The Answers to our most frequently asked questions to help make your special day easier.
Please see the details found here for complete pricing and included items.
Our intention is to be transparent with our pricing and expectations. Our pricing is inclusive of several amenities and upgrade pricing is clear and optional.
Chapters on the horizon is designed to be a retreat and destination for your special event. We do not schedule more than one wedding each weekend and we want you to relax and enjoy this special time. As such, our pricing is based on a weekend, and includes access to the property Friday noon for your ceremony rehearsal, all day Saturday and Sunday morning for clean-up.
Because we only host one event per weekend, our fee structure remains the same whether you hold your ceremony, reception, or both onsite.
All tours are by appointment only. Please request a tour here.
To reserve your wedding date, send an email to chaptersonthehorizon@gmail.com and let us know you are ready to book date, if it’s still available. We suggest including a backup date in case your preferred date is unavailable. Prior to booking a date, we hope you are able to come out in person to visit the venue. You can request a tour on our tour request page, but an in person tour is not required prior to booking a date. Dates are reserved on a first requested basis. Whomever has requested to start the contract process from us by email first for a specific date will be first in line.
Chapters on the horizon events are booked according to availability, but keep in mind, many weddings are booked 12-16 months in advance.
We do keep a cancellation waiting list- if interested please email us @ Chaptersonthehorizon@gmail.com
Yes. You place a deposit after signing the contract in order to reserve your wedding date. The total deposit is half the venue rental fee.
You are welcome to send smaller, partial payments of any amount prior to the specified due date, so in effect creating your own payment plan on your own schedule. Full payment is due 30 days prior to your event. Failure of final payment results in breach of contract and Chapters on the Horizon has the right to cancel event with no refunds given.
Our preferred form of payment is cash or check. Let us know if you’d like to make arrangements to pay by credit card as a 4% processing fee will be applied.
Nope; we only host one wedding per weekend to ensure that each couple’s event is special and receives our full attention.
Our venue manger works with you via email, phone or meetings in the months leading up to your wedding to ensure the venue space meets your needs on your wedding day. They will review your site plan and timeline and are present on your wedding day as a bartender to provide access to your vendors (caterer/DJ/band) at the appropriate times. On the day of your wedding, our team will be on-site but may not be visible, as they will be moving about the property, doing a number of things in preparation. They will be available to your vendors to answer questions and resolve any issues regarding the venue (e.g., air/heat, restrooms, lighting, electrical, etc.) but will be a limited resource for guests. Our team/staff does not coordinate or implement your wedding day timeline and does not take the place of a wedding planner, catering staff or coordinator.
NO but so that your weekend executes as you planned, you need a designated person who is responsible for managing your entire day. We strongly encourage you to work with a professional Event Planner or Coordinator. This person facilitates your day and is not a guest of your wedding. They are responsible for supervision, communication and coordination of your wedding. We can put you in touch with several excellent businesses that provide these services. Some are full-service and some offer basic single-day packages. Also, check with your caterer. Some offer a day-of point person as part of their service or for a small fee.
YES! We highly recommed that you do so that you and your photopgraher are familiar with the grounds and the many beautiful backdrops we offer! Your photo shoot needs to be scheduled. Your photos session can be scheduled for a Monday through Thursday for outdoor access only.
We have three kinds of rectangular tables available, and like the rounds, are including in our pricing. We have several banquet tables that can be used for your head table, sweetheart table, or gift table. While the majority of your guests will be seated at round tables, you can mix some rectangle tables in for reception seating. We have 35 -72 inch round tables, 6- 30 by 60 rectangle tables, 6- 30 by 72 rectangle tables, 6- 30 by 96 rectangle tables and 6- 30 inch cocktail tables for cupcakes/deserts.
Linens are included in the venue rental fee. We out source our linens. They are pressed linens - so you will have fold lines from them being pressed. We do not iron the linens.
We have a variety of tables sizes, and shapes so the size of your linens will depend on the tables you choose. Please reference our inventory when discussing this with our venue coordinator.
We recommend you seat 8 – 10 to each table for the comfort of your guests. While touring we have a table set up for you to view.
Yes, but you would want to purchase the insurance even if we didn’t. Anything is possible and the cost for event insurance is minimal compared to the coverage that it offers. To protect yourself financially from mishaps that may occur. Some policies offer additional coverage unique to your type of event. We can help you get started with this inexpensive peace of mind. We recommend Vensure. Approximate cost is $175.
Rental starts on Friday noon. Please plan accordingly! You do have the option of renting out Thusday for an additional $1000 or adding more time at an hourly rate of $100.
Outside food is permitted prior to the ceremony. It is not allowed after the start of the event.
Yes, we have on-site LIGHTED parking! We have a gravel driveway and gravel parking areas. We also have 5 handicap stalls located closest to venue entrance. No Parking is allowed around the building- we dont want to obstuct the amazing views or the sunset!
We also have Ceremony Parking down by the pond- your guest can park down by the pond, then drive up and park behind the budiling for the reception.
Comfortably 200 on the gravel but we have overflow parking for up to 100 in the driveway.
If you are using our tables, chairs or other items, we will deliver them in the area you designate on your site plan. The tables and chairs will be set-up.
After your wedding, there’s no need for you to break down the tables or chairs! Please leave the tables and chairs for us to put away. We break them down on Sunday and ensure they are ready for our next event.
