Frequently Asked Questions
Food & Beverage
+Q: May we bring in our own caterer?
With the exception of wedding cake, we cannot allow outside food and beverages. Made by Meg must provide all of your food and beverage items. Please inquire about dessert displays.
+Q: Can we bring in our own alcohol?
As the licensed caterer, Made by Meg Catering has its own ABC Full Liquor License to provide your event with the appropriate alcoholic beverage needs. Due to liability and service standards we do not allow a client to provide their own alcohol.
+Q: Is there a food and beverage minimum?
Yes. Those numbers are provided upon request; please contact us for a quote! Food and Beverage Minimums are exclusive of tax and production fees.
+Q: When do you need the final head count for my event?
Final food and beverage guest count numbers must be received no later than 14 days prior to the event.
+Q: May I offer a choice of entrees?
You may offer guests a choice of entrees when sending your invitations, and they can mark their selection when sending back the RSVP card, along with any dietary restrictions. When working with your event liaison, you’ll be able to select your entrees based on the package(s) you are serving at your event. We ask that all entree selections and final meal counts are submitted 14 days prior to your event, so we may properly prepare. We do not offer tableside entree selections during your event. Our chef composed entrees can accommodate guests with dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerance and other allergies.
+Q: Does your in-house caterer provide a wedding cake?
We do not provide a wedding cake or storage for early deliveries, but we have a great list of local wedding cake bakers we can recommend. Made by Meg Catering will provide the cutting, serving and bussing of cake to your guests.
+Q: Do you offer kids meals at events?
Yes, we do offer a kids meal for children 10 and under, including hors d’oeuvres for seated dinners. We do not charge for children under the age of 2. Please let us know the number of children attending with your final guest count so we may accommodate accordingly.
+Q: Does the bar package include non-alcoholic drinks?
Yes! Bar packages include soft drinks and other non-alcoholic bar standards (club soda, tonic water, and a variety of juices). We also can add custom mocktails in place of specialty cocktails.
+Q: Is the bar package charged per person?
Yes, all adult guests over 21 years old are charged the selected bar package at an hourly rate. Children and guests under 21 are charged the non-alcoholic package rate.
+Q: What is the payment schedule?
A deposit to save your date includes 33% of the invoiced total. A progress payment is due 60 days in advance of your event for 33% of the invoice total. Final payment is due two weeks before your event. We do not hold dates on a tentative basis.
+Q: What if my final guest count changes?
When signing your contract, you are committing to a guaranteed minimum expenditure for food and beverage based on your estimated guest count regardless of your actual attendance. Up until two weeks before your event, the guest count is tentative for cost breakdowns. Your final guest count is due 14 days prior to the event, and this becomes the guaranteed minimum. If your guest count is significantly lower than originally quoted, we will increase the value per guest with your menu selections.
+Q: Do you offer kosher-style or Glatt kosher catering for weddings?
While we are not certified Glatt kosher, we can do kosher-style catering! For kosher-style Jewish weddings catered at the Redondo Beach Historic Library, we don’t serve any shellfish or pork products, and we keep meat and dairy separate. Upon request, we can also use disposable single-use plates. If you have specific Glatt kosher requirements, we can bring up to 10% of the meals fully sealed and prepared by a certified Glatt kosher caterer.
Venue & Services
+Q: When are you starting to do tours and accept bookings? What's the earliest event date available?
We are currently offering hard-hat tours during construction, and expect renovations to be completed Spring 2026. Our reservation calendar is open for event dates for Summer 2026. Please contact us to be added to our waitlist!
+Q: How many guests can you accommodate max?
340 is the maximum number of guests.
+Q: Which services do you offer?
We offer a variety of event services – both indoor and outdoor – including Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions, Non-Profit Fundraisers, Anniversary Parties, Galas, Quinceañeras, Corporate Events, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Celebrations of Life, Film Screenings, Bridal Showers and Baby Showers, and more!
+Q: Can we have open flame candles?
All candles must be LED and flameless. Due to the venue being a national historic landmark, we cannot allow any open flames and/or candles.
+Q: What time is the latest our event can end?
Events can go until 11pm with all guests off property, and vendors must be off property by 11:30pm. The bar must close 30 minutes in advance of the event’s end time.
+Q: Can I bring my dog? Do you allow dogs to participate at the ceremony?
Yes, you may bring your pet dog, and they are allowed to participate in your outdoor ceremony only. We do require a professional/designated pet handler to ensure the safety of your dog.
+Q: Which outside vendors are allowed?
You can bring in your own florist, photographer, videographer, hair/makeup, officiant, rental company, cake, live music, and photo booth. We have an exclusive food and beverage catering contract with Made by Meg Catering. Please inquire for our list of preferred planners, DJs, photo booths, and shuttle transportation.
+Q: Do you have outdoor ceremony and reception spaces?
