2016 Most Frequently Asked Wedding Questions
If we are thinking about booking a Wedding at TRF, may we tour the Wedding venues?
Yes, we meet at the TRF Main Office located at 21778 FM 1774 Todd Mission, Texas 77363 and tour the site as a group. The tour provides a chance for the Bride, Groom, and family to meet face to face with our Wedding Staff and ask any questions. We will tour rain or shine. The schedule for 2016 is as follows:
May 14th, June 11th, July 30th, & August 27th
Please call 800.458.3435 or email to make a reservation for you, your wedding party, parents, and/or photographer. Video cameras are welcome.
How do I reserve my Wedding Date?
You may book your Wedding before you come to the tour by sending the 50% non-refundable deposit with a completed Wedding Reservation Agreement. Please check time and date availability with the Wedding Coordinator. The deposit reserves your date and time.
What about a rehearsal?
There are no on site rehearsals before your ceremony. We suggest that you attend a tour before your Wedding. If you feel that you need a rehearsal before your ceremony, measurements of our Wedding Venues are available to enable you to set up a mock venue off-site. Be assured that our Wedding Staff will be with you from the moment you arrive until you walk down the aisle, rehearsal is not necessary for a TRF Wedding.
Where can we get our costumes?
Some Brides purchase simple gowns from catalogs or on-line and then have them altered to fit or embellished lavishly by a local seamstress. Renaissance patterns for Men and Women are available at your local fabric stores. Costumes are available for purchase from local costumers or may be purchased on line (Ebay.com, Museumreplicas.com, renstore.com). If you prefer to rent costumes, check your local phonebook for costume rental locations in your area, or the Belrose Costume Rental Shoppe at our Front Gate opens at 8:30 a.m. every festival day and has costumes that rent from $16 to $100 depending on what social class costume you prefer.
Should we ask our guests to come in costume?
Since the Festival is best experienced while in costume, you may wish to encourage your guests to come in costume. The Belrose Costume Rental Shoppe at the Front Gate has 1-day rentals with easy return. For your guests who want to buy or make costumes, you may also give them the same references you have used in your costume search. Let them know that they will have a much better experience if they do come in costume. Make sure that you mention comfortable shoes to everyone attending.
What kind of invitations should we use and when should they be sent?
We recommend sending out a pre-invitation or a save the date to let your guests know as soon as possible the date and your plans for a Renaissance Wedding. Using a simple one page flyer will give them the time to start planning their costuming and travel arrangements for the event. Send a formal invitation of your choice closer to the event, asking for their RSVP. Once the RSVP’s are returned to you, you can start mailing out tickets to your guests.
How and when will we get the tickets?
Once the final payment has been received the tickets will be mailed to the address you provide on the Wedding Reservation Agreement. If you wish to add additional guests after this package has been mailed, you may contact us to make arrangements.
How will our guests get their tickets?
Everyone must have a ticket in hand to enter the gate, Bride, Groom, photographer, everyone. Tickets should be distributed to your guests well in advance of the wedding date. Tickets are good for any one Saturday or Sunday during our season, 9:00 a.m. till dark. If your Wedding is in the afternoon, your guests are welcome to arrive early and enjoy a full day of the Festival. If you need to leave a few tickets for your guests at the will-call window, make sure they are in envelopes with the name of the person who will be picking it up clearly written on the outside. A photo ID will be required to pick these tickets up. You also have the option of leaving all of your tickets in Will Call for your guests. The coordinator will need an alphabetized guest list two weeks before the wedding date. Please discuss with the coordinator for clarification if this is the option you choose.
Any wedding guest needing to purchase a ticket should go to the Will Call booth with the wedding party’s name. Tickets for adults are $19 each and children 5-12 years old are $9 each, 4 years old and under are free.
When will I need a final guest count and decisions on food and beverages?
The caterer will need the final guest count no later than 2 weeks prior to your event. This will include any beverages that you would like served on the day of the event. All buffets and cake receptions are served with tea and coffee. (Children, ages four and under, are not charged for admittance into the Festival or for food. Children ages 5-12 will require a child’s gate ticket and also will require a meal.)
What will we do with the gifts our guests bring?
It is important that your guests know that the site is large with a lot of walking on the day of the Wedding. Tell your guests that due to the size of our Festival it is best to ship gifts to your home address before the Wedding. There are numerous websites that offer great alternatives to the traditional gift. Brides may wish to bring or rent a wagon for those extra items, such as purses, cameras, and wedding gifts. If guest do bring gifts we can arrange for a rickshaw to pick them up at the reception. A cash payment must be made to the driver the day of the event.
Are the Ministers affiliated with any particular religion?
Our Ministers are non-denominational Ordained Ministers. Each of them, at one time has been employed as a performer with TRF. They are well versed in the ceremonies they perform and are very good at adding any special requests. The Minister will call you the week of your Wedding to answer any questions you may have. You are welcome to bring your own Minister to do the ceremony; however, we will have ours standing by just in case.
Do we need a Marriage License?
Yes, the state of Texas requires a Marriage License to make the Wedding legal. You may obtain a license from your local county clerk’s office in the state of Texas. In Texas a Marriage License must be issued at least 72 hours before the ceremony can be performed, and no later than 90 days after the issuance. A Marriage License issued in the state of Texas is good in any county in Texas. Your marriage license should be given to the minister the day of your wedding. We are required to sign this and mail it to the county where it was purchased.
*If you live outside the state of Texas you will have to check with the state in which you reside to obtain legal information governing marriage. If you are already married, just email a copy or bring a copy of the license with you for our files.
Do you offer vow renewals?
Yes, you can purchase any of our wedding packages for a vow renewal.
