FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Do you require a multi-day reservation and do all reservations include full and exclusive access to the grounds and Farm House?
We offer both a single day and multi-day reservations. . Some parties rent for a full 7-nights during July and August. It is most common that weddings parties rent Thursday through Monday. See the fees for different packages on this web sit. Wedding rentals are all inclusive and provides exclusive access to the Wedding Barn, Farm House and grounds. A multi-day rental is encouraged because vendors frequently need a full day set-up and full day take-down.
2. Where is the Farm at Worthley Pond located?
The Farm at Worthley Pond is located 3 hours north of Boston's Logan Airport and 1 ½ hour north of Portland. It is located between Rumford, Bethel, and Auburn, Maine. The physical address of the Farm is 153 East Shore Road, Peru, Maine, 04290. Click on "Google" (lower left corner of map) to link to a full page color map locating The Farm at Worthley Pond.
3. What is included in my reservation fee?
All rentals include full and exclusive use of the following:
1840 remodeled Wedding Barn 1500 sq. feet
banquet tables and chairs for 150-175 guests
15 room Farm House, including all lofts
4 large meeting rooms and a 520 sq. feet family room
overnight accommodations for up to 25 guests
linens & towels provided
full kitchen facilities including modern double oven
fully stocked kitchen including 15 person place setting
extensive sporting equipment
indoor sauna
kitchen fireplace
billiard room
cable TV, DVD, flat screen TV
3 indoor bathrooms and 1 outdoor portable restrooms
event decorative barn lighting
large outdoor deck
pre event cleaning
outdoor beverage gazebo with bar
cloths washer, dryer & iron board
30 car parking lot adjacent to wedding barn, and additional street parking
5 acres grass lawn
private boats and sandy beach
crystal clear Worthley Pond with pier and swimming raft
8-person hot tub
Please note: For additional fees the following are available: table cloths, flat are, wine glasses (glass), champagne toasting glasses (glass), water glasses (glass) and glass water pitchers. Farm staff can also serve beverages and assist with clearing tables for dancing for an additional fee. Not included in your wedding package is the washing of glasses and general clean-up after the event as listed under “rules & clean-up policies” on your contract.
4. Can the Farm be rented for non-wedding events?
Yes, the Farm can be rented for non-wedding events such as family and group vacations, reunions, sports clubs, etc. Non-wedding rentals do not include use of the Barn thus the rental fee is lower. www.retreatsnewengland.com provides details of non-wedding Farm rentals.
5. Is there one person who books my event and works with me on all details?
Paul Bray is the owner of The Farm at Worthley Pond and all bookings and event management is worked through him. Paul can be contacted via email mainefarm@earthlink.net and 252-717-4402. They live a few miles away in Peru, Maine.
6. Are there extra costs for a summer weddings during May through September is there additional considerations needed for summer weddings?
There is a higher fee for a 4-night summer wedding. See the fees listed on this website. This fee is all inclusive. The Farm’s summer rentals are May 1st to September 30th. The Farm Summer rentals are usually booked 14 to 24 months in advance. Fall and spring weddings often require a 12 month advance booking. Some wedding parties have chosen to rent the full 7-night summer week and invite family and guests to enjoy all the Farm’s amenities such as swimming and boating.
7. What is the cost if our wedding party would choose to rent the full 7-night week?
See the package prices listed on this web site.
8. What is the deposit and payment schedule?
A signed contract with $2000 deposit (approximately 1/3 payment) is required to confirm a reservation. The $2000 deposit is part of the total rental price and then fifty percent (50%) of the balance is due 4 months after booking. The final 50% is due 8 months after booking.
9. Do all weddings include full and exclusive use of the barn?
All weddings include full and exclusive use of the 1500 sq. foot remodeled 1840 barn. The Wedding Barn has a front & side entrance and three large panoramic windows. The Barn’s windows “frame” the beautiful green Maine Mountains and the sparking clear 5 mile circumference lake called Worthley Pond. The Barn can seat 150 people for the wedding banquet-reception and, 200 people with an extension tent located at the entrance.
10. What provisions are made in case of rain?
The Wedding Barn and the many large rooms of the Farm House can accommodate large groups in inclement weather. A rented event tent is available for additional fee.
11. Where will the wedding ceremony be held?
The Wedding ceremony may be held in the Wedding Barn or anywhere on the extensive lawn. Often wedding parties choose the beach area with a backdrop of the lake and mountains.
