FAQ’s about Hosting at The Lofton

Jump down to specific questions:

Common Questions | Catering | Planning | Set Up & Day Of Event

 

Common FAQ’s

  • Please click here to see our venue rental pricing and included amenities.

  • Please click here to see our venue rental pricing and included amenities.

  • Our max capacity is 200. This number comfortably seats all guests and leaves plenty of room for all other wedding essentials like cake, food, dance floor, etc.

  • Please click here to visit our most current up to date available dates.

  • Yes, 35% non-refundable retainer fee is due at time of contract signing to secure your date.

  • 15% due 9 months prior to your event, 25% due 6 months prior to your event, and 25% due 30 days prior to your event.

    We require the $1,000 security deposit and event insurance to be in place 30 days prior to your event.

  • Yes, we are happy to split up your payments into equal monthly payments from the time of booking until 30 days prior to the event.

  • Sign contract online and place 35% retainer fee. Contracts can be signed electronically, and payments can either be mailed, dropped off, or paid online at contract signing.

  • Catering, special event lights, bartenders, and draping need to be licensed and insured.

  • All tours are by appointment only, so we kindly ask that you schedule a tour in advance. This is a private property with gate code access, and we would love to be here when you visit, so we can show you all the great things we have to offer.  Schedule a tour by clicking here.

  • Weddings around 100 guests typically range from $20,000-$30,000. Guest counts in the 150-200 range are typically $25,000-$35,000. These are just averages and can vary depending on your vendor selections. It is important during the wedding planning process to have a handle on your budget and guest count prior to selecting a venue. We want to ensure your total investment is part of our conversations so that we can help recommend the best vendors that may be a good match should you choose our venue for your special day and that expectations are realistic and there are no surprises.

  • No, you have the venue exclusively to you, your family, and guests during the rental time specified in your contract. We don’t even allow tours or meetings to go on while the venue is yours.

  • No, but it is a great benefit to you. We cook everything here onsite, fresh out of our kitchen. We have a warehouse full of inventory for all your food display items right here onsite. All catering packages include the following service: set up, tear down, replenishing of all food and beverages, busing of tables, taking care of all venue trash, plastic wear for dinner as well as cake, cake cutting service, complementary food and beverage display, and gratuity is always optional. Bar services include the bartender, supplies, and liability insurance in included price. See menus for more catering options and bar services. Please see more about our catering and bar services by clicking here. See more about catering and bar pricing.

  • Yes, we have our very own house on the property only available to you and your guest that sleeps 12 guests. There are also several Airbnb’s close within the area. Hotel accommodations are 20 miles south.

  • 90 on the gravel we have a grass lot available for any overflow parking.

  • No, however, we offer golf cart shuttle service for an additional service charge. If needed, guests can be shuttled from the parking lot to the ceremony location; after the ceremony, we can shuttle them to the reception area.

  • No, however linens can be provided at an additional cost for a local rental company and your choice of plasticware, or china would be provided through your catering service.

  • We provide Inclement Weather Planning - our staff will make the necessary changes for ceremony site set up in the event we have to change due to the weather.

  • No, we would love to host just your ceremony or only your reception, but the daily rate fee would stay the same since we only host one wedding per day.

  • No, however service animals are always welcome.

  • Cash, credit card, and check.

  • No, in the event of a cancellation, the date will become available on our available dates page. Please see a list of our current available dates by clicking here.

  • We are currently working on a décor room inventory list. Our monthly open houses are a great time to come see our She Shed!

  • If you choose weekend rental (Thursday at 4pm) if you choose weekday rental (Sunday at 4pm).

  • It is not included in the venue price, but we are happy to give great recommendations on some amazing coordinators. See preferred vendors list here.

Catering FAQs

  • Yes, our food minimum is 50 guests. Find more about catering and bar services by clicking here.

  • No, but it is a great benefit to you. We cook everything here onsite, fresh out of our kitchen. We have a warehouse full of inventory for all your food display items right here onsite. All catering packages include the following service: set up, tear down, replenishing of all food and beverages, busing of tables, taking care of all venue trash, plastic wear for dinner as well as cake, cake cutting service, complementary food and beverage display, and gratuity is always optional. See menus for more catering options and bar services. Please see more about our catering and bar services by clicking here: catering pricing.

  • Please look at catering options here.

  • $28.00 a person plus taxes. All packages include the following service: set up, tear down, replenishing of all food and beverages, busing of tables, taking care of all venue trash, plastic wear for dinner as well as cake, cake cutting service, complementary food and beverage display. Bar services start at $1,200.00 depending on your guest count and what you choose to serve. Bar services all include the bartender, supplies, and liability insurance in included price. See menus for bar services.

