What is more stressful — planning a wedding or renovating a 125-year-old church? How about doing both at the same time? That’s exactly what Catherine and Bill Ma did back in 2019 when they transformed a historic church into an elegant event venue, while helping their son, Brandon and his fiancé, Katrina plan their wedding — which was set to be the first event in the new space. Talk about pressure!
 
This is an incredible accomplishment — to say the least! Once I learned of this, my curiosity was piqued! So, I met with Catherine to hear the story from a mother’s perspective — very fitting for the month of May.
 
L:         Tell me about your relationship with your kids.

C:         Both our children are the most important thing in our lives — since they were born, everything we have done was for them. This included relocating the family from Thunder Bay to Campbellford, Ontario when Brandon was 3 and our daughter, Jasmin, was 5.

​We felt the small-town environment was a great place for raising kids and that proved to be true. It was one of the best decisions we have made.
 
We always made sure to travel with our kids, expose them to bigger centres, cultural events etc. Our annual vacations were special times and we really got to know our kids during those trips. They’ve always been very comfortable talking to us. Even in their teen years we had a close connection and open communication.
 
L:         How did you feel when they left the nest?
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C:         We were lucky in that both our kids went to nearby Queen’s University — so we could easily visit on weekends. Even in their University days, they liked having their parents visit! We got to know their friends and be part of their lives. Often, we would take meals when we visited for the kids and their friends. One Thanksgiving we brought a prime rib roast, a turkey and all the fixings for the kids and their friends that were unable to go home for the holiday. We were a hit that weekend!!

​L: Now that they are adults, are you still close?

C: Absolutely! Brandon and his wife Katrina are living in Ottawa, so we get to visit them often. They are always very inviting and happy to see us.  Jasmin and her fiancé, Dylan are in Vancouver, so we don’t see them as much, but we talk all the time. I’m very proud of them both!

L: Prior to meeting their fiancés, did your kids talk about getting married?

C: Yes, they did and that started in their early twenties — here and there, not all the time of course. Sometimes the conversation would stray to ‘Where would you get married in Trent Hills?’ Our kids want a classic elegant setting for their weddings and there really wasn’t anything like that in our immediate area. In hindsight, this planted the seed for our later decision to purchase a historic church and transform it into The Grand Maple Event Centre.

L: Tell me about the early days of the Grand Maple?
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C: We recognized a gap in the local area in terms of indoor event venues.  So, when St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church — built in 1897 — came on the market, we had to check it out. As soon as we walked in, we knew we had found the right place — it was a strong feeling for both of us. We moved quickly and bought the church in September of 2017.

L: What were your goals with the renovation?

C: Our goal has always been to preserve the historical and unique architectural elements of the building, while making improvements and modern updates in order to create that perfect blend of past and present. 

We started the transformation process in June of 2018 and planned to be finished in January of 2019. As often happens, the scope of the project was much larger than we had anticipated. As a result, the renovations took longer and were finished one week before Brandon and Katrina’s wedding in April of 2019. Talk about cutting it close!

L: Brandon and Katrina decided to get married at the Grand Maple – that must have been such an honour!
C: Yes, it sure was and we are thrilled that we were able to make that happen — although it was touch and go at a few points! Brandon and Katrina announced their engagement in the fall of 2018 after we had purchased the church. We were working on renos which were scheduled to be completed in January of 2019. Their wedding was planned for April of 2019, so it only made sense that it be held at the Grand Maple. After all, the renovations would be complete in January, giving us three months lead time before the wedding. What could possibly go wrong?  

L: How did the renovation process go?
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C: We knew it would be a lot of hard work and we were prepared for that. However, we weren’t prepared for some of the inevitable ‘surprises’ that come with renovating a century old building that can really delay a project. There were also other delays with materials and permits etc. It ended up taking us three months longer than we had projected.

By early March we were in a panic! The wedding was only one month away, and we still had a lot of work to do. That last month was a blur, we worked long days and well into the night. Brandon and Katrina came every weekend to help with painting and other tasks.  Jasmin and Dylan also flew in from Vancouver early to help with final details. We really pitched in as a family. The poor bride, Katrina, must have been so stressed out wondering if we would be ready in time! Her family was great, they planned everything else while we focused on the building.

Finally, just one week before the wedding, we completed the renovations and had our final inspection! We were relieved to say the least!

