FARM TO TABLE
Dinners elegantly set ++ Have tables in your barn,
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corn field or on the open prairie. (Have an inclement weather back-up plan.) Hire a locally renowned chef to prepare a gourmet meal using products from local farmers from appetizers to dessert. Partner with a Kansas winery and spirits producer for a signature drink or wine. Decide on the number of guests you want to host and then advertise with on-line pre-paid ticket sales with a deadline a couple of weeks prior to the event. Have your service staff professionally attired and ready to provide quality service for your guests.
Manna Meadows in Bonner Springs, KS
WEDDINGS You should host weddings only if you understand this requires a great deal of personal attention to meet the expectations of the bridal couple and their families. Since this is such an important day to them, they want everything to be perfect. usually require higher quality service, including tables ++ Weddings with linen cloths, nice seating, special lighting, flowers, decorative
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touches, etc. Most wedding customers want permanent restrooms. If you only provide the portable type, be sure the bride knows this as soon as she contacts you. The bride, groom and their families will make very specific requests which you need to make every effort to meet. Be sure to charge accordingly to cover the food, decorations, entertainment and extras that a wedding requires. As with other events, have a contract prepared and signed to manage the expectations of the bridal couple and family, but to also ensure you are paid for your services. The contract (Sample Contract in Resources Guide, Page 116) should spell out the wedding date, the deposit, when payments are to be made and final settlement. Build in a clause for cancellations and refund of monies deposited. You have held the date for the couple and may not be able to rebook with a cancellation. State when the venue is open for the couple to decorate and clean up, unless you provide those services. State very plainly the hour they have to be off the premises with added costs for time over your closing time. Many venues have weddings scheduled daily, so the bridal couple will have a very short window to decorate and have everything removed from the property, to prepare for your next event. A contract needs to state your alcohol policy – are guests allowed to BYOB or do you serve all of the alcohol from a bar run by your staff. Have a prepared list of local wedding vendors, caterers, florists and photographers to offer suggestions for the couple.
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