Main Menu
  • Gifts & Favors
Find a CoupleCustomer Service
Planning Tools
Checklist
Budgeter
Wedding Vision
Guest List & RSVPs
Discover Your Vision
Take The Knot's Style Quiz
Take The Knot's Style Quiz
Vendors
Reception Venues
Wedding Photographers
Catering
Bridal Salons
Wedding Planners
Wedding Cakes
Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers & Parties
DJs
Videographers
Wedding Rentals
Beauty Services
Florists
Wedding Bands
Officiants & Pre-marital Counseling
Photo Booths
Bar Services
Transportation
Jewelers
Soloists & Ensembles
Dance Lessons
Decor
Invitations
Favors & Gifts
Travel Specialists
Hotel Room Blocks
See All Categories
Are you a vendor? Start here
Build Your Vendor Team
  • Reception Venues
    Reception Venues
  • Wedding Photographers
    Wedding Photographers
Wedding Website
Explore Wedding Websites
  • Start a Wedding Website
  • Browse Website Designs
Find a Couple's Website
Check Out Top Designs
  • Modern Minimalist by Vera Wang
    Modern Minimalist by Vera Wang
  • Beloved Floral - Red
    Beloved Floral - Red
  • Romantic Calligraphy
    Romantic Calligraphy
  • Elegant Glow - Blue
    Elegant Glow - Blue
Invitations & Paper
Save the Dates
Change the Dates
Invitations
  • All Invitations
  • Wedding Invitations
  • RSVP Cards
  • Enclosure Cards
  • Envelope Liners
  • Bridal Shower Invitations
  • Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
Ceremony & Reception
  • All Ceremony & Reception
  • Programs
  • Place Cards
  • Menus
  • Table Numbers
  • Stickers
  • Gift Tags
  • Guest Books
Thank Yous
Shop by Style
  • All Styles
  • Floral
  • Classic
  • Rustic
  • Destination
  • Simple
  • Modern
  • Vintage
  • Bohemian
  • Beach
Shop The Knot Invitations
  • Vera Wang x The Knot
    Vera Wang x The Knot
  • Free Samples
    Free Samples
  • Foil Collection
    Foil Collection
  • Wedding Invitations
    Wedding Invitations
Registry
Start a Registry
Add Store Registries
Cash Funds
The Knot Charity Program
Find a Couple's Registry
Collections
Brands
Kitchen
  • All Kitchen
  • Appliances
  • Cookware
  • Bakeware
  • Knives & Boards
  • Tools & Gadgets
  • Storage & Organization
  • Coffee & Tea
  • Kitchen Linens
Tabletop
  • All Tabletop
  • Dinnerware
  • Flatware
  • Serveware
  • Drinkware & Bar
  • Table Linens
Home
  • All Home
  • Décor
  • Furniture
  • Cleaning & Organization
  • Laundry
  • Outdoor
  • Electronics
Bed & Bath
  • All Bed & Bath
  • Bed
  • Bath
Lifestyle
  • All Lifestyle
  • Luggage
  • Camping
  • Electronics & Gadgets
  • Pets
  • Fitness
Experiences
  • All Experiences
  • Gift Cards
  • Experiences
Shop The Knot Registry Store
  • Wedding Registry Essentials
    Wedding Registry Essentials
  • Registry Awards
    Registry Awards
  • JoJo Fletcher & Jordan Rodgers
    JoJo Fletcher & Jordan Rodgers
  • Get 20% off after your wedding
Attire & Rings
Wedding Dresses
  • All Wedding Dresses
  • A-Line Dresses
  • Ball Gown Dresses
  • Mermaid Dresses
  • Sheath Dresses
  • Short Dresses
Suits & Tuxedos
Bridesmaid Dresses
Mother of the Bride Dresses
Flower Girl Dresses
Engagement Rings
  • All Engagement Rings
  • Princess Cut
  • Asscher Cut
  • Cushion Cut
  • Emerald Cut
  • Pear Cut
  • Radiant Cut
  • Round Cut
  • Oval Cut
Wedding Rings
Wedding Jewelry
Wedding Accessories
Get Fashion Inspiration
  • Wedding Dresses
    Wedding Dresses
  • Engagement Rings
    Engagement Rings
  • Suits & Tuxedos
    Suits & Tuxedos
  • Bridesmaid Dresses
    Bridesmaid Dresses
Ideas & Advice
Engagement
  • All Engagement
  • Engagement Rings
  • Wedding Proposals
Ceremony & Reception
  • All Ceremony & Reception
  • Real Wedding Photos
  • Budget Advice
  • Invitations & Paper
  • Themes & Decor
  • Wedding Traditions
  • Music & Songs
Parties & Events
  • All Parties & Events
  • Engagement Party
  • Bach Parties
  • Wedding Shower
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Travel
  • All Travel
  • Destination Weddings
  • Honeymoons
Fashion
  • All Fashion
  • Couples Attire
  • Rings & Accessories
  • Wedding Party Attire
  • Guest Attire
Beauty & Wellness
  • All Beauty & Wellness
  • Hair
  • Makeup & Grooming
  • Health & Wellness
Gifts
  • All Gifts
  • Registry Advice
  • Gifts for Couples
  • Favors & Gifts
  • Gift Ideas
Sponsored
Groom's Men's Wearhouse
The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Day Style.
Sponsored by Men's Wearhouse
Detroit Wedding Venues
  • Photos
  • About
  • Amenities
  • Pricing
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • Team