L: That is stressful indeed! But you pulled it off, tell me about the wedding day.
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C: We were exhausted from the months of hard work and sleepless nights, but we had such a sense of pride knowing that we did it and our son’s wedding was to be the first event in the venue.  Our family and our close friends ordered us to enjoy the day.  They took care of the little details while we focused on being ‘in the moment’.  We did not worry about unfinished details or anything that was less than perfect.  Just simply take in the joy of the day and we did.

It was a perfect day — the weather was beautiful; the ceremony and reception went off without a hitch. We were overjoyed for Brandon and Katrina, as were all our close family and friends who attended.

There was such a feeling of triumph when Bill and I entered as Parents of the Groom in a venue we had created. We couldn’t have been prouder of our family and the strong work ethic we all carry.
The emcee jokingly commented, ‘Brandon was always spoiled by his parents, visiting during our university days with prime rib and turkey dinners! And now they built a venue for his wedding!”

The Scenario:
Situated high on a hill overlooking the Village of Hastings, the Grand Maple Event Centre greets visitors with elegance and history. Formerly the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the building dates back to 1897 when the original foundation stone was laid. Home to a thriving congregation for well over a century, in recent years the congregation dwindled to the point where the expenses were no longer manageable, and the church closed its doors in 2017. 

This is the sad story of many historic churches these days. However, this former place of worship has been given a new life! Creating a one-of-a-kind space for hosting a variety of events has been a long-time dream for Trent Hills residents Bill and Catherine Ma. For many years, they have driven past the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Hastings, Ontario and always admired the historic building. When the church went on the real estate market in 2017, they were immediately intrigued. 

"When the church became available, we knew right away this project belonged to us. We have been business owners in the area for decades, so we know how to plan and manage a successful enterprise. The project of restoring this beautiful old church, however, was something new and exciting.”, Bill Ma.

​The Transformation
Maintaining the original architecture and craftsmanship of the church was very important to the couple. “We worked with what was there, to make it better without destroying the history. As a result, we have a nice blend of the past and present”, Catherine explains.
 
The project involved removing pews, replacing antiquated fixtures with chandeliers, levelling floors, restoring wood architectural features, restoring stained glass windows, installing plumbing and electricity, updating a commercial kitchen, adding an accessibility elevator, sound system and more!
 
They worked hard for well over a year on the transformation. With a focus on restoration and the repurposing of elements where possible, they have kept the historic look and feel of the building, while tastefully adding a touch of modern ambiance.
 
For images of the transformation in process, visit the Our Story page on the Grand Maple website.

The Finished Masterpiece:
The ‘wow’ factor is undeniable upon entering the Grand Maple. History and modern elegance blend together in Trent Hills’ most original event venue. Featuring light-soaked stained-glass windows, a magnificent chandelier gracing a soaring ceiling, original woodwork and exquisite architectural details — it is the perfect setting for truly unforgettable events.
 
The Grand Maple can host events for up to 200 people, or smaller intimate affairs for as few as 45 people. The space makes for beautiful weddings ceremonies and receptions. It can also host performances, corporate events, photo shoots, holiday parties, celebrations of life and more.
 
Bill and Catherine invite you to experience the Grand Maple with a virtual or in-person tour — to arrange a time contact them via email or phone at 705-922-2106.
Contact Us
Or, for a sneak peek, view the Grand Maple video tour.

Have you always dreamed of a having beautiful outdoor summer wedding? Saying ‘I do’ on a perfect sunny day with the perfect picturesque scenery as a backdrop? While the idea of an outdoor wedding holds appeal for those who enjoy the beauty of nature, there are a few of practical issues to take into consideration — especially here in Southern Ontario. It really comes down to how much control you want over your special day.
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Weather
Southern Ontario’s outdoor wedding season is just five months – May to September.  That’s twenty-two weekends.  This number gets reduced drastically when you factor in rain, wind, overcast days, days when the weather is too hot or too cold, or when the humidity seems determined to destroy the best efforts of your hair stylist.  In reality, there are only about five to six “perfect” wedding weekends, and it’s anyone’s guess when they will be. 

With an indoor venue, regardless of what’s happening outside, the forecast will be perfectly predictable! 

