New Policy 2024:

The use of outside catering services is no longer permitted for new contracts.

All alcohol must be served by the catering company. Beer, wine, and liquor are permitted and may be provided by the client or purchased directly through the catering company, dependent upon each catering company’s policies. A banquet permit is required for all events at the Gardens.

Due to changes in our catering policies in 2024, please refer to your venue contract to confirm whether outside catering companies are allowed for your event.

Partnered companies are companies that have been vetted by us and who have pre-signed our catering agreement which lists venue policies and requirements pertaining to food, bar, and beverage service. Outside companies are companies that are not partnered or pre-approved. They must abide by and agree to the same requirements as our partnered companies, including providing full-service experience. Read more below regarding a detailed explanation of full-service catering and our approval process.

RCG reserves the right to deny any outside catering or bartending company. If approved, a fee is required. There is no fee for using a partnered catering company. Requests for an outside company must be submitted no later than six months before the wedding date. All outside catering or bar service companies must be approved before they can operate on-site.

Catering fee: $750, Bar service fee: $250. If the catering company also manages the bar service, there will not be a separate bar service fee.

Submit Outside Catering Request

Ladder Policy

Under no circumstances will RCG provide ladders. Please come prepared if your design requires the use of a ladder.

Decor Handling

RCG is responsible for RCG decor exclusively; such as the pergola drapery and chandelier, and RCG-provided tables and chairs. Our staff will not manage the setup or takedown of outside decorations.

Attachment Guidelines

Nothing may be nailed, tacked, stapled, taped, or otherwise affixed to RCG property without prior arrangements. Tape or adhesive of any kind is prohibited in the reception courtyard and ceremony location as tape of any kind causes permanent damage to sealed concrete surfaces. Questions? Contact us.

Candle Usage

Lit candles, including tea lights and taper candles, are permitted if placed in a vase or votive that contains both the candle and flame, capturing all wax. Spilled wax will result in a minimum $150 deduction from the security deposit. Any other form of open flames, such as fire pits, are not allowed.

Prohibited Items

The use of rice, birdseed, glitter, confetti, Mylar cut-out decor, and artificial flower petals is strictly prohibited. If fresh flower petals are used, they must be promptly picked up after the ceremony.

Floral and Decor Removal

The florist must handle the takedown of all decor items. If the client is approved for self-takedown, especially for the pergola requiring a ladder, event insurance must be on file. 

All floral and decor must be removed from the property by the end of the contracted time. Disposal of items onsite is not permitted.

Floating or Released Objects

Objects, including but not limited to balloons and floating lanterns, are strictly prohibited from being released into the air. RCG is situated in a no-fly zone, making all floating or released objects illegal. Failure to comply with this regulation may result in the forfeiture of the entire Security Deposit.

Decor Installations

Approval is required for any request to attach floral arrangements or decor to the reception tent and/or chandeliers. Below are the steps and requirements needed to obtain this approval. Please note that no items may be attached to the tent without prior authorization.

Noise Consideration

• Due to our location in a residential area, we must adhere to local noise ordinances and be considerate of our neighbors.

• Please ensure that sound levels are kept at a respectable volume throughout the event.

• Position speakers to point away from the tree line.

• Bass boxes and subwoofers are not allowed to be used.

Volume Control

• The Gardens staff and catering staff reserve the right to require volume adjustments at any time during the event.

• Non-compliance with volume adjustments may result in immediate termination of the music.

Music Hours

• Music should conclude promptly by 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and by 9:00 PM on Sundays through Thursdays unless otherwise specified in the client’s venue contract.

• Failure to comply with these timeframes may lead to deductions from the client's security deposit.

• The client is responsible for conveying these time constraints to the DJ before the event.

Music Locations

• There is one dedicated location for the DJ setup in the ceremony location.

• There are two dedicated locations for the DJ setup in the reception tent, depending on where the dancing is taking place.

• The location for music set up for each area (ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception) will be determined during the Client’s RCG final pre-wedding meeting and will be documented in the final layout.

• Each location has a dedicated power supply and table.

• Tape or adhesive of any kind is prohibited in the reception courtyard and ceremony location as tape of any kind causes permanent damage to sealed concrete surfaces.

• The Gardens does not provide sound equipment or tenting. Please plan accordingly.

Additional Services

If the DJ is providing services other than music such as, but not limited to, fog machines, cold sparklers, CO2 guns, or additional lighting, please contact the office as some items may require approval.

Live Bands

Live bands may only perform with prior authorization. Please email your request to office@rcgvenue.com. Upon receipt of the request, the Gardens office will contact the band directly.

