is there anything else I should be asking that you think readers would want to know? That our hearts are wounded along with theirs but that through suffering we can be reminded of the strength we can gain from the love that surrounds us. Don’t mean to sound cheesy!

Enjoy photos from a recent Riverhouse Events Wedding

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Frequently Asked Questions – Riverhouse Events Venue:

Where do guests park?

There is limited parking at River House but there is ample parking directly across the street in a well-lit lot located beside and behind our other day-use facility, the Coastal Community Center. All parking is free.

Do you offer valet parking?

Valet parking can be arranged upon request.

How many guests will the Grand ballroom hold?

We can accommodate 240 guests seated or 400 reception style.

May I bring my own food?

All food (except the cake) must be prepared and served by one of our approved caterers .

How long is the rental time?

You have 8 hours total from the start of set up to the end of clean up. A typical ceremony and reception is 5 hours with 2 hours for set up and 1 hour for clean up. Receptions are 4 hours.

You may arrange up to 2 hours of additional set up time for $100 per hour. One additional hour of event may be arranged for $500 per hour.

All additional rental time must be arranged in advanced only.

How many weddings/events do you do in one day?

We do only one event per day so there are no worries about overlapping events.

How do I reserve a date?

A $1,500 non-refundable deposit reserves your date and a contract must be signed shortly there after. All deposits can be made by cash, check made payable to “COA”, or any major credit card.

When is the balance due?

The balance is due 30 days prior to your event payable by check made out to “COA”.

How and when should I apply for the insurance coverage?

No later than 2 weeks out. We recommend using a local agent Trish Wood at VanDyke Norman 904-819-5949. You will need to get a 1 day $1M host liquor liability insurance policy with St Johns County Council On Aging as the added insured. Please have a copy of the certificate emailed to us.

What is the link to view the linen swatches?

www.cdlinen.com .. click on products and then “solids”..there are 56 colors to choose from.

How is the lighting outside at night?

Out front – the fountain area is spot lit, the covered entryway is illuminated, and there are lanterns on the either side of the front doors. In the back – the building, terrace and stairs are lit. The observation deck has small down lights. For photography purposes, your photographer will know the best lighting to use for pictures!

When do I have my “walk through” appointment?

Your walk through appointment is approximately 30 days prior to your event. They take approximately 60-90 minutes and are scheduled in advance for Tuesday –Friday 10am-4pm. A walk through form will be emailed to you prior to your appointment so that you can be prepared for what will be discussed.

Will someone from River House be present during my event?

Yes, we have 2 staff members present at each event.

Tonya Beaver Photography Studio Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL

318 First Ave N

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

To view more Wedding Sessions, please visit:

https://www.tonyabeaverphotography.com/weddings

For more Wedding pricing, please visit:

https://www.tonyabeaverphotography.com/wedding

Hi, I’m Tonya, a Jacksonville Florida Photographer. I specialize in photographing weddings, families, and babies. I would love to hear all about your photography needs to see if we’re a right fit for each other. As a photographer, I get to capture the most exciting and life changing experiences in people’s lives.

Not only in Jacksonville, but all over North Florida: Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island, St. Augustine, etc.

I know there are quite a few photographers in Jacksonville so it can be overwhelming. But I invite you to check out my wedding, family, and newborn portfolio. Also, feel free to check out some of my reviews that my previous clients have given me. Jacksonville is one of the most beautiful areas for photographing engagements, weddings and family photos. From the beach, golf clubs, parks, downtown, gorgeous churches and so much more. I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you more!

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(904) 382-6354

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River House Events | A note from Constance Wiecking Sales & Marketing Manager