Grand Rapids Art Museum

Updated January 26, 2024

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About This Vendor

World Class Event Venue in Heart of Downtown

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is a one-of-a-kind wedding venue located in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The simplicity and architecture of this art gallery and museum was designed to showcase art at its finest and provides the perfect backdrop for your special day. Offering 6 unique spaces full of sophistication and warmth, the Grand Rapids Art Museum will make your wedding unforgettable. Enjoy your afternoon in our Members Lounge, the perfect spot for your bridal party to relax. After pictures on the Miller Veranda, Pocket Park provides an unforgettable outdoor setting for your ceremony in the center of Downtown Grand Rapids. Guests can then enjoy cocktail hour on our covered Dining Terrace, followed by dinner in the Wege Pavilion, where they will eat under soaring ceilings, surrounded by striking works of art. You can dance the night away in the Cook Auditorium, with ambient star lighting in the ceiling and state of the art AV. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you create your ideal wedding at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Amenities & Details

Ceremony Area, Covered Outdoors Space, Dressing Room, Handicap Accessible, Indoor Event Space, Outdoor Event Space, Reception Area, Wireless Internet

Guest Capacity

Up to 300

Ceremony Types

Civil Union, Commitment Ceremony, Elopement, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding, Vow Renewal Ceremony

Venue Service Offerings

Bar & Drinks

Settings

Ballroom, Hotel, Museum

Business Attributes

Pricing for Grand Rapids Art Museum

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Grand Rapids Art Museum Reviews

E Cohen (other) 1 out of 5 Rating

I was a guest at a wedding in late OctoberWe showed up 30minutes before the ceremony because we wanted time to see the museum. Unfortunately, the first gallery we tried to go in was closed, which we didn’t realize until a security person came in and informed us. It’s really odd to me to not have a sign or rope to communicate this to the guests and because of this we didn’t explore much of the museum after all.Staff was still setting up tables in the main area as guests were entering. The bartender was still setting up when we all came out for cocktail hour and for some reason only one of the two side-by-side bars had someone working at it. I’m told there was a second bartender during dinner, I don’t know why they wouldn’t both be working at cocktail hour.The ceremony and dancing were in the same room (the auditorium), the ceremony was comfortable but the dancing felt cramped with the number of guests.My chicken was so undercooked that I didn’t feel safe eating it, other guests at my table had the same problem and skipped their meal too.The reception tables went up to the front doors but you’re not allowed to bring drinks outside which makes sense, but again, instead of any kind of sign indicating this they had the security guard stationed there stopping people on their way.Finally, there’s a cluster of lockers off to the side of the main doors and someone left a Jimmy John’s cup on top of them. I only hope it didn’t make it into the background of any photos.
Reviewed on 04-01-2024

Bonnie Claflin (other) 2 out of 5 Rating

The GRAM is a stunning place for a wedding reception. It really set the vibe for our wedding reception and we are so happy we chose this venue as it's a place we will be able to return to and visit!With that being said, when we booked the GRAM, one of the main reasons we chose them and not the other venue we looked at, is because we loved and immediately trusted their team. Little did we know, the GRAM underwent a transition period about three months after we signed our contract and they let go of their entire events staff. Ironically, events at the GRAM are now being managed by Rye Venue Management and this is the team that managed the other venue we looked at (The Lit) and what made is ultimately decide no on that venue. Although I do not have anything bad to say about the GRAM, Rye Venue Management is now a reflection of the GRAM and our experience leading up to our wedding day was awful. At our 90-day meeting (our first in person meeting), our contact, Madison, did not show up. We waited outside the GRAM unable to get a hold of anyone from Rye. After a bunch of back and forth, the meeting was rescheduled with Madison, her supervisor Samantha, and the owner Rob. Samantha was very professional and understanding and we appreciated that. We then found out that Madison, our main contact, would not actually be our day-of person and how that person isn't assigned until 2 weeks prior to the wedding day. Unreal. When Rob got involved, he was extremely unprofessional. The example he was setting for his team is unbelievable. We asked that we know who our day-of person is going to be now because that is what we agreed on and signed in our original contract. He then threatened us by saying, \"Or what? Or what are you going to do?\".Long story short, our wedding day was perfect. We were blessed with a day-of coordinator (not affiliated with the GRAM or Rye) who we trusted and made us feel at ease. I did not speak with any of the Rye team that was there on our wedding day, but my mom did say that the manager on duty from Rye was not helpful. Again, nothing bad to say about the GRAM except for the fact that their prior events team was AMAZING and I am very unhappy with the Rye Venue Management team. I will never work with any venue affiliated with Rye again and have already informed my friends to stay away.
Reviewed on 08-12-2023

