| Q. | How much does it cost to have a wedding and reception at the Gardens?
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| R. | The cost of your event will vary depending on the month of the year, day of the week, and the menu you choose to serve your guests. For an online cost estimate for your event, click here.
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| Q. | Is the Gardens at Sunday Park available on my date?
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| R. | To check date availability, visit our online event calendar click here.
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| Q. | Where is the Gardens at Sunday Park located?
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| R. | We are on the south side of Richmond, on the shores of Swift Creek Reservoir. For directions, click here.
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| Q. | When can I go see the Gardens at Sunday Park?
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| R. | To schedule an appointment for a tour of the property, call the Event Coordinator at (804)744-2545 or email aroy@thegardensatsundaypark.com.
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| Q. | Can I have the wedding ceremony at The Gardens at Sunday Park if I am planning to have my reception somewhere else?
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| R. | Yes, but a wedding ceremony without a catered reception can only be booked 30 days in advance of the wedding date. You receive 90 minutes of time in the Gardens, a 45-minute rehearsal prior to the wedding day, one staff member to assist you on the day of the event, seating for 50 guests, and the Pavilion or pavilion deck as a backup location in case of rain. There is a nonrefundable $400.00 ceremony fee, due at the time of reservation.
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| Q. | Do I have to use your catering for my reception?
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| R. | Yes, all of the food and beverages for events at The Gardens at Sunday Park must be provided by our caterers, with the exception of the wedding cake. We do not allow outside caterers.
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| Q. | Do you make wedding cakes?
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| R. | No, you may have your wedding cake made by anyone you choose.
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| Q. | Can I provide my own alcohol?
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| R. | No. With the exception of a wedding cake, no outside food or beverages may be brought in.
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| Q. | Is there a set time frame for my wedding and reception?
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| R. | On Fridays and Saturdays we have two event time periods. The daytime event must end by 4:00. The evening event time may begin at 6:00 or later. Some exceptions may be made on Saturdays in November-March. On Sundays we recommend beginning your event at 1:00pm or later, due to guest parking availability.
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| Q. | Is my event going to be outdoors?
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| R. | The landscaped Gardens is the preferred location for wedding ceremonies. Receptions are based in the Gardens Pavilion, a roofed, enclosable building that is fully heated and air-conditioned.
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| Q. | What is the backup plan for my wedding ceremony if it rains?
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| R. | In case of inclement weather, the wedding ceremony can be held inside the heated and air-conditioned Pavilion building, where the reception is to take place.
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| Q. | How many guests can you accommodate?
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| R. | The heated and air-conditioned Gardens Pavilion building can comfortably hold 100 seated guests, or 150 for a stand-up event. With the rental of tenting at an additional cost, the largest group we can accommodate is approximately 250.
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| Q. | What is the deposit to reserve a date?
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| R. | Payment of the location fee is required to reserve a date. The location fee is nonrefundable if you cancel unless the date is rebooked by another group, and a new location fee is received. A processing charge will apply to all refunded location fees.
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| Q. | Can I taste the reception food?
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| R. | Instead of inconveniencing our bridal couples by having one or two tasting events per year, we invite you to dine at the Boathouse Restaurant at your convenience. We offer the same high quality food preparation and plate presentationin the Boathouse Restaurant as we do for our catered events. Our Executive Chef oversees both venues, and has over 30 years experience in culinary arts and fine dining. Most food items featured on our Banquet menus also appear on the Boathouse Restaurant menu. Contracted bridal couples are encouraged to contact the banquet office for dinner reservations, and to receive a gift certificate toward their tasting dinner at the Boathouse Restaurant.
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| Q. | Do you allow sparklers?
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| R. | No. Due to the potential danger to you and your guests we do not allow sparklers to be used.
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| Q. | Do you charge a cake cutting fee?
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| R. | No. Our staff will cut and serve your wedding cake, for no additional fee.
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| Q. | Are plates and glasses included?
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| R. | We provide all necessary plates, drinkware, cutlery, and napkins for your event. If you choose one of our Picnic-style menus, however, you will be charged a fee based on your choice of disposable items or china & glass.
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| Q. | What color will the linens be?
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| R. | For special events, we use white base linens with your choice of color for the linen overlay. We offer a choice from over 60 stock colors. Specialty linens and colors are available at an additional cost per table.
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| Q. | What do the banquet servers wear?
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| R. | Our banquet staff wears black dress pants and white tuxedo shirts.
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| Q. | Is a tip for the staff included in the cost of the event?
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| R. | Your total event cost includes a fair wage for your event staff, additional gratuity as a token of appreciation for outstanding service is always welcome.
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| Q. | If I decide I want to tip the staff, what is the best way to do it?
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| R. | The best way to tip the staff is to give the money to the event coordinator. They can distribute the money fairly, ensuring that no one is overlooked.
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| Q. | Do I need to hire a wedding coordinator?
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| R. | Although you are welcome to bring your own wedding coordinator, a staff Event Coordinator will be present at your event to help you throughout the wedding rehearsal, ceremony, and reception.
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| Q. | Are any flowers included?
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| R. | We no longer require you to use a particular florist for your event. However, if you are having a Buffet event, we do request that you provide a buffet centerpiece of some kind.
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| Q. | Do you have dressing rooms?
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| R. | Gardens at Sunday Park brides receive the use of two dressing rooms for one and one half hours prior to the beginning of their ceremony.
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| Q. | When should the florist deliver my flowers?
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| R. | Your florist should deliver during the one hour of set up time prior to the beginning of your event.
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| Q. | What time can I come in to decorate?
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| R. | Your event includes a one-hour setup time. Additional time for deliveries or setup needs to be arranged in advance with the Event Coordinator. An additional fee will apply.
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| Q. | Can my reception be longer than 4 hours?
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| R. | Yes, additional time may be added to the event based on availability, arranged in advance with the Event Coordinator. An additional fee will apply.
New for 2009: Saturday evening receptions in May-October are five hours long.
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| Q. | How many staff members will be on site during my event?
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| R. | To provide excellent service for your catered event, we have the following staff to guest ratios:
1 server for every 20 guests at a standup reception.
1 server for every 15 guests at a seated reception.
1 bartender for every 75 guests.
1 chef for every 100 guests.
1 ous chef at every event.
Additional staffing fees apply.
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