Event Space at Bar Divani

Bar Divani in downtown Grand Rapids has a hidden gem in the back. This gorgeous space available for event rentals, from ceremonies to intimate receptions. The exposed brick and black accents are a great classic look that create the perfect backdrop for any event. The main room can accommodate 60 for a seated meal or up to 100 for a cocktail style event. There is a separate room for the bar and all black table linens are included. And the food.....mmmm, the food, their menu is fantastic with a delicious selection of hors d'oeuvres, side and entrees. 

(Front bar area transformed for a small ceremony)

If you are looking for a great space to hold your next intimate event Bar Divani is a must see! For pricing and availability contact Mary Beth Kenyon at mb@bardivani.com or (616) 774-WINE (9463). 

Grand Rapids Real Wedding - Mara & Logan

When Mara contacted me about helping them coordinate their ceremony on The Gillette Bridge in Grand Rapids, I was excited! I did not even know you could rent the bridge out until that moment and thought is was such a fun idea for a venue. So many people have their pictures taken on the bridge but to have your full ceremony there? Very iconic of Grand Rapids. I had such a great time getting to know both Mara and Logan and fell in love with every detail of their big day. 

Coordination: Red Heels Events

Ceremony:     The Gillette Bridge, downtown Grand Rapids

Reception:      BISSELL Tree House, John Ball Zoo

Photography: Tiberius Images

Floral:            Ball Park Floral

Catering:        The Catering Company

DJ:                 Jump Start DJs

Trolley:           Grand Rapids Trolley

Rentals:          Baker Tent Rental

LOVED the color palette and the beautiful flowers! 

The smokin' bride! Good thing for the firetruck!

Now THIS is a grand entrance!!

The first thing I said to Logan before the ceremony was that he looked like James Bond....

Thank you Mara and Logan for including Red Heels Events in your big day! It was such a pleasure to work with you and we wish you the best of luck!

Event Venue - Thousand Oaks Golf Course

I am always one to jump on an invitation to tour an event venue, especially when it involves a delicious lunch! Denise from Thousand Oaks Golf Course reached out wanting to show off their event venue and I am so glad I was able to meet her and see the gorgeous space for myself. It is a hidden gem, located just minutes north of downtown Grand Rapids, that definitely deserves to be highlighted!

As soon as you drive into the parking lot the beautiful exterior of the buildings warmly welcome you and your guests.

As soon as you enter the doors above, you are greeted by this lovely fireplace and seating area. Perfect for guests that want to relax and chat in a quieter location once the main party really gets going! 

The main event space, with it's high ceilings and windows over looking the golf course, can hold up to 400 guests. It can also be split into three different sections if you have a smaller more intimate gathering. Rental fees for the room range from $100-$2,500, depending on the room configuration and timing of event. Included in the room rental are floor length linens (white, ivory or black), AV equipment such as a projector and screen, a dance floor and even risers for the head table. Thousand Oaks also has a private room located in the main section of the building that is perfect for a rehearsal dinner, shower or even a small reception. 

 There is a large private deck that wraps around the room, this is a great spot for cocktails or for your guests to mingle on. It has an amazing view of the golf course and surrounding landscape. This deck is separate from the main building and restaurant area so you do not have to worry about any party crashers :)

If you are interested in having your ceremony on location as well they can accommodate that too. There is a grassy area perfect for a mid-sized ceremony with a stunning view as your backdrop. 

I was able to personally taste the Golf Courses food and it was wonderful! Their chef is fantastic and they offer an extensive menu for you to choose from. They offer an onsite pastry chef but also allow to bring in your own cakes and desserts for a small cake cutting fee.

If you are looking for a venue for your upcoming event, I highly recommend checking out Thousand Oaks Golf Course. The room is beautiful, the course boasts breathtaking views, the food is delicious and the customer service is superb!

Happy Planning!
Michelle

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. 

Under Construction: Ballroom @ CityFlats Hotel

See the update to this post here.

Once again, today I was spoiled to tour a new venue opening in downtown Grand Rapids. The CityFlats Hotel is renovating and repurposing the mid-1920's Michigan National Bank lobby into a stunning reception venue. The room is still under construction so I only took a few teaser photos and will be visiting again in September to see it completed.

Opening this September, the Ballroom can hold around 180 guests for your wedding reception or special event. Rental of the facility includes all of your tables, mahogany colored chiavari chairs and standard linens. The catering is provided by CityFlats but you are allowed to bring in your own pastries, florists, music providers, and rentals if needed. 

The Ballroom is located on the second floor of the building. As you climb a gorgeous marble staircase, you are rendered speechless by the ornate woodwork and marble details all around you. The walls will be painted a neutral color as well as the carpeting pulled and replaced by something more neutral (neither will be the green that you see). 

*Please excuse the construction workers and equipment in these photos, 

they are only there to make it even MORE beautiful*

 Marble railing and columns around the stair case

Staircase leading to main lobby on first floor

The details of the woodwork on the vaulted ceiling are amazing, almost as amazing as the large marble columns that lead your eyes up to it. On two sides of the room there are two-story windows overlooking the streets outside. The third wall includes the entryway from the elevators as well as a third floor balcony and the room that will house the bar. The space will have a very large professional kitchen for the preparation and staging of  food.

The beautiful ceiling

 This marble floor will be polished to a shine and used for the dance floor. 

Not only is the building lovely by itself but you could not ask for a better location for your guests. CityFlats is within walking distance of all the major destinations downtown Grand Rapids.

I will be updating with new pictures of the completed space come this fall. 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.

UPDATE: BISSELL Tree House

After months of (semi) patiently waiting today I was able to tour the new BISSELL Tree House at John Ball Zoo. In one word...gorgeous! The architecture is brilliant, the building fits and blends perfectly into its surroundings on the hill above the zoo. It truly gives you an illusion of being in a tree house overlooking downtown Grand Rapids. Oh, did I forget to mention that part? From the front deck you look down on Grand Rapids skyline, it was beautiful during the day I am sure it is magnificent in the evening.

View from the front deck

Although it is called a Tree House you don't climb a rope or ladder to reach it. One of the highlights of this venue is the unique form of transportation to take your guests to the top of the hill. The funicular is three car tram like vehicle that carries thirty people at a time to the unloading station location beside the Tree House. Events may also hire their own shuttles or trolleys to take guests up the back way to the space but who wouldn't want to ride on something called a funicular? 

They are still working out some bugs but here is a quick shot of one of the cars and the unloading area.

One of the things that impressed me most about this space is it's use of natural materials such as wood, stone and concrete. It is one of the reasons that the building feels so natural in its environment.

 Main entryway to event space

 The main entry is in the top left corner of these pictures

A fireplace built into the wall

The Front Deck (facing the Funicular)

The Front Deck of the Tree House is available for your ceremony or cocktail hour. 

This event space has a capacity of 200 and all tables and chairs are included in the rental fee. The space also comes equipped with a professional catering prep and staging area. There are three wonderful caterers on their preferred lists for renters to choose from.

It is a beautiful, unique venue for any type of event and I am thrilled to have it in the Grand Rapids area!

For further information contact the Facility Rentals Department at facilityrental@johnballzoosociety.org or at (616) 260-9221.