You love the elegance of a ballroom but want your wedding to feel fresh, not formal. We get it. At Arts Ballroom, couples balance those two desires every weekend. Our Grand Ballroom gives you the architecture and sophistication of a 1923 venue, and our approach to service, lighting, and customization helps you make it yours.
Making Tradition Feel Contemporary
Classic doesn’t have to mean conventional. Our 10,000 sq ft space in Center City Philadelphia blends the history of the original Hotel Sylvania with flexibility that lets you shape your celebration around your style. You’re working with crystal chandeliers and a French acoustic ceiling, sure. But you’re also working with custom lighting packages that can shift the entire mood, from uplighting that adds color to spotlights that highlight what matters. The hardwood floors and white paneled walls become your backdrop, and everything you layer on top reflects you as a couple.
The Space Works for Movement, Not Formality
We’ve found that couples who want a modern feel often care most about how their guests move through the event. You can use the Grand Ballroom for both ceremony and reception, seating up to 230 for a formal dinner or up to 250 for cocktails. Or you can start in the Ballroom and transition to the Sylvania Room, where the backlit marble bar and mirrored décor bring a different energy. The Sylvania holds up to 300 for cocktails or 100 for a plated dinner, so it works as a ceremony space, a cocktail hour spot, or even a late-night lounge after dinner wraps. You’re not locked into one layout or one vibe.
Lighting Shifts Everything
This is where tradition meets now. The mahogany doors and granite staircase aren’t going anywhere, and we wouldn’t want them to. But your lighting choices, whether you go bold with party lights or keep it understated with uplighting, completely change how the room reads. We’ve seen couples use spotlights to draw attention to a modern art installation they brought in or to highlight the marble fireplace in a new way. The imported acoustic ceiling and chandeliers hold their own, and the lighting layers in what’s current.
Service That Adapts Without Announcing Itself
We include an event specialist and on-site coordination, so you’re not managing logistics on your wedding day. You’ll also have a bridal attendant, a maître d’, and a service ratio of one server per 10 guests and one bartender per 75. That’s white-glove tableside service for your plated dinner, butlered hors d’oeuvres during cocktails, and attended stations at the top-shelf open bar. The service style is polished but not stiff. Your team adapts to your event, whether that’s a three-course seated dinner or a more relaxed flow between the Ballroom and Sylvania Room.
What’s Included Keeps You Focused on the Details That Matter
Tax and gratuity are built in. So are tables, chairs, linens, silverware, flatware, glassware, full setup and breakdown, catering, cake cutting service, and a custom wedding cake. The bride and groom suite in the Mezzanine gives you private restrooms and a space to get ready or step away. You’ll have weekday rehearsal availability, an executive chef handling the menu, and customizable catering packages that let you shape the food and beverage experience. That foundation is already there, so you can spend your time on the parts of the event that make it yours.
Location Gives You Options Beyond the Ballroom
Center City Philadelphia means you’re near City Hall, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and a handful of photo spots your photographer will actually want to use. Broad Street, Love Park, Dilworth Park, Washington Square, and Rittenhouse Square are all within reach. You can do a first look at one of these locations and then bring your guests to the Avenue of the Arts for the ceremony and reception. The venue itself sits in the Arts Condominium, so your guests have context before they even walk into the Ballroom.
We’re here to help you balance what you love about a ballroom with what makes your wedding feel like now. Fill out the form on our website to access the pricing guide, or book a tour to walk through the Grand Ballroom, Sylvania Room, and Mezzanine in person. We’re open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Ready to see how a classic ballroom translates to your vision? Contact Arts Ballroom at 215-621-8561 or visit our website to schedule your tour.
FAQs
Can we host both our ceremony and reception in the Grand Ballroom?
Yes. The Grand Ballroom seats up to 230 for a formal wedding and accommodates both ceremony and reception in the same space. We handle the flip during cocktail hour while your guests enjoy the Sylvania Room or another area.
What’s included in your all-inclusive packages?
Tax and gratuity, tables, chairs, linens, silverware, flatware, glassware, full setup and breakdown, catering with an executive chef, cake cutting service, a custom wedding cake, on-site coordination with an event specialist, and a bride and groom suite. You’ll also have a service ratio of one server per 10 guests and one bartender per 75.
Can we customize the lighting to fit a modern aesthetic?
Absolutely. We offer custom lighting packages, including uplighting, spotlights, and party lights. These work with the existing chandeliers and architecture to create the mood you’re after.
Is weekday rehearsal time available?
Yes, we provide weekday rehearsal availability as part of your booking.