Downtown Convenience & Industrial Charm at The Waddell Center

The Waddell Center in Downtown Grand Rapids offers modern amenities and conveniences in a unique space bursting with industrial charm – without sacrificing space and affordability. Originally built in 1866 as a furniture manufacturer, The Waddell Center has been custom-designed and renovated by local architects and is now available for wedding ceremonies and receptions. 

“We have a vintage touch,” explains Events Coordinator Bre Warner. “The original brick walls and high wood beam ceilings create a very open space that we have transformed into a modernized venue to fit every mold.” 

Photo sourced from The Waddell Center

The venue can accommodate events with up to 250 seated guests or 300 guests for cocktail-style events – and includes tables, chairs, linens, and tableware, as well as setup and teardown. The Waddell Center also offers event coordination assistance, helping couples with timelines, vendor communications, and rehearsal coordination the day before the event. 

One of the center’s most unique offerings is its ample parking space – a rarity in downtown Grand Rapids. The Waddell Center has space for up to 150 vehicles and is available for guests to use as 24-hour overnight parking. 

“Our biggest asset would be our 24-hour overnight parking lot,” Bre says. “Downtown parking can be a nightmare, so it is a big factor for guests when they learn our parking is not only easily accessible but also available for them to leave their vehicles in overnight.” 

Photo sourced from The Waddell Center

Beyond the reception, The Waddell Center also offers a dedicated space for ceremonies conveniently connected to the larger reception space. If not used for a ceremony, the space can instead be turned into a lounge area for guests to enjoy during the reception.

The Waddell Center exclusively uses Distinctive Catering for food and bar services, which includes a wide range of budget-friendly packages. Beyond catering and bar services, The Waddell Center allows couples to partner with any needed external vendors and also offers an extensive list of partner vendors for couples to consider. 

“We are proud to not only be a very affordable venue but to also partner with a very affordable and flexible catering and bar services vendor,” explains Bre. “They have a huge selection and variety of food, as well as multiple levels of service, all customizable to the guests’ needs and budgets.” 

Photo sourced from The Waddell Center

The Waddell Center stands out as a venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions, especially because of how easy and seamless the process is, explains Bre. 

“Our guests especially love the ease of the process of working with The Waddell Center,” Bre states. “Their venue, food, and bar are all in one space, and there is very little effort required from our couples.” 

Photo sourced from The Waddell Center