University Events Services: 977-6338

(The Cupples House staff does not reserve or book events.)

 

These guidelines are in place to prevent accidents and damage to the historic Cupples House and art collections. We ask that you respect the historic nature of Samuel Cupples House. Your signature on the confirmation letter and contract is your acknowledgement that the Samuel Cupples House is rented only in compliance with the following:

 

General

• Only the first and second floors of Cupples House are opened for events scheduled at Cupples House.
• Sit-down dinners limited to 60 in attendance.
• Stand-up receptions limited to 150 guests.
• No smoking in Cupples House on any floors; in galleries, bathrooms or kitchen.
• No taper candles allowed. Votive candles may be used only if part of a floral table arrangements.
• Floral arrangements are limited to table centerpieces only.
• Personal property left at Cupples House will be held for two days only unless other arrangements are made. Cupples House assumes no responsibility for personal property during or after an event.
• Telephone may be used only in an emergency.
• Physicians should identify themselves to Cupples House staff if medical calls are expected.

 

Music

• No dancing is permitted.
• No brass, band or amplified instruments. String instruments and piano music only.

 

Prohibited Access

• Backstairs may not be used except in case of emergency.
• No windows on any floors can be opened.
• No access to the third floor.
• No access to exterior balconies on any floor.
• No access to staff offices, kitchen, storerooms, rooms under installation or otherwise marked as private.

 

Guests

• Children under the age of 12 are not permitted in the house.
• No animals allowed except seeing eye dogs with advance permission.
• Handicapped access is limited to the first floor. Disabled guests should notify event services in advance.

 

Refreshments

• No alcoholic beverage may be served to anyone under the age of 21.
• No liquor, beer, or wine may be brought in from outside. Alcoholic beverages must be ordered through our designated caterer only.
• No outside food may be brought in.
• University caterer is recommended but not required. Outside caterer must meet with Cupples House director prior to signing reservation contract.
• No food or drink is permitted on the upper floors of Cupples House. Parties are limited to the first floor only.
• No food or drink allowed on antique furniture or textiles.
• Red wine is not permitted in the Conservatory.
• If accidental spills occur, we request you notify an event services staff member so that the spill may be cleaned up immediately.

 

Table, Bar Set-Up and Special Equipment

• Your event services contact will supply client with examples of table set-up. In order to comply with safety codes, table arrangements may have to be changed in order to keep exit clear and to protect antique furniture.
• Special needs for podium, reception or presentation tables must be requested no later than one week prior to event.
• Piano and/or electronic equipment needs must be made at time of booking. Cupples House does not supply electronic equipment. (Screens, slide projectors, carts, VCRs, extension cords, etc.) Event Services can assist the client in arranging this equipment.

 

Deliveries

• Cupples House has limited storage space for outside deliveries. Deliveries accepted only on the day of the event.

• All deliveries for evening events must be picked up by 10:30 a.m. on the next business day. Please advise your Event Services contact two days in advance to arrange access.
• A list of deliveries and the company names must be provided in advance in order to arrange parking gate access. This includes, florists, musicians, party rentals and musical instruments.

 

Parking

• Visitors are directed to park in the Saint Louis University garage at Grand and Laclede.

 

Photography

• Photography strictly for personal use is allowed.
• Photography for reproduction or commercial use is not allowed without prior permission from the Saint Louis University Marketing and Communications Department.
• To prevent damage, photography, video cameras and photography lighting cannot be directed onto any painting, print or photograph.

Cupples House reserves the right to restrict the use of any electronic equipment.

 

Consideration of the Fine and Decorative Art Collection and Historical House

• No sitting on antique furniture; especially furniture tied off by ribbons.
• No decorations may be hung, taped, stapled or otherwise attached to the interior architecture or furniture.
• No furniture or objects may be moved unless approved and supervised by Cupples House staff.
• If front porch or porte-cochere is used for a reception area, all signs, tables and debris must be removed at the end of the event.

 

Samuel Cupples House Rental Fees

Rental fees are based on a four-hour rental. Additional hours over four are charged at $100 per each ½ hour. Our closing time is 10:30 p.m. All guests must vacate no later than 11 p.m. Cupples House is available for two hour wedding photography sessions. Additional time past the two hour session will be assessed at $100 per each ½ hour.

 

Hours

Daytime events: Mondays only. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Evening events: Mondays through Sundays. 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

 

Fees/Charges

 

Booking fee – four hour reservation of the 1^st and 2^nd floor of Cupples House

$250, university departments.

$300, university faculty, staff, partners.

$750, external group.                                                                             

 

Weekend surcharge (Fri., Sat., Sunday)

$50, university departments

$50, university faculty, staff, partners

$250, external group                                                                              

 

Attendant fee

$100, university departments

$100, university faculty, staff, partners

$200, external group                                                                              

 

Housekeeping fee

$50 per 50 guests                                                                                  

 

Piano fee

$100                                                                                                    

 

Wedding Photography (up to two hours)

$175

 

Damage Deposit for all external rentals

$250    

 

How to Make Reservations and Payment:

Call University Events Services: 977-3728, or 977-7162 or 977-3729

 

Rental of Samuel Cupples House is determined on the appropriate nature of the event and on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Cupples House is unavailable during the following periods: The month of January, the month of August, all major holidays and the weekends surrounding major holidays. These are: New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

In addition, Cupples House is not available the week preceding Commencement on the third Saturday of May, and various other dates when the University is closed. In some circumstances, the University administration and/or some departments have necessary priority in booking certain annual functions. These periods are in conjunction with the opening and closing months of the academic year and the Thanksgiving to Christmas season.

 

The following types of events are not appropriate for Cupples House rental:

• Wedding ceremonies or photography events
• Events which serve as a promotion for alcohol or tobacco products
• Events which have band instruments or dancing
• Fundraising events for non-University clients
• Photography or film location shoots without prior permission of the Saint Louis University Marketing and Communications Department

 

Reservations:

Reservations will be held for 10 days after the mailing of the Event Booking/Reservation form. After returning your space reservation sheet with the required fee, you will be sent a special events guidelines packet. Please read the guidelines carefully to make sure that your planning and interests comply with the list of regulations.

 

Your deposit or IDO confirms your reservation. If not received within 10 days, the date is released to other possible clients.

 

Payment

Balance for external clients is due two weeks prior to date of event.

Certificate of Insurance for external clients due 10 days prior to date of event.

 

Damage Deposit

External Clients:

A damage deposit of $250 is necessary for every event.

This deposit will be held and then returned to the client within 10 days after the event assuming that Cupples House was not damaged during your event..

 

University Departments:

The University insurance carries a deductible of $1,000 so that Cupples House cannot submit claims below that amount. Damage that occurs to the interior woodwork, or furniture or art collection below $1,000 will be billed to the University department along with a statement of loss or repair estimate.

 

Refunds

To hold a space, 100 percent of the room cost and administration fee are required. The remaining fees must be paid two weeks before the event. If you cancel, all fees except the administrative fee will be returned one month prior to the event. Half of the down payment will be returned if the event is canceled two weeks to one month prior. If the event is canceled less than two weeks prior to the event, no fee will be returned.

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