Frequently Asked Questions

What space can we utilize at Maria’s?
You are welcome to rent our hall and/or our patio space, which is covered and beautifully draped underneath with white billowy fabric from late Spring into Fall.

Inside, your guests will enter through our main foyer area which connects with the parking lot out back. Here we have a large coatroom and hosts often create a lovely welcome table, area for picture taking or set up a photo booth.

Indoor bathroom facilities are available for both spaces.

How much is it to rent your hall?
It is $1000 to rent Maria’s. Talk with us if you are interested in renting the patio space for your party, so we can quote the space for you.

How do we secure our date?
We require payment of the hall rental to secure your date. The deposit is nonrefundable and may be paid with a credit card, cash, or check. Important – Please know credit card payments incur an additional 3% credit card processing fee. There is no fee associated with payments made with cash or a check.

What does the hall or tent rental include?
Your rental charge includes use of our beautiful hall or tent for your party, as well as setting up your tables, chairs, fine linens in a choice of colors, china, flatware, goblets, breakdown, and cleaning.

How many guests can join my celebration?
Maria’s can comfortably seat 180 guests with a dance floor and 200 guests without a dance floor.

What is the minimum guest count?  
The minimum is 50 paid adult guests for events at Maria’s. If your party is smaller or you experience cancellations, you will be billed for 50 adult guests, but you may take the extra food home with you.

Is Maria’s an accessible venue?
Yes. We have an accessible entrance through our patio and provide accessible bathrooms for our guests.

Can you provide for vegetarian and special dietary needs?
We try our best to meet special dietary needs without compromising the quality of our food and family recipes. Talk with us regarding your requirements and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.

What is the 22% service charge?
Our service charge offsets many costs that go into creating your event. For example, in addition to replacing serving items for onsite events, it also helps offset labor and dishwashing, while for offsite events it helps cover items such as labor, clean up and transportation costs. The catering fee is not a gratuity and is subject to state and local tax laws.

How many events a day do you host?
Your event will be the only one taking place during your timeframe at Maria’s.  Though we sometimes host a morning and an evening event on the same day, we allow ample time to clean and reset for the next event. Weddings are an exception. When we host a wedding at Maria’s that is our only event for the entire day.

What is your payment and cancellation policy?
To secure your date, we require receipt of the Maria’s by DiPaolo’s $1000 hall rental fee. Dates are secured first come, first serve when the deposit is received. Unfortunately no dates are held or guaranteed in any way without a deposit. After your deposit is received, depending on the size of the event and the amount of time for planning, the balance is typically paid in 1-2 installments, the first at 6 months with the final balance due 1 month prior to your event date. All payments are nonrefundable.

Do you charge a credit card processing fee?
We pass on the 3% processing fee for all payments made utilizing a credit card. Payments made with cash or check do not incur any additional fee.

Is it possible to borrow chafing dishes from Maria’s for my event? Yes!

Is there a charge to borrow chafing dishes for an offsite event?
We charge $10 to borrow our chafing dishes and we also supply disposable serving spoons and/or tongs. There is no further charge if you return the chafing dishes to Maria’s within 72 hours of your party. However, customers are charged a replacement fee of $20 per set if chafing dishes are not returned promptly.

Where do we return chafing dishes? Do we need an appointment?
Return chafing dishes to Maria’s at 72 North Virginia Avenue, Penns Grove, NJ 08069 at your convenience. You do not need an appointment. Leave them out back on the ramp by the double doors.

What if we picked up our catering order and the chafing dishes from DiPaolo’s Restaurant? Don’t we return them to DiPaolo’s Restaurant?
Good question, but no! Chafing dishes for catering orders are gathered for you from Maria’s and they are inventoried as property of Maria’s. Please return them directly to us so we can clean them and maintain our stock. (72 North Virginia Ave, on the ramp by the double doors!)