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- Rental Fees, Deposits and Payments FAQ
- Banquet Rooms FAQ
- Outside Vendors FAQ
- Food Service FAQ
- Alcohol Service FAQ
John Woods answers your questions regarding rental fees, deposits and payments
Q: What is the rental cost of your rooms?
A: First Choice Banquet room rents for $1175.00. The main room at North Creek rents for $1400.00 and the smaller room rents for $500.00. Special rates are available at both rooms depending on the date and time of day. Ask about these rates when inquiring.
Q: Is a deposit required?
A: Yes. Both venues require a deposit of 25% of the advertised rental rate to secure the room. A date is not confirmed until a deposit has been received. The First Choice deposit is $300.00. The North Creek larger banquet room is $350.00. The smaller banquet room is $150.00. Both North Creek banquet rooms combined is $500.00.
Q: How should I make a payment?
A: If writing a check for First Choice, checks should be made payable to JK Woods, LLC. If writing a check for North Creek, checks should be made payable to North Creek, LLC. Please specify event name and date on your check. All payments can be mailed to: First Choice Catering – 5905 Scott Blvd – Hornlake, Mississippi 38637. Do not send cash. Cash payments should be made at the venue location to an authorized representative. Credit Card payments can be made by phone or email. A receipt will be provided for all payments.
Q: Is the deposit refundable?
A: There are certain terms and conditions that dictate if a deposit is refundable and how much is refundable. These specific terms are spelled out in detail in each venue contract.
Q: When is the room balance due?
A: A 25% deposit is required. 50% of the balance is due 60 days before the event, the entire remaining balance is due 30 days before the event.
Q: Can we set up a payment plan?
A: We are very flexible and will allow you to pay the balance at your pace within the due date requirements. Many clients like making monthly payment and that is perfectly acceptable.
Q: What type of payment do you accept for the room payment?
A: We accept most credit cards, cash, check or money order.
Q: Are rates the same if we have our ceremony and reception at the venue?
A: There is an additional $400.00 charge for First Choice Banquet and North Creek for holding both wedding and reception. Other fees may apply according to your particular needs. This will be determined when a meeting has taken place to discuss your particular event.
John Woods answers your questions regarding our Banquet Rooms
Q: What is the most important thing to consider when booking one of your banquet rooms?
A: Have a date or date(s) in mind. Catering and everything else is secondary to securing the desired date. Once a date is gone it becomes necessary to change your date or look at another venue.
Q: Do you have more then one venue?
A: Yes, we operate three banquet rooms and are a preferred caterer at several others in the area.
Q: How many people does your site comfortably hold?
A: The First Choice Banquet will comfortably hold 175-200 for a dinner or seated reception. If the weather is good the capacity is greater due to the use of the outdoor patio. The North Creek main banquet room will accommodate approximately 175 for a dinner or seated reception. The smaller room will accommodate approximately 75 people. The entire facility, making use of the bar area, will accommodate 250-300.
Q: Can we have an outdoor ceremony at the venue?
A: Both venues can accommodate outdoor weddings.
Q: How long does it take to transition the venue from a wedding ceremony to a reception?
A: There are several factors involved at each venue. We can give a more specific answer once we determine the particular needs of your event.
Q: How many hours will we be able to have the room?
A: The typical reception rental is 4 hours, but we are flexible in the event that the ceremony does not run according to schedule. The 4 hours does not include time used for decorating. Additional hours can be purchased. Ask us regarding the details.
Q: When can we access the room to decorate?
A: Your room rental covers the “day of the event.” Access can typically be gained by 10 AM on the day of the event. If the room is available we often make provision for earlier arrival if possible. If you feel that you need to gain access the day before a fee may apply to reserve the room. This detail can be discussed at the time of booking the venue.
Q: When must we remove décor and other items from the event?
A: If the room is being used for another event the following day the items must be removed after the event. If the room is not being used we can make arrangements for you to come the following day. The venue is not responsible for any items left in the room before or after the event.
Q: When can our vendors gain access and what is the procedure for getting them scheduled?
A: Vendors can typically gain access during the course of normal business hours. All vendors should make prior arrangements and an appointment to insure access to the venue.
Q: if the cake must be delivered early, what provisions should be made?
A: We do not encourage an extremely early delivery of cakes to the venues due to the delicate nature of most wedding cakes. If a cake is delivered early we cannot make provisions for the cake to be placed in a cooler due to limited space. Due to the risk of damage, venue staffing will not move a cake once it has been set in place. The venue and its staffing will not assume any responsibility for a cake during or after delivery. The cake is the full responsibility of the person providing the cake and the client purchasing the cake.
Q: Will the venue be completely private for our event or will it be accessible to others?
A: The First Choice Catering Hall is completely private and exclusive to your event. The North Creek venue is located at a public golf course and there is the possibility that golfers may be present in the snack-bar or lounge area during your event. This is not typically a problem and is very unlikely during the off season. Accommodations can be made if you need exclusive access.
Q: What is included with the room rental?
A: First Choice banquet hall includes 60” round tables and black padded chairs. The North Creek room comes with 60” round tables and brown padded chairs. Standard white 90”x90” linens can be rented for $7.00 each. The exact number will be determined according to your number of guests and other table needs.
Q: How many people typically sit at a table and will we need table for all of our guests?
