Cincinnati, Ohio
About Our Venue
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS
WHAT IS HOPE’S WAY’S CAPACITY?
150 guests very comfortably, with a great dance floor area; all guest counts include bride, groom, bridal party & children.
WHAT IS THE RENTAL FEE AND WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?
Please see the details found here for complete pricing and inclusions.
WE’RE PLANNING TO HAVE OUR CEREMONY ELSEWHERE. DOES THAT CHANGE THE RENTAL FEE?
Because we only host one event per weekend, & you are renting the entire Hope’s Way venue property for your rental, our fee structure remains the same whether you hold your ceremony, reception, or both onsite.
MY PREFERRED DATE IS UNAVAILABLE. DO YOU HAVE A WAiTING LIST?
We have found it becomes unduly complicated to keep a cancellation waiting list for a number of reasons & no longer do so. When a date does become available, it’s posted in our available dates.
DO I NEED TO SCHEDULE A TOUR OR CAN I JUST STOP BY?
Tours are by appointment only. You can request a tour (or a Facetime tour if you live out of the area) by filling out our contact form. Once you submit your form you will have the opportunity to schedule a tour via a link in our immediate, automated response! An in-person tour is not required to reserve a rental date but, it is highly recommended.
Self-visits to the property outside of time scheduled here are not permitted; all visits must be pre-arranged with Hope’s Way. We kindly ask all to please bear in mind this is a private property.
HOW DO I RESERVE A DATE? IS THERE A DEPOSIT?
Dates are reserved on a first requested basis in writing. To reserve a date following your tour, simply email us a message through your HoneyBook link letting us know you’re ready to book & your preferred date. Then, we’ll contact you for the specific information needed to complete your rental agreement.
Once you’ve received your completed rental agreement from us, you’ll have 2 business days to review & sign the rental agreement, & pay the Non-Refundable Retainer Booking Fee ($2,000/Wedding Wknd, $1,500 Intimate Wedding; applied to your total venue fee), or 1 week to pay if mailing a check.
HOW ARE PAYMENTS SCHEDULED AND PAID?
After your Retainer Booking Fee has secured your date, 10 months prior to your event rental, the remainder of venue cost, minus $1,500, will be due. Ninety (90) days prior, the final $1,500 will be due.
There is also a refundable $750 Refundable Security Deposit (damage/overtime/excessive cleaning) due two weeks prior to your event.
Accepted forms of payment: electronic online payment through your Honeybook project file or check made payable to Hopes Way LLC. Hope's Way does not accept cash payments or credit cards.
DO YOU REQUIRE EVENT INSURANCE?
Yes, HW requires standard $1m event insurance policy for all events, listing Hope’s Way LLC & Hope’s Way Property Development LLC as additional insureds. This has been averaging $120 through Eventsured.com. Quotes & policies may be easily obtained here.
This link was created for your convenience; HW does not benefit monetarily from your use of this partnership link.
WHAT ABOUT A DAY-OF COORDINATOR?
HW requires the use of a professional & insured Day-Of Coordinator, not otherwise involved with your wedding. HW is priced accordingly, allowing you to choose & work with the Coordinator of your choice. Find more info here.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF HOPE’S WAY’S STAFF DURING OUR RENTAL RESERVATION?
HW staff will be on-site to ensure venue in proper running order, provide prior, agreed upon set-up changes, drive you around the property in the golf cart for photos or to assist guests with mobility issues to alternative ceremony site, ensure proper adherence to parking space allotments & venue usage, & monitor guest safety throughout the event.
WHAT IS YOUR PARKING LIKE?
We have a gravel parking area for up to 75 cars. Because most guests arrive as couples or families, this has not been an issue for us. The hour before your ceremony begins, HW venue staff will begin oversight of guests parking, to be sure spaces are properly utilized. There are 2 handicapped spots close to the barn & also a circle approach allowing guests to be dropped off closer to the barn before car is parked by driver.
WHEN WILL I HAVE VENUE ACCESS TO DECORATE AND GET READY?
You will have access to the venue at the time listed in your rental agreement, not earlier or later. Please plan accordingly. The same is true for your vendors’ access.
DO YOU ALLOW DOGS ON SITE AS PART OF OUR WEDDING DAY?
Leashed dogs are permitted as part of wedding ceremonies, & related photos, until the wedding couple joins the reception. Only service animals as defined under the ADA are permitted for the entire event & must be under the handler’s control at all times. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or other companion animals are not considered service animals under the ADA, as they are not trained in the same manner as ADA dogs. All dog “messes” are to be picked up by handlers & disposed of properly in trash container located in the brown dumpster enclosure; staff can point that out for you if unsure where.
IS SMOKING ALLOWED AT HOPE’S WAY?
