Grand Rapids Real Wedding: Sarah and Chris

My only regret from Sarah and Chris's wedding was that I didn't get to spend MORE time getting to know them in the months leading up to the big day! They are such a kind, welcoming, hilarious couple and it was such a pleasure working with them on the coordination of their wedding at the Ballroom at CityFlats in Grand Rapids. It was a gorgeous day for a wedding and such a fun one to kick off our 2014 season.

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Ballroom @ CityFlats - Grand Rapids
Photographer: Tiberius Images
Day Of Coordination: Red Heels Events
Floral: Stuyvesant Floral - Wyoming
Cake: Connie's Cake
DJ: Moments In Time - Chuck Spiedel
Hair: Ashley Lundquist
Makeup: Angie Miller

  

I absolutely love working at CityFlats in the Ballroom, it is a gorgeous venue with the old architecture and modern lighting. Both the ceremony and reception were held in the same room so our team (and the CityFlats team!) flipped the room during a two hour window while the guests explored downtown Grand Rapids. The transformation was stunning and I loved seeing all of the guests reactions when they came back in for cocktail hour.

 The groom brews his own craft beer so these favors were waiting for the guests as they left. Such a great personal touch to end the night. 

Grand Rapids Real Wedding - Lauren & Ryan

When Lauren and Ryan contacted me about assisting them on their December Winter Wonderland wedding I was thrilled. There are not too many Michigan couples that choose to embrace the winter season but these two did. All of the little details reflected their theme, from the flower girl dropping snow flakes to the white flowers and fur wrap. Everything turned out beautifully and I could not have been more pleased. The couple was such a pleasure to work with and the team of vendors they hired was phenomenal!

Day Of Coordination: Red Heels Events

Photographer: Karyn May Photography

Ceremony Venue: Fountain Street Church

Reception Venue: Ballroom at CityFlats Hotel

Florist: GVL Floral

DJ: Moments in Time

Bakery: Kimberly's Cakes

Trolley: B & W Charters

Horse & Carriage: Grand Carriages

Thank you Lauren and Ryan for having Red Heels Events as a part of your beautiful day!!

The Ballroom @ CityFlats Hotel

You may remember my initial "Under Construction" post about the new Ballroom at the CityFlats Hotel in Grand Rapids from a few months ago and how eagerly I was anticipating my return visit. Well, today was the day! The Ballroom @ CityFlats Hotel is completed and I went back to see the final product. It is GORGEOUS! Everything they updated and added is fantastic, literally from the floor to the ceiling and everything in between. The architecture of the building was already wonderful, all it needed was some fresh paint, new carpeting, updated lighting, new sound system and great furniture!

Filled with beautiful woodwork and marble the room reflects its 1920's origin. On two sides of the room there are two-story windows overlooking the city streets outside. The third wall includes the entryway from the elevators as well as a third floor balcony and the room that houses the bar. The space has a very large professional kitchen for the preparation and staging of  food.

The Ballroom can comfortably hold around 180 guests for your wedding ceremony, reception or special event. Rental of the facility includes all of your tables, mahogany colored chiavari chairs and standard floor length linens. Yes, that is correct, they INCLUDE chiavari chairs and floor length linens in their rental, this is one venue where you don't have to bring in extras to get that high end look! The catering is provided by CityFlats but you are allowed to bring in your own pastries, florists, music providers, and rentals if needed. 

Oh! You want pictures?! Well, here you go! 

These first FABULOUS pictures are from the wedding ceremony of CityFlats very own, Katie Reid, held in the Ballroom in September. These images show the high tech lighting that is available in the space as well as a ceremony layout available. The LED up-lights can be digitally programmed to be many different colors (blue, yellow, purple, etc.). Along with the up-lights there are spot lights and even the ability to project a monogram or graphic onto the dance floor. 

 (Photo by Dan Johnson Photography)

(Photo by Dan Johnson Photography)

 (Photo by Dan Johnson Photography)

You can really see the detail of the ceiling in the picture above! 

(Photo by Dan Johnson)

Although they are not as fun to look at I also took some pictures at my visit today. Can you believe this the same space? With or without the special lighting, the room is beautiful!

Marble staircase down to lobby. 

Love the chairs!  

 Lounge furniture available for your event.

 The high ceilings really make the room feel spacious.

This is the bar area, very cool. 

Available dates are booking quickly for this unique new space so if you would like more information about renting this facility for your event please contact Katie Reid at katie.reid@cityflatshotel.com or (616) 608-1727.