Questions and Answers

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How do I secure my date?

A $2,500.00 non-refundable deposit, signed contract, and signed Facility Rental Agreement is required to secure your date.  Personal check, credit card, or cash are all accepted.  Once the deposit is received, you will be given a payment schedule for the balance due.  The final balance is due 14 days prior to your event date.

Do you hold/reserve dates?

No.  The venue is booked on a first come, first served basis. 

Do you allow outside catering?

We have a list of preferred caterers that have been hand selected and highly recommended.  If you would like to use someone outside this list, there is a buy out fee of $2,500.00, they must be pre-approved, supply health department reports, and obtain the required liability insurance, including workman's compensation.

Can I bring in my own alcohol?

No.  All alcohol is purchased through your venue package.

Do I have to hire a wedding coordinator?

Yes.  A month of (30 days) wedding coordinator/planner is mandatory.  The planner/coordinator is typically responsible for making sure all of your vendors arrive on time and do the job as expected.  As well as helping with any problems that may arise.  The last thing you need on your special day is to worry about when and if the cake has arrived.  Our venue manager is not responsible for vendors arrival, inventory, etc.

Can I bring in my own vendors?

Yes, you may bring in your own vendors (dj, florist, photographer, etc.).  All vendors are required to submit their business license and required Insurance Information (including workman's compensation) to be able to work on site at Fete The Venue.

What is included in the venue rental price?

Fete The Venue offers up to 350 fruitwood chiavari chairs, and various sized tables for seating up to 350 guests.  We also have various tables for gift tables, cake tables, etc and 2 lounge furniture sets.

Do you include linens?

No.  Linens are rented through your coordinator or caterer.

Can I have a ceremony and reception at the venue?

Yes.  Many of our weddings host both the ceremony and reception.  We have a beautiful 3500 sq. ft. outside courtyard that is perfect for ceremonies.  There is also enough room inside our venue to accommodate a ceremony if your guest count is 200 or less.

Can we have food trucks?

Food trucks may be allowed if approved by supplying the necessary health department reports and insurance information.  A full service caterer is still required for the entirety of your event and provide a full service staff.  

Is there a wedding ceremony rehearsal included?

Yes.  A 1 hour time slot can be scheduled 2 weeks prior to your event based on availability.

Parking?

We have a large parking lot on site and some street parking. Mandatory valet parking may be required for events exceeding guests of 100 during the day and 225 during the evening.  Please consult with your venue sales manager for current fees.

Is there a space for the bride and groom to get ready in?

Yes, we have a beautiful Bridal Site that can be used for getting ready.  There are 2 makeup/hair stations and plenty of lighting for beautiful pictures.  This room is available for multiple hours based on the wedding package purchased.  We also have a Grooms Lounge/area for the men.

Does the venue allow candles?

Yes, candles may be used if they are enclosed in proper holders and the flame is protected on all sides at least 2 inches above the flame.

Does the venue allow sparklers?

Unfortunately no.  The City of Costa Mesa does not allow any type of firework with the exception of 4th of July.

What if it rains and my ceremony is outside?

If your event is less than 200 people, the floorplan can be re-arranged to accommodate an indoor ceremony.  There may be a small fee of $150.00 if it is last minute (day prior, or day of).  If your event is larger, there is plenty of room to rent a tent.

Do I have to rent a dance floor?

You can, but it is not mandatory.  We have beautiful flooring that works well for dancing.

Can I have music or a live band?

Yes, inside and outside.  Your DJ and/or band is required to bring their own speakers.

How long do I have to set-up?

Depending on the package you purchased it is, 2 hours, 3 hours, or 7 hours prior.

What time does my event have to end?

We are a special and unique location that allows events to end at 1:00 a.m.  Of course, this also depends on the package you purchase.

Can I rent just the courtyard?

Sure!  However, the pricing to rent the courtyard is the same as it would be to rent the entire venue.

What is the venue manager responsible for?

The venue manager is responsible for the venue itself, i.e., restrooms and opening and closing venue.

Is security required?

Security may be required for safety at the venue’s discretion, especially with events when there is a bar.

Can I change my date?

If the requested date is available, there is a fee to change the original date.