East Gippsland Wedding Planner

www.eastgippslandweddingexpo.com.au | EAST GIPPSLAND WEDDING PLANNER 2017 43 Bairnsdale Racing Club has been hosting engagement parties, wedding ceremonies and receptions for generations, offering brides and grooms all they need to make their big day as smooth running as it can be. “Why would couples go anywhere else?” club manager, Brenda McPhan, said. “Not only can they get married here, where we have beautiful lawns for ceremonies, an arbour and gardens for photos, we also have a room where guests can enjoy pre- dinner drinks before they can all move into the dining room for the reception. “It’s a one-stop-shop when it comes to wedding locations.” A real plus when getting married on the racecourse’s lawn is the ability for guests to see the bride arrive in all her glory. “Often a lot of money is spent on the car that the bride arrives in, whether it’s a vintage car or something else really special,” Brenda said. “Because the driver can drive right onto the lawned area, the guests can see the bride and the amazing car she’s being delivered in as it happens, not wait to see it in photos later.” Also a bonus is the club’s balcony, which was added to the building about 10 or 12 years ago. “We’ve held more weddings here since that was added,” Brenda said. GRAND FUNCTIONS AT THE WINNING POST “Often it’s out on the balcony that the music is set up. People can dance outside, not get too hot, and those who want to be inside can talk and not be over run by the music. The outside music is not a problem as the racecourse is out of town and away from residential areas, so it’s not as restricted by noise concerns. “Especially between about October to April, when the nights are a bit warmer, we can have some really beautiful evenings out on the balcony with great views out over the racecourse and to the mountains in the distance.” Wedding costs can easily get out of hand with all the seemingly little things, such as hiring cutlery and crockery, tables, chairs and kitchen facilities, but at the Bairnsdale Racing Club many of those considerations are included in the package. The large room can be arranged ready for decorators to come in for the personalised touch. Around 140 guests can comfortably sit down to a three-course meal while a couple of hundred would be comfortable in a cocktail setting. The club has its own caterer, who can provide finger food options right through to three-course meals. Utilise him and the kitchen hire is waived. Bar and wait staff are included. Contact Brenda at Bairnsdale Racing Club to see how the club’s facilities can help your wedding run smoothly with a stunning result.