Frequently asked questions.

We have 220 parking spaces on our property, as well as street parking for overflow.

The rental fee covers your exclusive use of our venue beginning at 10am and concluding at midnight the day of your event. This time frame includes all setup, breakdown and cleanup associated with the event.

We do!

◦ Chairs:

▪ 500 black resin chairs

▪ 115 white resin chairs

◦ Tables:

▪ 50 round tables (72 inches)

▪ 30 round tables (60 inches)

▪ 20 rectangular tables (6 feet)

▪ 15+ high-top tables

◦ Linens:

▪ We only offer black linens.

Please refer to the pricing guide for rental costs.

This is one of the big draws for our venue. We have concert grade Audio and Video capabilities already built into the Grand Hall. Any sort of AV requirements you need for your event, we can accommodate. Any band or DJ can plug right into our system, and we provide audio and video engineers both before and during your event to ensure flawless execution. Please speak with one of our venue representatives for specific details related to your event.

We offer a complimentary set/strike of all rented equipment before your event. All tables and chairs will be set before your 10am arrival time the day of your event so you can get right to decorating.

We do not. We do, however, work with some of the best event planners and decorators in Jacksonville and can easily point you in the right direction.

You have until midnight on the day of your event to clean up and return the venue to us. You can purchase additional time should your event run longer for $250 per hour. We do not allow any rental to run past 2AM (including cleanup) for any circumstance. All equipment must be out of the venue within your allotted rental time frame to ensure we're ready for our next event.

We collect a security deposit prior to your event to cover any excessive cleaning or damage to the venue. It's your responsibility to return the venue to us in a similar condition as when you received it. After your event concludes, the on-duty manager will inspect the premises to assess whether there's any excessive clean-up or damage due to your event. If necessary, the security deposit will be used to cover additional cleaning or repairs. If the property is deemed satisfactory by the manager, the entire security deposit will be refunded to you within 30 days.

Yes, there is a 7.5% sales tax and a 6% administrative/production fee applied to the entire event. The admin/production fee is an industry standard cost which covers the daily running of the venue including paper products, consumables, payment processing, tours and consultations, utilities, maintenance, etc...

All load-in, setup, breakdown, loadout and final cleanup must be done in the rear of the building through our designated loading areas within the allotted rental time frame on your contract. Our dumpster is in the rear of the building right off the loading dock for your convenience.

Yes, you can! All hired vendors must be licensed and insured and follow the same guidelines mentioned above. You may be charged for using external vendors outside of our preferred vendor list (catering and beverage services). Please refer to the pricing guide or speak with your venue representative for more details.

We do! We offer 5% off the entire cost of the event or a 1-hour reception in the museum before your event in the Grand Hall.

25% of the entire cost of the event is due 7 days after contract execution. The remaining balance will be due 14 days prior to the event date. The event must be paid in full before it can begin.

This is a unique feature that we offer at Deerwood Castle. You can hire a caterer of your choice should you choose to do so, or we can provide catering for you! There will be an external catering fee applied to your event should you hire a caterer outside of our preferred vendor list. To avoid this fee, opt to hire one of our fantastic and approved caterers. Please speak with your venue representative to discuss catering options ideal for your event.

Food and beverage minimums only apply during our peak holiday months. Please speak with your venue representative for further details.

Our caterers are happy to work with you with regard to any dietary restrictions. They can accommodate most reasonable dietary needs.

We do! We have a large prep kitchen right off the Grand Hall rear entrance/exit for ease of use. Your caterer will have access to the prep kitchen during your event. It is stocked with warmers, fridges, a convection oven, steam tables, ice machine, triple sink, etc…

This will vary greatly depending on your menu, service style and staffing requirements. Please speak with your venue representative for further information and catering quotes.

Typically, yes, please speak with your venue representative for further details pertaining to your event.

This is dependent on the caterer. Our caterers are usually more than willing to offer tastings depending on the time of the year.

