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By Gerry Dungan/Trend
Pictured are Andrew DiPasquale (center), head of the Normandy Farms Floral Design, posing with his staff, Sue Domin (left) and Julie Farling, with their creation, “A Table of Elegance,” at the Farm’s bi-annual wedding open house, held on June 19, attracting over 400 guests.
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Not your typical wedding venue — not your typical farm
A farm may be the last place you’d want to hold your wedding, but Normandy Farm in Blue Bell isn’t your typical farm.
In fact, The Knot Magazine voted it the number one wedding venue in 2007, and again in 2008.
“When people hear about us, they say ‘Oh, I don’t want to get married in a barn,’” said Gary Bolotin, event planning manager at Normandy Farm. “Then they see the magnificence of the dripping chandeliers.”
He was referring to the lighting in Normandy Farm’s Grand Ballroom, where the bi-annual wedding open house was held on June 19.
The event, which attracted approximately 400 people from in and around the Greater Philadelphia region, is designed to showcase the wide variety and unique enhancements the farm may provide to engaged couples.
Some of those enhancements include an ice-sculptured martini bar, a confectionary delight by award-winning pastry chef Colleen Winston, or one of the many dishes created by local culinary sensation Jim Coleman, whose popular restaurant is also on the premises.
Of course, Normandy Farm is not actually a crop-producing or animal domicile. Rather, it is a state-of-the-art hotel, conference center and wedding venue.
However, due to the farm’s status on the National Register of Historical Places, it has restored its late 1800s French Country style, complete with white, stucco walls that are framed by the original wooden beams, as well as the original silos.
“In many ways you feel like you are walking back into the turn of the century,” said Alan Garabedian, director of sales and marketing.
Having worked in the wedding industry for over two decades, Garabedian is confident that nothing compares to the features and accommodations of the farm.
“We want people to enjoy not just one part of the wedding, but all of the wedding,” he said. “Everything a bride and groom may want is here.”
“We’re both professionals, and didn’t have the time to plan,” said Michael Festa, explaining why he and Lauren Barton, his fiancée, chose Normandy Farm.
Both Festa and Barton are from Devon, Chester County, and attended the recent wedding open house.
“It was definitely charming, and its hotel is a convenience for our guests,” she said.
Barton was referring to the farm’s 141 hotel rooms and the 31 suites.
The rooms welcome guests with music from an iPod sound system, which they can use, as well as plasma TVs.
The suites can be rented to whole bridal parties, or one just for the bride and groom, who may enjoy the room’s built-in fireplace or whirlpool.
Normandy Farm’s fully comprehensive wedding package has most of the wedding details found on or created on premises.
“It’s the little things we like to think of,” said Andrew DiPasquale, head of Normandy Farm Floral Designs.
DiPasquale, along with his staff, has years of experience in creating, arranging and choosing the most popular centerpieces that blend perfectly with the table-top linens and delicate overlays.
Normandy Farm Floral Designs’ studio is located in the hotel’s lower level. It has recently expanded its operations to cater for occasions outside the farm, adding to the convenience of Normandy Farm’s comprehensive wedding package.
Normandy Farms is located at the intersection of Route 202 and Morris Road in Blue Bell. For information, call 215-616-8500 or visit www.normandyfarm.com.
In fact, The Knot Magazine voted it the number one wedding venue in 2007, and again in 2008.
“When people hear about us, they say ‘Oh, I don’t want to get married in a barn,’” said Gary Bolotin, event planning manager at Normandy Farm. “Then they see the magnificence of the dripping chandeliers.”
He was referring to the lighting in Normandy Farm’s Grand Ballroom, where the bi-annual wedding open house was held on June 19.
The event, which attracted approximately 400 people from in and around the Greater Philadelphia region, is designed to showcase the wide variety and unique enhancements the farm may provide to engaged couples.
Some of those enhancements include an ice-sculptured martini bar, a confectionary delight by award-winning pastry chef Colleen Winston, or one of the many dishes created by local culinary sensation Jim Coleman, whose popular restaurant is also on the premises.
Of course, Normandy Farm is not actually a crop-producing or animal domicile. Rather, it is a state-of-the-art hotel, conference center and wedding venue.
However, due to the farm’s status on the National Register of Historical Places, it has restored its late 1800s French Country style, complete with white, stucco walls that are framed by the original wooden beams, as well as the original silos.
“In many ways you feel like you are walking back into the turn of the century,” said Alan Garabedian, director of sales and marketing.
Having worked in the wedding industry for over two decades, Garabedian is confident that nothing compares to the features and accommodations of the farm.
“We want people to enjoy not just one part of the wedding, but all of the wedding,” he said. “Everything a bride and groom may want is here.”
“We’re both professionals, and didn’t have the time to plan,” said Michael Festa, explaining why he and Lauren Barton, his fiancée, chose Normandy Farm.
Both Festa and Barton are from Devon, Chester County, and attended the recent wedding open house.
“It was definitely charming, and its hotel is a convenience for our guests,” she said.
Barton was referring to the farm’s 141 hotel rooms and the 31 suites.
The rooms welcome guests with music from an iPod sound system, which they can use, as well as plasma TVs.
The suites can be rented to whole bridal parties, or one just for the bride and groom, who may enjoy the room’s built-in fireplace or whirlpool.
Normandy Farm’s fully comprehensive wedding package has most of the wedding details found on or created on premises.
“It’s the little things we like to think of,” said Andrew DiPasquale, head of Normandy Farm Floral Designs.
DiPasquale, along with his staff, has years of experience in creating, arranging and choosing the most popular centerpieces that blend perfectly with the table-top linens and delicate overlays.
Normandy Farm Floral Designs’ studio is located in the hotel’s lower level. It has recently expanded its operations to cater for occasions outside the farm, adding to the convenience of Normandy Farm’s comprehensive wedding package.
Normandy Farms is located at the intersection of Route 202 and Morris Road in Blue Bell. For information, call 215-616-8500 or visit www.normandyfarm.com.
