Are you a mother of the bride or mother of the groom? Have questions?
We got you covered! Your wedding planner or event manager will actually be a huge resource if you have any questions. She/he will be first in line to communicate with if you have any questions. Here are the most common questions that we are asked here at The Belvedere. To find answers quickly, contact the bride or her wedding planner. The bride has an online planner with tons of helpful information which she can choose to share with you. In no way does the online planner replace a professional but, maybe she will find it helpful.
What type of tables do you have (shape, size)? Currently, we offer 8- 16' foot wood farm tables and 10- 60” round tables and 2-8' rectangle tables, FREE. This is subject to change as tables are damaged. Effective 7-1-2024, we will be offering 8-8" foot long wooden tables. Additional round tables are available in the decor room.
Is there a backup plan for rain or inclement weather? Sure! The outside areas are weather permitting. She can set her ceremony up in the pavilion/chapel or we offer the ballroom as a backup plan.
Does the barn have heat or air conditioning?
No, it's basically just a covered space to shade the guests during the hot summer months. In cooler weather, the barn is "weather permitting." If she wants to bring heaters into
the barn for a fall or winter wedding, remind her that electrical heaters will trip the breakers and she'll lose power in the buildings including the reception space. Some amenities such as HVAC may not be available after a power outage as it will require a service call to reset the HVAC. They may not be available after hours or weekends. Yep, this has happened! This is the reason why we don't allow electrical heaters. You're welcome to bring fans in warmer weather. Our brides do not want ceiling fans or floor fans in their wedding photographs. This can be your family's decision.
Will someone be there on wedding day to unlock the doors?
No, we will send the bride a door code or we will have made arrangements to automatically unlock the door at the beginning of her reserved time. The code activates at the time her reservation starts. If she arrives early, the code will not work until the specified time. The facility is armed with a security system similar to what she may have at home but, slightly more sophisticated. Tampering with the lock or otherwise trying to gain access to any part of the facility will trigger the alarm/siren.
What is the policy on setting up?
Setting up and cleaning up when family is involved, is when most damage happens simply because the bride does not communicate with her helpers. Most damage can be avoided which involves simple respect for another person's property. We are so fortunate to book amazing families but even then, weddings can be hard for people under a tremendous amount of stress so we've provided check lists and cheat sheets which are available at the open houses for her helpers. The check lists are especially helpful to preplan to simplify the day.
What is biodegradeable confetti?
We're not aware of any venue that allows confetti of any kind including biodegradable confetti. It takes several hard rains and a matter of time for it to eventually dissolve which will not be in time for our next event...usually the next day. Don't let the bride's friends or photographer talk her into using confetti of any kind. The cleanup is costly!
Can she use real rose petals?
Yes! We ask that she use real rose/flower/leaf petals. Fake rose/flower petals blow outside onto the landscaping and parking lot, requiring someone to pick them up. The company we use to clean after the event charges 150.00 to pick up fake rose petals and that fee will be passed on to her. She has this information in her agreement.
Can she use sparklers?
Again, Most venues do not allow any type of open flames including sparklers. Her event insurance does not allow them and the venue's insurance does not allow them. If sparklers are used, someone will be dispatched to the venue and will stay throughout the evening for liability reasons resulting in additional costs to her. Open flames included grills, fire pits, candles, fireworks, sparklers, etc
What decorative items are prohibited at event venues?
These items are industry standard meaning, nearly all venues have the same rules. Glitter, confetti, sequins, confetti, fake rose petals, tape or fasteners of any kind on any surface of the facility including tape for the aisle runner. Helium balloons are not prohibited but if they are released, then equipment will need to be rented to retrieve them in time for the next event which is usually the next day. All of the above items will require additional time or equipment to repair or remove the damage. The janitorial/cleaning company will send an invoice and we will bill the host/bride. She has more information on how this works in her online planner but, you will be the greatest help of all if you will act as another pair of eyes and ears.
Can the venue accommodate a DJ or live band? Are there any restrictions? Sure! We welcome DJ’s and live bands and provide dedicated outlets for their equipment. Remind them to not tape their cords to the floor which leaves a residual and damages the floor.
Can the DJ hook into the venues system?
Our small house system is not compatible with DJ's equipment. A DJ's system is far superior to anything that a venue offers. In no way does it replace a DJ. It's a simple system provided for background or ambient music. Turning the system up beyond its capabilities will blow the system and she'll be without music for the duration of her event.
Can she hook an iPod or laptop up to your sound system? Absolutely! She can customize her event by providing her music favorites. She can attend an open house to learn how the sound system works.
Do you have WIFI? Due to latency, lag, buffering and other hiccups that are associated with wifi, we recommend a reputable DJ who will have an extensive music library. He will have a private/dedicated hotspot of his own. She can also use her phone hotspot or purchase a prepaid package.
Is there a required/preferred vendor list to stick to? We are very flexible here at The Belvedere. The bride is welcome to bring in the caterers of her choice or self cater and serve family favorites. If she chooses to bring in her own food, she'll be required to follow the caterers guidelines found in her online planner. Remember, roaster ovens are not allowed as they will trip the breakers and she'll lose power in the building.
Is decor really free?
Yes, it's free to use in the ballroom. Inventory varies and is always changing. Some items are donations and are possibly DIY craft items. They are not meant to be used repeatedly at hundreds of events. Some items get damaged or dirty and are no longer usable. Also, sometimes items accidentally get taken home and although they eventually get returned, they may not get returned in time for her event. Keep all of this in mind!
