Question 1

What transportation and access is available?

Accepted Answer

Parking and wheelchair access.

Question 2

How do I book my wedding at the Colony Club or Gem Theatre?

Accepted Answer

Once you have your date and venue picked out, your sales manager will create a contract and proposal. The contract confirms your event date, time frame, venue, minimum spend requirement, deposit schedule and general estimate. To lock in your event, we require the signed contract and proposal, along with a $5,000 deposit.

Question 3

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash, check, card payments or ACH/wire transfers. Any card transaction is subject to a 3% processing fee added at the time of payment. Checks should be made out to either Twentieth Century Inc. (Gem Weddings) or Colony Club Entertainment (Colony Club Weddings). We can accept personal checks for all payments except the final payment which would require a certified check (cashiers check or money order). Any physical payments should be brought to the Gem Theatre Event Offices at 333 Madison Avenue.

Question 4

Do you allow outside catering?

Accepted Answer

Since we have an amazing in-house catering team, we do not allow outside catering. You are able to bring in a wedding cake from a licensed bakery. Any food or beverage vendors such as a specialty late night station, dessert, cappuccino cart, etc. must be approved by your sales manager prior to contracting that vendor and may be subject to an outside vendor fee.

Question 5

Can you accommodate special dietary restrictions, such as gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, etc.?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We recommend asking during your RSVP process as you will need these details with your final count. Our Chef and his team will provide specialty meals for those guests in need as long as we know ahead of time. During the event, we will do our best to accommodate “on the spot” requests, but there will be delays to prepare something special so the more we know ahead of time, the more seamless dining experience for all guests. *Special Note: Our kitchen does not cook with any nut oils and all chicken and beef entrees are Halal

Question 6

I had a few guests not show up, can I take leftovers home?

Accepted Answer

Forbes Hospitality does not permit the packaging and removal of any food or beverage that is not consumed during the scheduled event, except wedding cake. If you’d like to take leftover cake home, please ask your bakery to provide a box as we do not have boxes on-site.

Question 7

Can we bring in our own alcohol?

Accepted Answer

No outside alcohol is allowed in any of our venues. This includes any alcohol the wedding party may have brought with them from the party bus or limo. Any outside alcohol brought in will be confiscated. Other policies: we do not serve shots. No alcohol can be brought in as favors.

Question 8

Can I hire my own vendors or is there a preferred vendor list we are required to use?

Accepted Answer

Forbes Hospitality does provide a preferred vendor list to all booked couples; however you are welcome to bring in your own vendors. Our list is highly recommended as it is a comprehensive list of vendors who are here quite often, who know our rules and how we operate, and can offer specific suggestions based on our venues. All vendors have access to the building up to three hours before the event start time.

Question 9

Can I bring in an outside dance floor or wrap?

Accepted Answer

We do not allow outside dance floors to be brought in as they mark up and potentially ruin the existing hard wood floors. Dance floor adhesive wraps are also not permitted at either venue. We do not allow anything to be taped or adhered to the floors or walls.

Question 10

My DJ mentioned that he has a fog machine and indoor sparklers! Are those allowed?

Accepted Answer

We do allow indoor sparkler machines that don’t use real flame, as well as the low lying fog (not a fog haze machine).

Question 11

Speaking of real flame, can I bring in real flame candles?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We do allow candles as long as they are enclosed in glass and we try to limit candles to three per table, especially in the summer months. We do not allow real flame or glass to be set on the floor for a ceremony or reception.

Question 12

Any other restrictions on décor?

Accepted Answer

Nothing can be affixed to anything on property, including floors, walls, chandeliers, light fixtures or pillars. Any signage or flower walls must be free standing. Confetti, glitter, bubbles, loose petals and similar items are also prohibited. Remember, all décor must be removed within one hour after the conclusion of the event.

Question 13

I noticed parking is included in all wedding packages, is the garage close? Can we hire a valet company?

Accepted Answer

Both venues include on-site parking at the garage located directly behind each venue. Gem Theatre weddings utilize the Gem Garage at 1901 Brush Street and Colony Club weddings utilize the Comerica Garage at 50 W. Montcalm. Guests will have a very short walk from the garage to the front doors of the venue. We do not allow valet at any venue.

Question 14

Can guests leave their cars overnight in the garage?

Accepted Answer

Yes, guests are able to leave their vehicles overnight as needed, however both garages are not secure overnight and it’s up to the guests own liability.

Question 15

I have a dog that I would love to be involved in the ceremony! Are pets allowed?

Accepted Answer

We love dogs!! They’re more than welcome to attend or be part of the ceremony portion of the event. Ceremony only! No pets are permitted within the building during the cocktail hour or reception.

Question 16

How much time is included in the rental fee?

