Joliet Union Station Grand Ballroom

blegare

Has anyone been to a wedding here/had your wedding here? If you have, can you tell me your experience? 

My fiance and I are considering it for our ceremony and reception. It has mostly good reviews, but some weird things about the acoustics, which will be hard to evaluate on a site visit.  With the right equipment, can the high ceilings be compensated for? What were your other likes/dislikes? Thanks!

morgie44

This was our second choice venue, but we ended up with the Rialto down the street, which had similar aucustical issues (tall ceilings and lots of marble)  In interviewing DJ's,  we brought up our concerns and the DJ we chose (MDM Entertainment) said that the echoing is caused by improper speaker placement and too small of a sound system for the space.   We had no echoing issues at the Rialto (whose reviews had similar complaints), so I think that it should be fine as long as you have a competent DJ who understands acoustics.  It is a beautiful space!

AwkOcto

I have been to a wedding here; it's really nice in the summer time because the balconies are open. However, because it IS a public place, one thing that really put me off was that there were homeless people hanging out there. This was a wedding that I attended 3 years ago, so maybe things have changed, but that really stand out to me. I also remember having to walk REALLY FAR to go to a restroom that defintiely felt like a public bathroom (if you know what i mean). I also have to agree that the acoustics are definitely a bit echoey there, but nothing that is too distracting (unless you are considering a band). It is a unique place to have a wedding, so if you are really interested in having your wedding there, I say go for it.

detbxoxo

As mentioned above, I similarly had this as my 2nd runner up with regards to venues. I thoroughly enjoyed Lori and found her to be incredibly informative and more than willing to accomodate mine and my fiance's wants, wishes and desires.
Our hesitations revolved around a functional private area for myself and my Fiance after our nuptials; there is NO space for the Bride and Groom to "escape" to --  there is no "bridal suite" or "resting area," aside from the washrooms, for one to take a breather and or compose themselves. Unfortunately, that was a BIG deterrant for us.

My other "issue" had to due with the lack of association to hotel accomodations. For whatever reason, JGB has not established itself to the surrounding hotels to formulate and conjur affordable packages.

Although small issues to another, they were large enough to direct our buisness elsewhere.

-d.

morgie44

When we visited, there were bathrooms within the ballroom space itself I belive, so I wouldn't worry about that.  Also for hotels, our wedding fell on the same weekend as a race (we didn't know at the time) so had a huge problem getting a hotel block, but we were able to do one at the Wingate by Wyndham (not the greatest location, but it was just remodeled) for I believe $79. 

marissamaier

I work as a photographer and photographed a wedding there as well used it as a location for other local weddings. It is very beautiful inside and there are great places to do photographs.

But like what others said, it is a public place and there are a lot of homeless people around. Sometimes when photographing we get awkward comments or onlookers. I really like the location and how it looks, but that along with hotels was a concern for me when I was looking for wedding reception sites for myself. In Joliet I recommend the Rialto and Patrick Haley Mansion (which is a little pricier, but GORGEOUS)

blegare

Thanks everybody! Does anyone know if it is air-conditioned?

brittanymaeh

The Patrick Haley Mansion IS air conditioned...and wonderful, I'm deciding on the Mansion for my date!