Do you offer same sex ceremonies?
The Texas Renaissance Festival support same-sex couple’s choice to “tie the knot”. If your desire is a private ceremony, or a wedding surrounded by family and friends, we would be honored to help
you plan your fairytale day.
What happens if it rains? Is the wedding cancelled or postponed?
No the weddings are not cancelled or postponed. One ceremony venue is covered and both reception areas have tenting. If your ceremony is to be held in an uncovered venue you have the option to move your ceremony to the covered venue. If rain is expected please advise your guests to come prepared for the day. Wedding staff have umbrellas to keep the bridal party dry and if the carriage is part of your package the top can be raised. Four to six people can ride in the carriage depending on the size of the dress/costume.
Are decorations required?
No decorations are needed or required. The Festival grounds offer a beautiful backdrop. Please remember that anything brought in must also be taken out. All decorations for the wedding and reception venues should be given to the wedding staff in advance if possible with a mock photo/drawing with detailed instructions. Decorations can be brought to the wedding tours, to our main office during the week, or to the festival if you are coming before your wedding date. Arrangements will need to be made before dropping off. Please discuss with wedding Coordinator if additional staffing is required for your setup. You will also need to discuss arrangements for pick-up of those items at the completion of the reception. Bubbles are allowed in all of our beautiful wedding venues.
How many weddings are held each Festival day?
Our staff is available for six weddings each Festival day with the morning weddings held at 10:30 and 11:30, and the afternoon ceremonies at 1, 2, 3, and 4 o’clock. Our professional wedding personnel dedicate their attention to your wedding and we do not hold simultaneous weddings.
Are weddings held during off season?
At this time wedding are only held during the Texas Renaissance festival season.
How far in advance should couples book their dates?
We recommend at least nine months to one year out, but couples are welcome to give us a call to check
availability at any planning stage.
The Packages are for the Bride, Groom and a set number of guests but can I have more people?
Yes, the additional cost would be for a ticket into the festival ($19 for adults and $9 for children 12-5 yrs., 4 and under are free) and for each meal if you are having a reception.
The Royal Celebration is the only package with a reception and cake can they be added to the other packages?
Yes you can add a reception and cake to the Enchanted & Majestic #1 & #2 but the venues does have a minimum food order of $500 (this does not include cake). It is $200 to reserve the space for 1.5 hr. plus the cost of the food and cake. You may also add entertainment (music, face painter, fortune teller, or a magician) and additional beverages. Please discuss any additional needs with your coordinator. (See agreement for buffet selection and cake fees.)
What is the Weapons Policy?
We do not allow concealed weapons on Festival grounds. Any swords, rapiers, edged or pointed, etc. that is worn as a part of your costume MUST BE SHEATHED AND PEACE TIED. You can
secure them with leather straps or zip ties. No unsecured weapons will be allowed into the Festival site. Fake and replica gunsare allowed in the festival but must adhere to the following rules: Must
be non-firing, must remain in the holster, must have plug in the barrel chamber.
Can we leave the park without paying to re-enter?
Yes. Please have your hand stamped (inside of your arm or wrist so it won’t show in the photos) at the exit gate when you leave. When you re-enter the park, show your stamped hand to the
Beefeaters for re-entry. The front gates close at approximately 6pm and you cannot re-enter after that time.
Do you rent motorized scooters, wheelchairs, strollers, or wagons?
We have a vendor located outside our front gate that offers all of these. The cost of a stroller for the entire day is $15.00. Wagon rental for the day is $22. Wheelchairs may be rented for the day for
$22.00 Electric scooters can be rented by the hour for $13.00 per hour (with a 4 hour minimum) or can be rented for the entire day, weather permitting, for $65.00. Most of the equipment is typically
rented out by 9 AM – 11 AM. Rental of equipment does require a credit card.Vendor will take reservations for weddings party if renting for the day and it must be paid in full at the time of the
reservation. No refunds are given if the person using the rented item does not attend. There is a 300lb max load on the scooters, a 250lb max load on wheelchairs, and a 125lb max limit on wagons.
Please note that electric scooters are weather permitting.
Can we bring our own wheelchairs/wagons/strollers?
Although we do have these items for rent, you can also bring your own. The grounds are very hard packed and you should have no problems maneuvering.
How much is parking and where is the Preferred Parking?
Parking is free. We have handicap accessible parking located near the front gate. There are also designated areas for motor homes and motorcycles. The Preferred Parking is near the front gate.
The TRF security officers will be happy to direct you to the appropriate area. In addition we do offer Premium Preferred parking for $10.00 (paid in advance) and $15 upon arrival. Premium parking if
paying upon arrival must be paid in cash.
What is the charge for camping? What does the charge include?
Camping is available for $25.00 per vehicle for the weekend with the purchase of festival tickets. Anyone camping in the wedding party or guests will need their tickets prior to arriving to
the campgrounds. Those tickets can be mailed to the bride or groom and the remaining tickets can be held in Will Call for your guests at the Faire. There is no water, electric or sewer
hookups, although porta-privies are available. There are water stations with potable water and a dump station. For more information call the main office.
What time does the campground gate close?
Entry into the campground is available 24 hours a day, beginning at Noon on Friday. Check out time is no later than Noon on Monday.
Why would someone choose to have a wedding at the Texas Renaissance Festival?
The Texas Renaissance Festival is the largest renaissance festival in the nation with a unique setting for the couples that want a fairytale wedding. With five magically gardens it provides a beautiful
backdrop for a traditional or non-traditional wedding.
If you have any additional questions, please call us at 800-458-3435 x309 or email us at .
We will be happy to assist you in making plans for your Fairy Tale Wedding!