Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re planning a wedding or your annual company holiday party, we know selecting a venue and planning an event comes with plenty of questions! We’ve answered our most common questions to hopefully check these details off your planning list. Of course, our event team is happy to answer additional questions via email, phone, or during a tour of The Grande Hall or Twenty Grande.
General Booking Questions
Do I need to schedule a tour or can I just stop by?
We kindly request that all tours are by appointment only. We often host events throughout the week or are in the midst of an event setup. Please let us know what date(s) you are considering and request a time to tour HERE.
When should we reserve The Grande Hall?
Popular dates tend to book quickly so we recommend that as soon as you know your date and schedule a tour that you should reserve your event as soon as possible. We do not hold dates so only a signed contract with a retainer paid guarantees your reservation.
Do you hold dates?
Unfortunately, we cannot hold dates. Dates are reserved on a first come first serve basis with a signed contract and booking payment.
Where do guests park for The Grande Hall?
There are multiple parking solutions at The Grande Hall including valet parking, paid garage parking in the Arts Garage directly across the street from The Grande hall, and on street metered parking readily available. Be sure to read our parking page for more information including hotel suggestions.
The parking attendant which ensures the Arts Garage is accessible for your event is included in your rental fee. This includes access to the garage 1.5 hours before your event’s starting time and 1 hour after your event ends. From there you have your choice of two parking options.
Parking Option One: Guests pay for their own parking. It’s $10 per car.
Parking Option Two: The client pays for parking post event. Guests alert the parking attendant that they are attending an event at The Grande Hall, and the cars will be tallied. After the event, you will receive an updated contract with a line item for the total cost and number of cars parked in the Arts Garage. If you want to cover the cost of parking for your guests, please inform your venue contact 90 days prior to your event.
Where do guests park for Twenty Grande?
In order for the Arts Garage to be open, a parking attendant must be reserved at a rate of $25 per hour with a 4 hour minimum. The parking attendant cost is not included with your rental of Twenty Grande. See Parking Options 1 & 2 mentioned above for options available after securing a parking attendant. If you want to cover the cost of parking for your guests, please inform your venue contact 90 days prior to your event.
How many hours of event time is included with The Grande Hall rental?
With the rental of The Grande Hall depends upon which type of event you are planning. Please be sure to check what is included on either the wedding page or the corporate events page. You also have adequate set up and tear down time included outside of your ‘actual event time.’ Additional hours of ‘event time’ are available for purchase, if needed.
Rental of Twenty Grande is per hour and requires a 3 hour minimum.
What spaces are included with rental?
For a wedding or corporate event, all spaces within The Grande Hall at Liberty Tower are included with your rental: The Grande Hall, Mezzanine Level, Dressing Suite, Director’s Room, Bank Vault, and a few storage spaces. For a small additional charge, you can add Twenty Grande onto your Grande Hall rental for additional getting ready space, breakout sessions, or for wedding/event day photography studio space.
Rental of Twenty Grande grants you access to just the space allocated on the twentieth floor of Liberty Tower for the hours you rented.
Is event security provided?
Yes. One security guard is included with the venue rental with a manned desk near the front entrance.
Catering and Bar
What are our catering options?
We have partnered with three of Dayton’s top catering companies that offer a wide variety of menus and food service styles. They are all full-service caterers and also offer bartending solutions. If you have specific catering needs based on religious or cultural needs, we can work with you to ensure all of your catering concerns are met.
Catering for Twenty Grande is a little different due to the smaller events hosted within that space. You are welcome to use one of our preferred catering partners or can bring in your own just for Twenty Grande. Be sure to ask our team for more information.
How do we book with one of your caterers?
The Grande Hall does not handle catering or bar orders directly. Please be sure to visit each caterers website and complete their contact form to check their availability and to start discussing menu options. They all provide different tasting options as well.
Can we bring in our own alcohol?
Yes! You may bring in your own alcoholic beverages for hosted bars served by one of our catering partners or a licensed and approved bartending company. If you are bringing your own alcohol, but still wish to serve our signature drink the ‘Dog Easy,’ please let us know in advance and we’ll make sure you have all the correct ingredients on your shopping list.
Because we do not charge for venue bar packages priced per person this can save you on average $2,500 for an event for 200 guests! This is a BIG venue perk worth cheering about!
Are outside snacks and trays permitted?
