( Menu )
Table of Contents / Quick Links
- The Colony Club Detroit: Venue Details
- The Story Behind The Colony Club
- Colony Club Detroit Wedding Cost?
- The Colony Wedding Packages
- How to Book The Colony Club
- Food, Drinks & Menu Options
- Wedding Spaces at The Colony Club Detroit
- Planning Your Colony Club Detroit Wedding
- Sample Colony Club Wedding Timelines
- Wedding Photos Around Detroit
- Colony Club Wedding FAQ’s
If you’re planning a Colony Club Detroit wedding, you’ve probably already fallen a little in love with this place. I feel like it’s impossible not to. The historic architecture, grand ballrooms, beautiful staircase, and being right in the heart of downtown Detroit gives you so much to work with when planning your day.
As a Detroit wedding photographer, I’ve photographed quite a few weddings at The Colony Club over the years, so I’ve gotten to know the venue pretty well! In this guide, I’m sharing everything you’ll want to know while planning, including the different spaces, current pricing, capacity, where to take photos, and a few things I’ve learned from actually photographing weddings here.
Last updated October 2026. Venue details and pricing can change, so I always recommend checking The Colony Club’s current wedding resource book or confirming details directly with the venue.
The Colony Club Detroit Wedding Venue Details
The Colony Club is a historic wedding venue located at 2310 Park Avenue in downtown Detroit, just steps from some of the city’s most recognizable architecture and photo locations. The building dates all the way back to the 1920s and has multiple event spaces, including its well-known Grand Ballroom and Petite Ballroom. Below are a few quick details to know if you’re considering a Colony Club Detroit wedding:
- Location: Downtown Detroit, Michigan
- Address: 2310 Park Avenue, Detroit, MI
- Website: forbesdetroit.com/colony-club.php
- Instagram: @colonyclubdetroit
- Tiktok: @colonyclubdetroit
- Largest capacity: 500 guests
- Ceremony & reception: Both can take place on-site
- Getting ready: Private suites are available
- Catering & bar: Provided in-house through Forbes Hospitality
- Parking: On-site parking options available via Comerica Garage
- Best for: Couples looking for a historic Detroit wedding venue with elegant architecture and plenty of indoor space
Love a Little History? Here’s The Story Behind The Colony Club
If you’re a fellow history lover, you’ll probably appreciate knowing a little bit about the building you’re getting married in! The Colony Club dates back to the 1920s, when the Women’s Colony Club of Detroit commissioned a permanent home on Park Avenue. The building was designed by Detroit architecture firm Smith, Hinchman & Grylls and officially opened in November 1929.
Nearly a century later, so much of that history is still part of what makes weddings here feel special. The Grand Ballroom was designed with Louis XVI influences, and you can see those details throughout the room. With ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and the mezzanine overlooking the ballroom, you’re celebrating inside a real piece of Detroit history. And I think that makes The Colony Club even more fun to photograph!
How Much Does a Colony Club Detroit Wedding Cost?
Okay, let’s talk numbers because I know this is probably one of the first things you’re wondering! The cost of a Colony Club Detroit wedding will depend on the ballroom you choose, your date, guest count, and package. Based on their current pricing, wedding packages start around $157 per person.
I’ve broken down more pricing below as we look at each space. One important thing to know is that the minimum isn’t simply another fee added to your total. It includes your ballroom rental, food and drinks, service charge, and tax.
Pricing is based on information available as of October 2026 and may change for 2027 and 2028 weddings.
Colony Club Detroit Wedding Packages
The Colony Club currently offers three wedding packages, starting at $157 per person. All three include quite a bit beyond dinner and drinks, which is great when you’re trying to figure out what your actual wedding budget might look like. The biggest differences you’ll find in the packages come down to your meal and a few extra food and drink options.
What Each Package Includes
- 4.5 hours of premium bar service
- Plated meal service
- Deluxe coffee and tea station
- Chiavari chairs
- Full-length linens and napkins
- Door host
- Coat check, weather permitting
- Wedding suite
- Parking
- Cake service
- Floor plan
- Menu tasting
- Dedicated Event Manager
The Madison Package | $157 Per Person
The Madison is the starting package and includes everything listed above. It also includes a champagne toast for the head table. Couples can choose two entrée selections, plus vegetarian and vegan options.
