Frequently Asked Questions about booking and hosting an event at Events at Judson Mill in Greenville SC.
Pricing & PaymentHow much does the venue cost to rent?
Pricing for the venue varies depending on the day of the week you are renting, the space you rent, and the amount of time you need.
In general, weekday room rental pricing runs from $2,300-$5,900. Fridays and Sundays are $2,500-$7,500. Saturdays are $4,500-$9,000. You can save 10% off your Room Rental by booking in the off season or by using our signature in-house catering. Click here for pricing details. Incidental services are not included in the base room rental. What kind of Down Payment do i need to put down?
When you come in for a tour, your sales representative will put together an estimate for you that includes your room rental fees, equipment rentals, beverage service, and any other incidental fees. From that, you will need to guarantee a minimum guest count and invoice amount to calculate your payment schedule.
What kinds of payment methods do you take?
We accept cash, checks, and ACH through a virtual payment link. We do accept all major credit cards with a 3% processing fee. Payments can be made online or mailed to us at: PO Box 465, Greenville, SC 29602.
IS THERE A SECURITY DEPOSIT?
We've been at this long enough to know that damages do happen, so we ask that all our clients put down a $500 security deposit. The security deposit is built into your payment schedule, and is returned to you, less any damages or additional charges, within 30 business days after your event. We also ask that you purchase event insurance, which provides additional coverage in the event of extensive damage or injury.
do you require event insurance?
Yes, we do require event insurance or commercial liability insurance for all weddings & events hosted at Events at Judson Mill. This helps protect both you and your guests, and ensures peace of mind on your special day. We recommend a policy that includes general liability coverage and, if applicable, host liquor liability. Policies typically run $150-$400 depending on the size of your event and if you select to add-on cancellation insurance. Click here for more information.
In addition, we ask that all events purchase Cancellation Insurance that covers at minimum the value of your contract with us, or sign a cancellation waiver. what happens if i need to cancel my event?
Once you have paid your first 25% reservation fee, we have the venue reserved for your event alone. Due to the significant planning that goes into our events, we aren't able to offer refunds. If there is a severe weather situation, or other 'Act of God', our contract does allow for limited rescheduling.
Can you "pencil" my date in?
Due to our high volume of inquires, we do require a 25% reservation fee and signed contract to hold any date.
General Venue QuestionsWhat kind of parking is available?
There is plenty of free on-site, campus parking available to all venue guests and vendors on a first-come, first-serve basis. Clients are also able to hire valet or shuttle services if they would like.
Can I decorate?
Of course you can decorate! Although we don't allow glitter, confetti, or helium balloons, we encourage bringing in flowers, using candlelight, and utilizing discounted accents from our in-house decor collection. We would love to help you come up with ideas for a creative event!
Please note that any hired decorators will need to be approved by our staff and provide us with a Certificate of Additional Insured. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO THE VENUE ON MY EVENT DATE?
Our spaces can be in booked in 6, 8 or 10-hour blocks of time. All Saturday events and weddings are required to book 10+ hours. Your time block allows for all set-up, event time, and break-down. We recommend you leave at least two hours for set-up and 1 1/2 hours to break down. If you have your wedding ceremony on-site, we bump you up to a 12-hour block. Additional time can be added.
What other businesses are around the venue?
Events at Judson Mill is part of the much larger historic Judson Mill campus. Entertainment options include The Foundry, Blochaven rock climbing gym, Play Cafe, Mill City Kitchen, Kenny's Golf Club, and more.
What is the venue's capacity?
We can accommodate a large range of events from 25-1,500 guests. The capacity for your event will depend on the spaces you book and your seating arrangement. Generally speaking, The Smokestack can accommodate 25-200 guests. The Annex can accommodate 100-500 guests, while both spaces combined can go up to 1,500. Click here for more information about our capacities.
The Smokestack:
What types of events can be hosted here?
We are able to host almost any type of event including but not limited to;
what is the noise curfew/event end time?
For events, we are able to have guests on-site anytime from 6:00 AM-12:00 AM. We are not able to accommodate events after midnight.
The Smokestack has a noise curfew of 11:00 PM, The Annex is 12:00 AM. All outdoor activity must end by 10:00 PM. Is the venue wheelchair accesible?
Yes! As we were renovated in 2022, all of our spaces comply with US building codes & local ADA standards. We do have an elevator to move between floors as well. If a guest needs additional assistance, please contact us at [email protected] in advance of the event.
is the venue climate-controlled?
Yes! We have full AC & heat that was engineered for high capacity events.
do you provide tables & Chairs?
Yes! Each venue has an allotted inventory of tables & chairs that includes access to Willow banquet chairs, round & rectangle banquet tables, hand crafted farmhouse tables, high-top cocktail tables and more. Additional tables, china, stages, and tablecloths can be added to your quote for an additional fee.
Are there nearby hotels & other accomodations?
Yes! We are located just 5 minutes from Downtown Greenville, so there are numerous hotels to choose from. There are also dozens of Airbnb options at Judson Mill itself, so you can stay steps away from your event.
Some of our favorite hotels include:
Event Vendors & StaffWho would i be working with during the planning process?
