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Weddings

About

Gillespie Conference Center, located in South Bend, IN, is an elegant wedding venue. The team here understands that every celebration is unique, and pays close attention to every last detail. They have years of experience in the events industry and are ready to provide as much support as to-be-weds need. In addition to ceremonies and receptions, this event space welcomes engagement parties, showers, and rehearsal dinners. Couples are also invited to host an intimate elopement here.

Facilities and Capacity

Gillespie Conference Center has 13 event spaces to choose from, depending on each couple's unique vision for their big day. The day can begin in the Terrace Garden, which sits beside the ballroom. This outdoor space covers 2,500 square feet and features a built-in aisle, water fountains, and a romantic white pergola. The garden can also be used for picturesque cocktail receptions. The Fleur de Lis Ballroom, meanwhile, offers 8,400 square feet of classic elegance. It can comfortably accommodate up to 840 people, and also features a pre-function area for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The ballroom features a neutral color scheme and can be adapted to suit the color palette of your event. Guests who want to stay overnight will enjoy the convenience of the nearby Hilton Garden Inn and Inn at Saint Mary's.

Services Offered

Gillespie Conference Center has a dedicated special events manager, Allison Lewis, on hand to support couples throughout their time at the venue. This can include helping them to choose the right vendor and designing a floor plan. Allison is also happy to work with your chosen vendors to help the day run smoothly. There is an in-house culinary team who can create a bespoke menu, alongside a bartending team who is happy to design a signature drink. A range of all-inclusive packages are on offer for couples to choose from, depending on their needs and budget. Tables, chairs, and a dance floor are all provided by the venue, alongside a selection of barware, tableware, and linens.

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Frequently asked questions

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?

$750

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$750

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

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

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

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$30

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

Reviews of Gillespie Conference Center

R
A9E7251B8650Bba8788Fd5E88722955446374C1F Sent on 09/09/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely AMAZING!!

I want to start by saying, Allison is absolutely FANTASTIC. We loved working with her the entire planning process. She was responsive, helpful, and patient with all our changes and questions. The whole team we had to help with set up, serving food, and tear down at the end of the night were awesome as well. We got so many compliments on how great the food was, and how beautiful everything looked. I couldn’t imagine planning our wedding without the help of Allison and I am forever grateful for how amazing she was. I can’t recommend The Gillespie enough!
Greta
Greta Sent on 09/06/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Welcoming, beautiful, and fun

Noor and Bobby and Chef Josh created an environment that was welcoming, beautiful and fun. They were careful and safe (zero reports of illness, 4 weeks later), flexible and responsive to our many different special requests. The food was delicious, the space was wonderful - including the patio, and the bartenders and waitstaff couldn't be more helpful and accommodating. It all exceeded our expectations in every way - just a wonderful day and evening.
J
Jack Sent on 08/03/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Happy Times at the Hilton.

We hosted a wedding for our daughter at the Hilton Garden Inn and the adjoining Gillespie Conference Center. Everything went very, very well. Noor, Leanne and the staff were responsive and helpful, the hotel was great and convenient, and everyone had a great time. I can easily recommend this venue to anyone. The ballroom can be spruced up very nicely, and there is a very nice outdoor section.
Joanne
Joanne Sent on 01/26/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect Wedding Reception Vendor with incredible food, expert wedding planning help, and convenient connected hotel

