Turtle Bay Resort
Oahu, Hawaii
Picture a sun-drenched island in the Pacific. A place of such natural beauty, even business seems like a breezy day in paradise. Welcome to Turtle Bay Resort on Hawaii's North Shore.
Wedding FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions to help in your wedding planning with Bardessono.
Wedding Inquiries
Alexis Alexander
Special Events Manager
(707) 204-6025
Email
What steps must I take to secure a date and space for my wedding reception?
Once you establish a date, Bardessono will provide you with a formal contract that outlines your event times, location(s) on property and deposit schedules. Your event date will be held tentatively for one week while you review, sign and return the contract along with your initial deposit. When your signed contract and deposit have been received, your wedding date will be guaranteed by Bardessono. Your deposit schedule will be noted on your contract, and is based on dates and anticipated guest attendance. Most deposits to confirm your wedding date fall between $2,000.00 and $5,000.00.
May I host my wedding ceremony on-site at Bardessono?
As having a ceremony and reception take place in the same space creates ease for guests and cohesiveness for your event, Bardessono is happy to provide indoor and outdoor ceremony space to those guests who are hosting their reception on property.
Where are ceremony and reception sites located?
Bardessono sits on approximately 5 acres of land. In order to maintain our goal of providing a truly unique experience for your wedding, we strongly recommend you take a tour of the property in person prior to firmly selecting your event site. There are many breathtaking spaces on property, which host anywhere from 10 to 120 guests.
Some of our breathtaking spaces include:
- Banquet Room & Private Courtyard
- Pool Area
- The Private Dining Area
- The Restaurant
- Central Water Features
- Private Kitchen Garden
Must my guests reserve rooms at Bardessono?
In order to insure privacy for your event, and that of the other guests of Bardessono, a block of guest rooms may be required to secure a particular event site. You will be informed of these requirements based on your site selection and vision.
Is there a space for the bridal party to get ready before the ceremony?
Bridal suites are available, and may be included in the facility fee based on date and attendance. The bridal suite must be reserved for the night prior to the wedding to ensure it is available prior to your ceremony and reception.
When is my guaranteed attendance due?
Guaranteed attendance is due by 11:00am, four (4) business days prior to the scheduled event date. This number shall be considered a minimum guarantee and is not subject to reduction. If a guaranteed count is not received four (4) business days prior, the number of guests previously stated on the banquet event order will serve as your guarantee.
Is it possible to have a rehearsal ceremony on property?
The hotel will provide a date for a thirty minute rehearsal ceremony within two weeks of your event date and is subject to the availability of the property.
Can a tasting of the menu be scheduled in advance?
Bardessono’s Executive Chef creates all of the menus offered in both the restaurant and the private event sites. Your menu will be customized and made with the freshest seasonal and organic ingredients available. While Bardessono does not offer a formal menu tasting, you may dine in the restaurant in order to fully experience the food and service.
Menu tastings may be contracted, however, and scheduled upon request based on the Chef’s availability. These tastings may only take place during weekdays and must be scheduled within a month of your event, to maintain the integrity of the food served based on the season. The fee for a tasking is $75.00 per person.
May we bring in our own wine?
The California State Liquor Commission regulates the sale and service of all alcoholic beverages. Bardessono is the only licensed party that can administer these regulations. Therefore, no alcoholic beverages may be brought into the hotel for a private event.
Does Bardessono charge a cake cutting fee for weddings?
The hotel does not charge a “cake cutting” or “plate fee” for you to bring in your own wedding cake, as it would be considered your dessert course in lieu of a plated dessert. Following your traditional cake cutting, Bardessono staff will bring the cake to the pastry chef to be sliced and then served to your guests.
Can you please clarify the food & beverage minimum?
The food & beverage minimum is the least amount of money you are required to spend in food & beverage, excluding service charge, sales tax and facility fee based on your event site. Please keep in mind that is not all you can anticipate to spend. The food & beverage minimum is reached by selecting menu items to equal or exceed the required dollar figure.
The following are examples of items which apply toward the food & beverage minimum:
- Canapés & Hors d’Oeuvres
- Plated Meals
- Buffet Meals & Food Stations
- Family-Style Meals
- Wedding Cake & Dessert Stations
- Bar Service, Champagne Toasts and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
The following are examples of items which do not apply toward the food & beverage minimum:
- Facility Fees
- Staffing Fees
- Event Services
- Guestroom Rates & In-Room Dining Charges
Can Bardessono recommend event services such as wedding planners, florists and event photographers?
Bardessono experts have access to an abundance of wedding planners, stylists, designers, florists, wedding pastry chefs, photographers and officiants, as well as lighting technicians, sound engineers and furniture and equipment rental companies. We are pleased to recommend any number of vendors. However, we are also happy to manage your wedding vendors at an additional fee to be discussed and decided upon when planning your event with Bardessono.
It is our preference to work with our preferred and recommended vendors. By forging a relationship with these vendors, Bardessono can ensure both exceptional quality and value. If your preference is to schedule arrangements with your own vendors, they must be managed by a designated person, such as a wedding planner, on property.
Any vendors you choose to work with must read and sign the Bardessono Vendor Policies and Code of Conduct Agreement.
Does Bardessono require that I hire a wedding planner?
Bardessono requires that you hire a wedding planner – at minimum, for the day of your event. When it comes to organizing a major event, planning and organizing should be a memorable experience rather than a great stress. A planner offers the best in locations, décor and vendor recommendations and management, as well as friendship and support during this emotional and important time.
Some responsibilities of a wedding planner include:
- manages overall organization of the event
- assists with protocol for written materials such as invitations and menus
- creates timelines and maintains schedules for the venue and all hired vendors
- organizes all events – from rehearsals to Sunday brunches
- liaisons between family, wedding party and all vendors
- ensure all deliverables are met – from florals to musicians
- coordinate ceremony
- collect personal items once the event is over
- assist with the planning of your honeymoon
Do you have rules about amplified sound?
In order to accommodate the privacy of our other hotel guests and our neighbors, amplified sound is to be kept at a low level when hosting in outdoor event sites. In the Pool Area, specifically, amplified sound (if approved) must be turned off at 9:00pm.
What are the fees for parking?
Bardessono is pleased to include valet parking at no additional cost to your guests.
