Proposals and weddings: venues, capacities and a planning checklist
The Cottages at PGA National Resort offers indoor ballrooms and several lakeside/terrace outdoor sites across PGA National Resort suitable for ceremonies and receptions, with capacities ranging from about 90 guests (Vista) up to several hundred (Masters Terrace/Lakeside Terrace and The Pavilion) and a nearly 10,000 sq ft PGA Grand Ballroom for very large receptions. Use the resort’s events team to confirm current capacities, available dates, and vendor rules—permits, minimum spends, and service charges vary by space and season.
In this guide
Venues and capacities at a glance
The Cottages are part of PGA National Resort & Spa; weddings and events use resort-managed venues across the property rather than individual cottages. Capacities and square footage vary by space and by how you arrange seating (ceremony, plated dinner, reception).
Below are the primary event spaces commonly offered for weddings and large celebrations. Confirm exact maximums and layout rules with the resort events team when you plan.
- PGA Grand Ballroom — nearly 10,000 sq ft; listed maximum capacity up to 1,020 guests on some venue materials (confirm with events team).
- The Pavilion (Honda Pavilion) — 7,000 sq ft lakeside venue; listed capacity up to 400 guests.
- Masters Terrace — outdoor terrace linking to Birdie’s Diner; listed capacity up to 300 guests.
- Lakeside Terrace / Lakeside Lawn — outdoors on a lakeside terrace; listed capacity up to 300 (some listings cite 280 for Lakeside Lawn).
- Bella Lago — roughly 2,500 sq ft ballroom with vaulted ceilings; listed capacity for seated dinners up to 180 (some pages note up to 250 depending on setup).
- British Ballroom — flexible ballroom space; listed capacity around 175–240 depending on configuration.
- Vista Venue — 2,310 sq ft with 18 picture windows overlooking the zero-entry pool; seated dinner capacity up to 90 guests.
| Venue | Typical stated max capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PGA Grand Ballroom | Up to 1,020 (varies by layout) | Largest indoor ballroom—confirm layout limits |
| The Pavilion (Honda Pavilion) | Up to 400 | Lakeside, 7,000 sq ft |
| Vista Venue | Up to 90 | Private ballroom with pool views |
Best ceremony options (indoor vs outdoor)
Outdoor sites include the Lakeside Terrace, Masters Terrace and the Pavilion on the resort’s 26-acre lake; these are the common choices for lakeside ceremonies and outdoor receptions. Outdoor sites are subject to Florida weather; have a wet‑weather backup for rain or high wind.
Indoor ballrooms such as Bella Lago, the British Ballroom and the PGA Grand Ballroom are used for receptions and ceremonies when you need a guaranteed indoor option or when guest counts exceed the smaller ballrooms’ caps.
- Outdoor perks: lake and golf-course views, flexible ceremony layouts, adjacent cocktail terrace options.
- Indoor perks: climate control, fixed capacities, dedicated pre-function spaces for cocktail hours.
- Vista Venue is suitable for intimate ceremonies (around 90 guests) with natural light from many windows.
| Venue type | When to choose it |
|---|---|
| Lakeside Terrace / Pavilion | Ceremony with lake views or large outdoor reception (up to ~300–400 guests) |
| Ballrooms (Bella Lago, British, PGA Grand) | Rain plan, large indoor reception, formal plated dinner |
| Vista Venue | Small, windowed ceremony or reception up to ~90 guests |
Accommodation options for couples and guests
The Cottages at PGA National Resort are 21 individually furnished two-bedroom cottages located within PGA National Resort; guests staying in The Cottages have access to the resort’s restaurants, spa, pools and event spaces. The broader resort also offers multiple room types for single-room stays.
Room types at the resort include Room, Garden View; Room, Pool View; Deluxe Room, Resort View; several Premium Suite options; Premium Suite, Multiple Beds (Junior); Premium Suite, with Sofa bed (Junior) and (PGA); Presidential Suite; and Room, Multiple Beds. Use exact room names when requesting blocks to avoid confusion.
- Two-bedroom cottages are ideal for wedding parties who want shared common space and separate bedrooms.
- If you need a room block, ask the events or reservations team to hold specific room types and confirm check-in (4:00 PM) and check-out (11:00 AM) times.
