Frequently Asked Questions
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We kindly request that all tours are scheduled by appointment only. We will not be able to accommodate guests who do not have a scheduled reservation.
Sugar Spring Ranch exclusively offers one event per day. There is no discount for ceremony only or reception only events.
Please email us at events@sugarspringranch.com so we can create your agreement and take the next step to secure your date with us!
Sugar Spring Ranch requires a $3,000 deposit and a signed agreement in order to secure your date. Your deposit will consist only of the initial costs, this includes the rental fee and your preferred food/beverage package with an estimated guest count. Discussion of dates does not guarantee a reservation. Rates are based on current pricing listed on our website, not the date of inquiry and are subject to change.
There will be a 25% payment due at 9 months and another 25% payment due at 6 months prior to your event with the final balance due 9 business days prior to the event and must be submitted during office hours. You are welcome to send smaller, partial payments of any amount prior to the specified date, so in effect creating your own payment plan on your own schedule, as long as the balance stated is submitted by the due date.
We can accept cash, check or card for all payments.
CASH PAYMENTS:
All cash payments must schedule an appointment during our office hours.
CARD PAYMENTS:
Please call our banquet manager if you would like to pay by card. There is a 3.5% processing fee for all credit card payments.
CHECK PAYMENTS:
Please send/drop off any check payments to Sugar Spring Ranch. This can be dropped off in a sealed envelope and placed in our mailbox. Be sure to include your event date followed by "SSR" for a reservation at Sugar Spring Ranch. We will not be able to accept any check without this memo note.
(Check Memo Example: MM/DD/YY "SSR")
Illinois charges a 7.5% tax to all items. A 20% service charge is only added to food and beverage items. This covers the additional costs and fees associated with these services (i.e. delivery charges, cleaning fees, set up fees, order minimums, etc.) Gratuity is not included and is never expected, but always appreciated!
Yes! The Ranch is completely air conditioned and fully heated in the winter. There are fans in the Ceremony Pavillion that add extra comfort during summer ceremonies. When the hydraulic glass door is open, fans inside the venue can be turned on to provide constant air flow. Sugar Spring Ranch features a heated floor to keep guests extra cozy in the winter season!
Yes! Your guests will appreciate our spacious ADA approved restrooms located inside our gorgeous venue.
Yes, we have high-speed internet at Sugar Spring Ranch, so you can snap, post and stream your sweetest day ever!
Yes, Sugar Spring Ranch does have two getting ready suites where those in your wedding party can prepare for the day. You will have access to these rooms prior to the ceremony. The suites are closed after the ceremony and there will not be access to these rooms during or after the reception. A closet is provided to store personal belongings and decor boxes throughout the reception.
The day of coordinator is responsible for,
- Oversee and direct all venue related tasks.
- Coordinate the ceremony walkthrough with those in the wedding procession, if applicable.
- Initiate communication with vendors prior to the day of to confirm timelines as well as discuss other important details.
- Ensure the event space is set to the agreed upon floor plan between the booked couple and the venue prior to the day of venue access time. This includes the set up of tables, chairs, table linen, and other items provided by Sugar Spring Weddings & Events.
- Assist with vendor arrivals and coordinate locations for set up.
- Manage and communicate details with bar staff, venue hosts/hostesses and our in-house catering team. Coordinator will provide guidance for any approved outside catering teams.
- Manage and guide the confirmed itinerary.
- Confirm ceremony logistics with your officiant, if applicable.
- Line up and direct those in the wedding procession down the aisle for the ceremony. Ceremony duties may include, cueing the DJ for music changes, dismissing the wedding party down the aisle, and fluffing the bridal gown, if applicable.
- Welcome and direct guests in and out of the venue.
- Line up and direct wedding party for the grand entrance announcement.
- Dismiss tables for a buffet style dinner.
- Coordinate the Sugar Spring team in gathering all items borrowed from Sugar Spring Weddings & Events towards the end of the reception.
- Available for any venue related questions during the ceremony and reception.
The day of coordinator is not responsible for,
- Moving/rearranging any tables or chairs. A custom floor plan is created and finalized between the booked couple and their day of coordinator a few weeks prior to the day.
- Assist with the set up or display of any personal decorations not offered by Sugar Spring Weddings & Events. This includes but is not limited to, table décor, arbors, unity ceremonies, centerpieces, seating charts and/or table place cards, cake or dessert tables, gifts and gift table, etc. We recommend investing in a well seasoned decorator for assistance with any personal decorations on your day.
- Operating the DJ booth or performing any announcements. This includes but is not limited to announcing, the wedding party, special dances, toasts, cake cutting, bouquet/garter toss, etc. Your licensed/insured Band or DJ is responsible for making all announcements and operating the DJ booth.
- Packing up or transporting any personal belongings.
Yes, you can decorate the barn to your liking. There are some exceptions including but not limited to, no glitter, balloons, bubbles, rice or confetti as they pose a risk of damaging or harming our property and the surrounding environment/wildlife, only LED candles are permitted, no glassware is allowed outdoors, flower petals tossed indoors must be faux florals, flower petals tossed outdoors must be real/live florals or biodegradable. Live/real florals included, centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, etc. are permitted but must be cut and assembled before arrival. All additional items must be self-standing and nothing can puncture the floor, walls, ceiling, outdoor land or any additional items owned by our company. Command strips, nails, and staples are not permitted. We do not allow anything to be hung from the chandeliers.
