What do I need to know before contacting the hotel?
It is important to know an estimated number of guests, a preferred date and time, and an approximate budget for your wedding. If possible, choose a few alternate dates. For further flexibility on our availability and pricing, it may be worthwhile to consider an alternate day of the week/weekend, time of day, month, or season.
Suggestions for planning my wedding?
We suggest creating a wedding binder. Clip pictures from magazines and make notes about what you have liked (and even disliked) at other weddings you have attended. This will help your Special Events Manager propose options for you based on your preferences and will also help you in selecting the appropriate flowers, cake, room decor and other special touches to make it uniquely your own.
How far in advance should I reserve the date?
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation typically books weddings approximately 6 to 9 months in advance of the wedding date.
Who will be my main contact to assist me with my wedding planning?
Our Catering Sales Manager will provide you a proposal with the availability and rates for your wedding. She will meet with you upon request for an initial site visit to show you around our lakeside resort. Once your wedding has been confirmed, a Special Events Manager will guide you through the important stages of designing the wedding of your dreams.
What is required by the state of Georgia for a legal wedding ceremony?
Couples wishing to be married in Georgia do not have to be a resident in Georgia. However, if you are not a resident, you must apply for the license at the courthouse in the county where the marriage will be performed. The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is located in Greene County. Both bride and groom must be present and have proper identification for issuance of the marriage license. The marriage license will be issued at the time of application and is valid immediately with no waiting period.
Contact information for the Greene County Courthouse:
113 N. Main Street
Suite 113
Greensboro, Georgia 30642
Phone: 706-453-3346
Hours of operation:
8:30 – 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
8:30 – 4pm Wednesday
12-1pm Closed everyday for lunch
What are the deposits based on and when are they due?
Deposits are based on anywhere from 25% - 100% of the combined food and beverage minimum, plus the rental fees for the event space reserved. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
What additional deposits are due and when?
Additional deposits are due as follows:
• Second Deposit – Due on the midpoint date between the initial deposit and the date of your event. This deposit is 50-75% of the combined food and beverage minimum, plus the rental fee for the event space reserved.
• Final Deposit – Due 14 business days prior to your event date and is based on the estimated final balance for your event, based on your actual food and beverage selections and all related costs.
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation requires full pre-payment for all events.
What is the average cost for a wedding at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation?
The base expenditure for a wedding begins with the rental fees for the event space plus the food and beverage minimum spend requirement. The rental fees and food and beverage minimums are based on the venue chosen. Saturday evenings are the most costly.
Do the bride and groom get a complimentary room or upgrade for the wedding night?
The resort provides a complimentary upgrade for the bride and groom based on availability. The complimentary upgrade is offered with a minimum of 25 guests in attendance at the reception.
Are there any other special offers or incentives offered for booking my wedding at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge?
We can assist you in confirming honeymoon accommodations at a Ritz-Carlton property and offering a room upgrade upon availability.
Where does the bridal party get ready before the wedding?
We recommend guestroom reservations be made for a minimum two-night length of stay with a check-in date of the night before the wedding and check-out the day after the wedding. This will eliminate the stress on the day of the wedding of having to check-in and out of guestrooms.
Banquet rooms may also be provided as bridal party “holding rooms” (not intended to be used as dressing areas). These rooms will be provided on an as-available basis and may be subject to rental fees.
Does the hotel offer a discounted room block?
If you wish to reserve a block of rooms for your family and guests, please notify your Catering Sales Manager who can provide you with availability and rates. Ten guestrooms or more qualify for a discounted rate upon availability. This requires a group sales agreement with a guarantee of these rooms.
A minimum length of stay is required on all stays involving a Friday or Saturday evening. Holiday weekends may be subject to a three-night minimum stay. Please note our check in time is 3:00pm and check out is 12:00pm.
What is the average cost per person for food and beverage?
The average lunch cost is $48 per person. The average dinner cost is $95 per person. Hosted bars may be charged on an actual “per drink” consumption or on a “package per person” basis. Cocktail prices range from $8-15 per drink and package prices start at $20 for the first hour and $10 for each additional hour per person.