The Gillespie Center was the perfect vendor for our daughter's wedding! With help from Noor, LeAnn, and their staff, the day was incredible! They helped with every step of the reception planning, and did everything that needed to be done for setup and tear-down on the wedding day, including staying for most of the reception to help. The food was spectacular! The appetizers were amazing, as well as the half beef and half chicken plated dinner. Servers were timely, accommodating, and friendly. To have the hotel accommodations available to our guests in the same building and offered at a very reasonable rate was very nice, also. We were extremely pleased with the Gillespie Center and would recommend them to anyone planning an event.
M
Megan Sent on 07/18/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Our wedding reception was perfect thanks to Krista and everyone at the Gillespie Conference Center! As a bride planning her wedding from out-of-town, Krista was a dream to work with -- attentive, responsive, organized, professional, and experienced. Because of her expertise and attention to detail, our wedding reception went off without a hitch. Krista worked with my other vendors to set up the ballroom (it looked amazing!), and the evening flowed smoothly from start to finish. Our guests raved about the delicious food and impeccable service. I was not the least bit stressed on our big day knowing that everything was in Krista's able hands - she knocked it out of the park! I could not recommend Krista and the Gillespie Conference Center enough. We would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
U
User2662188 Sent on 06/26/2016
5 out of 5 rating
We had the most wonderful experience with the Gillespie Center/Hilton Garden Inn. Krista was always available and quick to answer email questions/concerns. She was familiar and experienced with all our vendors so did much of the "behind the scenes" detail coordination. We received so many compliments on the food, atmosphere, and overall experience of the wedding. As the mother-of-the bride, I think the best compliment was when my daughter (the bride) saw me towards the end of the evening and proclaimed, "This is the BEST night of my life!!".....Thank you for making that happen!! Deb T.
N
Nicole Sent on 09/20/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Megan and the Gillespie Center helped make our dream wedding become a reality. Megan was great to work with through day one. She was extremely helpful explaining our options and costs and how the day would. She was quick to answer all my questions and helped guide me in the right direction on making choices for our big day. Although the food and beverage minimum is quite high, the total package deal is so worth it. When it came down to the big day Megan was right there with us and helped make our evening absolutely perfect.
B
Brian Sent on 05/05/2014
5 out of 5 rating
Our entire wedding experience at the Gillespie was absolutely perfect and exactly what we envisioned for our perfect day! Our coordinator, Megan Lesar, was very organized and kept our best wishes in mind while ensuring our wedding would go without a hitch and allow everyone to enjoy themselves! She was very responsive through phone and email, and her focus is very precise in making sure your special day is fun and truly remarkable! The Gillespie itself is a beautiful venue, and we were especially fond of the all-in-one location, allowing our guests to reserve rooms, come down for the ceremony and reception, and enjoy themselves all night, only to have to simply take the elevator back up to their rooms (definitely a must for a winter wedding in South Bend)! The staff was a pleasure to work with, and the food was phenomenal! My wife and I would definitely recommend the Gillespie to anyone looking for an exceptional venue and service to host their wedding or event of a lifetime! Megan and the Gillespie were paramount to creating the perfect wedding and the night of lives!
J
Jennifer Sent on 10/03/2012
5 out of 5 rating
The Hilton Garden Inn and Katie Sill were magnificent! My wedding reception was magnificent! The food was fantastic and the event went off without a hitch. We also had our send off brunch there with an omelet station and tons of good breakfast foods!! It was so nice and a perfect way to end the entire weekend with family and friends!
Amanda
Amanda Sent on 06/25/2012
5 out of 5 rating
The venue was wonderful. We held our ceremony in the graden area, along with the cocktail hour and reception inside. Katie was such a pleasure to work with she went above and beyond. It was like you had a personal assistant. The food was amazing from the cocktail hour food to the dinner to the late night snacks. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect place and staff.
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Awards

22

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Matthew Whitlock Photography Matthew Whitlock Photography Wedding Photographers

Every time I have photographed an event at the Gillespie, I have been extremely impressed. The staff does a wonderful job taking care of the guests, the venue itself is beautiful and the food is amazing.

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4.9 out of 5 rating , 48 reviews
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Map

Gillespie Conference Center frequently asked questions

Gillespie Conference Center includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planning
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Gillespie Conference Center includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Gillespie Conference Center includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
  • Premium Liquor
  • Signature Drink
  • Specialty Beer
  • Specialty Wine
Gillespie Conference Center is recommended by 95% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in flexibility, 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in professionalism, 4.7 in value and 4.5 in average response time.
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