Hosting a Wedding or Private Event at Purple Toad: The Complete Guide to Pricing, Spaces, and What to Ask

We get more questions about hosting events here than about almost anything else. This is the answer to all of them in one place. 

If you've found yourself searching for a wedding venue, a baby shower spot, a rehearsal dinner location, or just somewhere different to throw your daughter's graduation party -- and you keep landing on Purple Toad's photos -- you're not alone. We host private events at both our Bowling Green and Paducah locations year-round, and the same five or six questions come up every single time someone reaches out. 

This guide answers them up front so you can decide whether Purple Toad is the right fit before you even pick up the phone. Real pricing, real spaces, what's included, what isn't, and the exact information our events team needs to put together a quote for you. 

What We Host 

Purple Toad is a working winery first, but we've grown into a real Kentucky event destination. Our spaces have been used for: 

• Weddings and ceremonies -- intimate elopements through full receptions • Wedding showers and baby showers -- a favorite use of our party rooms • Rehearsal dinners -- often paired with a private wine tasting 

• Graduation parties -- high school and college, big and small

• Birthday parties -- milestone birthdays, 21st parties, retirement parties • Corporate events -- team gatherings, holiday parties, client appreciation nights • Fundraisers -- non-profits, school groups, civic organizations 

• Private wine tastings -- often the centerpiece of a larger gathering 

Pricing at a Glance 

Here's how our pricing actually breaks down. Bowling Green has fixed prices for the main wedding spaces and party rooms. Paducah pavilion rentals start at $300/day, with larger or custom events quoted based on the date, space, and guest count. 

Numbers above cover the venue rental itself. Food, drinks (from our lineup), decorations, and any outside vendors are separate. Custom requests, extended hours, and add-ons are quoted on top. Final pricing may vary based on date, guest count, setup needs, staffing, and event timeline. 

Two Locations, Two Different Vibes 

Bowling Green (Flagship Location)

Our flagship at 6245 Cemetery Road is twenty thousand square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The Reception Area is the main event space -- big enough for full wedding receptions, large parties, and corporate events. The Outdoor Pavilion works as a ceremony add-on for couples who want to get married outside and move the party inside. We also have two party rooms (25 x 25 each) that can be reserved for smaller events. 

• Reception Area -- main event space for receptions and large parties 

• Outdoor Pavilion -- ceremony add-on, books with the reception or as part of the bundle

 • Two party rooms -- 25 x 25 each, weekday or weekend rates 

• 65-foot tasting bar and 25-foot spirits bar in the main tasting room 

• Hours: Mon-Thu 10:30-6:30, Fri-Sat 10:30-8, Sun 10:30-6:30 

• In-person tours by appointment -- the easiest way to see the space and talk through your event 

Paducah (Original Location) 

Our original tasting room and pavilion at 4275 Old US Hwy 45 S sits on the property where Purple Toad got its start. The vibe is small-town Kentucky charm -- rustic, intimate, and full of character. Couples love the outdoor space for ceremonies and the pavilion for receptions and showers. This is where most of the wedding photos you've seen online were taken. 

• Outdoor pavilion (the space in most of our wedding photos) -- rentals start at $300/day • Indoor tasting room for smaller gatherings 

• Larger or custom events are quoted based on date, space, and guest count

• Hours: Sun-Thu 10:30-6, Fri-Sat 10:30-8 

• Public tours: Saturdays 1 PM & 4 PM, Sundays 2:30 PM ($10/person, includes a wine glass) • #1-rated winery on TripAdvisor in Paducah 

How the Bowling Green Bundle Works 

If you're getting married, the question we get most is: "Reception only, or Reception + Pavilion?" Here's the simple breakdown. 

• Reception only ($4,500): indoor reception in the main event space. Perfect if you're getting married elsewhere -- church, courthouse, another venue -- and just need the party

• Outdoor Pavilion add-on ($2,500): add the outdoor ceremony to a reception booking. Get married outside, walk inside for the reception 

• Bundle ($6,000): book both together. The full wedding -- ceremony outside, reception inside, one venue, one quote. Saves $1,000 vs. booking separately 

One booking detail worth knowing up front: access dates are built into the BG pricing. You're not just paying for the event day -- you're paying for the days around it for setup and tear-down. 

What's Included (and What Isn't) 

Every venue's "what's included" list is a little different. Here's how ours works: 

Included with most event rentals 

• The space itself for your booked block of time (see access dates above for BG) • Tables and chairs appropriate to the space (confirm specifics in your quote) • Access to our wine and spirits for purchase by the bottle or glass 

• Our team on-site as required for the event, based on your quote 

• Free parking 

What you bring (or hire) 

• Outside food is welcome. You can bring it yourself, hire a caterer, or arrange a food truck • Decorations. Most clients add their own florals, signage, and personal touches • DJ, photographer, officiant, or other vendors -- we don't lock you into specific vendors • Custom linens, specialty rentals, or production gear if your event needs them 

Not allowed 

• Outside alcohol. As a licensed Kentucky winery and distillery, we can't allow outside beer, wine, or liquor on the property. All alcohol at your event must come from us.

