COVID-19
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, all regulations and guidelines set by the DC government (posted online at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/) and effective as of the date(s) of your event, will be applicable to events in this space. This includes, but is not limited to, use of face masks, contact tracing, social distancing, and maximum event size.
THE FOLLOWING ARE PROHIBITED:
• Smoking/vaping (any substance) or drug use is not permitted anywhere at the venue, indoors or outdoors. Cannabis / edibles may not be consumed onsite or sold for later consumption or delivery.
• Guns, weapons, and ammunition (real or props) are not permitted. Any event security must be unarmed.
• The sale or distribution of anything related to the military or combat as well as partisan political activity including the sale or distribution of partisan political items.
• Nudity or sexual content.
POINT OF CONTACT
• A point of contact for the day of the event must be provided, if different than the Guest, including a cell phone number for this individual.
ALCOHOL
• Consumption of alcohol (without prior permission arranged in advance) is prohibited.
• If alcohol is permitted by staff for celebratory events and receptions, only beer, wine, champagne, and hard seltzer will be allowed; no liquors or spirits.
• The venue enforces all applicable laws regarding alcohol consumption. A District of Columbia alcohol license (either caterer's license or temporary one day alcohol license) is required for any event where alcohol is present. Other types of licenses, including an ABRA Manager's license, are not acceptable.
• Food must be served whenever alcohol is consumed during the event.
• Guests must not be permitted to carry alcohol off the premises, outside the Decatur Place entrances, or onto the sidewalks in front of the building.
• Once cleanup begins, the group may consume no additional alcohol.
• The point of contact should be prepared to make alternate methods of transportation available for individuals too intoxicated to drive home safely.
CATERING / DELIVERIES
• Outside catering is allowed. The venue maintains a list of preferred caterers with which has a relationship. Events are strongly encouraged to contract with one of the preferred caterers. With permission of our office, Guests may bring their own precooked food and nonalcoholic beverages.
• Access to a small kitchenette is included. It is available for final food preparation only and storage; no cooking.
• The Guest or their caterer supplies serving utensils, table service, linens, table cloths, napkins, ice, coffee urns, cups, plates and all other materials needed for the event. These are not supplied by the venue.
• Food and other deliveries (and associated pickups) must occur during the hours booked unless agreed upon in advance.
NOISE LEVELS
• Per the DC noise control ordinance, noise must not rise above 60 dB(A) during the daytime or 55 dB(A) at night (after 9pm). Staff may monitor noise levels during your event and are empowered to request that music or other sound be turned down. Further, events must not disturb office tenants who may be onsite, particularly during the day on weekdays.
• Background (ambiance) music and short term use of louder music (such as a soloist or string quartet for a wedding ceremony) is likely to be approved for your outdoor event. Louder music such as a band or DJ may not fit our gardens but may work in one of our indoor spaces.
• Guests and attendees are asked not to linger in front of the building before, during, or after the event to avoid disturbing our neighbors.
DECOR
• Candles are permitted (when continuously attended) if placed on plates or in cups/hurricanes for safety and to prevent wax drippings. (Candles must be extinguished in unoccupied rooms.)
• Nothing may be affixed to the walls, ceilings or floors except with painter’s tape.
• Glitter, rice, sparklers, pyrotechnics and cold spark fireworks, and confetti are prohibited. This includes balloons filled with confetti.
• All decorations and other materials must be removed from the premises at the conclusion of the event.
WIFI & AUDIOVISUAL
• The WiFI may be used at guests' own risk. We will make a reasonable effort to make our WIFI services available during each event but the WIFI’s functionality is not guaranteed. Simultaneous use by multiple devices, livestreaming and other high bandwidth activities may severely affect the efficacy and speed of the WIFI network.
• The event organizer may borrow the venue's audiovisual equipment for the duration of the event and is responsible for returning it and all cables in the condition they were found in. Functionality is not guaranteed.
SETUP AND CLEAN UP
• Setup may not begin prior to the agreed upon start time of the booking. All decorations and other materials must be removed from the premises at the agreed upon end time of the booking. The venue will charge overtime for setup that begins before the agreed upon start time -- or if the event or its cleanup continues past the agreed upon end time. For most events, the venue will require the booking of two hours for setup and an hour for clean up unless different timeframes are agreed upon in advance.
• Overtime (clean up) that extends later than the listed space hours will be charged 1.5x the hourly rate.
• Unless agreed to in advance, setup and takedown of furniture and chairs by our staff is not included in the cost of the space. Setup and cleanup time must be included in the total rental time. Furniture must be returned to the location in which it was found at the beginning of the event.
• Sofas, rug, lamps and other furniture may only be removed from that space with permission of FMW staff and must be returned to their original location at the conclusion of the Event.
• Nothing may be draped over or attached to the wooden ceiling beams OR to the sprinkler system water lines.
PETS
• No pets allowed other than service animals.
LIABILITY INSURANCE
• Guests and all vendors must provide event liability insurance valid for the duration of the rental naming our organization as additionally insured and providing at least $1 million in liability coverage. This must include liquor liability if applicable to the event. Insurance is an additional cost and not included in the pricing shown on Peerspace. The venue has recommended vendors for purchasing this insurance.
CHILDREN
• Children are welcome but must not be left unattended.
OVERNIGHT STORAGE
• In certain situations, we may grant you overnight storage or allow items to remain in your space(s) or other areas of the venue before or after the agreed-upon dates and hours of your event. These arrangements shall be wholly at your own risk. We shall have no responsibility or liability for items stored at, delivered to, or shipped to our venue except in cases of gross negligence or intentional acts.
HONEY BEES
• Guests should be aware that we have honeybee hives onsite (but not in event spaces).
GARDEN ACCESS
Garden access is not included unless purchased as an add on for an extra charge or otherwise agreed to in advance. If your rental also includes garden access:
• DJs and loud music may not set up to play in the gardens due to the neighborhood noise ordinance. Background and ambience music may be allowed outdoors.
• Our audiovisual equipment may not be used outdoors without our permission and these items must be protected from rain, heat, and moisture at all times.
• Lighting in the gardens is limited after dark. String lighting may be available but its availability is not guaranteed.
• Do not step in landscaped areas.
• A rain plan -- either booking of an indoor space or tenting of this garden space -- is required for all bookings. The venue is not responsible for inclement weather if a rain plan is not established.
• Tents, lighting, heat lamps, and fans may be erected in the gardens (with our approval in advance and from approved vendors). We do not own any of these. Heat may not be used on the grass or landscaped areas. Tenting may be required for larger events.
• Do not pour any substance on the grass or landscaping.