FAQ’s

The signed contract along with a deposit of 50% of the booking price is required to secure book your date at TGBF.

Yes, TGBF requires that a final walk through with the couple, the caterer and the wedding coordinator occurs a few weeks prior to the event to confirm set–up, drop offs, arrival times etc.

All cancellations must be in writing, all payments are non-refundable.

50% of your event pricing total is due with the signed contract.  25% of the remaining balance is due 6 months prior to event date and the final payment is due 3 months prior to your event date. Credit card and ACH debit payments may be made through online invoicing only. Checks, cash and credit cards accepted.

In the event of inclement weather (i.e., snow or ice), or acts of God, then, at The Gardens at Bethlehem Farm’s discretion, the event shall be rescheduled by agreement of Renter and The Garden’s at Bethlehem Farms based upon availability. PLEASE obtain wedding change of date/cancellation insurance for your individual protection and peace of mind.

We have a list of caterers that we require our couples to choose from. However you may choose all of your other vendors.

Outside of Caterers if you are unsure where to start in your planning process, TGBF can supply a list of our preferred vendors. This list provides a variety of fabulous vendors, who we believe would provide a great experience for you.

Good order and proper decorum will be maintained by all persons participating.

Anyone under the influence of alcohol, not acting in a safe manner around the bonfire, or generally disruptive and or combative, will be removed at the discretion of TGBF to ensure the safety of your guests and property.

Maximum guest count is 200.

Smoking and or vaping are permitted ONLY in designated areas of the property. Absolutely NO Smoking or vaping will be permitted in the barn and bridal suite.

TGBF staff member will be on premises at all times during an event.

All drop offs and pickups must be arranged through the wedding coordinator or TGBF Manager and agreed upon before the day of the event.  All personal rentals or all personal property must be removed by conclusion of event date.  TGBF will not be held responsible for any personal items left on premises.

All trash must be removed from the farmhouse, barn, restrooms and venue grounds at the conclusion of the event by renter (client) and or catering service. Receptacles will be provided for your convenience.

A FULL-SERVICE caterer is required for the event.

A list of full service caterer recommendations from various price points will be provided to each client that they can choose from.

Full service minimal requirements are listed below:

• Copy on file of valid catering license.
• Certificate of insurance.
• Event Linens must be delivered to venue by 10am on event date or day prior.
• rrive at least 1 hour or more prior to cocktail hour start time. Please keep in mind work traffic conditions may alter your travel time to our venue location.
• Stay 1 hour after scheduled event end time to complete venue clean-up checklist.
• Begin busing all guest areas in use during cocktail time and throughout entire event. Venue areas include around the barn, fountain area, gazebo area etc. Please staff your team accordingly to insure used items are removed from guest areas promptly!
• Remove trash promptly using bags provided by your catering service.
• Clean up of broken glass and food spills ASAP
• Collaborate with bar service provider and wedding planner to facilitate plan for toast, if any.
• Serve appetizers and preferred drinks to Bride & Groom immediately after ceremony.
• Serve Bride & Groom preferred dinner and beverage choices prior to serving guest.
• Supply clean-up items such as trash bags, dish or bar cloths, detergent, bins for busing, etc.

Parking Area is located at the far end of the property behind the building with the double garage doors. There will be signs/arrows set up on the day of your event to direct you to the parking lot. Please see guest information & map link for more information.

Renter is free to decorate with flowers and foliage as it relates to their event. To the extent current TGBF décor or flowers are removed and/or replaced in connection with the event, such plans must be coordinated and approved by the TGBF manager.  Upon completion of the event, such flowers may remain or be removed depending on agreement with TGBF manager. In the event they are moved, they must be replaced with flowers comparable to what was in place prior to the event.

The use of open flamed, real candles is prohibited in the barn and house.

Renters and caterers are responsible for any violations of these guidelines and any damages sustained by TGBF as a result of such violation to the extent of full restoration. The house, gardens and barn must be left in the same condition it was found prior to the event.

To ensure your guest will be comfortable for your event, we suggest giving them as much information as possible as it relates to your specific planned event.

