Wedding Reception Information Sheet

Congratulations and thank you for considering the Publick House for your wedding reception!  Our professional staff awaits the opportunity to serve you and your guests in a manner worthy of this momentous occasion.  Please read the following information regarding policies and procedures and contact our sales department any time to schedule an appointment to view our property!

Reception Hall, Seating Capacity
Room availability is dependent on your reception date, time, and estimated number of guests. Maximum guest capacity is 260 (with a dance floor). An outside wedding reception is also an option with a tent holding up to 500 guests (additional costs apply).  Wedding receptions are booked for five-hour intervals (this time includes the cocktail hour).  Additional times may be booked at $250.00 per half-hour. Evening receptions may add time at the end of the function but may not continue past 1:00am.

Event Times and Minimums (Some restrictions may apply)

• Friday and Sunday – Receptions can be held any five hours available with a 75 person package minimum.
• Saturday - During the months of April through October we do two weddings a day, the hours are 11:30am-4:30pm and 6:30pm-11:30pm.  Any other months you may book any available five-hour time frame.  The wedding package minimum is 75 people for the afternoon wedding.  Saturday evening weddings May-December require the use of the Historical Romance Wedding Package with a 125 person minimum. If your count falls below the 125 person minimum please see your Sales Contact for dollar amount minimums.

Facility Fee
The Publick House Facility Fee is $500.00 for a Saturday Wedding.  This fee includes the use of Paige Hall and the Barn for your cocktail hour/reception.  On Friday and Sunday, there is no facility fee.  There are no additional fees for bar set up or cake cutting associated with the wedding package.

On Site Ceremonies/Additional Cocktail Hour Locations
Ceremonies are held outside at our Gazebo for a fee of $500.00.  This includes use of the Gazebo, 100 white chairs and the Publick House’s beautifully landscaped grounds for your pictures.  Additional chairs may be rented if required.  Outside ceremonies take place a half-hour prior to the reception.  If an indoor ceremony or a tent rental is desired, please contact your Sales Coordinator for details.  Additional Cocktail Hour locations available on the outside front patio for $250.00 or outside the Red Barn for $350.00.  Outside cocktail hour options are weather permitting.

Tax and Gratuities
All food and beverage costs are subject to a 5% Massachusetts meals tax, a 15% service charge and a 3% taxable administrative fee.

Food Service
Our Executive Chef has designed special menus for your selection.  With advance notice, requests for special dietary needs, vegetarian/vegan and kosher meals can be accommodated. We also offer children meals for children 12 years and younger.  Our staff will graciously attend to every detail under the supervision of our management personnel.   Your menu selection is required three months prior to your wedding day. When choosing a split entrée option, a count of each entrée is due ten days in advance.  Place cards with menu choice must be provided in alphabetical order. Food will not be permitted to leave the hotel.

Bar and Beverage Options
You have an option of cash bar (guests pay cash), Open Bar Fixed Cost House or Premium Brand per person per hour, or an Open Bar Based on Consumption.  Open bars may not exceed 5 hours.  The bar will close a half-hour before the function adjourns.  As mandated by the Massachusetts State law, all alcohol must be provided by the hotel.  Patrons or Guests will not be permitted to bring into the hotel or take from the hotel, any alcoholic beverages or food.

Deposits, Confirmations and Final Payment
A non-refundable $1,500.00 deposit is required two weeks from the date of booking the wedding reception along with the signed contract (Personal Check, Cash, Money Order, or Cashier Checks are accepted for Initial Deposit). Final count is due 10 days prior to the wedding date.  The final estimated balance is due 7 days prior and is based on the guaranteed count.  Please note we do not accept personal checks for the Final Payment.  All charges will be based on the final guarantee or the actual number served if greater than the guarantee.  Final accounting will be done on the day of the event.  A credit card must be on file for any last minute charges and open bars.  Menu pricing is guaranteed 90 days prior to wedding date.

Overnight Accommodations
We offer seventeen historic overnight rooms at the Publick House Historic Inn, and 6 rooms at the Chamberlain House.  Our Country Lodge has 92 rooms. If you need any overnight rooms, please block them during the time of booking to ensure availability.  (Rooms will be released thirty days prior to the wedding date if not reserved.)

• If you are hosting an evening reception that runs past 11:00pm, you are required to reserve seven Historic Inn overnight rooms, as they are located directly overhead unless previously booked.  This policy is followed to ensure our overnight guests are not disturbed by evening entertainment.  The Host/Hostess is responsible for the seven rooms.  When the Host/Hostess is paying for the overnight rooms, a credit card number will be required to secure reservations. The Host/Hostess must also provide a list of who will occupy these rooms, at this time each guest is responsible to call the lodging reservation desk to submit payment information.  If the guest does not do so, the Host/Hostess will be responsible for payment of these rooms.

Cancellation Policy
Deposits are non-refundable. All cancellation notices must be in writing and will be effective on the date of receipt by the Publick House.  Cancellations done 6 months or less than the date of the function will be charged the minimum guarantee amount on all food and beverage contracted as well as any room rental fees or other lost revenue to the Publick House.

General Information

• Menu pricing is guaranteed 90 days prior to wedding date.
• Decorations are not allowed to be nailed, taped or stapled on the walls, fixtures or furniture.
• Bubbles, confetti or other destructive products are not permitted.

  Wedding Receptions Fact Sheet

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