Meet Bridget
What makes the Wakefield Mill Hôtel & Spa so special ? Its people, who work hard everyday to give you the best experience!
Meet our Event Coordinator : Bridget Maclean
How long have you been working with us?
Almost 2 years.
Why did you choose to work at the Wakefield Mill?
I was retired from Thyme and Again Catering after 25 years of booking weddings and big events. I then was looking for a part time job close to home. My friend told me Linda, Director of Operations, at the Wakefield Mill was looking for someone to help with weddings. I started the following week.
What do you enjoy most about the Mill ?
The team! Laughs in the office. Hugs in the kitchen, working with front of house teams (restaurants and front desk) to make everything run smoothly.
What is your favorite task ?
I like seeing all of the planning (often months), and all of the teams from different departments coming together, to make the experience for the guests meet or exceed their expectations. Beginning to end of an event.
What is the essential quality to do your job ?
Patience, organization and flexibility.
What is your best memory at the Wakefield Mill ?
A really fun memory is when Clement, Lynn, and I had to bring an arch from the Spa forest to Pearson Hall. We had to hold it on the golf kart and drive it over there, we were laughing our heads off.
The couple really appreciated our efforts.
An anecdote to share ?
That one time when we had a power outage! No power, huge storm, trees coming down; with me trying to save the brides flowers on the spa forest deck (soaked to the skin!). Moved the guest to the bar and got the drinks flowing! I did the emergency close down with Jeffrey while trying to decide how we can hold the ceremony and give these poor people something to eat with no power! Served more drinks!
Meanwhile I set up a story circle in Pearson Hall for a corporate group who were booked to have a story by the fireplace in spa forest. Then running back to set up for the ceremony.
We pulled off a beautiful ceremony, fed the guests charcuterie and cake thanks to the kitchen! They stayed until it was dark. A wedding with a fantastic story to tell!
What do you enjoy the most of the region ?
My favorite activity in summer/fall is to take a canoe to Lac Philippe and paddle to the rock at the end of the lake to have a nice picnic! Canoes and kayaks are available to rent close from the Mill.
Why would you recommend the Wakefield Mill for work and/or sightseeing?
Working: you would be joining an awesome team all trying their best to make the experience for the guests the best it can be, professional and personal pride in the job. When you work at the Mill, you are part of the family, and if you mess up there is always a hug.
Visiting: Same reason ! You would be visiting a hotel where all of the teams come together to make the guest experience the best it can be. No one likes to hear that something in their department disappointed a guest.