The Grand Reviews

The Grand was an amazing venue and group to do our wedding and reception with. Jillian was a terrific person to work with both in the months leading up for the venue and as the day-of-coordinator. Despite challenges with the building renovations and having to work through some changes, Jillian handled these proactively and professionally while reducing the impact to our big day. We absolutely loved the space and how it met all of our needs (Ceremony, reception, food/beverage included, no rentals, etc). It made the lead-up and day itself so much smoother, and we truly didn't have to worry about anything. Also, the food was fantastic and Chris did an awesome job during the tasting and the night of! The value for the money was incredibly high, and we would definitely recommend doing your wedding at/with The Grand!

We had an amazing experience at/with The Grand for our wedding!!! From start to finish, Jillian was incredibly supportive and kept us constantly informed throughout the entire process, which made everything so much less stressful. On the big day, we received countless compliments from our guests about the beautiful venue and the delicious food, and this even continued post wedding from guests. I even got to hug Chef Chris before our Grand Entrance!!! Also, I highly recommend working with Jillian, she brought our vision to life. We couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out and highly recommend The Grand to anyone planning a special event!

An incredible experience from start to finish. We were given multiple tours to make sure the venue was exactly our vision for our wedding. I had multiple phone calls and email exchanges with Jillian to ease my mind and answer all of my questions. Leading up to the week of the wedding the communication and service provided just got better! Jillian met with us multiple days that week to make sure everything was set and in place and to make sure the rehearsal ran smoothly! Our day couldn’t have gone better, from incredible food that stuck exactly to our schedule, late night pizza snack provided by them, and the incredible staff that made sure we had all of our belongings before leaving that night, it made what can be a very stressful day the complete opposite. I couldn’t recommend The Grand more. To put the cherry on top, the venue is nothing but stunning!

We held our wedding reception at The Grand a few weeks ago, and everything about it was perfect! Jillian, who helped coordinate everything, was friendly and receptive to all of our questions and concerns. The food is absolutely outstanding, and we loved the opportunity to try the variety of offerings at the tastings they held multiple times throughout the year. We also used the bridal and groom's suites which were so convenient for getting ready, since the courthouse is the perfect backdrop for pictures. We had endless compliments about the food and how beautiful the venue was. We highly recommend having your wedding (or honestly any event) here - you will not regret it!

We had the most beautiful and perfect wedding! 10/10 recommend The Grand! We loved our whole experience!

We fell in love with The Grand the minute we walked through the doors and so did our guests. We looked at multiple venues, but The Grand just felt intimate and perfect we booked right then and never looked back. Besides the history, architecture, and unique setting, the best thing about The Grand is the staff. We cannot say enough about Jillian. Wedding planning can be stressful all on its own, and add in different vendors, bridal party members, and such it can just be a lot. But when things started to seem to much, Jillian was always there to make us feel calm, at ease, and on top of things. My now husband actually said during the planning that Jillian was the best part because after every planning meeting I left feeling so much more at peace and relaxed.
Some of our awesome vendors were recommended by The Grand and we were so grateful that we choose them as everything went off without a hitch. We booked the whole venue for the day, so we didn't have to worry about stepping into another function that day or guests being confused about which room we were in. The wait staff was so helpful and attentive to our guests. If they thought we needed anything they just offered without even being asked. The waitstaff thought that I did not eat enough of my plated steak dinner, so the staff approached me assuming it wasn't cooked to my liking and offered to cook another right away. They just wanted to be sure that the bride was eating and happy, which I was, I was just full. I know my new husband was appreciative of them taking note to make sure my needs were met. They were willing to help in anyway from just holding a door open to ensuring every detail was just as we envisioned. If we thought we may need something they had it, and were willing to let us use it all no questions asked. When we had specific requests for odd things like table placements we were accommodated without question. If something could not be accommodated,
an easy solution was found without issue. Jillian and the staff really went above and beyond not just for us but also our vendors as well. Guests actually said they had not attended a wedding that ran so smoothly and on time as planned. At the end of night, they made sure we had everything packed and returned just as we had brought it if not better.
Our only complaint through the whole process was that we were too hot in the Maki Ballroom from dancing and having a blast.

