Frequently Asked Questions

Catering Questions

Do you have a recommendation for catering companies?

You are welcome to source whoever you like to fit your style taste and budget. Please note, your catering company must provide staff to set, serve and buss.

Can we do our own food (Potluck or DIY)?

No. Food must be prepared by a licensed/insured caterer, proof of business license and Fraser Health approval will be required for unknown caterers. We have a staging kitchen only, not a food safe prep kitchen. Note: If your catering company is not providing appetizers/desserts/late night snacks and you are bringing this in from another licensed provider, bussing services must be arranged with the venue. Food platters from supermarket chains or Delis for appetizers and late-night snack, are a totally acceptable option and a good budget friendly option.

Do we have to rent glassware for the tables?

If you wish to have wine & water on the banquet tables, you have the option of renting glasses from us or having your caterer provide them (often included in the catering price). If your caterer is provided glassware, they must remove them after their service and not leave them for the venue staff to buss.

Do you have a commercial kitchen?

No, we have a large staging area that includes stainless steel tables, hand wash sink, refrigeration and a standard household oven.

Are plates, silverware and glassware provided, or will I have to rent them myself or get them through my caterer?

Plates and silverware are NOT provided by us. Typically, catering companies will provide this or, you will have to rent them from somewhere else. We do however have water and wine glasses available for rent and napkins (black, white or ivory).

Please request our catering resource PDF to send to your catering Company if they have not been here before and have questions.

Are we allowed a food truck?

Yes, they are welcome however, we find that food trucks do not work as well with larger events as the food service is very protracted. As with catering companies, food trucks are required to take home all their garbage, including all their disposable plates, cutlery, napkins etc. Please keep in mind that food trucks typically do not have bussing and we do not have the staff to clean up after them.

Music/DJ Questions

What does the rental of the Outdoor sound system include?

It includes a sound board (standard aux or Bluetooth), 2 wireless mics, a large speaker and a linen covered table for set up.

What is the DJ hookup?

DJ’s can hook up with ¼ inch or XLR into the speaker system of AUX into the sound board.

Is there a noise ordinance we should be aware of?

We must stay considerate of our neighbors. We do not allow live bands, but DJ is ok. We do reserve the right to modify the sound if it gets too loud but due to the unique set up of the sound system above the dance floor that is never an issue.

Can we use live music for the ceremony?

Yes, you are more than welcome to bring in a guitarist, violinist, keyboard and/or a singer.

Decor and Set-up Questions

What kind of decor do you offer?

We offer a wide selection of additional decor that can be purchased through our square site (provided to you upon booking). If you wish us to provide and set up your centerpieces, we recommend a decor consultation (booked a few months prior to your wedding). Alternatively, you are more than welcome to provide your own centerpieces and for a small cost we can set those up for you too.

How early can I get into the site to set up?

10:00 am. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate any ‘set up’ or delivery of items prior to the day of the event.

Is take set-up and take down included?

We will do a basic setup of chairs, tables, and linens inside. Any additional décor services purchased from us includes set up and take down. We also offer a clean-up service ($150). This means you can walk away at the end of the evening, and we pack up gifts, left-over wine, leftover candy/cake, personal decoration and have them boxed ready for pick up the next morning. Please ensure you have a checklist of items that you brought in.

Are we allowed to bring in decorations? How about candles?

You may bring in your own décor, or you can use our in-house decorating service. Votives and tea-lights candles are fine (not tapers or any other fire hazard like sparklers or fire balloons). In fact, we highly suggest incorporating lights in the centerpiece as it adds ambience at night. All candles must be contained to prevent wax spillage or accidental fire. If you bring in additional electric lighting it must be LED so the breakers are not overloaded.

Who is responsible for setting up and tearing down the décor and when will it be completed?

Any décor you bring in, you also take down, unless you have contracted us to clean up. In this case you can simply walk away, and we take care of it. Any décor that we provide we take down and this is included in the rental price.

