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Weddings

About

Located in Birmingham, Alabama, The Theodore is a historic building in the Lakeview Industrial District. Here, couples can enjoy a wedding steeped in local heritage. This 1929 gem is part of the Swann Chemical Laboratory complex. The contemporary design includes an extensive 20,000 square feet and features charming elements such as exposed brick walls, steel windows, and barrel truss ceilings.

Facilities and Capacity

This building has three warehouse bays, a covered porch, and a beautiful courtyard transformed from the base of a railroad platform. These and other unique features make The Theodore a wedding destination to remember. As a versatile event space, the celebration area can be arranged in many ways to suit the upcoming occasion. The capacity of this venue ranges from 500 guests for a seated ceremony gathering to 750 for a standing event. The building facilities include an ADA-accessible entrance, a prep kitchen, a bar, a get-ready suite, and more.

Services Offered

A team of in-house event specialists is made available to clients as they plan their celebratory journey. Beyond Details Catering and Design, the associated caterers of The Theodore, incorporate flavors that speak to local culinary traditions. Meals are paired with services like decor, flower arrangements, and lighting to set the tone of the event. From the first consultation to bidding farewell to guests, couples will feel fully supported by this team.

History

The proprietor of this building, Theodore Swann, originally hailed from Tennessee. He arrived in Birmingham in 1913, bringing with him ideas and drive. After working a handful of years for James Mitchell, Theodore branched out and started The Swann Chemical Company. While in operation, Swann's companies were pioneers in utilizing ferromanganese and phosphoric acid by electric furnace. The Swann Chemical Laboratory was established in 1936, using a warehouse built in 1929. Dawning a new era of inhabitance, 2017 saw a grand remodel and the opening of the building for events and occasions of all kinds.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$7,500

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

$7,500

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?

$7,500

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

$7,500

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

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Clean Up
Parking
Set Up
Tables

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

Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$11

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

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

2

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Historic Building
Loft

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?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
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?

Aisle Runners
Altar/Arch
Chairs
Dance Floor
Decor
Drapery
Furniture
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Shuttle
Valet

What months are included in your peak season?

March
April
May
June
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
July
August

Reviews of The Theodore

A
Anna Sent on 11/19/2023
5 out of 5 rating

10/10 Experience


Where do I even begin? The Theodore has been a wonderful experience through and through. Given that we have had a long engagement, the planning process has been extensive to say the least, but Jakob the venue owner has become more of a friend than “the owner” to my family and I. Every time we had a wedding planning meeting at the Theodore, he played fun music/checked on us/ and voiced how excited he was to see it all come together. Another fun aspect was the wedding menu food tasting that The Theodore hosts every few months. Our food tasting at the Theodore was lovely, and made choosing our wedding food menu so hard because of how many amazing options we had to pick from! They do have their own in house catering company, which make the process convenient and easy as you make your selections.

Another wonderful aspect of the Theodore was that it’s a one stop shop for rentals. Jakob has put together a wonderful look book for all their clients that lists all of their inventory. This makes the choosing of all your rentals so fun and easy. You can’t go wrong since all the furniture and rental selections are so beautiful.

Jakob is extremely professional, and has the greatest list ever of pre-approved vendors that will definitely point you in the right direction to plan your big day. He made the recommendation of the greatest wedding planner of all time, Erica Thomas, who has been nothing short of incredible the entire process. Jakob’s exact words to me were “Erica won’t just be a planner, she will become a lifelong friend.” And BOYYY was he right, and I still appreciate his advice to this day as she has been the biggest blessing.

A lot of venues do not include the little things that make or break a wedding day that can often go unnoticed, but Jakob thinks of everything. Our wedding is in three weeks, and I can honestly say that I trust Jakob and The Theodore staff COMPLETELY to make sure the day goes smoothly and perfectly without a single bump in the road, and it will be a night my fiancé and I, our family and friends will NEVER forget!
K
Kate Sent on 12/24/2022
5 out of 5 rating

All inclusive venue!

We could not be any happier with our wedding at The Theodore. It was a dream working with a venue that is truly all inclusive. I did not want to have to keep up with multiple vendors as I had to do this with my first daughters wedding. The entire process from beginning to the day of the wedding was flawless! I would do it all over again if I had to! We could not be any happier.
Taylor
Taylor Sent on 07/06/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful!

