“While The Mackey House has been a part of the Savannah Community for more than 25 years,” explains Laura Mackey, Owner and Event Planner Extraordinaire, “we wanted a way to showcase everything we have to offer for any event – whether you’re needing a venue for a wedding, a business event, a special family occasion – we will work with you and your budget to ensure the best event possible.”

On Wednesday, May 16 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm we will serve hors d’oeuvres, take you around the grounds, show off our plethora of options for a multitude of events.

Some of the history of the grounds include:

• from 1861-1864 – this land was an encampment for Confederate soldiers led by General William Hardy
• in 1898 — a Powder Magazine, used to house ammunition was built on land bordering Red Gate Farms, the care-keeper’s house was located on the farm’s property…remnants from both are still available for viewing today
• later the property became occupied by Union Army troops led by General William T. Sherman after their March to the Sea
• we have discovered numerous artifacts dating back to the Civil War that have confirmed our research about the land and its history
• in 1931, Mr. Harry Edward Martin, Jr. purchased 440 acres of wooded countryside, which he and his wife, Mamie, named in memory of her cousin, Cyrus Steadwell who always dreamed of owning his own farm and calling it “Red Gate Farms.”

Stay for the socializing and you may win our special drawing for a free weekend stay at The Mackey Condo on Tybee Island.  Mix and mingle among a number of event planners and various industry talents (entertainment, guest speakers, caterers, etc).

Please RSVE to Jennifer Quackenbush – Jennifer_quackenbush@yahoo.com or 912-660-6610 and visit the website for details – www.mackeyhouse.com.

We look forward to seeing you at The Mackey House!

You’ve met the right woman, check.  You’ve picked out the perfect ring, check.  You’ve talked to her parents prior to asking her (a little old fashioned, but hey, we’re going for sentiment), check.

Now, how do you ask that special someone to be with you for the rest of your lives?  Always a tricky thing because you want it to be memorable without being cheese, overdone, or uncomfortable.  It’s a balancing act.

There are things to keep in mind while planning this momentous occasion:

1)     Your bride-to-be:  what does she like?  What means something intimate to her?  If she’s a strong family person, maybe being with family during that moment will mean the most.  If she’s a sports-nut, perhaps the stadium might be a better idea.  You have more tools than you know with this one.

2)     Cost: like everything else, you’ll want to have a budget in mind for this.  If you have the bucks to spend, do it – and if you need to stay within a price range, you can, remember the sentiment is the most important part.

3)     Location: will your significant other prefer a crowd to witness the event or is she more private and want it to be shared between the two of you?  Sometimes you have to listen to clues to know which one is preferable (e.g.  “I can’t believe anyone would do something like that in public,” is a good sign that she wouldn’t want to be a spectacle).

4)     Ambiance: much like the blogs we’ve written about your day, you want to make this moment about the two of you.  Do you have a favorite restaurant, movie, or the place where you first met?  Find something that says the two of you as a couple to help increase the memorability of the moment.

5)     The ask: now to the important part, how do you ask her?  Hopefully you’ve at least discussed marriage prior to purchasing the ring, but how you ask can make a world of difference.  Is she a want-you-down-on-one-knee kind or a take-my-hand-and-look-me-in-the-eye kind?  Using the literal “will you marry me” line typically works for verbiage.

Need help in deciding the best way?  Talk to her family, they’ve known her all her life, and particularly if she has a sibling, they will be willing
to assist you.  The most important part is to make it fun, memorable, and something that shows you thought about her prior to asking the big question.

Summer is also time for planning class reunions, family reunions, after prom and graduation events, Mother’s and Father’s Day gatherings, and of course weddings!

Believe it or not, summer is one of the best times to get people together and regardless of what you’re celebrating; the Event Planning Specialists at The Mackey House will help you have the event you’ve always imagined.

Need ideas for your next event – here are a couple of ideas to help get you started:

1)     Consider your audience – you’ll start planning with different areas depending on the type of event you’re trying to host – for example, if it’s a wedding you start with the couple and if it’s a business function you might start with the guest speaker – it all depends on what you’re hosting.

2)     Food and beverage – no matter what you’re hosting – this is the south and food and drink are king, particularly in our area.  The Mackey House can provide catering, find a local caterer, or work with one you’ve already selected.

