The venue is gorgeous, the food superb, the libations on-point and the service stellar. But one of the best reasons to select Vickers for your next event is five-star event planning.
Director of Marketing & Events Amanda Burigatto Brogan—who earned her stripes in New York City at CosmoGirl magazine’s marketing department—seamlessly manages events large and small. How does working at a fashion mag translate to amazing events at a Chester County icon? Amanda’s role included event planning, not the least of which was work on Fashion Week as well as global events in Rome and London.
“I’m a Chester County girl at heart, so when I got the call from my father that he’d bought the restaurant back, I was all-in to return home to work in the family business.”
Arturo Burigatto opened Vickers in 1972 and sold it in 1999. Back in the family since he made that call to Amanda in 2008, the restaurant has become a destination for intimate events as small as 10 and celebrations as large as 125. And, yes, you’ll still see Arturo there, often mixing up something creative behind the bar.
“We’re a unique destination for events, Amanda said. “We have a lot of different rooms in our beautiful old farmhouse that’s decorated to match the period. We’re different than a hotel or a country club: This was part of the Underground Railroad; you can’t re-create that. It’s a really cool space.”
Each room has its own vibe, perfect for corporate events, private parties, showers, rehearsal dinners, holiday events, weddings—there’s very little Amanda hasn’t been able to accommodate. Bonus in nice weather: an adjacent patio for a romantic ceremony, an alfresco cocktail hour or moonlight hors d’oeuvres.
“We can do just about anything, and we’re used to working with different budgets,” she emphasized. “We don’t add on weird fees: We have screens, podiums and of course all the set-ups for a fantastic event. We’re a restaurant first, so we don’t charge for linens and other items we have right here.”
One of Amanda’s favorite things to do is work with a customer to take the seed of an idea and develop an unforgettable event. She hosts a lot of second weddings and those couples really want their personalities built into their special day. With a max of 125, Vickers’ well-trained and skilled staff can deliver impeccable European service around any theme.
“Think Downton Abbey,” Amanda added. “You’ll be addressed as madam or mister, be pampered and feel like a star. Yet, it’s not stuffy or haughty. We’re celebrating the old-world style of service.”
Rehearsal dinners have changed over the years and Vickers is ready to accommodate. They’ve been increasing in size as they’ve grown from just the bridal party and immediate family to include a warm welcome for out-of-town guests. These once-quick dinners are now frequently themed, and with Amanda’s help, the mother of the groom can put her imprint on the start of the wedding weekend.
“We did a really cool French barbeque, like a picnic from a French bistro, right down to a signature cocktail,” she explained. “We’ve done rustic Italian, and a beach theme with fun lobster rolls. Vickers is continental cuisine, and that spans a lot so we have much to offer.”
The mother of the bride has her chance to shine, as do the bridesmaids, during the bridal shower. This traditional celebration has morphed from bow-hats and endless gift-opening to display showers where unwrapped gifts are shown off for all to see, allowing the bride to mix and mingle. Evening cocktail showers are gaining popularity, and in many cases have become an after-work happy hour with finger-food delights like gourmet pizzas, salad bars and a selection of sliders.
“We certainly can do fine dining for any occasion, and be very formal,” Amanda said. “And although times have changed and things are moving to less formal, rest assured you will get the dining and experience you desire. We excel at delivering people’s vision.”
That includes corporate events of all sizes, from a working lunch to a board meeting, a gala dinner to a fun holiday party. Amanda cautions to book now for holidays celebrations as they sell out early. She is adept at whipping up custom menus for very specific budgets and can accommodate food allergies and preferences.
“We take care of everything so you can come here, impress your clients without breaking budget and come back again,” she added.
Vickers has just the right comfortable and well-appointed room for your next event and one of the area’s most seasoned event planning professionals at the helm. Scope out the details online, or call Amanda at (610) 363-7998.
Find Vickers at 192 East Welsh Pool Rd. in Exton, at the corner of Gordon Drive; phone: (610) 363-7998.
Photography credits: Ali & Paul Co.
