5 Important Things To Know About Your Wedding At Old Mill Park
Are you getting married in the beautiful redwoods at Old Mill Park in Mill Valley? Congratulations you’ve chosen a majestic wedding destination that will stand the test of time. This ceremony or reception space is stunning, affordable and can handle groups small and large. When it comes to planning your wedding at this gorgeous venue there are a few things you should consider. Our team has delivered and set up weddings at this location on average 35 times a year over the past 3 years so we understand the space better than most and have a few important things you should remember when planning your wedding.
1. THE SPECIFIC HOURS YOU HAVE THE SPACE RENTED - This will determine when you get access to the space which is very important in laying out timeline for the day. From what we understand this venue does not book multiple events in a day however throughout our experience we have seen other people with the space rented during the week - specifically during certain times of the year - for theater practice. This amphitheater is in use part of the year so it’s very important to find out if another group will be utilizing the space and/or stage on the day of your event. Your vendors will be appreciative to be able to know exactly when they can begin and complete set up and breakdown. You’ll want to reserve the space longer then you think for load in and out depending on the size of your group as this venue is time consuming for set up and breakdown (see number 3 below).
2. YOU NEED A RAIN CONTINGENCY PLAN - We say this often and think if you are hosting ANY outdoor event you should have a rain contingency plan but this is especially true at Old Mill Park. There is plenty of tree coverage which provides some shelter from rain and wind but the biggest consideration many couples neglect to consider about this venue are the ground conditions. This venue is nestled in the Redwoods so although it may not be heavily wet overhead typically the ground can be incredibly muddy after days of rainfall. This can cause lots of issues like slipping for you or your guests, wardrobe malfunctions such as muddy and wet hemlines on pants and dresses, and damaged rental equipment. To avoid this dilemma during peak rainy season (October, November, December, January and February) we strongly suggest you have a back up plan like renting tents from Peak Productions or have backup venue like the Mill Valley Recreation space. If you cancel your order from us your non-refundable deposit may be applied to a future event an so long as you’ve given sufficient notice you can avoid paying the full rental rate. All orders cancelled within 7 days of delivery are subject to full charges.
3. SET UP AND BREAKDOWN ARE NOT INCLUDED AND TAKE TIME - These services are add-ons and NOT included in delivery. We strongly recommend that you let us do the heavy lifting and add these services to your order. Old Mill Park Amphitheater is accessible by long carry only, meaning delivery drivers have to park on the street and carry chairs or benches well over 100 feet from parking to set up location. There are stairs and uneven terrain and even for the most fit folks this takes a long time and stamina. Due to the labor and hours involved in this process we charge a substantial amount more then standard carry-in service. We let you know what the rates are based on load size, time constraints and day of week prior to completion of the contract so you are well aware of any budgetary constraints ahead of time. WE REQUIRE A DRAWING OR SCHEMATIC TO BE PROVIDED AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO DELIVERY - this should include any spacing requirements (ex: 4ft from stage, aisle down center aligned with stage 5ft wide, back row 1ft from benches etc.) We have worked with couples that have opted out of set up and breakdown with the help of family or friends on the day of. Again be sure to allot extra time for this process.
4. THE DUST IS REAL - We’ve talked about rain but another element that can be shocking at this venue is dust. During the dry summer months this venue can be on the dustier side again causing issues for wardrobe hemlines and in our arena white or black chairs. We highly recommend going with the beautiful and complimentary fruitwood chairs or benches for any event at Old Mill Park but especially those scheduled between May to October. One thing we love about these style chairs and benches is that the seamlessly connect to the space. The deep tones truly enhance what’s already onsite at this dream location.
5. LIGHTING MATTERS - Old Mill Park is cooler and darker then competing venues. It is especially dark certain times of year in the early evenings which may require you to bring in lighting depending on your start and end times. We’ve seen several clients not account for sunset hour in late fall and end up in the pitch dark at the end of their ceremony, don’t let this happen to you. Be sure to find out what time the sun goes down and schedule your wedding well before that as darkness begins to fall in this magical place once the sun goes over Tam.
READY TO GET YOUR RENTALS BOOKED?
There are a few ways to get a quote started with us. Email us your request, start a wish list through our website or use our contact us page to reach out. The most important information to include are the following. 1. Contact information including billing address, email address and phone number 2. Event date and time (be sure to include that space rental time we mentioned at the beginning of this article). 3. Event coordinator (or any other day of contact) name and phone number 4. Any instructions for set up and breakdown, we will require a drawing closer to the event date but if you have a general idea of what you need get us that info at the start of your inquiry.
