Kickstart Call
The kickstart call is a great way for us to connect, I will go over my role at The Mackey House. We will talk about the event details, We will update and confirm the contract date, time, guest count. I will go over all of the amazing enhancements The Mackey House has to offer. We will also go over the locations available for set up, your arrival, and getting ready time, catering, seating and layouts. vendors, rentals, insurance and more. Our goal is for you and your wedding party to have a wonderful stress free day. Choosing to use The Mackey House enhancements and preferred vendors will go a long way to ensuring the best outcome on event day. Great communication is the key! We will work alongside your coordination team and vendors to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Please write down any questions you would like to go over. You are welcome to have your parent, friend etc join the call. On the following pages I have recapped the call in Q and A format. This will make it easy to refer back to as you move through the planning process. .
Q and A
Will there be another event at The Mackey House the same day as mine?
The Mackey House sits on 10 acres of land on Red Gate Farms.There will not be another event held at The Mackey House during your contracted event time. Red Gate Farms is a 130 acre historical farm that also hosts weddings and events. There is a possibility that another event will take place on the same day/evening of your scheduled event.These events do not impact each other as they are located on completely different areas of the Property.
What vendor services are mandatory through The Mackey House?
All Food Catering (EXCEPT wedding cake, desserts and late night snacks)
Bar Service Catering
Lighting (See Lighting information under Event Decor)
Draping
What outside vendors do you recommend hiring?
Planner or Day of Coordinator. You will need a professional to organize ceremonial rehearsal, direct the ceremony, keep the wedding party on track, & act as point of contact for The Mackey House /ALL outside vendors on wedding day.
DJ and/or Band (The Mackey House does not provide any speakers, equipment or microphones for outside DJs).
Transportation (Trolleys from Elite Savannah Travels are always a hit!!)
Photographer and/or Videographer
Florist, Officiant, Wedding Cake/desserts, Hair and/or Makeup Services (If desired)
Will my Mackey House Client Services Manager be present on my wedding day?
Your Client Services Manager is a part of your long term planning team to prepare our on the ground team the day of the wedding, as well as prepare your planner/day of coordinator. This role comes with a responsibility to engage from behind the scenes with all departments in order to keep everyone well informed. It can never be guaranteed that you will see your Client Services Manager face-to-face on wedding day, due to this role. Rest assured, you will be in capable hands with your day of coordinator working alongside our dedicated team that is fully aware of your special details.
May we have a ceremonial rehearsal?
Yes The Mackey House provides the Client with a one hour complimentary ceremony rehearsal when possible. Most rehearsals will take place the day prior to your event at 10 or 11 am.
In the event that there is an event taking place the morning prior to your event day, your rehearsal can take place later in the day or on a weekday within 7 days of your wedding. The ceremony site, as well as the nearest restroom, are the only accessible area of the venue during rehearsals. Availability and scheduling is based solely at the discretion of The Mackey House. Ceremony rehearsal must start and end on time, due to other events that may take place that day.
Absolutely NO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION during the ceremony rehearsal.
No items may be left at rehearsal. No Rentals may be delivered at rehearsal
The Mackey House is so much more than a wedding venue. Behind every wedding is a hardworking, caring team that truly pours their hearts into bringing each couple’s vision to life.
Emily May 2025
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oes The Mackey House direct the ceremonial rehearsal, ceremony, and/ or reception?
No, The Mackey House maintains no responsibility for directing, organizing, or announcing the series of events at your ceremonial rehearsal, ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception unless contracted to do so. This is the responsibility of the designated planner/day of coordinator. There is a fee if The Mackey House has to step in due to inadequate coordination/planning.
Can I hire an outside caterer?
No, The Mackey House has 4 caterers for you to choose from. These caterers have extensive knowledge in catering events at The Mackey House. Their price points range to meet a variety of budget needs. All food and beverage catering is done in house with one of these 4 caterers.
Wedding Cakes, Desserts and late night snacks are NOT limited to the 4 caterers.
Can we store personal food items or outside vendor food items in the catering fridges?
No. We store many refrigerated items and storage space is extremely limited.
Can we bring in a late night wedding snack through an outside vendor?
Yes, With some limitations. Please check with your Client Services Manager for details.
Can I make specialty dietary restrictive food requests?
Our Approved Caterers strive to accommodate any and all dietary restrictions.
Can I do a plated menu?
Yes, We are able to accommodate a plated dinner reception in our pavilion.
The Mackey House will help you with a layout of the space and table placement but the assigned seating arrangements will be your responsibility.
Can we do a menu tasting?
Yes! Our caterers do tastings.
How will the table place settings be set up?
Your place settings (plates, silverware, water or tea glasses, etc.) are either provided by the caterer or can be rented from an event rental company. The Mackey House does not provide or facilitate the rentals of your table place settings. Please direct these questions to your caterer or planner and let The Mackey House know if you are renting any items to discuss drop off and pick up times.
Booking the Mackey House was the best decision we made for our wedding.
Betsy Bennett
Do you serve wine and beer? Liquor?
