Can I have my rehearsal at Olio?

If there is no event booked on the day before your event, Olio offers our space for up to 1 hour for a rehearsal at no additional fee. The date and time can be confirmed 2 weeks before your event date. Clients can also pay an additional fee to reserve the space for rehearsals, rehearsal dinners, and pre-event setup the day before their event. Please contact your Event Manager for more information.

What is the space's capacity?

Our fire code capacity is up to 400 for a seated reception and up to 500 for a cocktail-style reception. That being said, most of our events are 100-300 guests for a seated event with a dance floor. We have also seen creative layouts for 50-100 guests and for 300+ guests. View a few sample layouts here or contact us to chat about how the space can be configured!

Do you have heat and air conditioning?

Yes! We have brand new units.

When can I start my event setup?

Setup time begins at the start of your contracted rental time. Typical day-long rentals are for 9 hours. Many clients use that for 3 hours of setup, 5 hours of event time, and 1 hour of cleanup. You may discuss with your Event Manager if more time is needed.

What is required for cleanup?

All rentals and décor must be removed at the end of your event, unless other arrangements are made with the event manager. Trash must be removed from the premises. This is typically done by the caterer or we can provide recommendations for a trash removal service. Essentially, the space must be left the way that you found it. Olio will bring in a professional cleaning crew as needed between events.

Do you have tables and chairs we can use?

We have a set of folding tables and chairs that you may choose to use at no extra cost with your rental. Current inventory is below and subject to change:

• 15 six-foot long banquet tables (6 feet long, 30 inches wide, 30 inches tall)
• 10 60-inch round tables (5 feet across, 30 inches tall)
• 100 black garden chairs (resin, padded seat)

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Can we bring in our own décor? Are there rules?

Yes! You can go wild with the decorating the space or leave it just the way it is. Ask us about some of the amazing transformations we've seen. Lighting and drapery really change the feel of the space. There are only a few rules:

• We do allow candles, and flame must be contained at least 1 inch below a glass enclosure.
• Nothing may be affixed to the walls, beams, floor, or other structure without permission from the Event Manager.
• No rice, confetti or granular-sized objects may be thrown in the building. Helium balloons are not encouraged and must be weighted down.

Do you have onsite parking? How do guests get there?

We are located in the heart of downtown Peabody, just minutes from Routes 128 and 1. PARKING There are several hundred municipal spots within an easy walk of our location. The closest and largest lot is located at 86 Mill Street, Peabody. It is a 2 minute walk to our front door. There is metered parking all along Main Street, directly in front of our building. View the parking map of downtown Peabody here. ​ TRANSIT We are accessible by public transit from Boston by the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail, which runs from North Station (Boston) to Salem every hour, seven days a week, and takes about 30 minutes. Olio is 1.5 miles from the Salem Commuter Rail station and cabs are easy to find. VALET There is the option to add valet services to your venue rental, and cars are able to be dropped and retrieved directly in front of our building. Inquire for more information. OTHER We have a loading zone at our front door, providing easy access for shuttle bus or ride share drop off or pickup. Most guests arrive by Uber/Lyft, cab, or by shuttle bus (if clients choose to hire one). We are happy to recommend local bus companies or rideshare programs.

Do I have to turn off the music at a certain time?

Yes. Per the city of Peabody, events and amplified music must conclude at 12AM on Friday and Saturday nights and at 10:30PM on weeknights. No amplified music is permitted outside at any time. At inquiry or booking, more detailed regulations about load-in, clean up, outdoor cooking, and use of the loading area will be provided.

Can we smoke or vape inside? Outside?

Per the city of Peabody, there is no smoking or vaping anywhere on our property.

What dates are still available to book? And how do I book?

Please email us at info@oliopeabody.com or submit an inquiry through the contact page. We do not have a public calendar due to our dynamic booking schedule. A 50% retainer of the rental fee along with a signed agreement is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the event.

What is the damage deposit?

The damage deposit of $500 is due with your second payment and will be refunded 30 days post-event given there are no damages to the property and/or violations of venue policies.

Can I have my ceremony onsite and is there an additional fee?

We love onsite ceremonies! The Event Manager can share options for how to set up the space to accommodate an onsite ceremony, which may require a "flip"of the room, depending on your guest count. There is no additional fee to have your ceremony onsite, but the time is part of the hours included on the contract.

Can I drop-off items the day before my event? Can I pick them up the next day?

As a general rule, all items must be brought in and removed during the rental window, unless the client has rented the space for extra hours or days. As the date approaches, if no one else has rented the space on the day before or after your event, early drop off or late cleanup may be permitted, at the discretion of the Event Manager.

I'm checking out a bunch of venues.  Can I hold a date at Olio?

