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Woodland Catering: Looking Forward to the 2021 Season

1/6/2021

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Each week we will be posting a blog on various topics from our catering partner, Woodland Catering!
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A note from Woodland Catering looking forward to the 2021 Wedding & Event Season! 

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It’s 2021.

​From the perspective of a small business owner, the last 12-months have been a steady railway ride down into the abyss of uncertainty.  That is not to say that it was a waste of a year or even that it was all negative. It was the uncertainty that was anxiety inducing but the hard times can be building blocks on which we construct the success of our future. We were lucky enough to be able to pivot our business focus and continue to create revenue even as our event schedule slowly but steadily vanished before our eyes. I wouldn’t wish a repeat of 2020 on anyone, business owner or not, but I also know that my business will be better and stronger because of it. We are the sum of all of our experiences and often we grow more from the bad than from the good. All of us are smart enough to understand that the circumstances of our lives will not change simply because our arbitrary calendar changes over from one year to the next. The success or failure of the past 12 months of our lives are dependent on our own actions and circumstances and have nothing to do with the number on the calendar. All of that being said, I welcome the cross over into 2021 as a mental delineation signalling a season of change. 
 
With the vaccine upon us, but still months away from being administered to the masses, uncertainty still hovers over us. We have spent much of our time over the last months determining how we can adapt to our new normal. It is our goal to provide for our clients the same experience we promised them. While in some cases things may look slightly different, we are committed to going above and beyond what would typically be required of us to ensure that, for at least one day, we can lift the clouds of the anxiety we have been living with and immerse our clients and their guests in the sunshine of an experience they will never forget. 
 
In a more practical sense, there is much we are doing to provide minimum interference with the plans we have set forth while still maintaining adherence to the guidelines. It is almost a certainty that part of our wedding season will occur with state Covid guidelines in place. Limits on guest counts and guests interaction, under certain circumstances, will be a concern. The ability for guests to self serve any food or beverage will be in jeopardy. We have developed service techniques and overall event flow to allow for our client’s guests to receive the same experience they expect without knowing that any changes have even been made. We are fully staffing all buffets, stations, bars, and hors d’oeuvre displays. We have increased table service to limit the congregation of guests at service areas. Our servers and managers are trained in gently moving the flow of guests in certain directions to encourage social distancing and the use of outdoor or more ventilated space. Our extremely close relationship with the staff at the Barn at Bradstreet Farm allows for integrated planning and fully cooperative focus on event days. Masks will continue to be a staple of service and kitchen employees for the foreseeable future and our kitchen staff have been Covid certified in food handling.
 
While we are a food service operation, what we really provide our guests is peace-of-mind at a time that can be anxiety ridden if not handled properly. We endeavor to continue to remove stress and worry from our client’s lives and allow them to fully experience a very important moment in their life so that they can create the memories that we all look back on fondly. Our tactics have evolved, our mission has not. 


Ryan Costigan
Chef/Owner
Woodland Catering
ryan@woodlandcatering.com
www.WoodlandCatering.com
978-662-1192
 


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Newly Engaged? Congratulations!! Here are some tips for planning a wedding with how things are in the wedding world right now! :)

1/3/2021

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Photo by our friend & amazingly talented Molly Quill Photography


Did you recently say yes to marrying your best friend?!? Congratulations!!  

Raise your hand if you are ready to have something to celebrate- I know we are! Pop the champagne, post a picture on social media and celebrate! This is exciting! 

Next step- plan the wedding! Some of you have been dreaming of this since you were little but for others this is foreign territory. It's ok. We are here to help! (Have I ever mentioned that I owned a wedding & event planning business for a LONG time before opening Bradstreet Farm?! Yes, so I have a lots of knowledge in this subject. More on that later) 

But for now, let's talk about how to plan a wedding in this new world we are living in. Wedding planning right now for the most part is the same as it always has been and always will be- find the person, then the place where you want to say I do and pick a date! Voila! Easy enough, right? Pretty much! 

Well, may be a bit harder to find the place and the date right now so I thought I would write a quick blog to help you understand what is going on and get a game plan going to help you find your dream wedding venue! This is full of great ideas so stay with me. 

Here is what is going on in the wedding world right now... 

  • Most couples used to book about 9 - 15 months out for the wedding date. 
  • Now we have people booking almost 2 years out already! 
  • Lots of people have moved their 2020 weddings to 2021. This filled the 2021 wedding dates MUCH faster than past years and subsequently forced a lot of people who would have gotten married in 2021 to book a 2022 date instead. 
  • So right now, as I sit here typing this to you we are about 60% AHEAD of bookings for 2022 than we have seen in all the years I have been doing this. ( I don't want to give away my age but let's just say I have been in the industry for more than 14 years... man I feel 39 today, oops.) 

