NLDC Wedding FAQs

Is there a wedding planner included with rental? No wedding planner or coordinator is available through NLDC. However, we encourage the use of a planner and have several we have worked with before and highly recommend. If you use a certified planner and share their information with NLDC staff, you can receive a 5% discount on the final cost.

What does the wedding package include? The wedding package includes full use of the main lodge and kitchen, as well as the lakeside patio, amphitheater, Loon cabin and grounds (including fire pit). Additional cabins and tents are available, but not included.

How many may attend? We recommend around 100 guests for an indoor wedding, up to 150-200 for an outdoor wedding. We require additional port-a-johns be rented by the client for every 50 guests more than 100.

What is the wedding package hours and cost? See our packages page. Each wedding package will also have a refundable Security Deposit. There is an additional $50.00/hour charged for every hour outside the contracted time (before and after, except for tent set up). A large tent may be set up the day before if there are no other programs or events scheduled and approval from NLDC staff has been received.

Is there use of a changing area?  Loon cabin, included in the wedding package, is often used as a changing area for wedding parties.

How many people does the amphitheater seat and where is it located?  The amphitheater seats 100 people, and additional folding chairs are available if necessary. The amphitheater is located next to the lodge overlooking Statehouse Lake.

How many people does the Lodge hold? For indoor seating the main lodge seats up to 100 people banquet style and 120 theatre style. There is room for a large tent on the grounds next to the lodge.

Is the main Lodge air conditioned? The main lodge is air conditioned and heated. There are windows throughout the entire room and the double back doors can be opened to the patio.

Are tables and chairs available to use?  There are 16 8ft rectangular tables and 8 6ft rectangular tables, and 135 padded folding chairs, but rental of additional furniture may be necessary. We also have 2 square wooden tables, 1 oval wooden table, and 12 wooden chairs that people often use for the head table set up. These are included in the wedding packages but must be set up by the client.

White tablecloths are available for rent for $10 per cloth, and must be washed and returned to us in clean/pressed condition.

Do you have an ice machine? We do have a small ice machine that will make and store 100 pounds/day.

Is smoking allowed on the grounds? The Discovery Center is a tobacco-free venue and smoking is strictly prohibited. Vaping and the use of marijuana are also prohibited. As a nature and educational facility, we consider this to be an important part of our mission. If guests choose to smoke while they are here, you will forfeit your security deposit.

Do you have a tent for the reception?  We have a white 20x40-foot tent with window sides that is up on the lawn all summer and fits about 40 people seated. There are also two 15x15-foot white tents available for $200 per tent. We can accommodate a larger tent (up to 40x120-foot) with more tables and chairs on the grounds. You would need to rent this from an outside company. Requests for tents must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Do you offer food service?  We do not have food service here, but we do have a full commercial kitchen including walk-in cooler, double oven (one convection), gas stove with 6 burners, warming oven, stand-up freezer, ice maker, and restaurant dishwasher in the lodge for a caterer to use.

Do we need to use a specific caterer? You can use any caterer you choose (or bring in the food yourself). We can recommend several caterers who have provided great service and are familiar with our facility. If you contract an outside caterer, they must be currently licensed as a Wisconsin caterer if bringing in prepared foods. On Site cooks should have ServSafe certification.

Is wireless internet available? Yes, free wireless internet is available in the kitchen, lodge, and cabins.

Do you have plates and silverware available? We do have some plates and silverware, but you may need to rent dishware from a rental company or ask your caterer if they can provide it. Any NLDC materials used need to be washed and returned to the appropriate location.

If you plan on using disposable plates, bowls, cups and silverware biodegradable products must be used. There are several on-line sites that sell biodegradable products (i.e., Amazon, ecoproductsstore.com, responsibleproducts.com). STYROFOAM PRODUCTS ARE PROHIBITED.

What is available for bathroom facilities for the guests?  The lodge has two bathrooms, one of which is handicap accessible. There are more stall bathrooms in Discovery Hall, which would be available during open hours.

Are flame candles allowed? Candles with flames are allowed both inside the lodge and outside, as long as they are in enclosed glass containers. The flame must not reach higher than 2 inches below the height of the glass.

Do you allow decorations?  All set-up and tear down for the event must take place within the contracted rental time. Decorations may not be hung with tape, wires, nails, or screws. All decorations must be removed without causing damage prior to leaving.

The use of birdseed and bubble blowing is permitted only outside for wedding and reception farewells. Rice, confetti, flower petals, balloons (Mylar or latex), glitter, pyrotechnics and sparklers are prohibited inside or outside the facility. If guests choose to use any of the above prohibited materials while they are here, you will forfeit the security deposit. Cutting of any natural materials (trees, shrubs, branches, flowers, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

Do you allow campfires at the fire pit? Campfires are allowed only in the fire pit. Fires built in undesignated areas are prohibited. You and your guests are not allowed to cut, fell, gather wood or peel bark. We will provide sufficient wood for use in the fire pit.

