Our Grand Ballroom at the Arts Ballroom welcomes you with warmth as soon as you enter through its mahogany doors in December, January, or February. The marble fireplace serves as the room’s natural centerpiece, while crystal chandeliers illuminate the space with a warm, golden glow, creating an intimate atmosphere for winter weddings, even with 250 guests gathered for dinner.
The Grand Ballroom at the Arts Ballroom provides an ideal setting for elegant winter weddings, featuring a stunning marble fireplace, crystal chandeliers, and a French acoustic ceiling that enhances the cozy atmosphere. With exclusive venue use, precise timing from a dedicated team, and custom lighting, it ensures a seamless and memorable winter celebration.
Why Winter Weddings Shine in Our Grand Ballroom
The Grand Ballroom at the Arts Ballroom brings together everything you need for an indoor winter celebration. Our white paneled walls, hardwood floors, and crystal chandeliers create the formal elegance that December, January, and February receptions deserve. The marble fireplace stands out as a breathtaking centerpiece, complemented by the French acoustic ceiling that fosters a cozy and inviting ambiance, perfect for hosting dinner guests.
The Architecture That Creates Winter Elegance
The Grand Ballroom boasts a stunning French acoustic ceiling that exquisitely enhances sound quality. In winter, it creates an intimate atmosphere where conversations feel warm and close, despite the room’s generous size. The granite staircase becomes especially dramatic during winter receptions, whether draped with evergreen garland or lined with candles for your grand entrance.
The marble fireplace we discussed is not just a decorative element. It becomes the natural gathering point for cocktail hour if you’re using the Grand Ballroom for your entire reception, or it creates a stunning backdrop for your sweetheart table during dinner. The hardwood floors beautifully capture the warm light from our crystal chandeliers, enhancing the ambiance of your winter evening reception.
Elevating Your Winter Celebrations with Our Service
Winter receptions require precise timing, especially when December darkness falls by 5 PM. The Arts Ballroom service team understands this rhythm:
- The maitre d’ expertly manages each transition, ensuring a seamless flow as guests transition from cocktails to dinner and then to dancing.
- One server for every 10 guests ensures hot entrees arrive at the perfect temperature for winter dining
- Your dedicated event specialist manages vendor timing, crucial when photographers work with limited natural light
- Arts Ballroom executive chef leads the catering team through winter-appropriate menus, from warm passed hors d’oeuvres to hearty plated dinners
For winter wedding venues, we often see couples choose our attended cocktail stations in the Sylvania Room before transitioning to the Grand Ballroom for dinner. The backlit marble bar creates a warm glow for cocktail hour, while our second built-in marble bar in the Grand Ballroom ensures drinks flow smoothly during your reception.
Winter-Ready Amenities in the Grand Ballroom
Your winter wedding reception includes everything needed for cold-weather comfort:
Indoor Elegance Without Weather Worries:
- Exclusive use of our entire 10,000-square-foot venue ensures seamless transitions between ceremonies and receptions, eliminating the need to step outside.
- Private restrooms and coat storage make Mezzanine suites comfortable for your wedding party.
- Our custom lighting packages warm the room, from soft uplighting that complements candlelight to party lights that energize the dance floor
Complete Reception Setup:
- All tables, chairs, and linens provided, with napkin colors to match your winter theme
- Full bar service with one bartender per 75 guests, perfect for signature winter cocktails or warm beverages
- White glove tableside service that keeps your plated dinner at the ideal temperature
- Custom wedding cake service timed exactly when you want it, plus your full dessert menu
Planning Your Winter Reception Timeline
Winter weddings in our Grand Ballroom typically start between 4 PM and 6 PM to maximize any available natural light for photos. The Juliet balconies on our Mezzanine level offer dramatic portrait opportunities regardless of outdoor conditions, while the granite staircase provides an elegant backdrop that doesn’t require natural light.
When hosting both events with us, our musicians’ balcony provides perfect acoustics for cocktail hour or ceremony music. Your DJ or band sets up in the Grand Ballroom with our team handling all power and spacing logistics. We offer weekday rehearsal availability so your wedding party feels confident navigating the space before your winter celebration.
Conclusion
Walk through our Grand Ballroom and picture your winter reception. Feel the warmth from that marble fireplace. Look up at the crystal chandeliers and imagine them reflecting off your winter florals. Stand on the granite staircase where you’ll make your reception entrance. Fill out our pricing guide form or call 215-621-8561 to schedule your winter tour.
FAQs
How many guests can the Grand Ballroom hold for a winter wedding?
The Grand Ballroom seats up to 230 guests for formal weddings, or up to 250 for cocktail-style receptions. When combined with our Sylvania Room for a cocktail hour, we accommodate seamless transitions for your winter celebration at the Arts Ballroom.
Does the Grand Ballroom have adequate heating for winter events?
Our historic 1923 building maintains comfortable temperatures year-round. The marble fireplace provides an elegant focal point in the Grand Ballroom, while our enclosed venue eliminates any weather-related concerns for your reception.
Can we use the Grand Ballroom and Sylvania Room for the winter reception?
Yes, many winter weddings use the Sylvania Room with its backlit marble bar for cocktail hour, then transition to the Grand Ballroom for dinner and dancing. Both spaces are included with exclusive use of our venue.
What’s included for winter wedding receptions at The Arts Ballroom?
Your winter package includes exclusive venue use, all tables, chairs, linens, silverware, glassware, full catering with top-shelf open bar, custom wedding cake, complete setup and breakdown, tax and gratuity, plus our full service team, including servers, bartenders, and event coordinator.