Thank you. The Inn currently hosts events like this because the living & dining rooms are large and the back yard is open and conducive to groups. The rooms are not walk thrus as far as entering/exiting the house.
Do you host events? Pros & cons?.
Gingerbread Latte said:
Thank you. The Inn currently hosts events like this because the living & dining rooms are large and the back yard is open and conducive to groups. The rooms are not walk thrus as far as entering/exiting the house.
Do you host events? Pros & cons?
Good to hear. Just remember when a guest books the inn they think it is all theirs. That is one thing i used to hear all the time from guests who stayed at a place and
felt "captive" in their room.
We battle this from time to time, having a bride stay here the night prior and then all of a sudden the entire inn is overrun - the did not book a "bridal suite" as such, and they try to be sneaky about it. At times, dozens of vehicles are left here as they go to the church and then dozens roll back in as they say "We thought we would open the wedding presents on the porch" with our family.
Prior flowers, bridesmaids, hairdressers, aunts, cousins and photographer shows up! Not pre arranged. Not authorized. They leave and you have DUSTING POWDER everywhere and a new guest checking into that room that day! Plus they will leave late.
Just as a warning, heads up sort of thing. We can all tell similar stories.
When we first bought we did functions. We felt it was a good way to introduce us to the community. I have stories...plenty of them.
Payng up front prevents each individual from pullng out to the cent, and paying you...breakage - a lady just let go of an antique plate, i was understanding until her check bounced TWICE and I was left holding the damage $ and the bank fees! So after that I had a cc on file from the organizer, they signed a note saying they were held responsible for damage. And guess what, THEY monitored the group, they stayed on top of it!
Bringing in all their own stuff to avoid paying the $3-4 per person for dessert and coffee. Which is WAY LESS than any restaurant btw.
Be aware they won't want to pay anything.
Also be aware at a restaurant there is an auto gratuity on parties of 5 ot 6 or larger, ADD THAT IN, or you won't get anything. It required STAFF as people are everywhere. if you say NO KIDS, they bring them anyway. We have ponds, kids walking across decorative areas of rock that are NOT meant to carry weight. The kids are left on their own, this meant ONE PERSON entirely to monitor those kids!
So set the rules up front. Make it simple and clear.
OH HERE IS A GOOD ONE! Wedding venues have this and found the best way to nip it in the bud - EARLY ARRIVALS or staying back. CHARGE THEM. $100 per hour if you are late leaving. $100 per hour if you arrive before the allocated time. They will too. Just for functions, if they begin at noon, people arrive at 11am! I am cooking preparing AFTER guests JUST checked out!!, I cannot answer the door and show peole around. So that is something to stipulate.
I think you have the catering experince, right? So most of this you already know, only too well.