Non-Smoking Venue

Rebl90 · December 2013

The venue that we have chosen for our ceremony and reception does not allow smoking, and while I'm not too concerned, FI has quite a few friends (some of them are GM) who smoke. I know that if the staff sees anyone smoking that day they will ask them to stop and/or vacate the premises, so should I give FI's friends a heads up?

I obviously wouldn't put anything on the invitations, but I wasn't sure if I should put a note on our wedding website or just ask FI to casually mention it to his friends in the weeks before the wedding. (It is on the venue's website, but I don't know how many guests will actually bother to look at that).

Like I said, I'm not too concerned, but I wasn't sure if it needed to be addressed.

[Deleted User] · December 2013

You can mention it on your wedding website and leave it at that.

lyndausvi · December 2013

I see no reason why you can't mention the venue is a non-smoking property to your smoking friends if the topic of the wedding is being discussed. I doubt it would even be much of a surprise anyway. I find non-smoking properties are becoming more and more common. It at least gives them the opportunity to slap on a patch or carry an electronic one to get their fix if they are hard core smokers.

AshleyNicole1218 · December 2013

I live in NJ and all public buildings are non-smoking. Are guests able to smoke outside within a designated area?

I would hope the venue's employees would give your guests the benefit of a doubt, that they were unaware there was no smoking, especially if the no smoking laws are not in your area. Perhaps check with them that they are giving 'warnings' ("sorry sir, this is a non-smoking venue. I'd appreciate if you could take your cig outside.") rather then demanding they leave the premesis right away.

I'm glad you're not too concerned with this. Worrying about all the potential actions/inactions could drive you crazy!! Good luck!

sarahsmiles326 · December 2013

I have a similar venue. I put it on our wedding website and I also had my mom spread the word to her side, who are smokers.

kmmssg · December 2013

I live in MI and all of our public buildings, except casinos, are smoke free. If your venue allows smoking outside then I don't think this is a big problem, but if they don't allow smoking on the grounds at all, you need to mention this.

I have noticed when traveling that there are still places in the South where smoking is permitted indoors. Do you live in an area where smoking is still permitted indoors?

kmmssg · December 2013

@lyndausvi - Merry Christmas! How is Chef D?

Senecaf · December 2013

My city has been non smoking for so long I cannot even wrap my head around this.

I assume they can smoke outside right? I would put it on your website and just mention it when people talk to you about the wedding. It probably will not be a big deal.

lyndausvi · December 2013

kmmssg said:

@lyndausvi - Merry Christmas! How is Chef D?

Merry Christmas to you also. Chef D is good. He turned 2 in Nov and has been a very active ever since. It's like he hit the doggie version of the terrible twos. It's fun watching his personality evolve and boy do bullies have strong personalities.

How is your family doing?

banana468 · December 2013

I am so surprised that there are still smoking venues out there.

Ditto PPs that I think it's fine to mention to the GM if it comes up that the venue does not allow smoking on the premises. Just be clear about where it may be allowed if at all so they have fair warning. I also assume that there are signs posted throughout the venue as well, right?

lyndausvi · December 2013

Hi Banana !!

I was surprised there would be smoking venues out there, but a lot of places are becoming completely smoke free campus. So smoking outside is banned also. Maybe that is the issue, as I don't know anyone who would think twice over not being able to smoke inside anymore.

banana468 · December 2013

Hi Lynda!!

Living in CT, the only places that allow smoking are cigar bars and the casino. Even several restaurants within the casinos are smoke free and people just light up in the places that it's allowed.

Unless the venue is in NYC where the e-cigs are also recently outlawed, could the GM smoke them?

Rebl90 · December 2013

AshleyNicole1218 said:

I live in NJ and all public buildings are non-smoking. Are guests able to smoke outside within a designated area? I would hope the venue's employees would give your guests the benefit of a doubt, that they were unaware there was no smoking, especially if the no smoking laws are not in your area. Perhaps check with them that they are giving 'warnings' ("sorry sir, this is a non-smoking venue. I'd appreciate if you could take your cig outside.") rather then demanding they leave the premesis right away. I'm glad you're not too concerned with this. Worrying about all the potential actions/inactions could drive you crazy!! Good luck!

I should have clarified further, sorry! Our venue is privately owned and prohibits alcohol and smoking. Our ceremony and reception will both be held outside, there is no option of smoking anywhere on the premises, therefore I don't want my guests to assume that they can smoke as long as they stand off in a corner somewhere. I will talk to our venue coordinator about their warning system, so I don't go crazy

banana468 said:

I am so surprised that there are still smoking venues out there.

Ditto PPs that I think it's fine to mention to the GM if it comes up that the venue does not allow smoking on the premises. Just be clear about where it may be allowed if at all so they have fair warning. I also assume that there are signs posted throughout the venue as well, right?

