General Questions
What is the building capacity?
- 200 guests, including the bridal party
What dates are available?
- Please see here for availibility
When are the payments due?
- 25% of the venue rental fee is due at the time of contract signing. (Non refundable deposit.) The remainder may be paid in increments or one final payment a month before your scheduled event date
How do I reserve my date?
- To reserve a date, email us at lydia.carstensmill@gmail.com saying you are ready to book XYZ date if it is still available. Prior to booking a date, we hope you are able to come out in person to visit the Mill. You can request a tour here, but an in person tour is not required to book a date
What time do we have access to the venue?
- Your rental fee includes the venue from 8AM until 11PM day of the event (we will certainly allow early entry if the space is ready for you before 8am!)
Are bartenders included?
- Yes! We will staff bartenders for your event, included in your rental fee
Do we have to use your caterers?
- You are welcome to bring in any caterer of your choice. While we offer a preferred list of caterers with whom we have established strong relationships and confidence in their service, you are not limited to these options. Food trucks are also welcome!
Are there overnight accommodations nearby?
- See our list of preferred accommodations here
Do you offer straight tables instead of round?
- We have just four banquet tables, which are exclusively used for the head table and for the caterers. We have 72" round tables which can seat up to 150 people, if your final guest count is over that number, banquet tables will need to be rented
Do you provide table linens, napkins, silverware, cups, etc?
- A variety of table linen and napkin colors are included in your final price, allowing you to customize your event’s look. However, please note that we do not provide dinnerware items such as plates, utensils, cups, or additional napkins. These must be supplied by you or arranged through your caterer
Are candles allowed?
- Unfortunately we do not permit the use of open flame candles at our venue. We have plenty of battery operated candles for you to use, free of charge!
Can I bring my dog?
- Yes! Dogs are welcome at the venue, provided they are owned by the bride or groom. Please note that venue staff is not responsible for supervising, cleaning up after, or caring for any animals on-site. Dogs are permitted for the ceremony only, and arrangements must be made for their pickup afterward
When can we rehearse/decorate?
- Rehearsal and decorating times are scheduled closer to your event date and are based on the Mill’s availability at that time. We will work with you to confirm a time that fits within the venue’s schedule as your date approaches
When do you need our outside vendor information?
- We will request your complete vendor list at your final detail meeting. If you have your vendor information finalized before then, you are welcome to send it to us early
When can outside vendors arrive and who will let them in?
- We are flexible with vendor arrival times. At your final detail meeting, we will ask for your expected arrival time of each outside vendor so our team knows when to expect them. A Carstens Mill team member will be available to provide access and direct vendors to the appropriate setup area
How is the dance floor created after dinner?
- Depending on your floor plan and guest count, typically 2-3 tables will be removed after dinner to create additional space for dancing. This process typically takes about 20 minutes but may vary depending on how quickly guests leave the area
How many bartenders will be available during our event?
- Two bartenders are standard for weddings and are available throughout the event. During busy times, such as cocktail hour, an additional Carstens Mill staff member may assist behind the bar as needed
When do we need to finalize our bar selections?
- Your bar package will be finalized at your final detail meeting
Is a seperate water station available?
- A separate water station is not included with our standard bar service. If you would like one, you may arrange this through your caterer or provide your own beverage dispensers. We are happy to help designate an appropriate location and assist with the initial setup
Is water provided at the tables during dinner?
- Water service at dinner is typically arranged through your caterer. Carstens Mill can provide water and ice, and our bartenders are always happy to provide glasses of ice water at the bar. If you would like water pitchers placed on the dinner tables, you may provide the pitchers and our staff can fill and place them before dinner. Please note that ongoing pitcher refills during dinner are not included
What type of drinkware is used at the bar?
- All beverages are served in clear disposable plastic cups. Due to the historic wood floors and gaps between the floorboards, we limit glassware throughout the venue for the safety of our guests
Is a microphone available for the ceremony?
- Carstens Mill does not provide a wireless microphone for ceremonies. If you would like amplification for your ceremony, we recommend coordinating with your DJ or another outside vendor to provide the necessary equipment
Is refrigeration available for desserts or other items?
- We have limited refrigeration space, and availability is not guaranteed. If space is available, items must be in covered, stackable containers. Please check with us in advance if you plan to bring anything that requires refrigeration