How do I make an appointment to meet with the Callaway Gardens Wedding Sales Manager and tour the venue options?
We are excited you’re considering Callaway for your big day and want to give you our undivided attention! Due to the high volume of weddings we have throughout the year, we ask that you schedule an appointment to visit and speak with our Wedding Sales Manager. Appointment may be scheduled five (5) business days (Monday-Friday) in advance. Appointment times on the weekends are limited based on our event schedule. Please contact:
Wedding Sales Manager
weddings@callawaygardens.com
1.800.543.7121
We are also interested in hosting a bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner and farewell brunch. Does Callaway offer locations for these?
Callaway offers dining options so all of your events can be hosted within the convenience of our resort.
Small parties can dine in our
Piedmont Dining Room or the historic Gardens Restaurant, while larger gatherings can set up a private room in our Lodge and Spa, or dine al fresco in unique locations within the Gardens.
Do we need an outside wedding planner?
While a wedding planner is not required, many couples benefit from hiring a wedding planner to organize the many facets of leading up to the day, as well as coordinate with your other vendors and execute a stress-free set up of your event.
Your Wedding Sales Manager will assist in booking your event, determining set up and menu planning but does not serve as your day-of coordinator.
We have a list of Wedding Coordinators/Planners we are happy to recommend.
Will the Callaway Gardens Wedding Sales Manager be there on the day of my wedding?
A Callaway team member will be appointed to assist you up to two (2) hours prior to the event start time. The Wedding Sales Manager will notify you of the appointed team member five (5) days prior to your event. The appointed team member will ensure the building is accessible and in proper condition prior to your arrival as well as following the event, but will NOT help direct or set up your wedding.
Can we bring our own catering?
We are a full-service catering venue, and due to liability policies, all food and beverage must be provided by Callaway Resort & Gardens. An exception is made for wedding cakes, which must be provided by a licensed baker.
Can we provide our own alcohol?
In accordance with Georgia law, Callaway is the only entity allowed to serve alcoholic beverages.
We love to help customize the experience, including signature cocktails, with cash and hosted bar options available with a fee of $125/bartender.
What does the rental of a venue include?
Renting a venue at Callaway Resort & Gardens makes planning a breeze.
The rental of your reception venue includes standard set up items such as tables, chairs, linens, flatware, glassware, china, food service needs, set up and cleanup of event, as well as set up time for you and your vendors.
Your ceremony venue includes chairs or benches, any desired tables, set up and clean-up of the event, as well as set up time for you and your vendors.
Other vendors, such as florists or officiant, are not included in the rental but we are happy to recommend our preferred partners who are most familiar working at Callaway Resort & Gardens.
Am I permitted to hire my own vendors?
Callaway Resort & Gardens will provide you with a list of preferred vendor partners that are familiar with weddings at our property.
Vendors must be able to provide sufficient proof of insurance, and any wedding cake bakers must be licensed.
Callaway does have an onsite audio visual company, Encore, that can assist with uplighting, sound systems, or slideshow projection.
What are the guidelines for outdoor events?
Callaway Resort & Gardens offers weddings a number of beautiful and unique outdoor venues for ceremonies and receptions.
It is the responsibility of the wedding to rent tents and any desired accessories through our preferred tent purveyor: Outdoor Events
. In the event of inclement weather that requires an indoor location, an appropriately sized banquet space will be held for your event. Guarantees of a specific back up location will only be made with an additional room rental.
Is my own décor permitted?
Weddings may provide their own décor for venues, but are responsible for set up and removal of all items after the event. The use of nails, staples or heavily gummed tape is not permitted.
Candles must be firmly secured in their base, and are required to be placed on something to catch any wax drips.
All existing features within your venue must remain in place. Additional signage brought onto property must be approved, and removed immediately following your event.
What can we use for our exit ceremony?
Your photographer may make suggestions for a unique departure from your ceremony or reception.
Rice, birdseed and sparklers may not be used because of the harm they cause wildlife and natural resources. The release of butterflies or any other living thing is not permitted, per Callaway Gardens’ agreement with the Department of Agriculture.
Bubbles, glow sticks, biodegradable confetti or ribbon wands make great alternatives and photograph beautifully.
Will our guests have to pay to enter Callaway Resort & Gardens?
For wedding located within the Gardens, wedding guests will be admitted to the Gardens at no charge on the day of the wedding, up to two hours prior to the scheduled time of the wedding. If guests are staying at one of the
accommodations on the property, they will have admission to the Gardens the day of check-in through the day of check-out.
What is the deposit and payment schedule?
The initial deposit to secure your venue is the total of your venue rental fees.
Your remaining food and beverage minimum will be split between payments to be made (at minimum) 90-days and 60-days before your wedding.
All of these deposits will go towards your final balance.
Payment in full is due 10 days prior to your arrival date.
What is your cancellation policy?
More than 6 months prior to event date – (50% of total anticipated revenue)
90 days to 6 months prior to event date – (75% of total anticipated revenue)
Less than 90 days prior to event date – (100% of total anticipated revenue)
What is the food and beverage minimum?
Every reception has an individual food and beverage minimum that must be met for rental of that space.
The minimum is met through only food and beverage purchases prior to taxes and taxable service charge.
Minimums vary based on location and time of year.
Will a location be available for us to rehearse our ceremony?
Callaway will provide you with a location to rehearse our wedding ceremony the day before your event.
If your ceremony venue is not available the day before, an alternative will be provided.
Are room blocks available to our guests?
Callaway Resort & Gardens offers four unique lodging options for you and your guests.
Weddings can hold a block of rooms at a discounted rate at two locations when 10 or more rooms are guaranteed.
Your wedding specialist can provide you with more information on making these arrangements.
Does Callaway have transportation options for our guests?
Private transportation can be arranged in advance between the Lodge and Spa, Mountain Creek Inn and any wedding venue located within the Gardens.
On demand transportation is also available for wedding guests staying at any of our accommodations that want to explore the Gardens in their free time.
Guests and weddings may also benefit from the rental of golf carts as a fun way to explore the Gardens.
What activities are available for our guests while we’re getting ready for the wedding?
With so much to see and do, Callaway is the perfect destination wedding!
Wedding guests staying
can use their free time explore the
Gardens and enjoy all the attractions and outdoor activities. Spa treatments, Golf outings, Tennis matches or even zip-lining adventures can all be planned in advance. Our Resort’s Activity Coordinator is happy to help you plan activities and itineraries. activities@callawaygardens.com
What else is there to do in the area?
Callaway Resort & Gardens is conveniently located in Pine Mountain, GA, only one hour South of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Atlanta Airport and 30 minutes North of Columbus, GA and Fort Benning.
The area is rich with activities for a destination wedding!
A great resource for checking out area activities such as FDR State Park and Wild Animal Safari is the Pine Mountain Visitor’s Center website at:
http://pinemountain.org/
