FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

We are 100% transparent with our clients from day 1 and will never surprise you with hidden fees. In addition to the venue rental fee, the only things we require that would cost additional money are:

• ​A license and insured bartender if you are serving alcohol. These start at just $25 an hour and you are welcome to purchase your own alcohol.
  
• Event Insurance. This can be purchased through your insurance provider. All you have to do is fill out an online form and pay roughly $150 to cover your event.
  
• A professional day-of coordinator. This person will ensure the whole wedding runs smoothly and coordinate the wedding party, guests and vendors. They typically cost $900-$2,000 for day or month of help. 80% of couples use our in-house coordination service but this is not required. 

Event liability coverage may help protect you if you’re found responsible for property damage or an injury caused during your event, and many venues require you to have it. If the band you hired damages a wall with their gear, for example, this coverage may help pay for repairs. Some policies also cover incidents caused by your guests. So if someone gets a little wild on the dance floor and trips a waiter as he walks by, event liability coverage may help pay for medical expenses resulting from an injury. Make sure to read your policy to find out what kinds of situations it does and does not cover.

A single event liability insurance is required. A copy of the insurance must be on site. We require that Forest Hall at Chatham Mills be added to the policy as additional insured. We do ask that Forest Hall at Chatham Mills is added as the additionally insured. The amount we require is $1 million.

For many years, owner Greg Lewis and his teams have had the pleasure of catering to couples all around the Research Triangle area. The coordinator makes sure the whole day runs smoothly and takes care of any questions or issues that may arise behind the scenes. Without a day-of coordinator, couples often get distracted with questions that can easily be handled by someone else familiar with the couples’ plan. We are more than happy to serve as your day of coordinator. If you choose an outside coordinator, the requirements are that they are included on our approved vendor list and are insured. We believe that your day-of coordinator is one of the most important investments of your wedding. 

Alcohol is allowed. You can obtain alcohol through the caterer, hire a bartending company, or provide your own alcohol and have the caterer provide a bartender to serve it. If you are only serving beer, wine, and champagne, no additional permit is necessary. However, if you are serving hard liquor you will need to apply for a “Limited Special Occasion Liquor License” from the North Carolina ABC Commission. You will need a licensed and insured bartender to serve all alcoholic beverages. While getting ready in the morning before your license bartender arrives, you are only allowed to drink alcohol served by our next door restaurant “Pickle Jar Cafe”. 

There is a beautiful outdoor space that can be used for ceremonies and cocktail hours. This space is included in the venue price. If it were to rain on your wedding date, the rain plan is moving the ceremony inside and then flipping the space for your reception. You are also welcome to rent a tent. You do not have to make your final rain plan until the night before your wedding.

We welcome your furry friends to join for any ceremonies or portions of the wedding taking place outdoors. Unfortunately, we cannot allow pets inside the venue due to some guests’ severe allergies. Service animals are the only exception to this rule.

3,500 square feet with seated capacity of 250 people and cocktail style 300 people. Only 120 guests can fit seated on one side of the hall so guests over 120 would have seating on both sides of the hall.

At the end of the night, you are responsible for returning the space to how you found it. Please select decor that allows you to do so. No open flames, candles must be in a vase or votive. No confetti or glitter. Only Command hooks are allowed for hanging decor.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold your date. The remaining 50% is due 60 days before your event. All payments are final. If you decide to move your date, you may do so based on availability for no extra charge.

At the end of your event, you and your vendors are responsible for removing all decor and trash. Caterers (or someone in their place) are required to haul all trash to the dumpsters. All rentals must be consolidated but can be picked up the following day. You are not responsible for breakdown of tables and chairs or sweeping/mopping. . 

Yes!

Yes! The Hyatt and Aloft in Chapel Hill are 20 minutes away. The Aloft offers a complimentary shuttle! There are also 2 bed and breakfasts less than 1 mile from the venue that are perfect for whole wedding parties and extended family to stay together! 

Of course! We love them 🙂 Just remember a bucket of sand to put them out in!