  • Yes, but it is a great benefit to you. Bar is a big liability and when it comes to you, and your guest it's the top of our priority everyone is safe. We just want everyone to have a fun and safe time. Bar services include the bartender, supplies, security, and liability insurance in included price. explore more about our bar services here: Bar

Planning FAQs

  • Please visit our open house page by clicking here.

  • This is a great question. We definitely recommend discussing this with your photographer. They will recommend the best time based on the time of sunset, how many photos you are taking before/after the ceremony, and the amount of sunlight you may need to capture your memories.

    During the winter months, ceremonies are typically start between 2pm-4pm. In the summer months, they typically start between 5pm-6:30pm, if your ceremony is in The Barn or Pines. If you choose The Meadow or The Woodland ceremony option, summer ceremonies typically start between 3pm-6:30pm.

  • We will take care of this for you and do a personal layout 30 days prior to your event to make sure we include all the details and where you want them to take place.

  • Click here for documents.

  • No, but you are more than welcome to do a walk through practice during our monthly open house events.

  • No, I wish we could. Unfortunately our insurance liability does not allow for this.

  • Yes, since you have the venue for 3 nights, your guest can leave a car overnight if needed.

  • The music and bar need to end by 10:30pm on Fridays’ & Saturday’s and 9:30pm on Sunday’s and weeknights.

  • Unfortunately no, we don’t have a place to store the items should we have an event the day prior or after the day of you event. We also do not have anyone onsite prior to your rental hours to handle this accommodation.

  • Yes, we love natural candles! However we do required they are in a contained glass setting. No open flames please.

  • Yes, we have (8) 8ft tables and (12) 6ft tables.

  • Yes. However, we recommend 8 seats per table to fit comfortably; 9-10 is tight.

  • No, but we can give you great referrals on where you can rent. See preferred vendors list here.

  • No, we have you covered! We do full set up and tear down of all your tables and chairs for 200 guests. We plan this out at your 30 day out meeting. Should you change your mind and want anything moved the day of the event, you will be responsible for making these adjustments.

  • 30 days prior to you event. We plan for your final meeting to go over guest count, timelines, vendor lineups, floor plan layouts, and décor room items.

  • You and your future spouse must get a marriage license from the local county clerk’s office. **Please check with your local county clerk’s office on any information you may need to know, bring with you, and or pricing, etc. Where and when you get your marriage license does not affect The Lofton.

Setup and Day of Event FAQs

  • Yes, for sure. If you want to bring snacks in The Cottage and The Quarters while getting ready, we are all for it! There is a refrigerator and microwave in each room.

  • If you use our in-house décor room, you will need to box all items back in the containers. We will bring it back to our decor room. Our staff will tear down of all table, chairs, and janitorial services to stock all toiletries in venue, cottage, and quarters. We will take care of trash, sweeping, mopping, and provide all trash bags. You are only responsible for removing the items that were brought with you on the day of the event. Should you want us to take care of full tear down and clean up from your items and or vendors we have additional packages that can be added on for this.

  • ABSOLUTELY! No matter what areas you choose for ceremony and reception to capture endless photo opportunities, please enjoy the beauty of our property! Beautiful mountain views and the Bradford tree lines as you drive in make great photos during our spring months when they are in bloom.

  • Unfortunately, no. We want to make sure our facilities are always ready and in tip top shape for your special day, as well as the next event. We are happy to help make suggestions on ways you can take care of this. We also have hooks/nails in many spots that couples use quite often.

  • We schedule your final meetings and décor planning 30 days prior should you choose to use our in-house décor. This inventory is changing daily and we want to ensure you can pick out the most up to date décor.

  • Yes, as much as we would love to help, we want to ensure you use your items and set up as you wish. (Décor items will not be able to be altered after selections have been made at your 30-day final meeting)

  • ABSOLUTLEY! We recommend coordinating this with your DJ. It is as simple as flipping a switch. The switch is right where your DJ and or whoever is doing your day of music would we be set up. It is very easy for them to turn it off right before your party starts walking down the aisle.

 

Get in Touch with The Lofton

Email General Inquiries, please email SaveTheDate@TheLoftonVenue.com

Find us at 701 Lofton Hall Road Ardmore, TN 38449

Give us a call at 256-724-1158 (Please allow 24-48 hours for call back as we host events 7 days a week)

For quickest response please email.