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Weddings

About

Create memorable wedding moments at the Grand River Center, a wedding venue in Dubuque, Iowa. Enjoy stunning views of the scenic bluffs and the Mississippi River as you gaze out of their 30-foot wall of windows. This gorgeous, contemporary space boasts a picturesque setting and lavish floral landscaping on their natural patio. Their river walkway will make for a beautiful backdrop to all of your wedding photos. Grand River Center is centrally located between Des Moines, Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

Facilities and Capacity

This modern and elegant venue has a variety of spaces to suit your particular needs for your special day. The River Room is an all-glass venue overlooking the majestic Mississippi River and is perfect for your ceremony, accommodating up to 160 guests. The Grand Ballroom has plenty of space for dinner and dancing and can seat up to 550 guests. Other salon options can fit anywhere from 280 to 800 guests.

Services Offered

The team of professionals at Grand River Center will pay attention to every detail, ensuring that your day goes off without a hitch. From event planning services to set up and clean up on your special day, they’ll have everything covered. This venue also offers in-house catering and bar service, and have a list of preferred outside vendors as well.

Cuisine

The catering team at Grand River Center offer an extensive menu with diverse options that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Their on-site chef will work with you to create a menu that suits all of your needs. There are also options for your rehearsal dinner, post-reception brunch, and even an on-site Tony Roma’s Bistro for those interested in a classic steak dinner. Their in-house bar and bartenders offer everything you need as well, whether you’re looking for house wine and beer, premium liquor, or specialty cocktails and a champagne toast. Catering services include:

  • Buffet
  • Cocktail reception
  • Dessert
  • Hors-d'oeuvres
  • Outside Cake
  • Plated dinner
  • Server(s)
  • Stations
  • Tastings
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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Server(s)

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

8

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Historic Building
Loft
Rooftop
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Chocolate Fountain
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Reviews of Grand River Center

K
Katie Sent on 11/03/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful Experience

We had a July wedding at the Grand River Center, and it was the perfect venue for a ceremony. Our guests where able to get a view of the Mississippi without sitting outside in the heat.
M
Miranda Sent on 10/06/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful venue

The venue was absolutely beautiful. Great outdoor space for a ceremony. The wedding coordinator Emily was very accommodating! Best day ever!
Michelle
Michelle Sent on 01/31/2019
5 out of 5 rating

I love it it such a good place everyone should go there

They do pretty much everything that you would want to do it that place
K
Kawdrh11302018 Sent on 12/17/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Grand River Center

Our reception at the Grand River Center was amazing. We had a small enough guest list that we were able to hold it in the River Room which is an amazing space - all of our guests were so impressed. Working with Sherri was so easy. She really has everything down and runs a smooth operation. Everything was taken care of, all of the little details thought of, and the service was amazing. Most importantly though, we and all of our guests had so much fun!
J
Jeremy Sent on 10/11/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Easy to work with and always available to answer questions. They really seem to care about your special day and want to make it amazing!
S
Stephanie Sent on 06/19/2018
5 out of 5 rating
The Grand River Center was so great to work with and they made planning our day so much easier! Sherrie was wonderful to work with and it was an honor to have her officiate our wedding as well. The staff was so nice and took care of all of our requests. The food was wonderful and our guests talked about it several days after. We can't imagine having our wedding and reception anywhere else!
R
Raya Sent on 04/24/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Amazing experience!!! Great service and staff.
Everything was perfect, we just had to relax and enjoy our day!!
Ohheyitscait
Caitlin Sent on 09/25/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Our wedding this past weekend was perfect, and it was all thanks to the wonderful staff at the Grand River Center. My husband and I don't live in Dubuque, but it is a nice central point for all of our families. But when we first looked at the grand river center, it was perfect. The views are unbeatable, the pictures look amazing. But the best part about the grand river center? Sherri and Samantha and the staff. Sherri was not only our DOC, but she was our officiant. She ensured everything went smoothly, when she was not checking on us, she was making sure the staff knew what to do. In the planning process, we were pretty indecisive and we changed our mind a lot. It was never, "well I don't think we can do that" it was, "we will do our best to make sure that happens." Honestly, if we asked for something, we were given it. We even customized our menu. My dad was floored by the service. They allowed him to bring his favorite wine in and serve it to his friends, making him feel very special. There were no hiccups throughout the day, because the staff was so well trained. We were worried about the grand river center having multiple weddings on the same day. But there were no problems. Every wedding was treated as if they were the only ones there. We had a very private ceremony at the grand river center, with no problems either. We did have some wedding crashers from other weddings, but they were quickly escorted out. So seriously, reader of this review, give them a call, schedule an appointment with Sherri. She is the best and will make your day perfect. (And in all honesty, if Sherri left and went to another venue, we probably would have followed her to the other venue lol.) Some other things to consider: if you absolutely do not want to have other events occurring on your wedding day, or if you want to have a completely private event, you may want to look somewhere else. This didn't matter so much to me. 10/10 would have our wedding here. 10/10 would recommend.
M
Michelle Sent on 09/12/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Sherri and the staff at the Grand River Center were awesome to work with. They were able to show us all the options that were available so my daughter and her husband could have a beautiful ceremony and wedding reception at the Grand River Center. We had so many compliments on the venue, especially the cocktail hour in the River Room. Thank you for making their day wonderful!
M
Molly Sent on 09/06/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We had THE MOST AMAZING reception. More than we could have ever imagined. Samantha is SPECTACULAR... so easy to work with, very accommodating, very hard working, and treated our wedding as it was her own down to every last detail, nothing went unnoticed and the night was perfect. She did way more than we had ever expected her to do. No way we would have been able to do this without her. Not only was Samantha amazing the other staff (Sherry, the kitchen, the bar, etc) nothing short of awesome. Guests could not say enough good things about the River Center, the food, the staff, the location, the beautiful area, and the whole night. Everyone had SOOOO much fun.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

73
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2011 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2010 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2009 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

11 Endorsements
Diskotek Entertainment Diskotek Entertainment Wedding DJs

Great venue for your reception. Staff is great to work with!!!

Inside Decor Rental Inside Decor Rental Wedding Rentals

We have very much enjoyed many events at the Grand River Center over many years including weddings, corporate dinners, fund raisers, craft shows, and birthday parties for our own children. All of the events have been a joy to attend from the staffing, the facility, and organization! The Riverview room overlooking the Mississippi River is stunning in itself. To have the facility for an event of your own is priceless. What a gift to give to your family and friends; a gorgeous location, great food, and personable staff! FIVE STAR * * * * *

Absolute Music Absolute Music Wedding DJs

Great venue!

Preferred Vendors
Riniker Rhythm
5.0 out of 5 rating , 55 reviews
· Wedding DJs
Inside Decor Rental
4.7 out of 5 rating , 41 reviews
· Wedding Rentals
Light Burst Photography
5.0 out of 5 rating , 2 reviews
· Wedding Photographers

Map

Grand River Center frequently asked questions

Grand River Center includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Grand River Center includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Grand River Center includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
  • Premium Liquor
  • Signature Drink
  • Specialty Beer
  • Specialty Wine
The space offered by Grand River Center for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet Hall
  • Historic Building
  • Loft
  • Rooftop
  • Waterfront
Grand River Center offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Grand River Center offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Grand River Center offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Wifi
Grand River Center offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Tables
Grand River Center is recommended by 89% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.4 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.5 in professionalism, 4.5 in value, 4.4 in quality of service, 4.4 in average response time and 4.4 in flexibility.

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