Frequently Asked Questions

HOW LONG DO EVENTS USUALLY LAST?
Our estimates are for 4 hours of food and beverage. For example, say your wedding starts at 4pm, and your cocktail hour starts afterwards, at 4:30pm. Our estimate covers the time span of 4:30pm - 8:30pm. You are welcome to add time before or after for an additional fee, if for example, you want to extend your bar later into the evening. The charge is $35 per staff person per additional hour, and $8 per guest, per hour, at the bar (if you’re using our bar program). This covers additional time for our staff and product at the bar.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
In the event of a voluntary or mandatory evacuation, the event will be rescheduled to a date that all parties agree on. If the client wishes to cancel, an 80% refund of deposits received will be given to the event host.

In the event of a cancellation by the client, our first desire is to reschedule within the year. If the client wants to proceed with complete cancellation an 80% refund of deposits received will be refunded up to 30 days out. If client cancels within 30 days, a 50% refund of deposits received will be refunded.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A HURRICANE / FORCED EVACUATION?
In the event of a voluntary or mandatory evacuation, the event will be rescheduled to a date that all parties agree on. If the client wishes to cancel, an 80% refund of deposits received will be given to the event host.

WHAT KIND OF ADDITIONAL COSTS MIGHT WE SEE?
We have no hidden costs so want to make sure we all plan accordingly.

Bar set up: $100 – we’ll bring a bartender in early to get your bar ready, get your beer, wine and champagne chilling and be ready when that first guest arrives. This is typically a two hour process so we need to cover our staffing costs. This applies when you are supplying your own bar and just using our bartenders.

Table set up: $3 per person – We are happy to set china, glassware and silver on your tables. Again, this requires an earlier arrival time for our staff so we need to cover our staffing costs. We are not responsible for centerpieces and décor.

Cake Cutting Service: $3 per person – Includes cake plates and forks.

Champagne Toast: $3 per person- Includes champagne and glass.

Additional hours for staff and bar before or after ceremony/reception:
Our package is for 4 hours, not to exceed 5. If you’d like our servers or bartenders to arrive early or to stay later to serve guests we’ll need to know in advance for planning purposes. The charge is $35 per staff person per additional hour, and $8 per guest, per hour, at the bar (if you’re using our bar program).

Moving chairs from ceremony to reception area:
Some clients save money by using the same chairs for the ceremony and reception. If you'd like our staff to handle the task of moving them, the fee is $100. We bring in an extra person as the rest of the staff is busy with cocktail hour and getting dinner ready at this crucial time of the evening.

Wedding Planning:
We do have some amazing wedding planners here in the Keys. If you’d like to add a wedding planner you can choose from a range of packages, full planning to day of planning. Be sure to ask if you’re interested in this service and we can make a recommendation.

Outdoor lighting:
Be sure to budget this expense. It’s often times an after thought for clients. We use Keys Audio and Party Rental for this service: https://www.kaprentals.com/

Dance floor:
Not a necessity, but again, if you envision a dance floor for your beach wedding, be sure to include it in the budget. We use Keys Audio and Party Rental for this service: https://www.kaprentals.com/

Tent: 
If you're having an outdoor wedding, you'll want to research the costs of a tent in case you need one on your day because of rain. You'll need to include the cost of covering Mangrove Mike's catering team in your budget. It's typically a 10' by 20' tent required to cover the buffet. We use Keys Audio and Party Rental for this service: https://www.kaprentals.com/

Delivery and Set Up Fee:
Our estimates assume the event will be held within 20 miles of Mangrove Mike's restaurant. If not a delivery fee may apply. If you don't want staff at your event, we can deliver and set up your food for an additional fee as well. 

Travel Fee:
We're often asked to travel to Key West to cater weddings and events. We are happy to make the trip! We do charge a travel fee to cover the additional expenses and staffing time for the trip. 

WHAT TIME WILL YOU ARRIVE AT THE EVENT?
We typically arrive 2 hours before food service begins, unless we are setting your tables. This is dependant of course on the size/scope of the party.