12. Are banquet tables and chairs provided?
Banquet tables for 160 guests and chairs for 200 guests are provided at no additional cost.
13 . What is the maximum number of guests the facility can accommodate?
The Wedding Barn can accommodate a maximum of 150-200 banquet sit down guests (160 guests within the Barn and 40 guests within an extended tent at Barn's entrance). An outdoor wedding with tents could accommodate over 1500 guests.
14. What parking is available?
A 30 car parking lot is adjacent to the Wedding Barn. Additional parking is available along East Shore Road directly west of the Farm.
15. What are the restrictions on noise or outdoor bands?
Music should be moved in-doors by 10:00pm. Receptions and dancing in the Wedding Barn have no time restrictions.
16. Can additional overnight accommodations for family and guests be rented?
There are local accommodations including Bed & Breakfast within 20-40 minutes of the Farm. Numerous small cottages are within walking distance. We can work with you to locate additional accommodations.
17. Is there transportation that can link local housing, regional airports and the Farm?
Arrangements can be made for a van or taxi shuttle service between all local housing, motels and hotels. Furthermore, a van can shuttle guests to and from the Portland, Maine Airport, the Brunswick, Maine Amtrak Station and the Farm.
18. Can we choose our own vendors like caterers, musicians, photographers, florists, tents, etc.?
Yes, you can choose your own vendors (with the exception of bar services). We can provide a list of local vendors. Remember wedding plans must include a set up day and removal day for equipment such as tents. This usually can be managed with a 4-day rental. All weddings should consult with our on-site manager before scheduling or stationing tents, tables, trucks, etc. Failure to negotiate with our on-site manager can result in ruts, utility damage or other damage to property. The costs for such damage would be the responsibility of the wedding party. You are welcome to bring any and all vendors to serve your wedding event.
19. Where can the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner be held?
One great advantage of using The Farm at Worthley Pond and the Wedding Barn for your event is that the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner can be held at the same location. The kitchen provides amply place settings for a wedding rehearsal dinner and large meeting rooms for everyone in your party. The rehearsal dinner may be prepared on site or catered.
20. Do we need to provide outdoor port-a-potty?
No, one outdoor port-a-pottie is included in the rental fee. Also the Farm House has three bathrooms.
21. Can we decorate the Wedding Barn, grounds and Farm House?
As part of your fee decorative lighting is provided in the Barn. Weddings parties may add other non-lights decorations. However, all decorations put up must also be taken down after the event.
22. Will staff need to be present and on-hand during our event?
At least one Farm staff will be present at your event. The fee for this staff member is in addition to the rental fee. If your event will serve alcohol, the Farm requires the purchasing of 1 of 4 beverage packages. All beverage packages include at least one Farm on site staff server.
23. Can we select our own caterer or can we bring in our own food?
You can select your own caterer, you can cook your own food or you can even have your family members bring covered dishes. You will have access to a full kitchen with double oven and full cooking equipment.
24. What is you policy regarding alcohol?
Parties are welcome to serve alcohol to their guests. All alcohol beverage services are managed and coordinated by staff of The Farm. All beverages are dispensed by staff “servers” without charge to guests and paid for and delivered by event and wedding parties. The Farm does not allow self-managed service, Cash Bars, BYOB or outside beverage vendors. All events serving alcohol must obtain liability insurance. The following are the Farm’s alcohol policies;
Alcohol served must be without cost (state law because the Farm does not have a license to sell alcohol)
Beer, wine and mixed drinks must be purchased by you along with serving supplies and delivered to the farm
For an extra fee, we require one of four beverage packages to be purchased (full details of the four packages will be provided with your contract)
Self-serve alcohol is not permitted. Guests must be served alcohol
Parties serving alcohol MUST purchase a liability insurance policy. A list of insurance vendors is provided upon request.
25. Can we visit the Farm and tour the barn before we sign the event contract?
Wedding Parties are welcome to visit the Farm before scheduling their wedding. Many parties visit the Farm a number of times before their event to manage planning and decorations.
26. How do we know if our dates are still open and available at the Farm?
The on-line calendar posts our reservations. Even though the on-line calendar is 99% accurate, we strongly encourage all parties to contact Paul Bray to be sure the desired dates are available. The on-line calendar is managed by VRBO. For a calendar of available and booked weeks at the Farm visit www.vrbo.com/48523.
