POLICY QUESTIONS
CEREMONY QUESTIONS
RECEPTION QUESTIONS
OTHER QUESTIONS
POLICY QUESTIONS
How do I go about reserving your facility for a wedding and/or reception? The venue fee for each reserved venue becomes your “Deposit.” Before a date will be held or reserved, a partial or full, non-refundable deposit must be paid and an agreement signed by the bride, groom, or guarantor as well as an agent of Hawthorne House. The full deposit is due within nine months of your event. (Back to Top)
What does the wedding venue fee include? The wedding venue fee includes the use of either the chapel or gazebo for your one hour wedding rehearsal and the time needed for your wedding ceremony. The wedding venue fee also includes the setup and breakdown of our white, wooden outdoor chairs if you are using our gazebo for your ceremony. The Venue fee also includes our coordinator attending and coordinating your rehearsal and ceremony. (Back to Top)
What does the reception venue fee include? The reception venue fee includes the use of the Emerson room for your four and a half hour reception as well as tables, chairs, white or black table linens, white linen skirts for service tables, china, silverware, glassware, and cake service. It also includes the services of our professional reception coordinator throughout you reception, our serving staff and office support staff. (Back to Top)
Is a damage deposit required? The Bride and Groom assume all responsibility for any damages done to the premises by Bride and Groom, guests and independent contractors. The damage deposit for each reserved event is $300.00 and is in addition to the venue fees. A separate check in the amount of $300.00 will be collected and held until after your event. If no damages or additional expenses are accrued in connection with your event your original deposit check will be returned to you. If damages or additional expenses are accrued in connection with your event, your check will be cashed to cover any damages or additional expenses. Any unused funds will be returned to you. (Back to Top)
When are my payments due? The venue fee, which becomes your deposit, for each facility reserved may be paid in two non-refundable payments. The first non-refundable payment is due at the time of reserving your date. The balance of the non-refundable deposit is due within 9 months of event. All additional costs, including food and beverages, will be included in a payment schedule. Payments are due 90, 60 and 14 days prior to the event. We would be happy to accommodate you if you should need to make up to six payments instead of the three payments listed above. (Back to Top)
What is your cancellation policy? In the unfortunate event that Bride and Groom must cancel their reserved date, no portion of the deposit will be refunded. However, if cancellation occurs after the food and beverage payments have been made the food and beverage payments will be refunded unless the food has been already ordered and received. This includes cancellation at anytime after the contract has been signed. (Back to Top)
When can we arrive for our event? For event preparation purposes bride, groom and anyone assisting bride and groom, including independent contractor(s), may start event preparations and decorations anytime after 12:00 noon on the date of your scheduled event. Takedown and removal of decorated items must be completed within one hour after the end of your wedding and reception. (Back to Top)
What is the role of the wedding and reception coordinator assigned to my event? Your coordinator will coordinate your wedding ceremony and reception, as well as supervise the staff during your reception at Hawthorne House. She will be present at your wedding rehearsal, your wedding ceremony and your entire reception to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Your wedding and reception coordinator will meet with you three weeks prior to your event to go over any questions you may have and help you make any final decisions regarding your wedding ceremony and reception. (Back to Top)
May I bring alcohol on to the premises? Missouri state liquor laws do not allow alcohol to be brought onto our premises. In accordance with these laws, under no circumstances may alcohol be brought onto the premises, nor is it allowed to be consumed on any part of Hawthorne House premises, unless purchased through and served by Hawthorne House staff. If alcohol is brought onto the premises by you or your guests, you will forfeit your damage deposit and may be asked to vacate the facility. This rule will be strictly enforced and is in accordance with Missouri state liquor laws. (Back to Top)
CEREMONY QUESTIONS
If our ceremony is taking place at Hawthorne House, when can we rehearse? You may schedule your one-hour rehearsal any time between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the Thursday prior to your wedding ceremony. Due to other events that may be scheduled at Hawthorne House on the same weekend as your event, rehearsals need to take place on the Thursday prior to your event day and are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Your assigned ceremony coordinator will be present at your Thursday rehearsal. If you choose to do a rehearsal the day of your event your coordinator will not be able to be in attendance as she will be working long hours during your ceremony and reception. (Back to Top)