Since we are a high-volume venue (over 300 events a year!), we have a whole team dedicated to answering our phones and emails as quickly as possible. We will assign you an Event Specialist about two months before your event to finalize your event details. If you'd like additional help from a day-of coordinator, we are happy to add on one of Day-Of Wedding Coordination packages as well.
We do have a set meeting schedule that includes 2-4 planning & design meetings. What kind of staff are on-site for my event?
We always staff your event with 1-2 Venue Managers and at least 1 security officer. The Venue Manager is responsible for taking care of the building and making sure you get everything you contracted through us. Our staff is also responsible for setting up and breaking down any equipment you book through us, as well as cleaning the venue after the event.
The Venue Manager IS NOT an event coordinator, and can't commit to directing your event. If you are booking a wedding with us, we highly recommend hiring one of our in-house Wedding Coordinators to take care of managing your timeline, directing your vendors, and overseeing your event logistics. We also staff bartenders, banquet staff, greeters, coat attendants, and any other supplemental staff you may need. What kind of event vendors can i use?
We have put together a fantastic list of experienced caterers, musicians, photographers, florists, bakers, and other services that you are free to choose from. While you are not required to choose venders from our preferred list, we do highly recommend doing so, as it will save you time, money, and paperwork. Every vendor on our list is familiar with our policies and we trust that they will work hard to make your event a huge success.
If you must hire a vendor outside of our list, they must be approved by our staff before you enter into a contract with them. The approval process consists of the vendor submitting a Vendor Agreement and Certificate of Insurance. The client is responsible for getting these documents submitted to us, and there is a $25 fee to process each application. Keep in mind there may be some vendors who are not permitted in our space due to previous bad experiences, so please do not book vendors without getting them approved, as you may end up losing your deposit with them. Do you require in-house bar service? Can i bring my own alcohol?
We have a SC beer, wine, and liquor license. We offer a range of reasonably-priced bar packages that are designed for popularity. While we can customize your bar package and bring in different options when requested, we are not a BYOB venue.
While most events choose a hosted bar package, we can also offer cash bars. Non-profits hosting fundraisers may be required to obtain a SC Temporary Alcohol License for their event. is there a kitchen?
Yes, both spaces have a catering kitchen. The Annex has a full kitchen with an oven, flat-top grill, stove, and fryer. The Smokestack kitchen has a preparation and holding space, there is no cooking equipment.
Please note all food must be provided by a licensed caterer. Do you offer in-house food menus?
Yes! We have a wide range of food options to choose from, or you can hire a caterer from our Preferred list.
can we have live music or a DJ?
We firmly believe that you can't have a good party without great entertainment! We allow both live music and DJ's.
Music cutoff for The Smokestack is at 11:00 PM, The Annex is at 12:00 AM. who is responsible for cleanup?
Generally speaking, the venue staff will take care of cleanup. We do ask that your caterer ensure all plates are cleared from the table, the kitchen is cleaned, and all trash taken out (dumpster provided). Your florist or decorator is expected to remove all decorations. Aside from the Client's personal belongings, the venue staff will cleanup anything we provided, as well as take care of cleaning the floors, restrooms, etc.
WeddingsCan we have a rehearsal on-site?
Yes, our Wedding Ceremony fees includes a tentative rehearsal on-site, which is scheduled 30 days in advance. Due to our event schedule, the rehearsal will most likely take place the morning before your event or in an alternate space. You may also rent the venue the night before the wedding to host your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Room rental fees apply, but you will get a 10% discount on the rate.
can i have my wedding ceremony on-site?
Absolutely! Our sales team can walk you through your options for an indoor or outdoor ceremony. Ceremony Fees start at $700 and vary depending on what space you book. This fee includes an additional two hours of space rental, staff to reset the space, a Getting Ready Suite, and a one hour rehearsal (based on availability).
Are you same-sex friendly?
Of course we are! Whatever your gender, orientation, faith, or cultural background, we welcome everyone who wants to celebrate their big event with us.
What is allowed for a send-off?
The send-off is one of our favorite parts of a wedding, and we love to see our guests send the happy couple off in style! We are open to glow sticks, bells, streamers, or any creative send-offs that do not create a mess. Unfortunately, due to a fire in the past (eek!), we are unable to allow sparklers. We also aren't able to accommodate glitter, birdseed, confetti, silly string, or anything that will leave small particles on the ground. Even items that promise to "wash away" with water aren't easy to clean up and would result in your being charged a clean-up fee.
do you require a wedding coordinator?
Yes, to ensure the success of your big day, we do ask that you hire a professional coordinator who has directed at least five weddings previously. Your coordinator is asked to prepare the timeline, coordinate any decor installations, run your ceremony, and keep the day on track.
We do offer in-house wedding coordination options as well. Do you provide a place to get ready?
If your ceremony is on-site, you'll be provided with access to an apartment from 7:00 AM-30 minutes after your ceremony concludes. You can use this apartment for whomever you like to get ready. Additional apartments or overnight stays can be rented as well if available.
How much does a wedding at your venue cost?
Wedding pricing can vary based on the space, the day of the week, and the number of guests. Generally speaking we see people spend the below amount on their total wedding (not including dress or honeymoon):
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