Honestly, where do I begin? From start to finish, The Grand provided the best experience I could have ever asked for...and Jillian may tell you that I asked for a lot LOL. Unless your style is barn wood or a standard ballroom, there are not a lot of wedding venue options in NWI. I'm a hospitality interior designer, my husband is a history buff, and we are both big foodies. Our two must-haves for the wedding were an architecturally interesting venue and a great menu. We were between The Grand and another place that some may describe as a Castle, and after talking to some of our vendors, we were steered in the Grand's direction. I truly believe this is NWI's hidden gem and it deserves more recognition in the local wedding market. My husband and I live in Dallas (I grew up in Valpo), and I did much of the planning coordination long distance. Jillian is worth her weight in gold for the way she answered my every question, put together my vision with the decor assembly, and just being my right hand on the day-of. Chef Chris is a master at what he does, and his menu competed with some of the best fine dining restaurants in the country. I have designed for some of the biggest names in the culinary world, and I will also say that Chef Chris doesn't bring the ego with his talent - which is rare in the industry. Then there is the venue itself. It has history, elegance, and so much to offer that we took advantage of the whole thing. Our ceremony was in the courtroom, cocktail hour in the Assessors Room, and reception in the Maki Ballroom. We utilized both the bridal and groom's suites, and were also able to use the Assessors Room for hair and make up teams while getting ready. All of our guests had a great time, and my husband and I loved being able to host everyone in a location that in itself is a conversation starter. 10/10 do we recommend The Grand for your next event!

I never really do reviews, generally no time to sit down and do them. However, The Grand and their staff were so amazing, I had to take the time to write this long, winded review. So, firstly with not a lot of options for wedding venues in NWI, I feel The Grand does not get enough exposure and people don’t realize what an amazing option it is. It was so nice to find a place as elegant and historical as The Grand, “Old Crown Point Courthouse”. It was one of the most reasonable priced places to hold an event. I really love that everything was all in one building as well as bridal/groom suites. Once we arrived for the day, we were there from start to finish. It made it so convenient to not worry about any need. The staff was always available to help in any way. It is the most classy and elegant venue; it takes my breath away.
Food Service, what can I say, it is absolutely amazing. Hats off to Chef Chris, he goes in with the attitude of making everything you eat so high end you feel like you are having a meal at a 5-star Michelin restaurant I almost feel guilty that the price is so reasonable (almost) lol. From the hors d’eouvres, to the dinner it was masterful, I even had a luncheon for the bride’s suite to get ready and that was even beyond amazing. Prior to wedding day, we took traveling family members to another of Chef Chris’s restaurants, Provecho. That was so amazing as well, that we had to give a shout out! Every comment we received from our guests, “That was the best wedding food, or just food I have ever eaten”.
Lastly, Our Daughter is a designer, so when I say everything must be done to the nth degree and 500 million details later, she had a vision for her wedding. Jillian the site coordinator, whom also is available to be hired as day of coordinator is worth every penny and more! From start to finish, it was seamless, not one hiccup, nothing fell through the cracks, she is always responsive, we never had an ounce of stress with her in command. She runs that venue like a well-oiled machine. We get to the week of the wedding; I was able to drop everything off and away she went. She knew what we were going for, after a year of planning, she knew the bride’s personality and did everything beyond our dreams to execute the “Vision”. All I had to do is walk through the venue and cry because it was so beautiful, and the exact vision in our dreams. With all the finer details. Anything the day of, she was on top of, we never had to double check vendors or deal with an issue, because if anything happened, we don’t or didn’t even know about it. All the bride had to do was get ready, drink a mimosa and wait for the ceremony, The other staff from bartenders, waitresses and kitchen staff and security are all nice, helpful, pleasant and accommodating. I cannot say enough of how amazing our event was and everything they did, The Grand can use me as a reference, because there isn’t enough space for me to go into more accolades for them.

