What started in 1918 as one of the largest hotels in the world is now home to three of the best rooms in Cleveland, Ohio to hold a wedding. The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, located at the heart of Downtown and attached to Tower City Center, was originally designed to be the standard for opulence in the 1920’s and many of the design elements put in place ninety years ago remain to this day. Over the last nine decades, the hotel has changed ownership several times, and each transaction brought with it renovations and revitalization which helps it blend up to date features with truly period decor.
Main Lobby
The main lobby on the second floor might just be one of the most grand and stunning spaces in all of Cleveland. I love the color and texture palette the space provides and we have used it many times as a location for photos with the bride and groom and bridal party.
The lobby can even serve as a cocktail hour location for receptions taking place in the Ambassador Room
Grand Ballroom
At 22,600 square feet, the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance is the largest wedding reception space in Cleveland, accommodating up to 1,000 guests. As the newest and most modern feeling of the three available spaces, the Grand Ballroom offers the most options and flexibility with regard to custom draping, lighting, sound, and production in general. The space is large enough that with the right draping, the room can be divided in two halves; one half set up for the ceremony, and one half set up for the reception, with cocktail hour in the Grand Balcony.
A wedding ceremony on the main stage of the Grand Ballroom.
Gold Ballroom
The Gold Ballroom is one of the original 1918 spaces which has been restored several times, but always back to its original splendor. While still able to accommodate up to 350 guests, it provides a more intimate environment for a wedding reception. This room really shines with some well planned and well placed event lighting as you can see in some of the photos below. The connected Whitehall Room and Gold assembly areas can be used for cocktail hour before dinner.
Ambassador Ballroom
The Ambassador Ballroom, just off the main lobby, is the smallest of the three rooms, but the most recently renovated. Like the Gold Ballroom, the restorations have taken it back to its 1918 splendor with stunning floor to ceiling windows, delicately painted original ornate molding, and chandeliers. In our opinion, the Ambassador Room doesn’t really need any draping or up-lighting; the room is gorgeous enough as is.
Over the years we have also had the pleasure of getting to know Terri, Elissa and Jackie, the wonderful ladies who take care of the couples lucky enough to have a wedding at the Renaissance. If you call them, be sure to tell them we said hi!
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