Set Up
Creating your dream wedding space outside takes a lot of work and planning.  Everything you want to include must be rented, brought in and set up.  It’s decorations, chairs, tables, and table settings.  It’s tents, a dance floor, lighting, portable washrooms, and even mosquito control.  Then everything must be packed up again at the end of the event.  Depending on the location you chose, that might mean cleaning up long after your guests have left or coming back the next day.  And, of course, there is the cost associated with procuring all of these various amenities.

In contrast, an indoor venue, like the Grand Maple Event Centre, is a well-equipped, fully accessible facility offering a choice of tables, deluxe chairs, dance floor, well-appointed restrooms, and a magnificent 30,000 crystal sparkling chandelier. This fully renovated 160-year-old former church combines old world charm and grandeur with contemporary ambiance — requiring little or no additional décor. No stress, much less for you to organize, and nothing to clean up after.

Food
Having your wedding dinner outside also adds complexity, and limits your pool of caterers, as not all caterers have the equipment required to do an outdoor service.  Simply serving food at the ideal temperature is a challenge for outdoor venues.  

At Grand Maple, our facilities are a caterer’s dream, allowing your catering team to complete their creations to perfection.  The food is served on time and delectable.  Our facility also meets strict pandemic requirements and is approved by the Ministry of Health.

Cost
When factoring in everything we’ve discussed so far, the full costs for an outdoor wedding are often unknown until the very last detail has been executed.  It can be surprising for many to realize that an outdoor wedding can actually cost more than a comparable indoor celebration. 

At Grand Maple, the cost of your wedding is presented up front, with no hidden fees. You have full control of your budget without any surprises, because there simply are no variables that cannot be arranged before your big day.  

Your wedding day should be memorable, fun, and stress free. It should be exactly as you envisioned it and enjoyed by all in attendance. Having your wedding indoors is simply the best way to ensure this, while at the same time providing the best value.

Find out today how the Grand Maple Event Centre can help you plan the indoor wedding of your dreams.
Bill and Catherine invite you to experience the Grand Maple with a virtual or in-person tour — to arrange a time contact them via email or phone at 705-922-2106.
Contact Us
Or, for a sneak peek, view the Grand Maple video tour.

First of all, congratulations!  If you are planning a wedding, it means that you have something wonderful to celebrate.  Goodness knows, the world has gotten very scary and uncertain, which threatens to take some of the joy out of our happier occasions, right when we need joy the most.  As you go through your planning, it is of the utmost importance to remember that this is a happy time!

Of course, the other part, unfortunately, is true as well.  During these unprecedented times, the already daunting task of planning a wedding is made much more complicated.   Even selecting a date is a risky proposition, given the intermittent lockdowns and ever-changing restrictions.  Guest lists, seating arrangements, food service, venue availability, the ability for far away guests to travel – everything is up in the air.  Not exactly ideal conditions for planning one of the most important days of your life.  

Let’s have a look a few things you should keep in mind while planning a post-pandemic wedding.
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Start with Safety
The pandemic is a reality.  It has impacted the entire world, it’s going to impact your wedding.  When getting started, your best bet is to begin with your local area’s pandemic response measures front and centre.  Not only is it the right thing to do, you may not have any choice.  The last thing you want is for your friends and family to get sick from being a part of your special day.

For example, if gatherings are limited to fifty people, there’s no point in inviting a hundred.  If social distancing is required, you’ll need a venue that normally holds significantly more people than you’re inviting.  Forget the buffet, opt for table service instead.  And make sure you are constantly aware of any updates to the pandemic measures being implemented in the area where you plan to get married.

If you start with this focus, all of your planning will result in a safe and enjoyable day for you and your friends and family. 

Choose Venues That Take Safety Seriously
While it may be tempting to find a venue that will let you cut corners, it is much wiser to go with someone that takes the health and safety of their guests seriously.  Whether it’s the ceremony location or the reception venue, you want to make sure that they are also on board with keeping your friends and family safe.  There are a couple advantages to this:

Of course, the first advantage is that you will have confidence that your friends and family will be able to share in your special day in safety.  

An event venue that takes their pandemic response seriously will be a great source of guidance and information as you make your plans.  Ask lots of questions and get specific input into how your guests can safely enjoy the venues you choose.  

A good way to determine if a venue has good pandemic measures in place is to simply ask them how they are handling events.  If what they say lines up to what the regional guidelines suggest, and they have a positive attitude about it, you can be fairly sure you’re in good hands.  

