FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I want an all-inclusive package, with no running around on my part to see the florist, etc. Do you do that?
A: Yes, let us know that is what you want and we can arrange it for you. We can do it all, it is up to you.
Q: Can I plan my own wedding or use my own event planner and vendors?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I have my ceremony at Great Oaks Manor without having my reception there also?
A: Yes. Great Oaks Manor does provide service for ceremonies only. For the ceremony, we provide up to 150 outdoor chairs, set up and clean up, event management for the logistics of your ceremony. A very limited schedule is available for ceremony-only events.
Q: What will the event coordinator do for me?
A: The event coordinator can provide as much or as little as you wish. Included in the packages is BASIC coordination: The event coordinator will provide suggestions for vendor services associated with Great Oaks Manor. The event coordinator and staff will manage the bar service, oversee the maintenance of the Great Oaks Manor facility, provide hostess services for the guests, and work closely with the vendors to maintain the time line for the day. The event coordinator will be available to answer questions and will meet with you again by phone or in person within the month before your wedding to review every detail of your wedding. You will find that the event coordinator will be invaluable to you the day of the wedding, saving you stress and worry.
For FULL personal service, please contact the coordinator for pricing. She will be happy to make appointments for you, go to your vendor appointments with you, and help you keep within your budget by suggesting vendors within that budget.
Q: Who will manage the food service and flow of events?
A: Our event coordinator will work throughout the event to coordinate the flow of events, working with the DJ to make announcements.
Q: Can I use a caterer that is not on the Great Oaks Manor vendor list?
A: You do not have to use the preferred caterers, however, your caterer must be pre approved by Great Oaks Manor. They must have the required license and insurance. There is a fee to use outside caterers. The reason for this is that at least one of our employees has to be constantly available to the caterers on the day of the event to direct them to correct set-up locations, answer questions as to who, what, when, where, etc., and keep our equipment separate from theirs at the end. As wonderful as they may be, they can forget things and need to use ours, they can wash things and put them with our supplies, or vice versa, without meaning to. Your wedding coordinator will be too busy coordinating the many other facets of your day to be constantly overseeing the caterers.
Q: Can my outside caterer just provide the food and have Great Oaks serve it?
A: Any outside caterers will have to provide everything necessary to serve the food including all dish ware and service personnel. They must be here through the hours food is served and provide all clean-up for same and garbage removal. Outside caterers need to serve their food in professional serving and heating pans. No “throw-away” aluminum pans are allowed. They will have use of our kitchen for last-minute heating and staging .
Q: Can I use other vendors not on the Great Oaks Manor list, such as florist, etc?
A: Yes, but we must be provided with all of their information to discuss their insurance coverage, time of arrival and in case we need to contact them if they haven’t shown up on time.
Q: Can I use my own bartender or bar service?
A: Yes, but only if your bar service has the correct licenses and insurance that we require. We must have a copy of their $2M. insurance policy and license at least 60 days before the event.
Q: What are the hours of bar operation?
A: Liquor service usually lasts the same number of hours as the reception.
Q: Can I buy and bring in my own alcoholic beverages?
A: No. Our insurance will not allow that.
Q: How long can the band or DJ play?
A: Music volume must be turned down to a reasonable volume after 10PM, in respect for our neighbors.
Q: Who will make announcements?
A: The band or D.J. is responsible for making all the necessary announcements such as bridal dances, cake cutting, last dance, etc., unless you prefer to have the event coordinator do it, or if you don’t have a band or DJ, she will provide that service.
Q: Can I extend my event past 10:00 PM?
A: Overtime is allowed for an additional fee of $300. The music must stop or be turned way down by 10 PM in respect for our neighbors.
Q: Can I throw rice?
A: The throwing of rice, confetti, and birdseed is not allowed because it is easy to slip on or hard to clean up. However, you may use fresh rose petals or bubbles outside , and not on the main house porches. You may use silk rose petals inside. Sparklers are allowed during seasons that are not overly dry.
Q: Can I use candles?
A: Battery candles only are allowed, with the exception of a unity candle if used during the ceremony.
Q: Who are the preferred vendors on your list?
A: We will provide you with the list of preferred vendors when we receive a signed contract. You may still use your own non-listed vendors.
Q: I would like to have a served dinner, is that possible?
A: Yes, we can serve the dinner plated to each guest for an extra charge of $10.00 per guest with a minimum charge of $300.00
Q: What about parking?
A: There is an elementary school across from us, and their parking lot is available on weekends and evenings. For larger events, we provide valet parking, and the valets use the school. We have a parking lot at the Manor big enough to hold 25 to 30 cars. There is space on both sides of the side road in front of the Manor for another 25 to 30 cars.
