University Catering

You should plan to meet with one of our event coordinators a minimum of two months prior to your event. At that time, we request that you bring:

• Entree selections , including accompaniments meal designations
• Hors d'oeuvres selections
• Beverage and bar selections
• Approximate guest count
• Room layout
• Color schemes, swatches, decoration ideas
• Contact information for your cake supplier, entertainment, etc.
• Event timeline
• Special requests, meals for entertainer(s), photographer, etc.

The final guaranteed number of persons attending must be provided at least five business days prior to the event date. At that time we will need final revisions to the room layout and the event timeline. Full payment for food and the estimated bar charges will be expected at this time.

It is possible to offer multiple entrées to your guests but we need the counts for each entrée five business days to the event and there is an additional per person fee of $1.00 per person. If you are offering a choice of entrées to your guests, you will need to code your place cards with some type of legible meal designation and provide a list of meal selections by table. These tools will allow our staff to serve your guests without interruption.

Idea: If you want to avoid the logistics of managing multiple entrées, why not consider a Mixed Grill so your guests can enjoy multiple entrées on their plate?

Children's meals are available for guests that are 12 years and under; please indicate children's meals on place cards as well. Children's meal selections are listed in the menu. The most popular children's meal is Chicken Fingers with French Fries.

To allow for dancing, bar, gift table and cake table, we recommend seating no more than 300 in the Union Ballroom and 250 in the League Ballroom. We have several sample diagrams of these rooms for wedding receptions as well as blank diagrams. Feel free to consider variations!

Actual costs will vary depending on your menu, venue, and the number of guests. You can use this budget as a rough guideline:

• Menu: Estimate a minimum of $35.00 per person
• Venue: $600-$2500 depending on venue and day of week. Saturday nights incur a premium charge.
• Tax and Gratuities : Don't forget to add 6% sales tax and 20% gratuity to your estimate.
• Bar: depending on your guests and what brands are offered- $15.00-$25.00 per person.
• Linens: Most specialty tablecloths costs between $18.00-$40.00 per table. Specialty napkins range from $1.00-$3.00 each

If you plan on spending $75.00 -$100.00 per person for your wedding, you are on the right track!

Yes. The Michigan Union, Michigan League and Pierpont Commons are licensed facilities with TAMS trained staff. There is a $100 set up fee for each host bar which is waived if sales meet or exceed $350.00. Bars are limited to 4 hours of wine service. Alcohol service must end one hour prior to the end of the event. All bar beverages are charged per drink. Wine served with the meal is charged per bottle. Estimated bar charges are due prior to your event. The actual cost of bar service will be tallied after your event and your bill will be adjusted accordingly.

All events with bar service are required to sign a bar service agreement appropriate for the type of event: Off–premise event bar service policy or On–premise event bar service policy. Please remember no alcohol may be removed form the building, including special order wine or liquor.

Idea: Why not consider serving a custom cocktail just for your event? Our event planners can help you with details.

A specialty wedding cake and individually wrapped favors may be brought in from outside vendors. All other food and beverage must be provided by University Catering.

The Michigan League and Michigan Union are not recognized as orthodox kosher kitchens (blessed by a rabbi). We are able to create kosher-like meals, however, using pareve foods (fish, grains, vegetables, fruit, etc.). Please contact one of our event coordinators for more information regarding pareve foods, or if you have a guest requiring a strict kosher meal.

Every winter, the Michigan League and Michigan Union host our wedding clients for a formal menu tasting. Clients who have booked their wedding reception or bar/bat mitzvah at the Michigan League or Michigan Union are sent a Save-the-Date reminder 2 to 3 months prior to the event, followed by an invitation with the venue, date, time and cost of the event.

Note: Occasionally a client will request a private tasting. The cost of a private tasting begins at $250.00 for 2 people/2 entrees. Please speak with your event coordinator for more information.

We have delicious menu selections to fit every budget. One of the more popular meeting packages is our Lunch Crunch Break Package, $26.50 per person. Please peruse the Michigan League menu and Michigan Union menu for more detailed information.

You will find parking information in the Michigan League Guidelines and Michigan Union Guidelines respectively.