Gem Theater, Detroit?

betsgreene · August 2011

Has anyone had their wedding at the Gem Theatre? The Colony Club is booked for the date I wanted, so I was looking at the Gem Theatre. I am concerned about the split of rooms? What happens during cake cutting etc. Does the Gem Theatre area get crowded when people are dancing? Is it hard to split the guests into two rooms?I haven't seen the location in person yet. Thanks!

LOTON01 · August 2011

It is a beautiful place. I chose not to book it because of the split. I just felt that at all points half of my guest would be missing everything.

I would say take a look at it and decide for yourself though. It is very unique and cool though.

betsgreene · August 2011

Thanks for the tip! I wasnt sure if it was just me thinking it was going to be a problem? I love the idea of a band being on the stage as we were hoping for a motown band, but I dont want guests to have to get up every time something happens during ceremony.

Also, looking at Masonic Temple, but now worried about the location surrounding the venue. Any thoughts there?

Where did you end up booking for your reception?

Thanks!

Meegles4 · August 2011

Ditto to LOTON on the Gem. If you were able to get your guest list to where you were just using one of the rooms, I think it'd be great. Though, I also wasn't a fan of the low ceiling in the theatre where the balcony overhangs.

We thought about the Masonic, but didn't visit it. Mostly because of the location. Honestly, we both live in Detroit, not too far from the Masonic, and I was fine with it. But, we have lots of OOT family, and we didn't really want to present that block as the image of Detroit. I would think car break-ins might also be an issue, unless they or you plan for security (I don't know how they handle it for weddings). I've been to the Masonic for plenty of plays and have never had a problem and always felt safe walking to and from the building. But, that's a lot more people.

We settled on the Detroit Yacht Club. They have lots of options as far as pricing goes and have been really great so far.

LOTON01 · August 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-detroit_gem-theater-detroit?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:88Discussion:a7cc5bc4-4c2f-467c-a6b7-54b9a8b6f2a3Post:decf40d4-0d85-42ac-9bdb-25972cb100f1">Re: Gem Theater, Detroit?</a>:
[QUOTE]Ditto to LOTON on the Gem. If you were able to get your guest list to where you were just using one of the rooms, I think it'd be great. Though, I also wasn't a fan of the low ceiling in the theatre where the balcony overhangs. We thought about the Masonic, but didn't visit it. Mostly because of the location. Honestly, we both live in Detroit, not too far from the Masonic, and I was fine with it. <strong>But, we have lots of OOT family, and we didn't really want to present that block as the image of Detroit.</strong> I would think car break-ins might also be an issue, unless they or you plan for security (I don't know how they handle it for weddings). I've been to the Masonic for plenty of plays and have never had a problem and always felt safe walking to and from the building. But, that's a lot more people. We settled on the Detroit Yacht Club. They have lots of options as far as pricing goes and have been really great so far.
Posted by Meegles4[/QUOTE]

This is why I chose against The Roostertail. I loved everything about it beside the street you had to drive down to get there. The house are burned and boarded up. they just look so bad. I didn't want to help people think Detroit is a crappy city.

I booked at the Athenaeum Hotel in Greektown.

betsgreene · August 2011

Love hearing everyone else's details...I hope it gets easier after the vendor is booked...lol...

Has anyone had or heard about having their reception in the Guardian Bldg? Is it worth the inusurance/security?

Meegles4 · August 2011

The Guardian Building is gorgeous. I thought about it for a hot second before I decided that I didn't feel like dealing with bringing everything in -- food, tables, linen, etc. But seriously. Gorgeous. And you wouldn't have to do hardly any decorating b/c it's already so ornate.

I have heard they're a bit of a pain to deal with, but that could just be hearsay. If you're wanting to bring your own stuff in, I would totally look at that building. I wouldn't be concerned about security/safety there. My biggest concern would be parking and how quickly costs and headaches could add up with having to rent everything and deal with several vendors to do so. But, if you hire a good event planning company, that could easily be solved with one vendor.

JMBsbride · August 2011

Sorry you couldn't get Colony Club. I'm booked there for January but the Gem was my second choice. Have you seen the downstairs dining room? You can hold the meal portion/cake cutting in that room and then go upstairs for dancing and cocktails in the theater. It could work.

Masonic is just in such a rough area. I went and looked at it, and honestly it wasn't even worth it once you got inside.

Rattlesnake Club is downtown and right on the river. It's a good option too.

brideinbluemi · August 2011

I've been to a wedding that was downstairs (a smaller, maybe 120 person wedding), and they had a cocktail hour in the lobby upstairs before. It was great.

SarahP83 · August 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-detroit_gem-theater-detroit?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:88Discussion:a7cc5bc4-4c2f-467c-a6b7-54b9a8b6f2a3Post:5608346a-2d66-4a71-b559-5764636d98bb">Re: Gem Theater, Detroit?</a>:
[QUOTE]Sorry you couldn't get Colony Club. I'm booked there for January but the Gem was my second choice. Have you seen the downstairs dining room? You can hold the meal portion/cake cutting in that room and then go upstairs for dancing and cocktails in the theater. It could work. Masonic is just in such a rough area. I went and looked at it, and honestly it wasn't even worth it once you got inside. Rattlesnake Club is downtown and right on the river. It's a good option too.
Posted by JMBsbride[/QUOTE]

JMBsbride - I am at the Colony Club too...what are your wedding colors?

Gem Theater, Detroit?

Re: Gem Theater, Detroit?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards