Frequently Asked Questions

Financials

1. Your date is secured with a non-refundable deposit of $2,000, the $550 Preservation Fee, and a signed contract. Nine months prior to your event a second deposit of 40% of the total balance is due. Five months prior to your event a third deposit of 40% of the total balance is due. An invoice will be mailed to you one month in advance of each payment due date.
2. The Administrative Service Charge (22%) is for the cost of handling the event (e.g., legal fees, contracts, meetings, phone calls, all administrative services, and all other costs pertaining to the event). It is subject to CT sales tax and is not a gratuity.
3. Gratuities are at the sole discretion of the client. You could choose to tip the entire staff or just certain members. If you would like to provide a gratuity, please provide them in clearly labeled envelopes (e.g., wedding sales coordinator, event manager, wedding attendant, etc.)
4. Final payment is due in the form of a certified bank check or money order and will be brought to your final meeting, the week of your wedding.
5. Children 13 and younger are $20.00pp++ for chicken fingers with French fries or an entrée at ½ price. Children will be charged for enhancements (e.g., dessert, late night snacks, etc.)

Ceremony

6. The Wedding Suite is included at no additional charge and strict arrivals are as follows:

Waterford Room:

• Fridays: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding
• Saturdays 12-5 pm: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding
• Saturday 7-12 am: 1 hour prior to the start time of your wedding (6 pm earliest arrival)
• Sundays: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding

Prince Edward Ballroom:

• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding

River’s Edge Ballroom at The Marina:

• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding

7. If you are not having an onsite ceremony, the wedding party may arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of your wedding.
8. Due to the event schedule, an on-site rehearsal is not possible. At the final meeting the week of the wedding, the event manager will detail out a full processional with you, and on your wedding day they, along with their assistant, will line up your wedding party and cue all those involved. It works out beautifully!
9. Saint Clements Castle does not provide any ceremony decorations. All décor (e.g., arch, columns, chuppah, etc.) is the sole responsibility of the florist you have hired. All ceremony decorations must be taken down by the conclusion of the wedding reception. In addition, artificial flower petals are not permitted at outdoor ceremony sites.
10. Wedding dress(es) and other attire cannot be allowed onto the property prior to your designated wedding suite arrival time.
11. Dogs are allowed outdoors only (unless they are a service dog). We strongly encourage that they remain under the watch of a dog handler.

Décor

12. The ballrooms use 60” round tables, which seat 10 guests per table. You may have up to three tables that can seat 11-12 guests (72” rounds).
    
13. Saint Clements Castle & Marina provides a table number frame at each table. Should you choose to personalize your tables, you would need to supply your own table frames.
    
14. On your wedding day our staff will put out the items that you brought in for the final meeting. These items can include: place seating cards, toasting glasses, guest book & pen, pictures, signage, table numbers, basket(s) of flip flops, ceremony programs, menu cards, cocktail napkins, favors, amenities baskets, disposable cameras, cake knife & server, cake topper, and card box. It is the responsibility of the florist to put out the centerpieces. All items must be prepared for, and brought in, the day of your final meeting. Items cannot be delivered to us beyond the meeting date, unless you are personally bringing them upon your arrival on wedding day (see allotted arrival times above).
    
    Each couple will have use of TWO (2) storage shelves, which are 2 ft wide x 2 ft deep x 6 ft long. Should you have any additional items that do not fit within the storage allotted, you will incur an additional fee, or you will need to assign someone to bring in and set up the additional items on your wedding day. This includes extensive DIY décor and extensive DIY centerpieces.
    
    All items will be packed up in your boxes at the end of the reception. Please make sure that you have a vehicle to load these items into at the end of the night.
    
15. Prohibited Items: Due to our historic venue, candles or flames are not permitted. LED, flameless candles, and fairy lights are allowed. In addition: No rice, bubbles, birdseed, confetti, fireworks, sparklers, sky lanterns, dry ice machines, smoke machines, foggers, hazers, or Co2 cannons are permitted on the premises.
    
16. If you are supplying chargers for table place settings, please consult with your wedding sales coordinator, as chargers will change the dynamics of allotted number of seats per table, etc.
    
17. Location of displays, signage, and decorations must be approved by Saint Clements Castle & Marina.

Vendors

18. Strict vendor arrival for set up is as follows:

Waterford Room:

• Fridays: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding
• Saturdays, 12-5 pm: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding
• Saturdays, 7 pm-12 am: 1.5 hours prior to the start time of your wedding (5:30 pm earliest arrival)
• Sundays: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding

Prince Edward Ballroom:

• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding

River’s Edge at The Marina:

• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays: 2 hours prior to the start time of your wedding

19. Vendor meals (photographers, DJs, videographers, etc.) are ½ price of the contracted per-person price. Vendors are served as soon as all guests are served (same timing as the last few guest tables).
20. No items, including wires, can block or cross any walkway, doorways or fire exits. It is imperative that you inform your band or DJ of this.
21. Please make your vendors aware that we do not have storage locations for cases (i.e., band equipment) during the event. All equipment not being used must be stored in their own vehicles.

