Weddings at the Virginia Beach Convention Center: Meet the VBCC Catering Sales Team!

Last week you met the VBCC Building Team and learned a little about the people behind the space and tables here at the Convention Center when it comes to your wedding.

Next up: The Catering Sales Team!

Our exclusive caterer, Distinctive Gourmet has two exceptional Catering Sales Managers that have tons of experience with weddings and events in general. They are available to chat about your menu selections even before you book- but once you have signed both a building contract and a banquet contract- that is where the fun begins!

To get to know the girls a little better- we asked them the same questions we asked the building team:

Name: Sabrina Rinaldo

Direct Phone: 757-385-2009

Email: srinaldo@vbgov.com

How long have you been involved with weddings?

For about two years. Started in Miami Beach.

Your role in the VBCC wedding process?

I work with the bride and groom on creating the perfect menu for their wedding. As we all know, food can make or break an event! We try to make sure each menu fits the needs and wants of the couple, as well as is enjoyable to all guests. I also assist the couple with upscale linen and centerpiece options to complete the look of their reception space.

Your favorite part about working with weddings?

I love knowing that I am a part of one of the most important days in a couple’s life together. It is a very rewarding job. To work with brides weeks before their wedding and then to actually see them on their wedding day, when all of the hard work and planning comes together, full of excitement and happiness-knowing that I was a part of that is a great feeling.

The BEST thing about the VBCC for weddings?

The building is absolutely beautiful! It’s a great venue to take pictures that will create breathtaking memories. This is the third venue I have worked in and it is by far my favorite for weddings.

Any advice you have for brides and grooms?

Learn to let go. My colleagues and I are here to assist you on making your day smooth and effortless. Some brides have a hard time letting go of some of the smaller things and add too much stress onto themselves prior to, or on their wedding day. Our job is to help take some of the stresses away, so allow us to help you. Also, if budget allows, hire a coordinator or designate a friend to arrive to the venue early on the wedding day to oversee set-up and address any last minute questions that arise.

Personal Info-

I recently moved to Virginia Beach from Miami, Florida. I still have many areas of the city to learn and explore, but I am thoroughly enjoying it thus far. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, dancing, or curling up with a good book. I love the beach/outdoors and can’t wait to enjoy this beautiful city in the summer!

Sabrina

Name: Cassandra Murdough

Direct Phone: 757-385-2015

Email: cmurdoug@vbgov.com

How long have you been involved with weddings?

About 7 years. I started working at the VBCC in 2005 on the building side- I did weddings as an event supervisor and then moved to Catering Sales with Distinctive Gourmet last August. In my personal life I have been a bridesmaid 6 times so I have been in 7 weddings (including my own) and have seen all sides of the process.

Your role in the VBCC wedding process?

I am very involved in weddings here in that I handle not only individual weddings, but I also have taken on being the coordinator for revamping our wedding menus, DG’s involvement in bridal shows and work very closely with the VBCC’s Marketing Coordinator to put together our bridal initiatives like our wedding posts on Facebook and Twitter , this bridal blog (blowing my cover here!), and our upcoming Pinterest page (look out for more details on that soon!).

Your favorite part about working with weddings?

I love that at the root of every wedding are two people that care enough about each other to stand in front of family and friends and tell the world they are together (and then invite them to an AWESOME party). It warms my heart to be a part of the months of planning that come with that. I also love that although each wedding may have the same components (cocktail hour, dinner, cake cutting, etc) each wedding is completely different from the last and that keeps my part of the job fresh and exciting.

The BEST thing about the VBCC for weddings?

The best thing about us is that we care so much about weddings. We are not a venue that “turns and burns” several weddings each day in the same room- we take pride in the fact that we pay special attention to each wedding reception and act as though each one is the most important event in the building each day- even if we have more than one (because really- it is the most important event in your life, right?).

Any advice you have for brides and grooms?

I have to agree with Sabrina on this one- let go a smidge. Really- we do this all the time- we have your back J

I would also say don’t be afraid to think “outside the menu” if you want to. Yes, we do have standard wedding menus. Yes, they are pretty fabulous. But, if at the end of the day you really just want to have tacos (or whatever else your favorite food is) at your wedding – we can absolutely do that. Our Chef and his culinary team can do pretty much anything you might want that makes your wedding yours.

Personal Info-

I usually go by "Cassie" so if you hear that name- don't be confused- it's still me! I live Virginia Beach with my husband, our son Bennett, and our cat Joey. I love my job, but when I am not at the VBCC or hanging out with my boys, I like shopping and reading books with no real intellectual value and watching ridiculous television (and I have a slight Facebook addiction).