Consultation

You likely have a lot of ideas for your dream wedding. You may also not know where to start. From the very first meeting together, we help set your plans in motion. Our caring and knowledgeable Wedding Planners and Special Events Designers at the St. Marys Golf & Country Club are your number one contacts – the ones who will listen to your thoughts, and help bring your unique wedding vision to life in a way that's true to you.

Coordination

On your wedding day, you should be focused on each other. Our personable and attentive Wedding Maitre D’s at the St. Marys Golf & Country Club will ensure no detail is overlooked on your big day, that things run smoothly, and that all of your needs are met. Our goal is to allow you focus on what truly matters – each other.

Our Team

Our Story

Through a vision for creating a unique and approachable, one-of-a-kind wedding experience, husband and wife team, Matt and Ashton Staffen, have built a recognized and respected hospitality brand in Southwestern Ontario. During their ten years with the family-owned business, Ashton and Matt have transitioned the special event facility from one banquet hall to a full-service, multi-venue wedding property, known for seamless planning and execution. The venue’s annual wedding count has grown from single to triple digits, yet the Staffens’ proudest accomplishment is a team that has grown from just 20 employees to now over 100 during the peak season. And largely with the support of their caring and experienced staff, Matt and Ashton’s unwavering commitment to detail and customer service ensures couples feel at home when they choose St. Marys Weddings to host their special day. “It is important to us that our couples feel something more – to be a part of our family. For us, there is no better feeling than seeing the true happiness on our couples’ faces and knowing that our team helped make their wedding day one of the most memorable days of their lives.”

GET TO KNOW THE LEADERSHIP TEAM BEHIND YOUR DREAM WEDDING

Matt Staffen

Partner, President & General Manager

After completing both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Business, from the Ivey Business School, Matt joined the St. Marys Golf & Country Club team in 2014 with a commitment to instilling a vision for the best possible wedding and event experience in the industry. He was quickly promoted to President & General Manager in 2016, where he helped to cement the business as a leader in the golf and special event industries in Southwestern Ontario. Wearing many different hats, Matt is often found on the front lines ensuring wedding days are executed to perfection.

Ashton Staffen

Partner, Director of Sales & Marketing

While completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ashton became an expert in personal relations and the ability to understand the needs of others. She went on to post-graduate studies in Event Management, where her passion for wedding planning was fostered. Since joining us in 2014, Ashton has led our Special Events Team, and has been the driving force behind our reputation as one of Southwestern Ontario’s premier wedding venues. Beyond leading the creative direction of our own brand, she is known for helping each client’s unique vision come to life and for making long-lasting friendships with our couples.

Rebekka Meiboom

Director of Special Events

After receiving her diploma in Special Event Management from George Brown College, Rebekka went on to gain industry experience with a reputable event planning firm, and supervising sales at leading Toronto bridal boutique Sash + Bustle. With her personable, composed and genuine nature, in addition to her ability to think on her toes, Rebekka ensures that the client wedding experience is delivered to perfection. Whether she’s supporting the planning journey or managing our service team behind the scenes, couples can always rely on Rebekka to be anticipating their needs and delivering the highest standards of customer service. “Working in weddings and events has always been my passion! Being able to watch my couples walk down the aisle is one of the best feelings in the world. The love they share in that moment is infectious and inspiring!”

GET TO KNOW THE PLANNING TEAM BEHIND YOUR DREAM WEDDING

Hailey Thomas

Event Sales Specialist

With diplomas in both Business Marketing and Food, Wine & Tourism, in addition to a decade of hospitality experience stretching from Ontario to British Columbia, Hailey became a welcome addition to our team in 2020. Her positive demeanor, passion for customer service, and ability to communicate sincerely and effectively with others all lend to meaningful connections with our couples, and her unmistakable attention to detail ensures weddings are planned to perfection. “I love helping my clients create the beautiful moments that become their valuable memories. Having the opportunity to assist our couples along every step of the process in planning their own unique and special day is an absolute honour to me.”

Kim Foster

Special Events Designer

As an industry-leading wedding expert, Kim operated her own design business for nearly two decades before signing on as the exclusive event designer for St. Marys Weddings. For eight years prior to the partnership, Kim was the preferred luxury wedding and event designer for hundreds of our amazing clients. Her commitment to creating unique and artful wedding designs, along with a focus on her client and vendor relationships, has made it an easy decision to add Kim to our team of in-house wedding experts.

Audrey Zurbrigg

Special Events Maître D’

On your wedding day, you should be focused on each other. Our personable and attentive Wedding Maitre D’s at St. Marys Weddings will ensure no detail is overlooked on your big day, that things run smoothly, and that all of your needs are met. Their goal is to allow you focus on what truly matters – each other.

GET TO KNOW THE CULINARY TEAM BEHIND YOUR DREAM WEDDING

Julian Bansie

Executive Chef

With a passion for cooking that started as a young child, Chef Julian set off to graduate from George Brown College with an Honours in Culinary Management. His professional experience spans throughout Toronto, including the famed Canoe and at historic Canadian event space The Carlu. Raising the ranks with the Oliver & Bonancini group, Julian helped to grow their exclusive TIFF venue and hosted numerous high profile celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Drake, and Jaime Oliver. Following his time with The Carlu, Julian set his sights back home in London. As leader of the SMGCC culinary team, Chef Julian brings his attention to detail and fierce passion for the culinary arts. "Routine and consistency are pillars of a strong culinary brigade. Every time I put on my Chef coat, I strive to be better than the day before, and to teach someone on my team something new."

Patrick Grogan

Executive Sous Chef

Chef Patrick's culinary journey began with a four-year apprenticeship at Southbank Collage in Brisbane, Australia and the attainment of a Certificate III in Commercial Cooking (Red Seal). His experience in the culinary industry spans over 18 years, throughout event venues, hotels and restaurants, including the Executive Chef role at Banff Gondola and Sunshine Lodge Banff. Recently putting down roots with his wife and son in St. Marys, Patrick helps guide the Special Events culinary team with strong leadership skills and a keen attention to detail. "My passion for cooking continues to excite me and keeps me striving every day to be better than the day before.”

Jennifer Benny

Sous Chef

Having completed her diploma in Food & Beverage Hospitality Management at Fanshawe College, Jenn trained as Sous Chef at a local favourite on the restaurant scene, Little Red’s Pub & Eatery. Since joining our team in 2019, Jenn has continued to hone her skill-set for menu development, attention to detail, and customer experience, and is passionate about our commitment to working with local farmers and suppliers. “Beyond the passion you put into the food, if you build a connection with customers and treat them like family, they will not only come back for the flavours but also for the feeling you provided.”

OUR EXTRAS

Special Incentives

To show our gratitude, we offer additional services in the form of complimentary menu tastings, ceremony rehearsals and golf green fees. And because we know there’s more to a wedding celebration than the actual day, we also offer a special group dinner menu for rehearsal dinners hosted in our restaurant, Social Thirty-One.

Giving Back

Local Vendors

We have a variety of wedding services to offer right here at the St. Marys Golf & Country Club. For entertainment, florists, bakers, accommodations, transportation, and more, we can also connect you with trusted local professionals in St. Marys, Stratford and London, to keep your planning process simple.