Frequently Asked Questions

• Capacity 200 minimum to 500 maximum
• Approximately 10,000 square feet
• Staircase steps 20 each side including top and bottom
• Railing: 22ft inside on each side and 12ft across
• Dance Floor 29ft across, 44ft long
• Gazebo 40ft round, 15ft height
• Length of walkway for gazebo 51ft
   

• Capacity 75 minimum to 200 maximum
• Approximately 5,000 square feet
• Staircase 20 steps including top and bottom
• Railing 22ft inside and 13ft across top
• Dance floor 26ft from side to side
• Gazebo 25ft Round, 12ft height
• Length of walkway for gazebo is 66ft
• Pergola 17ft width x 9.5 height

Round tables are provided by Aria in two sizes:

• 66” Round for 8 to 10, linens are 132” 
• 72” Round for 12, linens are 132”
• Chair size 3.5’ height

Vestibule entrance area: rectangular tables are 2.5ft by 8ft linen size is 90” x 156”

48” round if client provides the linen, it requires a 120” linen to go to the floor.

Sweetheart table size is a half-circle. Across the side the couple sits along is 72” the table is 48” deep. If couple provides the linen, it requires a 132” round linen to go to the floor.  

There is also an option of a round sweetheart table which is a 66” diameter or a rectangular table which can be either 6 feet or 8 feet long. 

For the safety of your guests as well as to preserve the pristine condition of the chapel, the following items are not permitted in the chapel: confetti, rice, loose crystals and stones, real or synthetic flower petals, bubbles and open flame candles. The only flame allowed is for a unity candle. All other décor must be free standing and set up by the couple’s florist or decorator.

The aisle is 54 feet from the inside set of doors down to the raised platform at the end of the aisle.

The aisle is 6.5 feet wide. Keep in mind if any free-standing décor is placed in the aisle, it must not obscure the entrance to the pews. Guests have to be able to access the pews from both ends. Side note: Keep in mind the circumference of your dress when walking down the aisle especially if you are being escorted by one or two people as you do not want your dress to snag and drag items with you as you walk down. 

Fabric runners are not allowed, as they pose a tripping hazard for guests. An actual carpet runner is allowed but they cannot be adhered or attached to the floor in any way.

At Aria rehearsals are completely unnecessary. The maître d’ and bridal attendant will line you and your wedding party up, escort you to the ceremony site and tell everyone when to start walking and where they will stand or sit when they get to the end of the aisle. This alleviates the anxiety of have to plan and pay for a rehearsal dinner as well as trying to get your whole wedding party together to do so. 

A vendor will always be guaranteed at least 30 minutes of set up time in the chapel.

It is not anticipated that your actual ceremony is an hour long. Aria takes into account many things when it comes to designating an hour of time for the ceremony. An hour of time allows for some leeway as the ceremony may start within 5 to 10 minutes from your contracted start time, if there are some straggling guests walking in. A ceremony is typically 25 to 30 minutes; however, this will also allow for you to take photos in the chapel after the ceremony as well as give time for your florist /decorator to remove all décor. In that time frame your guests are making their way to the main foyer of Aria gathering them so our staff can then direct them to cocktail hour. If you anticipate that your ceremony is an actual hour you would need to purchase additional ceremony time. This should be decided as soon as possible so you can ensure that additional time is available to purchase.

There can be up to 250 chairs outside by the gazebo.

Inside the ballroom there will be 50 chairs set-up on ballroom dance floor as a rain back-up plan; as the remaining guests would sit at their tables during the ceremony. 

There can be up to 100 chairs outside by the gazebo and also by the pergola. Inside the ballroom there will be 40 chairs set-up on ballroom floor as a rain back-up plan.

The chapel can only be used as a back-up plan if it is purchased as a rain contingency plan. When booking your outdoor ceremony, it is the same cost and amount of allotted time as the chapel; however, if you choose to have an outdoor ceremony and the weather is inclement, the automatic back-up plan is your ballroom on the dance floor. In order to have the chapel as a back-up plan you pay double the ceremony fee as you are now reserving the chapel during that time frame stopping anyone else from utilizing it at that particular time. Once you have booked the chapel as your primary ceremony location, you cannot remove it and change to a garden ceremony. It would take place in the chapel rain or shine, unless you have booked both garden and chapel.

Fountains are not in use during the winter months. They are typically running May through October, however that may change depending on weather conditions.

The driveway is cleared prior to any event and the walkways are cleared for guests if interested in taking outside photos.

The hair and makeup for the bridal party must be done offsite prior to arrival.

Brides can get dressed here in the suite depending on the number of hours booked for the reception. With the 5.5 hour reception the couple and wedding party will come directly to Aria and go right into the ceremony. Access to the bridal suite is granted after the ceremony. 

