It’s more important than ever that businesses get creative as we see regular operations changing due to COVID. Bluefin Bay is doing just that by utilizing marketing resources to push their resort to honeymooners or those with cabin fever looking for a quick and safe getaway. We chat with Jessica Huppler, Grille and Events Manager of Bluefin Bay, about how they’ve pivoted during the pandemic and advice she has for others in the industry.
A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE RESORT AND THEIR GUESTS
The Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts has had to alter operations — like many in the wedding industry and beyond — since the outbreak of COVID-19, but they have taken many measures to ensure their guests stay safe. They have had to scale back their wedding offerings, always abiding by the current restrictions of the state, Huppler tells us.
“It’s our goal to create events that are safe, while also enabling family to witness these special occasions,”
“We had a handful of scaled back weddings in August and September, and it’s our goal to create events that are safe, while also enabling family to witness these special occasions,” Huppler explains that with the average couple taking about one year to plan their wedding, she establishes a relationship with them early on. It’s very important that with the trust she has gained, she can continue to execute weddings, even if it might not be what they had originally envisioned. “We are hoping that moving forward we will be able to offer events for groups of up to 40 or fewer, but of course, following government-mandated restrictions.” In addition, Bluefin Bay is offering refunds on previously planned events, because they know the importance of clients’ happiness, as well as avoiding financial strain when events cannot be executed the way they had originally been planned.
COVID ACCOMDATIONS
In addition to extra cleaning and sanitizing precautions, additional HEPA filters have been installed, and check in and check out times have been adjusted to ensure more time for cleaning. The staff at Bluefin Bay has also made both Coho Café & Bakery and the Bluefin Grille open for takeout. There are many other adjustments that have been made to ensure guests are safe, and you can learn more about them here, where there is a video from the staff breaking down several steps they have taken to make their resort safe, as well as more written information on other COVID accommodations.
HONEYMOONS DON’T HAVE TO SUFFER
While receptions have to be scaled back during a pandemic, the rituals of a honeymoon don’t have to be. At Bluefin, couples can still enjoy various honeymoon packages, including those with champagne, rose petal turndown service, and much more. Details on these packages are available here. As Huppler pointed out, “A huge benefit to having your honeymoon at Bluefin Bay is that you get a destination getaway feeling, but you’re still close to home, avoiding unnecessary travel.”
ADVICE FOR OTHERS IN THE INDUSTRY
We asked Huppler what advice she has for others (both clients and those in the hospitality industry) in planning weddings moving forward during the pandemic, to which she had these sage comments, “My number one piece of advice is this: be flexible. This pandemic has rocked [couples’] worlds. Be as flexible as you can with refunds, but also with what you can do to accommodate them pulling off a wedding, that is safe and celebratory at the same time.”