3)     Entertainment – all gatherings need some form of entertainment – whether it’s a deejay playing music (we have one on staff), a guest speaker, or some soft background music – there needs to be something guests can talk about while they mingle.

4)     Decorations – while The Mackey House is a beautiful venue all by itself (and a number of other venues are too), it’s nice to have a décor that goes hand-in-hand with your event theme, whether it’s a color or a character, even small decorations go a long way to making the party feel like an event to remember.

5)     Party Favors – again, regardless of the type of event you’re throwing, it’s nice to have a keepsake giveaway item for your guest to remember the party by.  We can help you find just the right item to fit into your budget.

So if your summer plans include planning a party – remember the experts at The Mackey House are here to help, whether at our venue or elsewhere, we’re happy to work with you for an event to remember.

Being able to reflect on milestones is an integral part of any relationship, whether it’s marriage, employment, birthdays, religious events, or other, sharing the event with those closest to you in a party atmosphere helps reignite positive energy.

We hear infomercials consistently talking about the importance of rekindling the passionate spark in your marriage, but truly the same can be said for any relationship in our lives – which is why days that seem to me almost meaningless still hold our attention today.  Don’t believe it, think about the following:

Valentine’s Day
Mothers’ Day
Fathers’ Day
Grandparents’ Day
Bosses’ Day
Administrative Assistants’ Day

Each of these so-called days reminds us to celebrate each relationship and its importance in our everyday lives.  All relationships, even friendships, need to
be cared for and revered otherwise you may start taking one another for granted.

So what kinds of momentous occasions do you have that need commemorate?  Every event is worth a little extra effort if it shows someone how much they mean to you.

Want to thank and motivate your employees?  We can help arrange for guest speakers and on-site events that will be more than the doctor ordered.

Need to celebrate a milestone birthday?  Let us help find entertainment, decorations, food, the works to make sure the day is all about the birthday boy or girl.

What about an anniversary or vow renewal?  We can help make all the arrangements for both the ceremony and the reception.

Have an annual family reunion coming up?  We will not only work with you for fun and frivolity for the actual reunion event, but we’ll help find the best places in Savannah for your extended family to make the most of their visit.

Whatever you are celebrating let our experts at The Mackey House help you make the most of the event and allow you to enjoy being with the people you want to be with.  After all, celebrating relationships is what it’s all about!

“The fraternity has been around for more than a century,” explained party hostess Laura Mackey, “so the sister sorority dressed in civil war attire and matched their male escorts, traveled around downtown Savannah touring some of our most historic sites and came to The Mackey House for a formal dinner party.”

And the Mackey House didn’t disappoint.  Decorated to the nines, Fred Mackey even staged a picture area on the grounds, complete with seats and an antique automobile to round out the period time frame.

“The students’ representative didn’t really ask for it, but I know how important pictures are and I think it’s nice to do extra when and where you can,” says Fred Mackey.

Winding down their evening with a table full of food, proper southern attire, and Chamber of Commerce type weather, the students appeared to have enjoyed learning about the numerous historical attributes of Savannah.

Old Town Trolley tours provided the transportation as gowns and suits of timeless color palates visited sites such as historic River Street, downtown Squares, City Market, and more.

“We helped make a few of the arrangements, coming from South Florida, the chaperones weren’t sure what the most relevant landmarks would be, or the best way to get to see them all.  We also knew Old Town Trolley would help maintain the feel of historical accuracy the students wanted,” explains Laura.

It’s that kind of attention to detail and area knowledge that sets The Mackey House apart from other event venues.  Laura and Fred know Savannah and
know how to ensure their guests get the most out of their time in the city.  With so much to see and do, it’s nice to know you have someone on your side, guiding you to the best experiences possible.

“We work with brides for their bridal parties, families for family reunions, businesses for their retreats and lectures,” says Laura, “we try to make sure each of our guests know their needs come first and that they will receive the red carpet treatment anywhere we recommend they go.”

Regardless of the type of event you’re hosting – office party, milestone anniversary, birthdays, class reunions, family gatherings, christenings, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc. – The Mackey House team will create an atmosphere perfect for pictures.

Event planning, much like wedding planning, takes dedication, skill, organization, and an overall understanding of deadlines.  When it comes to sending
invitations, contacting caterers, solidifying table counts, booking musical talent, hiring guest speakers, etc., our event specialists make lists and timelines that would make the most anal-retentive people blush.