With the 6, 7, or 8 hour reception the couple and wedding party can arrive to the suite and property 2 hours prior to the ceremony if it is held at Aria. This time can be utilized to get dressed or take photos. If the ceremony is not held at Aria with a 5.5 hour reception the couple along with wedding party can be here 1 hour prior to the reception start time. With a 6, 7, or 8 hour reception the couple can be here 2 hours prior to the reception start time.

Keep in mind both ballrooms have their own private suite. It is up to the couple to determine who utilizes that suite upon arrival. 

Guests should arrive no more than 25 minutes prior to the actual ceremony. Keep in mind your decorator may be bringing items within 30 minutes of the ceremony start time.

The centerpieces are provided by the client, or their said decorator/florist. 

The florist or decorator is responsible for set-up, as well as take down. Vendors must clean up any mess from loading in and loading out. Aria is not responsible for any times left behind.

Items that Aria staff will set up: Guest book and pen, toasting glasses for the couple, cake knife/serving set, Card box, memorial photos and signage, Welcome sign and other signage, favors, plastic or acrylic chargers, up to 5 votive candles per guest tables as long as the candle is in the holder with the wick turned up for easy lighting. They must also be free of any individual wrapping. Battery powered candles must have all plastic tables pulled out as well as free from any individual wrapping.  

Open flame candles are allowed in the ballroom, but must be surrounded by a glass container so wax cannot drip out, and the flame must be below the top of the container.

Floating candles are allowed but must be set up by the couple’s decorator/florist.

No indoor pyrotechnics are allowed on premise such as cold sparklers. No Outdoor pyrotechnics such as fireworks are  allowed without a permit from the Fire Marshall of Prospect. These services are illegal in Connecticut with out the proper licensing and permits. Any vendor offering these services must be licensed in Connecticut. They must contact the Fire Marshall of Prospect for all details in order to conduct those services. The Fire Marshall will be present the day of the event to issue the permit. If the vendor does not go through the proper outlets and the Fire Marshall is not present Aria will not allow these service to be completed and law enforcement will be notified.

No this is prohibited as they are illegal in the state of Connecticut.

Yes, as long as they are kept and released outside.

Fog machines are not allowed on premises as they impact the fire alarm system. Dry ice can be used instead of fog machines as the smoke a dry ice machine provides stays low to the ground.

With a 5.5 hour reception Vendors can arrive 1.5 hours prior to the reception start time. With the 6, 7, or 8 hour reception vendors can arrive 3 hours prior to the reception start time. 

If additional set up time is required it can be purchased for an additional cost as long as it is available. 

It is recommended that all vendors obtain liability insurance. Upon their all vendors must check in with the staff of Aria so they can be directed where they need to load in from. 

All events are allowed one hour of break down time from the time the event ends. More time will not be allowed. 

Any wedding planner/coordinator outside of Aria staff must be part of all planning appointments. Outside planners/coordinators do not dictate itineraries and floor plans. They must abide by all Aria rules and regulations and adhere to the Aria timeline and floor plan that is provided through the planning appointments. The maître d’ provided by Aria is there to make sure the event runs accordingly. An outside planner/coordinator is expected to work with the maître d’ to ensure an efficient event. 

Yes, drones are allowed to be flown over Aria. 

The maire d’ is provided by Aria to ensure that everything goes according to plan from the time you arrive until the time you leave. They will coordinate with your vendors the day of to make sure all formalities are executed at the appropriate times. They are also the liaison from to the kitchen ensuring that all food is served at the appropriate times. They will also orchestrate the lineup of everyone for ceremony. 

The bridal attendant is such an asset to the day of the wedding. The attendant is there to assist the maître d’ that all is going according to plan. They are there to ensure the couple has everything that they need that day. They will stock the suite with beverages prior to the ceremony as well as serve food and beverages in the suite during cocktail hour. They will spread your dress out prior to walking down the aisle, serve you your dinner courses hot and fresh at the appropriate time so you do not miss out on photo opportunities such as sunset or parent dances. 

The service fee is not a gratuity as it is an operational fee, a day of gratuity for your waitstaff, maître d’ and bridal attendant is optional and appreciated. You will not be presented with a separate obligatory gratuity bill.

Aria does not provide valet parking, but we can hire an outside vendor to support your request for an additional cost.

Yes, Aria does have a microphone and podium on hand for events but we do not supply additional staging.

Photos can be taken in public spaces such as: the front the facility with the horse fountain, land in front of the parking lot, grounds surrounding the chapel as long as ceremonies are not taking place, the main entrance of the Aria facility both ground level and upstairs, your ballroom, private coordinating garden and bridal suite.

Pets are not allowed in the chapel or the main facility, but can be brought for a quick outdoor photo opportunity. After that, they must leave the premises.

Yes, Aria does have an American flag and pole for your event.