So, when you talk to a venue and they tell you they don't have a lot of dates left - they are not trying to be pushy and salesy- legit dates are moving QUICK!  Like Cabbage Patch Dolls at Christmas in the 80's- QUICK. 

So what do you do? How do you make a decision about a venue without feeling rushed and overwhelmed? 

Here are my tips to help ease the stress, keep you organized and help you find your dream wedding venue! 

  1. Get a guest list/count together. You need this first This will help narrow your search. You need to know if you guest count can fit at your venue. (we can fit all size weddings here at Bradstreet, just saying). 
  2. Have a real - deal talk about your budget. Talk to all the people who may be helping and put those numbers on a spreadsheet and get real about what you can spend. Then think about what makes sense for you- 2021 or 2022 for a wedding date. 2022 gives you a little more time to save but 2021 pricing may be a better fit for you. Then when you are looking at venues, ONLY look at ones you can really afford. 
  3. Find a time of year and day of the week you want to look for. Then decide what you will work with depending on availability when you find your dream venue. Many people who never would have dreamt of hosting a Friday wedding are now booking one! You get to save a few dollars on your venue rental fee and guests will understand. Trust me when I tell you that you can not tell which of our weddings happened on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or even a THURSDAY- yup- Thursday- when you look at the photos on our Instagram feed. They are all beautiful! But for real, have a game plan going in and talk to the VIPS helping you plan. Does Mom/Dad/Bestie know you want to get married in 2021 no matter what dates your dream wedding venue has open or do they think you should wait until 2022 so that you can have a Saturday wedding? Talk to everyone BEFORE you get to the venue so that things are easier if you decide to go ahead and book because again- think Cabbage Patch Dolls- dates are moving FAST. 
  4. Narrow your list to 5-7 venues that you TRULY can afford, fit your guest count and can see yourself getting married at. Unfortunately this is not the time to go see 25 venues, the venues are super busy and it will just be too much for you. Narrow your search and then reach out to those top choices. 
  5. Set up a call with the venue first. This is something I require for everyone who is interested in our venue. We chat about your wedding and I tell you about our venue all before you even get here. This way you can make sure we are a good fit before you take your tour. Again, spend your time wisely and plus when you get here- or to any venue- you have all the knowledge you need so you really just get to look at all the pretty stuff- like our vineyard behind our ceremony area- have you seen it?!? It's new and dreamy. Perfect place to get married, just saying. 
  6. Then after you have had calls with your favorites, go ahead and book a few tours. :) 

I know it seems fast but once you have toured, you may need to make a decision quickly if you have a specific time of year in mind. Today alone we booked 4 weddings and it is only 5pm. We only host 1 wedding or event a day and are closed over the winter, so that is a lot of us in one day to book! That is just how fast dates are being scooped up. 

But here is the silver lining to booking a venue and a date quickly- you have your wedding venue!! YAY!! You will need to book your vendors sooner than later right after you secure your venue but if you work with a venue like ours that have vendors who are guaranteed to be available on your day ( email me to find out how that coolness happens), you can book the others and then take a break for a minute before securing the rest! Our 2022 clients can really take a breath after they secure their vendors and enjoy the engagement too! 

Have I told you yet that you are actually supposed to enjoy the engagement too?? For real, you are! So take this advice, follow what I say and you just might find yourself enjoying everything about this whole wedding planning process! 

This is the fun stuff guys,  I promise! Enjoy it!

Thanks for reading and hope this helps! 

xx Cheers! 

~Tiffany J. Learned

Guardian of the Venue as one of our 2019 clients called me.
(I am a secret Marvel geek so I took that as a HUGE compliment. Pretty much made my year.)


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Congratulations, You Said Yes! Advice on What To Do Now That You Are Engaged!

12/25/2019

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Beautiful photo of one of our Bradstreet Farm couples who did their engagement session on the farm with Jess Sinatra Photography!
You've gotten engaged! Congratulations! Now what are your next steps?


1. Celebrate!! Bask in the moment and enjoy the fact that you will be marrying the love of your life. This is something that should be celebrated and enjoyed. 

2. Sit down with your partner and set a budget. Having a realistic budget will help you establish a solid base for which all your planning can be done around. 