You are welcome to begin decorating as soon as your venue access time begins. Since our venue often has Friday, Saturday, and Sunday reservations, we do not permit any personal decorations/items/belongings to be brought onto the property prior to your given venue access time nor can we hold any personal belongings until the following day(s) after an event. Any rentals from any outside companies must be delivered and picked up within your venue rental timeframe.
If you require extra set up time the morning of your event, additional hours may be purchased beginning at 8AM. For weddings with extensive set up and design, please inquire for weekend buyout rates or if you plan on having a Friday event, please ask us about our 2 day rental special.
Yes, pets are allowed outside at Sugar Spring Ranch. Pets are not allowed inside the reception hall. Please request our Animal Acknowledgement Form from your day of coordinator to ensure all guidelines are followed.
Fireworks are not allowed at our venue.
Sparklers are permitted with a few rules,
Sparklers must be given to your day of coordinator the morning of your special day. Sparklers must be unwrapped and place in the container you would like them to be distributed in.
Sugar Spring staff will distribute and light sparklers at the designated time.
One sparkler is allowed per adult. Sparkler sendoff is limited to those in the wedding procession.
Children are not permitted to participate in send offs with sparklers.
Sparkler send off's must be approved by your day of coordinator prior to finalizing venue details.
No, outside alcohol cannot be brought onto the Sugar Spring Ranch property due to our liquor license. Our company will provide all bar and beverage services.
If you choose our preferred caterer, Sugar Spring will communicate your details and selections with the caterer, distribute payments, and manage the catering team day of.
If you choose an approved outside caterer, you are responsible for communicating your details, selections, and payments with the caterer. Sugar Spring will confirm details with the caterer and provide guidance in the venue.
Yes, we do allow outside catering at Sugar Spring Ranch. We take $15 off the package of your choice, if you proceed with an outside caterer. Caterers must be licensed, insured, and approved by our management team at least 6 months prior to the event date. Sugar Spring Weddings & Events has the right to refuse approval for any catering company.
Group tastings are offered with Sugar Spring Weddings & Events. Once your date is secured, you may RSVP to a tasting. Click on the "Events" page and scroll to see which date works best for you.
Our company does offer a preferred vendors list to assist in your planning process, all who have previous experience with our venues and staff. These vendors are who we recommend to help you have the smoothest day! We do welcome you to choose vendors from this list who match your style and whom you enjoy working with.
DJ's must be selected from our preferred vendor list.
Bands must be licensed, insured, and approved by our management team. Band members do count as guests.
All food vendors must be licensed, insured and approved by our management team per local health department guidelines.
Proof of licensing and insurance will be required.
While we recommend all of your vendors are insured, you are welcome to choose your own photographer, videographer, florist, etc. These vendors do not have to be selected from our preferred vendor list.
Yes, Sugar Spring Ranch specializes in hosting continuous itinerary events. We have listed a few sample itineraries below. Please keep in mind the time of sunset when planning your itinerary as well.
SAMPLE A:
5:30PM - Ceremony
6:00PM-10:00PM - Reception
- This is a popular itinerary for those who do not wish to add a cocktail hour and/or are having a first look.
SAMPLE B:
5:30PM - Ceremony
6:00PM-7:00PM - Cocktail Hour
7:00PM-11:00PM - Reception
- This is a popular itinerary for Friday & Saturday dates.
SAMPLE C:
4:30PM - Ceremony
5:00PM-6:00PM - Cocktail Hour
6:00PM-10:00PM - Reception
- This is a popular itinerary for dates with an earlier sunset time and/or Sunday dates.
SAMPLE D:
4:30PM - Ceremony
5:00PM-9:00PM - Reception
- This is a popular itinerary for those who do not wish to add a cocktail hour and/or Sunday-Thursday dates.
One meeting is included with your day of coordinator to discuss details relating to the venue. This meeting can be held in person or over the phone. Your day of coordinator will discuss your bar/menu selections, ceremony/reception details, additional items, and itinerary. The day of coordinator will reach out to you a few months prior to your date, around the 3 month mark, to schedule the venue details meeting.
A 50 minute ceremony walkthrough is included. This is considered a "practice run" for those in the wedding procession prior to your big day. This will be scheduled with your day of coordinator on the Thursday prior to your scheduled date, but may adjust due to holidays. We highly recommend and welcome you to ask your officiant to attend your ceremony walkthrough.
The rehearsal dinner is a separate event which traditionally follows directly after the ceremony walkthrough. This is traditionally the time to invite your families, out of town guests, and those in the wedding procession for an additional meal before the wedding day. While this is not included in our package pricing, we do offer rehearsal dinner packages at Sugar Spring South & Sugar Spring Manor. Please email events@sugarspringranch.com for more information.
All details will be finalized 10 business day prior to your date. Our business days are Monday-Thursday. Final details must be submitted by noon on the day specified by your day of coordinator.