Deauville Inn's bayfront location provides a picturesque backdrop for weddings. (Photo courtesy Brooke Reid @brookereidphoto)
By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Deauville Inn is becoming one of the most desirable venues at the Jersey Shore for couples to say I do while savoring the gorgeous view.
Overlooking picturesque Corson's Inlet, the historic restaurant and bar in Strathmere is evolving into a top destination for weddings and other special occasions under its transformation by new owner Tim Fox.
We have the perfect sunsets at the Deauville, Niguel Martinez, director of events and sales, said of the bayfront location for weddings.
The Deauville is preparing for a particularly strong wedding season this spring as life gradually begins to return to normal with the emergence of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
It's huge here, said Michael Sullivan, the Deauville's vice president of marketing and events.
Martinez noted that the Deauville's distinctive setting offers couples all the services and amenities they want for a memorable wedding, reception or rehearsal dinner.
People are blown away and surprised by what we've been able to accomplish, he said. It completely exceeds their expectations in terms of what they receive for their weddings and special events.
The historic Deauville Inn blends old-fashioned charms with modern upgrades. (Photo courtesy Deauville Inn)
Wedding season at the Deauville generally runs from March to Memorial Day, then takes a hiatus during the bustling summer vacation months at the shore, before resuming from Labor Day to November.
For more information on booking a wedding, visit www.deauvilleinn.com, the Wedding Wire at https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/the-deauville-inn/37d23f01ecdff970.html or The Knot at https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/the-deauville-inn-strathmere-nj-2043003.
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Martinez said the Deauville normally doesn't host weddings during the summer season because of how hectic it becomes at the shore, but there can be exceptions.
There is great pent-up demand for weddings following the cancellation or postponement of so many of them nationwide amid the pandemic, Martinez and Sullivan explained.
We're really rocking and rolling with a ton of wedding activities here, Martinez said. Typically, we have five inquiries a day, or about 50 a week, for weddings.
The Deauville also hosts an array of other special events, including birthday parties, group dinners, sports and fishing clubs, corporate affairs, political fundraisers and more.
Martinez said the Deauville can accommodate groups as small as 10 people and as large as 400. However, he stressed that all special events will be held in full compliance with New Jersey's COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings.
Deauville Inn can accommodate weddings, receptions and dress rehearsals. (Photo courtesy Brooke Reid @brookereidphoto)
Before joining the Deauville, Martinez and Sullivan acquired a wealth of experience in planning and holding weddings and other special events in such cities as New York, Las Vegas, Miami and Los Angeles.
Our drive is to create the perfect experience for our wedding guests, Sullivan said.
The Deauville Inn, whose beginnings as the former Whelan Hotel date to 1881, is undergoing a sweeping makeover by owner Tim Fox.
Since acquiring the Deauville in October 2019, Fox has been expanding and freshening up the interior and exterior while also preserving the building's historic appeal. Fox has blended the building's old-fashioned charms with modern upgrades to create a more upscale experience for customers.
One major change is the Deauville's new menu that has been crafted by acclaimed Executive Chef TJ Ricciardi, who has trained in the kitchen with some of the luminaries of the culinary world, including Luke Palladino, Stephen Kalt and Tom Harkins.
The Deauville has responded to the pandemic with a series of safety protocols that include Plexiglas partitions to separate the tables and create more social distancing.
Sullivan said the Deauville's enhanced safety measures also include sanitizing the entire property all day and stepped-up safety training for the staff members as well as having them wear protective masks.
For more information on packages for weddings and other special events at the Deauville Inn visit: https://www.dropbox.com/s/k4mssbgno9cd48l/Deauville%20Inn%20Event%20Deck%202021.pdf?dl=0
Wedding season at the Deauville Inn generally runs from March to Memorial Day and then Labor Day to November. (Photo courtesy Brooke Reid @brookereidphoto)