Yes! We have two different areas for hosting outdoor ceremonies at the Redondo Beach Historic Library. Option one is the grassy area north of the Library with an incredible view of the ocean and pier. Our second option is the west side of the Library with a stunning ocean view. For an outdoor cocktail reception space we offer the westside ocean view patio.
+Q: How much of the event planning is your venue willing to assist with?
Your event liaison will help create your floor plan, build your full catering menu from cocktail hour to the main reception and dessert, give advice and suggestions on timelines, recommend vendors from our preferred partner list, and help guide you as-needed for venue-related items at the Redondo Beach Historic Library. Weddings are required to have a professional planner.
+Q: What is included in the venue?
The venue fee includes:
- Use of our dining tables and chairs for indoor receptions
- Access to all 3 floors of our historic landmark venue for your rental period, including: Ceremony lawn with sweeping ocean views, Ballroom for dancing & dining, Private getting ready spaces, Guest restrooms
- Access to premier on-site catering and bar services exclusively from Made by Meg assigned event liaison Two consultation meetings with your planner and a Redondo Beach Historic Library Event Liaison and unlimited email communication
- Floor plan creation, setting up, and take down
- Vendor recommendations
+Q: Is the venue completely wheelchair accessible?
Yes, there is a guest elevator with access to all 3x floors, and ADA compliant entries will be accessible on both the first and second floor.
+Q: Can we add on extra hours onto our event timeline at the RB Library?
For evening events, extra hours can be purchased at the beginning, and for midday events, at the end. Extra hours can only be purchased 30 days before the event date, provided the other time slot has not yet been booked by another party.
+Q: Rain plan?
In the case of rain, you can opt to have both your ceremony and reception in the ballroom and mezzanine. Alternatively, you can opt to tent the designated ceremony lawn. If you would like to rent a tent for a rainy day lawn ceremony, please contact Bright Rentals in Torrance, CA.
+Q: Can we get fully ready on property?
Yes! We have two separate getting ready spaces on the first floor of the Redondo Beach Historic Library, The Pier Room and Ocean Hideaway Suite, conveniently located for privately getting ready on property.
+Q: How much time is allowed for set-up and clean-up?
Clients and vendors have 90 minutes to set up on property. Vendors must be off property thirty minutes following the end of your event.
+Q: What is the timing for weddings?
Morning packages include a 9am guest arrival time and a 9:30am ceremony with a lunch reception to follow. Evening packages include a 5pm guest arrival time and a 5:30pm ceremony, depending on time of year to catch sunset. Partial day rentals include 5 hours of exclusive access to the property. Amplified music is turned off promptly at guest departure (Morning: 1:30pm; Evening 10:00pm). Add-on hours are available for an additional charge.
+Q: What is the timing for a ceremony rehearsal?
A ceremony rehearsal can be hosted a day or more prior to your wedding depending on availability. Rehearsal fee is $350 and includes one full hour on the property. The Redondo Beach Historic Library team can provide a list of recommendations for your rehearsal dinner. If you need catering for an offsite rehearsal dinner, please let us know and we’d be happy to help with suggestions.
+Q: Do you allow decorations? What types are allowed?
Yes! We welcome decorations, such as flowers, electric candles, and lighting. We do not allow anything to be applied to the walls or building that will cause damage such as nailing into the walls or affixing with tape. As this is a historic property we do not allow sparklers, live flames, or confetti. We permit loose flower petals and ask that you designate your florist or coordinator to clean up the pedals after the event.
+Q: What type of music is permitted?
We allow live bands, string musicians, and DJs.
+Q: Do you have any guidelines concerning departures?
Yes, we have a designated area covered in your contract. Every event is required to have a parking plan.
+Q: Is a coordinator included?
Since we are the venue and the caterer, we focus exclusively on executing those portions of your wedding. Therefore, we require clients to hire a Professional Planner—whether it be full or partial coordination. Your coordinator is your point person who matches your style, vision, and personality. You will need someone to tell the DJ when to start and stop and to tell you when to walk down the aisle at the right moment. We now have a list of exclusive coordinators for you to choose from!
+Q: Can you recommend any local vendors?
Yes! There’s a tremendous amount of local talent and vendors we love working with. If you book your date with the Redondo Beach Historic Library, you receive a PDF called the Next Steps Packet that shows local vetted and recommended vendors, local hotels, sample itineraries and more.
+Q: Are tents included in your pricing?
No, tents are not included. If you would like to rent a tent and the associated accessories please contact Bright Rentals in Torrance, CA.
+Q: What is the security deposit?
A $2,500 damage security deposit is required for weekend events. This is to cover potential damage by your guests, and will be refunded two weeks following the event. If any damages have occurred, you will be notified, and we will bill you for any repairs over and above the deposit.
+Q: What is the address of the Redondo Beach Historic Library?
The address for the Redondo Beach Historic Library is 309 Esplanade, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. The main entrance is within Veterans Park, not to be confused with the Redondo Beach Public Library on PCH. For easy navigation, you can find the exact location and directions on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJ7gSYvTifitaxAs9