Venue Rental Frequently Asked Questions - St. Cecilia Music Center

General Info

What is your maximum capacity?

We can create an intimate gathering for groups as small as 25, or design a sit-down meal for 184. At our maximum capacity, we can host events such as a cocktail party reception for up to 250 people and seat 300+ for a ceremony in our Royce Auditorium.

Do you have a preferred or exclusive catering list?

Yes. We have curated an exclusive list of caterers that you may choose from to cater the food for your event. Martha’s Vineyard is our bar service and will provide everything you need from the bartenders to specialty beverages and anything in between.

What does your hold and booking process look like?

You can put a 14 day courtesy hold on any one available date you'd like. The hold starts the day of the request. If another party is interested in the same date during your hold, you will have 48 hours to make your decision. After two weeks, if we have not heard from you, your hold will be released. If you decide to move forward, contact the SCMC event staff person that you have been working with to put your contract together and pay your 50% deposit.

What is your rental period?

Is parking available to my guests?

Where is St. Cecilia Music Center located?

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What is your rental period?

Our full day rental gives you access from 12:00pm to 11:30pm. All decorations, belongings and guests must be out of the venue by midnight. We offer shorter rental options Sunday through Thursday based on the type of event and client’s needs. Please contact us for more information.

Is parking available to my guests?

Where is St. Cecilia Music Center located?

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Is parking available to my guests?

Gated parking is included in all rentals after 5pm weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. We can accommodate up to 50 cars in our lot on a first come, first served basis. Limited parking will be available before 5pm weekdays.

Where is St. Cecilia Music Center located?

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Where is the St. Cecilia Music Center Located?

Our address is 24 Ransom Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. St Cecilia Music Center is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids on the corner of Ransom and Fulton.

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Transportation & Lodging

Air Travel:

Gerald R. Ford International Airport — 8.8 miles from SCMC. Offering international and domestic flights. 31 major market destinations and can connect to most destinations worldwide with one stop.Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport — 128 miles from SCMC (approximately a 2.5 hour drive). Offering international and domestic flights and 99 non-stop flights.

Train & Bus Travel:

Amtrak —.7 miles from SCMC. Offering North American Arrivals/Destinations.

Greyhound — .6 miles from SCMC. Offering North American Arrivals/Destinations.

The Rapid — Interurban transportation conveniently located throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area.

Taxi/Rental Car:

Airport Rental Cars

‍• Avis: 800-230-4898

• Budget: 800-527-0700

• Enterprise: 800-736-8222

• Hertz/Dollar: 800-654-3131

• National/Alamo: 800-227-7368

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‍Taxis

‍• Metro Cab: (616) 308-6559

• Excel Taxi Service: (616) 205-9937

• Uber

• Lyft

Hotels

City Flats Hotel - .3 miles from SCMC

Homewood Suites by Hilton - .3 miles from SCMC

Residence Inn by Marriott - .3 miles from SCMC

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids/Downtown - .3 miles from SCMC

The Amway Grand Plaza – .4 miles from SCMC

JW Marriott - .4 miles from SCMC

Additional Info

Do you have a private wedding party suite?

Yes. We have a large private space available with 2 private changing rooms, 2 restrooms and a large common area with lounge furniture, tables and a mini fridge for refreshments.

Do you provide the DJ or a sound system?

We do not have a requirement as to who you use for your music. You may choose to hire a DJ or live music for your event – the acoustics in our venue are phenomenal! Our Royce Auditorium and Dexter Ballroom are equipped with full sound systems. Basic use of the sound systems are included in the rental fee.

Am I required to use your vendors for dessert, photographer, and other add-ons?

No, you may use whomever you would like for everything other than your food and alcohol which must come from one of the vendors on our list.

Is your venue air conditioned?

All of the HVAC in our venue has been recently updated. The spaces cool quickly in the summer and are nice and toasty in the winter.

Do you offer coat check?

While we do not offer to check your guests’ coats, we do have a large coat room behind our front desk area with plenty of room to accommodate your party.

What size are your tables and do you have enough tables and chairs to accommodate my event?

Our guest tables are 5’ rounds that will seat 8 guests per table. We also have plenty of 4’, 6’ and 8’ rectangles for all of your event needs such as gifts, food and beverage, place cards, guest book, coffee, dessert and anything else that you might need a table for!

