Award winner
Award winner thanks to recommendations from couples on WeddingWire.com.
- 2019
The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering
Interested in this vendor?
1/20
"Croatian center is an amazing hall!!! It has an amazing view at sunset. Zarko who helps you is the..."
"Zarko and his parents are amazing. He’s very flexible and did everything in his power to make our..."
What is the story behind The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering?
The Croatian Center is a 325-guest wedding venue and banquet hall in Merrillville, Indiana, minutes off I-65 and US-30, with free on-site parking and full ADA access. Family-owned and operated by Dimitri's Catering, the hall has hosted thousands of Northwest Indiana weddings, receptions, quinceañeras and celebrations for three decades.
What's included: one grand ballroom with a permanent dance floor and crystal chandeliers, a full-service bar with three tiers (Standard, Call, Top Shelf), an outdoor ceremony gazebo, a private getting-ready room, gold Chiavari chairs, linens, and cake cutting at no charge. Every event is catered exclusively by our in-house team, plated, buffet or family-style, and our menu and package prices are published on our website so you can budget before you tour.
All-inclusive wedding packages start around $56 per person and bundle the venue, dinner, a five-hour open bar, a sparkling toast and centerpieces. Friday, Sunday and January through March dates carry lower minimums. On-site ceremonies are welcome, and you're free to bring your own photographer, DJ, florist and cake.
Rated 4.6 stars on Google. Check your date and schedule a tour; we typically respond within one business day.
Experience
-
37 years in business
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We speak English
What does a real wedding at The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering look like?
Taylor & Caleb
46 photos
What are The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering's site fees and venue policies?
Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?
No
Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?
Yes
What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?
$500
What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?
$500
Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?
Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables
Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?
Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)
Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?
Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Wine
How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?
1
Describe your venue:
Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Garden
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
What event services do you offer?
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi
What catering services do you offer?
Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Family Style
Hors d'oeuvres
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings
What bar services do you provide?
Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Liquor
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
What event items are available?
Altar/Arch
Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Chairs
Chair Covers
Dance Floor
Decor
Drapery
Furniture
Lighting
Photo booth
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?
May
June
July
August
September
October
What months are included in your off-peak season?
January
February
March
November
December
Any other questions?
Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!What are real couples saying about their experience at The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering in reviews?
Weddingwire
24 reviews
Google
187 reviews
Brandon Sent on 10/12/2021
5 out of 5 rating
Best banquet hall around!!
Croatian center is an amazing hall!!! It has an amazing view at sunset. Zarko who helps you is the most amazing person I know. He is easy going and will do anything you need to make sure your day is running smoothly. I will recommend Croatian center to anyone.
Destiny Sent on 10/19/2020
5 out of 5 rating
Our fairytale
Zarko and his parents are amazing. He’s very flexible and did everything in his power to make our day special. Everything was amazing!
Shatio Sent on 06/17/2019
5 out of 5 rating
Excellent venue! Food is phenomenal and so are the staff!
Dimitri's Catering is phenomenal! Zarko the owner helped me throught the entire process and gave superb suggestions to ensure that my wedding was fabulous! My family and I always use Dimitri's Catering, they never disappoint! I give them 10 thumbs up!!!
Crystal Sent on 04/30/2019
5 out of 5 rating
Amazing Experience
My Day was perfect. Food was great and service was accommodating
Ed Sent on 09/24/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Working with Zarko was truly a pleasure. He was always available to answer questions leading up to the wedding, which greatly helped ease our minds and stress level. The appearance of the hall, the service, and the quality of the food were all top notch!! We would highly recommend Dimitri’s Catering and The Croatian Center as a venue for a wedding.
Yolanda Sent on 09/17/2018
5 out of 5 rating
My daughter recently had her wedding reception at the Croatian Center in Merrillville (08/18/2018). I can't tell you how pleased my daughter and I were with how things turned out. Zarko and his staff are top notch and were always available to help answer questions and help guide us through the process. The staff is friendly and so very helpful. The room and grounds are beautiful. The food was AMAZING! They cook everything fresh in the kitchen, food is top quality and fresh. The day after my daughters wedding I can't tell you how many calls I received from our guest just wanting to tell us how much fun they had and how good the food was. If you are looking for a place that will provide real value with a friendly staff good food and drinks look no further. I don't think you can find a better place in NWI to have a wedding or any other event where you will feel you got exactly what you wanted and more.
Emily Sent on 06/11/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Zarko is great to work with and made my wedding perfect. I had so many compliments on the food and venue. He answered all of my questions and was very professional. I would highly recommend for a venue and you are the only wedding that night.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
What awards has The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering won?
You've seen what other couples are saying
Share what you're looking for and see if it's the right fit for you.Do wedding professionals recommend The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering? Which ones?
When it comes to giving all he can, Zarko is a bride and groom's best friend. And his parents serve some of the best banquet food around.
Where is The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering located?
Location
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The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering frequently asked questions
The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
- Bridal Suite
- Chairs
- China
- Clean Up
- Flatware
- Glassware
- Linens
- Parking
- Set Up
- Tables
The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
- Cake Cutting
- Dessert
- Server(s)
The bar service starting price at The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering includes:
- Bartender(s)
- Champagne Toast
- House Liquor
- House Wine
- Open Bar
- Premium Liquor
- Signature Drink
- Specialty Wine
The space offered by The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering for wedding events is known for:
- Ballroom
- Banquet Hall
- Garden
The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
- Indoor
- Covered Outdoor
- Uncovered Outdoor
The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering offers the following types of wedding events:
- Ceremony
- Reception
- Bridal Shower
- Engagement Party
The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering offers the following services for wedding events:
- Bar Services
- Catering Services
- Clean Up
- Event Planner
- Event Rentals
- Get Ready Rooms
- Outside Vendors
- Wifi
The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
- Altar/Arch
- Audio Equipment
- Centerpieces
- Chairs
- Chair Covers
- Dance Floor
- Decor
- Drapery
- Furniture
- Lighting
- Photo booth
- Tables
The Croatian Center by Dimitri's Catering is recommended by 93% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in value, 4.7 in flexibility, 4.6 in professionalism and 4.5 in average response time.