Is a Wedding Planner or Coordinator Required?
In order to provide a seamless wedding experience we do require that you hire a Wedding Planner/Coordinator. Your Ritz-Carlton Catering Professional will provide a list of approved wedding planners/coordinators as well as other professionals for flowers, photography, ceremony officiating, etc. He or she will act as a menu consultant for food and beverage selections, will detail your Banquet Event Orders and Wedding Resume, will create an estimate of charges, a floor plan diagram, and a “day of” timeline. In addition he or she will oversee the wedding couple’s room reservations, the ceremony rehearsal, wedding ceremony and reception set-up, food preparation and vendor arrival on Wedding Day. Your Catering Professional will also coordinate your actual ceremony, reception entrance, first dance, toasts, cake cutting and a final review of your bill for complete accuracy.
Is a sound system provided for the ceremony?
Ceremony site fees for outdoor locations do include one Wireless UHF Transmitter, a Four Channel Powered Mixer, Full Range Speaker Cabinet and Technician to Set and Strike Equipment.
May we schedule a ceremony rehearsal?
Your Catering Professional is happy to arrange a ceremony rehearsal for you and your wedding party. Rehearsal times are confirmed up to three (3) weeks prior to your wedding date and set at a time that does not interfere with other booked events. Ceremony rehearsals are normally one hour in length and are provided at no additional fee.
Do you offer preferred guestroom rates?
We are pleased to extend preferred wedding rates for our couples that financially commit (contract) a minimum of 10 or more rooms per evening or a “room block”. Due to busy nature of our Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage strongly recommends and encourages all of our Wedding Couples to contract guestroom blocks with their Catering Agreement to ensure preferred rates and availability.
Am I able to have amenities or gifts delivered to my guests staying at the Resort?
We would be delighted to create a signature food and beverage amenity personalized for your wedding guests to be delivered by our In Room Dining staff shortly after their arrival at the Resort. Prevailing food and beverage charges and a $4.00 delivery fee would apply. Should you choose to provide a specialty item or gift bag for your guests, to be delivered to your guests’ rooms, our Bell Staff will provide this service with a $6.00 per delivery fee to apply.
Do you provide transportation to and from the airport?
While complimentary transportation to The Palm Springs International Airport is not provided, we are pleased to arrange private transportation service and/or rental vehicles for you and your guests.
What are the fees and options for parking?
We are pleased to offer a “day of” valet parking charge of $18 per car with a $40 per car overnight valet parking charge. You may choose to host your guests’ parking by applying the charges to your master bill. Alternatively they may pay individually.
How do I secure my wedding date and venue?
Your initial visit and consultation will be conducted by one of our Catering Sales Professionals. Appointments are recommended to be scheduled a minimum of one week in advance. Upon selection of your wedding date and venue, a Catering Contract with a Food and Beverage Minimum will be prepared. Your date will be confirmed upon receipt of your initial deposit and signed Contract within one week. A 25% non-refundable and non-date transferable deposit is required to confirm your wedding date. The Catering Agreement will outline your complete deposit schedule.
Do you provide linen and china?
We do provide house table linens and napkins for your dining and cocktail tables. We also provide Ritz-Carlton china, glassware, and flatware.
What type of tables and chairs do you provide?
We provide low and high 30” round cocktail tables, 60” and 72” round banquet tables, and rectangular tables that can be used for your guest book, place cards, etc. We provide our banquet chairs with comfort-flex backing for indoor dining and white folding garden chairs for any outside events.
May I bring in candles?
Candles are allowed in our event spaces however, due to fire regulations all candles must be in a holder that extends at least one inch above the flame. Taper candles are not allowed.
Can you please clarify the food and beverage minimum and what is the average cost per guest?
The contracted Food & Beverage minimum is the least amount of money that you are required to spend in a combination of food and beverage, excluding taxable service charge, ceremony site fee (if applicable) and sales tax. The food and beverage minimum is dependent on the venue and date you select. Please keep in mind that the food and beverage minimum is not all you can anticipate to spend for your wedding celebration. The food and beverage minimum is reached by selecting your chosen menu to equal or exceed the required dollar figure depending on your anticipated guest attendance.
Items such as upgraded linens, china, glassware and silverware, specialty lighting, décor, bartender and/or chef fees, parking, guestroom accommodations and in-room dining do not apply towards the food and beverage minimum.
How do I handle gratuities?
All food and beverage charges are subject to a taxable service charge (currently 25%) and prevailing California state tax (currently 7.75%). The service charge covers all set up, clean up, house table linens, napkins, and gratuities for our Banquet Ladies and Gentlemen. In general, all items listed on your Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) prepared by your Catering Professional will be subject to service charge and tax. Please note that by California state law, service charges are taxable and non-negotiable.
How late can alcohol be served?
By California State Law, no alcohol may be served after 1:30 a.m. We recommend that alcohol service be discontinued approximately one hour prior to the end of your function. Please note that we reserve the right to refuse service to highly intoxicated guests and may request proof of legal drinking age from guests.
Do you provide a menu tasting?
For weddings of 100 guests or less, we are pleased to offer a complimentary sample menu tasting for two guests. For weddings of more than 100 guests, we are pleased to offer a complimentary sample menu tasting for four guests. A per person charge of $75.00 would apply for any additional guests. Tastings are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, Monday – Thursday from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Other dates and times may be available with the approval of the Executive Chef. The tasting will be limited to two appetizers items (if applicable) two soup or salad items, two entrée items, and three wedding cake samples. Hors d’oeuvre items and buffet menu items can be included with the approval of the Executive Chef.
Who provides the wedding cake?
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage has a classically trained Pastry Chef on property who will prepare a tiered wedding cake as part of your wedding menu.
May I take wedding pictures at the Resort if my wedding is to be held elsewhere?
We reserve photography privileges for couples whose weddings or receptions are held at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage.
Are there time restrictions for music?
For indoor locations, there is a 1:30 a.m. curfew. Please speak with your Catering Sales Professional regarding the overtime fees. For outdoor locations there is a 9:30 p.m. curfew.
May I choose my own vendors?
Selecting vendors from our preferred list is not required although it is highly recommended to ensure the continuation of The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage Wedding Experience. Our Catering Professional would be delighted to review the list with you during your initial consultation. Your Wedding Coordinator and/or Catering Professional can facilitate and coordinate arrangements with your vendors.
Vendors must maintain a business license and maintain a one million dollar liability insurance policy. All vendors must be certified and licensed and must also adhere to and sign The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage Vendor Policies and Code of Conduct. The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage reserves the right to remove and/or not admit vendors that do not adhere to said policies. Please note, no alcohol is permitted to be consumed by vendors while on the Resort property.
Will my vendors have set-up time?
Three hours of set-up time in your designated venue is provided on a complimentary basis. Additional set-up time is subject to availability and would be subject to additional fees.