A: The answer depends on the type of event. Each table comfortably seats 8 adults for dinner style service. For a reception the number can vary and be as many as 10 if necessary. For a dinner seating is required for each guest. At a reception it is generally safe to plan on seating for 85% of your anticipated number. It would
Q: Can we provide our own linens?
A: Absolutely, at both locations. However, neither venue will assume responsibility for lost or damaged linens.
Q: Is a dance floor provided?
A: The First Choice banquet hall has a stained concrete floor and it serves as a dance floor so one is not required. North Creek has carpet and many clients section off an area for dancing and do not use a dance floor. If a dance floor is required for your event, one can be rented. Pricing is dictated by size and style.
Q: Do you provide table décor?
A: We do not at either venue, but we do have a list of qualified vendors who can or you may bring in your own décor. Again, neither venue assumes any responsibility for lost or damaged items.
Q: Do you have a sound system and how are the acoustics?
A: The First Choice banquet hall has a surround sound stereo system with AM/FM, CD, Cassette and I-pod capability. A lapel microphone is also available.
At the current time North Creek does not have a stereo system or speakers. The acoustics in both rooms is good. A portable podium is available at both locations for an additional rental fee of $75.00.
Q: Is there is changing area for the wedding party?
A: Both sites are equipped with public restroom. First Choice has a separate dressing room in the women’s lounge. North Creek has an area downstairs that can be used as a dressing room.
Q: Are the restrooms adequate to accommodate a large number of guests?
A: Both venues have more then adequate restroom facilities.
Q: What about Parking?
A: First Choice has parking available on both sides of the building with handicap access from both sides. Additional parking is available at adjoining business parking. North Creek has a large parking lot and is quite capable of accommodating large crowds.
Q: Is valet parking available?
A: We do not provide valet parking. You can provide that service but neither venue will assume responsibility for loss or damage caused by any company providing the service. Any hired service must provide proof of liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance.
Q: Do you have pictures of events in the room?
A: Yes, we do have pictures of recent events for you to review for ideas. We can show you these pictures during a preliminary visit and some are currently available on our web site.
Q: Can we visit the venue when it is set up for another event.
A: It is possible for you to set up an appointment to view either venue when it is set up for a similar event. Call our office at 662-342-2559 to set up an appointment.
John Woods answers your questions regarding outside vendors
Q: Can we bring in outside vendors such as florist, DJ, Videographer. Photographer, etc?
A: Yes. Each vendor should be a reputable and licensed business professional. They should provide the venue with proof of liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance. If the vendor cannot provide these documents they must sign an indemnification agreement releasing the venue and its owners from any liability resulting in injury or loss on their part while operating at the venue. All vendors are responsible for supplying all items relating to product or service they supply for the event. For a list of preferred vendors, visit our web site.
Q: Do you have a list of “preferred vendors?”
A: Yes, we have a list of “preferred vendors” on our web site. These vendors have worked with us for years and have proven themselves to be reliable and dependable. A password is required to access the list and will be provided by us as we begin to plan your event. Even though these vendors are recommended, we do not assume any responsibility in contacting the vendors or for any of their services provided.
John Woods answers your questions regarding food service
Q: Do you have food service on site?
A: Yes, First Choice Catering is responsible for all food service at First Choice banquet hall and North Creek. First Choice Catering has been in the catering business for almost 20 years and can accommodate most requests. For an extensive menu visit the web site at www.firstchoicecatering.com
Q: Can we bring in an outside caterer or provide our own food?
A: Outside catering is sometime allowed under the following conditions: (1) an additional outside caterers fee may apply (2) the outside caterer is licensed and insured, (3) the outside caterer signs an indemnity agreement releasing the owner(s) and/or operators from any liability resulting in loss, damage or liability as the result of the outside cater or its representatives negligence, (4) the client signs an indemnity agreement releasing the venue owner(s) and/or operator from any liability resulting in loss, damage or liability as the result of the outside caterer or its representatives negligence. All terms and conditions regarding this must be discussed and in writing before the event.
Q: Can the outside caterer use the kitchen.
A: Kitchen space is not permitted for use by an outside caterer. All outside caterers must provide their own equipment, supplies and means to keep food hot and cold.
John Woods answers your questions regarding alcohol service
Q: What are your policies regarding alcohol?
A: Currently at both venues you are able to bring in your own alcohol and wine. At First Choice banquet hall you can bring in your own beer as well but at North Creek, you must purchase beer from the North Creek Club House. Pricing will be provided upon request.
Q: Are there corkage fee charges and charges for a bartender?
A. For a full service bar a corkage fee of $1.00 per person is charged at both venues. The corkage fee covers ice and use of the bar space. A bartender’s fee of $120.00 is charged per bartender for a 4 hour period. Bar back if required is $100.00 for 4 hours. Bar mixers and barware if required are quoted separately.
Q: Do you offer a full service cash bar or client paid bar service?
A: At the current time we do not.
Q: Can we provide our own bartender?
A: We do not allow outside bartenders unless they are licensed and insured. If you provide a licensed and insured bartender they must provide all documentation stating that they are in compliance. A fee may apply in the event that an outside bartender is used.
If you have a question regarding our venues or that was not answered above or you want to set up an appointment to look at one of our rooms, email me at: jwoods@firstchoicecatering.com
