You and your significant other decided to get married? Congratulations! It’s one of the most incredible, memorable events you’ll have in your lives, full of laughter, joy, tears of happiness, and so much more. So why does planning a wedding have to be one of the most stressful things you’ll ever go through? The team at Monona Terrace is here to remove some of the stress and help you plan an unforgettable wedding at our incredible downtown Madison location.
What is the wedding planning process at Monona Terrace?
Monona Terrace has hosted thousands of weddings over the years, and we have the process down to a science. But that doesn’t mean weddings are “cookie cutter.” Every wedding is different, and the Monona Terrace team of Breanne and Marcia is dedicated to making sure your wedding is as unique as you are.
The process begins with a tour of the spectacular event spaces here at Monona Terrace. If you’re from the Madison area, chances are you’ve been here before. But if not, be prepared to be amazed. The design by Frank Lloyd Wright is the perfect blend of form and function. Wright envisioned a convention center that seemed as if it were part of Lake Monona itself, and indeed, the structure extends over the water. It is the crown jewel of the downtown Madison skyline, and the view from our rooftop garden is one of the best in the city. And yes, you can get married on the rooftop garden. It’s one of the premier wedding venues in all of Madison!
Next comes information gathering, and the more details you can provide, the better, such as the number of guests, cuisine preferences, beverages, music, technology needs and more. Don’t worry! Breanne, our Social Sales Manager, knows the questions to ask. While many couples hire a wedding planner, about 80% are doing it themselves and having a knowledgeable wedding event expert is invaluable.
Finally, it comes down to choosing a date and reviewing a contract. Most weddings at Monona Terrace are scheduled up to 18 months in advance, so if you’re in a hurry, you may be out of luck. But you never know, so if you want to get hitched quickly, contact our Social Sales Manager, Breanne, at bchase@mononaterrace.com.
What about catering?
Next to the bride and groom, food and the dining experience are our highest priorities. While we do not allow outside catering (except for wedding cakes, see below), we pride ourselves in providing some of the best gourmet cuisine options in all of Madison. Our culinary staff can handle just about anything, including custom menus for different cultures and tastes.
You may choose from a selection of packages that include hors d’oeuvres, entrees, and desserts for your guests from our sumptuous menu of popular wedding specialties. Or you can go à la carte from our expansive full menu and completely customize your entire wedding menu. Our beverage options are equally spectacular, including champagne, cocktails, wines, and craft keg beers.
For dessert, the wedding cake can often be the star of the show, next to the bride of course! Our in-house pastry chef creates delectable treats, from gourmet cupcakes and cream puffs to cheesecakes and 3-layer decorated display cakes. You may bring your own tiered wedding cake, provided your bakery is a licensed bakery in the State of Wisconsin.
Interested in trying some of our more popular items? We typically offer food showcases in January and March but check with your catering sales manager to see if other options are available.
No one does catering better than Monona Terrace. Our unrivaled guest service, attention to detail, and culinary expertise will delight all your guests. For more information, contact our Senior Sales Manager, Marcia, at mterrones@mononacatering.com.
How many guests can you accommodate?
One thing we’ve noticed over the last year – big weddings are BACK, and we have you covered. We have almost no size limitations and can handle hundreds of guests at a time. But if you prefer a more intimate gathering, we have multiple spaces throughout Monona Terrace that offer incredible views, including two lakeview rooms (these book well in advance) and are ideal for smaller weddings. If you have your heart set on the rooftop garden or other outdoor space, we are always prepared with a rain option, just in case. In all, we have 30 rooms on 3 levels from 350-30,000 square feet of space, so take your pick!
We also know that you may prefer to have the ceremony and the dinner reception in separate locations, which is just fine. Get started outside on the rooftop with ceremony cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, then come inside to the Community Terrace for dinner, dancing, and celebration! We’re here to accommodate your needs.
You can also rest assured you will not be impacted by other events and weddings. While there will likely be other things going on at the convention center, your space is yours, and we are quite adept at keeping events separated.
What about music?
We have the infrastructure in place for a stage, dance floor, high speed internet, and power to accommodate anything from a DJ to a string quartet to a full band. We also have PA systems and mics so you and your guests can make speeches and toasts to the lucky couple. There are noise restrictions, however, especially if your wedding is on the roof (no music at all past 9pm) or in one of our lakeview rooms. It is common for a couple to have separate music for the ceremony and then dancing later and about 75% of couples opt to have a DJ handle their dance music.
What else should I know about having a wedding at Monona Terrace?
The Big Day: When your contract is signed, you will start working with one of our wedding coordinators, who will be with you throughout the entire wedding planning process. Their purpose is to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Parking: We handle large-scale conventions and multi-day events, so we have more than enough parking to accommodate even the largest of wedding parties.
Wi-Fi: We have high speed internet available, which comes in handy, especially if you want to have an interactive digital component to your wedding like a photo booth, QR codes for uploading photos/videos, posting to social, etc.
Price: Monona Terrace is surprisingly affordable given our location, services, dining/beverage options, and the beauty of our space.
Flexibility: We love being able to say “yes” to our guests. Have an elaborate need? Let’s talk!. We’ve had parties arrive by boat from the lake and even a groom arriving on a white horse for a Baraat Indian wedding.
We are here to stay: When planning a wedding 18 months in advance, it’s possible your chosen venue may not be open, and you could be out of your location and even a deposit.
Staff consistency: Having a consistent and experienced staff is more important than you may realize. Many of our staff members have been with us for years, and in many cases, decades. We are true professionals in hospitality, and it shows.
The visuals: Monona Terrace is simply striking and an architecture lover’s dream wedding location. Our space exudes elegance and sophistication. And did we mention the spectacular view? Yeah.
Eco-friendly: In November of 2021, we were certified as a Platinum Level “green building” by the U.S. Green building Council’s LEED-EB program. Learn more here.
Still have questions? You can learn more about having a wedding at Monona Terrace here. Or feel free to schedule a free consultation or give us a call at 608.261.4000.
Contact us today, and let’s start planning your wedding. Remember, Monona Terrace is here to orchestrate your incredible!