Merrick Hollow accommodates a maximum of 170 guest for banquet seating which includes an upstairs loft that overlooks the banquet room. There are options to accommodate up to 200 people by having a cocktail style reception which will be more open, fewer tables, and a combination of seating/standing.
The rehearsal can take place during the 15-hour rental time. However, if you contact us 45-days prior to your wedding date, and the venue is available, you are welcome to have a two-hour rehearsal prior to your wedding day for a $200 fee. Additional hours can be purchased for $100/hr.
The bridal suite has a private restroom, vanities and a beautiful balcony overlooking the woods. The groom’s room is conveniently located next to the men’s restroom. The groom’s room has a television with HDMI connection, hanging rack, and lounge seating.
Setup/Breakdown-
The following options are available for an INDOOR wedding ceremony AND reception: 1.) the first option is to walk the aisle and have the ceremony take place with guests seated banquet style. Tables can be decorated and chairs in place around the tables. 2.) another option is to walk the aisle and have the ceremony take place with the majority of guests seated banquet style and 1-2 rows of traditional ceremony style seating at the front for family and/or close friends. After the ceremony is over and before the reception begins the chairs can be moved to the tables. This will also allow you to already have your decorations on the tables. 3.) the other option would will be to do a full flip from the traditional ceremony style seating with rows of chairs to banquet style seating with tables and chairs. The flip will take approximately 20 minutes and guest will be given the opportunity for a leisure walk on our scenic bridge and surrounding venue grounds to allow the flip to take place. We will have someone there to assist in setting up chairs and tables during the flip. One great benefit of an In-House Day of Coordinator is that they will be there to help you and your wedding party organize the flip and assist in decorating tables.
We will setup and breakdown any Merrick Hollow indoor furniture. However, we do not setup or breakdown our tables/chairs outdoors for the sake of not having them left outside overnight. We ask that if our tables and chairs are used outside, they will be set up by you and also brought inside before the rental period is over. Also, please check to make sure the table tops and legs of tables/chairs are clean before brought in. For us to set up your layout we will need the AllSeated layout emailed to us at least 1 month prior to your event. If having an indoor ceremony, please provide both the ceremony and reception layout. If having an outdoor ceremony please provide an additional indoor ceremony layout in case of bad weather.
Rented furniture will need to be set up and brought out by the rental company during the reserved Merrick Hollow rental time.
We do not provide decorations, linens, silverware or plates but are happy to provide vendor recommendations.
Exit Checklist-
For final cleanup you will be provided an exit checklist. Basically, wiping off tables/counters, take in/wipe down any Merrick Hollow outdoor furniture, wipe up any obvious spills, remove any items brought in (including flowers on arbor, petals that have been spread, litter on the grounds, wedding signs or any decorations in the ceremony area). Please be considerate of the couples/weddings following yours. We suggest having someone check the outdoor area for trash, petals or anything in the ceremony area or parking lot while it is still light outside. We provide trash bags however, ALL trash needs to be taken to the dumpster located on the South side entrance. We will break down the tables and chairs. Your coordinator or venue director will provide you with an exit checklist and place for signature upon completion. If all personal items are not removed or the exit checklist requirements have not been met during the time reserved the couple will be charged a $500 fee.
Alcohol Policy-
Any bartending service used must be pre-approved through Merrick Hollow or by your in-house day of Coordinator to ensure the correct required documentation can be provided. Please contact us for approval before hiring a bartending service. We highly suggest using bartending services that are on our recommended vendors list. Bartending services on our recommended vendors list are bartending services that we have used in the past. We have several options for you to choose from however, you are welcome to use bartending services that are not on our vendors list.
Any bartending services used must be able to provide:
1. Required proof of liquor liability insurance documentation
2. License to serve alcohol
Here are the four things we will be checking on the certificate of insurance to approve the bartending service...
-The liquor liability insurance must show the bartending service business name as the insured.
-Merrick Hollow with our address as the certificate holder.
-Merrick Hollow must be added as additional insured under general liability and liquor liability.
-The insurance amount must be at least 1 million each occurrence.
If using the cash bar option and selling alcohol the bartending service must provide a catering license and/or mixed beverage license.
Merrick Hollow will not be held liable for any bartending services. All documentation required is the responsibility of the couple. The couple must communicate with the bartending service to ensure documents are up to date and sent to Merrick Hollow or our In House Day of Coordinator prior to approval. If the date on the current certificate expires prior to your event, it is the responsibility of the couple to contact the bartending service so they are able to provide the renewed insurance showing insurance coverage for the day of your event.
No self serving of alcohol is allowed. Alcohol will not be allowed in the venue on the day of your event prior to the bartender arriving. All alcohol must be stored in our locked storage building until your bartender is ready to serve. The maximum time alcohol is allowed to be served is 6 hours. Once your bartender arrives the alcohol must remain behind the bar and monitored by the bartending staff. Any ice chests brought into the venue will be checked for alcohol by Merrick Hollow staff. No ice chests allowed in the bridal suite or groom's room. Merrick Hollow reserves the right to sweep the bridal suite and grooms room for alcohol periodically throughout the day. Any alcoholic beverages found on site not served by bartending staff shall be confiscated and disposed of by the venue management and/or security personnel. This includes flasks and gift bottles. Any guests found breaking these policies can be requested to leave the premises immediatley without warning. Guests will not be allowed to bring in alcohol. No outside cups or containers may be brought in by guests. We do not allow shots, straight liquor or beer bongs. Bartending staff must only serve two beverages at a time. Bartending staff will ask to show proof of age before alcohol is served. Couples could be subject to additional charges and possible restriction of serving alcohol on the day of your event if these requests are not met.
Also, if alcohol is served a security officer is required during the ceremony and reception. Your cost for security officer is $250 and we will schedule to have a security officer there for you.