EVENT FAQS
What's your deposit and cancellation policy?
For Full Receptions and Cake and Toast packages, 50% of your total balance is due at the time of booking. This is a non-refundable deposit to hold your date, and the other 50% of your balance is due 60 days prior to your event.
For FREE ceremonies only, we ask that when you reserve a free wedding time slot, you do so with the intention of using it rather than holding a date to “see” if it works for you. These complimentary slots are very popular and often fully booked. Because of this, a $250 deposit is required and is nonrefundable, regardless of the reason.
How do I book my date?
Click on Check Availability, find the appropriate package you are looking for, then select the date and time you'd like. Once you fill out the booking info, we'll get in touch with you to officially reserve the date for your event. You'll get all of the details in a contract, which we can complete electronically. Your deposit and signed contract will officially lock your date.
Can I really get married for FREE?
You really can. Chairs are an additional fee, and we do require a $250 deposit to hold your date for a free ceremony, but if you'd like to come and stand and get married you can do it for FREE. Check out our packages for time slot details. We encourage all of our Brim couples to consider "paying it forward" by covering the cost of their wedding in order to ensure that those who cannot afford it are still able to enjoy a beautiful wedding. Additionally, you can choose to purchase an anniversary brick with your names and wedding date on it. You'll indicate your preferences when signing your contract, and if you choose to refund your deposit after your wedding, we'll give it all back- no strings attached.
Is an hour and a half really enough time to get married?
Yes, it really is. All of our free wedding slots are an hour and a half long, and after serving thousands of couples, we've found that this is more than enough time for a beautiful and meaningful ceremony.
We ask couples to begin their ceremony approximately 30 minutes after their scheduled start time. This helps ensure guests do not arrive before your time slot begins and gives everyone time to get settled.
Most ceremonies last between 15 and 20 minutes, which still leaves time afterward for family photos and wedding party pictures before heading on to the next part of your day.
Our free wedding options were created to remove barriers and make marriage more accessible. If you find yourself needing significantly more time, you may be missing what this was designed for, and it may be worth considering one of our paid packages, like the Cake & Toast. The heart of our free ceremonies is to provide a beautiful place to say "I do" without all the expense and complexity that can sometimes surround a wedding day. Think of it as a courthouse alternative.
Where can I host my wedding ceremony and/or reception?
We completely understand that every couple has a unique vision for their wedding day. At The Brim, all ceremonies take place either inside our chapel or in the outdoor ceremony space between the poles. These areas were intentionally designed for weddings and include everything needed for a smooth and successful ceremony, including sound, electrical access, seating layouts, and guest flow.
Ceremony and cake and toast bookings include use of the chapel and outdoor ceremony space, along with access to the restrooms in the reception space (nothing else). We confirm all outdoor ceremonies 24 hours prior due to weather, with the chapel serving as a reliable backup—or a great first choice if you prefer not to worry about weather at all.
While we love creativity, hosting ceremonies in other locations on the property creates logistical challenges that can impact both your experience and the experience of other couples. By keeping ceremonies in the spaces designed for them, we are able to ensure your wedding day is beautiful, organized, and stress-free. If you are interested in learning more, be sure to check out our packages.
What are the details on hosting my reception at The Brim?
Great question! Our reception space includes a catering kitchen and so much more- here are all the details!
We set up anything you rent from us ahead of time, including chairs, tables, linens, centerpieces, etc. Then you just add your decor (or if we're coordinating then we will do that too). Your vendors will add their final touch with food and florals. If you have more than about 100 guests, please note that you will have chairs set at the ceremony, extras in the reception space, and then some chairs come over right after the ceremony to the empty tables. Guests in the back rows just pick them up and walk them to the reception space as they find a seat, as directed by the officiant. Easy, quick, lightweight, and efficient!
What's the difference between a cake and toast and full reception?
A cake and toast reception is a three hour rental where the couple provides drinks on ice for a toast, plus a cake or dessert for guests. It's a mingling reception where guests can move chairs after the ceremony, and couples can do a first dance, cut cake, take photos, and do toasts! Additional catered food is not allowed, unless a full reception is booked. Full receptions are seven hour rentals (or more with Early Access), and guests will all be seated around tables for a full meal. Receptions also have a full bar option!
