Other Important Information

Reservations

How to guarantee your date:

  • Catawba Falls will forward a formal contract for your review and signature

  • A non-refundable, non-transferable payment of $1500 is due when signing your contract. The remaining balance of your invoice will be billed monthly (12 months maximum) or quarterly equal payments. Your final payment is due no less than 30 days before your event. (A damage deposit is in addition to your venue rental. See information below.)

  • ***All money is non-refundable except your damage deposit. We, as the venue, are committed to you for your specific date and your payment(s) are considered as the same commitment to the venue. While products/ services can seem unlimited, our available dates are not.

Damage Deposit

A damage deposit of $500 is in addition to the rental and will be returned to the client by mail within 10 days after the event if the premises is returned to the same condition as existed prior to the event and venue policies are adhered to.

Required Services

Insurance:

The client must obtain liability insurance (Event Insurance) and Host Liquor Liability Insurance for the event day for $1,000,000 (industry standard). An insurance increase to $2,000,000 is required if any liquor is served.  Insurance must be on file with Catawba Falls 30 days before your wedding, and you must name Catawba Falls Event Center, Inc. as an additional insured.  This insurance must be purchased through a company called Nuptial.  Nuptial will contact our clients and walk you through this easy process. The cost of insurance will be approximately $250 to $280.

All vendors must sign an agreement regarding Catawba Falls policies and provide a certificate of liability insurance with Catawba Falls as additional insured. These agreements and COIs will be returned to Catawba Falls 60 days before your event.

Any vendors that are not insured will also have to purchase Vendor Insurance for the day of the event.  To proceed, vendor proof of insurance must be on file with Catawba Falls 60 days before your wedding date.  Vendors may contact us for information if they have any questions.  

Agreement letters will be provided to the client to have signed by your caterer, photographer, planner/ month-of coordinator, DJ, and bartender for Catawba Falls Events unless you have chosen vendors from our proven group of wedding experts. A complete list of Approved and Recommended Vendors is supplied to all clients at booking and available to all clients on our Catawba Couples web page.

Alcohol:

Serving alcohol will require an off-duty police officer on-site while the bar is open. (A deputy costs approximately $50 per hour from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department. Catawba Falls will manage the notification to the Sheriff’s Department.) The average time an officer is on-site is 4 hours, resulting in a $200 fee.


More Information…..

Catawba Falls Events is one of the best places to create lasting memories. We offer a private, gated, and serene environment. If we can provide it, we will do our best. We aim to have one of your most incredible days flow smoothly and provide you with a relaxing and fun wedding that your friends and family will speak of for years. Your wedding day is your day to shine and show how important your significant other is to you. Feel free to reach out if we have left out important information. If the answer is unknown, we will find out.

  • Many sources are available to calculate the average cost of your wedding based on the parts of your wedding day that are most important to you. Search “estimated wedding calculator” to find the source that meets your needs.

  • At Catawba Falls, your rental is from 8 am until 11 pm for our Enchantment and Romance package unless otherwise agreed upon between Catawba Falls and the client. We do not have hidden charges for your venue rental.

    • Guests over 170 will require additional on-site personnel for parking assistance throughout your event for our Enchantment and Romance packages. Guests over 125 will require additional on-site personnel for parking assistance with our Charmed package. ($25 per hour per attendant added and for a minimum of 6 hours)

  • Alcohol. Clients or your hired professional will supply the alcohol for an event.

    • Only the client, not guests, can bring alcohol for service and management by a certified and insured bartender from our Approved Vendors List.

    • Serving alcohol will require an off-duty police officer on-site while the bar is open. (A deputy costs approximately $200 from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department. Catawba Falls will manage the notification to the Sheriff’s Department.)

    • For the event’s integrity, we do not allow shots, shot-gunning of beer, drinking games, or any liquor drinks without a mixer while onsite.

    • We operate on an approved bartending list, meaning your bartender has been vetted and proven to provide exceptional service.

    • Maximum of 4 hours for consecutive service of alcohol.

    • Self-service of alcohol is prohibited during an event.

  • We only host one wedding per day and allow you full access to the grounds and building except for our dock. 

