Frequently Asked Questions

 How much is the venue deposit? The non-refundable venue deposit is $2,500 for events on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday or $3,500 for events on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

When do you need the deposit by? The deposit should be paid once you have settled on a date because the deposit holds the date for the event.

How do you structure the payment schedule? The balance is due 60 days before the event. The security deposit is due 30 days before the event.

What is included in the total? Does it cover service charges, gratuity, and cleaning fees, or are those additional line items? The total on the invoice is includes everything needed for the event including service charges, gratuity, cleaning fees, and sales tax. The exception would be, for example, if the host arranges for their own cake or entertainment.

What is the cancellation policy? The event may be canceled 61 days before the event. A refund will be issued less then initial $2,500 or $3,500 non-refundable deposit.

When is the last possible date to make changes to our reservation? All attempts will be made to accommodate changes up to the day of the event.

Do you require that we use wedding insurance? Insurance is included for small events. Insurance is additional for large events.

Do you have a list of approved or recommended vendors we can use? Some of our recommend vendors are listed on our website. We allow outside vendors that meet basic requirements.

Do we have to use your approved vendors? If not, are there limitations or guidelines we need to meet when bringing others in? You do not have to use our approved vendors. Outside vendors will need to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) with certain wording to satisfy our insurance requirements. This has not been an issue.

Do you provide a day-of coordinator as part of the venue fee? An experienced event coordinator is included at no additional cost to assure that every aspect of the event is curated.

Is the site handicap accessible? The main floor is handicap accessible with a ramp. There is not an elevator between the main floor and lower floor. For those with limited mobility who would like to access the lower level, we recommend entering through the West doors.

Are there noise restrictions? The Roosevelt Library is zoned C-2 which allows a noise limit of 70 decibels when measured from the sidewalk on the other side of the street. This limit reduces to 63 decibels between 11pm and 7am on Friday and Saturday. The building has very thick walls so it is highly unlikely that the noise limit would be exceeded for music being played inside the building as it is measured outside on the other side of the street.

Are there certain rules we need to be mindful of, such as no open flames, restrictions on the types of décor, or setup changes that can't be made? Open flames are restricted to chafing dishes and candles lit and monitored by the Roosevelt Library staff. Decorations are allowed so long as they are not physically attached and do not pose a safety hazard.

How early can we arrive on the wedding day to get ready? The standard rental period is up to 12 hours. The wedding party (up to 16 people) may enter the building early to prepare.

How early can our vendors arrive on the wedding day for setup? Outside vendors may arrive as early as needed within the 12 hour period. When outside vendors require entry before the event start time then the security officer will start at that time and charges of $85 per hour will be incurred.

Is it possible to have deliveries arrive the day before our wedding, or does everything have to arrive the same day as the celebration? Small items may be delivered before the event day. Large items (i.e. furniture) may be delivered before the event day and picked up after the event day at a rate of $150 per day.

How many bathrooms are there? Will we need to rent additional portable restrooms based on our projected guest list size? There are two restrooms on the main level with a toilet and urinal for the men’s room and two toilets for the women’s room. There is an additional restroom for staff and outside vendors on the lower level. This has accommodated events of up to 300 people. When we have large events, the public restrooms are staffed with restroom attendants to keep the restrooms fresh and in working order.

Is parking available on-site? How much space is there? Will guests be charged for parking? The parking lot has about 50 spots and is always free of charge. There is typically ample street parking in front of the building.

Is there a backup space that we can use in the case of inclement weather? Most events at the Roosevelt Library are indoors although you may use the large south lawn.

What is the venue's maximum capacity? Are we required to guarantee a certain number of guests? The maximum capacity is 300. The number of guests may be changed up to 60 days before the event.

Are there any limitations in regards to how the space can be setup for our wedding? No. Couples have had their ceremonies in the library (the room with the Steinway piano), in the gallery on the lower floor, and in the entry foyer below the candle lit chandelier.

Do you have your own sound equipment and speakers, or will those need to be rented or provided by the entertainment? With the exception of the sound system in the gallery, all of the sound systems in each room are free of charge. The gallery sound system consists of 77 speakers and 4 subwoofers and may be rented. All bands and DJs have brought their own sound equipment.

Will your staff be involved in setting up and breaking down the décor? In what capacity? The Roosevelt Library staff will set up and break down all items that are listed on the invoice. Arrangements can be made if you would like the staff to set up and break down your decorations.

Do you include all necessary rentals for a wedding (including chairs, tables, dinnerware, and barware) or are we required to bring those items in ourselves? We provide all necessary rentals.

Do you have an in-house caterer? If so, are food and beverages included in the venue rental fee? Yes, we have a chef and kitchen staff. The chef has worked for the owner of the Roosevelt Library since 2002. The food and beverages are not included in the venue rental fee. They are listed separately on the invoice.

Can we hire our own caterer? Yes, provided they meet the insurance requirement.

Do you have a food and beverage minimum? We do not have a food and beverage minimum.

Do we have to purchase liquor through you, or can we source liquor elsewhere? All alcoholic beverages (spirits, wine, beer) must be purchased through the Roosevelt Library as we have a TABC mixed beverage license.

Do you have facilities and essentials necessary for an external team to prepare meals on-site? Yes, if, for example, you brought your own chef, they may, with an additional fee, use our kitchen which is fully equipped.

Do you have a bar and barware for an external bartender to use? We do not allow external bartenders.

Who will be our point person as we plan our wedding? Who will be our point person on our wedding day, and is this person an on-site coordinator? Your point of contact will be Leland Stone. Mr. Stone is typically the point person on the day of the event and the on-site coordinator. If he is not available, then the head butler, Daniel Moore, will be your point of contact.

How many staff members, included in the cost of the venue, will be on-site during our wedding? The invoice will list the number of front-of-house staff including servers, bartenders, restroom attendants, and chefs for live food stations. Our goal is one bartender for every 25 guests and one server for every 10 guests for a seated meal or one server for every 25 guests for an event with food stations or a buffet.

How many events do your staff members work in a weekend? Typically only one.

Is your staff full-time, or do you bring in production staff for each event? The Roosevelt Library has a full-time event coordinator, chef, butler, dishwasher, and housekeeper. We have a team of part-time bartenders, servers, sous-chefs, and housekeepers that work regularly at the Roosevelt Library.