Wine, Spirits, and Drinks at Your Event 

This is the part where being at a winery actually matters. You're not picking from a generic catering bar list -- you've got our full lineup to build a drink menu around. 

• Our wines -- everything we make, from Black and Bruised (our flagship and best-seller) to Cotton Candy, Lauren's Blackberry, Peach, the Killer B's, and the rest of the lineup 

• Our distilled spirits -- the full Kentucky Bourbon Trail lineup (6 Year Small Batch, 7 Year Single Barrel, Barrel Proof, Double Oaked 11 Year, and Peach Whiskey) 

• Custom drink menus -- signature cocktails, wine slushies, sangrias, or a curated wine selection for your guest list 

• Private wine tastings -- a great add-on for rehearsal dinners, bachelorette parties, and corporate events 

If you've got a wine person in your wedding party, they'll really appreciate booking an event at a venue that actually makes the wine. 

Food and Catering 

We don't have a regular kitchen or food menu, so almost every event brings in food one way or another. Here's how it usually works: 

• Bring it yourself. Smaller events -- showers, birthdays, intimate parties -- often do trays from a favorite local caterer or restaurant 

• Hire a caterer. Full-service catering works great. We can recommend caterers we've worked with if helpful 

• Food truck. A great fit for outdoor events. Our Bowling Green location often has food trucks on weekends -- check Facebook for the current schedule 

How Far Out Should You Book? 

For weddings: 6-12 months out is the sweet spot, especially for spring and fall Saturdays. We do book closer-in events when dates open up, so it's always worth asking. For showers, birthdays, and smaller gatherings, 4-8 weeks is usually enough lead time. 

Popular dates that book first: spring Saturdays (April-May), fall Saturdays (September-October), and any Saturday around graduation or major holidays. If you've got flexibility on date, mention it -- weekday events are easier to schedule and often more affordable. 

What to Send Us When You Inquire 

The single biggest reason it takes a while to get a quote is missing information. Here's exactly what we need to turn around a real number quickly:

If you've got photos of your inspiration, a Pinterest board, or a rough day-of timeline, send those too. The more we know up front, the better the quote. 

How to Book 

Two ways to start the conversation: 

• Email our events team through the contact form at purpletoadwinery.com with the details from the table above 

• Schedule an in-person tour at either location -- the fastest way to see the space and talk through your event. Tours are by appointment for private events 

We'll come back with a quote, walk through options, and lock in a date once you're ready. No high-pressure sales call. No mystery pricing. Just real numbers and real spaces. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How much does a wedding at Purple Toad cost? 

At Bowling Green, a full wedding (ceremony outdoors + reception indoors) is $6,000 under our Reception + Pavilion Bundle. Reception only is $4,500. The Outdoor Pavilion as a ceremony add-on is $2,500. At Paducah, pavilion rentals start at $300/day, with larger or custom events quoted based on date, space, and guest count. 

What's the difference between the BG Reception, Pavilion, and Bundle?

The Reception Area ($4,500) is the indoor main event space. The Outdoor Pavilion ($2,500) is a ceremony add-on -- you can't book it on its own. The Bundle ($6,000) combines both for the full wedding day, and saves $1,000 vs. booking separately.

Can I bring my own food? 

Yes. Outside food is welcome -- bring it yourself, hire a caterer, or arrange a food truck. We don't have a regular food menu on-site. 

Can I bring my own alcohol? 

No. As a licensed Kentucky winery and distillery, we can't allow outside beer, wine, or liquor on the property. All alcohol served at your event must come from us. The upside: you've got our full wine and bourbon lineup to build a drink menu around. 

Do you host weddings, or just receptions? 

Both. Our Paducah outdoor space has hosted full ceremonies, and our Bowling Green location does ceremony plus reception in one venue through the Bundle. 

Can I tour the venue before booking? 

Yes -- in-person tours for private events are available at both locations by appointment. It's the fastest way to see whether the space fits your vision. 

What's included in the access dates for the Bowling Green Reception?

The $4,500 Reception Area booking includes access two days prior to your event, the event day, and one day after -- four days total. The $2,500 Pavilion add-on includes the day prior plus the event day. The $6,000 Bundle covers both. 

How big are the BG party rooms? 

Each party room is 25 x 25 feet. Weekend rates: $200 for up to 3 hours, $300 for up to 5 hours. Weekday rate: $200 for all-day access through 6:30 PM. Overtime after 6:30 PM is $50 per hour. Setup and breakdown time is included in the reserved window. 

How do I get pricing for my event? 

Send us your preferred date (plus 1-2 backups), the location you're interested in, approximate guest count, and the type of event. We'll come back with a quote based on those details.