Welcome to the Lake Mary Events Center!   Contact Us: 407-324-3093 or 407-324-3097  
 
Lake Mary Events Center
CITY OF LAKE MARY
     
 
Frequently Asked Questions
 
  Please read below for the answers to many of our frequently asked questions. Please feel welcome to contact the Reservations Office at 407-324-3093 or 407-324-3097 if you have further questions, to make a booking, or schedule an appointment.  
     
     
  How far in advance can I book a rental?  
  Lake Mary Events Center currently books 18 months in advance. When making a reservation for 18 months in advance, booking opens the first business day of the month. Lake Mary city residents can book from 8:00am-2:00pm on the first business day of the month. At 2:00 pm, booking opens for non-residents as well. (Ex: You can book December 15, 2009 on June 1, 2008.)  
     
  Are my rates subject to change once I’ve signed a contract?  
  Contracts signed 12-18 months prior to the event date are subject to a rate increase not to exceed 10% of the contracted rate. Rates are no longer subject to change within 364 days of the event date.  
     
  What is the process for reserving a rental space?  
  All rentals are first come, first served. One-half of the Rental Fee and a signed Facility Use Contract will secure your date.  
     
  When can I come by to make my reservation?  
  Reservations may be made in person Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. It is recommended that you call to make an appointment.  
     
  Can you pencil me in for a rental?  
  Courtesy holds may be accepted and held for a maximum of seven (7) days, at which time the hold will expire without notice. Courtesy holds may be made in person or by telephone. It is not guaranteed that customers with courtesy holds will be contacted by the Reservations Office prior to the expiration of the courtesy hold. Courtesy holds will expire on the seventh (7th) day of the hold. No courtesy holds will be accepted on the first business day of the month when booking 18 months in advance.  
     
  Is there a damage or security deposit in addition to my rental charge?  
  Saturday, Sunday, Holiday, and Full Building rentals require a Damage Deposit of $500.00; all other individual rentals require a $200.00 Damage Deposit. These are due thirty (30) days prior to the event date. This Damage Deposit, when submitted, is deposited into the city’s general fund and will be returned via city check, usually within six (6) weeks following the event. Deductions may be made for damage, excessive cleaning, or time used beyond the contracted period.
Continuous Contracts require a Security Deposit of $200.00 and Homeowner Associations within the Lake Mary city limits require a $50 Security Deposit. Continuous Contract and Homeowner Association deposits may be forfeited for a “no show”, damage, excessive cleaning, or time used outside of the contracted period.
 
     
  How late can I stay?  
  The Select Caterers may have additional pre-arranged time to setup or cleanup prior to or following your event. However, your event must end and all guests must vacate the premises by the end of your rental period. We do not rent past 11:00 PM.  
     
  What if we’re having a great time and stay later than our rental period?  
  The standard hourly rental rate for each area rented will be doubled and charged for any time you are in the building past your rental period (no discounts will apply). No events past 11:00 PM.  
     
  Will I receive a refund if we leave early?  
  No. You must plan your event as accurately as possible.  
     
  Can I have candles?  
  Candles are permitted as long as the flame is enclosed in glass (such as votives and hurricane lamps) and the wick is at least 1 inch below the top of the glass rim – candles may also be used if floating in liquid. No hand held candles are permitted.  
     
  Can I choose my own vendors?  
  Caterers: All catering services must be provided by one of the listed Select Caterers. No other catering services are permitted. Kitchen facilities, including refrigerators and microwaves, are available ONLY to the Select Caterers.

Other Vendors (DJs, florists, etc.): You may choose your own DJ, florist, and other vendors. The City of Lake Mary does not recommend or endorse any vendors other than the Select Caterers.

 
     
  Can I have items delivered, such as from my caterer, florist, DJ, etc.?  
 

The building is in use seven days a week, often multiple times a day, and we have no storage space available for early deliveries.

Catered Events: Some allowances have been made for our Select Caterers to arrive prior to your rental period in order to set up. This must be coordinated with Center management and must respect and not interfere with the rental periods of other guests. Your other vendors (DJ, florist, photographer, etc.) may coordinate with your Select Caterer to make their deliveries and to set up during the pre-arranged time your caterer is setting up. If it is not possible to coordinate the deliveries and setup of other vendors with your Select Caterer, your other vendors must make their deliveries and set up during your allotted rental period.

Non-Catered Events: All deliveries and setup must occur only during your allotted rental period.

 
     
  Can I come anytime to view the building, meet my caterer or florist, etc.?  
  The building may be visited Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Please call the office before arriving to make sure the building is available; it may be in use.  
     
  Can I have a live DJ or band?  
  Yes. The City does have a noise ordinance that goes into effect at 10:00 PM, but as long as the exterior doors are kept closed, you should be okay. Please respect that the Events Center is in a residential area and keep noise levels outside of the building to a minimum at all times.  
     
  How many parking spaces are available?  
  The Center parking lots can accommodate 125 vehicles. However, other functions may be going on in the building and the amount of spaces available to your party is not guaranteed. Overflow parking is available for larger groups.  
     
  When do I hold my ceremony rehearsal?  
  Rental fees include a scheduled one (1) hour rehearsal for your ceremony. Rehearsals may be scheduled Monday-Thursday between 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM. Reservations for rehearsals are booked one month prior to the event date.  
     
  May I use a tent?  
  Yes, a tent may be rented from a vendor and placed on our Event Lawn. The Lakeside Ceremony Site fee will apply, except for Saturday, Sunday, Holiday, or Full Building rentals. The tent must be erected, taken down and removed during your allotted ceremony site/building rental time. Please contact the City Fire Marshall (407-585-1364) to ensure that the tent complies with fire ratings and for any further permitting requirements. A permit is required for tents larger than 10’ x 10’.  
     
  Can my flower girl throw rose petals?  
 

Lakeside Ceremony Site: Only the throwing, blowing, or releasing of biodegradable rice, bubbles, or butterflies may be used at the Lakeside Ceremony Site. Flower petals, birdseed, sparklers, etc., are not permitted. Silk flowers may be used for decorative purposes only, not to be dropped or thrown.

Rotunda: Only silk flowers or silk petals may be dropped or thrown in the Rotunda. Silk flowers or petals must be cleaned up by a member of the rental party immediately following the ceremony, regardless of the rental period duration. Rice of any kind, birdseed, natural flowers or petals, bubbles, butterflies, etc. may not be dropped, thrown, blown, or released.

 
     
  How may I decorate?  
 

Decorations are permitted within reason and must be approved by the Center management. Decorations are permitted only in the space you have reserved. It is the responsibility of the renter to remove ALL decorations immediately after your event.

The Lake Mary Events Center does not have storage facilities for your decorations prior to or following your event. Tape, tacks, nails, staples, etc. are not permitted to attach your decorations. Glitter and other confetti-like decorations are also prohibited.

 
     
  When do I pick up the key?  
  You will not be given a key. The City of Lake Mary requires that any time anyone is in the building, a City employee must be on premises and will only be scheduled to work during the hours of your rental and any pre-specified time required for a Select Caterer to set up and clean up.  
     
This site is the official website for the Lake Mary Events Center All Rights Reserved, © Copyright January 2008