Yes! The Mackey House has several bar packages to meet your needs. We do not allow any outside beverage catering. All events must contract one of our Mackey House beverage packages.
Wine Service during dinner may be added to any bar package for $9 per person.
Will I have to book Mackey House Bartenders?
Yes, You will be billed for bartenders on your final invoice based on your final count and bar package. The Mackey House holds the right to determine the number of bartenders needed for each event. We ensure that you will have an adequate number of bartenders for your event.
Are there wedding preparation suites on property?
The Mackey House provides a unique experience for both the bride and groom with our ready rooms. We have the Bridal Suite and a Groom’s Suite for your use.
What time can we begin using the Bride and Groom’s Suite?
We allow access 3 hours prior to your contracted start time.
You will have access to the ready room for your entire event
Please leave the ready rooms clear of trash and all personal items removed at the end of the night.
No Items may be left in the ready room at rehearsal or picked up the day after the event.
Additional time can be purchased at $250 per hour.
Please let your Client Services Manager know if you would like to add additional ready time to your experience.
Can I bring in personal food items into the Bridal/Groom’s preparation area?
Yes, You may bring in personal snacks/beverages including alcohol to enjoy during your ready time. Please plan to bring any disposable utensils, plates, cups etc. needed.
No alcohol is provided during your ready time by The Mackey House.
Who cleans the ready rooms at the end of the night?
The ready rooms need to be left free of trash and personal items at the end of the night.
Trash receptacles will be provided in each room. Please put all trash in the cans provided.
If the ready rooms are not cleared out at the end of the night and The Mackey House staff has to clean up food, cups, hangers, trash etc. there will be a $500 charge automatically charged to your card on file.
The Mackey House staff will empty the trash receptacles at the end of the night.
Add a I had the pleasure of being part of a bridal party in a wedding at The Mackey House this past weekendgenerally as part of the bridal party, you see the hiccups that happen behind the scenes. And you experience the stress. I was so impressed with the staff of the Mackey House and how seamless and stress free the day went! What a beautiful venue and an amazing wedding!
Kelly Magliano
Who sets up for my event and when does set up occur?
The Mackey House has a full event team that is designated for setup, breakdown, and clean-up for all contracted Mackey House rentals and services.
All outside vendors will be responsible for set-up, break-down, and clean-up of any items they provide. This includes rentals.
Any personal items will be the responsibility of your planner/day of coordinator. Please check with your day of coordinator to ensure these items will be set up and broken down.
The Mackey House is not responsible or liable for managing any outside vendor rentals, outside vendor services, or personal items. All personal items and outside rentals must be removed at the conclusion of the event. No items may be left at the end of the night.
How early can outside vendors have access to the property on the day of the event?
Vendors can arrive as early as they need to to be set up 2 hours prior to the event start time. This information along with your vendor arrive time and breakdown time will be discussed at your 30 day review.
What time must our event end?
10 PM, No events are allowed to go past 10 PM. Events starting late will still end on time.
This does NOT include breakdown time. You are allowed 1 hour of breakdown at the conclusion of your event.
Can I use outside vendor rentals and/ or services?
Yes, You are able to bring in outside rentals. There are some exceptions for lighting and tent hanging decorations.
Please notify The Mackey House of all furniture rentals.
All rental furniture needs to be noted on the layout to ensure it is properly placed at delivery. Items not in the correct location due to non notification will be the responsibility of the Planner/client to move. The Mackey House is not responsible for the set up of any rental tables chairs or furniture.
Furniture once placed will not be moved to different locations during the event by The Mackey House unless contracted to do so.
Are there restrictions regarding how we can decorate the venue?
Any decorations being hung from trees, tents, ceilings, and/or roofs must be contracted through The Mackey House and approved in advance. Adhesive of any kind such as spray, glue, nails,or screws are NOT allowed for decorative use. Zip ties and floral wire are the best way to attach or hang decor from arbors.
Are there restrictions in decorating with lighting and/or chandeliers?
All lighting, tent draping and any other hanging tent decor must be done through or approved by The Mackey House.
Any decorations requiring electricity must be contracted through The Mackey House or approved in advance.
The Mackey House can be contracted to provide and hang chandeliers in the tents.
Upon approval you may bring in hanging items or contract with The Mackey House for the set up of said items.
We have several Chandeliers you can choose to add.
Outside Chandelier Rentals need prior approval.
You are also responsible for bringing any extension cords needed to hang any outside chandeliers not provided by The Mackey House.
The Mackey House is not able to allow the use of any ladders by clients or vendors.
Can I use real candles?
All candles must be contained in some form of hurricane glass/ vase/jar and must not drip on the linens.
We will ask the event host OR coordinator to remove ALL wax dripping décor immediately.
May we use Confetti, Rice, Grain, Silly String, and Fake flower petals?
NO, These items and any other like items are NOT allowed and strictly prohibited for use at any event on property.
No throwing, tossing, scattering, during ceremony finish, reception start, bride/groom exit OR any other time frame.
