When you’re planning a wedding in Center City Philadelphia, one of the first questions on your mind is likely about budget. We understand that transparency matters, especially when you’re making decisions that affect your celebration and your finances. At Arts Ballroom, we approach pricing differently than many venues because we include so much in one package.
Understanding All-Inclusive Pricing at Arts Ballroom
We structure our wedding packages to eliminate surprise costs and simplify your planning process. Instead of paying separately for rentals, staffing, catering, and coordination, everything comes together under one roof at 1324 Locust Street. Tax and gratuity are included in your package, which means the quote you receive reflects your actual cost.
What’s Included in Your Wedding Package
Your booking gives you access to our entire 10,000 square foot space. The Grand Ballroom seats up to 230 guests for a formal plated dinner, and we can accommodate cocktail receptions for up to 250. If you’re planning a larger celebration, our combined spaces handle up to 550 guests cocktail style.
We provide all the physical elements you need. Tables, chairs, linens, silverware, flatware, and glassware are part of your package. You’ll also have access to our bride and groom suite in the Mezzanine, where Juliet balconies overlook the Ballroom, and private restrooms make getting ready more comfortable.
The Service Team Behind Your Day
Staffing is where our all-inclusive approach really shows its value. You’ll work with an event coordinator who handles onsite coordination from setup through breakdown. Your reception includes one server for every 10 guests and one bartender for every 75, ensuring your family and friends receive attentive service throughout the evening.
Our executive chef leads the catering team, and you’ll also have a bridal attendant, event specialist, maître d’, doormen, catering staff, and a captain managing the flow of your reception. White-glove tableside service accompanies your plated dinner, and butlered hors d’oeuvres circulate during cocktail hour.
Food, Beverage, and Dessert
Catering packages are customizable based on your preferences and guest count. We include a top-shelf open bar with attended cocktail stations, so your guests have access to quality selections without you managing separate bar costs. The full dessert menu and custom wedding cake are part of your package, and we handle cake cutting service.
Rehearsal access is available on weekdays, giving you and your wedding party time to walk through your ceremony in the actual space. Our French acoustic ceiling in the Grand Ballroom means your vows carry clearly without additional sound equipment.
Custom Elements and Finishing Touches
Custom lighting packages let you adjust the ambiance to match your vision. The venue features two built-in marble bars, one in the Sylvania Room with backlighting that creates a sophisticated cocktail atmosphere, plus a second bar to keep service flowing smoothly for larger guest counts. The granite staircase and crystal chandeliers provide architectural detail that photographs beautifully without requiring extra décor investment.
How to Access Specific Pricing
Because every wedding is different in terms of guest count, menu selections, and timing, we provide detailed pricing through our pricing guide. You can fill out the form on our weddings page to receive information tailored to your celebration. This approach lets us answer your specific questions about what your vision would cost rather than giving you general ranges that may not apply.
Our team is available Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. You can reach us at 215-621-8561 to discuss your wedding timeline and get answers about how our packages work for your situation.
Planning Your Budget with Confidence
We built our all-inclusive model because we’ve seen how stressful it can be to track vendor payments across multiple contracts. When tax, gratuity, staffing ratios, catering, rentals, and coordination all come from one source, your planning gets simpler, and your budget stays predictable. You’ll know what’s covered and what you might want to add based on your priorities, not because we’ve left essential services out of the base package.
If you’re comparing venues in Philadelphia, we encourage you to look closely at what each package includes. Our location on the Avenue of the Arts puts you near City Hall, Love Park, and Rittenhouse Square for photos, and our Timeless Elegance approach means the spaces work for both traditional and contemporary celebrations.
Ready to see detailed pricing for your wedding date and guest count? Fill out the information form on our weddings page to access our pricing guide, or call us at 215-621-8561 to discuss your celebration.
FAQs
What’s the difference between the Grand Ballroom and the Sylvania Room for wedding receptions?
The Grand Ballroom seats up to 230 guests for formal plated dinners and features our granite staircase, marble fireplace, and French acoustic ceiling. The Sylvania Room accommodates up to 100 for plated dinners or 300 cocktail style, with crystal chandeliers and a backlit marble bar. Many couples use both spaces, flowing from the ceremony in the Grand Ballroom to cocktails in the Sylvania Room.
Are taxes and gratuity really included in the package price?
Yes. The pricing you receive includes tax and gratuity, so you’re not calculating additional percentages on top of your quoted cost. This applies to all elements of your package, including catering, staffing, and coordination.
Can we hold our rehearsal at the Arts Ballroom?
Weekday rehearsal availability is included with your booking. This allows you and your wedding party to walk through your ceremony in the actual Grand Ballroom before your wedding day.
What staffing ratios can we expect for our reception?
You’ll have one server for every 10 guests and one bartender for every 75 guests. Your team also includes an executive chef, bridal attendant, event specialist, maître d’, doormen, catering staff, and a captain who manages service flow throughout your reception.