Food & Beverage

22. Food tastings take place three times per year at a cost of $25 pp (please note that this is subject to change based on the event calendar). Tastings are limited to two people (our wedding couple), or two people in lieu of them. This tasting features a selection of our most requested plated entrées, served buffet style, as well as a complimentary house wine tasting. The Director of Marketing and Communication will email about 3 months prior with sign-up information, etc.
23. Our annual Wedding Showcase is held the first Sunday of February, and will feature passed hors d’oeuvres. This is complimentary to the wedding couple and an additional expense for others who attend. The Director of Marketing and Communication will email about 2 months prior with sign up information, etc.
24. It is our legal responsibility to ensure that individuals partaking in the consumption of alcohol are of the legal drinking age of 21. Shots are not allowed at the bar for the safety of all individuals.
25. One or two signature drinks are permitted (using liquor available on your included Premium Bar). They must be a simple mixed drink (no martinis or muddled cocktails). Signature drinks need to be determined and noted on the Client Event Sheet Questionnaire.
26. Saint Clements Castle & Marina has the option to change the menu based on availability. Any menu changes will be agreed upon by Customer and Saint Clements, Inc. prior to the day of the event.
27. All purchased food, including leftovers, is not permitted to be wrapped and taken off premises, with the exception of remaining wedding cake.
28. Saint Clements Castle & Marina does not permit you to provide your own alcohol. Any alcohol brought onto the premises will be confiscated and unable to be returned.
29. Favors consisting of alcohol can only be distributed at the end of the evening by our farewell attendant, and cannot be displayed at the guest tables. Homemade favors consisting of wine, beer, or liquor are not permitted on the premises. Splits of wine and champagne must be obtained by a licensed liquor distributor, and must be sealed.
30. Food may not be brought onto the premises from an outside source.

Estate Questions

31. The main estate at Saint Clements Castle & Marina is a multi-function property hosting two events simultaneously. The Waterford Room and Prince Edward Ballroom are separated between entry-ways, courtyards, ceremony locations, interiors, restrooms, etc. Please note that each area does not share photography locations and cannot be intermixed. River’s Edge (our newest ballroom at the Marina) is a separate entity as well. Couples booked at River’s Edge do not have the opportunity for photographs at the main estate. Nor do couples booked at the main estate have opportunities for photographs at River’s Edge (the Marina).
32. Per your contract, supervision is required by one adult for every five children under the age of thirteen.
33. For the safety of our guests, shoes must be worn at all times. Bare feet are not permitted at any time on the premises.

Planning Timeline

34. About 3-4 months ahead of your date, your wedding sales coordinator will email out our wedding questionnaire. This form will begin gathering details like your vendor team + contact info, menu selections, etc. Once completed, they will then draft an Event Sheet to summarize your day, as well as a Ballroom Floor Plan with Instructions.
35. A buttercream wedding cake by Chimirri’s Bakery is included in your wedding package. You will reach out to Chimirri’s in the calendar year of your wedding to set up a time to receive samples, etc.
36. Your final guest count is due 10 days prior to your wedding date. If you are having a plated dinner service, your meal choice breakdown is also due at that time, so please keep that in mind when mailing your invitations / gathering RSVPs.

Final Meeting

37. Your final meeting will take place on the Wednesday or Thursday in the week of your wedding. Your wedding sales coordinator will reach out to you to schedule that meeting.

Final Meeting FAQs

Who will I meet with?
At this meeting, you will meet your day-of event manager.

What will take place during this meeting?
At this meeting, we go over:

• Check in / checklist of the items you have brought (see Décor)
• Detailing of your processional (see Ceremony)
• Overall review of the timeline of the day and confirming specific items such as introductions, first dance, toasts, blessing, cake cutting, parent dances, etc.

What do I need to bring to this meeting?

• Place seating cards
• Toasting glasses
• Guest book & pen
• Pictures
• Signage
• Table numbers
• Basket(s) of flip flops
• Ceremony programs
• Menu cards
• Cocktail napkins
• Favors
• Amenities baskets
• Disposable cameras
• Cake knife & server
• Cake topper
• Card box
• Floor plan
• Master guest list
• Index cards
• Final payment (in the form of a certified bank check or money order)

How long should I plan to be at this meeting?
Please plan for 30 – 45 minutes.