Flower girls may throw only real flower petals. These petals must be white or light in color.
No silk or artificial flower petals. You may have artificial flowers.
There will be an additional fee charged for any use of the above mentioned items.
The best staff and wedding venue there ever was. They make you feel like family and so kind and caring. They even welcomed us back 2 years later with our new baby and allowed us to explore the property and take new pictures.
Brad Sailor
What happens if it rains on the day of my event?
The Client Services Manager along with the team at The Mackey House will work with you to develop a rain backup plan. Once a back up plan is set up on the day of, spaces can’t be changed back in the event the weather changes. We will do everything we can to make the rain back-up area beautiful.
The Mackey House reserves the right to call an event for rain if they deem it necessary for the safety and wellbeing of the guests or staff.
There will be NO refund OR credit to a wedding package for mid-event inclement weather.
The Lakeside Ceremony location may have to be moved if the ground is too saturated from heavy rain.
Can we take our engagement photos on the grounds?
If you are booked with us for a wedding you can take your engagement photos and/or bridal portraits on the grounds free of charge but, this does need to be scheduled in advance. We do photoshoots on Mon-Thurs.
Indoor photos or use of the ready rooms to get dressed will require approval and extra fees will apply.
We also ask that you tag The Mackey House in photos on social media or website platforms.
Can our videographer use a drone?
Yes, provided that it does not land anywhere near the horses on the property, on any building roofs, trees/ landscaping, golf carts, doorways, etc.
If there is any damage caused to the venue or acreage, it will be automatically charged to the host of the event.
When do you need my final Timeline and Layout details?
All layouts and Timelines are due 2 weeks prior to your event day. There will be no changes to layouts (with the exception of weather) after the 2 week deadline.
Please make sure all changes are approved in writing by your client services manager.
What if fewer guests than my finalized headcount attend my event?
The Mackey House will prepare for your event in the aspects of setup, staffing and beverage catering services according to the finalized headcount of guests.
We suggest that you have your RSVP’s returned to you 6 weeks prior to event day so that you have 2 weeks to call any guests who did not respond in order to get an accurate count.
What if more guests than my finalized headcount show up/attend my event?
If a higher number of guests attend we cannot guarantee that we will not run short on supplies. Any additional person(s) will be charged to the client or the card on file.
Do you count children in the bar headcount?
Yes, The bar is based on an average. We have taken into account that there may be children and guests under the age of 21 in attendance.
We do not charge for children under 6
What if more guests than my finalized headcount show up/attend my event?
If a higher number of guests attend we cannot guarantee that we will not run short on supplies. Any additional person(s) will be charged to the client or the card on file.
Do you count children in the bar headcount?
Yes, The bar is based on an average. We have taken into account that there may be children and guests under the age of 21 in attendance.
We do not charge for children under 6
What forms of payment do you accept?
Credit Card and Debit Card (credit and debit cards are charged a 3% processing fee).
Wire transfers, Cashiers/Certified Checks and Money Orders.
When and how do I pay my final event invoice?
Full payment of services provided by The Mackey House will be invoiced to you 35 days before the event. Full final payment is required 30 days before the event.
It is your responsibility to make sure your final count and final payment is turned in on time.
If paying by Cashier's/Certified Check or Money Order you may send your payment by FEDEX or UPS only to
The Mackey House
190 Red Gate Farms Trail
Savannah Georgia, 31405
Please make sure to send any tracking information to The Mackey House.
The Mackey House is not staffed 24/7. Please do not require a signature. We are not responsible for payments sent back due to not being signed for. Late fees and/or pick up fees will apply if payments sent by the United States Post Office are not delivered and have to be collected from the Post Office.
You may also drop off your payment by arranging a time for drop off with your Client Services Manager.
Measurements
Arbor (wood) Lakeside
10.5ft acrossza
12ft from top to bottom
Arbor Garden
10x10x10 with a 12ft cross beam
Total height 12 ft
Fireplace Pavilion
Shelf 6ft across over fire opening
Entire Width (left to right) 21ft
Top (rafters) to floor 9ft 4”
Shelf to floor 6ft
Neon Signs need to be no wider than 48” and not more than 2 ft high.
Garden Isle
64 ft
Bar
Deck L shaped bar is 8ft x 10ft (garland needs to be min 3ft longer per swag)
Tables
30+ Round Guest tables 5ft (60”) round. Takes a 120” round floor length linen.
6 Round Sweetheart and Cake tables 4ft (48”) 120” round linen/puddle 108” round linen/touch floor
10 High Top takes 120” round linen to touch the floor. 132” to tie/gather (on deck only)
6 of each Rectangle tables 6- 6ft tables (90x132 is floor length). We have 6- 8 ft tables (96x156 is floor length).
Thank you for taking the time to go over the details of your event.
If you have any questions please let me know. lcomes and more!
Please view the Links below to go over The Mackey House Enhancements
We have several sets of soft seating. Vintage furniture, black velvet, bistro tables. chandeliers, island golf, Champagne
Links for Enhancement Flip Book
