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Memorial Union
800 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706
608-265-3000
map/directions

Union South
227 N. Randall Ave.
Madison, WI 53715
608-263-2600
map/directions

General Wedding Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in hosting a social event at The Wisconsin Union. The Wisconsin Union's experienced catering managers and event planners are focused on making your special day everything you've dreamed it to be. Hopefully, this information will help you to begin planning. The following is a brief overview about hosting member receptions in the Wisconsin Union. All reservations are made on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The Wisconsin Union can hold a limited number of member receptions (weddings, showers, and other catered member parties, etc.) in its large banquet rooms during the academic year. We can only allow a total of (2) Wisconsin Union member events a month on a Friday or Saturday during the fall and spring academic semesters. Sundays are not included in this policy. There is no limit during the summer and winter vacation when the facilities are not in high demand for university functions. If you are not currently a member of The Wisconsin Union you can purchase a yearly membership through the membership office or online for $50. A lifetime membership costs $220. You can contact membership at (608) 262-2263.
We begin taking reservations on the first working day of the month 18 months in advance of a requested event date. Example: If you would be interested in having a wedding reception in the month of June, the earliest you can make a request for a reservation would be the first working day of the month, 18 months prior to the event. Popular rooms for receptions at the Memorial Union include Great Hall and Tripp Commons. Popular rooms at Union South include Dag Hamerksjold (109) and the Varsity Room (240).
The Union uses a lottery system for member reservations in our popular large reception spaces. On the first business day of each month, those Union members who arrive at Central Reservations between 8 am to 9 am will be given a number upon completion of a contract. At 9 am we will hold the lottery with reservations made in the order that the numbers are drawn. Pertinent information and requirements to be eligible for participation in the lottery include:

Wisconsin Union Membership Number
Name of Member
Name of Event
Maximum of One Lottery Number Assigned Per Event
Reservations are non-transferable
$500 Non-refundable deposit
Union members are not charged a rental fee for the use of areas designated for weddings and other large-scale social events. This includes Great Hall, Tripp Commons and deck, the Main Lounge and deck, and The Lakefront on Langdon at Memorial Union and Einsteins, room 240, the Main Lounge and room 109 at Union South.
The Wisconsin Union charges a $500 special services fee for all wedding receptions. This charge covers the increased amounts of labor involved in servicing weddings, extra equipment, and earlier room preparation times. The $500 deposit paid at the time the reservation is booked is applied towards this fee (it is non-refundable even in the event of a cancellation).
We do not allow outside food or beverages to be brought into our facilities. We do have a wide variety of items on our menu. Our menu changes seasonally and we have both plated as well as buffet dinners. Dinners range between $11.95-$23.95 per person. Desserts range between $1.50-$3.50 per person. We do offer flexibility for bringing in outside wedding cakes since we do not offer specialized cakes.

After making your reservation you will receive a packet with more in-depth information about planning your event. In the meantime, please feel free to call Central Reservations at (608) 262-2511 or e-mail centralreso@union.wisc.edu with any questions you may have.

Central Reservations
Phone: (608) 262 - 2511 • Fax: (608) 265-8299 • centralreso@union.wisc.edu
2nd floor, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706-1495

Wisconsin Union - Experiences for a Lifetime

Catering

General Wedding Guidelines