Q. How do I book my date?
A. NON-REFUNDABLE down payment in the amount of $1,000.00 is due with a signed contract at time of booking. 50% of remaining balance is due 6 months prior to event and all remaining fees are due 45 days prior to event. If the event is booked within the 6 month time frame, 50% of balance will be due at time of booking. Once paid, all fees are NONREFUNDABLE excluding the security deposit fee. Payments may be made in cash, check or credit card.
Q. Are there any additional fees?
A. A REFUNDABLE Damage Security Deposit of $1,000.00 is added to all packages and will be returned if no damages are incurred, event time allotments are honored, and guest count does not exceed package pricing.
Clark Gardens is a non-profit organization and does not charge additional taxes or gratuity fees. An alcohol fee of $250 is applied if alcohol brought onto the property.
Q. What are the rules for serving alcohol?
A. Alcohol must be served by a TABC licensed and INSURED bartender. Proof of liquor liability coverage naming Clark Gardens as the additional insured, with minimum $1,000,000.00 coverage must be provided to Clark Garden 45 days in advance of the scheduled event.
Q. What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
A. Clark Gardens is a 35-acre botanic garden. For private events the garden is divided into an East and West Side. Each side includes multiple contingency plans, which will be pointed out during a tour.
Q. How do the venue rental hours work?
A. Clients will have use of the facility for a total of 12 hours; Six hours to decorate and dress, five hours for your event and one hour to clean-up. Overtime is charged at $200.00 per hour and charged by a minimum of $100.00/30 minutes. No event may continue past 1:00am, including clean-up.
Q. Am I responsible for any of the cleaning?
A. All items and decorations brought in for the event by you, your vendors, and your guests (i.e. decorations, linens, gifts, catering equipment and dishware, outside rental items, etc) must be removed the evening of the event.
Q. Am I required to work with Clark Gardens vendors?
A. We have a list of preferred vendors who have worked with Clark Gardens brides for 1-15 years; however, you are free to work with any vendor you choose. Outside caterers, bartenders, and any person using a ladder on the property, such as florists and lighting companies, MUST provide the Clark Gardens business office with proof of liability insurance naming Clark Gardens as the additional insured no later than 45 days prior to the event.
Q. Are there any decoration restrictions?
A. Permanent fixtures, artificial flower petals, and open flames are prohibited. Candles are allowed in a protected glass container.
Q. What exit/send-off celebrations are allowed?
A. For exit or send off butterflies, bubbles, and real flower petals are a few examples of what are allowed. Balloons, Chinese lanterns, artificial flower petals, confetti, and sparklers are prohibited.