Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is the rental fee for Circle S and what is included?

Details for rental pricing, inclusions, and upgrades can be found here.

What is the minimum and maximum guest count for our wedding?

There is no minimum guest count for weddings at Circle S. However, if your guest count is under 40 we recommend working with us to customize your wedding for a reception in our Great Room at the Inn. Our indoor spaces (Chapel, Party Barn) have a maximum guest count of 200. For weddings with more than 200 guests, we can expand seating to the outdoor areas with rental upgrades to fit your needs.

What dates are available?

You can check available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays here. If you are interested in a weekday (Mon-Thurs) or holiday wedding, please call or email for more information.

I’m ready to book! What’s next?

Maybe you’ve decided to book with Circle S after your tour, or maybe you know we are the perfect fit after browsing our gallery and pricing menu! Either way, to reserve your date you can email us at events@circlesranch.com or call us at 785-843-4124. Let us know your preferred wedding date; we will let you know if that date is still open or if we need to look at an alternate date. Your date is secured with a $2000 non-refundable deposit and a signed contract. The deposit will be used towards the total estimate.

When are my payments due?

A custom payment plan will be discussed and included in your contract details. Any guest room payments and 80% of the remaining balance is due one month out from your wedding. The final remaining balance will be due 2 weeks before your event, which is also the deadline for your final guest count. Check or cash payments are preferred, but credit cards are welcome with a fee. We will require a credit card number on file in case of any unlikely damage to the facilities due to wedding guests.

What is the typical budget for a couple getting married at Circle S Ranch?

The average budget for a wedding at Circle S Ranch is between $13,000-$16,000 for all wedding expenses (venue, catering, dress, florals, DJ, etc). Many couples find creative ways to meet their budget goals, such as choosing a date outside of our peak season, getting married on a Friday or Sunday, or planning a wedding with a smaller guest list. Couples who want a more exclusive celebration can upgrade with linens and table settings, lodging, or elaborate decor. You can find the menu for linens and other upgrades here.

Do you offer catering at Circle S?

We would love to cater for your wedding and have a variety of menus for you to explore. For the first time since opening in 1998, we are also allowing outside caterers for our larger events; the outside catering agreement requires a $500 refundable deposit in case you need to use our staff or catering equipment at the last minute. After twenty-three years of catering, we have very high standards for food quality, value, and service that we strive to continue with our approved list of trusted caterers.

Will there be another wedding the same day?

At Circle S Ranch we only host one wedding per day - you and your guests will have exclusive access to your choice of ceremony site and the Party Barn for your reception. If you choose not to fill our 12 rooms at the Inn, it is likely there will be outside guests staying overnight. Inn parking shares some of the same parking space as wedding parking, but the buildings are in separate areas.

How can I reserve rooms or suites for my wedding party or out of town guests?

There are two ways to add lodging for your wedding guests. The first option is to add a lodging package (1st Floor, 2nd Floor, 3rd Floor, Entire Inn). With this option, the couple can pick rooms for family and friends of their choice. The second option is to inform wedding guests of the rooms available at Circle S and let wedding guests call or email to book their own rooms. This option is great if you don’t have a preference of who stays and prefer that overnight guests pay for their own rooms. 90 days prior to the wedding, the couple has the option to book the remaining rooms before Circle S opens them to the public. You can see lodging package rates on our pricing page here. Nearby accommodations for overflow guests include Tru by Hilton in Lawrence as well as Marriott and DoubleTree options.

What happens if it rains?

Circle S Ranch offers both an indoor and outdoor option for your ceremony. If you are lucky enough for rain on your wedding day, we will move your wedding garden ceremony to the chapel.

How do I get to Circle S?

Whether coming from the east (Kansas City) or the west (Topeka), we recommend taking I-70 to the East Lawrence Exit 204. Turn right off the interstate to go north on Hwy 24/40/59. As you start curving west approximately 3 miles out of town, you will turn right (north) on Country Road 1045, also marked as E 1400 Rd or Wellman Road. Follow the signs for Circle S and turn right on 35th street. 2 miles of gravel will take you to our entrance on the right side of the road - look for the Circe S arch! We highly suggest following this route instead of taking directions that go through Tonganoxie, which will add several extra miles of gravel roads.

What is the event set-up and clean-up procedure?

We want to make your day as relaxing as possible for you and your wedding party! For that reason, our staff will set up your tables, chairs, any added linens or table settings, and any extra tables for your buffet, DJ, gifts, etc. We will confirm the final layout for the ceremony and reception at least 30 days before your wedding. Any decorations you would like to add to the space will be the responsibility of you or a designated decorator (i.e. florist). After the reception, we only ask that you gather any decorations that you plan to keep, otherwise we take care of the clean-up and trash removal!

Are there any extra fees I should expect for my wedding?