Booking & retainer

• Your date is reserved only after we receive a signed rental agreement and a non-refundable retainer of 50% of the rental fee.
• We do not hold dates without a retainer. A tour or verbal agreement does not reserve a date.
• For events booked less than 30 days away, the full rental fee is due at signing.
• The person who signs the agreement is responsible for the event, all guests and vendors, and any fees or damages.
• The contract holder must be at least 21 years old.

Payments

• The remaining balance is due 30 days before your event. We'll send a reminder 45 days out.
• Payment plans are available: after the retainer, the balance can be split into monthly payments that end 30 days before the event.
• We accept credit and debit cards, bank transfer (ACH), and cashier's checks. Card payments include a 3% processing fee.
• If the balance is not paid by the due date, we may cancel the event under the cancellation policy below.
• Add-ons and extra hours booked after signing are due with the final balance.

Security deposit

• A refundable security deposit is due with your final payment: $500 for weddings and events over 100 guests, $250 for all other events.
• After your event, we inspect the venue. Deposits are refunded within 14 days, minus any charges for damage, missing items, excess cleaning or overtime.
• If costs go over the deposit amount, the contract holder will be invoiced for the difference.

Cancellations

Cancellations must be sent to us in writing by email. Refunds are based on when we receive your notice:

• The 50% retainer is non-refundable in all cases, because we turn away other bookings for your date.
• Your security deposit is always refunded in full if the event is cancelled.
• If Venue Eight must cancel for reasons within our control, you receive a full refund of everything paid.

Rescheduling

• You may reschedule once, at no charge, with at least 90 days' written notice. The new date must be within 12 months of the original date.
• Later reschedules, or requests with less than 90 days' notice, have a $250 fee.
• New dates depend on availability. If the new date has a higher rate, you pay the difference. If it's lower, the difference is kept as credit toward add-ons.
• All payments made so far transfer to the new date.

Rental hours & overtime

• Your rental hours include vendor setup, the event itself, and breakdown. Please plan your timeline so everyone is out by the end time in your agreement.
• Vendors and guests may not arrive before your rental start time.
• Amplified music must end by 10:30 PM. All events must end, and the venue must be clear, by 11:00 PM.
• Overtime is billed at $400 per hour, in 30-minute increments, and is taken from the security deposit.
• Early access for decorating the day before can be requested for $250 when the venue is free.

Guest count & capacity

• Your final guest count is due 14 days before the event.
• Guest counts may not exceed the package limit or the fire code capacity of the space. Children and vendors count toward capacity.
• If attendance exceeds your package, you may be charged the next package rate, and we may limit entry to stay within fire code.

Vendors

• You may hire any licensed and insured vendor, or choose from our preferred vendor list.
• Every outside vendor must send a certificate of insurance (COI) at least 14 days before your event.
• Send us your vendor list and their contact information 30 days before the event.
• Vendors must follow all venue policies, load in through the service entrance, and remove all of their equipment by the end of your rental.
• You are responsible for your vendors' conduct and any damage they cause.

Food & alcohol

• Outside catering is welcome. Caterers must be licensed and insured, and must use our prep kitchen for warming and plating only. Open-flame cooking is not allowed indoors.
• Food trucks are allowed with advance approval and must park in the designated area.
• Alcohol may only be served by a licensed and insured bartending service. Self-serve alcohol and open coolers are not allowed.
• You may provide your own alcohol, but it must be served by your licensed bartender.
• Bartenders must check ID for anyone who appears under 40. No alcohol may be served to guests under 21 or to anyone visibly intoxicated.
• Alcohol service must end 30 minutes before your event end time.
• Venue staff may stop alcohol service at any time if safety is a concern.

Decorations

• Nothing may be attached to walls, ceilings, doors or furniture with nails, tacks, staples, or tape. Command hooks may be used only in approved spots.
• Not allowed anywhere: glitter, confetti, rice, birdseed, sand, smoke or fog machines, and confetti cannons.
• Candles must be enclosed in glass, with the flame below the rim. Floating candles and LED candles are welcome.
• Sparklers, bubbles and fresh flower petals are allowed outdoors only. Sparkler send-offs require staff approval and supervision.
• Helium balloons must be weighted. Loose balloons that reach the ceiling will incur a $150 removal fee.
• All décor must be removed by the end of your rental time. Items left behind are held for 7 days and then discarded.

Cleanup

• Our team handles general cleaning, sweeping, mopping, and putting away venue tables and chairs.
• You and your vendors are responsible for removing your décor, personal items, rentals, leftover food, and alcohol.
• Catering trash must go in the dumpster by the service entrance.
• Excessive cleaning beyond normal use, such as spills left overnight or trash left in the rooms, is charged at $250 from the deposit.

Event insurance

• All events require a one-day event liability policy with at least $1,000,000 in coverage, naming Venue Eight as an additional insured.
• Events that serve alcohol must also include host liquor liability coverage.
• Proof of insurance is due 14 days before your event. One-day policies usually cost $75 to $250 and can be bought online.

Security

• Licensed security is required for events serving alcohol with more than 100 guests, and for any event ending after 10:00 PM with more than 150 guests.
• We require one officer per 100 guests. We book officers for you at $45 per hour, with a 4-hour minimum.
• Venue Eight may require security for other events based on event type and size.

Guest conduct

• Smoking and vaping are not allowed inside. Use the designated outdoor area.
• Weapons and illegal substances are not allowed on the property.
• Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
• Service animals are always welcome. Other pets may join ceremonies with advance approval.
• Venue staff may remove any guest who is disruptive, unsafe, or damaging property. If an event becomes unsafe, we may end it early without a refund.

Weather

• Every outdoor booking includes an indoor backup plan.
• We'll decide on the rain plan together 72 hours before the event. Tents can be rented as an add-on.
• Weather is not a reason for a refund, as long as the venue is open and safe.

Liability & unforeseen events

• Venue Eight is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items left by guests or vendors.
• If an event can't take place due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, such as natural disasters, government orders, or utility failures, we'll first offer a new date. If no date works, payments beyond the retainer are refunded.
• You agree to cover the venue for claims arising from your event, your guests, or your vendors, except where the venue is at fault.

Questions about a policy? Ask us before signing, and we'll explain how it applies to your event.