Truly blessed with the wedding of our dreams thanks to The Theodore and all of our other amazing vendors. This venue has such a large, beautiful space. Jakob is so wonderful and on top of everything. Everything from catering, valet, security, bartenders, décor, tables and linens etc. are included and make the wedding planning process such a breeze. Not to mention the food is absolutely delicious. They go above and beyond at the Theodore and we are forever grateful!
Kim
Kim H. Sent on 06/26/2022
5 out of 5 rating

So much fun

First of all, Jakob is just amazing. He made us feel so comfortable, and he never made us feel like we had a dumb question, and believe me we had a lot! He was always timely in his response, and he just made the whole experience very enjoyable. He has great advice and ideas. The Theodore was the perfect spot to celebrate for the reception after a downtown church wedding. it was so open, and people could move around easily. It was nice having the two separate rooms, one for the band and one for the meal so older guests could sit in the other room to take a break from the band if they wanted. The food was delicious - everything was top notch - we continue to get a stream of positive comments from everybody! Having the two bars and 4 lines for the buffet was genius. My daughter was so pleased with everything. Also, Todd was so gracious in helping my father in law in with his wheelchair - they have a lift and it was no problem. The valet parking is also a nice touch. Everything the Theodore does is first class. Thank you to Jakob and his team for making my daughter's dream wedding a reality. Y'all are just the BEST! We can't thank you enough.
- Kim Haney
Peachtree City, Georgia
J
Janna Sent on 06/23/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Fantastic Venue!

Fantastic, flexible venue! We had our daughter’s wedding reception here after a two-year wait due to COVID. We received so many compliments about the venue and the food, but the best part of this experience was working with Jakob! He was so easy to work with, accommodating to our requests, and very friendly! Truly goes above and beyond. I highly recommend The Theodore for your wedding/reception.
B
Barbi Sent on 05/21/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful!

Jakob and his staff were great! He made accommodations for special requests and it ended up being such a beautiful wedding! Fantastic experience.
Anita
Anita Sent on 03/31/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely perfect in EVERY way!!

Jakob, Todd and their entire staff at The Theodore went above and beyond to make our wedding ceremony and reception everything we wanted and more. They made us feel more like family than a client. The venue itself is the perfect place to host at Wedding, from the outdoor space to the beautiful, open spaces inside. I would highly recommend The Theodore for a wedding (well, any type of event really). They are amazing.
J
Jordan Sent on 03/31/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing people & venue

Jakob and Todd and this venue are THE BEST- SERIOUSLY. I could not say enough good things about the Theodore. Its a beautiful venue, they are so accommodating and you will not have more fun with the owners at any other place!
Tanesha
Tanesha Sent on 01/18/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing venue!

I would 100% recommend this venue to any other couples on the fence about booking The Theodore. We had an amazing wedding here! Jakob was accommodating during the entire process. Months before the wedding, he hosted a food tasting at The Theodore in which my husband and I were able to taste a variety of the foods offered at the venue. The food was amazing and I was impressed at how extensive the menu was. If there were any questions I could easily email Jakob and receive a swift response. I was also very shocked to see how attentive he was on the day of the wedding. After what seemed like millions of pictures and being pulled in every direction he always made sure to come around with some appetizers and drinks ready for us to consume when we were able to escape the crowd. It's these little things that made the difference for us. Not to mention your photos at this venue will look amazing! We have received several compliments from our guests in regards to the grounds of the venue and the food. So if you are still thinking about this venue, think no further and book! You will certainly not regret it!
J
John Sent on 12/30/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Fantastic!!!

We had the best experience with The Theodore! Not only did everything turn out EXACTLY the way we envisioned, but the interaction with every person was also so pleasant and familiar.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

20
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner

Map

The Theodore frequently asked questions

The Theodore includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The Theodore includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at The Theodore includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
  • Premium Liquor
  • Specialty Beer
  • Specialty Wine
The space offered by The Theodore for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet Hall
  • Historic Building
  • Loft
The Theodore offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Theodore offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Theodore offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
The Theodore offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Aisle Runners
  • Altar/Arch
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Decor
  • Drapery
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
The Theodore is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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