Some timelines to keep in mind:

1)     Invitations:  Even if it’s a work function, it’s nice to send paper invitations to formal events, if it’s less formal, like a motivational speaker or family gathering; you at least want to send e-vites to your guests.  Letting people know you specifically request their presence at an event makes them feel special and excited to be a part of the event.

Timeline: Depending on the formality of the event, 3-6 months in advance.  For larger events with lots of out of town people, you may want to give as much as 6-8 months for travel arrangements to be made.

2)   Food:  For most events, you’re going to want to offer food and beverages of some type. Whether its formal sit-down dinner or hors d’oeuvres set aside for
mingling, you want to have a plan for how to feed your guests/participants.

Timeline: You’ll want to sit down with a caterer almost as soon as you decide to have the event which will help in developing the budget.  Typically you’ll confirm the head count 2-4 weeks in advance.

3)   Entertainment: All events need something in the background, particularly to spark conversation and allow distractions.

Timeline:  Again, depending on the event – if you’re hosting a lunch and learn for business associates, you’ll want to book your speaker prior to making other event plans; however, if you need a solo violinist for background music for your milestone anniversary, 4-6 months in advance should be plenty.

4)  Photography:  For most events, you’re going to want great pictures for memories, for business show pieces, for social media updates, etc.  Typically someone will offer to take pictures, but you want that individual to be a part of the event rather than focusing their time on “working” for the best pictures.

Timeline:  Great photographers book up early.  Typically it’s good to get in touch with one 3-5 months prior to the event, but the sooner the better.

Whatever your event, let the Event Planners at The Mackey House work with you to ensure its success.  We’ll help you create the timeline, make reservations, and reserve the talent you need for your day to be everything you imagined.

Excitement is abound as the number of people that got engaged during the holidays starts making plans for late summer/early fall vow exchange.

Trends in Dresses – from colors to lace, plunging necklines, open backs, and mini-covers for the arms, there’s no lack of individuality in wedding dress options.  In the realm of dresses, there is really something for every body type and some you have to see to believe!

Trends in Favors – the gifts you give your friends and family are one of the number of things they have to remember your special day, so why not make it as individual as the love you and your spouse-to-be share.  There are numerous opportunities to highlight your tastes!

Trends in Flowers – more and more people are going with what’s in local and available rather than trying to match the wedding colors exactly.  We’ve even pinned a few on our Pinterest account if you’d like to see some of that’s been going on at The Mackey House lately.

Trends in Dessert – not that the traditional wedding cake has been completely taken a back seat, but a number of couples are moving toward individualized tastes.  Everything from cupcakes to candy buffets to ice cream sundaes – wedding couples are looking for more than white cake and white icing for after-dinner sweet-tooth celebration.

Trends in Pictures – while wedding pictures themselves are in nature traditional, many couples are choosing to highlight their unique styles and personalities in the pictures they will remember their special day by (both in wedding and engagement).  Some of the incredible photographers we work with at The Mackey House have captures a few of these once-in-a-lifetime moments, shared them with us, and now, you can catch them on our Facebook Photo Gallery.

Creating the memorable day of when you and your spouse-to-be started your life together should be an extension of the love you both share, so don’t be afraid to highlight your personalities.  We’ve given you a few ideas here, but there are a myriad of options available.  Let us know if we can help you plan for your day, your way!

We understand that you want each event to be unique and special, so we’ll work with you to make sure your vision is carried out from the beginning of the planning all the way through to the end of your event.

If you’re planning a celebratory bash on your own, here are some helpful tips and fun ideas that we at The Mackey House know will assist you in creating a successful event, with a little less stress along the way. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!

Sweet Sixteen/Quinceañera
–   Go with a DJ over a band. (We have a wonderful DJ, Dave, who has been with us for years!  He can also help plan the event.)
–   Don’t make it a surprise party.  Trust us, your teen has ideas of his/her own.
–   It doesn’t have to be a nighttime dance party!
–   Decide on an informal or formal Sweet 16 or 15.
–   Birthday cake/candle ceremony. (Our caterers can make a unique cake!)
–   This is an important moment, and a chance for close friends/family to make short speeches.
–   Have some sort of food our or a buffet, but not a sit-down meal.
–   Invitations make it ‘an event’.
–   Themes are fun!