All fires must be monitored at all times and extinguished before being left. You must abide by locally posted fire danger levels. If the posted danger level is “Extreme, Very High, or High” fires are prohibited.

Do you have lodging available on the grounds? Lodging is available and must be reserved. Several bunkhouses may be rented and sleep 10 people on twin bunks. Units are heated but not air conditioned and include at least one full bathroom. Bedding is not provided, so guests would need to bring some bedding as well as towels/toiletries. Please arrange this through the facility staff.

We also have a beautiful executive retreat home (Red Pine Point) on the grounds that sleeps 4 and is listed on Airbnb. This home overlooks Statehouse Lake and has its own private dock. The main level features a designer kitchen, living room, master bedroom with queen bed, second bedroom with full bed, custom bathroom, enclosed four-season porch, and office. The fully finished lower level has two twin sleeper sofas, TV/DVD player, large table, and washer/dryer. For information and reservations please visit www.airbnb.com.

Is there additional lodging in the area? There are also several motels in the area – The Lodge and the Pea Patch Motel are in Manitowish Waters, and the Great Northern Motel is in Mercer (15 minutes away). There are also several motels in Minocqua (30 minutes away). The Manitowish Waters Visitor's Bureau also lists several private homes, cabins and condos that guests may choose to stay at.

What about parking availability?  Besides the designated parking area in front of Discovery Hall, additional parking can be on the field to the right when you drive up the driveway, near the Northwoods Forest History Experience Building.

Are dogs allowed?  Dogs are allowed on the grounds, and our only policy is that they remain leashed while on the premises and that the owners clean up after them. Dogs are not allowed in the interior of any building.

What other recreational activities do you offer? Please see our Recreation and Exploration page. We have over 12 miles of trails for hiking or biking. We have a basketball court, as well as a swimming area at the beach front (no lifeguard on duty). The Nature Nook is a place to explore, discover, and play and has live animals, bird and animal mounts, crafts, fossils, animal tracks, and more, and our Nature Playscape has natural play areas and activities for kids of all ages! The Heart of the Vilas County Bike Trail also crosses our driveway!

Do you allow tent camping or parking of campers or RV’s on the grounds?  Overnight camping or parking of campers or RV’s is not allowed on the grounds as we are on state owned land and is also prohibited by our insurance and licensing.

Can we bring lawn games? You can bring any type of lawn games to play on the grounds.

Are sparklers, fireworks, and wish lanterns allowed? No, they are not, as we are located on state forest land and these are prohibited by their regulations.

Are bug sprays allowed? While personal bug spray is allowed, spraying the grounds with any chemicals is prohibited. As a nature center, we strive to keep the grounds as natural as possible for our pollinators and wildlife.

Does our reception need to end at a certain time? All wedding receptions must end by midnight.

Do you have a dance floor?  We do not have a dance floor, however there is a brick paver patio on the back side of the lodge that some have chosen to use for this. You can also rent a solid surface dance floor from an outside rental company for use either on the patio or under a tent.

What are your policies regarding alcoholic beverages?  Alcoholic beverages are allowed but must abide by the state and town's liquor laws. If you are planning on serving just beer and/or wine, you will need to provide someone to serve them and monitor who is being served. If you are planning on serving liquor, other than beer/wine, you will need to have a licensed bartender serving.

Drunken or violent disturbances are prohibited and subject to immediate removal from the premise and possible termination of the event without refund. Any required licenses must be provided to NLDC staff.

Do you have laundry facilities available to the public? We do not have public laundry facilities, but there is a laundromat in Mercer and in Boulder Junction.

Is there a security deposit? Yes, there is a refundable security deposit, which will be returned after the wedding minus any charges for damages or excessive trash/recycling removal, maintenance, or cleaning.

How much of a down payment is needed to reserve the site? Is it refundable?  All weddings booked will pay 50% down to consider it “booked.” The balance of the contract is due 60 days before the wedding.

25% of the deposit will be retained if the wedding is cancelled more than six months from the wedding date. Exception: If the wedding is cancelled more than six months from the wedding date AND the Discovery Center is able to rebook a comparable wedding package, the entire deposit will be returned (minus a $250 non-refundable administrative fee).

The full 50% deposit will be kept if the wedding is cancelled within 6 months of the wedding date. If the deposit or down payment is made with a credit card an additional fee of 3.5% service fee will be added to the total invoice.