Weddings at The Graduate Hotel, Fayetteville, Arkansas

 
Newlyweds in the lobby of the Graduate Hotel in Fayetteville, Arkansas
 

A wedding venue with southern American charm in downtown Fayetteville

Fayetteville is packed with incredible wedding venues, just like the rest of Northwest Arkansas. The Graduate Hotel towers over the rest of downtown with its signature plaid and 16 floors. They offer multiple banquet halls and event spaces for weddings of all shapes — and can even accommodate ceremonies too! If you’re getting a lot of folks in from out of town for your wedding, the Graduate might a fantastic option for a weekend with your guests. Last but not least, they have an indoor/outdoor pool. Jump in at the end of your reception!

Table of contents

People jumping in the pool at the Graduate hotel at the end of a wedding reception

How much does it cost to rent?

  • Prices start at $5000 — they also offer smaller packages starting at $2000

  • The Brodie Payne room can host up to 400 guests

  • Take your engagement pictures at the hotel to keep your invites and wedding website themed

  • The most beautiful bridal suite on the 16th floor

  • Everything you would expect is included in your rental. Tables, chairs, linens, plates, and more.

  • A rental typically includes a pre-wedding shoot, rehearsal walk-through, wifi, tables, and chairs.

  • The hotel can host all your wedding weekend events. Engagement party, reception, after party, and farewell party.

  • They offer great deals for couples who refer guests to stay at the hotel.

Ceremonies and receptions

The best part about having a wedding at a hotel is that you really won’t have to leave at all. You can easily have your ceremony in the same space as your reception and have the hotel flip the room during cocktail hour (when you take your wedding photos too!) A great idea is the Brodie Payne room for your ceremony and reception — and you can host your cocktail hour either in the Trophy Room on the first floor or in the open space outside the hall on the second floor.

Preferred vendors

The hotel has a list of preferred and recommended vendors. These are local wedding businesses that have a great reputation and have worked with the hotel in the past. I am happy to say that I am one of the listed photographers for the Graduate Hotel!

Best seasons for a wedding

The Graduate is a true indoor wedding venue, there aren’t a whole lot of outdoor spaces on the property, except for maybe the pool. Downtown Fayetteville Square is literally right around the corner so if you want to take wedding portraits outside you can go there as well. This means the hotel is perfect for any season! I’d personally say the decor and vibe would fit nicely with a late fall or winter wedding. The color palette is on the darker side with tons of plaid (did I say that already!?) and yellow tinted lights and neon signs.

Room blocks

A hotel room block is typically when couples reserve at least 10 rooms in advance for out of town guests. Most couples announce their recommended hotels when they send out the save-the-date cards or launch their wedding website. If you’re booking the Graduate, it’s a no-brainer to get a hotel room block. They have an incentive program where you can get multiple discounts and freebies for your wedding when 20 or more rooms are booked. That’s also in their brochure.

Sample timeline for photography

Here is a sample 10-hour photography timeline for a late-fall wedding, with a 4 pm ceremony and sunset around 5:15 pm

1:00 PM Detail photos

1:20 PM Bride getting ready photos

2:10 PM Groom getting ready + photos with groomsmen

2:40 PM First look

3:00 PM Wedding party and family photos

3:30 PM Reset for the ceremony

4:00 PM Ceremony

4:45 PM Cocktail hour + Room flipped for reception

4:45 PM Sunset photos outside

5:30 PM Reception begins / Grand entrance

6:00 PM Dinner

7:00 PM Speeches

7:30 PM Dances

7:45 PM Dance floor opens

8:30 PM Cake cutting

8:45 PM Candid reception photos

10:45 PM Private last dance

10:55 PM Grand exit - photography ends

My photos from the graduate hotel

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