In no event is smoking or vaping permitted inside any structure on the premises, or the porch of the barn, nor immediately surrounding the barn structures. Even vaping indoors will cause fire alarm system to activate, resulting in an automatic visit from the fire department & fine assessed to the renting party.
Smoking must be confined to the designated smoking area behind the barn, in designated area that faces the parking lot. Hope’s Way does not permit smoking marijuana on its private property.
ARE THERE OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS NEARBY?
Yes - Please see our list here.
PLANNING
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE BUDGET OF A COUPLE GETTING MARRIED AT HOPE’S WAY?
This varies greatly depending on the choices of each couple. In general, we believe the average overall budget of a couple getting married at Hope’s Way is currently between $18,000-$24,000 for a wedding of 100-150. This covers all wedding expenses/variables listed in our budget estimator (venue, food, bar, coordinator, music, furniture, linens, photographer, florals, etc.). We’ve hosted some creative couples for less, and others where more was spent. To determine where you believe you’ll fall, click here for our helpful budget estimator tool.
This is a great resource to help you get an idea of your overall cost for a wedding where ever you might be considering hosting. Be sure you add or subtract costs for expenses/variables as appropriate between venues for a more accurate comparison.
WHO ARE YOUR PLANNING OPEN HOUSES FOR?
These are hosted for reserved couples to bring décor samples, refresh their memory on Hope’s Way interiors & furniture/accessories available & to familiarize family, friends or vendors with HW. Couples who’ve already had a private in-person or Facetime tour & still considering Hope’s Way are also welcome to attend.
Dates will be posted here as they are scheduled.
HOW WILL THE TABLES & CHAIRS BE ARRANGED FOR MY EVENT?
There are no pre-set arrangements at Hope’s Way – all arrangements are custom to your event & needs. However, arrangements do need to allow enough room for safe egress & movement throughout the venue.
DO YOU OFFER RECTANGULAR TABLES OR ROUND?
We have a limited number of rectangular wooden farmhouse style tables that can be used for your food service, head table, etc. Or, they can be mixed in with reception seating but, the majority of your guests will be seated at round tables with 8-10 guests each. For a list of currently available furniture, click here.
HOW MANY GUESTS FIT AT A ROUND TABLE?
Customarily 8-10. If you are trying to keep certain guests together at one table, you can add an 11th chair. We do not place 12 chairs at a table as it’s simply too close for comfort.
WHAT TIME DO YOU SUGGEST WE START THE CEREMONY?
We suggest starting full-sized Saturday wedding ceremonies between 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Click here for helpful sample timelines.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF RAIN OR WINTER WEATHER?
If there’s a quick shower, & you’re okay briefly waiting to start your ceremony, the outdoor ceremony benches may be wiped off quickly & your ceremony will proceed outdoors.
If your ceremony needs to be hosted indoors, for larger wedding reservations we are able to host your ceremony inside the barn, California Style. Meaning, we do not flip the entire room set-up; which can feel very disruptive to the mood of your event. Rather, guests would be welcomed & seated at their tables already set with flowers & candles lit; your alternate weather plan (determined in advance of your event) would include an “aisle approach” to your ceremony area. Following your ceremony, we can flip your ceremony setup for your bridal party or sweetheart table setup.
Although we still recommend the more relaxed & intimate feel of a California Style ceremony described above, for guest counts of 75 or less, we’re able to set up rows of ceremony chairs in the dance floor space, & return these chairs to their waiting tables afterwards. We can also host up to 50 on the covered porch for a ceremony.
PLEASE NOTE: Outdoor ceremonial seating not customarily provided Dec-Mar when courtyard benches are in winter storage.
IF WE CHOOSE THE INTIMATE WEDDING OPTION FOR UP TO 75, WILL WE BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE VENUE TO REHEARSE OUR CEREMONY ON A SEPARATE DAY?
While it’s important to rehearse, it’s not necessary to rehearse at Hope’s Way. For that reason, these single day rentals should plan for an offsite rehearsal. You are also welcome to bring anyone who would feel more comfortable understanding the venue to one of our open houses (such as your DJ, officiant, or familiarizing any little ones in the wedding party).
CAN WE DO A SPARKLER SEND-OFF?
We do allow a sparkler send-off, overseen by our staff present at your event. For safety reasons, sparklers are not to be left out accessible prior to conducting the send-off; our staff will assist your coordinator in setting up send-off at appropriate time. Sparklers must be lit at a distance of 10 yards away from the wooden barn.
CAN WE HAVE OUR CEREMONY SOMEWHERE ELSE ON THE PROPERTY OTHER THAN THE COURTYARD?
There are several places on the property that work for ceremonies. Please know, there is an additional fee for moving the ceremony benches, based upon the amount of bench seating we’re moving. Fee also includes benches moved back to courtyard following the event.
