FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WE HAVE ANSWERS
What is included in the venue rental fee?
We want to provide the ultimate guest experience. In doing so, our venue rental fee includes private “getting ready” rooms. Each venue offers a luxury bridal suite with stylist station, private bathroom and a comfy sitting area for our brides and wedding party to get ready. Also, each venue offers a Grooms Quarter with The Abbey’s Grooms Quarter designed as the “ultimate man cave” including a bar, flat screen TV, ping pong table and lounge area.
Another inclusion is dedicated outdoor space*in season to host your outdoor cocktail hour. The Abbey’s English-designed courtyard is a private haven for our guests to enjoy as they wish. The Hyde’s terrace is designed with more of an urban and modern feel for our guest’s enjoyment.
Are tables/chairs included in the rental fee?
Yes, we are excited to offer a St. James Signature Rental Collection, featuring exclusively-designed chairs, cocktail tables and a selection of dining tables to create your ideal floor plan. The tables provide do require a linen and that is rented through your caterer. We also offer an extended selection of event furnishings for an additional fee to customize your wedding vision. Our wooden dining table collection and pub tables made out of our reclaimed church pews are our most popular rental, in addition to our French marble cocktail tables with an antique brass rim and bistro base. All exclusive to St James 1868 Signature Rental Collection.
St. James has two signature venues, The Abbey and The Hyde. If both spaces are rented, will there be any issue with guest overlap or noise?
We are fortunate that each venue space is in a separate building yet connected, so noise is not an issue. Each venue space has a dedicated entrance and outdoor space. Please note, the Hyde entrance is located through the Abbey courtyard gates so we have created 6 foot boxwood walls to create a private barrier separating the Abbey Courtyard from the Hyde pathway to further reduce any guest overlap/interaction.
Do you have a exclusive caterers?
Yes, we have a list of exclusive caterers you can work with giving you menu options and multiple price points.
Do you offer a Ceremony rental at St James 1868?
Yes, we offer 2 options for ceremony rentals. The first is to ADD an onsite ceremony to a reception rental and the second is to rent the Abbey for a wedding ceremony. For ceremony only rentals the peak season rental time begins at 9am and ends at 2pm. A one hour rehearsal is included and based upon availability. Please contact our Events Team for further details and pricing.
What is the rain plan for the outdoor spaces?
Unfortunately Wisconsin weather and mother nature can create challenges which is why we have reduced the number of guests in each venue for onsite ceremony and reception rentals for indoor room flips. There are multiple options so we are happy to talk those through with you during your tour.
Do you offer Event Planning?
Our event staff is in charge of overseeing the wedding details directly related to the venue, assisting with arrival of vendors and a personal greeting for each guests at the steps of St James. We do offer a Month of Coordinator for an additional fee to assist with timeline management, lining up your processional, greeting your guests, attending to your personal needs, etc . We highly encourage all our couples to hire an Event Planner or Month of Coordinator to ensure seamless execution of your memorable day. Please inquire for pricing or Event Planner recommendations.
In terms of décor, what are we permitted to bring into your space?
We highly encourage customizing your event experience with design and décor. As a certified historic building we do have some limitations, so all décor must be pre-approved. No nails, balloons, staples, tacks, glue, tape, confetti, or glitter are permitted. Candles are permitted on tables as long as they are contained within a glass container. No open flame candles are permitted on the ground, only battery operated candles are permitted on the aisle for a ceremony. Please remember your Event Rental time also includes set up and take down of outside rentals. Floral and décor installations can take hours to set up and take down so please share your design vision so we can assist with recommendations.
Do you only work with your list of preferred vendors or can we bring in outside vendors?
Our preferred vendor list is meant to assist with suggestions, you are open to choose any vendor of your choice that has proof of liability insurance. Our catering vendors are the only exclusive vendors we require our couples choose from which offer a variety of cuisine and price point options.
Do you include any AV/tech assistance?
In each venue we have inhouse speakers and 2 wireless microphones. We work with a few talented local AV companies who can assist you with any additional AV needs.
Are there any load-in restrictions that we should be aware of?
If the venues are rented separately, load-in and load-out will be coordinated on a tight schedule. Vendors will have elevator access for all levels.
What are the parking options at St. James?
We are fortunate to have many parking options for our guests. Next to St. James 1868 we have an adjacent lot that is available for a full lot buyout to rent with 45 parking spaces and can easily accommodate up to a 150 guest list. The lot is reserved through St James 1868 and is available upon request. There are also two City of Milwaukee public surface lots, the Library Lot and the Wells Fargo Lot your guests can pay to park. Street parking is free on weekdays after 5pm and free all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Valet parking is highly recommended during the winter months and for larger events. Please inquire with our Events Team for further details and current rates.
Is the property handicap accessible?
Yes! Our entire property is handicap accessible. There is a ramp located on the west side of the building off Wisconsin Avenue. The handicap accessible door is located through the courtyard and our elevator is accessible to all floors to each venue.