Q: I want an all-inclusive package, with no running around on my part to see the florist, etc. Do you do that?
A: Yes, let us know that is what you want and we can arrange it for you. We can do it all, it is up to you.
Q: Can I plan my own wedding or use my own event planner and vendors?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I have my ceremony at Great Oaks Manor without having my reception there also?
A: Yes. Great Oaks Manor does provide service for ceremonies only. For the ceremony, we provide up to 150 outdoor chairs, set up and clean up, event management for the logistics of your ceremony. A very limited schedule is available for ceremony-only events.
Q: What will the event coordinator do for me?
A: The event coordinator can provide as much or as little as you wish. Included in the packages is BASIC coordination: The event coordinator will provide suggestions for vendor services associated with Great Oaks Manor. The event coordinator and staff will manage the bar service, oversee the maintenance of the Great Oaks Manor facility, provide hostess services for the guests, and work closely with the vendors to maintain the time line for the day. The event coordinator will be available to answer questions and will meet with you again by phone or in person within the month before your wedding to review every detail of your wedding. You will find that the event coordinator will be invaluable to you the day of the wedding, saving you stress and worry.
For FULL personal service, please contact the coordinator for pricing. She will be happy to make appointments for you, go to your vendor appointments with you, and help you keep within your budget by suggesting vendors within that budget.
Q: Who will manage the food service and flow of events?
A: Our event coordinator will work throughout the event to coordinate the flow of events, working with the DJ to make announcements.
Q: Can I use a caterer that is not on the Great Oaks Manor vendor list?
A: You do not have to use the preferred caterers, however, your caterer must be pre approved by Great Oaks Manor. They must have the required license and insurance. There is a fee to use outside caterers. The reason for this is that at least one of our employees has to be constantly available to the caterers on the day of the event to direct them to correct set-up locations, answer questions as to who, what, when, where, etc., and keep our equipment separate from theirs at the end. As wonderful as they may be, they can forget things and need to use ours, they can wash things and put them with our supplies, or vice versa, without meaning to. Your wedding coordinator will be too busy coordinating the many other facets of your day to be constantly overseeing the caterers.
Q: Can my outside caterer just provide the food and have Great Oaks serve it?
A: Any outside caterers will have to provide everything necessary to serve the food including all dish ware and service personnel. They must be here through the hours food is served and provide all clean-up for same and garbage removal. Outside caterers need to serve their food in professional serving and heating pans. No “throw-away” aluminum pans are allowed. They will have use of our kitchen for last-minute heating and staging .
Q: Can I use other vendors not on the Great Oaks Manor list, such as florist, etc?
A: Yes, but we must be provided with all of their information to discuss their insurance coverage, time of arrival and in case we need to contact them if they haven’t shown up on time.
Q: Can I use my own bartender or bar service?
A: Yes, but only if your bar service has the correct licenses and insurance that we require. We must have a copy of their $2M. insurance policy and license at least 60 days before the event.
Q: What are the hours of bar operation?
A: Liquor service usually lasts the same number of hours as the reception.
Q: Can I buy and bring in my own alcoholic beverages?
A: No. Our insurance will not allow that.
Q: How long can the band or DJ play?
A: Music volume must be turned down to a reasonable volume after 10PM, in respect for our neighbors.
Q: Who will make announcements?
A: The band or D.J. is responsible for making all the necessary announcements such as bridal dances, cake cutting, last dance, etc., unless you prefer to have the event coordinator do it, or if you don’t have a band or DJ, she will provide that service.
Q: Can I extend my event past 10:00 PM?
A: Overtime is allowed for an additional fee of $300. The music must stop or be turned way down by 10 PM in respect for our neighbors.
Q: Can I throw rice?
A: The throwing of rice, confetti, and birdseed is not allowed because it is easy to slip on or hard to clean up. However, you may use fresh rose petals or bubbles outside , and not on the main house porches. You may use silk rose petals inside. Sparklers are allowed during seasons that are not overly dry.
Q: Can I use candles?
A: Battery candles only are allowed, with the exception of a unity candle if used during the ceremony.
Q: Who are the preferred vendors on your list?
A: We will provide you with the list of preferred vendors when we receive a signed contract. You may still use your own non-listed vendors.
Q: I would like to have a served dinner, is that possible?
A: Yes, we can serve the dinner plated to each guest for an extra charge of $10.00 per guest with a minimum charge of $300.00
Q: What about parking?
A: There is an elementary school across from us, and their parking lot is available on weekends and evenings. For larger events, we provide valet parking, and the valets use the school. We have a parking lot at the Manor big enough to hold 25 to 30 cars. There is space on both sides of the side road in front of the Manor for another 25 to 30 cars.