We have 10 tall cocktail tables that can be utilized for standing receptions and cocktail hours.

We have a handful of guests in wheelchairs. Are you wheelchair accessible?

Absolutely. The building is ADA accessible, with a barrier free entrance just north of the main entrance facing Ransom Avenue which will take your guest to the elevator reaching all floors of the venue.

Is WiFi available?

No problem, there's robust Wifi in the entire building.

How many bathrooms are there?

The Dexter Ballroom has 2 single stall restrooms of its own. The main restrooms are on the lower level with multiple stalls to accommodate main floor and lower level events as well as ballroom overflow.

Do you have someone on site during the event?

Yes, your event manager will be onsite and ready to help you from start to finish.

Can you bring your dog to the event?

Yes, we are pet friendly.

How many events per day do you hold?

Just yours.

Your rates are posted on the website, but what additional fees might we incur?

All applicable state and federal taxes are built into the rental rate and there are no additional or hidden fees. We require a 50% down payment and the remaining balance is due one week before your event.

Can we bring in additional décor? Who will be responsible for setting it up and when would that happen?

Yes, you can bring your own décor. You will be responsible for setting it up, tearing it down and removing it from the venue on the day of the event.

Are real candles allowed?

Yes. The use of real candles is permitted providing they are displayed in glass containers such as votives or hurricanes. Open flames are not allowed.

Can I come in to brainstorm with family, friends, or vendors?

Of course. Anytime - by appointment.

Can we hold a short rehearsal the day before the event?

Yes, provided nobody else has rented the space the night before your event. SCMC allows our wedding ceremony clients one hour in the space on a day leading up to the event at no cost as long as you are flexible about when we are able to schedule the rehearsal.

Things to do in Grand Rapids

Breweries

Founder’s Brewing Company - .61 miles from SCMC offering food and craft beer

Atwater Brewing - .63 miles from SCMC offering food, spirits and beer

New Holland Brewing Co. - .9 miles from SCMC offering food, spirits and beer

Brewery Vivant – 1 mile from SCMC offering food and craft beer

City Built Brewing Company – 1.1 miles from SCMC offering food and craft beer

Mitten Brewing – 1.7 miles from SCMC offering food and craft beer

Harmony Brewing – 1.83 miles from SCMC offering food and craft beer

Brass Ring Brewing – 3.18 miles from SCMC offering food, craft beer and wine

Art, Museums + Sightseeing

Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts - .2 miles from SCMC

Grand Rapids Art Museum - .33 miles from SCMC

Grand Rapids Public Museum - .44 miles from SCMC

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum - .72 miles from SCMC

John Ball Zoo -2 miles from SCMC

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – 4.2 miles from SCMC

Breakfest

Brooklyn Bodega Bagels – 450 ft from SCMC

Social Misfits – 800 ft from SCMC

Little Bird - .3 miles from SCMC

Sundance Bar and Grill - .3 miles from SCMC

Morning Belle - .9 miles from SCMC

Wolfgang’s – 1.8 miles from SCMC

Real Food Café – 3.2 miles from SCMC

Lunch + Dinner

MeXo – 450 ft from SCMC

San Chez Tapas Bistro - .2 miles from SCMC

Brick and Porter - .2 miles from SCMC

Wahlburgers - .2 miles from SCMC

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - .3 miles from SCMC

Leo’s Seafood - .3 miles from SCMC

HopCat - .3 miles from SCMC

Bistro Bella Vita - .4 miles from SCMC

Nightlife

The B.O.B - .4 miles from SCMC

Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar - .4 miles from SCMC

Flanagan’s Irish Pub - .4 miles from SCMC

Pyramid Scheme - .3 miles from SCMC

Van Andel Arena - .3 miles from SCMC

Grand Rapids Civic Theater – 700 feet from SCMC

Devos Performance Hall - .6 miles from SCMC

Concerts + Events

School of Music

Venue Rentals

Support

About Us

Concerts + Events

School of Music

Venue Rentals

Support

About Us

Concerts + Events

Helen DeVos Legacy Award Gala

Kent Philharmonic Orchestra

School of Music

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Support

About Us

Venue Rentals

Rentals - Frequently Asked Questions

General Info

Transportation & Lodging

Additional Info

Things to do in Grand Rapids

Chamber

Jazz

Folk

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