The Ice God: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Welcome to The Ice God FAQ, where we answer the most common questions from clients, party planners, and ice sculpture enthusiasts. Whether you're booking for a wedding, brand activation, or just curious how this all works, we’ve got you covered.

How much do your ice sculptures cost?

Most custom sculptures start at $700, with final pricing based on size and number of blocks. Add-ons like color fill are available for $50 per block.

Looking for something smaller? Our popular 2-foot Party Luges, perfect as tabletop centerpieces or for interactive food and drink displays, are $250.

How far in advance should I place my order?

We recommend 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons (weddings, festival season, etc.). Last-minute orders may be possible depending on our schedule, just reach out!

What areas do you deliver to?

We serve the Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia and Virginia metro areas, with delivery included within 75 miles of our studio. If your event is farther out, we can still make it happen, a travel fee of $4 per mile (one way) applies beyond that range. Not sure if you're in the zone? Just send us a message and we'll confirm!

How long do sculptures last?

That depends on the environment. Factors like sun, wind, and humidity can affect melt time, so we recommend shaded or climate-controlled setups whenever possible to keep your sculpture looking its best. But generally:

• Indoors: 6–8 hours

• Outdoors in summer: 2–4 hours
  

Do you provide setup?

Yes! We deliver and set up every sculpture, ensuring it’s perfectly placed and photo-ready before your event begins. We’re happy to coordinate with your venue or event planner to get the timing just right.

Each sculpture includes a drip tray, tubing, and bucket beneath to manage melting water discreetly. For the cleanest look, we recommend draping the table to the floor to conceal the drip setup and keep the display polished.

You’ll need to provide a sturdy table:

• 4–5 ft for most sculptures

• 6–8 ft if you’re adding bottles, trays, or decorative elements

Let us know if you're unsure, our team can help guide the best setup for your space.

Do you carve by hand or machine?

Both! We use traditional hand carving techniques for 3D Ice Sculptures as well as CNC for 2D Ice sculptures like precise logos, custom shapes, and complex designs. Sometimes we even combine both!

How do you achieve clarity, shape, or color in the ice?

Every sculpture starts with our own crystal-clear ice blocks, frozen in-house for maximum clarity and strength. We use a mix of CNC precision and hand carving techniques to shape each design, beginning with rough cuts and then refining the details with specialized tools to create clean edges and dramatic definition. For added visual impact, we can fill engraved areas with colored sand or glitter, making logos, names, or patterns really pop.

How does the design process work?

Once you share your idea, we’ll help refine it based on your event, budget, and vision. Our designer, Kane Rose, creates a 3D digital model with layout specs, submitting it for your approval two weeks before the event. Once approved, we finalize any extras like color fill, bottle holders, or lighting, and schedule it for production.

Can I combine multiple elements (e.g. logo + bottle holder + luge)?

Absolutely. Many of our sculptures are designed to do more than one thing, like a brand logo carved into a multi-tray seafood display or an ice luge with built-in bottle holders. Just let us know what you have in mind, and we’ll design it to flow as one cohesive piece.

Will the sculpture serve food or drinks?

Yes! Many of our sculptures are designed to be both beautiful and functional. We create ice luges for pouring cocktails or shots, ice bars with built-in bottle holders or caviar slots, and multi-tiered seafood displays that keep oysters, sushi, and hors d’oeuvres chilled. Depending on your setup, we can use trays, silos, or recessed display areas carved directly into the ice to hold food safely and attractively throughout your event.

How do you decide on a design theme?

Start by browsing our website gallery, social pages (Facebook, Instagram, Linked In), or our client reviews to get inspired. Save any designs you love, these help our sales manager relay your vision to our designer, who will craft a custom piece that fits your event’s style, purpose, and personality. Whether you want something decorative, functional, bold, or classic, we’ll guide you through the process and make sure your sculpture feels like it was made just for your event.

Can I see a proof before you carve it?

Yes! Once we receive your deposit, we’ll send over a digital mockup of your sculpture with layout and dimensions for your approval. One revision is included, with additional changes available at $50 each.

To make the process even smoother, we recommend browsing our gallery, Instagram, Facebook, or client reviews. Seeing what others have loved can help you find your style and make it easier for us to bring your vision to life.

What’s included with my ice sculpture?

Every order includes custom design, delivery within 75 miles, on-site setup, and all necessary drain equipment and lighting. For events beyond 75 miles, a travel fee of $4 per mile (one way) applies.

How much space should I plan for the sculpture?

Most 1–2 block sculptures display best on a 4–5 ft round or square table. If you’re including extras like bottles, seafood trays, or decor, we recommend a 6–8 ft banquet table for a balanced look.

Pro tip: Drape the table to the floor to hide the drain bucket and keep the setup looking clean and polished.

What are the tray dimensions?

Depending on the size of your ice sculpture, we’ll provide one of the following trays, just make sure your table can support the sculpture’s weight and footprint:

• Small Tray: 26" W × 20" D

• Slim Tray: 45" W × 14.5" D

• Large Tray: 42" W × 22" D

Do you provide lighting?

Yes! We include LED puck lights for tabletop displays and par can lighting for larger or ground-level sculptures. Our lighting has multiple color options and is carefully placed to highlight the clarity, edges, and overall impact of your ice sculpture.

Can the sculpture go on a bar top or alternate surface?

Absolutely! Bar tops, alcoves, and specialty tables are all fair game, as long as they’re sturdy and wide enough to support our tray dimensions. If your sculpture includes a luge or pour feature from a raised surface, we recommend having a stool or small step on hand for easy access.

What happens to the sculpture after the event?

The sculpture will slowly melt into the drip tray, tubing, and bucket we set up beneath it. After the event, you can simply pour out the water and set any materials aside to be reused or disposed of. We design the setup for a clean, low-maintenance breakdown that works smoothly for you and your venue.

Do you offer breakdown service?

Yes! Breakdown is available upon request and priced based on the sculpture size. It's $150 for the first block and $50 for each additional block. If you’d rather not worry about cleanup, we’ve got you.

Do I need to sign anything before the event?

Before your event, we’ll send over our Terms and Conditions for review and signature. We’ll also walk you through any specific logistics related to your venue or sculpture so nothing is left to guesswork.

Have a question we didn’t answer? We’d love to hear from you!

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• Ask us anything!

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