Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions at Emerson Fields.

  • Emerson Fields is located just a few miles south of Macon, Missouri on 34 acres with direct access to Highway 63. Emerson Fields is only 50 miles straight north of Columbia, MO. It is also equal distance to Kansas City or St. Louis, so it makes for an excellent meeting place from the east or west side of Missouri.

    Our couples live all over the state, and country, but most of our couples come to us from central Missouri. It’s very typical to have brides book with us from Columbia, Centralia, Fulton, Kansas City, Gladstone, Blue Springs, Jefferson City, Lake of the Ozarks, Boonville, St. Louis, Troy, Hannibal and Kirksville (just to name a few).

    When couples book their wedding at Emerson Fields, we offer them a curated directory of boutique and hotel lodging. The majority of the lodging recommendations given are within 8 miles of the venue and most couples, and their families, make a mini-destination out of their weekend here in Macon county. All of these lodging options are priced affordably and most offer discounts for our clients and their guests. Let them know that Emerson Fields sent you and they will take good care of you!

  • At Emerson Fields, our venue is large enough to comfortably accommodate 300 guests, including the wedding party. The seating arrangement and layout of the reception tables can change the capacity limit depending on the arrangement chosen. Our indoor main floor’s maximum capacity is 180 guests and the balcony level capacity is 120 guests.

    Emerson Fields pricing structure is unique and more client-friendly than other venues because we customize the pricing based on your number of guests. After all, why should you pay full capacity price if you’re only planning on 100 guests?

  • Yes! Tables and chairs are provided and included in the rental fee. Here is a breakdown of what is provided and included in your rental.

    We provide:

    • 25- 6ft. round tables (seats 8-10 guests comfortably)

    • 21- 8ft. banquet tables (seats 8-10 guests comfortably)

    • 6- 8ft. white farmhouse tables (seats 8-10 guests comfortably)

    • 5- 6ft. banquet tables for desserts, appetizers or serving tables

    • 10- 36in. cocktail tables (can be 30” seated height or 42” standing bar height)

    • Specialty tables include: white farmhouse table in foyer for guest book or gift table, wooden spool table on casters for cake or appetizer table, 2 wood-top serving carts

    • 300 gold Chiavari chairs with ivory cushions for inside the venue

    • 300 white padded folding chairs for outdoor ceremonies and patio

    • Set-up and tear-down of all of the tables and chairs for ceremony and reception

    • A lovely cedar arbor that you can use as a backdrop for your ceremony

    • 9ft tall wood cross that you can use as a backdrop for your ceremony

    Fine white table linens can be added on to your rental for an additional fee.

  • Absolutely! Your ceremony and reception tables and chairs will be set up prior to your arrival on the day before your wedding. Your planning team will just need to add décor to give it your personal touch! Emerson Fields staff will also take down the tables and chairs after your departure. Learn more about what the Emerson Fields venue staff are responsible for in this blog post.

  • Yes - a thousand times yes! Emerson Fields staff will be on site on your wedding day to manage anything related to the building, property, and tables or chairs. They do not manage your wedding details, wedding party, or your vendors. You’ll need someone in charge of all of the inner workings and details of your wedding day to make your big day run smoothly. This blog post shows you how to think of a professional wedding coordinator, or planner, like an insurance policy protecting your wedding day. Once you book at Emerson Fields, we’ll happily recommend some professionals to make your day everything you want it to be!

  • You’re welcome to choose a licensed and insured wedding and event caterer of your choice! We don’t allow homemade food or “friends” who want to cater your wedding reception. Allowing you to choose the caterer that fits within your budget and is suited to your liking is just one of the ways Emerson Fields makes your day more about you!

  • Emerson Fields does not operate with a liquor license, so you may stock our bar with beverages for your bartenders to serve if you’re planning for an open bar. You can also host your reception with a cash bar if you hire a bartender with a liquor license. Guests under 21 years old may not be served under any circumstances. You may opt for an open bar or cash bar, but all beverages must be served to your guests through the bar. No outside alcohol, coolers, or kegs allowed. No hard liquor is allowed to be served on its own (ie. shots). Special alcohol liability insurance is required. Recommendations for bartenders or servers is given upon request.

  • Yes, a $500 security deposit is required at booking. The security deposit is both to secure the day and time of your event and to cover costs of cleaning should the cleaning requirements not be met after your event. This security deposit is refundable after your wedding cleanup has been completed to the satisfaction of Emerson Fields.

    The deposit may be withheld in full or part if the cleaning requirements are not completed properly.  Should cleaning or repairs exceed the deposit amount, an additional amount shall be charged to the Client for any and all additional damages. Should you cancel your event or fail to adhere to the terms of your rental agreement by failing to make payments with the schedule set by you and Emerson Fields, the security deposit shall not be refunded.

  • Emerson Fields staff will take care of tearing down all tables and chairs, collecting our tablecloths for laundering (if rented from us) and performing a final sanitizing and cleaning. Your caterer should have the personnel to clear tables and take out the trash during dinner. You’re responsible for collecting your décor, rental items and personal items. Assign individuals to sweep, take the trash to the dumpster and leave the venue, and it’s surroundings, in the same order you found it when you arrived. We request that you supply individuals to assist with the removal of trash for the final hours of the reception once your vendor team has departed.

  • Your guest count number will be finalized at the Design Consultation, which is typically held at Emerson Fields about two weeks before your wedding day. Any additional increase in your rental fee as a result of an increase in the number of guests shall be paid at the Design Consultation in full.

  • Yes, you are required to have Special Event Liability Insurance and we will add it to your rental fee ($200). Proof of this Special Event Liability Insurance is required 30 days before your wedding and we can provide you a copy of this insurance per your request.

Want to see the venue for yourself and ask more questions? Book a tour with us!

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