Jackie Karevich (other) 4 out of 5 Rating

Disclaimer: we did not book this venue in the end, due to us cutting back. our guest count, however our tour was so great, I felt I should write a review! Right before the tour here, we thought we had our minds made up and were just doing the tour because, might as well. Callie was our tour guide and she did such a good job, we truly reconsidered everything we thought we wanted and debated for another week on which venue to choose. She took the time to get to know us, the kind of wedding we were imagining and even though we didn't have a lot of answers to that at the time, she did it in a way that wasn't overwhelming, but more getting us excited to visualize what a wedding could look like at the GRAM. She was amazing at walking us through what the day could be like, how our guests would interact with the space and how the GRAM team could accommodate us in (what felt like) every way imaginable. The way we felt welcomed into the space, and like we were joining a team, PLUS the levels of possible customization made our decision so much harder. Obviously not sure what an actual event here would be like but highly recommend for brides even considering it or just starting their wedding planning journey!
Reviewed on 15-06-2023

Tessa M (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 02-11-2019
We had a 75-person wedding at the GRAM in November, and it was sheer perfection, in our book. Laura went way out of her way to help us think through creative uses of the space and layouts, and we didn't expect her to be so helpful all evening on the day-of to make sure everything went smoothly, including having a staff member play our playlist and helping everyone get down the aisle at the right time. She was beyond fantastic. We couldn't imagine a better place to celebrate our big day. And the photos on the covered veranda beforehand were unbelievable. So incredibly scenic and intimate.
Reviewed on 03-12-2019

Amanda Baarman (other) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 01-12-2018
I hosted our corporate Holiday Party at the GRAM this year and everything was spectacular! Communication from start to finish was spot on. Their staff was professional, prompt and interactive. The venue itself is beautiful and I was very impressed with everything as a whole.
Reviewed on 03-12-2018

Samantha Conrad (bride) 4 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 17-11-2018
The GRAM was a beautiful spot to hold a modern and romantic wedding. The ceremony space was perfect for an indoor ceremony and then the use of the east wing for cocktail hour and their main hall for reception was wonderful. It was the perfect flow for an event, and everything was right there! The staff was helpful with any questions I had. Only down side is there are no on site accommodations or help the day of with the coordination, and I ended up having to rent chairs because they did not have more than 100 that matched for the reception. Both of these things were minor though in the big picture as the space and staff speak for themselves in being a fantastic venue. If you're looking for a downtown space that's easily accessible, this is definitely it!
Reviewed on 27-11-2018

Lynne Sowders (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 21-10-2018
Loved the venue, people easy to work with, put on a great event!
Reviewed on 16-11-2018

Makenzie Fitzgerald (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 14-07-2018
The GRAM was the perfect setting for our modern/classic wedding reception! The entire staff was incredible and so fun to work with! They are so detailed and knowledgable and helped the whole evening flow perfectly. The staff was so quick to response to each email and made you feel like a priority. Our guests loved the venue and it was the perfect place to showcase the town that we fell in love in! We definitely recommend this venue for a wedding ceremony or reception!
Reviewed on 13-09-2018

Jessica Lowe (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 07-04-2018
The GRAM is absolutely beautiful. The staff were professional, prompt and helped to make our day perfect.
Reviewed on 23-04-2018

Zoe Fry (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 05-08-2017
My now husband and I feel in love with the GRAM. Great architecture and beautiful galleries. Our Guest loved that they had the option to walk around the Museum during the reception as well as dance the night away. The staff was very professional and helpful. Thank you for helping us pull off an amazing wedding !
Reviewed on 09-10-2017

