Melanie O’Brien Wellington National Golf Club

What is your position, and what does that job entail?

I serve as the director of catering at Wellington National Golf Club. My primary responsibility is to help promote the club’s unique facilities for social and corporate events, and I also spend a good deal of time in meetings and corresponding with clients. Guests interested in touring the venue will arrange their tours through me, so that I can outline how our facility may best fit into their plans. I really enjoy helping our clients achieve their vision for the event, and that includes creating unique menus, proposals and assisting with making arrangements on the client’s behalf, such as hiring entertainment, rentals, etc. I am also directly responsible for making sure that all last-minute details, including the coordination of timelines, floor plans and staffing, are complete in order to execute the event exactly the same way that the client has envisioned it.

 

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

I love the creative aspect of what I do. Every event is different, and I really enjoy the fast-paced and ever-evolving environment. I thrive on collaborating with others, as well as researching themes and menus, all to achieve the client’s vision.

 

What makes your venue unique as a wedding location?

Wellington National Golf Club has so many great characteristics for all types of events, including weddings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and more, and we are a large venue that can accommodate up to 400 guests. The ballroom has beautiful ceiling draping, as well as plank-style flooring, in addition to picturesque natural light, as it opens up onto a beautiful piazza, which is tropically landscaped and perfect for an outdoor ceremony. My favorite room is the Wine Bar, which is handcrafted with wine barrels, and chandeliers made from wine bottles, but the focal point is really the ceiling, because it is crafted from unique wine boxes that have been hand cut and stained to reflect old-world style. It’s the perfect spot for rehearsal dinners or your cocktail hour before your reception. It’s definitely a must-see!

 

How do you work with couples to customize their celebrations?

I think that it is important to be flexible with the couples who choose to work with us. We want their special day to be exactly that — special! We are happy to customize menus and cocktails for them, and we encourage them to outline their vision of the perfect day, and then it’s our job to make that vision come to fruition.

 

What are some current wedding trends that you have noticed?

I think the best part of weddings today is that couples are encouraged to make it their own and put their twist, taste and style on the festivities. Today the trend is an anti-trend.

 

Why should couples choose your venue for their wedding?

Couples should choose Wellington National because not only is our venue beautiful, unique and centrally located, but we are here to make things as easy and stress-free as possible for them. We pride ourselves on being flexible with almost every detail to ensure that each couple gets the day that they have been waiting their whole lives for!

 

The Wellington National Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 333-5731 or visit www.wellingtonnationalgolfclub.com.