LUXURY | ALL-INCLUSIVE | PRIVATE |MODERN
Wedding VENUE & PRIVATE EVENTS
The Gala 417
DESTINATION WEDDINGS | ALL-INCLUSIVE
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start?
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First, we recommend booking a tour so you can come take a look at our beautiful venue in person to see if it's the perfect fit for you! After deciding if The Gala 417 is the venue for your big day, just click the
Secure My Date tab at the top of the page!
Once you request to reserve your date, you will have 24 hours to complete the booking paperwork online, while your date is held!
The Basics-
what time can vendors make deliveries or begin setting up?
Anytime after 10 A.M.!
do we have to get liability insurance?
It is not required, but it is highly recommended! If you are interested in this service please reach out to us for our recommendation!
what are the measurements of the greenery wall?
Our gorgeous boxwood feature wall is 12ft x 12ft!
is the green wall customizable?
Yes, and we will install any and all décor on the wall complementary! Please make sure that whatever you would like us to hang for you is able to be hung using zip ties. Typically, we use clear zip ties and can wrap them around a letter of a laser cut name sign. If you are using a different type of sign, we recommend "d-hooks" be attached to the back of the sign before your big day!
what outside vendors do i need to hire?
The primary five vendors that we recommend getting is an Officiant, Baker, DJ, Florist, and Photographer!
when do i need my final headcount?
10 days before your wedding, at the Blueprint Meeting! We will also need the number of guests that ordered each meal choice at the Blueprint Meeting.
how much parking is available?
There are about 100 parking spots in front of the venue, with an additional 298 spots on the property itself! *TIP* Keep in mind guests typically come in pairs and in groups, so you will typically only have 30%-40% of cars per your number of guests.
can we take photos on the marina?
Yes, absolutely! There are so many beautiful photo locations around the resort! Floating docks and personally owned boats are completely off limits for safety and liability purposes!
do you have a table for my dj?
Yes, we can provide a 6ft banquet table and black linen. *TIP* you can request any linen color we have, but the black linens help to camouflage any cords the dj may have!
do we have to designate someone to clean up at the end of the event?
Nope! We take care of everything regarding set up, take down, and clean up!
what kinds of tables do you have?
We have round banquet tables, rectangular banquet tables, sweetheart table, cake table, DJ table, and luxury linenless high-top cocktail tables!
what linens do you include?
We include white and black linens as well as white or black linen napkins for each place setting! We also have nude, dusty blue, sage green, peach, gold and silver available in our Rental Collection!
what kinds of chairs are included?
White Chiavari chairs with leather white cushions!
do you have a preferred vendor list?
Yes! Once you book with us and become a Gala 417 Couple, you will receive a password to access our vendor list package! Our vendors that we work with are incredible and offer amazing discounts exclusively to Gala 417 couples!
is a day-of-coordinator included?
Yes, absolutely! AND an evening coordinator, too! Both coordinators are included at no additional cost and are there just for you from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave!
what will the day-of-coordinator do the day of the wedding?
As coordinators we manage your minute-by-minute timeline from the moment of your arrival all the way until after your departure when packing up belongings and making prepared for pick up! We also manage the blueprint for wedding that includes where all of your décor is placed, set up, and displayed! The coordinators will meet your vendors when they arrive at the venue and help ensure they are familiar with the venue and review the timeline together to make sure we are all on the same page! We will make sure every aspect of the entire day runs perfectly!
do we get time to come in for rehearsal? When would it be?
Yes, rehearsals are included with all facility rentals! Rehearsal's are held the day before your wedding. Your rehearsal time would be from 9:30-10 AM. However, if your wedding is a Thursday your rehearsal time would be Wednesday night from 5-5:30 PM. If a Wednesday event books, the Thursday rehearsal may be moved to the morning time slot Wednesday morning! Rehearsals are only offered in 30 minute intervals; please make sure all of your wedding party members arrive on time and ready to rehearse so we are able to have your full rehearsal in the allotted amount of time. This helps us to ensure everything goes smoothly for your event!
what is your cancellation policy?
Every Gala 417 client receives one completely complimentary Date Transfer! This means that for any reason, you are able to move your date to any other available date on our calendar without any penalties or fees! If an event is fully cancelled, a credit will be issued to the client that is good for five full years from the originally scheduled event date. You may use or transfer your credit within the timeframe at your leisure.
is there a price difference if we do not have a ceremony?
