Located in historic downtown Meridian, the MSU Riley Center is a popular wedding venue among brides and grooms wanting an elegant affair. The center includes a fully restored 1889 grand opera house theatre that seats approximately 950, a 200-seat studio theatre, and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including a large exhibit hall. The rich environment of The Center offers striking architecture with authentic Victorian decor.
If you are wanting a more dramatic ceremony, or a non-traditional ceremony, then the opera house theatre may be just right for you. Several wedding ceremonies have taken place on stage in the theatre. Rehearsal dinners have even taken place on stage in the theatre and makes for a gorgeous setting.
The exhibit hall with its 5,200 square feet of space is one of the largest reception venues in Meridian. Most couples use the exhibit hall for their food, guest seating and cakes, while the studio theatre is used for the entertainment and dance floor. We usually use cocktail tables around the dance floor so your guests will have a place for their drinks while dancing the night away. Lounge areas fit perfectly in the studio and lounge furniture can be rented from Pretty Presentations Event Rentals.
For brides wanting a cocktail hour, the Grand Lobby of MSU Riley Center is available for an additional fee. The lobby, located at the entrance of the Riley Center, is included with the exhibit hall rental. If you have a smaller guest list this lobby will do just fine for your cocktail hour.
*The Riley Center does provide round tables, banquet tables, serpentine tables and a limited amount of cocktail tables.
*The Riley Center does provide banquet chairs. If you are wanting different chairs than the banquet chairs provided, they can be rented at Pretty Presentations Event Rentals.
*Security is required for all events serving alcohol and the security is provided through MSU Riley Center for an additional fee.
*A $1,000,000, liability policy is required for events held at MSU Riley Center.
*For bands requiring a stage, MSU Riley Center has you covered. You won’t have to worry about renting a stage because it is included in the venue rental.
*A dance floor is available for an additional fee.
*If a concert is being held on the night of your wedding the exhibit hall and studio theatre are still available for rent. We have done a few weddings where a concert was being held on the same night as the wedding and it works out fine, so do not worry. There is plenty of parking around downtown Meridian and the parking garage is available.
*The exhibit hall rental fee is $2,000.
*The studio theatre rental fee is $1,000.
*The Opera Theatre rental price varies.
MSU Riley Center
2200 Fifth Street
Meridian, Mississippi 39301
601-696-2200
Email: events@riley.msstate.edu
Website: www.msurileycenter.com
Here are links to blog posts featuring wedding receptions at MSU Riley Center
Meridian MS Wedding at The Riley Center
Meridian Mississippi Wedding | First Baptist Church + MSU Riley Center
MSU Riley Center Reception
Peacock Inspired Reception at MSU Riley Center
xo,
Terrica
