Frequently Asked Questions

Every client of Belle Garden Estate must obtain event insurance on their own. Listing Belle Garden Estate as an additional insured. You can obtain this insurance from EWed Insurance or from your personal home owners insurance company. Send Belle Garden a copy of it once you obtain it.

If you are serving alcohol at your event, then you are required to obtain an ABC banquet license. You need to get it before you reach the 30 day our mark from your event. You can obtain it here, https://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/get-a-license/banquet-licenses Send Belle Garden a copy of it once you obtain it.

Our clients have used Ride Source, Sunshine Tours, Executive Limousine, and hotel shuttles from Spring Hill Suites in Downtown Roanoke

Holiday Inn in Cave Springs, Hilton Garden Inn in Caves Springs, Spring Hill Suites in Downtown Roanoke, Hotel in Roanoke Downtown Roanoke, Holiday Inn in Rocky Mount.

You can find it under your aisle planner account or at this link here PREFERRED VENDOR LIST

You can make payments through your personal online invoice link or by check to avoid a processing fee. If paying by check, please make your checks payable to Belle Garden Estate and mail to 1639 Poteet Rd. Wirtz, VA 24184.

Payments online can be made by ACH transfer, or by any preferred credit or debit card. Our system does allow you to save your preferred payment method and make payments automatically if you wish.

To book there is a 25% deposit paid. Then a second payment will be due half way through your planning period. And final balance due 30 days before your event. If you rent weather related items, we do allow payments for those to be made the week of your wedding.

• We have 25 5’ round tables that seat 8 guests each. 6 8’ rectangular tables (that are typically used for food tables and head tables). 10 6’ rectangular tables (that are typically used for gift tables, drink tables, guest books, bar tables, etc.). 4 4’ round tables that seat 6 guests (used for sweetheart tables and cake tables frequently). 5 high top tables used for cocktail hour. Cast iron patio tables and chairs that have enough seating for 30 people. 

• If you wish to seat guests at long rows of tables instead of round tables, we recommend renting additional tables from Aztec rentals (around $10 a table) to accommodate that style of seating. Any rentals from Aztec are typically delivered on Fridays and can be set up by our staff still.

We have 250 wooden folding chairs that can be used for both the ceremony and reception. Our arbor ceremony location has bench seating for up to 150 guests. (no we cannot remove the benches)

Our staff sets up all tables and chairs before the event starts. But our staff is not responsible for moving chairs from the ceremony space to the reception space if there are not enough.

• We offer ivory or black polyester linens free of charge for all guest tables and black polyester linens for all food and non-guest tables for 3-day weekend or all inclusive rental packages. We have enough for all tables we own. Other rental packages would need to bring in their own linens or rent ours. 

• We also have a high quality champagne linen that is available for rent. If you need to rent any of our linens they are $15 a linen.

• We also can get our clients a 10% discount on all rentals from bbjlinen.com if you’re wanting a different color or fabric of tablecloth or napkin or charger plate. You just have to place the order through us.

The useable event space of the pavilion is 50’x80’

Yes, the pavilion has both men’s and women’s bathrooms in it that are heated and air conditioned and handicap accessible. The women’s bathroom also has a baby changing station in it.

Yes, we have vinyl sides that can be put up to completely enclose the pavilion if there is bad weather. It is $250 to rent the sides and we need at least 48 hour notice if you wish to use them.

• Yes we have two handicap spaces directly behind the pavilion. We also allow anyone to drive up and drop people off in the circle driveway before the event.

• As of right now, the manor is not handicap accessible. There are only stairs in and out of the manor.

• Our ceremony sites are outdoor locations. And with an outdoor location you always need a rain plan. Our past clients have done one of two things; rented a tent for the ceremony site or hosted the ceremony under the pavilion, having the guests sit at their tables. If you decide to set up an entire ceremony site under the pavilion (forgoing guests sitting at their tables), you need to plan for additional staff to flip the space after the ceremony. 

• We do offer vinyl sides for the pavilion that can be added on for an extra charge of $250. We do need 48 hours notice if you are wanting to use the sides.

You are responsible for providing the ice for your event, for both the bar and non-alcoholic drinks. Our staff can provide ice for you for a fee. We also recommend providing 2-4 coolers to use at the bar to ice down your drinks and store ice in during your event. Ice needs to be brought around 12pm on your wedding day.

We have a small chest freezer on site that can hold about 6 bags of ice and our freezer in the freezer in the manor kitchen can hold about 2-3 bags of ice. We do have 2 large igloo coolers that can be used at your bars. But we still recommend bringing a few extra as well.

• BGE provides the banquet tables and black linens for the bar for the 3 day weekend or all inclusive packages. You are more than welcome to provide other linens or other rented bars instead of using our tables. Linens are only included for the 3-day weekend and all inclusive packages. Other rental packages would need to bring in their own linens or rent ours.

• We do have a formal white bar you can rent to use under the pavilion for your bar.

We require all clients serving alcohol at their event to have at least one bartender serving for less than 100 guests. And at least two bartenders for more than 100 guests.

Yes, you can add on bartending services through us. We have to know a few months in advance to make sure we have the staff available.

• No, we allow you to serve any alcoholic beverages you wish at your event. As long as there is a professional bartender serving them. We do not allow any self serve options for alcoholic beverages. And we do NOT allow Shots. 

• We do require you to have one bartender for every 100 people. So if you are having more than 100 guests, you must have at least two bartenders.

We do not provide any glassware, napkins, garnishes, or dispensers for the bars or non-alcoholic drink stations. That is the responsibility of the client to provide or source from another vendor.

We have a dumpster behind the pavilion that all trash needs to be put into.

