Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have vendor restrictions?

No! We do not make money off your vendors, but instead let you choose any! We do, however, require that it is a licensed caterer/bartender, certified by the state of Michigan and has business insurance. With 10 years of operation, we are happy to provide direction as desired and even include a packet of recommended creatives from hair, photography, transportations, local accommodations, and much more. We also offer communication packets to help provide specifics to your vendors in order to ease your planning efforts (ex: an outline for the DJ of what set-up is provided to them, where outlets are, what the wifi password is, where to park, ect.)

What is the payment plan?

A $1500 non-refundable deposit is required at signing to reserve a date. Then 6 months prior to the event, a payment to cover the remaining half of the balance is due. The package is then paid in full 30 days before the event. In the event of cancellation, we work to rebook a comparable event and return all payments besides a $150 administration fee.

What is the price?

We provide the options of a one day, full weekend, or intimate package! You can view the details and associated pricing here.

Can I tour the space?

Yes! We would love to meet you and share the property with you! Tours usually occur on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Simply reach out to events@aldenorchards to access our tour calendar and set up a time that works for you.

Are there noise restrictions?

No! We are situated in an apple orchard and do not limit noise. We do, however, require that the party wraps up around 11:00 p.m. to properly dispose of food and drink and exit the premises by midnight (excluding guests who stay at the inn)

Do you provide tables and chairs?

Yes, we have quality, wooden tables and chairs that make a statement on your wedding day. Additionally, 3 serving tables, a gift table, and a cake table are included. The floor plan is created based on your needs and all set-up and tear down is handled by our staff.

What are the clean-up expectations?

We ask that food and beverages are properly disposed of on the day of an event, regardless of the venue package. Many caters handle disposal of food and beverage and we provide trash dumpsters for anything else. Large objects (such as boxes, yard signs, ect.) are to be disposed elsewhere. For the most part, clients go home with everything they brought and it is often easy work to pack up.

How many people can the space fit?

We provide parking for 120 guests + bridal party with plenty of space for an outdoor ceremony. We know it is very hard to predict guest acceptance figures, so we are able to be flexible by a bit. It is good to know that the barn space, the space for parking, and the number of bathrooms work best for 120 guests.

How do I save a date?

Your date is secure once the bride, groom, and Alden Orchards have all signed the contract along with a $1500 deposit. This deposit is then applied to the cost of your wedding package (it is NOT an extra cost) We do require that the client tours the space (even if just virtually) to make sure they are over the moon about it. It then simply requires the clients name’s, email address, and confirmation of package/date in order to send the relevant contract for virtual signing and online payment.

When can we start setting up?

The set-up time depends on the package. The full weekend and intimate packages allow for 1:00 p.m. the day prior to the event before then having the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner onsite. The single day events for Friday and Saturday begin at 8:00 a.m. (much earlier than most venues!) And lastly, a single day events on a Sunday begin at 10:00 a.m..

When is the rehearsal?

The full weekend package allows for the rehearsal to occur the day prior to the event and can be scheduled anytime in the afternoon or evening. All one day packages occur the Thursday prior to the weekend unless no event is schedule on the Friday of that weekend. Typical schedule is the Friday wedding rehearsal at 3:30 p.m., Saturday wedding at 5:00 p.m., and Sunday wedding at 6:30 p.m..

Are there any hidden fees?

You are able to view everything included in each package here along with the listed price. The only add on cost is the requirement to secure event insurance (through a 3rd party insurance option, we do provide guidance on the process) which provides coverage for your event in the case of any mishaps. This is a common requirement for practically all venues. We also offer rental items, which you can see here, and the items are completely optional add-ons in order to ease your planning logistics.