Pre-Event Visit

We encourage your selected DJ or band to visit the Gardens before your wedding day.

Please have them contact our office to schedule a meeting.

View the property map below for outlet and speaker locations.

A licensed, professional Day of Coordinator is required for all weddings at the Gardens.

We offer an in-house Day-of-Coordination service for an additional fee, providing a unique insight into the Gardens. Learn more

Outside DOCs are also permitted, provided they meet our policy criteria.

A DOC must provide no less than the following:

• Works with couple no later than 2 months (8 weeks) before the wedding date

• Creates detailed wedding day timeline

• Involved in venue pre-wedding meeting

• Attends and directs rehearsal

• Manages timeline on the wedding day

• Point of contact for vendors, including the RCG Venue Host

• The Day of Coordinator must checkout and sign off with an RCG Venue Host at the end of the event.

Couples must submit their Day-of-Coordinator (DOC) information no later than two months before the wedding date. The Gardens may request copies of the DOC's business license, insurance, and other relevant documents. If these items are not provided or do not meet our policy standards, the DOC will not be permitted on-site.

Due to changes in our policies for 2024, please refer to your venue contract to confirm whether a DOC is required for your event.

New Policy 2024:

An event insurance policy is required through Event Insurance Now. This policy typically costs approximately $285* and is the client's responsibility.

Clients are responsible for obtaining, at their expense, event insurance through Event Insurance Now.

Wedding Liability Insurance coverage with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 general aggregate on a combined single limit basis is required.

Coverage shall include but not be limited to:

premises and operation, products/completed operations, personal injury, blanket contractual, liquor liability with limits of $1,000,000.

Rock Creek Gardens, its agents, assigns and affiliated companies shall be included as additional insured on a primary non-contributory basis.

Coverage shall be issued on a CG0001 General Liability form. A certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage shall be provided to Rock Creek Gardens including actual additional insured endorsement evidencing such coverage thirty (30) days before the Event Date.

The client acknowledges that a primary and noncontributory endorsement is unique and must be specifically selected online.** Client agrees that ADDITIONAL INSURED on your policy must read exactly as follows:

Rock Creek Gardens
11421 164th St E
Puyallup, WA 98374

Due to changes in our policies for 2024, please refer to your venue contract to confirm whether Event Insurance is required for your event.

*This rate is an estimate determined by the provided based on varying factors. RCG is not responsible for the Client's final cost.

**This is required and will increase the base cost for the policy.

View a step-by-step guide on purchasing insurance HERE.

• Kindly inform the office if children are included in your guest list.

• Guests should follow playground rules posted.

• Children should never be left unattended.

• Children's activities can sometimes lead to unintended damage, which may affect the security deposit.

• Prioritize guest safety by being mindful of the water features on the property.

• Relocation of rocks or other landscape features will result in a reduced security deposit.

• Understand that the designated Point of Contact and/or DOC will be the primary person for any issues related to children during the event.

• If necessary, we may ask the DJ to make an announcement reminding parents to keep a watchful eye on their children.

• If issues with children continue, guests may be asked to the leave property.

• The wedding party house is solely for the use of the wedding party and close family members.

• RCG has two designated smoking areas; one is located near the LOVE sign and the other is located in the parking lot near the reception area.

Upper pond This small pond is located adjacent to the terrace.

Bistro or cocktail table Small round table at an elevated height.

Terrace Elevated space located off the rear of the wedding party house that overlooks the ceremony space. The terrace is often used for cocktail hour or micro wedding receptions.

Resin Chairs High-quality plastic white chairs provided by RCG.

Courtyard gazebo Covered structure on a platform located adjacent to the reception tent. Often used for bar service.

Self-parking Parking is managed by the guests themselves. A parking attendant is not provided. For guest counts of 200 or more, a parking attendant is suggested.

SD Hold Security Deposit hold. The hold is placed on the credit card on file the week of the wedding and is released upon completion of the event assuming there are no damages or fees.

DOC Day of Coordinator. Learn more…

Venue Host (VH) A Venue Host is a Gardens-focused employee who is present during the event to ensure all venue-related items are handled. Such as vendor questions, troubleshooting, restroom upkeep, etc.

Checkout Person A designated person to walk the property at the end of the evening with the VH and sign the checkout form on behalf of the couple.

Pre-wedding Meeting Every couple schedules a “pre-wedding meeting” virtually or in person about 2-3 weeks before their wedding date. This mandatory meeting is required to solidify all the final details that we need as a venue to execute the day.

Wedding Details Form The form is created and completed at the pre-wedding meeting, listing out all things that RCG provides, including decor options and table/chair counts. It is meant to be shared with any vendor that would find it helpful.