Kendra Clapp Olguín (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 28-05-2017
This venue is the ideal location for a couple looking for, not only a modern space, but a space with stunning architecture and detail. There are some contemporary spaces around Grand Rapids, however, the GRAM goes well beyond a clean & stylish venue that you might find elsewhere. It's a museum, meaning, it's curated and timeless. We preferred this as it stood on its own, not needing much decoration. The reviews on The Knot seem to be severely dated as the management truly bent over backward for us, giving us personal cell phone numbers to reach them at any hour. They were extremely accommodating and understanding to our special day and vision. We spoke with Karen, Corey, and Stephanie and they were all very professional and responded in a timely manner. We ended up working with Stephanie and she was very thorough and communicative. Wendy, the beverage coordinator made sure to get exactly what we wanted to be served at our dinner. She coordinated with her wine vendors on her own time during the weekend to make sure everything worked out on time. Overall, we are so thrilled with how everything turned out and highly recommend the GRAM. We had our event on the upstairs veranda and it was perfect for a smaller, intimate wedding. Thank you, GRAM team!
Reviewed on 26-06-2017

Michelle Geerlings (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 17-06-2016
We used the GRAM for our wedding reception in June of 2016 and it was absolutely perfect! Everyone we worked with was very helpful, responsive and accommodating. They're organized and make the planning for your event seamless. In addition to great staff, the venue is so beautiful! I'd definitely recommend the GRAM.
Reviewed on 13-07-2016

Kristen Tucker (bride) 3 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 01-09-2013
The GRAM by far is the most unique and beautiful venue in Grand Rapids. The space has a great flow, large open space and gorgeous city views. It was my dream location, however, the management there almost made it a nightmare for me. It is very expensive to rent so I expected good customer service and was so disappointed with what I got. So many things went wrong: they screwed up and we couldn't have a rehearsal, hard to get in touch with, very forgetful/not organized, no one did their job the day of my wedding, etc. So it added a lot of stress for me. So overall, beautiful place but stressful.
Reviewed on 30-09-2013

Terri Brouhard (bride) 2 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 18-05-2013
The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) is a beautiful venue for a wedding, however, I would not recommend it. I had my wedding at the GRAM in the spring of 2013. My fiancé and I fell in love with the architecture, and the building is exactly what we wanted for our ceremony and reception. We found the GRAM event planner very difficult to work with as we couldn't reach her in a timely fashion. My fiancé and I would leave multiple messages (via email and telephone), only to be responded to weeks later. Also, the event planner led us to believe that we would have GRAM staff assistance (and more than one person) with our set-up and break-down of our decor the day of the wedding. We received only minimal GRAM assistance (tables placed where needed) from one staff member. The GRAM facility is expensive for events, and basically you are just using the facility for your event; there is no GRAM staff assistance. The event planner wasn't even there on my wedding day to make sure everything ran smoothly. No one was there to inform guests to enter the auditorium after cocktail hour or keep taps on the flow of the wedding. My photographer had to basically tell people to enter the auditorium before we arrived. \r\rThe day of the wedding we could not set up the dining room until 1 p.m., and we were informed a GRAM staff member would be available to us to assist us with the dining room setup. The only assistance we received was the placement of tables in the room. Fortunately, we had several family members to set the linens, chairs, and table decor. We could not set up the lobby and bar areas until 4 p.m. and again had no GRAM assistance. Were it not for the hard work of my family members (a team of them), we would not have been able to set everything up in time and tear down at the end of the evening.\r\rWe were also told by the planner that we could do sparklers on the bottom of the entrance steps outside the building but the security staff yelled at my guests to get away and made them stand so far away from the building basically across the sidewalk in the bushes. I paid extra to have my wedding run longer in the night, but as soon as it was time to leave, the security staff were rude and yelling at our guests, telling them to get out. People barely had time to grab their stuff and leave. My family had to frantically tear down everything and get it to the loading dock to be taken away while being yelled at.\r\rThe GRAM bartender and her staff were wonderful to work with. They did a fantastic job. However, for the money spent on the GRAM facility, I’m very disappointed in how my guests and I were treated. The GRAM event planner basically tells you what you want to hear. When they have your money, you are on your own; there is no support from the GRAM staff and the security staff are just horribly rude. Had I known about the lack of GRAM assistance, I would have picked a different venue.\r
Reviewed on 16-06-2013

