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Guest FAQ's
We’re delighted to welcome you to Magnolia Manor 1843! To help everyone enjoy a beautiful, comfortable, and seamless celebration, we’ve put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from guests. Please take a few moments to review the information below before your arrival, including helpful details about the venue, guest guidelines, and important policies. We look forward to welcoming you and helping make the celebration a wonderful experience for everyone.
1
What time should I arrive for the wedding?
Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before the ceremony start time indicated by your couple. Your invitation will provide the recommended arrival time. Once you arrive, you will be directed to the appropriate ceremony area and ushered to your seat. Please do not arrive early expecting to enter the home or visit the bridal party. The interior of Magnolia Manor is not open to wedding guests before the ceremony unless you have been specifically authorized by the couple. This allows our staff to protect the privacy of the couple and bridal party and to ensure the wedding day begins smoothly.
2
​Can I bring my own alcohol?
Absolutely not.
Magnolia Manor operates under an NC ABC permit, and all alcohol served on the property must be handled according to our licensing requirements.
If your couple has provided bar service, you will have access to the beverages they have selected for their guests. If they have chosen not to provide alcohol, non-alcoholic beverages will be available.
No outside alcohol of any kind is permitted anywhere on Magnolia Manor property, including the parking lot.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Bottles or cans of alcohol
Airplane bottles or miniatures
Flasks
Thermoses or cups containing alcohol
Alcohol brought in from another location
Any beverage reasonably suspected to contain alcohol
If outside alcohol is discovered, the guest will be instructed to remove it from the property or dispose of it immediately. One warning may be given. Continued violation may result in the guest being removed from the property and may place the entire event at risk of cancellation.
Most importantly, your host may be financially responsible for violations of the venue's alcohol policy, including applicable contractual fees. Please don't put your couple in that position.
If you have alcohol in your vehicle, please leave it secured in your locked vehicle and do not bring it onto the property.
**YOUR HOST WILL BE CHARGED $1,000 PER UNAUTHORIZED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE.
3
Is there a smoking area?
Yes. Smoking is permitted only in the designated smoking area at the front of the property, near the roadside/sidewalk area of the driveway. An ash receptacle will be provided. Please completely extinguish cigarettes and place all cigarette butts in the receptacle. No smoking is permitted in the garden or inside the home. Vaping is not permitted anywhere on the property except within the designated smoking area. Please do not leave cigarette butts on the ground, in landscaping, walkways, parking areas, or anywhere else on the property. A $50 fee may be assessed to the host for each cigarette butt found on the property outside of the designated receptacle after the event.
4
Can I enter restricted areas of the property?
No. Please remain in areas designated for wedding guests. Certain areas of the home and property are reserved for: The couple and bridal party Overnight guests Magnolia Manor staff Caterers and approved vendors Venue operations Please do not enter closed rooms, private guest suites, staff areas, upstairs spaces, or other areas marked as restricted. If a door is closed or an area is not part of the guest experience, please respect that boundary.
5
Can I go inside the house while the bride and groom are getting ready?
No—unless your name has been specifically authorized by the couple.
The couple will provide Magnolia Manor with a detailed list of individuals who are permitted access to the bridal suite and getting-ready areas.
This list is generally limited to members of the wedding party and individuals specifically designated by the couple.
If your name is not on the authorized access list, you will not have access to these areas.
This includes coming into the house early to visit, dropping off belongings, using the bridal suite, visiting the bride or groom, or simply "popping in."
The getting-ready period is intentionally reserved for the privacy, comfort, and enjoyment of the couple and their bridal parties.
Additionally, Magnolia Manor has a strict interior occupancy limit of 49 people, which we are required to maintain.
6
. What happens if a guest gets into an argument or becomes disruptive?
We want everyone to have a wonderful time, but respectful behavior is required at all times. Any physical altercation, threatening behavior, harassment, verbal abuse, aggressive conduct, profanity directed toward another person, intimidation, property damage, or disruptive behavior involving: Another guest The couple or their family Magnolia Manor staff Vendors Wedding professionals Other individuals on the property may result in immediate removal from the property. A guest who is dismissed from the event will not be permitted to return. If a guest refuses to leave when directed, law enforcement may be contacted. A serious incident may result in the immediate shutdown of the wedding or event, with all contractual and financial consequences remaining the responsibility of the host. Please remember: this is someone's wedding day. Be kind, respectful, and considerate. Please keep in mind that this is a very special occasion for your hosts and they deserve to have a stress free event, Please enjoy all they are providing to you.
7
Where should I park when I arrive at Magnolia Manor 1843?
Weekday Parking: Street parking near Magnolia Manor 1843 is limited to two hours on weekdays, so please be mindful of posted signs to avoid ticketing. For longer stays, a free public parking lot is conveniently located approximately one block past the venue on the left as you continue down South Front Street, offering an easy walk back to the Manor.
A limited number of spaces are also available in our private parking lot and are reserved for overnight house guests, the hosting couple, guests with mobility needs, and approved vendors. If private parking has been designated for you, you will receive a parking pass to display on your dashboard along with access instructions. The private lot is located just beyond our iron fence; turn right down the alley beside the brick building. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests with a designated parking pass.
8
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Who should I contact if I need assistance during the event?
​Please notify the nearest Magnolia Manor 1843 venue staff member if you need assistance at any time during your visit. Whether your concern involves our restrooms, trash receptacles, property safety, or an incident requiring even minor medical attention, we ask that you bring it to our attention promptly. Our team is here to assist and help ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for every guest.
9
Are children permitted, and must they be supervised?
Children are welcome when included in your host’s celebration; however, we encourage guests to consider an adults-only evening when possible so everyone can fully enjoy the occasion. Magnolia Manor 1843 does not provide childcare or supervision, and children must remain under the direct supervision of a responsible, sober adult at all times. While our property is fenced, driveways and access gates remain open during events, making attentive supervision especially important for the safety of our youngest guests.
10
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What should I do if I notice a spill, broken item, unsafe condition, or other concern?
Please notify the nearest Magnolia Manor 1843 venue staff member immediately if you notice a spill, hazard, or other safety concern. Our team will promptly assess the situation and take the appropriate steps to address it. We sincerely appreciate your help in keeping our property safe and enjoyable for all guests.
11
Please, come, enjoy, & celebrate with us!
We are so glad you’ll be joining us at Magnolia Manor 1843 to celebrate such a special occasion! Thank you for taking a few moments to review these guest guidelines and for helping us care for our historic property and maintain the elevated, welcoming guesexperience we strive to provide.
These policies are thoughtfully in place for the comfort and safety of our guests and, most importantly, to allow our couples and hosts to relax, be present, and truly enjoy the celebration they have planned. When you arrive, we hope you’ll do the same—simply be a guest, enjoy the moment, celebrate the people you love, and make wonderful memories.
It is our privilege to welcome you to Magnolia Manor 1843, and we hope your time with us feels every bit as special as the occasion that brought you here.
Warmly,
Leigh & David
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Thank you for taking a moment to become familiar with the Guest's most Frequently asked questions.
Have more Questions?
Please feel free to email me at Leighatmagnoliamanor1843@gmail.com
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