The Grand Package | $167 Per Person
The Grand Package includes a champagne toast for all guests instead of only the head table. Dinner includes one duo entrée, with vegetarian and vegan options also available.
The Versailles Package | $209 Per Person
The Versailles is the most inclusive of the three packages. Along with a champagne toast for all guests, it includes house wine poured with dinner and a pasta course. The coffee and tea station is also served with a fresh fruit display. Dinner includes one duo entrée, plus vegetarian and vegan options.
Package pricing and inclusions were last verified in October 2026 and may change for 2027 and 2028 weddings.
How to Book The Colony Club for Your Wedding
If The Colony Club is starting to feel like the one, the venue recommends beginning with a tour. From there, you’ll complete their wedding questionnaire so the team can create a proposal and contract based on your date and plans.
To officially hold your wedding date, The Colony Club currently requires a signed contract and $5,000 non-refundable deposit. Additional payments are made in installments leading up to the wedding, with the final balance due at least one week before your date.
Food, Drinks & Menu Options at The Colony Club
The Colony Club handles food and bar service in-house, and there are honestly a LOT of options. I’m not going to bore you with every entrée, appetizer, dessert, and bottle behind the bar. 😂 The venue has a really thorough wedding resource book where you can find all of those nitty-gritty details.
What I will do is give you a few things I think are worth knowing before you dive into all of that!
Your meal choices depend on the wedding package you select. The Madison Package includes two entrée selections, plus vegetarian and vegan options. The Grand and Versailles Packages include one dinner duo, plus vegetarian and vegan options.
There are plenty of ways to add onto your package, too. Think passed appetizers, food displays, additional dinner courses, desserts, late-night snacks, wine upgrades, and signature drinks. And yes, a Detroit coney dog station is currently one of the late-night options!
Your Wedding Tasting
Once your initial deposit is received, your package includes a complimentary tasting for two at the Gem Theatre. You can currently bring up to four additional guests for $60 per person. Tastings are typically held during the week and scheduled through your sales manager.
A Few Food & Bar Details Worth Knowing
There are a few smaller details I think are worth knowing ahead of time:
- Outside caterers and dessert vendors aren’t permitted, with the exception of your wedding cake.
- Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. Chicken and beef entrées are currently halal.
- If you offer multiple entrée choices, you’ll need an escort card for each guest showing their meal selection.
- The bar closes for one hour after cocktail hour to help keep the reception timeline moving.
- Additional bar time is available for an added per-person cost.
If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, I’d always confirm everything directly with your Event Manager.
And if you do want to know every last detail, you can browse The Colony Club’s full wedding resource book here. It covers current menus, bar selections, enhancements, policies, pricing, and pretty much anything else you could want to know!
Wedding Spaces at The Colony Club Detroit
One of the nice things about having your wedding at The Colony Club is that there’s several spaces throughout the building that can be used during the day. Whether you’re planning a bigger wedding or something a little smaller, you don’t necessarily have to leave the venue between getting ready, your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
The Bridal Suite | Getting-Ready Space
The bridal suite has plenty of room to settle in. There’s a large full-length mirror, which is perfect for those final dress photos and last minute checks before heading out. The suite also has its own private bathroom, which is so convenient on a wedding day.
The Groom’s Suite | Getting-Ready Space
The groom’s suite is set up more like a comfortable lounge. There’s a TV, mini fridge, furniture for hanging out, and a large table. You can play cards, have a drink, or just sit around and talk before it’s time to get dressed.
Just keep in mind that venue access begins up to three hours before your contracted event start time. Depending on your timeline, you may want to do part of your getting-ready time elsewhere before heading to The Colony Club.
The Grand Ballroom | Ceremony & Reception Space
The Grand Ballroom is probably the space you immediately picture when you think of a Colony Club wedding. It’s on the third floor and has those huge chandeliers, tall windows, detailed ceilings, and a mezzanine overlooking the room. It’s definitely grand, but it also photographs so beautifully once it’s filled with your people, tables, florals, and all of the little details you chose for your day.
