Food & Beverage FAQ
Clients’ most frequently asked questions answered.
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Do You Require a Food and Beverage Minimum?
Yes. Please see the first page of your event contract for your food and beverage minumum.
Can We Bring in Our Own Food?
We do not allow outside food or beverages at The Oaks. Our creative chef offers exceptional menu options for your wedding. Menus can be fully customized, or you may choose from our existing selections. We can even recreate family recipes or design a menu around a specific theme—the sky is the limit!
What Are the Requirements for Guest Choice Plated Service?
If you have selected a Guest Choice Plated dinner service, please provide individual name cards with an easy-to-read word, single letter, or icon indicating each guest’s entrée selection.
If you would like the name cards to guide guests to their assigned tables, please bring your escort cards to us in alphabetical order by last name, and we will stage them outside of the dining room. If you prefer that we pre-set the name cards at the dinner tables, please assign a specific seat to each guest and bring the cards grouped by table.
A seating chart sign is also required to help guide guests to their tables. Check out more information and details about seating charts & indicator cards here.
Still deciding on the dinner service style you would prefer, check out more details about each of our services here.
Do You Offer Vegetarian, Vegan or Gluten Free Options?
Absolutely! We provide a complimentary separate plate for guests with dietary limitations (chef ’s choice) up to 10% of your guest count. Any dietary restrictions must be communicated to your coordinator when your final numbers are due.
Do I Need to Provide Meals for Our Vendors?
Most vendors who will be present during dinner (e.g. photographers, videographers or DJs) will require a meal. Please double check your vendor contracts to verify. The Oaks provides vendor meals at half the cost of your menu selection. Vendor entrees are chef ’s choice unless an allergy applies. All allergies must be communicated prior to the event.
Do You Offer a Child's Plate?
Yes, the child’s plate consists of chicken fingers, mac & cheese, french fries and a fruit salad. This option is available for guests 10 and under.
When Will We Have Our Menu Tasting?
The Oaks hosts group menu tastings for our clients, typically held between January and March. You will receive an email invitation to schedule your tasting at the end of the year prior to your wedding year (e.g. December 2026 for a May 2027 wedding). If you book your wedding after menu tastings have concluded, we will offer a menu consultation to assist you in selecting your full menu.
If you would like to know more about what’s included during the menu tasting event, click here.
When Do You Need Our Final Guest Count?
Your final guest count is due no later than 14 days prior to the event. After this date, the final invoice will not be adjusted if your guest count drops in number, although you may be able to add a reasonable number of guests.
Can We Bring in Our Own Alcohol?
The Oaks holds its own liquor license, and, like a restaurant or bar, outside alcohol is not permitted on the premises. Any outside alcohol brought in will be held by Oaks management until the end of the event. All alcohol served at The Oaks must be consumed on the property and may not be taken to the golf course, parking lot, or onto a shuttle. The Oaks also provides bar service to the wedding party while getting ready during the day.
We Want to Purchase a Bar Package, but Not All of Our Guests Drink, How Will That be Handled?
Our bar packages offer the best value for your event and include all non-alcoholic beverages throughout the evening. They also allow us to serve wine during cocktail hour and provide tableside wine service during dinner.
We understand that not all guests will consume alcohol, but it is not possible to predetermine individual consumption. However, we are happy to make exceptions for pregnant guests and a reasonable number of immediate family or wedding party members who choose to remain sober.
Are Children Included in the Per Person Bar Charge?
Bar packages are charged to all guests 21 and over. Underage guests are exempt from the bar package charges. Our staff does card at weddings and guests without an ID will not be served alcohol.
We Will Not be Paying for Alcohol. How Does a Cash Bar Work?
Cash bars are available for events held Sunday through Thursday. Guests may purchase beer, wine, or cocktails from our full-service bar, with payment accepted by cash or credit. There is no additional fee for a cash bar; instead, your invoice will include the non-alcoholic beverage package for all guests.
What if We do Not Want Alcohol to be Offered at All During Our Event?
If you prefer a dry bar with no alcohol served, we offer this option for a $500 dry bar fee. This option is available Sunday through Thursday only. Please note that while alcohol cannot be completely removed from behind the bar, a staff member will be present to manage the service of non-alcoholic beverages. A non-alcoholic beverage package is required.
Are Shots Allowed at the Bar?
Shots are not included in any of the bar packages but are available for purchase. Management reserves the right to discontinue shots at any time. If you prefer that shots not be served at your event, please let us know in advance.