FAQ - Common Questions
What is the rental fee, and what does it include?
Please see our Investment page for full detail of our pricing and included services / amenities.
What is the building capacity?
Our maximum capacity for a seated wedding is 175. However, our preferred guest count for comfort and flexibility is between 100 - 150.
Be sure to review floorplan options with us to determine the actual capacity for your event.
What dates are available?
All our available weekend dates are listed under the Availability page. For weekday availability (Monday-Thursday), please reach out to us.
How do I reserve a date?
Dates are reserved upon payment of the deposit, and completion of the signed contract. Dates are reserved on a first-come basis.
Do I need to schedule a tour or can I just stop by?
Currently we don’t have regular hours. You will need to schedule your tour so that we can make sure everything is ready for you. We want to put our best foot forward for you!
My preferred dates are unavailable. Do you have a cancellation waiting list?
Thankfully not many events cancel once they book. For that reason we do not have an active waiting list of dates. If a date does open up, we will update the availability page.
FAQ - Food and Beverage
What are our catering options at Cottontail?
We have four caterers you can choose from for your special day. Each caterer have their own style of excellence to bring to your day. Our promise to you is you will not be disappointed!
Does Cottontail handle the catering orders for these caterers, or do I work with the caterer directly?
Once you have chosen your caterer, you will work directly with them for menu selections and payment. We will coordinate with them on day of logistics.
Is there a food and beverage, or guest count minimum?
Cottontail does not have a food and beverage minimum.
Do we have to utilize your bar service?
Yes, all alcohol must served by one of our approved bartending vendors.
Do you provide table linens, cups, silverware, etc?
Linen is included in your rental.
Do you offer plates, silverware and glassware?
We offer tableware and glassware packages for you to choose from if you wish. They are a wonderful value; check out pricing and descriptions on our investment page.
How much should we expect to spend on catering and bar?
Check out our budget guide for help with this question. There are a lot of variables but most of our guests spend around $2,500 - $5,500 for catering, and $1,000 - $3,000 for bar.
Can we bring or make our own cake?
Yes! If you have a favorite bakery or wish to make your own cake you are certainly welcome to. Be thinking about who will cut the cake once you complete your cake cutting. We can certainly cut the cake if you need.
FAQ - Ballad Brewing
When does Ballad open for guests?
Typically Ballad opens at noon on Weekends. They close between 9:00pm and 10:00pm.
What purchase options are there for beer during the cocktail hour?
You have three options:
Cash bar - allow guests to purchase their drinks individually.
Limited tickets - you can give guests tickets to redeem for a drink at the bar (beer or soda). With this option you will need a card on file and at the end of the cocktail hour they will charge you for the drinks actually redeemed. You are not pre-purchasing drinks.
Open tab - you can leave a card on file and allow guests to charge to the tab.
Can my caterer bring food for Cocktail hour?
Yes, Ballad allows all outside food to be brought in.
Does Ballad sell wine or spirits?
Ballad operates as a brewery tasting room rather than as a bar. For this reason, their liquor license only allows for the sale of the beer that they brew. They only make and sell beer. But don’t worry, they have many styles to appeal to everyone.
Can we bring our own beer/wine/liquor for the cocktail hour at Ballad?
No you cannot. Ballad’s state liquor license prohibits outside alcohol. Even if you purchase a keg from Ballad to bring to Cottontail, the beer from that keg is not supposed to go back to Ballad.
Can we purchase a keg from Ballad for the cocktail hour?
Unfortunately not. Only beer purchased by the glass in the glass from the bar is allowed in Ballad. Kegs are considered a ‘off premise’ sale and cannot be used on premise.
Can we purchase a keg from Ballad for the reception at Cottontail?
Of course!! It is a great way to give your guests a unique local experience at Cottontail. Ballad will provide the tap and bucket, and Cottontail will pickup the keg and deliver it back at the end of the evening.
FAQ - Planning and Logistics
Will there be another wedding the same day?
Nope! We only host one event per day in order to give our full attention to you.
Do you offer straight tables instead of round?
Currently we have eight 6’ banquet tables for use as needed. Typically these are used for buffet and head table. The majority of our dining tables for guests are 60” rounds.
What happens in case of rain?
The beauty of Cottontail is everything is indoors. We have a small covered patio for guests to mingle. However, if there is inclement weather, once your guests are inside they will stay comfortable.
The Bow Tie Collaborative
What time will I have access to the venue to decorate?
The rental period listed on your contract will tell you the times in which you have access to decorate. Typically full day weddings can start decorating at 10:00am.
Are there overnight accommodations nearby?
We have three hotels a short 5 min drive from Cottontail. Another few minutes, and you will find an additional 2 hotels. Also, there are two new boutique hotels under construction and new Air BnB properties scheduled downtown, very close by.
How many cars will your parking lot accommodate?
Our guests use the free public parking found throughout the River District. Within a 6 min walk of Cottontail are hundreds of parking spaces, with a large parking lot directly across the street from Cottontail. Check out the parking map on our “About” page.
Do you include a "Day of Coordinator”?
Yes, we do! We have partnered with SIR Concepts (www.sirconcepts.org) to provide this quality service to our clients.
Policies
What time do events end?
All of our events must end by 10:00pm without exception.
When is last call for the bar?
Last call to serve alcohol is at 9:45pm. We want to make sure everyone can stay safe and make good choices.
Do you allow dogs onsite to play a part in our wedding day?
We love dogs! We do allow the them with prior approval of management, and for the ceremony only. They must be on leash, and well behaved. For the pups' safety, they are not able to stay on property for the reception under any circumstance.
What is not allowed for exit ceremonies?
We do not allow confetti, fake snow, glitter, or seeds or rice. Additionally, sparklers are considered fireworks in the city of Danville and thus not allowed.
Why do you require insurance?
In short, we are required by OUR insurance to require all of our clients to also carry event insurance. The coverage that you purchase first protects you in the event of an accident, and then protects us secondarily. Be assured that we also carry full coverage for our business.
There are some businesses that offer specific wedding insurance which covers ‘non typical’ issues such as vendor no-shows, ruined outfits, etc.
Want more?
If you have been through our site, and FAQs and would like to visit, or have more questions then you can schedule a tour with us!
Or check out more on our site.
Natalie Jayne Photography