27. How do we reserve our date?
Reservations are made by contacting Paul Bray at mainefarm@earthlink.net or 252-717-4402
28. Is camping permitted on the grounds?
Yes, however guests must contact our manager to be sure no camping is done on or around septic system. There can be a slight additional charge depending on the number and equipment of campers.
29. Is there other rules and cleanup responsibilities?
Yes, a complete list of rules and cleanup responsibilities is listed below and is provided at your final payment.
Clean-up Tasks 1. Garbage from all rooms must be properly disposed in dumpster. All litter from farm or grounds must be collected. No car Repairs. Cigarette butts must be put in garbage (not tossed to ground, left in a bucket or outside ash tray). No animal waste on ground (use pooper scooper). No beverage cans or glass on ground. Garbage is emptied to the green dumpster just across the road to the south of the Farm. 2. Do not Strip bed linen, leave linen on beds. Leave towels on floor or in bathrooms. Leave linen from unused beds on beds. 3. Return furniture to original locations (both inside house and outdoor), return fans to original locations 4. Return all games, life vests and recreational equipment to proper "marked" storage areas (in barn, at beach or in game room) 5. Wash and shelve dishes, inspect dishes to be sure dish washer removed food, wash and store all cooking equipment 6. Guests must clean excessive and unusual dirt. Examples are carpet stains, markings on walls and mud on floors. 7. Paddles and life jackets returned to barn and storage bin 8. Grill is cleaned of excessive grease 9. Return all kitchen supplies and equipment to proper storage, remove all decorations & wedding props 10. Remove all food and food spills from refrigerators and ovens 11. Return cover to hot tub, wrap chain over cover, Renters agree to report all problems to Paul Bray via cell phone at (252) 717-4402. Renters agree to return all furniture and equipment to their original location 12. Turn off all lights, never leave Farm Unlocked or With Open Windows 13. Close all windows, return keys to mail box, return and lock combination lock to mail box, lock door upon exit 14. Clean up all dog waste.
Important Rules
These rules apply to all guests attending farm events and weddings. The contract signers are responsible for the actions of their guests. Failure to comply to any of the rules, committed by guests or contact signers, or clean-up tasks, will result in a loss of your damage deposit.
1. No Illegal Drugs (Maine State Law). No event/wedding BYBO alcohol use.
2. No Underage Drinking of Alcoholic Beverages (Maine State Law). If you are an event (wedding, etc.) and you will be serving alcohol, you must obtain event liability and damage insurance. The Maine Farm Trust must be listed as “covered” under this policy. Contact Paul for referral to approved venders. You must secure at least one staff member or staff server to monitor excessive drinking and disorderly conduct. This person is authorized to terminate alcohol service if disruptive behavior is present and will have phone cell contact with Paul. Furthermore, this person will direct all activities to indoor locations at 10pm (Town of Peru) and will encourage lower noise after 7pm. If non-compliant, disruptive and or causing complaints from neighbors the event will lose their damage deposit. If police are called by neighbors, the event will lose their damage deposit
3. Fires only in beach fire pit - No Exceptions!! Guests can only use gas grill for outdoor cooking. NO candles or other flames in the house or on the grounds. NO fire torches for insects. NO open fires. Neighbors WILL call fire department if any other fire is observed. (Maine State Law) Failure to comply will result in loss of $500 damage deposit.
4. No Fireworks (Maine State Law)
5. Dogs Must Be on A Leash and controlled by owner (Maine State Law), if dogs enter neighbor's areas the event will lose damage deposit. Renters must clean up after dogs.
6. Life Preservers Must Be in Boats (Maine State Law), Never swim, boat, or hike alone.
7. No One Is to Enter A Locked Area, Restricted area such as cellar, locked areas such as wedding barn (for non-wedding rentals), locked storage areas or locked storage containers
8. After 10pm, end all music, outdoor party events, move conversation indoors (Town of Peru), and reduce volume of all events.
9. No Trespassing on Neighbor's Property Including Waterfront & Boat Property
10. No Washing or Use of Soap In The Pond
11. Never attempt equipment, appliance, or heating system repair. If systems fail call Paul (252-717-4402) or Emily (252-717-4409). In an emergency call 911 12. Complete all clean-up tasks. A fee will be charged if clean-up tasks are not completed.