- Confirm pet policies, parking, and any resort fee inclusions when contracting a room block.
| Example room names | Why couples book them |
|---|---|
| The Cottages (two-bedroom cottages) | Shared living/dining area for getting-ready photos and small party stays |
| Premium Suite / Premium Suite, with Sofa bed (Junior) | Extra sleeping for small wedding parties or family suites |
| Presidential Suite | Large suite for couple night or VIP guests |
Dining, rehearsal dinners and catering notes
The resort’s on-site restaurants include The Butcher's Club (steakhouse), Honeybelle (Southern/American), Birdie's Diner (all-day diner), Sushi by Boū (12-seat sushi counter/omakase), The MKT (grab-and-go), and Sugarplume (chocolate café). These venues can be used for rehearsal dinners, welcome gatherings, or smaller private dining events—ask the events team about private- dining options and buyout possibilities.
Sushi by Boū offers an intimate 12-seat omakase counter and has private-dining/omakase inquiry contacts for curated experiences. The Butcher's Club and Sushi by Boū are often recommended for reservations in advance, especially in evenings.
- Contact concierge or events to coordinate restaurant buyouts or private dining blocks; reservations are recommended for The Butcher's Club and Sushi by Boū.
- Poolside food-and-beverage service and a pool bar are available; poolside service hours and cabana fees vary and are subject to seasonal schedules.
- Discuss menu options, dietary needs, and service charges with the events team; spa and other service areas may have separate service charges.
| Venue | Typical use for wedding events |
|---|---|
| The Butcher's Club | Special-occasion rehearsal dinners or celebratory plated dinners (evening service) |
| Honeybelle | Casual welcome meals, brunches, family-style comfort food |
| Sushi by Boū | Intimate private omakase-style dinners or small rehearsal groups |
Logistics, timing and on-site services
Check-in at The Cottages at PGA National Resort begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is until 11:00 AM; inform the resort of arrival times in advance. The resort provides a 24-hour front desk and bell service, and free in-room Wi‑Fi is provided to guests.
The Spa at PGA National Resort, fitness center, pool amenities and golf facilities are available to guests; spa treatments and golf tee times should be reserved ahead of arrival. The spa operates on a published schedule and has age policies for treatments and certain pool areas (spa locker rooms and mineral pools are restricted to guests 18+).
- Provide the events team your preferred ceremony start time and an alternative for weather; allow time for photography, cocktail hour, and transitions between spaces.
- Reserve spa appointments, golf tee times and group fitness classes well in advance—these popular amenities may have separate booking policies and minimum spends for full amenity access.
- Confirm parking arrangements for guests and any shuttle or transportation needs from Palm Beach International Airport (about a 20–25 minute drive).
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spa reservations | Book in advance; spa hours and age restrictions apply |
| Golf tee times | Reserve prior to arrival through resort pro shop |
| Room blocks | Request by room type/name and confirm check-in/check-out rules |
Quick planning checklist for proposals and weddings
Use this checklist as a starting point to coordinate venues, vendors and the guest experience at The Cottages at PGA National Resort. The resort events team and concierge can assist with many items, but you should always get any capacity limits, fees and policies in writing before signing contracts.
Keep timelines flexible for Florida weather if you plan an outdoor ceremony and confirm rain-plan fees or space-change costs in advance.
- Contact the resort events team to confirm venue availability, maximum capacity for your date and any space rental or minimum-spend requirements.
- Confirm guest room block details using exact room names (e.g., Room, Garden View; Premium Suite; Presidential Suite; The Cottages) and get check-in/out policies in writing.
- Reserve catering and rehearsal dinner spaces; book restaurants like The Butcher's Club or Sushi by Boū early for evening events.
- Arrange photographer timing around sunset and pool/grounds usage; request permission for photos at specific resort locations.
- Book spa appointments and hair/makeup slots for the wedding party well in advance; note spa age policies for locker rooms/mineral pools.
- Plan transportation from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) — rideshare times are typically about 20–25 minutes; confirm guest parking or shuttle needs.
- Ask about required permits, noise policies, vendor load-in/out rules and preferred vendor lists or restrictions (e.g., outside catering, linens, fireworks).
| When to do it | Task |
|---|---|
| 12+ months before | Confirm venue and main vendor availability; secure room block |
| 3–6 months before | Finalize menus, timelines, and spa/golf bookings |
| 2–4 weeks before | Provide final guest counts and seating diagrams to events team |