3. Decide a date - or at least a ballpark. Sometimes the exact date you want isn't available with the venue you fall in love with. If you can be flexible with your date, you can have the best of both worlds. We happen to think the Barn at Bradstreet Farm is stunning in spring, summer or fall - so you can't go wrong if we are the right fit for you. 

4. Prioritize things that are important to you as a couple. Need rich, organic farm to table food? Find your perfect caterer. Need the perfect blooms? Find your florist. Make sure that you and your partner make what you want in your wedding a priority. 

5. Celebrate some more. This is such an amazing time! If you think the Barn at Bradstreet Farm may be your dream venue - please feel free to send us an email to schedule a discovery call. Congratulations on your engagement! 

Congrats!
~Tiffany & The Entire Bradstreet Farm Team! 
Tiffany@BradstreetFarm.com 
978-380-8156
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Barn at Bradstreet Farm Vendor Spotlight: Sweet Annie Floral

12/20/2019

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Gorgeous bouquets from Sweet Annie Floral Design!
​Sweet Annie is a boutique floral design studio, based in Newburyport MA.  Owner and lead designer, Katie Rocheford, started Sweet Annie from a passion for bringing loved ones into her home and creating special and creative settings for them to enjoy over gatherings and holidays.  Katie is a big believer in celebrating life’s milestones and going the extra mile to make any occasion special.  Katie and her team pride themselves on creating well-thought out and beautifully designed events…ones that their clients and their guests will talk about for years to come!  

Sweet Annie’s involvement with the farm is an exciting opportunity, as Katie will be providing our clients with high end blooms sourced from our area’s local farms.  Utilizing flowers that are grown locally not only ensures that clients will be receiving the freshest possible materials but also supports other small business owners, enhancing the flower community for our neighboring farms.  

Katie’s garden-inspired design aesthetic is the perfect fit for locally grown materials, resulting in bouquets, arrangements and installations that are organic, natural, and lush in nature.

When working with Sweet Annie, you will be sure to have a personalized and exceptional experience.  Katie and her team are excited to meet you, hear all about your vision and to make all your floral dreams come true!
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Katie, owner and lead designer of Sweet Annie, creating magic for another happy bride!
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Another Sweet Annie masterpiece!
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Want to learn more? 

Sweet Annie Floral Design
Katie Rocheford

Studio
7 Prince Place, #102
Newburyport, MA 01985
(781) 424-8190
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hello@sweetanniefloraldesign.com

www.sweetanniefloraldesign.com

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K & R's September Wedding at Bradstreet Farm

12/14/2019

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On a beautiful September day, K & R had their perfect wedding here at the Barn at Bradstreet Farm! 




Vendor Team who made the day just perfect: 
Day-Of Coordinator: CKT Signature Events 
Catering: Wooden Spoon Catering Company
Bartending: Premier Bar Service 
Florals: Beachplum Flower Shop
Photography: Michelle Frederick Photography
Tent: Exeter Events & Tents 
DJ: DJ Chris Profenna 
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Pantone 2020 Color of the Year- Classic Blue

12/10/2019

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Pantone has announced it's color of the year for 2020 and we are excited to see that it's Classic Blue.

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​This relaxing color is so versatile and can be used anywhere in your wedding, from suits to table linens. It also makes for a stunning contrast against the lush greenery and sweeping field views of the Barn at Bradstreet Farm. We can't wait to see if Classic Blue makes its way into our 2020 weddings. 
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Name the Bradstreet Babies!

6/8/2019

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The Bradstreet Babies are here and we need your help naming them! 

We now have 4 new little bundles of love -2 baby boy goats (kids) and 2 fluffy baby boy lambs! These absolutely adorable loves now need names and this is your chance to name them. 

Here is how the contest works: 

Eligibility: any person or couple who signs a contract and submits their initial payment by cash/check to hold a paid event at the Barn at Bradstreet Farm by midnight ET on June 30, 2019 (contract/payment must be in by June 30; event can be held after that date).


  • One entry per person for a signed contract (if two people are on contract, both get an entry).
  • One entry per person for tagging an engaged friend on Facebook.

Terms of Contest: 
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All entrants agree to let the Barn at Bradstreet Farm use their full name, social media handle and likeness in any promotional material.

Barn at Bradstreet Farm has final approval over names, which can't contain profanity.

Two winners will be selected. The first selected can decide if they want to name the two baby goats or the two baby sheep. The second selected will name the other two animals.
Winners will be announced via Facebook and Instagram by July 3, 2019. 