The Grand gave us such a wonderful experience! Not only is the venue beautiful but the staff was beyond accommodating and kind the day of our wedding.

Throughout planning Jillian was responsive, timely, and so wonderful! I could not recommend her more!

The food was delicious and everything ran so smoothly.

My husband and I were married August 10, 2024 at the Grand. We had our ceremony and our reception here and loved every moment. The staff, the space, and the food is amazing. Highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a wedding space at a fair price.

The Grand Catering and Events were amazing for our recent wedding on 7.27! They truly went above and beyond to make sure our day was perfect and embodied who we are. From allowing us to have a private tasting due to scheduling, to making sure every last detail was perfect on the big day, their staff was amazing. At the end of the day, we feel the most important thing people remember about a wedding is the space and their food, and that is a main reason why we chose The Grand. The Grand is truly picturesque wherever you turn and their food was the most amazing wedding food we as long as our guests have ever had. The head tables food came out piping hot as well as the last tables food and that matters. They are an amazing team and so professional. We cannot thank Jillian, Chef Chris, and the rest of their team enough!

Had our wedding here this July and it was beyond perfect! Everyone raved about the food! The venue was also one of a kind and beautiful! we were also able to get ready on location which saved so much time. Love the grand

The Grand was everything we could have hoped for and more. We had a June wedding (busiest time of the year). Jillian did an incredible job facilitating the set up, communicating with us leading up to the day, and was an absolute godsend on the day of the wedding. Not sure what we would have done if we had not had such an involved and communicative venue. Especially for the reasonable price compared to other venues in the area, the Grand was incredible. I would recommend to anyone!

We had an amazing wedding at The Grand. The historic courtroom was a beautiful setting for our ceremony, and the ballroom for our reception was just as stunning, with plenty of space for dancing and celebrating. The staff was great, handling all the details so we could relax and enjoy our day. Our guests loved the venue and were impressed by how smoothly everything went. We highly recommend The Grand for anyone looking for a charming and elegant wedding venue. It made our day unforgettable!

The Grand managers and staff were very helpful and accommodating. The venue looked beautiful on our wedding. And the guests loved the food.

The Grand made our wedding day beyond memorable! The food was outstanding and the staff took excellent care of our guests all day! Thank you so much to Chef Chris for making the most amazing food for us and our guests!
We could not have chosen a better venue to become husband and wife at! Jillian did an outstanding job coordinating our wedding and we will miss our all our planning with her dearly!
With much love,
Ellen and Michael Green
5-24-2024

The Grand was a perfect spot for my baby shower. Everything is gorgeous inside! Walls and trim painted white with gold chandeliers - matches any theme. Very spacious!

The Grand was fantastic with helping provide a great wedding experience. The food was amazing! My only complaint was not having enough time to enjoy it more. Jillian was great and flexible about scheduling needs. The venue pricing was so reasonable compared to other venues in the area.

I hosted a private dinner for my husband and I to celebrate our one-year wedding anniversary two weeks ago. We dined in the Assessor's Room on the second floor. To say we were impressed would be an understatement. The team at The Grand always goes above and beyond. Jillian, the coordinator, is an absolute delight! She was communicative, professional and incredibly helpful from day one. We curated the perfect menu for the event, including a lovely bottle of wine. She answered all of my questions in a timely manner and went above and beyond to ensure our dinner was special.

Chef Jamie cooked our meal, and it was delicious. We had four courses and left with plenty of food for the next day. We enjoyed the braised short ribs and airline chicken coq au vin. Both were fall-off-the-bone tender and made for great leftovers. The star of the show for me was the chocolate chip bread pudding. I still dream about it! (Everything was so good, I didn't take any photos of the food.)