The ballroom can be used for both your ceremony and reception, which makes it really convenient if you want to keep everything in one place. The Grand Ballroom is the larger of The Colony Club’s two ballrooms. The venue itself has an overall capacity of up to 350 guests, although your ballroom capacity will depend on your wedding layout.
And as a wedding photographer, I just love that there’s so many good angles in here. I love being able to photograph from the main floor and then head upstairs to the mezzanine for a totally different view of the room. It’s also fun once everyone is on the dance floor!
Grand Ballroom Pricing:
- Venue capacity: 275 guests, or 350 with mezzanine seating
- Rental fee: $2,500
- Ceremony fee: $1,500
- Monday–Thursday minimum: $19,000
- Friday minimum: $26,000
- Saturday minimum: $35,000
- Sunday minimum: $19,000
- Peak-season Saturday minimum: $40,000 in May, June, September, and October
You can also buy out the building to include the Petite Ballroom for an additional $7,500, on top of the rental fee.
The Petite Ballroom | Ceremony & Reception Space
If you’re planning a smaller Colony Club wedding, the Petite Ballroom gives you that same historic Detroit feel without quite as much space to fill. It’s located on the fourth floor and still has so much of the character that makes this venue special, with chandeliers, tall windows, beautiful architectural details, three adjacent sections, and tons of natural light.
The Petite Ballroom can accommodate up to 120 guests for a seated reception, making it a really nice option if you want your wedding to feel a little more intimate. You can still have your ceremony and reception right at The Colony Club, but the room feels much more connected when you have a smaller guest list.
I also love that choosing the Petite Ballroom doesn’t mean you miss out on all the other beautiful parts of the building for photos. We can still use the staircases, hallways, exterior, and other available spaces throughout The Colony Club, so there’s plenty of variety without having to leave the venue.
Petite Ballroom Pricing:
- Venue capacity: 120 guests
- Rental fee: $2,500
- Ceremony fee: $1,000
- Monday–Thursday minimum: $12,000
- Friday minimum: $12,000
- Saturday minimum: $15,000
- Sunday minimum: $12,000
The Drawing Room | Cocktail Hour & Lounge Space
The Drawing Room is on the second floor and is another space you could use throughout your wedding day at The Colony Club. It has a different feel from the ballrooms, with darker wood details, a fireplace, and more of that cozy, historic character. Depending on how your wedding is set up, it can be used for things like cocktail hour or as an additional space for guests.
It’s also one of those spots I love having available for photos! The darker, moodier feel gives us something totally different from the bright ballrooms.
Bar Charles | Cocktail Hour & Private Event Space
Bar Charles is The Colony Club’s newly renovated bar and lounge on the first floor. It has a moodier, more modern feel while still fitting in so well with the history of the building. It can be reserved for private events and cocktail hours, giving your guests another space to hang out between different parts of the day.
And selfishly, I love a good bar moment for photos! If we have access to Bar Charles during your wedding, it’s such a fun spot for a few portraits that feel a little different from everything we’ve taken upstairs.
Planning Your Colony Club Detroit Wedding
There’s a few things that are really helpful to know before your wedding day at The Colony Club. From when you can access the building to parking and catering, knowing these details ahead of time can make planning so much easier.
Venue Access & Wedding Day Timing
You and your vendors can access The Colony Club up to three hours before your contracted event start time. Guests can begin arriving 30 minutes before your event starts. Food and beverage service also begins at your contracted start time.
This is something we’ll want to keep in mind when building your photography timeline. If you’re getting ready elsewhere, having a church ceremony, or taking portraits around Detroit, we can plan everything around when we can access the venue.
At the end of the night, vendors have one hour after your contracted end time to break everything down and load out. Anything you or your vendors brought into the building also needs to leave that night, so this is worth discussing with your planner and vendor team ahead of time.
Parking at The Colony Club
Wedding guests park in the nearby Comerica Garage. Your group will receive a four-digit PIN to use for parking, and The Colony Club recommends sharing those instructions with guests before the wedding.
One thing to know is that valet parking isn’t permitted. I’d definitely include the garage information with your invitations or wedding website so everyone knows where they’re going!
