I am renting someone else's scenic property for a wedding ceremony (not the reception). Here is a redacted and generalized version of the rules we signed, which will give you some idea of potential issues. I'm sure most of these rules got added to the property rental agreement over time as the property owner encountered issues. Church's often have similar sets of rules.
You might be okay with a different set of rules, like someone having a baker deliver a cake or a caterer for a small reception, but what if the caterer wants to set up 2 hours before the event? What if the couple wants to have a DJ or band or trumpet player, and then it is very loud and your neighbors complain? What if a delivery company wants to drive their truck into your backyard to unload a tent or chairs? What if the mother of the bride hammers nails in all over the place to hang decorative garlands?
Weddings are potentially very high drama situations, so there is a lot to think about. My family works part time in the wedding industry, and extremely drunk family members, guests, arguments, and skirmishes between attendees are not as rare as you might think.
". . . Rules & Regulations
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THESE RULES APPLY TO EVERYONE.
Your ceremony will take place on XX’s private residence. XX has made her private residence available to you in accordance with the rules and regulations that follow. It is her intention that by establishing these rules it will make sharing her private residence with you and your guests, more enjoyable and conducive for your very special occasion, while still preserving the sincerity, dignity and beauty of her residence.
1. Please, DO NOT post XX’s private residence address on any social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter etc....) It is very important, that XX’s private residence remains private and her address is only given to your invited guests. Thank you!
2. The designated time stated in your Contract dictates your TOTAL TIME even if you and/or your guests arrive late.
3. Maximum of (insert number here) cars and/or trucks are permitted on the premises, during your contracted time.
4. Maximum of (insert number here) guests are permitted, in addition to The Couple per specified ceremonies. (including infants, children & adults)
5. Please inform everyone that they need to arrive already dressed, made-up, and hair done. It is also advisable to inform your guests to wear appropriate shoes for your outdoor ceremony. High heels and sandals are not advised.
6. NO Commercial Vendors are allowed on XX’s private residence including: Photographers, Florists, Caterers, Musicians, and/or Wedding Planner etc.
7. No Food or Beverages of any kind is allowed to be served or consumed while on the premises. (Bottled water is permitted.)
8. NO SMOKING of any kind is allowed on the premises including in the parking area. (Cigarettes, electric cigarettes, cigars, pipes etc.) Please extinguish all smoking in your own car/truck.
9. NO Chewing Tobacco and/or spitting is allowed anywhere on the premises.
10.Cell Phones should be turned OFF during your ceremony vows.
11.No Alcohol, Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia is permitted on the premises. Anyone who appears to be intoxicated or under the influence will be escorted off the premises.
12.Absolutely NO FIREARMS, WEAPONS of ANY KIND, including KNIVES, items that resemble weapons, or can be used as weapons, are permitted on the premises. If you and/or your guests carry a concealed weapon, you MUST leave it in your locked car. This regulation also applies to any Police Officer, or Sheriff Deputy that may be
attending your event solely as a guest.
13. Animals or family pets are NOT permitted on the premises.
14. Verbal arguments, fighting or threats of any nature will not be tolerated on the
premises. If there is any evidence of said behavior from The Couple and/or their guests, the local Sheriff Department will be contacted immediately and said parties will be escorted off the premises.
15. The Couple will be allowed to reschedule their event at no additional charge, if the event was not able to be held due to inclement weather (hurricane, tornadoes, snow, ice etc.) and the Highway(s) or County Roads are officially closed.
16. XX’s private residence shall not be used for any immoral, illegal or objectionable purpose as determined by The Officiant, or the laws governing the state.
17. The owner of the private residence is not responsible for personal injuries to The Couple, your guests or others which may occur in conjunction with your event taking place on her premises. The owner is also not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property which The Couple, guests or others may bring onto the premises.
18. If it is necessary for the property owner to employ the services of an attorney to enforce any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, whether or not a lawsuit is filed, The Couple agrees to pay all costs associated with the enforcement of this Agreement, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
19. NO vehicular traffic is allowed anywhere on the private residence except for XX’s private driveway and in the designated parking area.
20. No personalized decorations are allowed on the premises. Only hand-held floral arrangements can be brought onto the premises.
21. For wildlife safety: NO rice, silk flowers, confetti, string confetti or balloons are permitted on the premises. Only biodegradable items such as birdseed or wedding bubbles may be used outside on the premises. The release of butterflies and doves is permissible with prior approval from XX.
22. Fireworks, sparklers, Chinese paper lanterns or other similar items on the premises are prohibited.
23. Anyone under the age of 18 years of age – must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to make sure that all underage children comply with the rules and regulations and behave accordingly.
24.XX’s private residence is NOT A PUBLIC or COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND. Therefore the following behavior is strictly prohibited anywhere on the premises: running, screaming and hollering, climbing on the trees and/or the fishing pier dock, going near or into the pond, rock throwing and/or attempting to hurt, chase after or frighten XX’s wildlife.
25.The Couple’s Responsibilities:
1. The Couple is solely and fully responsible for the actions of and for any damage or breakage caused by themselves and/or their guests who come on the premises. It is also The Couple’s sole responsibility to let their guests know the private residence’s rules and regulations.
2. The owner will notify you of any problems with your guests and it will be incumbent upon you to address the said situation immediately. If in the opinion of the residence owner, said guest/guests, continue not to abide by the rules and regulations of the private residence, they will be escorted off the premises. In the event the rules and regulations are still not followed, The owner, in its sole discretion, may terminate the event immediately and any and all monies paid toward the agreement will be forfeited.
Repair or Replace of Damages:
1. The Couple agrees to pay for the entire cost of repairing or replacing any damage or breakage to the premises, furniture, furnishings, light fixtures, doors, windows, fencing, etc. that occurred and were caused by The Couple, and/or their guests during the contracted event time.
The Couple agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless XX, its owners as well as their heirs, successors and assigns against all claims, costs, losses, expenses, demands, actions, causes of action, including reasonable attorney’s fees and other costs and expenses of litigation which may be asserted against or incurred by the owner, or for which the owner may be liable, which rises from reason of occupancy of XX’s private residence, under this Agreement as well as the rules and regulations as executed between the parties. It is further mutually agreed by and between the parties that all terms and conditions of this written Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and cannot be varied or waived by any oral representation of any agent of the parties unless the same is in writing and mutually signed by the duly authorized agent who executed this Agreement.
I/We have read and understand all the rules and regulations for XX’s private residence and our ceremony taking place on said premises, and we will ABIDE BY THEM."
Also, you might want to look into your local zoning laws. Good luck!
