The Knot ties Belvoir to good weddings

By Jacqueline LeekerSeptember 10, 2009

The Knot ties Belvoir to good weddings
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Knot ties Belvoir to good weddings
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The club's staff members recently received national recognition for their work. "Each person working here has a lot of experience, so we can offer a very calming service and great food. We stand out from other locations because we are very personable... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Knot ties Belvoir to good weddings
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The Knot ties Belvoir to good weddings
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The Knot ties Belvoir to good weddings
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- If the thought of planning a wedding reception is overwhelming, try planning four receptions a week. That's what the staff at Fort Belvoir's Officers' Club does on a regular basis. In fact, they hold about three to four every Saturday.

In fact, the staff members' hard and non-stop work recently received national recognition. The Knot, a well-known wedding-planning magazine and Web site recently named The Officers' Club as one of the best wedding reception locations in Northern Virginia.

The decision is based on brides' votes.

"We stand out because our prices are very reasonable. We can fit anyone's budget. Each person working here has a lot of experience so we can offer a very calming service and great food. We stand out from other locations because we are personable," said Edwin Villoso, catering manager.

The first step a couple will take is visiting the Officers' Club to meet with a catering manager to discuss a date. The club catering directors will also discuss packages that are arranged from price to party size. There isn't anything they leave out.

One of the first things is choosing a reception location. If nothing else, the view alone will attract couples to the Officers' Club.

Packages the club offer include everything from a ceremony in one of the elite ballrooms, or gazebo, reception, hors d'oeuvres, white glove butler service, champagne, table cloths, china, glassware, set up and clean up, floral arrangements, bridal suite, wedding cake, four hours open bar, votive candles, salads, entrees, beverages, desserts, dance floor, mirrors, LCD projector, risers, chocolate fountain and ice sculptures.

Overwhelmed yet' Don't be. Managers at the club make it their personal mission to have things go as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

"We provide excellent personalized customer service, delicious meals and a magnificent view of the Potomac River. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our club," said catering director Trinetta Latrell.

The prices for a wedding reception at the club range from about $79 a person to $125.

The club caters from small personal weddings to large extravagant weddings.

"Our largest ballroom can accommodate 350 served dinners with dancing and 600 with stand-up cocktail hors d'oeuvres," Latrell said.

"We also have rooms to accommodate 150 served dinners," said Villoso.

To help couples be more prepared, the club gives them an Officers' Club wedding check- list. It includes things to do one year out, four to six months ahead, two to four months ahead, two weeks ahead, one week ahead, all the way to one day before the wedding.

"The Potomac River is a perfect backdrop for the Belvoir Room. We were extremely pleased with all of the amenities that were included," Susan White said of her daughter and son in law's wedding reception. "When Erin and I walked into the room, our breath was taken away with the sheer beauty and elegance."

According to Latrell, to reserve a room at the club, couples need to book their wedding reception at least one year in advance.

To book a room at the club, couples must belong to the club or have a sponsor.

"The facility can be used by active or retired DoD GS-7 and above, and active or retired military of any branch who are members of any dues-paying military officers' club. A patron can be sponsored by any of the members," Latrell said.

For more information on having your wedding reception at Belvoir's Officers' Club call 703-780-0930 or visit www.belvoirmwr.com.