Frequently Asked Questions – Franciscan Gardens venue rental and event details

All indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the property are exclusively available to you during your event, including: the Courtyard, the Ballroom, and (2) Getting Ready Suites. Franciscan Gardens has the flexibility of many different types of layouts! The outdoor Courtyard and indoor Ballroom can both be utilized for ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner receptions with 24 Carrots staff flipping any spaces based on your itinerary. The Courtyard can seat up to 200 guests, and the Ballroom can seat up to 180 guests. Please talk with your venue representative about suggested layouts based on guest count and preferences. The (2) Getting Ready Suites are available starting at 10am the day of your event.

The Courtyard accommodates up to 200 guests seated or cocktail-style. The Ballroom accommodates up to 180 guests for a seated reception and 200 guests for a cocktail-style reception.

Six (6) hours of event time are included with the venue rental from event start time to event conclusion. Events must conclude by no later than 12am. Vendors may arrive as early as 10am and must complete strike by 1am.

A signed catering and venue contract with 24 Carrots and 20% payment is required to secure a date (or 50% payment if the event date is within 6 months). Please note that venue date availability is on a first come, first served basis. Preliminary dates included in proposals do not guarantee date availability and will only be guaranteed upon receipt and payment. Holds are not available, and discussion of dates or receipt of a proposal does not guarantee a reservation.

Get ready for your closeup! Franciscan Gardens offers (2) on-site suites to primp and prepare for your big day. Both suites offer full length mirrors, mini fridge, plenty of storage space during your event and luxurious lounge seating. The Getting Ready Room includes vanities and private restroom access, and The Billiard Room includes a pool table and large flat screen tv.

While we do not have overnight accommodations on the property, San Juan Capistrano and the surrounding areas offer various accommodation options that we are happy to recommend.

There are many public parking options around Downtown San Juan Capistrano that guests and vendors are welcome to park in. The most convenient guest parking is Franciscan Plaza Parking Structure located adjacent to the venue and offers overnight parking options. Please contact your venue representative for additional details.

Yes, the venue includes a wheelchair lift, and both the Courtyard and Ballroom are accessible at street level.

Furry friends are welcome for your ceremony! Pets must arrive within 30 minutes of the ceremony and depart no later than 30 minutes following the ceremony. Pets must be leashed at all times and remain in outside areas. Please contact us if additional accommodation is needed.

A one-hour rehearsal is included in every contract and is optional. Rehearsals are permitted during standard business hours, pending venue availability, and can be tentatively reserved starting 30 days prior to your event. Should your preferred rehearsal date and time be unavailable, 24 Carrots will gladly recommend local options to rehearse for your event. Please contact your event representative for details and availability.

Yes, rest assured that your guest count can increase up to venue capacity or reduce by 10% of your signed, initial contract. For example, if you sign the 24 Carrots contract for 100 guests, your contract allows changes to as low as 90 guests. Final guest counts, final selections, and the final payment are due 10 business days prior to your event date.

Not to worry! Our indoor Ballroom is a beautiful alternative option in the case of rain or inclement weather. Your venue representative will work with you to adjust and create alternative event layouts as needed. If you prefer to tent the outdoor Courtyard, please speak with your venue representative for tent rental options through 24 Carrots’ exclusive vendor.

All payments made to 24 Carrots are non-refundable and non-transferrable. For cancellations more than 30 days prior to your event date, all payments made will be forfeited. For cancellations within 30 days of your event date, the full contract balance will be due and forfeited. Please reference the 24 Carrots and Franciscan Gardens venue contract terms and conditions for further details.

Catering and bar services, staffing, equipment, security, and dining rental items (specified below under Rentals + Décor) are exclusively provided by 24 Carrots. Clients are welcome to provide their own wedding cake and specialty desserts. 24 Carrots will cut and serve your wedding cake complimentary. 

An outside caterer may be permitted by request and approval only to provide traditional, cultural, or ethnic cuisine, should 24 Carrots be unable to produce the requested menu in-house. 24 Carrots will continue to provide all bar services, staffing, and rental equipment. Please contact us for more information and requirements for an outside caterer.

