In order to hold a ceremony at The Wisconsin Union, ceremonies must be held in conjunction with a wedding reception and in the same room. Requests must be made a minimum of three months, but no earlier than six months, prior to reception date. Requests can be made with the Wisconsin Union Wedding Ceremony Reservation form.
The non-refundable ceremony fees will be processed at the time the ceremony request is made. The Wisconsin Union reserves the right to deny requests that conflict with other Union activities. In these instances, the ceremony fee payment will be applied to the catering food and beverage charges.
General Information on Ceremonies
- The Wisconsin Union building services staff must set up and remove all tables and chairs. Guests or outside vendors may not set up or break down tables or chairs.
- The Wisconsin Union is a large public facility and has numerous events taking place throughout the day (i.e.: bands, parking lot, motor boats, and other social events). Noise may be generated from these external activities that may affect the success of your ceremony.
- The Wisconsin Union does not take responsibility for any left items. At the end of the event, organizers must remove all equipment.
- The Wisconsin Union will guarantee one small room for miscellaneous needs (i.e., dressing rooms, day of event storage). This room is included in the ceremony fee.
- The Wisconsin Union does not guarantee space for wedding ceremony rehearsals. However, members may call Central Reservations two weeks prior to their ceremony to reserve rehearsal space. Reservations are for two hours or less and the room will be available “as is” with no special set-up arrangements provided. The specific rehearsal room cannot be guaranteed, although we will make every effort to reserve the room in which your ceremony will take place.
- A ceremony can be held a maximum of one hour before the reception start time.
Ceremony Fees
Style I: Ceremonies that utilize the existing catered dinner set-up will have a charge of $150.00.
- This is with guests seated at tables.
- Rooms that can accommodate Style I set-up are: Great Hall, Tripp Commons, Main Lounge, and Union South rooms.
OR
Style II: Ceremonies that require a custom set-up will have a charge of $500.00.
- This is with guests seated at chairs set-up in rows.
- See below for further specific room ceremony guidelines:
- Great Hall Ceremony
- Ceremony chairs can be set-up either in the middle or to one side of the room.
- Dining tables will be preset in room and cannot be moved after the rows of chairs are removed.
- A maximum of 150 chairs can be set-up in Great Hall in a lecture/ceremony set-up with a maximum seating of 150 in dining tables.
- Tripp Commons Ceremony
- Ceremony chairs can be set-up either in the middle or to one side of the room.
- Dining tables will be preset in room and cannot be moved after the rows of chairs are removed.
- A maximum of 100 chairs can be set-up in Tripp Commons in a lecture/ceremony set-up with a maximum seating of 100 in dining tables.
- Tripp Deck Ceremony
- Ceremony times must be reviewed and approved by the Wisconsin Union in advance.
- Ceremonies are limited to no more than approximately 30 minutes in length.
- Customer must provide and cover the costs of chairs from an outside vendor. The Wisconsin Union does not provide chairs for Tripp Deck. The maximum number of chairs allowed on Tripp Deck is 250. The Wisconsin Union building services staff must set up and remove all tables and chairs. Guests or outside vendors may not set up or break down tables or chairs.
- Due to possible inclement weather, organizer has the option to have their ceremony inside with guests seated at dining tables. Lecture style seating cannot be set up to accommodate the rain location. The change in location must be decided at least (2) hours before the ceremony beginning time. Group will still be subject to the $500.00 ceremony fee.
- The Union reserves the right to make the rain call on the A/V equipment rented from the Union.
- Minimal sound amplification is permitted on the deck for ceremonies. However, the volume must be kept under 80 decibels.
- The Wisconsin Union Wedding Ceremony Reservation form
For interpretations, resolution of problems, and special situations contact: Wisconsin Union Assistant Director-Facilities Management