WHAT IS YOUR DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT POLICY?
A 50% deposit will secure your date. You can pay by check or credit card.
Call the restaurant (ask for Pam!) to give her your deposit by credit card (no AMEX please) at 305-664-8022 or you may place a check in the mail payable to:
Mangrove Mike's
PO Box 1459
Islamorada, FL
33036

As soon as a deposit is received, the date will be secure. We ask that you sign the BEO attached and send back to us. We will then counter sign and send back. The final remainder is due 2 weeks before the event. 

CAN WE MAKE SPECIAL REQUESTS?
Of course, we’ll do our best to satisfy any special requests.

WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM GUEST NUMBER? 
Our minimum guest number is 30 people. 

WHAT IS YOUR TASTING POLICY?
Our tastings are complimentary but we do ask for a refundable deposit of $75 to book a tasting to avoid last minute cancellations. If all goes as planned and the wedding couple attend the tasting no charges will be placed on the credit card on file. This is just to cover staffing and food cost in the event of a last minute cancellation. Early afternoons are best, preferably 1pm, after our early rush slows. We can decide mutually on a day that works best for you and for the restaurant. Holidays and weekends are typically a busier time so we try to avoid them, but they aren’t out of the question. There are some items we can’t do a tasting on, foods cooked in large quantities like a paella or a prime rib.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A FINAL HEAD COUNT?
For ordering and staffing purposes we do need a final head count 14 business days before the event. After that point you can add more guests (assuming it would be a small addition, up to 10 guests) but you can’t subtract guests.

HOW SHOULD WE DETERMINE OUR GUEST COUNT IN THE EARLY STAGES?
We usually recommend starting with 80% of the number you plan to invite. Yes, they want to come to the Keys to see you get married! You can always increase your number at a later date once you're more comfortable with a final head count. Your price per person is based on an economy of scale. If the count drops below 10% of the original count, there will be a 10% increase per person for food and beverage.

HOW DO WE ACCOUNT FOR CHILDREN AT THE WEDDING/EVENT?
Regarding food, if you select a dinner buffet, children under 12 are half price. We also have children’s plates available for kids under 12 years of age at $10.95 per plate. If there are multiple children you must choose one children’s plate for all. Regarding the bar, all guests under 21 are charged $8 per person for drinks.

WHAT ABOUT THE VENDOR MEALS?
Some vendors require that you feed them one meal since they will be with you a long time on the day of the wedding such as a DJ or photographer. Vendors are offered the same meal selection as your guest but will not be included in a bar package.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICIES:
• Children’s and vegetarian menu’s available
• 20% service charge and 7.5 % sales tax
• $175 per bartender, 50 people per bartender
• $175 Per server, 25 people per server
• $175 per chef, for food stations requiring a chef
• Full liquor / beer and wine / or mixer only bar packages available
• We can provide a wedding cake for you or make a vendor recommendation

How long is my event?
Our fees include 4 hours for staffing, not to exceed 5 hours. You may add additional time for $8 per hour, per guest on the bar (if you are using our bar package), plus an additional $35 per hour, per staff person.

When should my ceremony start?
We recommend that your wedding ceremony begin 1 -2 ½ hours prior to sunset to ensure you have plenty of time for photography.

What is a typical timeline for a wedding?
Assuming sunset is at 7:30pm, the following is a sample timeline;

6:00pm- 6:30pm – Ceremony
6:30pm – 7:30pm – Cocktail Hour / Picture time
7:30pm -8:30pm – Dinner
8:30pm – 10:30pm – Party / Dancing

DO YOU HANDLE EVENT RENTALS?
We recommend Keys Audio Party Rentals, a great local company with a great reputation, for event rentals. Rentals typically include china, glass, silver, tables, chairs, linens, high tops, glassware, ceremony arch, lighting, tent, etc. Keys Audio and Party Rental: https://www.kaprentals.com/

WHAT DO WE DO IN THE CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER?
If you are at an outdoor venue, you’ll want to consider adding a tent to your budget. Do your homework and ask your event rentals vendor what their policy is on securing a tent. This is often an issue handled within weeks (sometimes days) of the wedding and you want to be prepared. Most vendors will need the call made within 48 hours of the wedding.  You'll need to include the cost of covering Mangrove Mike's catering team in your budget. It's typically a 10' by 20' tent required to cover the buffet.