Please click here for guest information & map. Providing your guests with a copy of this would be most helpful.

Yes, but we do require:

1. There is a designated person responsible for said “renters’ pet” at all times while on TGBF property. 

2. Designated person takes full responsibility for proper care, behavior, interaction with guests and will arrange for pet departure from property at appropriate time as agreed between renter and TGBF manager.

3. Renters must provide a copy from a veterinarian stating the animal is current on all vaccinations.

4. TGBF reserves the right to ask animals to be removed if not calm and compliant.

The Gardens at Bethlehem Farm requires the CLIENT purchase and maintain event liability insurance, as well as host liquor liability provision (if alcohol is being served) for event date(s).

The certificate MUST include the following 1) The Gardens at Bethlehem Farm and address as additional insured, 2) 1,000,000 liability coverage.

Cancellation insurance is not required but highly recommended for your own peace of mind. We advise you ask what is covered and what is not covered before purchasing.

No open flames inside or near the barn. Battery operated candles only are permitted inside the barn.

Floating lanterns and balloon releases are prohibited.

Please do not use nails, bards or staples, if you need to secure something, we do allow command strips.

Artificial flower petals, glitter, confetti, rice and bird seed are prohibited.

Live petals are permitted outside only.

Straw/hay may be used outside in the grassy areas only.

Sparklers are permitted outside and ONLY under the supervision of the wedding planner or TGBF staff.

All personal decorations must be removed at the conclusion of your event.

• Exclusive use of the barn and surrounding property for photos
• 1 hr Rehearsal directed by day of coordinator
• Ceremony space on top level of the barn
• Cocktails served at the conclusion of ceremony on the lower-level stone and patio area
• Reception space with 60in round tables & reception chairs on lower-level of the barn.
• Dance Floor 24 x 17
• 12 hours on property: 12pm-10pm
• Barn decorated with white draping and string lighting.

Yes. Alcoholic beverages will be served through an approved bartender/bartending service:

Bartending Service minimal requirements:

• Copy on file of valid MD bartender certification.
• Copy of Certificate of Insurance and host liquor liability.
• Staffed appropriately to provide safe beverage service in accordance to MD alcohol consumption laws.

• Staffed appropriately to maintain a clean, safe and tidy work area at all times.
• Clean up of broken bottles and bar service ware ASAP.
• Arrive in time to set up bar area, chill beverages and tidy up prior to guest arrival time.
• Limit storage of items including ice to under the bar area only to facilitate a pleasing appearance to our guest at all times. Additional items may be stored in catering area for restocking.
• Collaborate with caterer and wedding planner to facilitate plan for toast, if any.
• Box up bar items for family to load at end of event.
• Completely empty bar area wipe down bar top of all residue, box bar items to send home
• Empty galvanized containers, bucket and strainer, clean and store upside down at bar back.
• Trash emptied, cans hosed out and stored upside down at bar back.
• Bar back hosed down as needed.
• We have implemented a no shot policy.

• Graveled parking lot is just beyond last red building on property.
• Spotlights shine across parking lot area providing ambient lighting after dark.
• Guest drop off is in front of first red barn.  Please pull off to side to allow guest to pass. Once unloaded, please proceed to parking area or have a family member park you vehicle.

• Designated Handicap parking is directly in front of the last red building.
• If driver does not require handicap parking, we ask that you drop off your guest and proceed to the main parking area.

• A warm wrap, coat, umbrella, blanket etc.  Barn is not climate controlled so dress for personal comfort.
• Sneakers, flip flops etc. Ceremony may be in grass.  Lower barn floor was designed so cattle would not slip and is grooved concrete.  Due to the grooves wedges or thicker heels work best for ladies. Grooves may chew up stilettos.
• For those that would still like to wear stilettos, check out high heel protectors on amazon!

• Entrance doors are located outside on upper level for 2 handicap accessible climate-controlled restrooms.
• Long lines may form immediately after ceremony, cocktail time, speeches, mealtimes etc. so plan accordingly.
• We suggest for events that will have more than 130 guests in attendance that the clients consider renting restroom trailers. However this is only a suggestion, renting restroom trailers is completely optional for each client.