Chris, Jillian and the entire team at The Grand make you feel special. We were married with The Grand at the historic Lake County Courthouse in November 2022; it felt like our wedding day magic was still in the building with us.

Outside of our wedding and anniversary dinner, I have attended various events hosted by The Grand. The food is always delicious, and the service is always spot on. If you're looking for a venue to host your next event, The Grand is it!

We got married on 09-30-2023 and it was the best day ever! Jillian, the coordinator made our day run smooth and I felt at ease! The venue is beautiful and made for such a great wedding. The food was phenomenal (our guests still talk about the risotto!) The servers and bartender were so great and catered to everything! Truly the best day and one we will always remember!

We got married August 26th, 2023 and I could not have had a better wedding experience than I did with The Grand. Jillian is AMAZING and so sweet. Her communication was fantastic and even the day of at zero hours she was available for questions. The venue is absolutely beautiful and perfect for what we imagined. Our pictures looked like we went to multiple different sites to take photos. That is how unique the venue is. We are still hearing rave reviews from our guests about the food as well! If I could give them more than five stars I would.

The Grand had excellent customer service when it came to our needs for our school Christmas Program. The food was good, service was great, and families had a wonderful time. It was a big enough space for what needed it for!

The staff from day one all the way through the wedding was first class. We had such a great experience. The food was best in class and of you just can’t beat the classic beauty of the building itself.

Professional and classy and we would not change a thing about the process from A to Z. Thank You for creating a wonderful experience for our daughter and new son in law.

I cannot recommend The Grand enough. After having to cancel our wedding in 2020 due to Covid shutting everything down just weeks before our wedding (at a different venue) we were unsure of when, or where our wedding would happen. Fast forward to Spring of 2021, things were starting to open up again and we wanted to be married. The Grand had opened not long before our wedding and I reached out to them asking if they were accepting weddings. We set up a meeting and fell in love. 5 weeks later we were married. I never could have imagined planning a wedding for a second time at a whole new venue but everyone at The Grand made the entire process seamless, especially Stacey! She was amazing and we loved her. Our wedding day was a dream. We still get compliments from people telling us that our wedding was so beautiful and that the food was the best wedding food that they have ever had. We went with a more non-traditional option and had chicken and waffles and the bourbon glazed pork cutlet with comfort food sides. We loved how many menu options we had. Our menu fitted us so much as a couple and the foods that we enjoy. The staff was so attentive and just amazing. I have only great things to say about our experience with The Grand and recommend it to everyone we know!

We had our daughter's sweet 16 party at the Grand and the experience was excellent. The staff was attentive and friendly plus the they had a great selection of food options to choose from. The package we choose couldn't have been more delicious. Overall, the party was a success and my daughter was completely happy. We strongly recommend booking the Grand for everything!

From start to finish, the Grand was a 5 star experience! Would highly recommend to future couples thinking of having a GRAND event

My husband and I cannot find the words to describe how truly grateful we are that we celebrated our big day at The Grand. The venue itself is everything we could have ever asked for with so much history and beauty within. But there is so much more that contributes to a beautiful wedding that the venue itself. From seamless communication, to making my detailed requests happen, to the amazing staff who served us on the day of- you guys truly have it all. We cannot thank The Grand enough for making our big day a success and we will forever cherish the memories made that night at The Grand. We highly recommend other couples to host weddings / events at this beautiful venue.

If you’re looking for an “all in one” wedding venue where you can be there from the morning getting ready time through last call like me, this was the perfect place! Really for the vibe I was going for and the food was awesome.

We got married on 12-03-2023. The entire building is a dream. Jillian helped us organize the wedding we always wanted in a very short time (4 months!). We appreciate that she was able to fit everything within our budget. We had an intimate ceremony followed by a reception in the Assessor's Room. Our family still talks about how great the food was. They have a few different options available to celebrate ceremonies and rooms for events.