Bar/Bat Mitzvah –
This is a milestone in your child’s life, so don’t get too caught up in all the miniscule details that come with planning the reception/party. Keep in mind what it’s really about and don’t stray far from that when thinking about the other stuff.

–  Consult with your child. You want his/her input; it’s their day.
–  This is for you and your family. We know bar/bat mitzvahs can get pretty ridiculous in size and budget, but don’t feel like you have to keep up with that style to make it just as important.
–  There are planners that specialize in Jewish occasions. If you don’t consult with them personally, there are plenty of websites that specialize in guiding you through the process and offering helpful tips for planning such events.
–  The invitations are important in this case.
–  Several components to these invitations. Certain information is required, so be sure to check.
–  Go to special vendors for gifts and favors.

So whether you plan on celebrating your milestone at The Mackey House or somewhere else, know that we are always here to help you with the planning process and guide you along the way. We know what it takes to make an event successful and an occasion memorable.

Some of the best ideas to say thank you to your clients include getting them together to celebrate – even if it’s the successes you’ve managed to accomplish together or celebrating the years’ achievements – for them, the event would be a get-away they couldn’t say no to.

Ideas for thank you bashes:

1)     Local sporting events – here in Savannah, GA, The Savannah Sand Gnats offer the option to “sponsor” a game and the business receives a certain number of tickets to distribute to clients.  The game announcer randomly announces the business throughout the game and welcomes its clients to the ballpark.  Other cities have similar opportunities, but check with your local teams for availability and cost.

2)     Dinner Cruises – again, Savannah’s local business, Savannah Riverboat Cruises offers packages for just this type of event.  Bring your clients together for a thank you dinner, cruise, and beverages for a night of relaxation and camaraderie.

3)     Lunch and Learns – bringing clients together for an opportunity to learn something they need for their own workplace – human resources, marketing, accounting – anything to make their lives easier is helpful and appreciated.  How many clients would like to hear the Division Leader from the local university talking about the latest trends in fringe benefits or how to make the most of your marketing dollars, all while eating lunch?

4)     Social Hour – having the opportunity for your clients to come together, meet one another, and socialize among themselves and others in their field in a non-competitive environment can be a solution to your thank you dilemma.  Rarely will anyone turn down the promise of appetizers and drinks.

Whatever your event – whether you need a guest speaker, a motivational speaker, a subject matter expert, etc. – The Mackey House will work with you to book the perfect party to say Thank You to all your clientele, without emptying your wallet.

Vow Renewal Ceremonies are special, heart-warming, and sometimes surprising.  We’ve hosted a number of them, including Jeff and Kristy Weed who were (and are) married but never had the wedding Kristy wanted.  This beautiful story is only one of many we’ve had the honor to host.

Jeff surprised Kristy with the wedding she always wanted but never had and they were able to have it as a vowel renewal ceremony with all their friends.  The best part, Jeff planned the whole thing without Kristy suspecting a thing.

Spring time is great for putting together vow renewal events.  Whether it’s for a specific anniversary, a new family, or just a rededication of the couple to their love for one another, vowel renewal ceremonies have special needs all unto themselves.

Some ideas for making the day even more memorable:

1)     Vows – consider writing them yourselves.  Because it’s a renewal, people don’t necessarily look for the traditional “I dos” from the highlighted couple.  This is your chance to say what you’ve always wanted to say and to promise what you want to promise rather than repeat what the official has to say.

2)     Decorations – again, this isn’t a traditional setting so feel free to express your unique love for one another through your color choice, your decorations, even your menu.  If you always wished you’d had bubbles blown all throughout your wedding, do it now.

3)     Attire – maybe you wore the traditional wedding garb to your original wedding, know that this time you don’t have to.  Do you have an outfit that suits you better than the ideal wedding gown?  Then go with it, you may even want to extend the look out to a theme.

4)     Music – when you danced your first dance as a married couple, did you really dance to your favorite song or did you go with something the crowd would approve?  Has your taste in music changed or is there a newer song that represents your feelings for one another more than the original?

Whatever your reason for your vow renewal ceremony, let us help make your day what you always dreamed it would be – or what you want it to be now.  We’re here to make it exactly what you want!