If the Barn at Bradstreet Farm staff deems the names inappropriate, the winner may be disqualified from the contest and an alternate winner will be selected.


Email Tiffany@BradstreetFarm.com with any questions! 

Happy baby naming! 
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Barn at Bradstreet Farm Vendor Spotlight: Sperry Tent Seacoast

3/14/2019

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We are so thrilled to introduce you to our exclusive tent and rental partner here at Bradstreet Farm- Seacoast Tents Seacoast! 

Seacoast Tent Seacoast is a second-generation family owned and operated event rental company. The current owner, Ashley Parkin, started working for the family business as dish room help at the age of 14 and progressed into sales at age 17. After graduating from Brandeis University in 2007, Ashley rejoined the family business and took over the company in 2014. She has helped the company grown into a qualified team of individuals who take pride in being a part of the most professional and trusted company in the area.
 
As a full-service rental company, Sperry Tents Seacoast offers everything a client needs for an event from tents to tableware. They provide a variety of tenting options including Clear Frame Tents and Sailcloth Tents. They have beautiful rustic tables and chairs, ceremony arches, and wooden bars- perfect for any New England event.
 
What truly sets this company apart is their pledge to their core values of Pride, Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Accountability, and Adaptability. Ultimately, the combination of this company’s products and services coupled with their team’s commitment to excellence has been this company’s recipe for success for the past 30+ years!
 
If you have an event coming up, give them a call at 603-570-4857 and set up a time to go see their showroom in Newmarket NH!
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For more information about Sperry Tents Seacoast  visit their website at
www.sperrytentsseacoast.com
info@sperryt.com

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Beautiful Barn at Bradstreet Farm Wedding Inspiration

2/16/2019

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Watching out clients design their special day here at the Barn at Bradstreet Farm is always so much fun but having a chance to dress up your own venue with some of your favorite vendors for a barn wedding inspiration photoshoot may just be one of our favorite things to do! 

On a warm, sunny day last July, we transformed our beautiful farm wedding venue into something straight out of a magazine to show our clients what they could do for their wedding day! 

Thank you so much to our amazing vendor team to helping up make this happen: 

Tent, tables, dishes and glassware: Sperry Tents Seacoast 
Photographer: Brit Perkins Photography
Makeup: Nic Swanson Makeup Artist
Florals: Beach Plum Flower Shop
Stationary: Simply B
Bridal Gown: Pure Bliss Bridals 
Planning & Design: Detailed Engagements 
Day of Assistance: Paradise Planning 
Officiant: Anna Bacall Officiant

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Barn at Bradstreet Farm Vendor Spotlight: Woodland Catering

2/12/2019

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Woodland Catering Owner and Lead Chef, Ryan Costigan doing what he does best!
They say the way to your heart is through your stomach so that must be why so many of our clients just fall in love with Ryan Costigan and his Woodland Catering style!  Cheers to another one of our amazing catering partners here at the Barn at Bradstreet Farm! 

​Ryan was raised on the north shore of Massachusetts with his 2 brothers. After receiving his 4-year college degree, Ryan went on to graduate from the Professional Chef Program at The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. He then went on to work in many Boston area restaurants. But it was a stint in 2007 and 08 as the Head Chef for Green Olive Catering that sparked his interest in catering and started him on a journey build Woodland Catering from the ground up. 
The food at Woodland Catering is the culmination of years of working towards the understanding of technique and ingredients. The process included concepts that would separate Woodland Catering from its competitors. A focus on locally grown and processed goods was always the first necessary step. As this idea developed, the realization that this would be a hospitality company first and a food company second began reveal itself. This combination of great food made with local ingredients alongside stellar service and communication have been the building blocks guiding the progression of the business. These building blocks align perfectly with the philosophy that The Barn at Bradstreet Farm has adopted. 
Today Ryan makes his home in Merrimac with his wife and four young boys. His goal now is to continue to build this business in his image. This includes fostering relationships with other local businesses that share similar values and philosophy. Our custom menus will align perfectly with your special day and will always project the imagery our clients want to convey. As we like to say: “We don’t make food for you. We create food with you.”

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Want to learn more? 

Woodland Catering 
Ryan Costigan 
978-662-1192
ryan@woodlandcatering.com
www.WoodlandCatering.com


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Hello@BradstreetFarm.com
239 Main Street Rowley, MA 01969
978-380-8156
The Barn at Bradstreet Farm is private property - we live here! So please make an appointment for a tour - please don't just drop in. We want to be ready for you.! Please email Hello@BradstreetFarm.com to set up an appointment - thank you!
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