When can my vendors start setting up (flowers, cake, band, etc)?

Our staff arrives two hours prior to your event but the building has a 24-hour lobby attendant. If by chance the ballroom is not booked the evening(s) prior to your reception, you are more than welcome to come in early to decorate, setup, and drop off items.

Do you allow outside vendors?

We are happy to provide you with a list of recommendations based on our past experiences with bakers, musicians, DJs, lighting, photographers, and more. However, we do not require that you use our recommendations and you will not be charged for outside / new vendors. Homemades by Suzanne is the exclusive on-site caterer for The John Marshall Ballrooms.  We do not allow outside catering (with exceptions of cakes and desserts). Homemades by Suzanne has been voted one of Richmond’s Best Caterers by the readers of Richmond Magazine a whole bunch of times!

Can I also have my ceremony at the John Marshall?

Yes, the ballrooms make a lovely site for your ceremony. Our staff will take care of turning the room from ceremony to reception while guests enjoy a cocktail hour in the lobby. Rehearsal time can be reserved the prior evening and we offer a complimentary dressing suite. Please note there is an additional ceremony fee.

What size are your seating tables and how many seats/guests do they accommodate?

We have five-foot rounds that best accommodate 8 guests for a seated dinner and 10 for a cocktail buffet with no place setting. We also have eight-foot rectangular tables for a special wedding party table and smaller four foot and three-foot rounds for the cake and sweetheart tables.

You mentioned house linens were included along with tables, chairs, dishware, and glassware; are there linen options?

Our house linens are a light gold/champagne brocade (floor length with topper), the newly purchased ballroom chairs offer a padded natural color fabric. The dishware & glassware are bone china and crystal, and the flatware is a simply gorgeous Old English style pattern. We can also rent alternate linens, toppers, or chairs at an additional cost or you can supply your own.

How many people do your ballrooms accommodate?

This is a tricky question as every event differs in table, dance floor, and seating needs. The Marshall Ballroom can accommodate 150 for a plated dinner with a dance floor and up to 250 for a cocktail buffet with limited seating. The Virginia Ballroom can seat up to 290 on the main floor with a dance floor and an additional 100 on the balcony (up to 650 for a cocktail buffet with limited seating and up to 360 for a seated dinner without dancing). We want your guests to feel comfortable and not crowded so these numbers offer space between tables for staff and guests.