Under the Big Top

Basking Ridge (N.J.) Country Club

A tent upgrade has revitalized event business at Basking Ridge Country Club by providing a new venue for outdoor gatherings.

When Basking Ridge (N.J.) Country Club said “I do” to a new outdoor garden tent, it marked the beginning of a new customer demographic: brides.

“Before we added the new tent, we didn’t really do weddings,” says Danielle Puorro, Catering Sales Manager for Basking Ridge Country Club Catering, an outside catering entity run by Delicious Heights of Basking Ridge. “Now we are hosting one nearly every weekend.”

The club’s original tent was replaced last spring, when Delicious Heights was contracted to replace the previous caterer. (The company also manages the club’s restaurant, D.H. Outpost, which is open to the public.) “Once we came in and took over from the previous catering company, we decided to upgrade the outdated tent,” Puorro explains.

The new 40-by-100-foot tent features fabric ceilings, drop chandeliers, white fans and see-through walls that provide panoramic views of the property’s more than 250 acres. Its vinyl-coated, flame-retardant material ensures a safe, enjoyable time for all. Neutral beige carpeting allows each event to take on a personality of its own.

Basking Ridge (N.J.) Country Club

A spacious facility, the outdoor garden tent can accommodate up to 150 people and can feature a customized floor plan of banquet tables and chairs, according to the bride’s wishes. New furnishings, which were also upgraded when the new tent was installed, include comfortable seating from white chairs with cushioned seats.

An overview of the tent, showcasing its visual appeal in the club’s picturesque setting, is marketed via an online video at www.newjerseybride.com.

Because of its location directly off a practice putting green, the tent’s usage expands beyond its four walls.

“With permission from the club, we can set up soft seating and lounge furniture [on the green] for guests to use during indoor/outdoor events,” says Puorro. “It’s really great for younger kids who want to get out from under the tent and play; we really utilize that extra space.”

When the weather cooperates, the tent’s walls can be pulled up to take advantage of cool breezes. On hotter days, built-in air conditioning can be activated for an additional cost on top of the tent rental; for functions held in the evening or during cooler weather, heaters can be rented upon request.

Basking Ridge (N.J.) Country Club

While Basking Ridge often uses the tent for member events like Family Fun Day, the tent can also be booked for private events, from baby showers and birthday parties to engagements and weddings. All of the club’s catering needs are handled by Basking Ridge Country Club Catering.

“About 75 percent of the weddings held at the club hold their ceremony on the green and then have their cocktail hour in the tent,” explains Puorro. Sit-down dinners can be held in the club’s upstairs ballroom, which can seat up to 225 guests.

As a testament to the tent’s success, it has been booked solid for weekend use throughout the summer, with additional events taking place during the week.

“Everyone loves the fact that our tent has the ability to have a casual feel, but it can also be elegant,” says Puorro.

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