5 Best Dance Floors For Your Urban Portland Wedding

Brrrrr!! After one of the warmest falls on record, it's finally cold outside. And that means it's wise to be gravitating indoors when it comes to weddings. When most people first start planning their big day and thinking about what they want out of it (besides a top notch photographer, delicious feastings and beautiful decor) they all want one thing: a killer party. And one of the best ways to ensure that your wedding reception is a rockin' good time is to have an epic dance party. Lots and lots of dancing. Hiring a good DJ is certainly a huge part of making that a success but having the right space to make it happen in is important too. So I complied a list of what I think are some of Portland's top indoor dance spaces. Whether you want a beautiful hardwood floor to showcase your first dance moves or an ambiance that dreams are made of, I think these spaces are top notch: 

 1. The Benson Hotel: Not only does this hotel boast a crazy amount of history and vintage charm, it has 18 event spaces to choose from and multiple ballrooms. Plus, you and your guests can stay the night there too! From grand chandeliers to cathedral windows, this venue has been hosting special events for over 100 years and they know how to do it right. 

The West End Ballroom - Captured by Bekah Taylor Photography

 

2. The West End Ballroom: Conveniently located near I-405, the West End has two unique, intimate ballrooms to choose from for your special day. Tall ceilings and a hardwood floor upstairs for that classic feel or a lower ceiling and cement floor downstairs for a more intimate, modern twist. I personally know the coordinator at this space and she will not let you down and will be able to connect you with the most reputable, reliable vendors. Choose this venue if you want convenience (location) and outstanding service.

3. The Armory: Home to Portland Center Stage, The Armory is a brilliantly renovated community space in the heart of the Pearl District. If you haven't been inside, do yourself a favor and stop on by. The two tiered lobby spaces dramatically merge Portland history and culture with state-of-the-art sustainable design. The dance floor is simple concrete, so nothing too thrilling there, but when you look up you see nothing but a plethora of twinkle lights, which are reminiscent of stars. It's enchanting and the two levels make the flow of a reception exciting.

The Armory - Captured by Portland Photographer Jessica Hill Photography

4. Adrianna Hill Grand Ballroom: Like something out of a fairy tale, this ballroom was made for dancing. An epic wrap around balcony creates a dazzling viewpoint for your guests from above while the 55' long stage gives you an elevated area where you can showcase your first dance or put the band or DJ so they're out of the way of your dance space on the restored hardwood floors. Built in 1901, this building will take you back to that era as you gaze at the antique paintings and ornate brass light fixtures. Located one block away from Pioneer Square this venue is just steps away from some of the most popular "must sees" in Portland, which makes it a wonderful location for your out of town guests. 

5. The Melody Event Center Ballroom: More of an "East Portland" kind of person? Look no further than the Melody Ballroom. It can host up to 800 people! Which is more than double the capacity of some of the biggest ballrooms in the Portland area. So if you want to throw a huge bash, choose this venue. Its open floor plan with crystal chandeliers and maple hardwood make the space neutral enough to let your wedding vision soar no matter what it may be. And there is incredible state of the art lighting in this ballroom and a built in sound system to take your party to the next level. 

The Melody Ballroom's Enchanting Lighting

 There are SO many more incredible venues in downtown Portland - too many to list them all. These are simply a few of my favs. No matter which venue you choose (and believe me, sometimes narrowing down the list can feel overwhelming...) make sure you choose one that fits YOU and your partner. And one that won't wreck your budget. And while you're at it, maybe take a dance lesson or two? If you choose one of these five venues listed above you'll certainly want to show off something fancier than the stand and sway.