Catering, Menu Planning & Final Guest Count
Food and drinks are handled in-house by The Colony Club, so outside catering generally isn’t permitted. You can still bring in your wedding cake from an outside bakery. The venue also allows a limited number of outside kosher meals when needed.
Your package and entrée selections are due six months before your wedding. Your final guaranteed guest count is due two weeks before. The exact entrée options also depend on which wedding package you choose, so this is something you’ll finalize with your Event Manager.
Will There Be Another Wedding at The Colony Club?
Possibly! When you book The Colony Club, you have exclusive access to the rooms included in your contract. Common areas like the first-floor hallways, elevators, stairwells, and restrooms can still be shared.
If you’re having your wedding in the Grand Ballroom, another event may be happening in the Petite Ballroom on the same day. Grand Ballroom couples currently have the option to add a $7,500 building buyout to include the Petite Ballroom. This fee is separate from the ballroom rental and doesn’t count toward your minimum wedding guarantee.
Decor, Uplighting & Other Add-Ons
The Colony Club already has so much character, but there are a few ways to customize the space even more. The venue offers architectural uplighting, pipe and drape for the Grand Ballroom, custom monogram lighting, and staging for an additional cost.
One important thing to know is that outside uplighting and staging isn’t allowed. If you have something specific in mind, I’d talk with your Event Manager before booking those extras through another vendor!
Sample Colony Club Detroit Wedding Timelines
Wondering what your wedding day at The Colony Club could actually look like? I’ve photographed quite a few weddings here, and one thing I’ve learned is that no two days look exactly the same!
Below are a couple of real wedding timelines to give you an idea of how everything can flow. Whether you’re having your ceremony at The Colony Club or somewhere else in Detroit, we’ll work together to create a timeline that leaves room for the photos you love without making your day feel rushed.
Colony Club Wedding Timeline With an Off-Site Ceremony
This couple had their ceremony at a church before heading into Detroit for portraits and finishing the evening at The Colony Club. It’s a great example of how you can incorporate multiple locations into your day while still having plenty of time to celebrate!
- 11:30 AM: Getting-ready photos and wedding details
- 12:10 PM: Bride gets dressed, followed by first looks with bridesmaids and family
- 1:30 PM: Wedding ceremony at church
- 2:35 PM: Marriage license signing and family portraits
- 3:30 PM: Wedding party and couple portraits around Detroit
- 4:50 PM: Arrive at The Colony Club for additional portraits
- 5:45 PM: Private reception space reveal
- 6:00 PM: Cocktail hour and candid guest photos
- 7:15 PM: Grand entrance, cake cutting, and speeches
- 7:35 PM: Dinner
- 8:45 PM: First dance and parent dances
- 9:00 PM: Open dancing
Wedding Timeline With a Ceremony at The Colony Club
This couple started getting ready at a nearby hotel before heading to The Colony Club for their first look, portraits, ceremony, and reception. It’s a great example of how you can keep most of your wedding day in one place while still making time for everything that matters to you!
- 8:15 AM: Makeup begins, with hairstyling starting later in the morning.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch and final getting-ready preparations
- 1:00 PM: Photography coverage begins with wedding details
- 1:45 PM: Wedding party heads to The Colony Club
- 2:10 PM: Getting dressed and final touches
- 2:45 PM: First look
- 3:00 PM: Couple portraits
- 3:45 PM: Wedding party portraits
- 5:00 PM: Wedding ceremony
- 5:30 PM: Cocktail hour and family photos
- 6:20 PM: Optional golden-hour portraits
- 6:30 PM: Grand entrance, cake cutting, and speeches
- 7:00 PM: Dinner
- 8:10 PM: First dance and parent dances
- 8:20 PM: Open dancing
- 9:30 PM: Late-night snacks
- 10:45 PM: Reception ends
These are just examples, and your wedding day doesn’t need to follow either one exactly! I’ll help you build a timeline around your plans, your priorities, and the moments you want to make room for, so you can actually enjoy the day instead of watching the clock.
Wedding Photos Around Detroit
One of the best parts about having a Colony Club Detroit wedding is how close you are to so many great photo locations. You definitely don’t have to take every portrait at the venue itself!