Please visit our website, all of our preferred vendors are listed under the Vendor tab.

Unique to Deerwood Castle, we can provide alcohol for your event, or you can bring your own. You must hire a Deerwood Castle Bartender at $200.00 plus tax for every 75 adults for a standard 5-hour event whenever alcohol will be served. Additional charges will apply should your event run longer than 5 hours.

Yes, if you serve any alcohol you will need to hire a Deerwood Castle bartender. Can I have keg beer served to my guests? Yes, you will need to provide the keg, tap, and trash can. If you bring canned beer, we have coolers and ice available for you to use. We do not allow glass bottles or glassware service within the venue due to liability concerns.

Yes, you will still need to hire a bartender and pay the associated fees.

You must hire a Deerwood Castle bartender at $200.00 plus tax for every 75 adults in attendance.

The beverage fee covers all other costs associated with a bar excluding alcohol. (ie. Juices, mixers, sodas, bar fruit, straws, napkins, ice, coolers, and plasticware). Those guests not drinking alcohol will still attend the bar to obtain their non-alcohol related beverages.

Yes, you can have a cash bar. Our liquor license allows for cash/credit transactions for all alcoholic purchases on property. All alcoholic beverages must be served via a Deerwood Castle bartender behind an approved bar for liability purposes. This is non-negotiable.

No, for liability purposes we do not offer shots to guests.

We will work with you to come up with a signature cocktail for your event should you wish to have one.

Of course! We have a variety of packages available to meet your needs. Please speak with your venue representative for further details.

We apply an automatic 15% gratuity for all of our open bar or ticket bar packages. Please speak with your venue representative for further details.

Yes, you can. We will work with you should you choose to bring in your own alcohol. There will be fees associated with bringing in your own alcohol and you must hire a Deerwood Castle bartender to serve your guests.

No, guests are not allowed to sit in the cars unless a specific car is rented for the event for that purpose. Not all cars are available for this service. This service is typically for couples on their wedding day. Please speak with your venue representative for further information.

This is a case-by-case scenario with multiple factors to consider (weather, security, liability etc...) Please speak with your venue representative for further information.

Yes! You can host an entire event in the museum or do a reception in the museum before heading over to the Grand Hall for your main event. This is one of the unique features we offer for your event at Deerwood Castle.

Absolutely. We offer private tours for groups of 10 or more. You can also rent the museum for hourly events. Please refer to the pricing guide for that information.

The museum is a private collection and serves primarily as an event venue. It is NOT open to the public for walk-in tours.

We rent a few of our cars for photo ops or livery services and will travel within 50 miles of the venue! Please speak with your venue representative for further details.

Yes! We have an amazing Bridal Suite and Groomsmen Areas that are included on your wedding day.

We work with you to arrange a time for your rehearsal.

We offer a one-hour Rehearsal time to you as a courtesy free of charge. Any rehearsal extending past an hour may be subject to additional charges.

Unfortunately, not. We cannot be held accountable should anything happen to them before the event.

You can borrow one of our smaller tables free of charge.

You will have to rent an Arch for your ceremony. We do not have one.

Yes, as long as they are in glass. You may not use taper candles.

You may not use confetti or glitter due to excessive cleanup resulting from their use. All other decor is typically fine. Please speak with your venue representative for further details.

You may use existing hooks to hang décor. You may not tack, tape, staple, glue, nail or attach in any other way to our venue.

All of our caterers typically offer this service free of charge.

This will depend on your event. Please speak with your venue representative for further information.

Yes, all weddings must have a day-of coordinator for your wedding. This helps ensure your special day runs smoothly and you and your guest can enjoy your special day. The venue representatives will not coordinate your wedding, they are here to operate the venue.

Yes, you can! We will work with you to make sure you have everything needed for your event.

For an additional charge. You may use one of our cars for your wedding day. Only certain cars are available for this request. Speak with your venue representative for further information.