What are your current COVID-19 guidelines for events (as 11/1/22)?

All guidelines are subject to change depending on the level of COVID-19 transmission in Washtenaw County.

Can I hold a date?

Due to the high demand for our venue, the only way to secure your date is with a signed contract and receipt of your non-refundable deposit.  All available dates are booked on a “first come, first served basis.”

Do you have any hidden fees?

No, all fees are listed on the contract. There will be additional charges only if you add guests or additional items on your event day.

What is the service charge?

The service charge is a 22% fee charged on all food and beverage purchases. Service charges are industry standard. Your contract will show a breakdown of the costs, including the service charge, which covers the cost of Lake Forest’s staff for your event. 

Is there a guest minimum or a food and beverage minimum?

Food and beverage minimums apply and vary based on the date, type and size of the event.  

Can our final guest count change?

Your guest count will likely change from your initial estimate, so we don’t require your final guaranteed count until 7 days before your event—the same time your final payment is due. If your final count suddenly increases less than 7 days before your event, let us know immediately so we can make the necessary accommodations. If your guest count decreases less than 7 days before your event, you will still be responsible for your guaranteed final guest count charges.

Are children welcome at my event?

Of course!   Because we are also a golf facility, it is important that all children are supervised.  Lake Forest does not provide staff to monitor children. 

Is there a price difference for children?

Children aged five and under are free, but we still need to know how many are coming for seating purposes. Children 6-12 are at a reduced fee for food. Anyone under 21 is excluded from any alcoholic beverage package.

Do I need a seating chart?

To make your event run smoothly, for certain types of events, we may require a seating chart.

Can I bring my own decorations?

Sure! Just make sure you run everything by our Event Planner (For example, bringing unsecured paper or confetti will result in cleaning fees. Open flames are prohibited.)  More details are outlined in the contract!

Who will be my main contact the day of the event?

A Lake Forest team member will be available to you for the entirety of your event to ensure everything goes smoothly!

How many hours in advance of my event will I have access to the facility?

The banquet room is available two hours before your event.  We also allow 1 hour at the end of the event to remove any item you may have brought into the facility.  

What AV equipment do you provide?

AV equipment is available for a rental fee.  Our event planner can you provide you with a list of items available to rent.

Can I bring in my own alcohol?

No.  Michigan state law does not allow outside alcohol to be brought on the premises as it violates our liquor license. We are happy to customize a package just for you!

Can I bring in my own catering?

Lake Forest has a full-service catering restaurant. All food must be purchased from Lake Forest.  Some exceptions may apply for specialty desserts.

Do you offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc?

While we are not certified gluten or allergy free, we are happy to prepare meals without added gluten/vegan/etc. All special dietary requests will need to be provided 14 days before your event.  We cannot honor any special requests during the event that are not pre-arranged. There are no added fees for special requests.

Can we take home the leftover food?

Liability issues prohibit any food or beverages to be taken off the premises. You may take home leftover cake or desserts brought in by your vendor.

Are any outdoor spaces available to our guests during my indoor event?

Use of outdoor spaces must be pre-arranged with the Event Planner and may be subject to fees.  

Can I host my event outdoors?

Yes!  If you want a tent for your event, Lake Forest will work with local vendors to set up a tent for an additional fee.  If you want to host your event on our outdoor deck, fees apply.

 I would like to book my event at Lake Forest Golf Club. What do I do now?

We are delighted you have chosen Lake Forest for your event! We make planning your event as simple as possible. You can contact our event planner to finalize and sign your contract as well as pay your non-refundable deposit. Contracts can be finalized in person or via email.  Payments can be made in person or over the phone – whatever works best for you! Once this is done, the date is reserved for your event.

What is the next step after booking my event?

You will work with our Event Planner who will help with plans and questions. Also, approximately 10-14 days before your event, we will call you or meet with you for an in-depth discussion to finalize your event details.

When are payments due?

A non-refundable deposit is due at booking. 7 days before your event, we require the final guaranteed guest count. We will update your contract based on that guest count and the balance owed will be due at that time. You may also make periodic payments between booking and final payment. We accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards.  Credit card payments incur a 3% fee.

What if I need to cancel my event?

We hope this will not happen, but if you need to cancel your event, your deposit will be the minimum cancellation charge and will increase according to the schedule below. 

– 180 days to 91 days before the event date 25% of total estimated revenue
– 91 days to 31 days 50% of the estimated revenue
-30 days or less 100% of the estimated revenue. (Add schedule here)

Under special circumstances, Lake Forest Golf Club management may approve applying the deposit to an alternate date.

Ready to Book!?  Contact us at 734-929-3854 or jenny@lkforest.com