The Space
The John Marshall Ballrooms is a grand, historic wedding venue in Richmond, Virginia, set in the former Hotel John Marshall, which opened in 1929 as the largest hotel in Virginia and recently underwent an 80-million-dollar renovation to restore it to its original 1920s grandeur. The historic building once welcomed notable guests including Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, and several U.S. presidents, giving couples a setting rich with genuine glamour and history. With two decadent ballrooms, the John Marshall pairs vintage crystal chandeliers and hand-carved moldings with grand staircases and wraparound balconies. That combination of a restored 1929 hotel, two decadent ballrooms, and 1920s glamour makes the John Marshall Ballrooms a distinctive Richmond choice. For couples who want a grand, historic wedding with vintage chandeliers, hand-carved details, and 1920s glamour in Richmond, John Marshall Ballrooms is a memorable and opulent choice.
Capacity & Layout
The John Marshall Ballrooms offers two decadent ballrooms that give couples remarkable range. The Marshall Ballroom features nine vintage crystal chandeliers and three walls of windows framed by elaborate hand-carved moldings, accommodating up to 350 guests for a ceremony and up to 250 for a seated reception, while the Virginia Ballroom features a grand split staircase leading to a wraparound balcony and seats up to 300 for a ceremony and up to 200 for a seated reception. That variety lets couples host the ceremony in one ballroom and the reception in the other, or use a single grand space, giving the day a natural flow with a genuine indoor weather plan. The restored 1920s architecture gives every part of the celebration a genuinely glamorous character. That combination of two decadent ballrooms, vintage chandeliers, and grand staircases suits weddings from mid-size to grand, keeping the celebration opulent and connected from the ceremony through the last dance in Richmond.
Amenities
The John Marshall Ballrooms pairs its glamorous setting with genuinely full-service amenities. The venue offers a complete, customized wedding experience, including exclusive catering along with linens, tables, chairs, flatware, bone china, and sparkling crystal, so a remarkable amount of the day’s tabletop and dining is handled, with Homemades by Suzanne serving as the exclusive on-site caterer. The restored 1929 hotel, the nine vintage crystal chandeliers, the hand-carved moldings, and the grand split staircase give photographers an opulent, historic range of backdrops. For the entertainment, the enclosed Marshall and Virginia ballrooms give a wedding DJ excellent structure and controlled acoustics to build sound and lighting into, so the reception fills the grand room and the dance floor stays packed at a restored historic Richmond hotel.
Location & Getting There
The John Marshall Ballrooms sits in downtown Richmond, Virginia. That central, downtown location is a genuine advantage for a wedding weekend, since out-of-town guests can stay at nearby Richmond hotels, explore the city’s restaurants, museums, and attractions, and reach everything easily, while Richmond International Airport is a short drive for anyone flying in. The vibrant downtown setting gives guests plenty to enjoy around the wedding. Yet the venue’s restored 1929 architecture, vintage chandeliers, and grand staircases give the celebration a glamorous, historic feel once you arrive. That combination of a restored historic hotel with a central downtown Richmond location is a big part of what draws couples to John Marshall Ballrooms.
Why Couples Book Dow Oak Here
You only get one reception at this venue, so it should be run by a team that already knows how to make a room like it work:
- We have actually performed at this venue, so we plan for its sound, layout, and flow instead of guessing on your night
- One team for your DJ and MC, photo booth, and custom lighting, on a single plan and one contract
- Backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team
- An online planning portal plus a planning call before the day
- More than 3,000 five-star reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and just $400 reserves your date
Wedding DJ FAQ
Have you performed at this venue before?
Yes. Every venue in our directory is one we have actually worked, so we already know how to set up, light, and run the room for a wedding, from ceremony sound to the last dance.
How much is a wedding DJ?
Our wedding DJ packages start at $1,500, and just $400 reserves your date. Your final price depends on add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound.
Do you provide lighting and a photo booth too?
Yes. One team handles your DJ and MC, color-matched uplighting, and a modern photo booth on a single plan.
What happens if our DJ has an emergency?
We always have trained backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team, so someone can step in seamlessly.
How do we book you?
Check your date using the form on this page. We confirm availability, send your pricing, and a $400 deposit reserves your date.
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- Backup DJs & photo booths on call 24/7
- Just $400 reserves your date
- Free setup and teardown, every time
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 by 3,000+ couples and hosts
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