Ceremonies are included with rentals at no additional charge!
do you have seasonal rates?
We do not offer seasonal rates, but our rates do vary by day of the week!
can you perform a ceremony outdoors?
Yes!
What does the "417" stand for?
The 417 in our name is an honor of our owner, Amberly Ferguson's, brother, Austin Michael Rinehart; in loving memory! It is also the owners Wedding Anniversary, April 2017!
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can i bring in my own decor?
Decor-
Absolutely, all of your own décor is welcomed. We will go over packing requirements at your Blueprint Meeting, and also get thorough instructions from you as how to set everything up and take care of all of your décor for you the day of the wedding!
can i have real candles?
Yes, real candles are permitted on the tables as long as the flame is contained in a vase! Real or floating candles are not permitted on the floor!
do you have decorations we can rent?
Yes! We have a rental collection filled with hundreds of items big and small that are exclusively available to Gala 417 Couples! The password to access the Rental Collection is sent in the first Welcome Email after finalizing the booking! (If you ever need it again, just ask us!) We recommend submitting rentals as you decide you want them! You do not have to submit them all at once! When you submit- it will *not* take a payment- we will add the rentals to your current invoice.
what decorations are included?
All linens, ceiling drapery, swoop drapery, multiple wedding arch options, chandeliers, 50ft marble bar, a white tuffed leather sofa, an oversized arched stand with shelves in the terrace, neon bar sign and of course our 144 square foot boxwood feature wall!
do you have a sweetheart table?
Yes! Our sweetheart table is a round 48in table!
do you include a ceremony arch?
Yes, our in-house arches are a gold circle, a gold hexagon and a gold square! The are 7ft tall and 7ft wide. More arch options can also be found in our Rental Collection!
What are the dimensions of the tables?
Our banquet tables are 6ft x30in and fit a 90x132in linen. Our round tables are 60in in diameter and take a 120in linen. Our sweetheart table is 48in and takes a 108in linen. Along with this, we provide a banquet table to all DJ's with a black linen (to hide the black cords)!
Catering-
Can I do outside catering?
We do require that all food and beverage is prepared by our in-house catering team! This helps to ensure that all your guests receive their plates straight from the oven and allows us to guarantee freshness and deliciousness! Every client receives a complimentary tasting with our executive chef allowing you to make sure the food is prepared to your liking! With that being said, outside food and beverage is not permitted!
is there a cake cutting fee? do you set up the cake?
No fee, and yes we set it all up to your liking!
how will your servers know what entrée each guest selected?
This is the most important thing we will need from you to help your wedding go smoothly! We require you to provide place cards for guests that include name, table number, and entrée selection! Along with this, you must also provide a seating chart to go on display during cocktail hour so guests are able to see where they are seated!
how many entree selections are included in your meal packages?
Four entrees are included for your guests to choose from! All packages include a beef, seafood, chicken, and vegetarian entrée. Vegetarian entrees are also available in vegan versions! A Children's Meal is also included in all packages!
are hors d'oeuvres included?
Yes! The selection of hors d'oeuvres can be seen in our brochure at the top of the dinner packages page!
can i customize my menu for food or beverage?
Yes! Our menus are completely customizable to what you desire the most for your big day!
can i have a buffet?
We exclusively offer plated dinners to ensure all of your guests receive their meals fresh, and hot from the oven and are able to enjoy their dinner together!
can we bring in our own alcohol?
Due to our ABC licensing, all alcoholic beverages are provided by The Gala 417! No outside food or beverage is permitted!
can we have a cash bar?
One of our four beverage packages must be selected for all events! Our cash bar is available for premium items upon clients approval!
Is there a food and beverage minimum?
We do not have a food and beverage minimum but our maximum is 200 guests!
when are my payments due?
Pricing and Payments-
A $1,500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking. Then, the remaining balance of the Rental Cost is due over three more monthly installments (30 days, 60 days and 90 days after booking). Catering payments are billed monthly beginning the month after the rental cost is paid off. *TIP* we do offer a 5% discount for Rental Costs to be paid in full and 10% for Catering Costs to be paid in full.
how do i relay what entrée each of my guests selected?
We highly recommend creating a wedding website where guests will RSVP with their meal selections! Most wedding platforms will help organize and create these kind of spreadsheets and templates!