Our catering specialists, event design coordinator, and culinary team are focused on exceeding your expectations and providing an impeccable and memorable moment.

First, know what matters most to you for your event. In the beginning stages of the planning process, do not limit your vision in any way—our specialists will be delighted to guide you in making your vision a reality. Next, we recommend that you have an idea of your desired dates (or season), an estimated number of guests and estimated budget.

We always recommend an appointment so that our catering specialist can personally answer your questions. However, you are always welcome to visit the Resort at any time and request a tour of our beautiful facilities.

We suggest contacting the Resort once you have your desired dates and estimated number of guests. Our catering and event design specialists will help guide you in turning your vision into the perfect reality.

Once you have met with our catering specialist and verified your preferred date and time is available, a Catering Agreement will be prepared. The date will be confirmed upon receipt of your signed contract and deposit.

Our catering specialist will prepare a Catering Estimate based on current banquet menus. These averages could encompass hors d’oeuvres during your welcome cocktail reception, plated or buffet meal, wine service with meal and an open hosted bar service based on a moderate drinking group. Please be aware that our menu items and pricing are subject to change and your final expenditure will depend on your final guest attendance, menu selections and food and beverage financial commitment.

Food and Beverage from outside sources are not permitted in the banquet area. Our renowned culinary team can provide a menu suited to your particular tastes, including many ethnic cuisines. We would be happy to create a customized menu, even one incorporating a “family favorite recipe” if that is your desire.

The food and beverage minimum is the least amount of money that you are required to spend in a combination of food and hosted beverage, excluding service charge and sales tax. Please keep in mind that is not all you can anticipate to spend. The food and beverage minimum is reached by selecting individually priced, a la carte menu items or applicable catering package with optional enhancements to equal or exceed the required dollar figure.

The following are examples of items that would apply towards the food and beverage minimum:

• Butler passed and displayed hors d’oeuvres


• Carving stations


• Plated or buffet meal


• Dessert stations


• Specialty drink stations


• Dinner wine service


• Champagne toast


• Hosted bar service and non-alcoholic beverage items

Children’s menus are customized to the needs of your event (ages 3 through 12). Please note that because Thunder Valley is a gaming property, no more than 10% of your estimated guests total may be under the age of 21.

Food and beverage selections must be finalized and confirmed with your Thunder Valley Casino Resort Manager no less than 60 days prior to the date of your event or wedding. Your final guest count or guarantee is due five business days prior to the event. This will be considered a guarantee, for which you will be charged even if fewer guests attend the event. You will be charged for the number of meals served if you exceed the guarantee. Delays to meal service beyond one hour, if allowed, are also subject to additional charges.

Please note, should you need meals for your vendors, we would be happy to provide you with a list of options.

We are pleased to offer a sample menu tasting for weddings and large special events with a food and beverage minimum after the contract has been signed. Tastings are done for up to four people.

For both indoor and outdoor locations, the event must occur within the contracted timeline. All outdoor events must be concluded by 11:59p.m. and Lincoln, CA has a noise ordinance of 10:00p.m. that all outside events must abide by.

Deposits are due at the time of contract signing and range from 25% - 100% depending on how soon the event dates is. The deposit is made up of a combined food and beverage minimum, taxable service charge, applicable taxes and rental fees for the event space and guest room block, tax and resort fee (if applicable). A deposit schedule will be provided as part of your contract. Deposits are non-refundable and non-date transferable. Thunder Valley Casino Resort requires full pre-payment and a credit card on file for all events, unless approved for direct billing no later than thirty days prior to your event.

A special rate may be available with a minimum commitment of 10 or more room nights. Thunder Valley Casino Resort strongly recommends that a room block be arranged for all event and wedding celebrations as the hotel frequently sells-out. A room block guarantees a certain number of rooms exclusively for your guests. Your contracted guest room rate is guaranteed until approximately 30 days prior to your event date. This date is listed on your sales contract. After that time, guests may make reservations based on availability at prevailing rates. Any remaining rooms not reserved will be released at the cutoff date. Financial responsibility for unused and unsold rooms may apply; please refer to your sales contract.

