A simple reception does not have to feel plain. For most couples we meet, simple means fewer moving parts, fewer vendors to chase, and an evening that stays calm from the first toast to the last dance. That is very doable in the heart of Center City, and it is the way we like to work at Arts Ballroom. Below is how we help you keep the planning light while the night still feels polished and personal.
Keep a wedding reception simple by choosing one room, using included services, and relying on the venue team for setup and service. A single space keeps dinner and dancing together, while included catering, rentals, staffing, rehearsal time, and nearby photo locations reduce planning decisions and help the celebration run smoothly.
Planning a Reception That Stays Simple at Arts Ballroom
The easiest weddings we host tend to share one thing in common. The couple picks a space, leans on what is already included, and lets our team handle the setup. Because we offer exclusive use of a 10,000 square foot venue, you are not stitching together separate rooms or sending guests across town between events. Everything happens under one roof, which quietly removes many of the small decisions that usually pile up during planning.
Pick One Room and Build Around It
The Grand Ballroom is our largest space, with hardwood floors, a French acoustic ceiling, a marble fireplace, and a granite staircase that doubles as a natural spot for portraits. It seats a formal wedding comfortably and works well when you want dinner and dancing together in the same room. If your guest list runs smaller, the Sylvania Room sits right next door with crystal chandeliers, mirrored décor, and a backlit marble bar, and it is set for plated dinners up to 100. Choosing one room first gives you a frame for every other choice, so colors, seating, and timing tend to fall into place much faster.
Let the Included Services Do the Heavy Lifting
Our packages are all-inclusive, and this is where a good deal of the stress simply falls away. Your booking comes with tables, chairs, linens, silverware, flatware, and glassware, plus full setup and breakdown once the night is over. You also receive catering led by an executive chef, cake cutting service, and a bride and groom suite for getting ready on site. Tax and gratuity are included as well, so the figure you plan around does not shift at the end. If you want the room to shift in tone as the night goes on, custom lighting packages let us set a softer glow for dinner and something livelier for dancing. When these pieces are already handled, you are left to focus on the parts that are actually fun, like the menu, the music, and the small personal touches.
Staffing That Keeps the Night Moving
A simple reception still needs a steady hand working behind the scenes. On the day of your wedding, you have an event coordinator on site along with a maître d’, a captain, and a full serving team. We staff one server for every ten guests and one bartender for every 75, so lines at the bar stay short, and plates reach the table on time. Two private suites on the mezzanine, each with its own restroom, give your wedding party a quiet place to gather before the doors open. That server ratio matters more than most people expect. It is often the difference between guests noticing the service and guests simply relaxing into the evening.
Keep the Flow and the Photos Easy
Part of keeping things simple is not making anyone travel far. Broad Street sits right outside our doors, and Love Park, Dilworth Park, Washington Square, and Rittenhouse Square are all close by in Center City if you want outdoor shots. Inside, the granite staircase and the Juliet balconies along the mezzanine give your photographer clean backdrops without a single detour. A weekday rehearsal is available too, so you can walk through the timing ahead of the day and feel settled before your guests arrive.
A simple wedding reception really comes down to fewer choices made well, and that is exactly the kind of night we are set up to host. If you want to stand in the rooms and picture your own celebration taking shape, we would be glad to show you around.
Book Your Tour to walk the space in person, or fill out our short form to access the pricing guide and see everything your reception could include.
FAQs
Can we host both our ceremony and reception at Arts Ballroom?
Yes. The Grand Ballroom is set up for a ceremony and then a reception in the same space, and if you prefer, you can hold the ceremony offsite and bring everyone here afterward. Either way, the whole celebration can live under one roof.
Is there time to rehearse before the wedding?
Yes. Weekday rehearsal availability comes with the reception hall, so you can walk through the flow before the day itself.
What comes with the booking?
Your package includes tables, chairs, linens, silverware, flatware, and glassware, along with catering from an executive chef, full setup and breakdown, cake cutting service, a bride and groom suite, and an event coordinator. Tax and gratuity are included as well.
How many guests can the reception hold?
For a seated formal wedding, we host up to 250 guests, and for a cocktail-style reception we can welcome up to 550. The Sylvania Room is set for plated dinners up to 100 if you are planning something smaller.
