it was soo great love the hole thing at to finish

Very nice place to get married. My husband and I got married in the courtyard and had the reception in the Grand Ballroom. It was absolutely beautiful! Laura and her team were amazing to work with. They made sure we had everything we needed and wanted. They catered our wedding and also did the bar services. Laura made me feel so comfortable and made sure I knew that she was there to help me had the day I had dreamed of and she was there to make it happen, and let me tell you.....she sure did! We also used Sitting Pretty for the chair sashes and table runners. I would also recommend them as well. I'm so pleased and happy that I made the choice to go with DoubleTree fory wedding ceremony and reception. The hotel is very nice, staff is very friendly, and Laura is the most amazing wedding coordinator they could have. If you or anyone you know are thinking of having your wedding at a hotel, I definitely would recommond this place!

Wow. What an exceptional job Karisa (Event Coordinator) and the rest of the staff at the Double Tree Hilton in Grand Rapids did. From planning everything in the months leading up to, then the rehearsal to everything the big day and even a New Years celebration a few days later, Karisa was super helpful throughout the entire process. Since we had a winter wedding and there was more availability, Karisa was able to give us her full attention. That said, she had a wedding come up the week before ours only a month in advance and never once dropped the ball with us. We have every confidence she’d provide great service with the Double Tree to anyone any time of the year.

Initially we were concerned that a hotel could as beautiful a reception as we wanted, but particularly in the winter it was perfect. The Double Tree completely quelled those concerns. With up-lighting provided as well as an included rep for chair covers (no extra cost for a wide variety of options they displayed at the food tasting). They also allowed for ceiling draping, offered through that same rep, Sitting Pretty for a fee. Having those contacts as part of the hotel takes out a lot of stress in trying to coordinate additional vendors, instead Karisa handled it all. Also, another benefit of staying at the hotel was having all our guests stay at the same place as the reception meant we didn’t have to worry about people getting home. They also allowed us to use the airport shuttle to get the bridal party to the ceremony as well as grandparents, all with a driver (don’t forget to tip!). Just need to coordinate with Karisa!

Working with Karisa was phenomenal. She set up a timeline to make sure we had everything planned when we should, which made sure we weren’t making all our decisions at the last minute (when everything else has to be decided). The chef was very helpful in working with us to make sure we loved our menu, but weren’t busting our budget to afford it. Throughout the entire process Karisa coordinated with all the staff at the hotel so that we only had to worry about one point of contact, very helpful. In setting up the room blocks we filled it quickly, but Karisa was able to expand it (IF she can do the same for you, she certainly will, it’ll likely depend on how busy the hotel is at the time). Many guests remarked at how surprised they were at just how kind and accommodating the hotel was. Extending and altering stays without upcharges or fuss. Karisa would send us the room block periodically so we knew who was booked, so we were able to make sure those far out of town didn’t forget. It was a tad difficult to understand the format the computer output it in the first couple times, but Karisa explained it for us very well.

For the big day, Karisa did all the coordination work with our Mistress of Ceremonies (highly recommend appointing extended family or close family friend to do that) to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be when. She also coordinated with our DJ to make sure he had everything he needed and when. We truly didn’t have anything to worry about with the venue on the big day. It was something we understood to be an enormous stress that, with the help of Karisa and the Mistress of Ceremonies, were able to coordinate in advance and had little to nothing to worry about on the big day with everything reception related. She worked with us to plan the table layouts: where cake/guestbook/wedding favors/head table(s)/DJ/Photobooth/Dance floor/etc would all go. We planned the table arrangements and their location in the room and the staff helped our Mistress of Ceremonies set them up. No one had to miss the ceremony or photographs to help, with proper planning and coordination they were able to set everything up with time to spare.

Between all the planning/coordination we didn’t need to be disturbed throughout the whole night. The staff were able to stay on top of everything and we were able to enjoy our reception uninterrupted. That’s really the most you could ever ask for with a venue, and the Double Tree crushed it. The food was very good, not at all your normal “wedding chicken”. It all tasted great and all of our guests remarked how impressed they were. It was delicious. The bar packages were great, with a lot of ways to manage. From open bar (paid per person or per drink), to cash bar, or a combination where certain items are included (e.g. beer/wine) and other’s cash bar (e.g. liquor) as well as varying packages for liquor/craft beer provided. It was easiest/most cost efficient for us to do a middle tier beer/liquor package and then pay per head and add a couple hours. All our guests had a great time, and the bar staff did a tremendous job. No one had any complaints, only more positive feedback!

When the night finally drew to a close the staff made sure to carefully pack up the leftover donuts (we didn’t do cake) for us. They also took good care of all the special wedding stuff we’d brought (cake cutting knife, bride/groom champagne glasses, etc.) and made sure we got it. They were all very kind and courteous the entire weekend. The hotel bar was great and offered a limited menu perfect for snack food when people got into the hotel and to hang out. Additionally the Ganders restaurant was great to have for breakfast (we didn’t do a formal brunch) and offers a menu as well as buffet breakfast that were both very good (albeit not free). The Double Tree Hilton in Grand Rapids was really a one stop shop for almost everything we needed. It lifted an enormous burden from us by having just one person to contact to coordinate something that may have otherwise been a lot of work.

TLDR
Everything was 5 stars for us:
Coordinator – Perfect
Food – Superb
Bar – Superb
Décor – Beautiful
Staff - Superb