Do you allow throwing of rice or confetti after the ceremony?

Sorry no rice or confetti, bird seed or anything else that requires sweeping. Bubbles are ok. Real rose petals on the ceremony lawn are ok too if you can assign someone to pick them up. Keep in mind that Silk petals are NOT allowed as they blow away and do not decompose.

Do you have seating charts available for rent?

Yes, we have multiple types of frames and antique windows/doors. Please note you must provide seating cards for attaching to the chart.

What color linens do you have?

We have white, ivory, and black. We have a limited supply for smaller weddings of navy and grey.

Bar/Alcohol Questions

Can we bring outside alcohol?

No, we are a licensed venue. We are a winery/distillery, and we provide a wide range of cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits. If your guests are caught with outside alcohol, it jeopardizes your event and our license. The ultimate consequence is your event will get shut down upon inspection. This includes the parking lot which is on private property.

Can we bring our own wines for the table?

We have many spectacular wines for you to choose from through our winery that includes a discount. However, we understand you may wish to supply your specialized table wine and can accommodate this with a corkage fee.

What is the bar menu like?

We have a select amount of in-house cocktails, standard highballs, craft beers, wines and soft drinks/non alcoholic.

What is the pricing for your bar?

We keep your liquor cost as affordable as possible, and we price all alcoholic drinks Wine/Beer/Spirits/Cocktails the same. Should you choose to provide your guests with a ‘drink on me’ they can order a beverage of their choice from the bar.

What liquor services are provided?

As a winery and distillery, we provide a full bar service with Wine, Beer, Spirits and Mixes. We also have an extensive cocktail menu. Our venue will supply all glasses and ice. Our bar can take cash or debit/credit. You may also pre-purchase tokens from our facility.

Do you have a bartender?

Yes! The bartender is included in the price of the venue, and we will always have a bartender completely dedicated to your event. If it is a busy bar at your event, we will pull in a second bartender.

Staffing questions

What does the Venue coordinator do?

The venue day-of coordinator is the ‘go to’ person for vendors such as your caterer, photographer, photo booth, DJ, JP and your family and friends that come in to drop off things (decorations, candy etc.) or come help set up. We also try to fill in holes where needed. With the help of your planning sheets, they will ensure that the venue is set up as per your expectations. They will also be able to troubleshoot any issues that arise. They will be onsite from 12PM to 8PM in order to assist with ceremony ques, move ceremony décor inside after ceremony, ensure table wine is out and any number of small details that need attention on your big day.

Do you have a busser?

Yes, included in the venue price is a person dedicating to bussing bar glasses (not food). Caterers must bring their own bussing staff

Who sets-up for the day?

Included in the pricing is a day of coordinator, 2-3 extra staff members to assist. You will have a coordinator, busser and bartender for the evening portion of your event.

General Questions

Does the use of the outside ceremony area cost extra?

Yes. As many couples still have a ceremony off site and come for the reception only, there is an additional charge if you choose to have your ceremony here. For this fee we set up outside, take down and in the event of poor weather we will rearrange the inside reception area to accommodate an inside ceremony. This minor fee of $2 per chair(person) is to ensure we have an additional staff person on rotation to assist with this. No outside rental chairs permitted.

Are there any hidden costs?

No. The facility rental includes the use of the farm property for pictures, the ceremony garden, the fireside patio, the inside ceremony/reception garden facility, tables & chairs, table linens (expect for catering/coffee/dessert etc.), dance-floor, all permanent décor including the chandeliers, waterfall dance-floor backdrop, wine barrels and antique furniture. As well it includes six staff member exclusively assigned to your event.

What sizes are the tables?

Round banquet diameter 66 inches

Rectangle 8 feet by 30’’ for long table events

Various small round tables for 'sign-in', cake etc. Also, various bistro (bar tables).

Can we have a civil ceremony?

Yes.

Can we come down to see other weddings that are set up?

