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Pricing information

Reception
$29,871 starting price
Ceremony
$1,273 starting price
Ceremony
$1,230 starting price

Attributes highlighted by couples

Unique aesthetic style
Quality catering
Guests comfort
Amenities

About

On WeddingWire since 2016

The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice is an elegant 1913 historic ballroom located in the heart of downtown Houston’s Rice Hotel. This gorgeous ballroom venue was originally the capital of the Republic of Texas, and is now a fantastic space ideal for a large event.

Facilities and Capacity
The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice is a unique space, able to accommodate large gatherings its main ballroom or smaller events in one of the adjoining private rooms, especially the Empire Room. The main ballroom is a luxurious 5,000 square feet ballroom with a 1,500 square foot parlor. This space maintains its 1913 design, complete with a full wrap-around balcony and covered terrace. The ballroom has an elegant lobby entrance with crystal chandeliers and you can prepare for your big day in the ballroom’s private dressing room. The spacious ballroom has 35-inch ceilings, a full stage, and a beautiful dance floor for celebrating. This opulent ballroom can accommodate 400 guests for a seated dinner and up to 800 guests for a reception. If you want all the luxury of this space with a more intimate setting, you can hold your event in the Empire Room. The Empire Room is on the same level as the main ballroom and can accommodate 100 guests for a seated dinner and 120 guests for a reception. The space comes with a serving bar, lofty ceilings, and a multimedia presentation system for any slideshows or videos you may want to present during your reception.

Services Offered
The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice is a gorgeous venue, with multiple service options. The venue has in-house event planning services and the staff is there to assist you every step of the planning process. The Crystal Ballroom offers the following services:

  • Event planning
  • Bridal suite
  • In-house catering

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$29,871

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,273

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,230

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Set Up

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Banquet Hall

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party

What event services do you offer?

Event Planner

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Valet
illustration question

Any other questions?

Message vendor
4.8 out of 5 rating
69 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
95% Recommended by couples
Shannon
Shannon P. Sent on 01/21/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Perfection!

Extremely professional and well organized, great communication. They made our wedding day stress-free. Not to mention the absolute beauty and historical relevance of the building! Can’t recommend enough.
K
Kaitlyn P. Sent on 10/15/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect wedding!

Everything about my daughter's wedding in October 2021 was fantastic! Cassidy was on top of everything and did not let anything go undone. They were great when we had to postpone a year due to the pandemic. No issues. Before the wedding the communication was fantastic and they were so thorough in the walk through. Two days before they contacted us for another meeting to be sure everything was covered and always answered emails quickly. They even suggested things that were more work for them, like bringing in Whataburger for late night. They were concerned about every detail, not just normal things like food preferences/allergies but also what time does the band want to eat? When we discovered at the wedding that two of the groomsmen could not have pork touch their plate, they handled it immediately without complaint. They had four bartenders and there was never a line, one of the most important things at a wedding! They boxed kids meals to go when the parents of two flower girls did not want the kids to stay due to COVID. There was not one thing they could have done better. So impressed! And so convenient in downtown Houston!
K
Kirsten Q. Sent on 01/25/2022
5 out of 5 rating

AMAZING wedding with Houston History

We could not be happier with our choice to have our wedding at the Crystal Ballroom. We are so grateful to the team (especially Cassidy - our venue coordinator) for the hospitality they showed us and the ease they created for our day. It is a perfect room with gorgeous murals and chandeliers with so much opportunity to really 'make it your own'. Plus, the food was DELICIOUS, not something you can always say for wedding venues. I could not recommend them more!
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Awards

69
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner

Real Weddings

Miranda & Chris
81 photos · 11/11/2023
Gabby & Elisandro
38 photos · 12/23/2022
Chloe & Dylan
58 photos · 10/29/2022

Professional Network & Endorsements

2 Endorsements
Jessi Marri Photography Jessi Marri Photography Wedding Photographers

FAVORITE venue to shoot at!

C. Baron Photography C. Baron Photography Wedding Photographers

We love to visit the Crystal Ballroom. The ballroom itself is beautiful and historic. However, there are so many other lovely parts of this venue. The balcony and the bridal suite are absolutely lovely to photograph!

Map

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Crystal Ballroom at the Rice frequently asked questions

Crystal Ballroom at the Rice includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planning
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Set Up
The space offered by Crystal Ballroom at the Rice for wedding events is known for:
  • Banquet Hall
Crystal Ballroom at the Rice offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Crystal Ballroom at the Rice offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
Crystal Ballroom at the Rice offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Planner
Crystal Ballroom at the Rice is recommended by 97% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in quality of service, 4.9 in professionalism, 4.8 in average response time, 4.8 in flexibility and 4.8 in value.

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