You are welcome to bring in your own vendors for wedding coordination, photography, videography, florals, officiant, entertainment, photo booth, select specialty rentals, signage, decorations, wedding cake, and specialty desserts. Every vendor must provide proof of insurance as required in the Venue Rental Contract.

General Liability insurance listing 24 Carrots as additionally insured is required for each of your vendors that will be on-site during your event. This includes but is not limited to coordinator, florist, photographers, videographers, photo booth, bakery, hair and makeup artists, and officiant. If vendors have employees working at the event, a certificate of insurance for Workman’s Compensation must also be provided. Please see the Franciscan Gardens venue rental contract terms for a complete list of vendor insurance requirements.

Vendor load-in and event setup may begin as early 10am. Two loading spots are located outside of our building and are available for loading and unloading until 24 Carrots Staff arrive 2.5 hours prior to the event’s start time.

Live bands, DJ, and any form of amplified live music are welcome. 24 Carrots is happy to provide a list of recommendations based on your specific needs and budget. Please contact us for more information about the requirements.

Yes, our indoor and outdoor curfew for events is 12am. We kindly ask that all guests and vendors be off property within 1 hour of your event end time, not to exceed 1am.

Yes, a wedding coordinator is required as they will be the primary point of contact leading up to and on the day of your event for the venue, 24 Carrots team, and all vendors. 24 Carrots is happy to provide a list of recommended wedding coordinators based on your specific needs and budget. A coordinator must be booked at least 60 days prior to the client’s wedding day. Additional details regarding coordinator requirements, such as insurance, can be found in your contract.

Yes! Tastings are one of our favorite parts of the planning process and are complimentary after booking and signing your venue and catering contracts. Private tastings are hosted at the 24 Carrots corporate offices in Costa Mesa and are recommended 4-6 months prior to your event date. If your event has not been booked yet, a tasting fee applies and will be credited towards your initial deposit upon booking. Additional guests will be charged a non-refundable tasting fee.

Bar services and all alcohol are exclusively provided and served by 24 Carrots. Outside alcohol is not permitted at any time. For getting ready beverage options, please reach out to your venue representative.

The venue rental includes Bentwood Chairs with cushions in white, ivory, or black for up to (200) guests, (2) 8’x40” Kings Tables that require linen, (25) 60” Round Tables that require linen, (4) 30” Standing Cocktail Tables, (4) 30” Low Cocktail Tables, (1) 60” half Round Sweetheart Table, (5) 6’ Tables, (5) 8’ Tables, (4) Wooden Bars, (1) Circular Archway. Additional tables, chairs, and comprehensive event rentals including additional lighting and décor are available through 24 Carrots Catering & Events.

All additional rentals including tables, linens/napkins, chairs, tableware, bar service rentals, lounge furniture, dance floor, lighting, etc. must be provided by 24 Carrots through our exclusive rental & lighting partners. For upgraded rental options and pricing, please speak with your venue representative. 

The venue includes bistro string lights and lamppost lighting around the courtyard, white mini-string lights wrapped around trees and landscape lighting throughout the gardens. Lighting upgrades and additions are available through 24 Carrots’ exclusive lighting partner.

You are welcome to bring in your own flowers, decorations, select specialty rentals, and signage. We do not allow for any permanent changes to the property structures including staples, tape, nails, screws, or other materials that could leave marks. You may use zip ties, twine, or fishing wire to hang any décor and your vendors must bring their own set-up equipment and ladders. Please contact your venue representative if additional accommodation is needed.

We strive to create and maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests so confetti, glitter, silly string, fireworks, sparklers of any kind, cold sparkler machines, and fog machines are not permitted at any time.

Yes, candles are permitted and must be enclosed in glass votives or hurricanes with at least 1” from the top of the flame to the top of the candle holder. Exposed open flames are not permitted. Clients are responsible for any damage to linens and/or tables due to wax.

No, dance floor rentals are optional. Please speak with your venue representative for dance floor rental option through 24 Carrots’ exclusive rental partner.

events@franciscangardens.com 

949.248.1586

FranciscanGardens.com