Do you allow incoming food?
At this time, we do not permit incoming food into the Banquet and Catering Spaces.
Is the Wedding Cake Included?
Yes, we work with Susie Edwards at Susie’s Cakes and Confections for all our wedding cakes. Any flavor cake, any style, with buttercream frosting is included in the wedding package. The guaranteed number of servings that you provide to Susie three weeks prior to the wedding should match the headcount guarantee that you provide to us. Additional servings of cake will be charged at $8 per piece.
Do you allow pets for the ceremony?
Yes, we allow pets to attend the wedding ceremony. We require a dedicated pet handler to bring the pet just prior to the wedding ceremony and then remove it immediately after the ceremony photos are completed. Pets are not permitted to stay for the wedding reception. The contact information for the dedicated pet handler, as well as details regarding the pet's arrival and departure, must be provided to the Catering Manager.
Can I have only my wedding ceremony at The Houstonian? Is there an additional cost for a wedding ceremony?
At this time, we do require a wedding reception to follow any onsite wedding ceremony. All onsite ceremonies are subject to a ceremony fee. In addition to the ceremony fee, we also require The Houstonian to provide ceremony audio, which includes 2 microphones, 2 speakers, an 8-channel mixer, and an AV technician onsite to monitor sound levels. White outdoor chairs may also be rented from The Houstonian and setup for an outdoor ceremony. Additionally, because you are choosing to host your ceremony with u, you are required to hire a professional wedding planner to coordinate your onsite ceremony.
Am I free to provide any other décor? Flowers, floral arch, candles, runner, ect?
Yes. We also have a list of preferred vendors that work with us regularly if you need guidance or suggestions. It is suggested because they work with us often and they are known for top customer service to our clients.
Am I allowed to provide music via a harpist or other live musician?
Yes. We also have our list of preferred vendors that work with us regularly. You are not required to use them.
What are my options for a rehearsal ceremony? (rehearsal for ceremony only, not a rehearsal dinner)
You are welcome to have a ceremony rehearsal the day before your celebration if you are hosting your ceremony with us. Your planner needs to be onsite to lead the ceremony rehearsal.
We do not require to host your rehearsal dinner with us.
We do not require to host your rehearsal dinner with us.
If I host my event at the Manor House what are the options if it rains?
For the ceremony, you will be assigned a location inside of the Hotel to host your ceremony should it be too hot, cold, raining, etc. For the reception, any items designated for outside will need to be able to fit inside the Manor House for the reception or will need to be removed or not installed once the weather call has been made.
What time can the ceremony start?
Ceremony time will be planned with your Catering Manager, based on the timeline of your wedding celebration.
Is the ceremony time included in the time allotted to the reception?
No, it separate.
Do you have liability insurance?
The hotel has insurance that we carry on our own spaces. It is highly recommended that you secure your own liability insurance for your celebration. You are not required to provide it to us in advance. If something happens, you will be asked to furnish it at that time. The vendor list also has a resource for insurance if you choose not to go through your home owners or renters insurance policy.
What is the tax & service charge?
Our events are subject to an 8.25% tax and 25% service charge.
Other than the standard tax & service charges, are there any other fees that would be assessed by the Houstonian / Manor House outside of the required ceremony fees and food & beverage fees?
Depending on the menu you select, there are potential attendant fees for things like carving stations, salad stations, bartenders, etc. There are also items you can choose to add-on, like café lights outside, firewood in the fire pit for late night bites, etc. These are add-on items and not added unless requested. When you come in we will put together an estimate that you can take with you which will give you a really good idea on what you will spend based on what you “think” you want.
Is there a cake-cutting fee?
No, there is no cake cutting fee.
Can I build my own bar package? For example, if prefer to not have liquor provided, but would prefer the superior wines only.
The bar tiers go together. If you don't want liquor you can offer both beers (premium and domestic) as well as the tier of wine you like. However if you are offering liquor, the tier of liquor (superior) and the matching tier of wine (superior) must stay together. The beers are included regardless.
If I have a bar package, are individuals under the age of 21 included in the headcount?
No, we have an Unlimited Soft Drink package for those under 21 years old. Please note, this only applies to those under 21 years old. Those that do not drink (be it for health reasons, sobriety, general dislike for the product, etc) and are over the age of 21 would still be charged at the alcohol package price.
Can I swap a wine in a bar package?
The items listed in the package are what is included in the package. If you would like a different vintage ( for example, a Pinot Noir for a Cabernet Sauvignon) and we don't have one listed, you may select an offering from the tier below the one you have selected. You will still be charged at the package price (Superior wines are $48++ per bottle or the applicable per hour, per person rate you have selected).
Do I have to provide security?
No, we have loss prevention officers on duty 24/7. If you would like armed or uniformed officers present, we can hire them for you.
For all other vendors other than food servers, bar attendants and carving station attendants, do I have to follow a preferred vendor list?
No, our vendor list is a suggestion based on long standing relationship we have with them and their ability to treat our brides with the same standard of customer service we do. Your wedding planner does not have to be on our Preferred Vendor List, but will need to be approved by your Catering Manager.
For the sound system for the ceremony, does the Houstonian provide someone to run that?
Yes, there is an Audio Visual team member responsible for the set up and operation of the Houstonian provided equipment. However, your planner will be responsible for cueing the music if you are running it off of a playlist (verses hiring chamber musicians).
How long before ceremony can vendors begin setting up?
Usually you will have access by 2:00 p.m. As we get closer to your date, within a month or so, we will have a better idea for your vendors and their load in time. Sometime we can get them in as early as 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, other times it's Friday afternoon or Saturday at 2:00 p.m. It just depends on what we have going on in your space before your celebration.
Are vendors included as part of my headcount?
No, their meals do not go towards your food and beverage minimum. We have vendor meals available at $49++ per person and can provide them in a separate room for your vendors to enjoy at the time you have agreed to with them. Meals are hot or cold at the $49++ price point and include soft drinks, coffee and dessert (cookies, brownies, etc.).
Are children under a certain age excluded from headcount? For instance someone under the age of 2?
Kids meals are $49 ++ per person. Ultimately if we provide a plate for the seat, there will be a charge for the meal.
What's the policy on reserving a block of rooms for the night before and night of the wedding?
A Group Sales Manager who manages all of the wedding blocks will review our availability and follow up with a rate applicable to the date you have decided on.
If I use the Manor House as my ceremony or reception site, would I be able to take pictures by the Oak Tree?
This is subject to availability of the tree. If there is another celebration taking place at the tree, that client would have first right of refusal on the space. Ultimately we work with you to schedule a time so you can get the photos you are looking for.