Are part of our Mama’s Charmer’s series, we want to give you some information on venues that we work with frequently in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine areas. One of the most popular venues in our immediate vicinity is The Club Continental in Orange Park, Florida.
Here is the quick highlight, from their website:
“Nestled on the banks of the St. Johns River in Orange Park, Florida is this extraordinary resort and private club. Built in 1923 as the winter home of Caleb Johnson, heir to the Palmolive Soap Company, The Club Continental is now a romantic and intimate Hotel, Private Club, and Special Events Venue.
Towering, 300 year old Live Oaks draped with Spanish moss, flowering hibiscus trees, sweeping green lawns, flower beds and gurgling fountains surround the centerpiece, a grand Mediterranean style mansion with stucco walls, arches, and red-tiled roof.
Twenty-two handsome guest rooms offer a reprieve from the hustle and bustle. Seven tennis courts and three pools await your playful side. Enjoy a gourmet lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch in the Restaurant. The Club is also a perfect venue for your next private event, whether an intimate party for eight or a lavish affair for three hundred.”
Here are my answers to some frequently asked questions about the Club.
What is your favorite thing about CC? The atmosphere and old world style of the building. Can you imagine the grand parties that must have taken place there? It is so rich in history and so romantic.
Which food option do you think works best at CC (buffet, plated, stations, etc)? While a plated meal certainly gives you more room and space, the buffet by far is the better option for this venue. The Club offers one on one service with its plated meal, which is very nice, but can take up a lot of time for your dancing. A buffet is a great Southern tradition and fits very nicely at the Club.
What is the smallest party you’ve done and the largest (at CC)? 50 guests/200 guests
What is something unique that CC offers your couples that no other venue does? The ceremony view!! It has one of the most breathtaking views on the river. The staff is also another plus. They have one of the most attentive and conscientious staff in all of Jacksonville, which helps make this venue one of our faves.
How much should a bride expect to spend, on average, for a 125 person event at CC (JUST related to the venue)? With food and beverage minimums a couple would be looking at an average of $11,000.00 – $13,000.00 for a Saturday evening. Sundays and Saturday mornings are a big discount.
What color selections do you think work best at CC? The rich jewel tones are always a great choice. My favorite? Deep Purple, Golds and Greens. The décor of the venue is heavy with gold tones so these colors complement it beautifully.
What decor elements DON’T work well with the space? Ultra modern is a hard fit for this venue. If this is your style, you likely would not be considering this venue.
What is the biggest “downfall” of CC? The biggest downfall we can find is having to work around two weddings in one day. This requires us to be creative with what elements the Bride can use for her décor as the installation time is very limited. The difficulty here is adjusting our clients’ expectations and giving her the look she is wanting.
Here are a couple tidbits of information from the Club’s rental information package:
Your half club rental includes:
1. Site for Wedding Ceremony
2. Up to 125 Chairs for Ceremony, Standard Tables and Chairs for Reception
3. Tables for Cake, Guest Sign-in, Gifts, and Entertainment
4. Highchairs and Booster Chairs
5. Set-up and Clean-up of Ceremony and Reception
6. Standard White Tablecloths (not floor length)
7. Cocktail Napkins, Silverware, White China and Glassware are provided on Food Stations
for Buffet Meals
8. Full Set-up on Guest Tables including linen napkins are provided for Plated Meals
9. Use of the Club’s Toasting Glasses and Cake Knife
10.Cake Service
11. 1 Bartender is included for parties with 75 guests or more (Additional bartenders may
be needed, we recommend 1 bartender per every 75 guests)
12. Manager on Duty to oversee the event staff
January, February, July and August are considered “off” months and discounts may be available.
We hope you’ve found this information helpful in your wedding venue search! Be sure to check out our Instagram profile for more photos of real weddings & events that we’ve assisted with!
The post Mama’s Charmers: Jacksonville Wedding Venue Spotlight on Club Continental appeared first on Southern Charm - Weddings and Events & Vintage Rentals.