Our staff will change out trash cans throughout the event. But it is the caterer’s responsibility (or additional staff that you arrange) to clean up all food and beverage trash from tables and property at the end of the night. And it is your responsibility to make sure things in the manor are tidied up before checkout. All trash from the manor can be tied off and left in the kitchen for our staff to take out.

Please refer to your contract to confirm your rental period. All events must end no later than 10pm. And you have one hour after for cleanup. However, keep in mind the amount of hours your other vendors are booked for. Because that plays a large factor in how long your event can last. 

We do require you to have a professional day-of coordinator for your wedding. We do provide that service from our company Garden Rose Events & Design if you want to book it through us.

Yes, you can bring in an outside day-of coordinator. But whoever you hire does need to get approval from our staff and be able to provide us their business license and proof of insurance.

You can find the detailed package here to review DAY OF COORDINATION PACKAGE

Yes we offer multiple coordinating and planning packages that you can book/ upgrade to depending on how much help you need. Find the list of all of our packages here. PLANNING PACKAGES

If you have our day-of coordination package booked, then our coordinators meet with their clients 30-45 days out from their wedding at Belle Garden to finalize all wedding details. (you will receive an automated email with a link to our meeting calendar to choose a day and time for this meeting when it comes time to schedule it)

The manor sleeps 8 people MAX. We are strict on this number and do need to be informed before your event how many people will actually be sleeping in the house and which nights.

Yes, we provide bath towels and sheets for all rooms, as well as mini shampoos and essentials for those that need it. We do not change the sheets or provide new towels in between nights if you are staying more than one night.

• Please review our house rules here: HOUSE RULES

• Please review our check out instructions here: CHECK OUT INSTRUCTIONS

• Your rehearsal can take place anytime between 3pm and 6pm the day before your event as long as we do not have an event that day.

• If we do have an event the day before your wedding, then you can come in anytime between 10am and 12pm for a one hour rehearsal.

• If we do not have an event the day before your wedding, we recommend bringing all of your decor, alcohol, personal items, marriage license, and final payments to your rehearsal and leaving them at the venue. 

If you booked a 3-day weekend package, you may host your rehearsal dinner on our property. The rehearsal dinner should take place immediately after the rehearsal and can go no later than 9pm.

• The rehearsal dinner can take place in the manor dining room which seats 30 people MAX or our outdoor patio area behind the manor which also has seating for 30 people. If you’re wanting a larger space to use, you may rent our cottage which can accommodate 45 guests for an upcharge of $150 an hour. 

• We do NOT allow clients to use the pavilion for rehearsal dinners.

• We just provide the space for the rehearsal dinners. If you’re using our dining room, the room comes with 4 4’ round tables and a fifth table in the kitchen. And our gold chivari chairs. You are responsible for providing linens, china, decor, food and drinks for your own event. 

• You are required to make sure all trash from the dinner is taken to the dumpster immediately after and return our space to the setup you found it in. 

• We cannot change the table size or layout in the dining room. 

• If you rent the cottage, then we can customize the tables and layout available for you.

No, you can bring in your own food or have the event catered by someone of your choosing.

No, we do not have staff on hand for the duration of your rehearsal dinner. If you are wanting staff available to help set up/ tear down/ or serve/ be available during your rehearsal dinner, then you can pay to add on staffing for that event from our team.

• Here is our decor inventory list of items included in all of our client’s rentals https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rHZT_LoSAnjsUmIUOTCL_Ijol92xDq-T3xRbN-lpxsY/edit?usp=sharing 

• On your aisle planner account, under the Notes tab, there is a document labeled “ Decor Instructions Template”. This is the document you will fill out before your wedding letting us know everything you are providing and what you are using of ours.

Yes we allow you to use real candles at our property. However, keep in mind, with being outdoors, candles won’t stay lit unless the wick is below the glass line.

We do NOT allow you to use artificial petals down the aisle or on tables for decor because it blows away into our landscaping and is very hard to clean up.

• Dimensions: To the peak 10’ 8”. Sides 8’. 10’ 6” across

• You can hang fabric, flowers, or any other decor on the arbor as long as you are not permanently attaching anything to it and not damaging our vines that are growing on it. 

• Seating for the arbor ceremony site is white bench seating for 150 people. Two long benches on each side of the aisle with 8 rows on each side for a total of 32 benches. Additional seating can be set up behind them with chairs if needed.

You can find our list of available add on’s here https://bellegardenestate-add-ons.my.canva.site/

We need to know at least 30 days out from your event. Unless it is a fan, heater, or pavilion sides that are weather contingent.

Yes, we require all caterers or restaurants providing food and beverages for our client’s event, be professionals that are licensed and insured and can provide proof of that.

We provide all tables needed for the caterers. And we can provide linens as well for 3-day weekend or all inclusive packages. Otherwise you can rent the linens from BGE or bring in your own.

Yes, the caterers can use the kitchen in the manor as a PREP space only if needed. However, most caterers mainly use our prep room in the pavilion.

Your caterers should be handling bussing tables and cleaning up all food and beverage trash. If they are not planning on doing that, then you are responsible for hiring additional staff to handle that.

Belle Garden has real china plates and silverware you can rent for your event. But if you do not rent our plates and silverware, it is your responsibility to obtain plates, silverware, glassware and napkins on your own or from your caterer.

Yes, we require all DJ’s or Bands playing on our property be professionals that are licensed and insured and can provide proof of that. With the exception of small groups playing instruments for the ceremony.

No, we do not have any sound equipment on site. Your band or DJ would be responsible for bringing what they need.

Yes we can provide a 6’ banquet table and black linen if needed.

We have your day of coordinator send this document out to all vendors before your event so everyone is on the same page. But we find it is helpful for you to review and make sure your vendors have seen it as well. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AzNUo7XOKs699d_KzbpmKk4bm_IwahYlpVYyzn0CZag/edit?usp=sharing