Looking for a wedding venue in the heart of downtown Louisville? The Henry Clay is an outstanding option for your big day!
The Henry Clay, Louisville Kentucky
The Henry Clay is a stunningly timeless wedding venue in the heart of downtown Louisville that also happens to make the National Registry for Historic Places. Inside you’ll find this 1920s property has been restored and renovated to maintain its original art deco style but without making it look dated.
We absolutely love this option for couples who are looking for a wedding venue that can uphold elegance and luxury and allows for the reception and ceremony to be at the same location.
Couples who have a larger-than-life guest list will love how easily you can fit 500 of your closest friends and family into one space without sacrificing unique details and breathtaking beauty. In fact, the Grand Ballroom here at Henry Clay is the largest ballroom in Louisville with a stationary stage.
Needless to say, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a space that can accommodate guest lists this grand.
But what makes this ballroom even more grand, is how remarkable the details are. Inside the Grand Ballroom at Henry Clay, the walls stretch up to 27′ high, with the original 1924 chandeliers adorning the ceiling throughout.
Located on the 2nd floor, the Grand Ballroom includes the South Room, which is a sight to behold on its own. The room features mirrored columns and custom hand-carved crown molding. The Henry Clay rolls out the red carpet with the richest color of red carpeted floors.
Also on the 2nd floor, you’ll find the Atrium which overlooks the Grand Lobby. Original 1924 stained-glass ceiling tiles, wrought iron handrails, granite floors, and ornamented columns make this space an even more sought-after location for wedding guests to stop and chat.
One big and notable fact is that the Grand Ballroom at the Henry Clay is so monumental that it boasts a long list of big names like Aretha Franklin, Allison Kraus, Muhammed Ali, and former President Obama. If you’re thinking that’s incredible, you’re right!
Not everyone needs something quite this large, but don’t fret! The Henry Clay has something for smaller wedding parties too. The 4th-floor Beaux Arts Ballroom also feels grand in size, here you’ll find brocade-style panels, original stained-glass windows, and ceiling tiles, among many other sweeping details which embody romance and intimate elegance.
The Beaux Arts Ballroom comes with access to the Billiards Room, Tavern Room, and the outdoor Courtyard which is exclusive to your event. With so many room options as part of the package, you can easily choose one for your ceremony, one for cocktail hour, and one for your reception. Some couples will even use the extra space for fun additions like a photo booth!
Did you need another bonus? Probably not but couples who book the Beaux Arts Ballroom at the Henry Clay also receive the Bridal Suite, which is stunning in its own right, with expansive windows that overlook downtown Louisville, and plenty of getting-ready space with fantastic lighting!
Whichever of these spaces you choose, you will be swept right off your feet! You can’t go wrong when there’s no wrong option.
What really seals the deal even more for us is that at the end of the night, guests will have direct indoor access to Hilton Garden Inn just next door. Not that we’re here to talk about hotels, but this is the only place you can find a rooftop bar in Louisville. You know, just in case you needed to have that extra fun fact.
We love a venue that’s steeped in the rich history of days long gone and the Henry Clay is no exception. It may surprise you to know that this venue was originally developed at the Elks Lodge in 1924. It maintained booming popularity throughout the 30s and 40s, and then as these things sometimes happen, eventually housed the YWCA.
Before 2005 when it was restored by the Weyland Ventures Group it sat vacant on the lot just waiting for someone to bring back the magic that still lived inside this space.
We are so glad it’s been restored and brought back to life because it truly is a wedding venue that is unlike most others. Any hotel can have a ballroom, but it takes careful intention to create a magnificent space such as this that doesn’t feel corporate and stuffy.
The Henry Clay hands down has an amazing space for hosting elegant weddings honestly worthy of a prince and princess. The space on its own is gorgeous but once you add your touches, floral, decor, and lighting, your guests are going to be blown away by the grandeur of it all.
Accommodations
Two 1920s Ballrooms:
Grand Ballroom:
- Largest Ballroom in Louisville
- Can accommodate 500
- Period box seating
- 27-foot high ceilings and original 1927 chandeliers
- Rental includes South Room and Atrium that overlooks the Main Lobby
Beaux Arts Ballroom:
- Slightly smaller than Grand Ballroom
- Stained glass windows, decorative paneling, and ceiling tiles
- Includes access to Billiard Room, Tavern Room, outdoor courtyard, and bridal suite (no extra cost. If renting the Grand, you must also rent out the suite)
Both ballrooms come with round tables, gold Chiavari chairs, and long tables
Overnight Accommodations:
- direct indoor connection to the Hilton Garden Inn
Noteworthy Features
- Approved caterer list
- Facilities Representative on-site during the event
Pricing & Collections
Pricing for the Henry Clay Ballrooms is available on request. You can reach out via the contact link on this page for more information.
Awards & Accolades
- “Best Of” on mywedding
- Wedding Wire Rated Business
- Top 10 Wedding Venues as Rated by Martha Stewart in 2010
Available to rent
Venue amenities include:
- 60″ Round Tables
- Gold Chiavari chairs with Ivory Cushions
- Long Tables (limited)
- Private Restrooms
- WiFi
- On-Site Facilities Representative
- Directional Signage
There is currently no additional information available about add-on rentals.
If you’re looking for more information check out the Henry Clay website here.
There are tons of options when it comes to finding the perfect Louisville wedding venue for you! We made it easy to breeze through our top favorite options. Click this link to go back to our main Louisville Wedding Venue page.