Where can I get ready? Is there a "Groom's Room"?
For ceremonies or cake and toast only bookings, you may have the option to rent our getting ready space before or during your time slot (if it is not in use by the evening full reception couple). Check back with us closer to your date. You are also welcome to get ready elsewhere and just arrive dressed and ready to go. Full reception bookings include use of the getting ready room during the duration of your time slot.
Our getting ready room can be used by whoever may need it in your group- there is only one room. Usually the ladies get ready there, as guys "getting ready" is usually nothing more than getting dressed and putting on jackets. We recommend they come dressed and ready, or they can go to the restrooms to get dressed as needed and head to the chapel for any "getting ready/putting jackets on" photos. We also have a partnership with a local hotel that includes room block discounts, a complimentary shuttle to and from the venue, complimentary airport shuttle, and a getting ready room!!
What about a rehearsal or final walk through? What's a Power Hour?
If you are a Brim Coordinated Couple, your package includes a one hr rehearsal, lead by your Coordinator, per availability. Otherwise, rehearsals are an additional fee, as we have to work around weddings and cannot usually rehearse on site the evening before your wedding, as we are usually hosting another wedding! Instead of charging you for something you can't use, we let you decide if you want to add it on or not. You can rehearse off site (mark off 40 feet for an aisle and practice with a Bluetooth Speaker), or you can rent a 1 hr time slot from us for $250, scheduled per availability around other events. We do not offer rehearsal dinners on site.
We do not do official "final walk throughs", but instead offer monthly "Power Hour" open houses where you can come out anytime from 5-6pm and bring along vendors, family, etc to see the space again, get layout info, and ask us any questions. You can come to as many as you'd like between the time of booking and your big day- you can sign up herel! One Month Out is a big touch point for your final guest count and final payment- all via the portal!
How do rentals work, and when do I pay for them?
We know that most couples do not have every rental item selected when they first book their wedding date at The Brim. Because of that, we separate your venue booking from your rental selections. When you book your date, you will sign a contract and pay for the wedding package you have chosen. Later, once you have had time to think through your needs, you will receive a separate rental contract and invoice for any rental items you decide to add.
Please know that all rental pricing is available on our website. We are not trying to hide costs or surprise anyone down the road. In fact, we have found that this approach gives couples more flexibility because they do not have to make every decision at the time they book.
In short, there are two contracts and two invoices: one for your wedding package and one for any rentals you choose to add later. This allows you to secure your date today and make rental decisions when you are ready.
How does bartending work at my Full Reception?
Great question! You have options. If you're going to have alcohol at your Reception it has to be through us. (All other vendors are OPEN). We have packages where we can do everything for you, where you can purchase your own alcohol ahead of time, or where you can have NO alcohol onsite...without penalty. All of the details are HERE!
What happens after we book?
Once your nonrefundable deposit has been paid and your contract has been signed, you'll receive access to what we call the Portal. The Portal is your wedding planning hub at The Brim. It contains important information about your event, your rental selections, payment options, planning resources, and much more. We originally built it out of necessity because of the number of weddings we host each year, but it quickly became one of the best ways for couples to stay organized and find answers when they need them.
While our team is always happy to help, we encourage couples to spend time exploring the Portal and reading the information provided there (as well as this website). Our goal is to make sure you have everything you need at your fingertips so you can spend less time worrying about details and more time enjoying your engagement.
What else do you offer at THE BRIM?
Here at THE BRIM, we also offer wedding coordination services, along with Veraison- an optional, secular course for maturing your marriage prior to saying "I do". There are lots of things we also dream about adding in the future!
What if there is bad weather?
For all events, the chapel will serve as a rain back up option. No refunds will be given due to inclement weather. However, you will be able to reschedule your reserved time, at no additional charge, for a date occurring in the same calendar year and based upon the availability of the premises at the time of re-scheduling.
What are your decor restrictions? Do I get extra time to set up?
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No rice, confetti, birdseed, fireworks, or other unapproved “celebration materials” shall be allowed. Sparkler exits are permissible, and led by Brim staff. Artificial flower petals are prohibited outdoors (but okay in the chapel). Nothing may be hung on any walls or above/on any doors. Think of it as a "leave no trace" experience, where someone coming in after you doesn't have reminders that you were there!
