How many hours do we have access to the venue on the day of our event?
If your wedding is on a Friday or Saturday, the rental is for 12 hours and you can pick the time between the hours of 10AM and midnight (10am-10pm, 11am-11pm, or 12pm-12am). The event must end one hour before your end rental time (11PM at the latest) to give at least 1 hour for clean-up. If your event is Sunday-Thursday, the rental time is 10AM-10PM.
When can we rehearse our ceremony?
We cannot guarantee rehearsal time the evening prior to your event for ceremonies as we are booked for weddings most weekends. At the 60–90-day mark, we will send out an email to see if you are interested in a rehearsal. If you are, please email back and we will let you know what days and times we have available. There is a $150/hour fee to rent the building Monday-Thursday for rehearsals.
Can we use any caterer we want?
You are required to hire a caterer that can provide a copy of their business license, health inspection, and insurance. If the caterer is on our recommended list, you just need to provide a copy of your contract (prices can be marked out). We have the other documents! If you do not hire a caterer on our list, we do require a copy of their current business license, health inspection and insurance certificate, as well as an additional fee of $500. These documents/payments are due 60 days before the wedding date. Please contact us upon booking a caterer and we will let you know exactly what is required!
Can we set up the night before?
All set up and break down will need to take place during your 12 hour rental time.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
Yes! We just require that you obtain an ABC license from the state. The website to get that is listed on our contract. The name of the ABC license must match that on the contract (this is an ABC law) so if you need to add someone, just let us know!
Will the tables and chairs be set up for us by the Woman’s Club Staff?
No, the Woman’s Club of Portsmouth does not include any set up or break down. That is the responsibility of the renting party. All caterers on our recommended vendor list provides these services.
When do I receive keys to the building? Who will lock up at closing?
No keys to the building will be exchanged. We will have a Woman’s Club of Portsmouth representative on staff to open the facility for you on the day of your event. We will also have security on staff for the duration of the event and they will secure the building at the end of the evening.
What time does valet service begin? Where should the bridal party park?
Valet service for your guests will begin 1 hour prior to your scheduled ceremony time. Any bridal party guests or family that arrive before valet service begins should park in front of the dac center located at the corner of Hartford Street & West Road (2 houses across from the front entrance of the Woman’s Club). Please Park in the bus loop in front of the building. If any of these guests are unable to make the short walk, please arrange with security to park in front of the building, but leave keys for the valet service to potentially move your vehicle.
How much do I tip valet?
We do require a $50 tip for each valet attendant on staff for your event. Once you have an approximate guest count, we can give you an estimate of how many attendants will be on hand for your event. You may tip the attendants directly with cash or allow your guests to tip. All tips received will be recorded and should the attendants not make the minimum of $50/each, then the difference will be deducted from your initial security deposit.
Now that I have booked, do I need to make an appointment to visit?
Yes! Since our event schedule varies dramatically from week to week, our office hours change. The last thing that we want is for you to make the trip out here and not be able to see the building or ask any questions that you may have. Please send us an email and we can give you our latest availability! If you are just dropping off a payment, feel free to use the locking mailbox located at our front entrance and we will confirm receipt of payment.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, credit card, or money order. Please make checks payable to Woman’s Club of Portsmouth and include a note in the memo with your wedding date!
Make it unforgettable.
Schedule a tour today to reserve your date.