You tell us! We ask that you submit a site plan 30 days prior to your wedding so we can assist with placement.
Amplified sound must be turned off no later than 2:15 A.M
Last Call is at 2:15 am all guest must evacuate venue by 2:30am or designated time you request.
Safety is priority #1. Your guests can leave a vehicle overnight which must be picked up by Sunday at noon.
This can be complicated so read it twice.
If it’s in the contract with your vendors (be sure to ask), they are responsible for cleaning up for their specific services. If clean-up is not included in your contracts, you are responsible for all clean-up (excluding tables and chairs), clearing the tables at evening’s end, collecting your linens, taking down all decor and other such items, picking-up remaining trash and taking trash bags to the dumpsters, sweeping, etc., and left in a condition that you would expect if yours was the next wedding.
If you choose the optional clean-up service, we will take care of cleaning up after your wedding.
No matter which package you choose, we will put the tables and chairs away.
We are a non-smoking venue but we do have a designated area located outside the facility. We just ask that everyone be respectful and dispose of cigarette/cigar butts in receptacles provided.
Our goal is to collect popular items most needed and create a “Something Borrowed Closet.” We are beginning to stock our closet with those items. Please check back with us as it gets closer to your date to see what all we have in our inventory.
Absolutely, we’ve created beautiful landscapes and backdrops for your wedding or engagement photos! However, in the event of bad weather some areas may not be accessible. If this happens, we will guide you in areas that are best for your perfect photo shoot.
All decorations must be approved by Chapters on the Horizon. All decorations must be removed without causing any damage to the venue (no nails, staples, glue, etc. are allowed.)
Chapters has a spacious driveway that can accommodate buses and provides a place for buses to turn around.
Well-behaved, escorted dogs belonging to the bridal couple are allowed in the venue during the ceremony but must remain on leash at all times. For the comfort of your pet and other guests, you will need to make arrangements for your dog to be escorted off the premises following the ceremony. Dogs may stay at the bridal house as long as they are crated when left unattended and stay off all furniture. NO Insurance covers damage from a pet. You are responsible for all damage. If you plan to include your pet in the ceremony, please discuss this with our venue coordinator.
With advanced notice, we can arrange for a variety of beverages for the Bride’s party and /or Groom’s party to be served at a time that you choose. Popular choices include mimosas, champagne, White Claw, and beer. Other options are also available. Please remind your bridesmaids and groomsmen that no outside alcohol can be brought into the venue or onto the grounds. Doing so violates our liquior permit and may result in the loss of some or all of your damage deposit.
We have several spots that a grill may be setup by a caterer. Please have the caterer contact our venue coordinator to discuss the best location for your event.
Counters and a sink are included in the catering prep space. Caterers are welcome to bring a grill for use in a designated outside area. We also supply a commercial refrigerator. There is a limited number of electric circuits for warmers and crock pots.
We have FIVE 20AMP circuits on the inside of the catering prep and another five on the outside wall of the catering prep area, each is labeld. A crock pot typicall used 7 Amps and a Roaster typically uses 12 AMPs. Two crock pots can usualy be plugged into one outlet and one roaster per outlet before you pop the breaker, but dont worry each is on its own circuit so its an easy fix!
Candles must be contained or enclosed in glass. The flame must not reach higher than two inches below the top of the glass. We do supply candles with the something borrowed decor. Lighting candles is included with the set up fee. Otherwise, please desinate a guest to light candles. If using your own candles, all decor must be cleaned of soot and wax before leaving the venue on sunday.
Bands are not allowed to use artificial smoke devices or any type of pyrotechnics inside of the venue. Use of any kind of artificial smoke will set off our smoke alarms and disrupt your event.
Cancellation of your event must be received via email at least 6 months before your event. If Chapters is able to rebook your event with an like event a refund minus $500 will be given. If cancelling your event less than 6 months away or chapters is unable to rebook your date, No refunds will be given. We highly recommended to invest in Cancellation insurance.
We do not have any food, beverage or guest count minimum. We know weddings can be expensive and we don't want you to have to worry about minimums that can add to your overall budget.
Unlike many other venues, Chapters offers multiple alternative "Plan B" in case of inclement weather. These can be discussed at a tour or your final one month walk-thru
Yes, of course. We are happy to work with you and your vendors to coordinate drop-off and pick-up times. Please let us know if this is happening so that we can be aware of it and plan ahead.
In the state of Wisconsin, you must apply for a marriage license at the county clerk’s office in the county one of the parties has resided in for at least 30 days prior to filling out an application (if you don’t live in Richland county). If you and/or your fiance reside in Richalnd county, then you can fill out an application and apply for a license at the Richland county county clerk’s office. For more information please see the county’s website here.
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That is a great question! In general, we believe the average budget of a couple getting married at Chapters on the Horizon is between $25,000-$30,000 for all wedding expenses (venue, food, drinks, dress, DJ, photographer, etc.). We have had some creative couples with smaller guest lists host beautiful weddings in the $12,000 – $15,000 range, and we have had several lovely events here spending significantly more than the average.
No. While we realize some venues charge a 10-15% commission, we choose NOT to make a commission because we want food options to be as elegant or affordable as your budget allows.
No. We have reusuable cups for bar service only.
We suggest starting Saturday weddings between 2:30- 4:30 pm. Please consider the time of the year for first look photos and the time the sun sets.