Banquet Planning
For more information about on and off premise events, check out our Catering Brochure!
To get started on planning your River Bend banquet or event, contact Kathleen Piepenbrink at (703) 759-1672 or by e-mail.
General Information
Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible, up to 18 months from the calendar date.
Parties of more than sixteen persons are required to arrange set menus prior to the event. To allow
adequate preparation time, plans for each function must be completed with our staff a minimum of
three weeks in advance.
The guaranteed number of guests is required 72 hours prior to the function.
Enclosed are menus for review and consideration. In addition, we will be happy to design a "custom
menu" to suit your needs. Our staff is available to help you with every detail of your event -- from
food and wine to flowers, music, and audio-visual equipment.
Member Parties
Banquet facilities are available for use by club members Tuesday through Sunday with no room
rental charge. There is, however, a $3.50 per person surcharge for use of the Grill Room. Private
functions will be considered on a Monday with a $5,000 minimum. Members are welcome to
schedule events as far in advance as necessary.
Sponsored Parties
River Bend permits member-sponsored functions under the following considerations:
Space is subject to availability and services to members cannot be impaired.
The sponsoring member is required to attend the event.
A room rental charge will be imposed for all sponsored functions.
Full payment is required in advance of the event.
Charges for sponsored functions will be rendered in the name of the sponsoring member, and the
member will be responsible to the club for all debts relating to the party, appropriate attire and
behavior at the party, and for any physical damage in connection with the party.
Deposit and Cancellation Policies
An earnest deposit is required on all private functions equal to $10 per person or $500 minimum.
The club reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of the deposit if the function is cancelled and
the club is unable to book another event of equal value on that date.
In addition to retaining the deposit, functions that are cancelled two weeks and up to one week prior
to the date will be charged 50% of the total cost of the event. Cancellations within one week prior
or less will be charged 100% of the cost of the event.
Price and Gratuity
All prices listed herein are subject to change due to market fluctuations. 20% gratuity and 5% Virginia State Sales Tax is added to the total of all food and beverage charges.
Guarantee
In arranging for private functions, guarantees are required for all catered events. The final attendance must be confirmed 72 hours in advance of the function. This number will be your guarantee and is not subject to reduction. Appropriate space is reserved based on your expected attendance; therefore, the guarantee may not drop by more than 20% of this figure.
Payment Policy
Full payment is due at the conclusion of the function, or on the next business day. River Bend members may elect to place all charges on their membership account. All others must pay by cash or check. River Bend does not accept any credit cards.
Prepayment is required for sponsored parties. An invoice will be prepared following the guarantee which is due 72 hours prior to the event. The Consumption Bar, if applicable, will be estimated at $25.00 per person with the balance to be paid or refunded after the event.
Decorations
All decorations must have prior approval by management. Any furniture or other fixture rearrangement must also be approved. Decorating for parties should be scheduled in advance. Decorations left behind will be held ONLY 12 hours after the event.
Items belonging to River Bend (vases, silk arrangements, bowls, candlesticks, etc.) which are removed must be returned to their original locations. The host member will be charged accordingly for missing articles.
Table Arrangements
We offer a custom room design to accommodate your needs. Our round tables can seat 8-12 people, rectangle tables can be configured to seat any number and a U-Shape design is available for up to 30 guests.
You are welcome to choose your linens to fit the theme of your event. We will provide white and champagne with other colors available at an additional charge. Our fine quality white satin stripe Tablecloths can be rented for $30.00 each and a Navy Satin Stripe for $20.00 each.
Room Charges and Capacity
| Dogwood Room |
$400.00 |
50 (seated) |
90 (standing) |
| Potomac Room |
$875.00 |
90 |
100 |
| Radius |
$1,000.00 |
60 |
90 |
| *River Bend Grill |
$2,000.00 |
150 |
200 |
| *Honors Terrace |
N/A |
70 |
130 |
| Seneca Lounge |
$450.00 |
N/A |
80 |
| South Patio |
$450.00 |
80 |
150 |
Wedding and Other Ceremonies
Space is available to hold a theater style ceremony for up to 200 guests.
There is a $3.50 per person set up charge for both member and sponsored events.
Sponsored parties will also be charged an additional $500 Room Rental Fee.
Rental Charges
| Candles – Brass |
$1.50 |
| Candles – Votive |
$0.75 |
| Dance Floor |
$250.00 |
| Stage |
$450.00 |
| Easels and Flip Charts |
$12.00 |
| LCD Slide Projector |
$50.00 |
| Parlour Grand Piano |
$175.00 |
| Screen |
$25.00 |
| Television and DVD |
$100.00 |
| Tent (16 x 16) |
$500.00 |
| Tent (40 x 40) |
$1,900.00 |
Additional Charges
| Cake Cutting Fee |
$2.00 per person |
| Cash/Soft Bars – Bartender |
$65.00 each |
| Cash/Soft Bars – Cashier |
$25.00 each |
| Chefs or Carvers |
$80.00 each |
| Coat Room Attendant |
$65.00 each |
| Ice Carvings |
$300.00 and up |
| Set-up Fee for Meetings |
$5.00 per person |
| White Satin Stripe Tablecloth |
$30.00 each |
| Navy Satin Stripe Tablecloth |
$20.00 each |
| White Chair Covers w/Sash |
$3.00 per chair |
Additional Information
If you select a cash bar and your function exceeds 100 guests, the club will provide tickets and a cash box with change along with a cashier at $30.00. Cash and Soft Bars require an additional fee of $65.00 for each bartender.
Parties of 16 or more require a pre-selected menu. You may offer a choice of entree, however, selections must be prearranged and color-coded place cards are suggested for efficient service. Additional meals that are requested and not included in the final guarantee will be charged.
Young Adult Banquets
Parties in which the majority of the guests are under the age of 21 (Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet Sixteen and High School Graduation Parties, for example) require one adult chaperone for 25 guests. We also have professional security officers available for a fee, if you wish to have additional coverage.
Dinner Menu prices are in effect after 2:00 p.m., and all day Saturday and Sunday.
The Seneca Lounge is a non-smoking room; however the party rooms may be designated smoking or non-smoking upon your request.
River Bend does not provide meals for vendors (entertainers, photographers, etc.) however you are welcome to make the necessary arrangements at your discretion.
All food and beverage items must be provided by River Bend with the exception of wedding and other specialty cakes or cultural items that we cannot create in-house. These items must be approved by the management.
Contracts and appropriate paperwork must be completed in full and returned to the club prior to the function.
There will be no throwing of bird seed, rice, or flower petals on the Club grounds.
River Bend has a parlor grand piano which is available for private parties. The piano rental charge is $175.00. The piano is a delicate instrument and will be operated under the supervision of management.
Valet Parking
Professional valet service is available for your guests, and if your function exceeds 200 people this service is mandatory. Prices are based upon the total number of guests and the duration of your event.