Outside food/snacks and drinks are permitted prior to the wedding ceremony. Many of our couples who get ready at The Grande Hall bring in sandwich trays or fruit/veggie trays to enjoy while getting ready. It is not allowed after the start of the event. Please no drinks in glass bottles.
Cakes, desserts, and late night snacks are permitted by the vendor of your choice.
Planning Questions
How many tables and chairs are included with The Grande Hall?
The Grande Hall provides ample tables and chairs up to capacity to cover the majority of what you would need for your event: (35) 5ft round tables, (10) 6ft banquet tables, (12) 8ft banquet tables, (5) tall bistro tables, and (300) beautiful Diamond Back Mahogany Chiavari chairs.
Are table linens and decor included?
No, linens and decor are not included in your venue rental. Prime Time Party and Event Rental is our preferred linen and rental company. We can even help you manage your rental order. Final adjustments must be made within two weeks of your event date based up your final RSVP guest count. All payments are made directly to Prime Time.
Visit Prime Time Party Rental online or in their West Carrolton showroom to start a quote for budgeting purposes. Keep in mind these linen sizes for our tables:
120” linen for 5ft round guest table
90” x 156” linen for 8ft banquet table
90” x 132” linen for 6ft banquet table
120” linen for tall bistro tables (standing height tables)
The venue rental fee does not cover the cost of any decorating or tables/chairs that aren’t indicated above.
How does a room flip work when you transition from a ceremony to reception at The Grande Hall?
Dressed tables are setup around the perimeter of the room and ceremony chairs are set theater-style on the marble floors down the center of the room. After the wedding party exits the ceremony, the officiant/MC announces to guests to move to the Mezzanine Bar level to enjoy cocktail hour (there are two sets of marble stairs and a lift for those with mobility needs).
While guests enjoy cocktail hour, our staff and your catering team move tables and chairs into place based upon the floor plan decides two weeks before your event date. At the end of cocktail hour, guests return to a beautifully set ballroom.
How does event set-up work?
The Grande Hall sets up all tables, chairs, and linens rented from Prime Time Party Rental.
If The Grande Hall’s event calendar permits, you potentially can drop off decor and set-up the day prior to your event.
If set-up occurs the day of your event, tables, chairs and linens will be set prior to your arrival.
The Grande Hall staff does not place/set-up any other decor like flowers, draping, specialty rentals, or escort cards.
Are there any vendor restrictions?
Catering services for The Grande Hall event space must be provided by one of our preferred caterers: Elite Catering and Events, Kohler Catering or Rich Taste Catering. Please contact the caterers directly for pricing and menu options.
Catering services for the Twenty Grande event space may be provided by a caterer of your choice.
All special event lighting must be provided by our in-house lighting production company, BLC Entertainment. The only exception is ground supported dance floor lighting provided by your DJ.
Low lying fog for your dance floor may only be provided by BLC Entertainment.
Cold sparkler effect machines may only be provided by Legacy Event Group (who also offer DJ services).
As you start planning, we do have a recommended vendor list for a variety of event service providers. This list is only a recommendation as these vendors routinely work at The Grande Hall and consistently provide our clients with a great experience. Be sure to ask about it when you book.
Does The Grande Hall have built-in audio?
No, there is no built-in house audio system or microphones. However, your contact at The Grande Hall can provide you with pricing and audio support from our on-site production company.
Do you have Dressing Suites?
Yes, we have one very well appointed dressing suite that is typical used as a bridal suite. This space includes lockers, three hair and makeup stations, plenty of mirrors, hooks, outlets, and private access to the women’s restroom. Access to the dressing suites can begin as early as 8:30am.
Groomsmen typically arrive dressed or use The Director’s Room located on the Mezzanine Level. Once the Board of Director’s Room for the bank, this masculine space features walnut veneer walls, large conference table, and plenty of space for the guys to get ready in style. You can also rent Twenty Grande for additional getting ready space or for photos.
Is live flame permitted?
Yes, candles with live flames are allowed as long as the flame is completely contained in a candle holder.
Who can access the rooftop photos?
Weather and season permitting*, wedding couples and their photographer and videographer may use the rooftop for wedding photography. This needs written into your wedding day timeline as you do have to be accompanied by a Liberty Tower staff member.
*Note: The Grande Hall for the last few years has been home to a nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons, which are quite aggressive and known for being the fastest bird on the planet. If there are eggs or hatchlings in the nest, for your safety rooftop photos are NOT permitted.