susan jacoby (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 25-08-2012
The staff at this gorgeous venue is top notch all the way! From the special events coordinator, Karen, to the AV guy there on our wedding day, they all went ABOVE and BEYOND to help me plan and execute my modern vision. Karen listened to what I wanted and put it into action. The rest of the staff on the day of my wedding was so nice and very professional. Worth every penny, we would have paid much more for this amazing venue because they were so accommodating. We were able to make use of several pieces of furniture already there in the museum to give the dance part of our reception a clud feel without having to spend a lot of money on rentals. Our out-of-town guests were SO impressed. The special events coordinator made herself available to all of my other vendors and acted like a personal wedding planner, and this really made planning my own wedding a total breeze. Our day was perfect thanks to her and the rest of the staff at the GRAM.
Reviewed on 30-09-2012

Betsy Rietema (bride) 4 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 02-06-2012
Impossible to get a hold of. They don't answer phones or emails. But when you finally do get a hold of them (if you can) they are wonderful. They don't do any planning with you until the week of the wedding which makes making other plans difficult, but the final result was wonderful. So if you can put up with a little stress with lack of early planning, it will be great.
Reviewed on 19-06-2012

Jennifer Engel (bride) 1 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 25-05-2013
My fiance and I toured the facility and were highly impressed. The special event coordinator said she would get back to us regarding the date we had requested by the end of the weekend (we toured on a Thursday). We called and e-mailed multiple times and heard nothing. Two weeks later she e-mailed us saying the date had been taken. I find it highly unprofessional that she avoided my calls and e-mails as we were going to place a full deposit on the space. I will never recommend this venue to anyone based on the uncooperative nature of their coordinator. Now we have to find another space for our ceremony. I sincerely hope that no other brides have to go through this kind of stress from an unprofessional vendor.
Reviewed on 03-06-2012

Meagen Spillane (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 03-09-2011
Using GRAM for our wedding ceremony and reception venue was the best choice we could have made. The beautiful property, in and of itself, made everything so simple for decorating. Less was truly more. In a last minute move of \"better safe than sorry,\" instead of being married outside at their LEED waterfall (their water recycling system), we were married inside in the lobby. The marble flooring, soaring ceilings, glass and artwork provided the perfect scene for our day. Our family & friends had no idea we were actually SUPPOSED to be married outdoors, they were so impressed with how beautiful it was in there! It also helped bring our budget back in line because we were able to provide simple decor and florals to make it our own, as opposed to wholly going overboard on trying to make a hotel conference room look like us. it was perfect, the guests loved being able to wander the galleries, and the other vendors were fighting to be on the team that worked for our wedding. I'd say it was a success!
Reviewed on 20-09-2011

Emily Warnock (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 22-07-2011
We had our reception in the cafe and the terrace outside the cafe across from Rosa Parks circle. Lots of fun, so much better than a dark room in a nameless hotel. Natural lighting was so romantic and beautiful. Highly recommend, and a great price too.
Reviewed on 21-08-2011

19 Reviews, with a Rating of 4 out of 5.0

Contact Info for Grand Rapids Art Museum

Contact	Value
Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/grartmuseum
X (Twitter)	grartmuseum
Pinterest	Grand Rapids Art Museum
Instagram	grartmuseum
Website	www.artmuseumgr.org
Phone	(616) 831-2916
Address	101 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Email	jdunham@artmuseumgr.org

Grand Rapids Art Museum on the map

Meet the Grand Rapids Art Museum Team

Karen Carpenter Grand Rapids Art Museum Manager

Karen Carpenter (Manager)

Karen has been with the museum for over 8 years. She brings 25 years of event management experience to our fantastic venue. Please contact her for additional information on how the Grand Rapids Art Museum can be the perfect place for your wedding!

Wedding Service Guide (WSG)