One = None.  Have a Backup Plan
There is an old adage in prepper wisdom that states one is none.  It’s based on the idea that anything can, and usually does, happen.  If you have one hammer and it breaks, you now have none.  The wise prepper packs two hammers.  Redundancy is a great thing, when it comes to being prepared.

In the same way, having multiple back up plans for your big day will help you be prepared.  We have seen lockdowns extended and resumed, we have seen regulations change on a dime.  While you can’t predict what tomorrow will bring, you can have a Plan B and C, should the pandemic prevent your initial vision from coming to fruition.  

It is important that everyone involved is aware and aligned with your plans.  Make sure you have discussed eventualities with your venues and other service providers, understand your contractual obligations and liabilities, and negotiate your terms with this in mind.  If you have followed the advice above, chances are your venue will already have contingency consideration as part of their process.  And, of course, communicate your backup plans to your guests.  The invitation is a great way to do this. 

Have Fun With It – But Don’t Go Overboard
Let’s face it.  It’s been a tough year for all of us.  If you haven’t developed a bit of a sense of humour around it, it’s difficult to imagine how you are getting through it all.  A little bit of levity can go a long way to helping folks feel good about a wedding taking place under complicated circumstances.  

Just be careful not to be overly irreverent about it.  Some of your guests may have lost someone.  Others might hold different opinions on the pandemic in general – certainly we’ve seen plenty of them in the headlines.  While it’s good to have a chuckle, and maybe smooth over some of the more inconvenient aspects people might not be used to at a wedding, keep it light.

A great example from the web was the case of one wedding, where the bride and groom gave out rolls of toilet paper and small bottles of hand sanitizer as gifts for their guests.  A little creativity, combined with a touch of sensitivity, can go a long way to lightening the mood while staying safe.

Closing
The middle of a pandemic is a complicated time to have a wedding, no question.  However, getting married during such a historic time is a great story to tell for years to come.  By taking a few extra precautions, and being a little more organized, will ensure that they are great stories, filled with the love and laughter that any wedding aspires to include.  Once again, congratulations, and all the very best in planning, and enjoying, your big day!  

At Grand Maple Event Centre we can help you navigate these planning challenges. We would love to talk with you about your special day.
Bill and Catherine invite you to experience the Grand Maple with a virtual or in-person tour — to arrange a time contact them via email or phone at 705-922-2106.
Contact Us
Or, for a sneak peek, view the Grand Maple video tour.

Introduction
It’s 2021, most of us understand the value of a professional branding photoshoot.  Certainly, it has become the standard, to the point that anything less is almost as detrimental as not having branding at all.  Not only are businesses using professional photoshoots to showcase and give personality and depth to their brands, but individuals are stepping up their photo game when branding themselves.  

As with most marketing efforts, staying relevant with current trends and social realities is everything, when trying to stand out from the crowd.  Let’s have a look at why the Grand Maple Event Centre is the perfect spot for your next branding photoshoot.

What are Branding Photos, and Why Do they Matter?
Brand photography is simply a series of photos that showcase your product, service, or self.  They are not just a visual representation or portrait, but rather are taken to not only show what you are trying to brand, but to give it context and personality.  They create a deeper connection with the person you are trying to reach.  They tell the story you would tell if you could talk to your prospective client.  They convey and nurture emotion far better than simply putting up a picture of “the thing”.  

Location plays a large role in a branding photoshoot.  As with any trend, some cliches have emerged; the poolside, the upscale urban coffee shop or wine bar.  The airport.  The boardroom.  While these images have been effective, the past year has shifted our reality.  Significantly.  And with this come significant opportunity for those seeking to set themselves by exploring authenticity

Closing
Branding photos are here to stay and are an excellent way to create a deeper connection to prospective clients.  Seth Godin explained it best when he said “A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.”  As life in general gets more hectic and less personal, it only makes sense that innovative marketers are looking to the authentic locations for branding inspiration 

In short, there is no better place to build your brand in 2021.  Contact us today to book a tour or for more information about booking your next branding photoshoot at the Grand Maple Event Centre.  

​Bill and Catherine invite you to experience the Grand Maple with a virtual or in-person tour — to arrange a time contact them via email or phone at 705-922-2106.
Contact Us
Or, for a sneak peek, view the Grand Maple video tour.​