Food and beverage pricing is subject to sales tax, currently at 7%, and 20% service charge.
Can food or beverage be brought in from the outside?
The resort must provide all food and beverage items for your event. The wedding cake is the only food product that may be provided by the client. A $6.00 per person cake cutting fee will be charged for a cake being provided by an outside pastry shop.
Please explain the food and beverage minimum.
The food and beverage minimum is the least amount of money that you are required to spend on a combination of food and beverage, excluding service charge and sales tax, but is not all that you could spend. The food and beverage minimum is reached by selecting individually priced, a la carte menu items to equal or exceed the required dollar figure.
The following examples would apply towards the food and beverage minimum:
Hors d’oeuvres, food display and carving stations, plated or buffet meal, wedding cake, dessert display stations, wine service with the meal, champagne toast, the bar (including alcohol), cappuccino station and any non-alcoholic beverages.
Floral, upgraded linens/china/silverware, décor, and specialty lighting would not apply towards the food and beverage minimum.
When do I need to finalize my menu?
Food and beverage selections must be finalized and confirmed with your Special Event Manager at least 14 business days prior to your event date.
When do I need to let the hotel know exactly how many guest will be attending my event?
Your Special Event Manager must be notified of the exact number of guests attending a function at least 72 business hours prior to the start of the event. This will be considered a guarantee, for which you will be charged, even if fewer guests attend the event.
Can I get my flowers from the hotel?
The Floral Designer at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation features custom-designed floral creations tailored to your own personal style from bridal bouquet to centerpieces and décor. Your Special Events Manager will be happy to assist you in setting up a complimentary consultation with our floral designer.
What is the responsibility of a Special Events Manager?
- Act as the on-site liaison between your wedding coordinator and Hotel operations staff.
- Establish your guest room block and monitor the status of reservations (if applicable).
- Personally oversee the details of the bride and groom’s room reservations (if applicable).
- Recommend Special Event Professionals to provide wedding coordination, music, floral, photography, ceremony officiant, invitations and amenities.
- Act as menu consultant for all food and beverage selections.
- Detail your Banquet Event Order and Wedding “Resume” outlining all of your event specifics and overnight accommodations to ensure that all information is communicated successfully to the operational team of the Hotel.
- Create an estimate of charges outlining your financial commitments and deposit schedule.
- Create a floor plan of your function space in order for you to plan and provide the Hotel with your seating arrangements.
- Oversee the ceremony and reception room(s) set-up, food preparation and other Hotel operations.
- Ensure a seamless transition to the Banquet Captain on the day of your event.
- Review your banquet checks for accuracy, prior to the completion of your final bill.
What is the responsibility of a Special Events Manager?
• Act as the on-site liaison between your wedding coordinator and Hotel operations staff.
• Establish your guest room block and monitor the status of reservations
• Personally oversee the details of the bride and groom’s room reservations
• Recommend Special Event Professionals to provide wedding coordination, music, photography, ceremony officiant, invitations and amenities.
• Acts as menu consultant for all food and beverage selections.
• Details your Banquet Event Orders and Wedding “Resume” outlining all of your event specifics and overnight accommodations to ensure that all information is communicated successfully to the operational team of the Hotel.
• Updates the estimate of charges outlining your financial commitments and any changes to your deposit schedule
• Create a floor plan of your function space in order for you to plan and provide the Hotel with your seating arrangements.
• Provide basic bridal party coordination at ceremony and rehearsal.
• Oversee the reception room(s) set-up, food preparation and other Hotel operations.
• Ensure a seamless transition to the Banquet Captain on the day of your event.
• Review your banquet checks for accuracy, prior to the completion of your final bill.
What other services or items can The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation provide for my event?
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge can also provide a wide range of specialty items to help you personalize your event. These upgraded items include, but are not limited to: Chiavari chairs, specialty linens, specialty charger plates, menu cards, and place cards.
We can also assist you with welcome baskets, bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts and a variety of other special amenities to help add that personal touch to your wedding. Costs for all items vary.