When looking at numerous magazine reviews and online articles about facilities to host a wedding reception, I have often wondered "Who writes these reviews?".

I don't think a majority of those reviews are completely helpful, because they are mostly written by individuals who haven't truly experienced an actual wedding reception in the places they're writing about. With that in mind, I have taken it upon myself to consider the venues I have provided wedding entertainment direction in this year and have come up with what I feel are the "cream of the crop".

In each category, I have not played favorites or written over flattering words. The winners I selected below are who I consider most deserving. Please note, I have not played in every facility in Philadelphia this year, thus not every facility in Philadelphia had a fair chance at winning. No hard feelings to those not mentioned below.

With that, I present to you, the APWWSC (A Philadelphia Wedding With Steve Croce) Best of 2007 Weddings Winners:

Caterer of the Year
Robert Ryan Catering - Web Site

Robert Ryan Catering exhausts every effort to make certain their clients leave their catered events feeling completely satiated. While some caterers take it upon themselves to reinvent menus, offering exotic and overly-refined finger foods, Robert Ryan serves traditional and comforting cuisine that suits everyone's palette. Family-owned and operated, this caterer is all heart with outstanding presentation and a commitment to execute flawless events.

Contact: Stephanie Ryan - 610.933.6336 - Email

Country Club of the Year
RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve - Web Site

In 2006, the RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve opened their doors, greeted with extremely high expectations. Located in the constantly growing Chester County area, their audience would be great and any failure to deliver would be scrutinized. They not only surpassed projections, but exploded onto the scene offering luxurious accommodations and intense attentiveness to detail. Having a wedding hosted at RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve is an unspoken guarantee to the success of the event.

Contact: Ann Marie Jackson - 610.933.4700 Ext. 106 - Email

Hotel Ballroom of the Year
The Waterford at Valley Forge Radisson - Web Site

Also in 2006, after 25 years of bringing Las Vegas style shows to Valley Forge, Lily Langtry's Victorian Restaurant and Showplace closed it's doors making way for The Waterford, a luxurious, ultrachic multi-level ballroom, featuring extraordinary style and first class sophistication. The very-apparent focus of their team of sales and service managers, combined with their award-winning chefs, is to provide 100% satisfaction for the bride & groom, as well as their guests.

Contact: Clem Pascarella - 610.354.8220 - Email

Best Service Staff
Springfield Country Club - Web Site

Here is something the bride and groom don't often consider: How nice/helpful will the banquet staff be to the other professionals in the room? You can be certain, when a banquet director or member of the service staff is being rude and discourteous to the photographer or the entertainment, it can sometimes detract from the enthusiasm and motivation level to deliver the best service possible. Also, when the delivery of dinner hits a snag, does the banquet manager explode on the servers and/or interfere with the flow of event to cover their own mistakes? In 2007, no facility seemed more concerned with flawless execution and friendliness. Springfield Country Club has proven that it is possible to work with superior precision, smiling the entire time.

Contact: Andrea Salvero - 610.690.7600

Best Banquet Director
Shelley Dickinson of Sofitel Philadelphia - Email - Web Site

At Laurie & Chris' wedding, I had the distinct pleasure of working alongside the most focused, attentive, expeditious, and helpful banquet director I have ever experienced in over 15 years of wedding entertainment direction. Shelley Dickinson of Sofitel Philadelphia is a remarkable professional who, in my opinion, has no distinguishable flaws. If you have the opportunity to work with Shelley at an event, you are extremely fortunate indeed. Respectfully speaking, there are many banquet directors in the Delaware Valley who could learn a lot from someone as great as Shelley.

Best Dressed Ballroom
The Green Room at Hotel du Pont - Web Site

Restored and enhanced, the Green Room decor is a classic combination of rich wood paneling with gold leaf ceilings and chic Versace pattern china. Service at the du Pont is exquisitely old-fashioned friendly, attentive, gracious and refined. The Green Room typifies classic dining without being stuffy or obtrusive. In my opinion, it stands alone as the most elegantly appointed ballroom for 2007.

Contract: Mark Medrick or Andrea Morris - 800.441.9019
Mark's Email Andrea's Email

Congratulations to the facilities mentioned above and to all the unmentioned facilities who strive to be the best, not settling for mediocrity.

If you have any specific question regarding any of the facilities mentioned above or any of the facilities mentioned in the left column of my site, please do not hesitate to email me.

Here's to a great 2008!

Labels: Announcement, General