For individual appointments, guests may call our Reservation Line at 916-408-7777. For group reservations, please contact your Catering Specialist. Please click here for The Spa menu.

We recommend our sister property, Whitney Oaks Golf Club. Your Catering Specialist can assist in obtaining tee times and transportation.

We maintain a DMV certified fleet of limousines, luxury cars and shuttle buses. Transportation arrangements may be made through your catering specialist and may require additional financial commitment.

Overnight hotel guests may utilize our complimentary valet service in front of the hotel. Other wedding and event guests may self-park in our attached garage or overflow parking areas. Complimentary valet parking is also available in the garage area. All parking is complimentary at Thunder Valley Casino Resort.

The facility fee includes: Set up and tear down, banquet chairs, tables, china settings, silverware, glassware, service staff, house napkins and house floor-length linens. In addition, the cutting, serving, and boxing of your cake is included if the cake is purchased from Thunder Valley. Please ask your Catering Specialist for pricing for upgrades or Day of Wedding Coordination.

Each wedding is as unique as you and we take great pride in creating a customized, all inclusive wedding package that reflects your personal desires.

Your catering specialist is happy to arrange a ceremony rehearsal for you and your wedding party. Rehearsal times are confirmed up to three (3) weeks prior to your wedding and set at a time that does not interfere with other booked events. Ceremony rehearsals are normally one hour in length and there is no additional fee for space usage.

Your catering specialist can arrange rehearsal dinner reservations in one of our fine dining restaurants or private event space. A separate contract may be required.

Many of our brides choose to stay with us the evening before their wedding and therefore have the use of their room for changing. Your florist, bridesmaids and family members may bring any flowers, dresses and makeup into your room. Wedding parties also have the option of buying out the Meditation Area of the Spa at Thunder Valley for nails, massages, and esthetics, provided services are contracted through the resort. (Based on availability.)

• Establish your guest room block and monitor the status of reservations, verifying the bride and groom’s reservation (if applicable).


• Recommend Special Event Professionals to provide wedding coordination, music, floral, photography, ceremony officiant, invitations and amenities.


• Prepare a Catering Agreement to secure Thunder Valley banquet and guest room space.


• Act as menu consultant for all food and beverage selections.


• Set up a tasting appointment with your menu selection (maximum of 4 people).


• Detail your Banquet Event Order and Wedding “Resume” outlining all of your event specifics and overnight accommodations along with an estimate of charges outlining your financial commitments and deposit schedule.


• Create a floor plan of your function space in order for you to plan and provide the Hotel with your seating arrangements.


• Act as the on-site liaison between you or your wedding coordinator and Hotel operations staff to ensure that all information is communicated successfully to the operational team of the Hotel.


• Oversee the ceremony and reception room(s) set-up, food preparation and other Hotel operations.


• Ensure a seamless transition to the Banquet Captain on the day of your event.


• Review your banquet check for accuracy, prior to the completion of your final bill.

While we are happy to assist in planning your special day, we encourage you to appoint or hire an independent wedding coordinator to:
 

• Assist with etiquette and protocol for invitations, family matters, ceremony and toasts.


• Create a timeline for your entire wedding day, including the ceremony and reception to supply to the hotel’s wedding team.


• Organize and coordinate your ceremony rehearsal. Remind bridal party of all pertinent times and special “things to do” on the wedding day.


• Confirm times and details with all vendors several days prior to the wedding day.


• Be the liaison with your family, bridal party and all vendors.


• Assist the bride and bridal party with dressing.


• Ensure the ladies have their corsages and bouquets, etc., and assist with pinning of the gentlemen’s boutonnières.


• Deliver and arrange ceremony programs, escort cards, place cards, favors and any personal items.


• Coordinate your actual ceremony (i.e. line up bride party, assist bride with dress, etc.)


• Coordinate your reception (i.e. grand entrance, first dance, toasts, cake cutting, etc.)


• Coordinate with vendors and the hotel banquet team to ensure timeliness of your events.


• Collect any personal items you may have brought at the conclusion of the reception.


• Count and collect all wedding gifts and deliver them to the appropriate location at the conclusion of your event.


• Assist you with full-service coordinating from your engagement to your honeymoon, should you select a full-service package.