*Stuck*

No, there are no signs prohibiting smoking, as it is a private venue. The staff makes sure all clients are aware of it when you inquire about the facility and also when you sign the contract. It's a privately owned estate that has been a wedding venue for the last 30+ years here in CA, so they probably do not see the need for posting signs. Oh, and your second point about the e-cigs was excellent, I will definitely check into that. I hadn't even thought of that and I should be making myself aware of every situation, thank you @banana468!

phira · December 2013

I would put it on the wedding website for sure. Appropriate wording would be something like, "Our venue is the beautiful [venue] located in [place]. This venue prohibits smoking anywhere on the premises, including outdoors on the property."

And I would have your fiance mention it in conversation with smoking friends.

I don't think e-cigs would be an appropriate alternative; they're unregulated right now, but a lot of organizations and places treat them like regular cigarettes (including my workplace). Better to stay on the safe side.

Rebl90 · December 2013

Thanks all! I just didn't want to offend by putting it on the site, and I'll have FI mention it to each of his friends individually.

RebeccaB88 · December 2013

Under these circumstances, I think both putting it on the website and mentioning it to known smokers would be the right thing to do. In my family, they would appreciate knowing they'd need a patch or to have some nicotine gum on them to get through the event. They're used to this by now since most indoor places here are already nonsmoking, but the ability to smoke outdoors is regulated by the owner/management of the property, not the law (except government owned property). You might also ask if smoking inside their personal vehicles on the property is also not permitted.

RebeccaB88 · December 2013

DP

Jen4948 · December 2013

I'd put it on the website and mention it by word of mouth to the smokers: "Our venue is a non-smoking venue. The staff has asked us to ask our guests' cooperation in this matter and refrain from smoking on their premises."

If, after this heads-up, any of your guests light up while there, I'd say it's on their heads if they are ejected. But: does your contract penalize you and your FI if anyone smokes at your wedding? Hopefully you won't be legally or financially responsible.

Rebl90 · December 2013

Jen4948 said:

I'd put it on the website and mention it by word of mouth to the smokers: "Our venue is a non-smoking venue. The staff has asked us to ask our guests' cooperation in this matter and refrain from smoking on their premises."

If, after this heads-up, any of your guests light up while there, I'd say it's on their heads if they are ejected. But: does your contract penalize you and your FI if anyone smokes at your wedding? Hopefully you won't be legally or financially responsible.

No, we are not held liable, which is why (I believe) that they will just ask said person to leave. It's not a fire hazard, just something they don't tolerate. It's very nice that they won't hold it against us

kmmssg · December 2013

Do you have a plan B in case of bad weather?

thisismynickname2 · December 2013

Here's another idea. I'm also in a city with no smoking indoors, and we're in a high rise for the reception. I plan to include other times in the program: cake cutting, first dance, etc. That way the smokers can take breaks and not miss anything if they so choose.

Jen4948 · December 2013

Rebl90 said:

Jen4948 said:

I'd put it on the website and mention it by word of mouth to the smokers: "Our venue is a non-smoking venue. The staff has asked us to ask our guests' cooperation in this matter and refrain from smoking on their premises."

If, after this heads-up, any of your guests light up while there, I'd say it's on their heads if they are ejected. But: does your contract penalize you and your FI if anyone smokes at your wedding? Hopefully you won't be legally or financially responsible.

No, we are not held liable, which is why (I believe) that they will just ask said person to leave. It's not a fire hazard, just something they don't tolerate. It's very nice that they won't hold it against us

I'd put out the word by word-of-mouth that violation of the no-smoking rule will lead to ejection.

Rebl90 · December 2013

kmmssg said:

Do you have a plan B in case of bad weather?

Yes, the venue is owned by a neighboring church, which they reserve in case of poor weather, and then the reception is held indoors if it rains

scribe95 said:

There need to be signs. I understand it's a private venue but it's being used to host weddings with lots of guests from the public, who should be told the rules. I would print up some nice signs and display them.

I don't really feel the need for signs, no more than 8 of our guests are smokers, and all of those are FI's close friends. (Our guest list is comprised of our families and close friends only) I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't poor etiquette to let people know by word of mouth or through the website. We will most likely be doing both

thisismynickname said:

Here's another idea. I'm also in a city with no smoking indoors, and we're in a high rise for the reception. I plan to include other times in the program: cake cutting, first dance, etc. That way the smokers can take breaks and not miss anything if they so choose.

Definitely a great idea, I can add all of the estimated times for the "big moments" (for lack of a better term), but I doubt anyone would completely leave the property in order for a break.

Edited: Spelling.

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