Banquet Policies

Food and Beverage Arrangements:
Fresh Thyme Catering is the exclusive Caterer for the Cobblestone Banquet Center.  All food and beverage requirements will be arranged though Fresh Thyme Catering and must be finalized (3) three weeks prior to your event.  At that point, Fresh Thyme Catering reserves the right to choose an appropriate menu for you, should these requirements not be finalized.  Fresh Thyme Catering will provide you with an event order outlining the details that have been confirmed.

No food or beverage of any kind may be brought into the Cobblestone Banquet Center with the exception of wedding cakes. If you choose to supply your own cakes, a $1.00 per person cake cutting fee will be charged.

Menu pricing is subject to change, but will be guaranteed sixty days prior to your event.

Fresh Thyme Catering has partnered with Martha’s Vineyard to provide all alcoholic beverages. All such beverages will be quoted by Martha’s Vineyard. Fresh Thyme Catering and the Cobblestone Banquet Center reserve the right to refuse alcoholic beverage service to any person whom appears to be intoxicated.

Food and Beverage service will cease 30 minutes prior to the end of your confirmed rental period.

Because of the possibility of temperature abuse in transporting food which may result in unsafe and unhealthy conditions, we do not allow any leftover food from your event be taken home. This policy has been initiated due to the Health Department’s concerns of food-borne illnesses.

Service Charges and Taxes:
A 20% service charge and 6% sales tax will be applied to all food and beverage. Rentals will also incur the 6% sales tax.

Our service team will arrive approximately two to three hours prior to guest’s arrival and allows for five hours of service, from time of guest arrival to time of guest departure.  If additional service is required you will be billed $25.00 per server per hour.

Deposit/Method of Payment:
A non-refundable deposit is due with signed contract to consider the above arrangements definite.  Additional non-refundable deposits are required as outlined below:

~$25% of the remaining balance is due 6 months prior
~$25% of the remaining balance is due 3 months prior
~The remaining estimate of your balance is due by the day of your event

Payments may be made with cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

These deposits will be applied toward your total charges.  Should the final bill be below deposits previously taken, a refund in the difference will be returned to you. Should consumption be higher than the deposits previously taken, the difference will be due to the Cobblestone Banquet Center at the conclusion of the event.

At the time of final payment, a credit card authorization form must be completed and be on file to guarantee any unforeseen charges.

Guarantee Policy / Room Set up Requirements:
In arranging for private functions, the attendance must be guaranteed by 12noon, (5) business days prior to your event.  This number will be considered a guarantee, not subject to reduction or cancellation, and you will be charged for this guarantee, or the actual attendance, whichever is higher.  If the guarantee is not given, the numbers on the event order will be considered the guarantee. It is also imperative that all room set-up requirements are submitted by this time. Changes requested after the room has already been set according to specifications previously arranged will be subject to a $50.00-$150.00 reset charge that must be paid on day of event.

Special Licenses:
If you are hosting a raffle, bingo game, or setting up gaming tables, a copy of your approved Michigan Charitable Gaming License must be submitted to the Cobblestone Banquet Center (5) business days prior to your event.

Cancellation:
All deposits received, as outlined in the above schedule, will be forfeited should you cancel the event, in writing, after the signed contract has been received by the Cobblestone Banquet Center. In the event of last minute cancellations, prior to actual room set up, the Cobblestone Banquet Center will waive all service charges and will donate all prepared food products to a designated charity. The client will be billed for all menu charges and sales tax, as well as any supplemental rental charges, which may not be cancelled. The client is entitled to any contribution receipts.

Decorations, Vendors, Entertainment etc:
All displays or exhibits, if any, must conform to local fire authority specifications and cannot be tacked or taped to walls or ceilings.

Certain decorations will not be permitted inside the Cobblestone Banquet Center.  Your Catering Manager will provide you with a list of approved décor.

Your Catering Manager will be pleased to assist with any floral, décor or entertainment needs.  Should you decide to contract these services yourself, we do request that your vendors sign a “vendor agreement” form, which outlines the guidelines on delivery, teardown and cleanup.  The Cobblestone Banquet Center will also require a copy of their insurance. Should your vendor leave without cleaning up properly, you will be responsible for any additional labor charges to restore room to prior condition.  Additionally, you will be responsible to any damages done to the facilities by the vendor during the period they are under your control, or the control of contractors hired by you and/or your organization.

If you have contracted with musicians or entertainers for your event, they must bring their own equipment (sound equipment, speakers, amplifiers, microphones, extension cords, music stands, etc.)  All entertainment must cease 30 minutes prior to the end of your confirmed rental period.  This allows for dismantling equipment & vacating the premises.

Force Majeure:
The parties performance under this contract is subject to Acts of God, war, governmental authority, terrorism, disaster, strikes, civil disorder, curtailment of transportation or transportation facilities, or any other emergency beyond the parties control, making it inadvisable, illegal or which materially affects a party’s ability to perform its obligations under this contract.  Either party may terminate this contract, without liability, for one or more of such reasons upon written notice to the other party within (3) days of such occurrence or receipt of notice of any of the above occurrences.

Risk of Loss:
The Cobblestone Banquet Center will not be held responsible for any lost or stolen items left in the facility before, during or following your event. Please do not leave valuables unattended.

Smoking Policy:
The Cobblestone Banquet Center is a smoke-free environment; Guests should be informed prior to their arrival.  Guests wishing to smoke may do so only outside where receptacles are located.