  • Prior arrangements are required to access the dock except for the couple and their photographer for photos. We love a send-off by boat as well. [Personal vessel is required]

  • A full-service caterer is required. The caterer has access to our warming kitchen, which includes ample prepping space, a 3-bay sink, commercial refrigeration, a commercial coffee maker, and a chest freezer for ice storage.  Food preparation is not allowed in the kitchen per DHEC regulations. Caterers on our approved vendor list have proven to provide excellent service and food to our clients. We have choices for every price point.

  • The caterer, bartender, planner/event manager, and DJ must be chosen from our extensive approved vendor list unless Catawba Falls Events approves. [Terms and conditions will apply]

  • We have several ceremony sites on the property.  One site comes with a built-in driftwood arbor on the lawn.  The other ceremony sites allow for personal creative design. (Arbors must be removed at the end of your event.)  The view is spectacular in our amphitheater, and you may decide no arbor is needed.  In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony may be moved indoors with a feature of our large stone fireplace (most common), in front of our 17th-century doors, or facing the water.

  • You will have access to A/V equipment, including a Bluetooth stereo for background music (this is not designed for the celebration portion of the reception) and our 72” television screen.

  • Catawba Falls provides basic set up and tear down of tables and chairs owned by Catawba Falls.

  • Catawba Falls provides trash cans and trash bags for reception debris.  Our staff will dispose of all collected trash after your event. [Catawba Falls staff will haul collected trash to our dumpster.]

  • A Catawba Falls employee will be on-site throughout your event for any building maintenance and/or building needs.

  • A month-of coordinator/ event manager is required for all events.  Your month-of coordinator is expected to be on-site before the arrival of your first vendors and remain on-site until the last vendor and/ or client has vacated.  Month-of Coordinators/ Event Managers must be individuals currently working in the wedding industry and listed on our approved vendor list.

  • Two private dressing areas are provided for weddings.

    • Large upscale dressing suite with private access to the restroom.

    • Our second dressing room was designed as a warm, inviting space.  This space also includes an outdoor sitting area with privacy from the rest of the wedding party.  Easy access to the restroom.

  • There is no extra charge for engagement or bridal shoots onsite for our booked clients using our Enchantment or Romance packages.

  • Catawba Falls is in a unique area of South Carolina.  Because of this, there are many opportunities for photos.  From large boulders to water views to the historic Nitrolee Dam and our amazing sunsets.  We have tried to think of everything to capture that perfect, unforgettable moment on film.

  • A 1-hour rehearsal is included with your rental and will be scheduled 45-60 days before your wedding date on a Monday- Thursday.  This rehearsal is not a time for decorating or dinner, just to rehearse. Venue personnel may not be onsite during your rehearsal.

  • Parking is available in 2 areas on the property.  Parking for 65-70 cars is available next to the building, and overflow parking is available in our lower parking lot (Shuttle provided to and from the building at no additional cost for guests up to 170).

  • At the end of your night, all you have to do is leave with all your personal belongings and outside rentals, and we manage the cleanup.

  • Catawba Falls Events works with a customer relation management program called 17hats that allows for electronic contract signatures.  Our client portal will give you access to documents and invoices when needed. Our client portal also allows you to pay your invoice by debit or credit card. A convenience fee is added for processing charges.

  • Catawba Falls Couples are given access to the venue one scheduled day a month for onsite planning or just revisiting. Catawba Falls Couples will also gain access to our private client portal on our website called “Catawba Couples.” This page keeps the couples updated on any changes and/ or additions around the property, plus the most up-to-date communication to allow you the best experience planning your wedding day at Catawba Falls Events.

Catawba Falls Events does NOT include the following:

Planning, Decorating services, Dinnerware or Barware, Cake services, Alcohol, Catering, Officiant, DJ, Photographer or Florist. We allow the experts in their chosen field to fulfill this service while we provide you with the best our venue and grounds have to offer.

Catawba Falls cannot be responsible for setting up or tearing down other vendor’s equipment or rentals.

What we can do for you:

You can count on us to provide you with our amazing Approved and Recommended Vendors List for the above services.

We are here to make your wedding planning journey smoother and more enjoyable.

We are dedicated to providing you with exceptional service and support throughout your entire process.