CAN VEHICLES BE LEFT OVERNIGHT?
We allow vehicles to be left overnight; they must be retrieved by 12p the next day. Please know, the entry gates will be secured shut between 11p - 7a, so guests should plan accordingly needing to drive their car to be at an airport early the next morning! HW also does not assume responsibility for vehicles or their contents.
CAN WE HOLD OUR RECEPTION WITH DANCING OUTSIDE IN THE COURTYARD? WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC?
Ceremony & cocktail hour music is permitted outside. But once your dance music begins, that is limited to the inside of the barn, and is to conclude by 10p, per our zoning.
WE’RE USING A RENTAL COMPANY. CAN THEY DROP OFF/PICK UP ITEMS OUTSIDE OF OUR RENTAL PERIOD?
Deliveries must take place during your venue hours of access, which includes your time here Friday. Please advise your vendors of this policy. Pick-ups by rental companies for some rental items may be scheduled, with prior permission from HW management, on Mondays between 10a & 2p.
CAN WE HAVE FIREWORKS ON THE PROPERTY?
Due to our proximity to the regional airport, fireworks, sky lanterns or similar are not permitted. We also want to keep the fire department happy!
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO YOU NEED OUR FINAL GUEST COUNT?
Three weeks, when your event plan setup is finalized/confirmed.
WHAT ABOUT CANDLES, DECORATING & OTHER CELEBRATORY MATERIALS?
Candles must be properly secured in non-flammable holders (candles on tables with cloths must be confined within wax drip preventing fire-safe holders).
No permanent features of the venue may be altered; no decorations supported by nails, tacks or screws without prior written approval. HW does not allow sawing, cutting, piercing (including stapling), gluing or taping of any parts of any structure; zip-ties, twine string & ribbon work best.
Use of confetti or flower petals requires the HW’s permission in advance of the your event.
HW does not permit smoke machines, helium balloons, traditional or metallic confetti or glitter inside the barn. Metallic confetti or glitter is not allowed outside the barn, either.
The beams at HW at very tall and only reachable by a lift. For this reason, prior, specific written approval from HW is required to decorate these in any way.
What is the best way to communicate?
Once your reservation has been made, emailing through your project file (we use Honeybook System) is always the best way to reach us. This keeps our communications in one place so nothing falls through the cracks!
WHAT IS HOPE’S WAY’S EVENT PLANNING PROCESS?
Approximately 8 months prior to your event, we’ll check to see if you’re ready to schedule your meeting; please reach out to us before that if you want to have your meeting sooner. To schedule this meeting, you’ll need to provide documentation confirming your required Day-Of Coordinator has been hired.
We’ll review your vendor info, linen choices, updates to estimated guest list size, & how you envision using your event spaces. We have some prior event templates available to get you started, or can start from scratch. We highly recommend having your Day-Of Coordinator attend this meeting with you, especially if they haven’t worked yet at HW.
Most couples complete this meeting with a pretty solid idea how they plan to use the spaces here. This will help guide the many other decisions you’ll be making. And, of course, we welcome your questions along the way throughout your planning.
DAY-OF EVENT
ARE WE ALLOWED TO BRING IN FOOD, BEVERAGES & ALCOHOL WHILE SETTING UP & GETTING READY?
Yes. But meals & bartending for your reserved event are to be handled through your professional vendors.
Family may keep own personal alcoholic beverages chilled in refrigerator while setting up for event but, all alcohol must be moved to bar prior to arrival of guests (exception is alcohol for a champagne toast being served by your caterer).
WHAT IF A GUEST BRINGS THEIR OWN ALCOHOL?
If any guest brings their own alcohol, it must be stored at the bar for them & served through the bartender. No private coolers, stashes or parking lot drinking will be permitted. All alcohol during your event must be stored in the bar service area & overseen by the bartending service.
IS THERE A CURFEW TIME?
Zoning restrictions require all event participants, other than Hope's Way staff, be exited the property by 11p on Saturdays.
ARE THERE OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS NEARBY?
Yes - Please see our list here.
WHAT IS THE EVENT CLEAN-UP PROCESS?
Before exiting Saturday night, any food & beverage waste must be cleared by you/your vendors from your reception tables (both food service & guest tables) & placed in waste receptacles.
By the final end of your rental period, anything & everything brought by you or your vendors must be removed from venue, with the exception of approved, pre-arranged pick-ups by other rental companies during the possible 10a-2p Mondays. Boxes left behind as trash are to be broken down.
Guest waste receptacles will be periodically checked throughout your event & emptied by HW staff. HW staff will also perform all routine post event cleaning, including removing tablecloths & stacking chairs.