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Candles must be in votives to catch wax and glass must cover the height of any wick (in hurricanes or other vases). No uncovered open flame allowed.
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Set up for your event shall be part of the scheduled reserved time slot unless otherwise agreed by us in writing. (Coordination packages include decorating.) Ceremonies should be scheduled for 4:30pm or after for full receptions, even if early access to the reception space is purchased. (We have found 5 or 5:30pm often works best, as the four hours of bar service starts immediately following the ceremony.)
What about accessibility? Can I bring my dog? Do you offer any military discounts?
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We have paved ADA spots with concrete all the way from the parking lot to the chapel. An ADA accessible restroom is located right by the parking lot in the reception space and is accessible via an exterior door for all events (use it prior to heading to the chapel). Everything is on one level and all wheelchair friendly. We recommend wheelchairs for those who can't walk longer distances. We do have one onsite that you are welcome to borrow- please let our staff know!
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DOG/ANIMAL POLICY: Dogs are welcome to attend your ceremony and photos before, but must be on a leash, picked up after, and attended with a handler at all times when not actively walking down the aisle/in photos. Animals of all kinds are not allowed in any part of the reception space, including the getting ready room. We kindly ask that they leave the premises after the ceremony. Thank you!
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We keep prices as rock bottom low (starting at free) as possible so we don't offer additional discounts. We are so grateful for those who faithfully serve our country.
Can I bring my own officiant?
Yes! We don't provide one, but we have some great officiants we can recommend on our preferred vendor page!
Why are we non-flexible on our time slots?
Great question! The reality is that we often host multiple weddings in a single day, which means timing is everything. Your time slot is exactly when you’re allowed to arrive and when you need to leave, so we can ensure a smooth transition between events. We hold strong to these time slots because showing up early or running late could overlap with another couple’s special day, and we want everyone’s experience to be perfect. The good news? We’ve never had a timing issue! That said, if you show up late, there may be limited options to adjust, so it’s super important to communicate your time slot with your vendors and family ahead of time. This way, everyone is on the same page, and your day runs as smoothly as possible!
How many guests can we have?
This depends on the type of event you are planning and where it will take place. First and foremost, our total capacity, no matter what, is 150 people, and this includes you and your bridal party.
If you are using the chapel for your ceremony, it can comfortably hold 120 guests seated plus your standing bridal party. If absolutely necessary, we can accommodate up to 132 seated guests with the bridal party standing, but it will feel tight. For guest counts over this or if you would like more space, you will need to use our outdoor ceremony space instead.
For a cake and toast reception, the maximum is 75 people. This type of event happens entirely in the chapel and is designed to be a mingling-style reception, so more than 75 guests would not work.
If you are hosting a full reception in our reception space, we can seat up to 150 guests around round tables for dinner. Just keep in mind that 150 is our total maximum capacity for any event.
How far is the chapel from the reception space?
If you walk along the path, it’s about 270 feet from the front door of the reception space to the front door of the chapel, which is about the same distance as walking into a grocery store. The path is fully paved, and we’ve never had any issues with guests getting there. Unless you’re transporting something extremely bulky, we recommend walking instead of driving a vehicle around to the chapel since the drive isn’t paved and doesn’t get you much closer. If you need to borrow our wheelchairs for one of your guests, let us know!
Can we cook onsite?
No, we do not have the permitting to allow cooking onsite. All food must be prepared offsite, with the exception of food trucks that have the proper permits. Please don’t bring a grill thinking you can cook for your guests. Potluck? Sure. Order pizza? Absolutely. Just make sure all food is prepared elsewhere and arrives warm, as we have no way to cook or heat food. We do have a food warmer, but it’s only designed to keep food warm, not to heat it up.
Who is the Wedding Wizard?
What began as a simple way to help couples plan their weddings has blossomed into a fun and far-reaching TikTok channel! The Wedding Wizard is none other than Aaron—surprise! Through The Wedding Wizard TikTok, Aaron shares tips, tricks, and advice to help couples plan their dream weddings, whether it’s right here at The Brim or anywhere else. Our goal is to speak from the heart and offer insights from the perspective of the average wedding experience. Head over to the Wedding Wizard TikTok to explore a treasure trove of videos designed to inspire, inform, and make your wedding planning journey a little easier—and a lot more fun!