Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a wedding venue is a big decision and we bet you have lots of questions. See below on how we can help with easing the decision-making process and booking the venue with us!
The Rhatigan Student Center's (RSC) Event Services staff is responsible for facilitating rental agreements and payments, overseeing the venue logistics, help clients meet their expectations, and coordinating with the building managers and other staff regarding the event setup. RSC Event Services does not provide wedding/event coordination prior to the event or during the event, decorations, reception setup, officiants, or transportation. Clients are welcome to hire a wedding coordinator of their choosing to serve as the Guest's representative.
The Rhatigan Student Center offers several all-inclusive packages, which will include the selected venue space(s), tables, chairs, and preparation of the wedding layout. Depending on your package choice, you will either have access to the entire 3rd floor of the Rhatigan Student Center or specific rooms or areas of the building. There are add-ons for additional fees, such as the Grace Memorial Chapel, which can serve as an intimate wedding venue prior for your family and close friends. Event Services does not provide linens, decorations, catering, bar service, officiant, photography, or wedding coordination.
In order to book your date, our RSC Event Services requires you to submit a $250 non-refundable deposit at the time the contract is signed. The remaining final payment must be made one month (30 days) in advance of your wedding or event.
Once your contract is signed and you submit your deposit, you are officially an RSC couple! You will receive an email from your event coordinator who will assist you with the venue logistics. Depending on your package choice, you will need to let us know how many tables and chairs you will need, which catering you will be using, and other pertinent information that is necessary throughout the process. Check out our planning guide to help you along your way!
Under Wichita State University's Policies and Procedures 11.07 / Sale, Service, And Consumption Of Alcohol On University Premises, an advance approval is required and signed by the General Counsel for the service, sale, and/or consumption of alcohol. The sale and/or service of alchol must be done by a caterer licensed to serve alcohol and has proof of liability insurance. If you plan to provide alcoholic or malt beverages at your wedding ceremony, then you will need to make sure you complete the Alcohol Request form prior to your big day.
Photographers, videographers, DJs, florists, wedding officiants, and event rental companies can be chosen at the discretion of the client. Wichita State University has a premier dining services partner; however, the university does offer flexible catering through a list of approved caterers. Non-approved caterers can submit an Approved Caterer Application form and can be within compliance prior to your big day. See more details on our rental space guidelines.
Chartwells is the premier dining services partner for Wichita State University. They offer a range of options, from boxes lunches up to plated meals and custom catering. As the premier caterer, the team provides you with exceptional quality, service, and a creative cutting-edge culinary experience.
The university also offers flexible catering options to assist you with designing the perfect menu for your event. You may bring in an external caterer from our list of approved caterers, which continues to be updated frequently. If you plan to use a catering company that is not on our approved catering list, then you can encourage them to submit an Approved Caterer Application form prior to your big day. This form will allow them to be part of our approved caterers to serve food on Wichita State University's premises.
The Rhatigan Student Center does not offer decorating services. Clients are allowed to customize their event or ceremony with decoratiosn and can install decorations themselves or hire a planner/wedding coordinator to add extra décor. All decorating must take place during the outlined rental time, be removed by the eend of the rental time, and must be reviewed by your designated event coordinator from Event Services. All decorations must be in accordance with state fire code (i.e. open candles are prohibited), the use of glitter is prohibited, nothing is to be tacked, pinned, nailed, glued, or taped on any surface or walls of the venue, and nothing is to be hung from the ceiling.
Yes! The Grace Memorial Chapel is a perfect venue that offers an intimate space for your family and close friends to have a private ceremony prior to your event, or if you would like to have an additional venue space to use for formality purposes. The chapel has been repurposed to have flexible seating arrangements and can be set up to however you would like! Ask your event coordinator for more details.
Yes, the Rhatigan Student Center has handicapped parking spaces and a wheelchair accessible sidewalk, buttons to open doors and elevators that can access the third floor of the building.
Yes, the Rhatigan Student Center requires the presence of a Wichita State University police officer at all weddings. The cost of contracting a WSU police officer is included in your rental agreement.
We will make every effort to assist you with changes and rescheduling of your event. Please be advised that in the event that your wedding has been canceled, any fees paid in advance will be refunded. However, the deposit is non-refundable.
We strongly encourage you to call, email your designated event coordinator, or come by our office with your questions throughout your entire planning process. We have many years and several thousand events worth of experience, and are happy to offer advice and ideas you will find helpful.