Three new venues for ‘I do’

By Deanna Howard

CORRIDOR — Booking a wedding venue just got a little easier.

There are three very different new options for recently engaged couples – the top of the new Cedar Rapids Public Library, outdoors in the Klopfenstein Amphitheater for the Performing Arts at Lowe Park in Marion, or inside the state of the art Grand Ballroom of the Doubletree by Hilton in downtown.

The library and the Klopfenstein Amphitheater will host their first weddings the first week of May.

The idea that couples would want to wed on the library’s roof is not surprising to Amber Mussman, the library’s community relations manager.

“It is such a beautiful space,” Ms. Mussman said. “I knew that once people saw it that they would think about it for weddings. Nobody has a space like it. It’s pretty spectacular.”

The space known as The Living Learning Room seats 150. In total it is 28,000 square feet, 14,000 of that is walkable. Planters are set up with plants and flowers throughout the space. Visitors can see for miles.

The only downside is the unpredictability of the weather. However, brides and grooms can also book the library’s Whipple Auditorium that seats 200 in theater-style seating directly underneath for peace of mind. Or they can exchange vows in one and have the reception in the other. The auditorium’s two-story view overlooks Greene Square Park.

The library opened in its new space at 450 Fifth Avenue SE in August. When designing the new building, organizers wanted to have more community spaces inside, Ms. Mussman said.

“We love having a connection to people in those moments of their lives when they are celebrating,” she said.

While they are new to the wedding business, they are working to make the spaces as affordable as they can. Both The Living Learning Room and the Whipple Auditorium can be rented out for weddings for $50 an hour each.

While the Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center has been hosting weddings since it opened in 2006, it now has even more of a draw as couples can toast each other under the new Klopfenstein Amphitheater for the Performing Arts. The amphitheater features a 50-foot wide stage with an oak leaf like sculptured canopy. The finishing touches are to be completed this spring.

“Basically it is a sculpture, art, incorporated into a stage the amphitheater,” said Marion Parks and Recreation Director Mike Carolan. “It is a very unique setting. You can go and rent a ballroom, but you won’t get the aesthetics and the atmosphere that is here.”

The pricing structure needs to be finalized by the Marion Park Board, however, it has been recommended to rent the amphitheater out for evening weddings for $500 and to charge $1500 for a day rental of both the amphitheater and the Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center. The center rents for $1000 a day by itself. The building can host up to 350 people and can comfortably seat up to 228. Seating for 1,000 plus can take place at the amphitheater.

Couples wanting a more formal reception will find many options at the Doubletree downtown Cedar Rapids. The convention complex opened in May. The Doubletree’s ballrooms seat between 100 and 550 for banquets. The sound ceiling light system in the Grand Ballroom can change colors to match a couple’s wedding colors or can be synchronized to a special song. The room’s ceiling features architectural waves that symbolize the current of the Cedar River.

The 16th floor Parlor Ballroom overlooks downtown and the Cedar River. The Doubletree also has a 28,000-square-foot, fully carpeted exhibit hall that can be divided into three areas for weddings. Prices vary by space.

“There are a lot of options to accommodate different preferences,” said Bill Tirone, director of sales and marketing for the Doubletree. “We always want to make sure the couples are happy. Some brides and grooms dream of this day all their lives.”

 

Three new area wedding spots

•Cedar Rapids Public Library

450 Fifth Ave. SE

The library’s Living Learning Room is an open green space on the roof, which seats 150. The library’s Whipple Auditorium can also be rented out for weddings. It seats 200. Its two-story view looks out over Greene Square Park. Rates may vary, as the library is just beginning to use the spaces for weddings; currently the spaces can be each be rented out for $50 an hour for weddings. For more information, call (319) 261-READ.

•Klopfenstein Amphitheater for the Performing Arts

Lowe Park, 4500 N. 10th St., Marion

The Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center and Klopfenstein Amphitheater for the Performing Arts, which will be completed by spring and able to be booked for May, can be booked together for a day for $1,500 for a wedding/reception. The building rents separately for $1,000 a day and the amphitheater for $500 for an evening period for weddings and similar events. The building can host up to 350 people and can comfortably seat up to 228. Seating for 1,000 plus can take place at the amphitheater. For more information, call (319) 377-4846.

•Doubletree by Hilton

350 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids

The convention complex offers a number of spaces for weddings and receptions. The Doubletree’s Grand Ballroom’s ceiling features architectural waves that symbolize the current of the Cedar River. The ceiling’s theatrical lighting can be synchronized to songs or set to a certain color for the evening. The Doubletree’s 16th floor Parlor Ballroom overlooks downtown and the Cedar River. The complex’s exhibit hall, which is fully carpeted, can be divided into three sections to fit different wedding needs. Prices vary upon space. For more information, call (319) 731-4444.