Frequently Asked Lodge Venue ?s
What is the venue capacity?
250 seated guests at tables. Up to 128 at round tables or up to 172 at rectangular tables in the Great Room. The loft accommodates up to 72 more where only rectangular tables are used.
Up to 100 additional guests may be seated outside on the covered wrap-around deck.
Inside events will accommodate up to 250 guests using no tables (called theater seating) with complete visibility.
What is the rental price and what does it include?
Please fill out a RENTAL APPLICATION for a non-committing price quote. The approximate number of guests, estimated hours of use, kitchen utilization, or linen rental all factor into a specialized quote.
How far ahead can I reserve?
If it's a Monday-Thursday event you desire to host, we can discuss available dates most any time. Because we're primarily a wedding venue on weekends, for requested WEEKEND dates, we’d appreciate it if you begin the application process no sooner than within 4 months of your desired date. If you have a MAJOR (over 100 attendees) weekend event that needs to be promoted in advance of 4 months, please call us to discuss availability and pricing.
What dates are available?
You may fill out a RENTAL APPLICATION with some desired dates. We suggest you include several dates in case your preferred date is unavailable. Out of respect, we reserve on a first requested basis. Whoever has requested to start the contract process from us for a specific date will be first in line. We follow up with a contract and invoice. When we have received both the signed contract and a deposit, you’ll be reserved.
Is there a deposit?
Upon signing the contract, there is a deposit of 50% of the rental fee due. This goes toward your total fee. The remaining balance is due 2 weeks prior to your event.
What forms of payment does Life’s Finer Moments accept?
We accept cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.
Is there a refundable security deposit?
No, but we DO require a credit card on file in case there is damage found on post-event inspection.
What is your alcohol or smoking policy?
We are a family-friendly dry venue. Your event is important or you wouldn’t be investing time and effort into planning it. Your guests are thankful for the food and information or fun you are supplying. We desire for this event to be one of your life’s finer moments in your career or social life. (Did we mention our 30’ drop-off deck and liability?) It’s our greatest joy to help make your event a success but without alcohol.
Smoking containers for use outdoors are provided.
What is your parking lot capacity?
150 vehicles on a commercial lit gravel lot.
What are my table options?
Rectangular & Round
See the “Measurements Section” below for more details
What about table linens?
We do offer white table linens for rent as a venue add-on item. These run an affordable $8 each. Please include your desire for these in your application. You can decide if you want to rent ours, provide your own, or use any at all.
How will the tables, chairs, etc. be arranged for my sized event?
We’ll need to connect to determine your preferred layout prior to the event.
What are my clean-up responsibilities?
YEY! You DO NOT put inside furniture away. We’ll take care of that!
If furniture was utilized outside, please get it inside before lock-up.
We’ll take care of the dry mopping & wet mopping of the floor, cleaning all windows, and restroom cleaning.
Fulfill and sign off on the short clean-up list (found in the kitchen) for the space you rented.
Take any food trash out to the dumpster.
The kitchen area must be returned to its original level of cleanliness.
Will LFM staff be there for my event?
LFM staff regularly pops in and out of the rented premises at any time on any occasion. However, your rental price does not reflect paying for our staff to be there the entire time. If you desire this, let’s visit about pricing.
We provide a physical “walk-through” for local hosts or a Face-Time/Zoom “walk-through” for out of town hosts several days prior to your event. This is only if we can’t be available at entry time to unlock for you on event day and need to give you a keyless entry door code. It will be entirely prepared for your arrival.
May I leave items before or after my event to fetch later?
LFM does not provide storage before or after a rental event.
What decorating rules are there?
Most like our decor as is. Please take a photo of our current seasonal decor and its placement if you are going to replace it with any of your own. At the end of the event, you can return our decor to its rightful place with the aid of your pre-event photos on your phone.
Our wood is beautiful as is, but purchasing and bringing Command Hooks is allowed if you need to add your own decor. No ladder can reach the beams so don’t plan to hang anything from them. You may bring fishing line to hang lightweight things from the loft rail.
Are candles allowed?
Yes, but in containers or jars where the flame is completely contained. No open flames, tapers, or hanging candles.
May I use glitter or confetti?
No. If you’re asking this question, you’ve probably never cleaned up glitter or confetti before. Ask us to share the story about the businessmen with “bedazzled” back-sides following a previous event ignoring this rule. We worked and worked to clean it all up before the next event, but it’s just ridiculously hard to eradicate. Ends up costing you the host an extra-clean up fee.
Can I just stop by to check out the venue?
We have a helpful digital tour on our homepage. If you desire to check it out in person, feel free to stop by and if no event is in progress, walk around the outside and look in the windows. We are not there 24/7. Inside viewings are by appointment only. Email us at jana@lifesfinermoments.com
Do we have to utilize your partnering caterers? May we “do the food” ourselves?
You have 2 options.
You may bring in your own food for a kitchen fee. Be sure and discuss food details with us for approval. These are not licensed commercial kitchens, but there is ample room for last-step preparations and serving.
Choose 1 of our partnering caterers and save some time and stress! We are selective and have purposely chosen a few small business owners in our area, because although no one is perfect, and none of our caterers claim to be, when you work with a small business owner they are personally invested in the success of your event. Our goal is to help sustain our community businesses, and besides, their food is EXCELLENT tasting as well as cost-effective. Our caterers have done great work and have frequented Life’s Finer Moments. They are familiar with the venue and have proven to genuinely care about your event.
Would I work with my chosen caterer directly?
Yes. Contact information is included in the partnering caterer list. Be sure and let them know when you sign an agreement with them that you are hosting at Life’s Finer Moments.
Will I pay a gratuity to my caterer?
Check with your caterer to inquire about this specific charge. Approved caterers pay a gratuity of 12% to cater at LFM. Some of the caterers take this from their advertising fee at no cost to you as a thank you to LFM for recommending them. Other caterers may choose to add the 12% to your bill to cover this cost. One of our partners splits it half from the advertising budget and half charged to the customer.
Do you have overnight accommodations?
Rent one of our cabins on site! You may also look at our cabin photos and read more information about them on our Cabin FAQ page.
There is a motel in town, 5 minutes away, and we also can direct you to other options.
Do you allow dogs on-site?
Only service animals with accompanying paperwork are allowed inside the lodge. We are dog-friendly in the cabins.
What time will I have access to the venue if I need to decorate?
You will have access to the venue at the time listed on your contract, not earlier. Please plan accordingly.
How far in advance do you need our final headcount?
2-3 days
Important measurements you may want to know:
16 Round Tables: 60” diameter
30 Rectangle Tables: 8' x 30”
1 Rectangle Tables: 6'
2 Rectangle Tables: 4'
5 Rectangle Seminar Tables: 8’ x 18”
350 Chairs
Hexagon Arbor: Height- 77”, Width- 100”, Depth- 24”, Perimeter- 258”
Media counter: 9’ x 21”
Kitchen serving window: 9.5’ wide and 3’ deep
Fireplace Mantel: 9’ 4” x 12” deep
Fireplace Hearth: 9’ 4” x 18” deep
Firewood Holders: 32” x 32” and 41” tall
Covered Deck: 14’ wide entire perimeter of bldg