We know that this is a BIG decision for your event and understand that you are likely trying to compare multiple venues and dates. Once you have come in for a tour of the space in person, Olio can reserve one date for you as a "notification hold" at no charge. This hold entails placing your name and contact information on a date for 7 days. We will not book that date with another client during that 7-day period without notifying you first and giving you the option to book the date by sending in a deposit. The hold is released after 7 days. The only way to reserve your date ongoing is to provide the deposit and signed contract.

Can I provide my own catering? Alcohol?

Caterers must be selected from our required list or are subject to an additional fee and approval from the Event Manager. Caterers on the required list range in price, availability, and style, and they have all worked in our space before and know the rules, so they are a terrific resource. Alcohol service must be provided by a 12C licensed provider, which may be your caterer or a bartending service. The 12C provider will inform you about their policies for sourcing and serving alcohol. As required by Massachusetts law, no shots may be served and bar service must conclude 30 minutes before the scheduled event end time.

Do you provide onsite coordination?

There is no onsite coordination included with the rental, so we highly recommend you provide your own, depending on the scale of your event. Day-of coordination at Olio can be arranged through Without A Hitch for an additional fee or you can bring in your own outside coordinator or planner.

Can we bring in our own vendors? DJ? Florist? Lighting? Rentals?

Yes! Outside of catering and alcohol service, there are no required vendors. All vendors must be insured and are subject to approval by the Event Manager.

Do you have an onsite kitchen?

We have a large, updated prep room that meets Board of Health standards. View the schematic for the room here. This includes stainless steel prep tables, a handwashing sink, an industrial sink, a fridge/freezer, and sufficient amperage to operate electric ovens, urns, etc. Any use of any propane ovens or grills is permitted in the outdoor load-in area, within the regulations provided by the Event Manager. Our required caterers are familiar with what is onsite and the additional equipment that they need to bring in. Any caterer outside of the required list is subject to Event Manager approval and will incur an additional fee to the client.

Who sets up our event furniture, like tables and chairs?

We get this question a lot! Typically, your caterer will set up all of the rental furniture as well as any of our inventory that you choose to use. All of the caterers on our preferred list can include this service in your quote. Alternatively, some clients choose to have the rental company do some of the set up or hire a staffing company to supplement the catering staff. Some clients choose to extend the rental window beyond eight hours or add an additional setup day so that they can place the furniture exactly where they desire. Ask your Event Manager about availability and rates.

Is there a food and beverage or guest count minimum or rental requirement?

No. Many venues have minimums because they make a 10-15% commission from the caterer based on how much you spend on catering. We choose not to make a commission because we want your food and beverage options to be as elegant or affordable as your budget allows, and therefore we don't have a food and beverage or guest count minimum. The same is true for your rental budget. You are welcome to rent as much or as little furniture as you need for your event. It's completely up to you if you want to rent china through your rental company or caterer. Many clients do, but we also see tons of beautiful and affordable disposable options.

Do I need to schedule a tour or can I just stop by?

We kindly request that all tours are by appointment only. You can request a tour here.

Are there overnight accommodations nearby?

Yes. The Boston Marriott Peabody is 2 miles away and offers room blocks. There are more than a dozen other hotels within a few miles of our location, especially in Salem and on Route 1, with a variety of price points and nearby points of interest.

What are my options for offsite ceremonies? Photos?

Offsite ceremonies are also common. There are dozens of nearby places of worship (many within walking distance) as well as public and private parks. Some of the most popular parks nearby are: East End Veteran's Memorial Park (.2 miles/4 minute walk) This brand new park is beautifully landscaped and maintained and could fit hundreds of chairs. There is easy access from Walnut Street for cars/trucks/buses and a perfect tree-filled backdrop for photos. Leather City Common (.3 miles/6 minute walk) Tucked off the main street, this park is recently renovated, and the city takes a lot of care in its maintenance. Many groups host concerts here in the summer, but it would be great for a wedding ceremony too. Emerson Park (.3 miles/6 minute walk) Baseball is played here, but the corners of this tree lined park would make for a beautiful ceremony or photos spot and the park will be all yours if you secure a permit for the time you need it. Peabody Meadow Golf Course (1.5 miles away) The course abuts the beautiful South Peabody Trail with an overlook to a nearby pond. Indoor backup space is available in the off-season only. Permits through the city are easy and inexpensive to secure by contacting Jen Davis at Peabody Parks and Recreation. No permit is needed just for photos - you can take them on any Parks/Rec property without reserving ahead of time! Many nearby communities, such as Manchester-by-the-Sea, Danvers, and Beverly rent their public parks and offer additional opportunities such as waterfront views. The Event Manager can provide more information and ideas.