Will Rockledge Gardens still be open to the public during my event?
Rockledge Gardens is open to the public until 5 pm Monday through Sunday. If your ceremony begins before we close for the day, we will place signs at all of the entrances to the event area so that you will have your privacy. You and your guests are welcome to stroll the entirety of the gardens for pictures and fun.
What time can my wedding take place?
Wedding ceremonies may start at 4pm or later and may not begin earlier than 4pm. This ensures there is plenty of parking for all of your guests.
What is your maximum guest capacity?
Our recommend guest count is 100, but we can host up to 120 for a seated meal reception and up to 150 for a cocktail-style reception. What is a cocktail-style reception? This is when instead of each guest having their own seat for a sit-down meal there is a mix of regular tables and high-top cocktail tables to facilitate more walking around and mingling.
Do you host same-sex weddings?
Absolutely. Love is love is love is love!
Can I bring my own caterer?
Yes, you can use any caterer you choose; you can even do food trucks. Caterers must carry insurance, and have a valid business license. We ask that you have your caterer send copies of their business license and insurance to us before you put down a deposit with a catering company. We are also very happy to recommend catering companies we know and love. Also, please note, if your catering package does not include servers you will need to add on our server package. Additionally, as with all rentals here, you must obtain a special event general liability insurance policy for the day.
What about the florist, DJ, photographer, officiant, etc.?
We are a BYOV (bring your own vendors) venue, and we’re delighted for you to make your wedding uniquely yours by choosing exactly the vendors you want to work with! For your own protection, please ensure that you trust your vendors implicitly (i.e. know them personally) or that you investigate them thoroughly before putting down a deposit. Please put us in touch with them when we send you our final details questionnaire a few weeks before your wedding so that we can all be on the same page. Please choose vendors who carry their own insurance.
What is special event insurance? How much does it cost? Where do I get it?
Special Event Liability Insurance (also referred to as CGL, Commercial General Liability or Spectator Liability) is an insurance policy designed to provide broad protection for situations in which an event holder or concessionaire must defend itself against lawsuits or pay damages for bodily injury or property damage to third parties. Host liquor liability is included if there is no transfer of money for alcohol. This policy also gives protection to the venue and or sponsors of the event by adding them to the policy as an additional insured. Examples, such as a slip and fall or damaged floors are covered by this type of policy. Exclusions do apply. A wedding policy will cost anywhere from $60 to $200, depending on your guest count and other factors to do with alcohol service. There are several companies that specialize in these types of policies. We recommend The Event Helper or WedSafe.
What is your alcohol policy?
You may bring your own but you must hire a bartender to serve (no self-serve). Your special event insurance must include host liquor liability. If you decide to have a cash bar you must use a bartending service that has an offsite liquor license to sell.
What equipment is included in the outdoor kitchen?
Our “summer kitchen” at the event space includes a mini-fridge, gas grill, oven, stove, triple sink, hand-washing sink (hot and cold water in both sinks), and kegerator. The kegerator will house two 1/6 barrel kegs and has two taps; it is the only thing for which we have a required vendor. If you choose to use the kegerator you must work with Beer Runnez for purchase, delivery, installation, and pick-up of kegs.
Can you do centerpieces, bouquets, and boutonnieres too?
Unfortunately, we do not have the capability to create any cut flower arrangements (we’re happy to recommend some awesome florists that do if you like), but we can create centerpieces and favors using live plants such as container gardens and mini succulents. The possibilities for customization based on style, season, and budget are endless!
What if I just want to do my ceremony there and not the reception or vice versa?
The proximity of our ceremony and reception space to one another only allows us to book one wedding per day. You are more than welcome to book us for just the ceremony or just the reception, but on weekends we only do all-day packages and there is no special pricing for less time. Exceptions may be made for ceremony-only events if the wedding will be taking place two months or less from the time of booking.
Are there any restrictions we need to know about?
Noise: There is a city noise ordinance that goes into effect at 10 pm. Music and alcohol service must end at this time. Smoking: Smoking of any kind is only allowed in designated areas (even though we are an outdoor venue, nicotine is toxic to plants, and mulch and fertilizer are flammable). Send-offs: We do not allow sparklers, lanterns, fireworks, etc. due to the number of flammable items throughout the nursery. Anything thrown at the newlyweds must be biodegradable. Rice and birdseed are prohibited (rice is bad for birds; birdseed will sprout into weeds in our gardens). We recommend bubbles or biodegradable confetti. Further details and house rules can be found in our contract.
What is the deposit to hold the date? Is it refundable?
We will collect 30% of the total rental value to hold your date. This deposit is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to your event date.
Are there adequate restroom facilities?
We have two sets of public restrooms in two different buildings for a total of six stalls. Two of the restrooms are unisex family restrooms and one of those unisex restrooms has a baby changing station.
What services do the “onsite facilities representative” and events associate provide and what will I be responsible for?
Things our onsite day-of staff WILL do for you:
- Ensure that all tables and chairs are set up according to your pre-approved floor plan and place linens on their hangers in their dry-cleaning bags on the tables they go with
- Meet your vendors as they arrive and show them where to set-up based on prior discussions with the couple
- Receive wedding-related deliveries (i.e. flowers, cake)
- Turn on all lighting
- Set up yard games, if requested
- Start and maintain fire-pit fire
- Light torches and gas fire pit in the memorial garden
- Monitor and empty trash cans during and after the event
- Monitor and refill paper goods in restrooms before and during the event
- Remain on hand for questions and security purposes throughout the event
- Breakdown tables/chairs/and linens at the end of the event
Things YOU will need to think about and ASSIGN SOMEONE to do if it applies:
- Placing tablecloths on tables and setting up centerpieces
- All additional decorating not included in any purchased add-on packages (i.e. drapery, plant decor)
- Setting up the bar
- Setting up any displays on guestbook/favor/gift (card box)/s’mores tables
- Pressing play and/or changing music during the ceremony and reception if you do not have a DJ
- Making announcements (introducing the bridal party, first dance, releasing tables for buffet, etc.)
- Cake cutting and distributing to guests
- Boxing up leftover food
- Bussing tables and throwing away food
We HIGHLY recommend hiring a day-of coordinator or a wedding planner (whether this is a professional vendor or a loved one who is extremely organized and trustworthy that is not in your bridal party) to help make sure your special day is as seamless as possible. When you do not have a designated day-of coordinator or wedding planner, these tasks might fall on your friends/family/guests/you which could take away from enjoying the party! We are happy to provide you with some recommended day-of planners and wedding coordinators that we love!
Do you have an “off-season” discount?
No. We are actually closed for weddings during our “off-season” from June through the second weekend in October. We do have smaller, less expensive packages for Monday through Thursday, and our Friday package is discounted from the regular Saturday/Sunday package pricing.
What if it’s really hot or really cold?
We do not host weddings during the hottest part of the year (our wedding season begins the third weekend in October and goes through the end of May), and we do have fans in the pavilion. In the event of a chilly Florida evening, we can provide heaters for your event for an additional fee.
Can we roast s’mores by the fire pit?
Yes!
