Frequently Asked Questions: Small Events
Maximum Capacity: 40 guests
What times do I have to choose from? You have a 5-hour window, load-in and load-out, any time between 8am – 5pm during our normal retail hours. Your 5-hour rental timeframe includes decorating and clean-up time.
What is the event space rental fee? $500 which must be paid in full when you book your event date.
What is the cancellation policy? All event fees are non-refundable. We are an open-air outdoor event space, and do not have a rain clause in our contract.
What does the suggested event timeline look like?
- Set up/decorate – 1 hour
- Event time – 3 hours
- Clean up – 1 hour
Is parking available? Due to our VERY small parking lot and no street parking nearby, you must either drop off your guests, carpool, or use a ride sharing service. You are allowed 5 parking spots for your event (includes your event coordinator, caterer, waitstaff, photographer, etc.). Please note that any additional cars from your group will be directed by a B&B employee to a retail shopping center 1 mile away. Since we are a retail business open 8a-5p every day, we must keep parking spots available for retail customers.
Do I get a discount if my guest list is under 40 people? You have the option of having up to 40 people but that is our base number for small events.
Do small weddings qualify as a small event? Weddings have a completely different set up, include a prior-day rehearsal timeslot, early furniture delivery/2nd day pick-up, and include use of the entire nursery (ceremony on the middle level, reception on the upper level), etc. whereas a small event happens on 1 day in a 5-hour window in the event space area only. NOTE: as of January, 2020, we are no longer hosting evening events. If you’re interested in booking a wedding ceremony only, please email events@barrelsandbranches.com
What does the rental include? You are essentially renting just the event space which includes a farm house table with 2 benches (seats approximately 8-10 people) and access to 4 barrel-top tables located along the perimeter of the event space. These barrel-top tables can’t be moved from their location due to safety reasons. For furniture and other rentals/services, please see our Preferred Vendor List. Also included in the rental is access to the upper deck and gazebo. The adjacent shadehouse is not part of the rental, and this area is open to customers during your event.
Site Decorations: We strive to keep the event space looking its best at all times. With that said, we would prefer minimal decorations. No B&B plants, merchandise, or furniture (with the exception of the event space farmhouse table & benches) are to be used for event purposes.
Catering: You may contract a caterer outside of our Preferred Vendor List. However, we do not allow grills or open flame outside of the nursery walls. Please see your contract for more details.
Trash: You must bring your own trash receptacles and trash bags, and remove your event trash, furniture, etc. from the property following your event (some caterers offer this service). Our dumpster is for landscaping disposal only. Leaving trash on-site may be grounds for incurring a fine. Please see your contract for details.
Furniture: Your furniture rental may be delivered before and picked up after your event but please be aware of our neighbors during unloading/loading. Please advise your vendor to minimize crew noise. Check your contract for details about our driveway as large semi trucks won’t fit and may need to be towed.
Music: We are located in a quiet residential neighborhood. You are welcome to bring in a portable sound system for use during your event. However, music louder than 55 decibels isn’t allowed per the City of Encinitas’ Noise Ordinance. We have a decibel meter to check sound levels prior to and during your event. No DJs, please. Contact our Marketing Coordinator to schedule a sound check at least 2 weeks prior to your event. The City of Encinitas enforces their noise ordinance!
Do I need event insurance? Yes. Event insurance can be purchased through a company of your choosing or through eventhelper.com for day of event coverage. Event insurance must be purchased 90 days prior to event and emailed to our Event Coordinator.
Does the nursery close for our event? No, events happen during our open retail hours of 8a-5p daily.
Are we allowed to use nursery inventory such as plants or pots for decorations? No, nursery inventory is not to be moved or used for decorations.
If I have to cancel last minute, will I receive a refund? No, all event fees are non-refundable.
See your contract for further details and restrictions.