The Amway Grand Wedding Venue in West Michigan
As a Southeast and Mid Michigan wedding photographer who’s photographed 70+ weddings, I’ve worked at several venues all around the Mitten. Hi, friend! I’m Catie Eovaldi and I’ve been photographing weddings for the past 3 years.
Heading into another year of wedding photography, I work with couples who are craving a wedding day centered around them. Unafraid to be different and try something new, couples are planning unique days that are fun and true to them. And honestly? That’s what makes their wedding photos the best. Your planning your wedding day and while it’s a weird concept to grasp, it will some day be a sentimental memory that you want to relive and remember for years after. You want to remember even the smallest moments on your day. All of this begins with selecting the venue you get married at.
On Michigan’s west side of the state is the Amway Grand. This hotel is located right in the middle of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Featuring private getting-ready spaces, ornate architectural details, several celebration ballrooms and spaces, the Amway Grand is the perfect place for your wedding day celebrations.
About The Amway Grand Hotel
As previously mentioned, The Amway Grand offers several spaces that can be used for wedding celebrations. Your guest count will determine the spaces used for your day, but the smallest space can accommodate receptions of 35 while the largest can accommodate 600 guests. The nice thing about having your wedding at the Amway Grand is that your guests can stay at the hotel and not worry about traveling between two or three different locations day of. They can also just go right upstairs to their room after celebrating, which is nice because guests that don’t have to drive off-site to their accommodations usually stay and celebrate longer.
The aesthetic of The Amway Grand hotel feels quite opulent and elegant. With gold accent details in the form of chandeliers, sconces, and chairs, and also deep rich brown wood tones throughout the different spaces there is a warmth to each space available.
You can check my availability for your Amway Grand wedding here!
The Amway Grand Wedding Ceremony and Reception Spaces
While there are a ton of different spaces available at the hotel, there are four main spaces used for larger wedding celebrations.
The Ambassador Ballroom
- Capacity: 600 seated guests
- Design Elements: The Ambassador Ballroom is the largest ballroom in the Amway Grand Hotel. It features high ceilings and gorgeous crystal chandeliers accenting a more contemporary style. The vibrant colors used on walls and in the carpet paired with ambient lighting give the space an elegant feel.
The Pantlind Ballroom
- Capacity: 290 seated guests
- Design Elements: The Pantlind Ballroom has a 24-karat gold leaf ceiling that adds an old world, vintage feel to the room. The room is adorned with mirrored walls set against a butter-yellow backdrop. More European in feel, this ballroom is very popular for events at this hotel.
The Imperial Ballroom
- Capacity: 180 seated guests
- Design Elements: This wedding celebration space is actually a two-tiered room. The mezzanine is adorned with a restored walnut ceiling and grand staircase. This room is different than the previous two in that it has Victorian style elements rather than European. Surrounded by soft blue hues and towering stone columns, this room evokes a peaceful tone and provides a stunning setting for wedding celebrations.
Gerald R and Betty Ford Presidential Ballroom
- Capacity: 160 seated guests
- Design Elements: This room was fully restored for the celebration of the 38th President’s ninetieth birthday. The Gerald R. and Betty Ford Presidential Ballroom has a large domed ceiling with a stunning chandelier hanging from the center. Other features of this room include large Georgian columns, elegant crown moldings, mirrored wall treatments, and gold valances. Painted and decorated in hues of blue and white, this room feels majestic in its design.
Onsite Catering and Bartending Services
The Amway Grand includes catering and bartending in their wedding services. Having all of this onsite is great. You won’t have to worry about communicating with several different vendors because all of your services for venue, catering, and bartending is wrapped up in one. This wedding venue offers catering for more than just your sit down dinner meal at your reception. They’ll also cater cocktail hour, your getting ready brunch, a rehearsal lunch, and even a post-wedding breakfast if you spend your entire weekend with them.
There are two types of dinner service available for this venue: buffet style or plated. Plated dinners are popular at the Amway Grand and can be paired with displayed appetizers that will wow your guests during cocktail hour. You can even have this venue handle all of your dessert needs with their selection of specialty desserts.
The bar services at the Amway Grand are similar to what you would find in other venues. You’ll find the standard beer and wine selections with the option for liquor services as well.
There are so many great things about the Amway Grand but the level of service and the designs here are unlike other venues- it makes me love coming back to work there (which I’d love to again- let’s connect here about your Amway Grand wedding).
The Amway Grand Wedding Cost
The Amway Grand has variable costs. Because catering and bartending is included in costs, your personal cost will be different based upon your guest count, food menu, and choice in alcohol served. The Amway Grand encourages couples to reach out directly so they can provide a quote. If you aren’t totally ready for that step yet, here’s what to expect for a rough budget.
The rental costs at this wedding venue start at $1,000. Catering and bartending average out to roughly $100 per person, and don’t forget to figure in a 6% sales tax along with a 23% service cost to that catering total as well. When speaking with the venue directly, they’ll be able to provide a solid number when they learn your food and alcohol preferences.
Overall, I would expect couples to have a starting budget of $30,000 for around 150 guests.
The Amway Grand Wedding Venue Details
- Location: downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Address: 187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Phone: (616) 774-2000
- Website: amwaygrand.com/weddings
- Capacity: Up to 600 guests for a seated ceremony and reception; can accommodate more intimate celebrations under 50 guests
- Cost: starting at $30,000 for 150 guests
Photos in this post were provided by myself, Catie Eovaldi Photography and include digital photography. Looking for more venues? Check out this blog post: Michigan Wedding Venues!
