While this review will, of course, focus on Maplewood Country Club, I first must tell you a little bit about myself. I’m as Type A as they come, I work in public relations so my da...ys are spent focused on the logistics and minutia of planning and executing all kinds of programs, events and campaigns, and I run a part-time editing consulting business so I understand the merit of a review and do not leave or take them lightly. I am also rarely at a loss for words (can you tell?) but, that said, my wedding day – due in large part to Edison, the MCC staff and the venue itself – has really left me speechless. But that’s not helpful for anyone, is it? So, let me tell you this:
Edison: He is the epitome of a master banquet manager, but so much more than that, too. He made us feel welcome from the very first visit and was so easy to work with – making me feel like anything I needed or wanted would be handled, rest assured. Any time (and there were plenty of them, trust me) that I reached out with a question in the year and a half between when I booked the venue and had my wedding, he responded with exactly what I needed to know – however big or small. He also recognized my personality and my need to feel in control, and instead of trying to take the reins he worked with me to ensure I was comfortable and felt heard. The day of the wedding was nothing short of magical, and while I still found it in myself to attempt to micromanage some details, there was truly no need. It was handled. Every single time. It still blows my mind that Edison threw a bat mitzvah right before my event (and that it was as if it never happened by the time my first guests arrived) and still gave me his full energy and attention, as if this was just the beginning of his workday. A true professional and just a really great guy, too – which makes it that much better.
The MCC Staff: From the waiters to bartenders and everyone in between, the entire staff practices utmost professionalism and kindness. I was so sad to leave at the end of the night that I found each one of them and made them give me a hug and a kiss. They ensured everything went off without a hitch.
Maplewood Country Club: Given I’m not one to waste any time, I had tours booked at almost 10 venues within a week following my engagement. I really didn’t have a vision (I’m not one of those people who dreamed of her wedding day since she was a little girl, although I wish I had been because that would have made the whole process a lot easier), so I saw a variety of venue types – grand ballrooms, country clubs, hotels, inns, and walked out of all of them feeling the same way I felt walking in: wanting that feeling of “this is the one” but not feeling it. Until MCC. Elegant and grand, yet intimate and quaint all at the same time. It was everything I could’ve dreamed of. Although I grew up in the area, I had never heard of MCC so was so taken back and pleasantly surprised by all it had to offer. The venue presents a flawless ceremony and reception (and I swear, despite my doubts, the staff can flip a room with perfection during cocktail hour). The setting is picturesque, the food is incredible, and the décor is chic yet charming. I wish I could get married there every day.
I could go on and on, but I’ll stop here because I know if you’ve made it to this page you are in the thralls of wedding planning and certainly don’t have time to sit here and read my novel.
Net/net: Just exquisite.