Do you have dressing facilities and if so, when are they available for our use? The Manor House has dressing rooms for both the bride and groom. It is available after 12:00 noon on the day of your event. In addition, there is a small changing room in the Chapel available for the bride and groom to do last minute touch ups. (Back to Top)
In the event of inclement weather is there a backup for outdoor wedding ceremonies? We only book one even tper day at Hawthorne House. Therefore, the Chapel may be used as a backup if your guest count is under 250. If the guest count exceeds 250, the Emerson Room provides an excellent backup for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Guests will be seated at the tables and the ceremony will take place on the staged area and the dance floor. A decision to move a wedding ceremony indoors will be made on the day of the event in an effort to protect our chairs, speaker system and grounds. (Back to Top)
What sound equipment is available for use in the Chapel? The Chapel is fully wired for sound and includes a microphone. You may provide additional equipment if needed to accommodate your ceremony. (Back to Top)
What decorations are available for use in the Chapel? The Chapel contains two beautiful wooden flower stands, as well as an alter table that are available for your use. All other decorations in the chapel are the responsibility of the bride and groom. (Back to Top)
RECEPTION QUESTIONS
Are we required to serve food and beverages at our reception and if so do we need to purchase them from Hawthorne House? Yes, it is required that food and beverages be purchased and served by Hawthorne House at all events. Hawthorne House is known for its delicious food. We offer menu packages that include the food, soda, beer and wine. Food and beverage costs are in addition to the reception venue fee. (Back to Top)
What if I do not want alcohol served at my reception? If you do not want alcohol served at your reception we would be happy to substitute two hors’ deouvres for the beer and wine. We will still serve sodas. (Back to Top)
Do you allow outside catering? No, we do not allow outside catering. All food and beverages served at your reception must be purchased though Hawthorne House. With the exception of wedding cake, mints or candy, ethnic wedding cookies, snacks or luncheon items for the bride and groom’s dressing room. (Back to Top)
Do you have minimum guest requirements? Yes, Hawthorne House requires a minimum number of adult guests be guaranteed for receptions in the Emerson Room. The required guest minimums is 150 on Fridays, 200 on Saturdays and 100 on Sundays. Minimum guest requirements applies to food and beverages. (Back to Top)
When is my final guest count due? Your final guest count is due 14 days prior to your scheduled event. Hawthorne House will recalculate your estimated costs based on your final count as long as the minimum number of adult guest requirements are met. If your number goes up within 14 days of the event, please inform us so that we can plan accordingly. (Back to Top)
Can I have a buffet or plated dinner? Yes, we offer menu packages for both buffet and plated dinners. (Back to Top)
Can I purchase extra reception time if I would like to extend my event? Yes, Hawthorne House will allow you to purchase up to two (2) hours additional reception time at a rate of $500 per hour. Host beverages must also be extended and additional costs will be calculated. Due to the sound ordinance in Parkville, Hawthorne House is not permitted to extend events beyond 12:00 a.m. (Back to Top)
OTHER QUESTIONS
When can our photographer start taking photos? Photographs may be taken at any time after 12:00 noon on the day of your event. (Back to Top)
Are there any restrictions on decorations? In order to maintain a beautiful facility for every bride, Hawthorne House does have some decorating restrictions. We do not allow the use of glitter, fireworks or sparklers at your wedding or reception. In addition, no wires or nails may be used to attach decorations to the facility. If you use tape you should use tape that is removable without damaging paint or stain. Votive candles or candles contained in a globe may be used in the Chapel windows and on tables. If flower petals are used on the aisle in the chapel, they must be silk. The use of fresh flower petals are allowed for outdoor ceremonies. All decorating and cleanup of decorations is the responsibility of the bride and groom and/or their vendors. (Back to Top)
Is Hawthorne House handicapped accessible? Hawthorne House prides itself on being accessible to all individuals. Each of our facilities is equipped with handicapped parking, handicapped access and handicapped restrooms. (Back to Top)
Can I put up directional signs? Due to sign restrictions on state highways in Missouri, Hawthorne House is not allowed to have a sign at Highway 45 and Bell Road. However, we recommend that brides and grooms put up a disposable directional sign at that intersection the day of their event. Please remember to remove your sign! (Back to Top)
Are we allowed to bring our Pets to Hawthorne House? Pets may be brought on to Hawthorne House premises for the purpose of photos with the Bride and Groom or to participate in Gazebo wedding ceremonies. Due to health code restrictions, pets may not be brought inside the venues. (Back to Top)