Detroit Institute of Arts Wedding Photos
The Detroit Institute of Arts is always such a good stop if you want that classic, elegant Detroit look in your wedding photos. The marble exterior, tall columns, and steps give us a lot to work with and we don’t even need a ton of time here.
For this wedding, we stopped at the DIA after the ceremony for portraits before heading to The Colony Club. I love how the timeless backdrop gave their photos a different feel from what we captured later at the reception.
Michigan Central Wedding Photos
We also made a stop at Michigan Central for another round of portraits, and I LOVE how much variety it added to their gallery. The architecture here feels a little more dramatic and distinctly Detroit, especially with the building towering behind you.
This is why I love planning a little extra time for portraits around the city when the timeline allows. We were able to photograph them somewhere different before heading to The Colony Club, without turning their entire afternoon into one long photoshoot.
Columbia Street & Comerica Park Wedding Photos
You don’t have to go far from The Colony Club for another completely different backdrop. Columbia Street is right in Detroit’s entertainment district near Comerica Park, with brick walkways and the city vibes you. It made such a fun spot for wedding party photos before heading back to The Colony Club.
Is The Colony Club Right For Your Detroit Wedding?
If you love historic architecture and want to celebrate right in downtown Detroit, The Colony Club gives you so much work with. You can have your ceremony and reception in one place, choose between two ballrooms, and keep catering and bar service in-house.
It’s also a great option if you want Detroit to feel like part of your wedding day. You’re close to some of my favorite portrait locations, including the DIA and Michigan Central. We can build those stops into your timeline or keep everything right at the venue. There’s so much flexibility to make the day feel like yours.
And after photographing several weddings here, I already know my way around! I can help you plan a timeline that makes sense, find time for the photos you care about, and actually enjoy your wedding instead of spending the whole day rushing from one thing to the next.
Colony Club Wedding FAQ’s
The ceremony fee depends on which ballroom you choose. A ceremony in the Grand Ballroom is currently $1,500, while the Petite Ballroom ceremony fee is $1,000. These fees are separate from the ballroom rental and minimum wedding guarantee.
There isn’t one set price because your total depends on the ballroom, wedding package, date, and guest count. Current wedding packages start at $157 per person, while minimum wedding guarantees range from $12,000 to $40,000, depending on the ballroom and date.
The Grand Ballroom can accommodate 275 guests, or up to 350 with mezzanine seating. The Petite Ballroom accommodates up to 120 guests, making it an option for smaller weddings.
Yes! Both the Grand Ballroom and Petite Ballroom can be used for your wedding ceremony and reception. There is an additional ceremony fee based on which ballroom you choose.
Yes. Parking is included with the current wedding packages at the nearby Comerica Garage. Your group receives a four-digit PIN that guests can use for parking. Valet parking is not permitted.
Yes. The Grand and Petite Ballrooms can host separate events on the same day. If you book the Grand Ballroom and want access to the Petite Ballroom as well, there is currently a $7,500 building buyout option.
Meet Sheree, Detroit Wedding Photographer
Hi, I’m Sheree! I’m a Detroit wedding photographer serving couples throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan. I’ve photographed quite a few weddings at The Colony Club over the years, and it’s one of those Detroit venues I genuinely love coming back to.
I’ve always been drawn to the feeling of films and the moments that aren’t perfectly polished. The laughter, happy tears, people you love being completely themselves, and all the little things happening around you are what make your wedding yours. That’s what I want your photos to bring you back to.
And if you’re already thinking, “But we’re SO awkward in front of the camera,” you’re in good company. 😂 Almost every couple tells me that, and my answer is always the same: you can’t do this wrong. I’ll give you direction when you need it, keep things light, and never leave you wondering what to do with your hands. When you don’t need me, I’ll step back and document what’s happening around you.
If you’re planning a Colony Club Detroit wedding and this sounds like what you want your photos to feel like, I’d love to hear what you’re planning! You can learn a little more about me on my about page or head over to my contact page when you’re ready to chat.
Sheree Danel Photography | Detroit Wedding Photographer
October 8, 2026
The Colony Club Detroit Wedding Guide: Cost, Capacity, Real Photos
SHEREE DANEL