When can she get access to the space to decorate/set up? Each package is different and depends on the options the bride selected when she booked the venue. If she needs early access, she can contact us. For a minimal charge, we can schedule someone to be on duty so she can start decorating early.
How much are extra hours?
Early arrival is 100.00 per hour and extending the evening hours are 200.00. The venue collects the fee but, it actually is paid to the guys and gals who will be on duty/on call during the day of your event. We need one male and one female to be on call through out the time the venue is reserved from start til finish. A female is required in case there is an issue in the dressing rooms or women's restrooms and likewise for the men's dressing rooms and restrooms. We also have a maintenance man on call during the rental period.
Will someone be there on wedding day to unlock the doors?
No, we will send the bride a door code or we will have made arrangements to automatically unlock the door at the beginning of her reserved time. The code activates at the time her reservation starts. If she arrives early, the code will not work until the specified time. The facility is armed with a security system similar to what she may have at home but, slightly more sophisticated. Tampering with the lock or otherwise trying to gain access to any part of the facility will trigger the alarm/siren.
What is included in the caterer's prep kitchen?
We provide a prep kitchen. Since most of our events are formal events, they are catered by area professionals. The food is cooked and prepared in a health department-approved kitchen offsite and then delivered to the venue hot and ready to serve your guests. Our prep kitchen includes a refrigerator, a sink and small counter space.
Can she bring roaster ovens to keep the food warm?
Remember, roaster ovens and electric heaters are not allowed as they will trip the breakers and she'll lose power in the building. In the past, these power outages have tripped the HVAC system requiring a professional to reset the system. If this happens during her event, she'll be without HVAC or other amenities. Most HVAC companies are not open during evenings and weekends. It's much better to hire a professional caterer who will deliver the food hot and ready for her guests.
Is ice furnished with the venue?
For sanitation reasons, it's best for the bride to ask her caterer or bartender to furnish "bagged" ice. In the past, we have found people will take the cup they are drinking from and use it to scoop ice to refill their cup. Or they will use their hands to grab ice and even the scoop that is supposed to be used will be used by unclean hands and then returned to the ice bin. So for sanitation reasons, we do not provide ice. There is a chest freezer in the lounge if needed. It's common for people to bring in coolers and ice chests. Your caterer or bartender will have the experience to provide what their exact needs will be.
Is she required to hire a wedding planner? Most of our events hire a wedding planner or an event manager, or coordinator or even a hired hostess and sometimes all of the above. Weddings are mega events with thousands of dollars spent on food, decor, wedding professionals and other wedding related services. The bride's guests will have certain expectations when attending a wedding. She's not required to hire a planner but, we tend to get the most phone calls from dissatisfied guests who are attending an event hosted by a family that did not hire a professional organizer. If a guest calls, we will give them your contact info.
But, what if she can't afford a wedding planner?
Hiring a wedding planner from the start can actually save the bride money. The money a planner saves will pay for her own services plus, there will be less stress along the way. Wedding day will be a breeze as she handles all of the details that result in a successful event. A friend or family member who steps in to play the part of a professional planner is not skilled in logistics, guest flow, food safety, fire codes and proper egress and so much more. With the experience of almost 1100 events, we have found the most successful events start with a reputable planner.
Will someone be there on wedding day to unlock the doors?
No, we will send the bride a door code or we will have made arrangements to automatically unlock the door at the beginning of her reserved time. The code activates at the time her reservation starts. If she arrives early, the code will not work until the specified time. The facility is armed with a security system similar to what she may have at home but, slightly more sophisticated. Tampering with the lock or otherwise trying to gain access to any part of the facility will trigger the alarm/siren.
Do I call the venue's phone number to reach someone?
If you need to reach someone, do not call or email the venue. We are not there! We will provide her with an emergency number to reach someone during her event.
Who does she contact in case of an emergency?
The bride will have the phone number to contact security in case of an emergency. There are some things the venue will be unable to help her with after hours. For example if she loses power in the building from roaster ovens, or plugging in electric heaters in the barn/chapel. It's likely that some amenities will not be available such as HVAC (heat and air). After losing power in the building such as HVAC, a service man will need to be scheduled to come and reset hvac equipment meaning she may not have heat or air conditioning during her event as they are not available after hours. Many venues, including our venues do not allow roaster ovens for this reason. Thankfully, this has only happened twice in 1100 events.
What do we need to do at the end of the night?
Bag the trash, including restroom trash, stack the chairs, and sweep. Return any decor back to the lending closet. The shelves are labels so you'll know where the item came from. There are two large brooms in the decor room and a chair dolly to quickly move the chairs. When leaving, turn out the lights and lock the doors... that's it! It's easiest to keep trash picked up throughout the evening. You wouldn't want your guests to look at food and trash on the tables for the duration of the evening. Delegating one person to do this will make the evening so much more pleasant for everyone. The bride has this information in her online planner. You can also find checklists and cheat sheets at our open houses. Help yourself!
Is there someone we can hire to clean at the end of the night?
Yes, his name is Mike. He cleans for other brides at other venues too, so the bride needs to contact him asap before his schedule fills up. He charges 300.00 to clean which means the bride and her wedding party will gather their personal things and leave the rest. His fee doesn't include excessive cleanup such as food on the walls, dumped on the floor, body fluids, glitter, fake flower petals and other prohibited items. After a long day of partying, most people are exhausted at the end of the night...we totally get it. We just ask that you respect the facility and take care of it in order to reduce the amount of money that the bride will be invoiced for. He provides a well-needed service in the area!
As you can see, there are so many things to consider when planning and hosting an important event such as a wedding. This is just a sample of some questions you might have. A reputable wedding planner or event manager will be thoroughly versed in event management.