Hosting a wedding, reception, bridal brunch or an event can be fun and rewarding, especially with a positive outlook and a little guidance! Posana’s Event Sales Manager, Maddy Atendido, is here to answer some common questions about hosting an Asheville Wedding. Big and bold or small and intimate, Maddy’s expertise and local resources will help you breeze through the logistics and allow you to enjoy your event along with your guests here at Posana, an intimate downtown Asheville wedding and event space.
Let’s Ask Maddy
What draws interest to holding a wedding event at Posana?
Asheville is known as a destination wedding city. Posana is a popular wedding events venue in part because of the convenience it offers out of town guests staying in downtown Asheville. Many times people book room blocks at multiple hotels, or rooms at local bed and breakfasts in and around downtown, which is a quick and easy walk to Posana for guests. This saves the additional coordination/cost of group transportation and leaves more time for fun activities afterward as well! For really large groups that do coordinate transportation, we are typically just a 5-15 minute drive from anywhere near downtown.
Which spaces are available for wedding ceremonies, receptions and rehearsal dinners at Posana?
We have our patio space (seated dinner for up to 20 ppl), our Mandara Gallery (seated dinner for up to 48 guests or standing reception for up to 60 guests), and a Restaurant Buyout (seated dinner for up to 110 guests).
What menu styles are available for wedding events?
Farm-to-table plated dinner service, standing cocktail receptions, bridal brunches, and farewell breakfasts.
What is the applicable service charge and tax?
23% gratuity and 7% sales tax
What steps must I take to secure a date and space for my event?
We require a 25% deposit and a signed contract to confirm bookings.
Do you host wedding ceremonies and receptions?
We have hosted smaller wedding ceremonies in the past, however the majority of our wedding events have utilized our downtown Asheville event space for dinner receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal brunches and farewell breakfasts.
Do you offer daytime brunch events for post-wedding brunches, bridal parties or celebrations?
Yes, we offer daytime events in all of our event spaces. Depending on the size of your group, you may enjoy the main dining room, the Mandara Gallery or the patio for your brunch event with exclusive use of the space and attention from our staff.
Do you hold events for standing receptions and cocktail parties?
Yes, we have a really nice menu tailored to standing reception style services. You can select options from our hors d’oeuvres reception menu to be passed or stationed while your guests enjoy their beverages.
Do you have a preferred vendor list?
Yes, I provide recommendations for local Asheville wedding florists, bakeries, and event equipment rental companies that we have vetted and worked with in the past so we know they are great and reliable.
Can I hire a band or DJ to perform at my event?
Yes, depending on the size, we do allow outside vendors.
When will I have access to the event space for setup?
2 hours prior unless coordinated with me.
How long will I have access to the event and space, and what time must my event conclude?
Our standard room rental covers three hours of service. We close at 10PM so that is typically the latest the room is available.
Can we bring our own cake or dessert? If so, what is the service charge?
Yes, we have a $2/person cake plating fee. Storage/holding of outside food is not provided. Our pastry chef, Renee, is also happy to work with you to create a delicious wedding cake baked in house as well.
Can we decorate the rooms?
Yes! We encourage guests to bring their decorative style to their event! Flowers, balloons, and placecards are common ways to style your private event. We ask hosts to stay away from glitter/confetti but pretty much anything else goes.
Do you rent out the entire restaurant?
Yes, we offer restaurant buyouts if booked enough in advance. It’s a great opportunity for people to host their rehearsal dinner/welcome party in the same location or their wedding reception dinner because it is often big enough for everybody to join.
What are some of the trends you’ve noticed incorporated into wedding events?
The newest thing that I’d consider a “trend” would be planning multiple events within a wedding weekend. Because Asheville is a destination wedding location, lots of people plan multiple events for their guests so that more people are able to come when they are in town. This includes the rehearsal dinner/welcome party, the actual wedding reception, bridal luncheons, and farewell brunches. We have options to do all sorts of events at Posana from receptions to brunches, which not everybody realizes.
How do you help clients find the best floor plan for their event?
I work individually with the client to see which floor plan works best based on their vision. Some people like the idea of long “farm tables,” to highlight the farm-to-table aspect of Posana, and some like the idea of smaller tables that allow for closer conversation and more intentional seating arrangements. For more intimate weddings, it’s nice to have a U-shape table with everybody facing each other and the guests of honor seated at the head of the table.
What months are usually booked well in advance?
Our busiest months are May and June for the Spring/Summer wedding season as well as September and October for the Fall wedding season. These months tend to book up 4-5 months in advance so I tell people it’s definitely never too early to start planning!
What are some of the best places to stay in Asheville when traveling for an Asheville wedding?
We are lucky to be near so many great hotels in downtown Asheville. To name a few: The Foundry, AC Marriot, Aloft, The Renaissance, Hotel Arras, The Inn at Biltmore, The Grove Park Inn and there are tons of warm and inviting Bed and Breakfasts nearby.
What is the most memorable moment you’ve had the pleasure of witnessing at a Posana Wedding Event?
It’s always my favorite moment to see the bride or groom’s reactions when they see the room all decorated and set up for the first time. I also love to see what people do for a creative wedding speech. We’ve had original songs written, ukuleles, and harpists, which were all super fun to watch.
Are people opting more for intimate gatherings?
Yes, for obvious reasons, the past three years have led to many more intimate/semi-intimate wedding celebrations. Instead of the 150-200 person weddings, many people are opting to host weddings with 50-100 people. Our space works great for this because we have our private dining room that seats up to 48 and a buyout of Posana accommodates 110 guests.
