Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity of the venue?
For most events that involve dancing, we can accommodate up to 300 guests. For some events such as corporate functions, we can accommodate up to 400 guests
What is the venue fee?
Our website www.SongRiverMonroe.com/price displays the most updated venue rental pricing. There is a $1,000 refundable damage deposit in addition to the venue rental base price. .
What is included in the venue fee?
12-hour access
Temperature-controlled venue
The Space: 2 get-ready suites, beautiful entryway, large main stage, smaller candle stage for cakes or photobooths, Prep Kitchen, large Crystal Bar, 2 large bathrooms
Access to over a thousand stylish items in our decor room for FREE
Banquet tables, Chiavari chairs
Pressed cream table linen
Beautiful uplights to match your decor and colors
On-site dumpster (no need to take trash home with you!), as well as trash bins and bags which catering and bar staff may use throughout the event.
Song River staff is on-site throughout the event to ensure that any facility needs or questions are attended to
What are the venue hours?
Our business hours and the standard rental period are 11 AM to 11 PM. This means everyone, including vendors, must leave by 11 PM.
You can rent additional time at $500/hour.
What form of payment do you accept?
We take cash, checks, Zelle, and Venmo. We no longer accept credit cards
Does Song River have outdoor spaces?
Song River is an elegant, versatile indoor venue. However, if you are looking for outdoor photo opportunities nearby pre or post-ceremony, we suggest visiting Lewis Street Park which is half a mile down Lewis Street (a 2-minute drive) and offers views of the Skykomish River. We also suggest taking photos in downtown Monroe, which is located right outside our doorstep…
Are there hotels and accommodations nearby?
There are several hotels about half a mile from Song River. Song River clients have also reported finding suitable Airbnb rentals for larger groups within a couple of miles.
Do we need to purchase our own event insurance?
Event insurance is required for all events. This gives you extra protection and peace of mind should there be significant damages or injuries during your event. We recommend www.eventhelper.com or www.wedsafe.com
Please remember to name Song River as the venue on the insurance policy.
Are there vendor restrictions?
You are welcome to bring your own vendors.
Song River provides a list of preferred vendors to clients who have signed contracts. These are vendors we trust, who have worked at our venue previously.
Caterers, bartenders, and DJs must be Washington State licensed and insured as these carry the highest liability. We highly encourage you to hire other vendors who are licensed and insured.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
Yes! This is a great way to save money since you can have the alcohol at cost.
We follow WA State liquor law. Clients who wish to have alcohol at their events must:
Hire a bartending service who is (1) Washington State licensed, and (2) can supply their liquor liability insurance. This bartending service must provide licensed bartenders to serve all alcoholic beverages
Per Washington State Law, clients must also purchase a banquet permit. This can be obtained at https://lcb.wa.gov/licensing/online-banquet-permit for about $10.
Are there any restrictions on catering and event staffing?
Caterers should be licensed and insured
Catering event staff must be available during the event to clear tables and help with food/drinks cleanup. This is usually provided by catering.
If your caterer does not provide event staffing to bus and clean tables, please make sure you hire event staff.
Can we have a pot-luck meal or bring our own home-cooked food?
While we love home-cooked meals, our extensive experience with weddings and events shows that potluck and home-cooked meals do not have the same level of service that a professional catering company can provide. Therefore, food must be served by a licensed and insured catering business
We do allow homemade and store-bought desserts.
Who does the cleaning and set-up?
Song River clients and vendors are responsible for removing all items not belonging to Song River at the end of the event. This includes ensuring that tables are cleared at the end of the night (food and drinks are put in trash cans or in to-go boxes and taken away), all borrowed decor is returned to the venue, and all personal decor is removed.
Song River will take care of the heavy-duty cleaning, including sweeping, mopping, and bathroom clean-up. Vendors are asked to clean the spaces in which they may have left messes, such as the kitchen or bar.
If there are excessive cleaning needs, Song River reserves the right to charge a minimum of $500 extra.
Where can vendors load/unload?
We have an alleyway entrance to the building that also provides access to a ramp for dollies, carts, wheelchairs, or strollers. Vendors typically prefer to use this entrance as it provides direct access to either the kitchen or the ballroom side of the venue.
Can we bring our own decorations?
While Song River provides a large selection of decorations that clients can borrow for free, clients are always welcome to bring their own.
Decorations provided by a professional Decorator or Florist should be dropped off and cleaned up during the 12-hour rental time, or according to the total time outlined in the contract.
We do not allow decorations to be nailed or attached to walls creating damage to our walls or property.
Does Song River Staff decorate the space?
While we provide you with a large selection of decor for free, we do not decorate.
Song River has an in-house florist and would be happy to assist you with any of your floral needs. Please reach out to us for more info on pricing and services.
Does Song River provide a day-of coordinator?
Song River does not provide planners or day-of coordinators
Every event is required to have a coordinator who can help you handle all aspects of your weddings or events. This person can be a hired professional, a family member, or a friend.
Song River provides a facility staff member who will be present throughout your whole event. This means that we are responsible for your initial set-up of tables, chairs, and linens according to the floor plan that was reviewed and decided on during your 1-month pre-event walk-through. Song River staff ensures that the facilities are kept clean and safe, which includes the bathrooms.
Does Song River help with the “flip” between ceremony and reception?
Yes! We provide a flip, or transition, between ceremony and reception for weddings of up to 150 guests. We are able to do this in a reasonable amount of time, about 15-20 minutes, depending on the complexity of your decor and floor plan.
Typically, right after the ceremony, guests are invited to the bar for a cocktail or social hour, while our team transforms the ceremony into a reception space. Most of the time, guests are having fun mingling and enjoying drinks, and may not even notice the transformation until it is complete.
How far in advance do I need to notify you if I would like to order Linen?
While we provide pressed ivory table linen, you always have the option to order different colors and styles from other vendors
If you are using our linen, you will need to make this order during the final walk-through, which typically happens about 1 month before your event.
What is allowed for our celebratory send-off?
Please reach out to us with your ideas. We ask you to be respectful of the property and future weddings and refrain from using items that are hard to clean up and/or may cause slip and fire hazards.
Examples of prohibited items include glitter, confetti, birdseed, rice, sparklers etc.
Is there a dance floor?
Absolutely! Song River has the largest dance floor in Snohomish County!
Where do guests park?
We have a small parking lot that can accommodate about 6-8 cars. This is usually reserved for vendors such as the DJ, caterer, bartender, decorator, and anyone that the client allows the day of. This is due to the direct access to the ramp for loading and unloading.
Guests can find free street parking. There are over 250 parking spaces within a 2-block radius of the venue, which is about 100 steps from our doors.
We have disabled/accessible parking spaces with a ramp on the side of the building.
Can we bring pets?
We review this on a case-by-case basis, so please ask us.
What are your Covid-19 protocols?
We follow all state and federal requirements/mandates
What is your cancellation policy?
When you sign a contract with Song River, you have claimed that day and time, thereby making it unavailable for any other possible or future clients who may also be interested in that same date. When you sign with us, we lose those opportunities - which is great because we are now contracted with you!
If you decide to cancel the agreement at any time, please consider the following (which is outlined in the Song River Rental Agreement)
Clients may cancel their Agreement at any time up to 270 days prior to the Event Date by providing written notice of such election to Song River, at which point the Client will have to forfeit 50% of the total costs and any expenses incurred by Lessor.
For cancellations within 270 days prior to Event Date, the Client will be charged 100% of the total costs and any expenses incurred by Song River.
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We love our clients, and we do everything we can to ensure that they have the best experience with us from start to finish. We look forward to working with you!