Yes, of course. We are open to the public Wednesdays to Sundays (see winery business hours). Anybody can come visit our businesses. During the summer, most weekend dates are booked for weddings and it’s always possible to view how the venue is set up or decorated. Just make sure you come before 2pm to ensure you are not intruding on an event and someone will be happy to help you if you have any questions.

Can we have a rehearsal?

Yes. During the summer, we try to leave Wednesdays free for rehearsals on a booking basis. Please ensure that you come during business hours (12-5pm) at your booked time slot and allow sufficient time to be done by the close of business. Sometimes we have a last-minute event to accommodate a ceremony of life and in this case, we will plan for another time for your rehearsal. It is also possible to book the patio on Wednesday evening from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm for a rehearsal cocktail and appetizer event.

Will our guests have to pay to park, and can vehicles be left overnight?

Parking is free. Guests may also leave vehicles in the parking lot overnight if they are picked up between 10am and Noon the next morning. Gates will not be open before this time.

Until what time can we party, what are the overtime charges?

On Friday & Saturday nights the bar and music close at 11:30pm. You are welcome to finish your drinks around the fire while you wait for taxis. Thursdays & Sundays the bar and music close at 11:00pm. We cannot go past these times so there are no overtime charges.

What areas do we have access to?

You have access to the main facility, the wedding patios and the parking until close of your event. The wedding party has access to the wine vines, blueberry fields and farm for pictures. You also have access to the tasting room, the winery patios, the garden seating, bridal suite the ceremony area until close of winery business.

Are there any restrictions on photographing the ceremony?

No, you may use the entire property for photos as well.

Are there any additional costs-cleaning fees, insurance-fee waivers, etc.?

The Secret Garden has its own liability insurance. You may procure you own event insurance if you wish, but we do not require it.

How early can we have the ceremony?

The earliest we recommend a ceremony is 3:00pm for multiple reasons. In the event of poor weather, we need the option of moving the ceremony inside. To do this all decorating and set up (tables set, centerpieces, draping hung, DJ setup etc.) need to be finished and this all takes the better part of the day. Also, an early afternoon ceremony out in the full sun is uncomfortable for guests and by 3pm the sun is partially filtered by the willow tree.

Can we put a tent on the outside ceremony area?

No. We have installed Geogrid under the grass to prevent heels and chair legs from sinking into the sod. Tent pegs would wreck this. We move the ceremony into the inside garden if the weather is poor.

Are kids allowed at the ceremony/reception?

Yes, but we suggest that they have constant supervision. As a working farm, there are many areas that they can get into trouble if left unsupervised. We find that particularly the pond and the glass in the fire pits are attractions. Please do not allow children on the rocks as they are slippery, and the glass in the fire pits could cause injury.

Can we have a dog as a ring bearer?

Yes, but arrangements must be made for it to go home after the ceremony, and it must be kept on a leash. This must be communicated before hand as we own dogs also.

What are the dimensions of the archway?

Approx. 6 feet wide by 8 feet tall

What does the facility rental include?

The full use of the grounds, the outside ceremony garden, the fireside patio, the paved courtyard, the inside ceremony/reception garden facility, banquet tables & chairs (round or rectangle) all misc. tables (catering, gift, sign-in, cake, candy, appetizer, coffee etc.), table linens for guest and head tables only. It also includes dance floor, all permanent décor including the chandeliers, antique furniture, waterfall dance-floor backdrop, wine barrels in the venue etc. We also provide staffing for the entire event.

How private is our event?

The winery and distillery are open to the public during the day, but customers use the Tasting Room and the lounge only. Viewings of the venue facility by other parties are restricted to between 10am and 1pm. None of this interferes with your event.

What’s the maximum number of guests you can accommodate for the reception and ceremony?

140, however we are required to adhere to government restrictions if applicable.

What are the hours?

You have access to the venue at 10:00 AM. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bar closes, and the music is off by 11:30 PM and on Thursdays and Sundays the cut off is at 11:00PM.