Richmond Area Business Association

Richmond Economic Development Committee:  Wedding Destination

The Richmond Area Wedding Destination group has launched and we are very excited about marketing our businesses to visitors considering an elegant country wedding destination location.

We are putting together a list of the local vendors who provide wedding related products or services.

Our wedding vendor list will be included in the packet of information which is sent out to anyone who inquires about the Round Church and will be on the RABA web site for those who get their information on line. Each of the vendors on the list will also distribute this with any inquiries so we can promote each other’s businesses.

Those businesses who have attended the planning meetings and are on the list so far include:

1) Richmond Round Church- Historical Society Fran Thomas and Sally Singer

The Round Church held 19 weddings last year and have 25 planned for this year. In its busiest year, the Church held 42 weddings. Wedding revenue pays for the Church’s maintenance and the  $500 fee includes host services to open and attend the church for the rehearsal and the wedding.  Accessible to 140 guests on first floor, the venue can accommodate a total of 200 guests. When weddings are booked for the same day, they are scheduled 3 hours apart if on the same day to allow sufficient time to transition from one party to the next. Because there is no heat, winter weddings are rare.

2) VYCC Monitor Barn

Caroline Smith is an event planner who contracts with VYCC to assist with weddings.  The Monitor Barn has 15 weddings events booked so far this year.  50% of weddings hold both the ceremony and reception at the Barn. Saturday wedding fee is $3,500-$4,000 for use of the barn. This cost includes tables and chairs, Friday set up and use of the fields.

3) The Ponds at Bolton, Samantha Buczek and Josh Arneson

The Ponds currently has 25 weddings booked. In addition to ceremonies and receptions, they provide lodging, able to reserve blocks of 20 rooms/ couple and more for larger weddings. They have agreed to distribute a list of local wedding-related vendors.

4) Shem Roose Photography, Wedding Photographer

Shem is a professional, local photographer whose work you can see on www.shemroose.com

5) On The Rise Bakery, Ben Bush

On the Rise provides vegetarian catering, including cakes, pastries and pies for up to 200 for wedding and local food banquets.

7) Gallery 160 Main Street, Richmond Scott Funk

Gallery 160 is a good location for last minute wedding gifts including original photographs, jewelry and other treasured items.

8) Green Mountain Ceramics at 1063 Jericho Rd.,  Lionel and Marilyn Blow

Green Mountain Ceramics is a web-based business that offers wedding gifts of all kinds at www.greenmtceramics.com.

10) North Photography  - Kathleen Porter

Kathleen provides professional wedding photography services. Her website is www.north-photo.com

11) Richmond Victorian Inn, Joyce and Frank Stewart

The Richmond Victorian in offers five guest rooms. In addition, they can provide wedding rehearsal dinners or cocktail parties for 25 guests as a buffet or 18-20 as a sit down meal.

12) Windekind Farm & Country Inn, Mark Smith 

In the past eight years, Windekind Farm has held 74 weddings. There are two cottages and a small inn for lodging.

13) Alison Anand, Violinist

Alison is a classical and jazz violinist with access to small chamber group. With a large, scenic field, beautiful gardens with a hearts theme, gazebo and swimming pool, her home property is also a potential wedding location.

14) Sweethearts of Vermont, Anne O’Brien  

Sweethearts of Vermont provides 100% pure maple sugar hearts for weddings and event favors.  Hand made in Richmond with local maple syrup.

------

We want this list to expand!  If you have a wedding service or product and would like to be included in these marketing plans please contact us!

Shem Roose and Anne O’Brien co- chairs -434-4250.