Accepted Answer

We include 5.5 hours for a reception (includes cocktail hour), with an extra half hour if the ceremony is on-site. You’ll have access to the building, along with all vendors, at least three hours before the start time. You also have up to one hour after the event concludes to load Wedding FAQ’s – Forbes Hospitality out. The average start time for a ceremony or reception is typically within 5:00pm-6:00pm. Midnight is the absolute latest end time we can offer (except for New Years Eve weddings).

Question 17

Each package includes a 4.5 hour bar, but we have 5.5 hours total for the reception? How does that work?

Accepted Answer

That’s correct! The 4.5 hour bar is typically split between cocktail hour and the reception. It’s open for one hour for the cocktail hour, we’ll then close the bar to have guests move to their seats for dinner, and then proceed with some of the traditional reception formalities, such as wedding party introductions, cake cutting, speeches & toasts. On average the bar is closed for one hour and will then be open for the rest of the evening. The bar closure time can be flexible, but must close for at least a half hour in between.

Question 18

Do the venues include air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Both the Gem Theatre and Colony Club have updated HVAC units to keep the temperature controlled all year round. We will also provide a complimentary coat check attendant for any event that weather permits.

Question 19

Are tables and chairs included?

Accepted Answer

60” round tables and a select amount of rectangle tables, along with Chiavari chairs are included with all weddings and events. We also include black or ivory floor length linen, as well as black or ivory napkins. Upgraded napkin colors are available to be added through your sales manager. Outside rental items, such as rental linens, tables, chairs, charger plates, etc. must be approved by the sales manager and delivered at least 48 hours before the day of the wedding.

Question 20

Are the venues handicap accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Both venues have guest elevators that reach each floor. There are no stairs required to enter the Colony Club front doors and the Gem Theatre has a designated entrance to accommodate any guest that may not be able to use the front stairs.

Question 21

Do you require liability insurance from us or any of our vendors?

Accepted Answer

While this is always something to consider looking into, we do not require liability or event insurance. Forbes Hospitality has their own insurance and there is a $500 security deposit added to each contract to cover incidentals. If not used, this security deposit will be refunded to you after the event.

Question 22

We have guests from out of town, when is the earliest we can schedule a ceremony rehearsal?

Accepted Answer

Ceremony rehearsals cannot be booked until 2-4 weeks out from the wedding and are subject to change based on our event calendar. Rehearsals will likely take place on the Wednesday or Thursday before your wedding as we typically are booked Friday through Sunday for private events. Rehearsals are scheduled for 1 hour and lead by your venue manager and officiant. A rehearsal at the venue is neither required nor necessary unless it’s helpful to the couple.

Question 23

Is a day of coordinator or wedding planner included?

Accepted Answer

A day of coordinator or wedding planner is not included or required. There is a venue manager that will be assigned to each couple the week of the wedding and will be the onsite contact throughout the wedding day. The venue manager will be able to assist with some setup items, like place cards, card box, guest book, etc. but will not setup any décor, centerpieces, photobooths, etc. Each couple is responsible for their setup or hiring a florist, decorator or day of coordinator to setup their specialty items.

Question 24

What if we need to postpone or cancel the wedding?

Accepted Answer

Please make sure you are certain before signing the contract – all deposits are nonrefundable and non-transferable.

Question 25

How many weddings does the venue allow within a day?

Accepted Answer

At the Gem Theatre, you’ll have the building all to yourself whether you’re utilizing each of the spaces or not. At the Colony Club, we have two ballrooms on separate floors; the Grand Ballroom on the 3rd floor & mezzanine level, and the Petite Ballroom on the 4th floor. There is the likely possibility that there could be two events on the same day, however we will stagger the start times by at least an hour to avoid all guests entering at the same time. We do offer a building buyout option which would include both ballrooms and provides exclusive access.

The Colony Club

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Frequently asked questions

What transportation and access is available?

How do I book my wedding at the Colony Club or Gem Theatre?

What forms of payment do you accept?

Do you allow outside catering?

Can you accommodate special dietary restrictions, such as gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, etc.?

I had a few guests not show up, can I take leftovers home?

Can we bring in our own alcohol?

Can I hire my own vendors or is there a preferred vendor list we are required to use?

Can I bring in an outside dance floor or wrap?

My DJ mentioned that he has a fog machine and indoor sparklers! Are those allowed?

Speaking of real flame, can I bring in real flame candles?

Any other restrictions on décor?

I noticed parking is included in all wedding packages, is the garage close? Can we hire a valet company?

Can guests leave their cars overnight in the garage?

I have a dog that I would love to be involved in the ceremony! Are pets allowed?

How much time is included in the rental fee?

Each package includes a 4.5 hour bar, but we have 5.5 hours total for the reception? How does that work?

Do the venues include air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter?

Are tables and chairs included?

Are the venues handicap accessible?

Do you require liability insurance from us or any of our vendors?

We have guests from out of town, when is the earliest we can schedule a ceremony rehearsal?

Is a day of coordinator or wedding planner included?

What if we need to postpone or cancel the wedding?

How many weddings does the venue allow within a day?

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