Gem Theatre

4.9
(57)
best-of-weddings

333 Madison Ave, Detroit, MI

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

About This Vendor

The Beautiful Gem Theatre

Gem Theatre is a historic wedding venue located in Detroit, MI. This rustic and charming property features views of the city and is ideal for hosting rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, and receptions. With an elegant ambiance, the venue easily compliments a variety of themes, creating a sense of sophistication for every couple’s wedding. As a one-stop venue, we will take care of all the details of your event so each couple can sit back, relax, and enjoy their special day. Gem Theatre has been welcoming happy couples and guests for many years. From intimate events to large-scale affairs with up to 250 guests, the staff can accommodate each couple’s needs. With a focus on high standards of customer service, we carefully attend to each detail with thought and precision. The popular theatre has beautiful Spanish-revival architecture with hand-painted features, a lush garden patio, and superb audio-visual facilities. These touches are sure to delight and amaze guests. Soon-to-be newlyweds who choose to marry at Gem Theatre can expect exquisite service, mouth-watering cuisine, and unforgettable moments. Setup and cleanup are even included as part of this location’s services. In-house catering is also provided, so there is no need to hire outside vendors. The culinary professionals take pride in offering a wide range of delectable options for couples and guests to savor. From hors d'oeuvres to plated dinners, there is something to suit everyone.

Amenities + Details

Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
On-Site Accommodations
Ceremony Types
Commitment Ceremony, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding , Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Estate, Garden, Historic Venue
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks, Cakes & Desserts, Food & Catering, Planning, Rentals & Equipment, Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
Hall of Fame2018 Best of Weddings Winner2013 Best of Weddings Winner2012 Best of Weddings Winner2011 Best of Weddings Winner

Gem Theatre Reviews

Share your thoughts with other couples
Reviewed On 5/27/2022 by Becky B
I cannot say enough good things about the Gem Theatre and their staff. We had our May 2022 wedding there and from the booking process all the way through to our wedding day the experience was wonderful. Nicole, our salesperson, was incredibly h...
elpful in offering suggestions as we planned. She was quick to respond to any emails and calls. Leading up to the wedding day I felt very supported, which was important to me because I did not hire a wedding planner. The venue itself is simply gorgeous and meant we could save money on decor because the theater, bar area, and banquet room look amazing already. We hired a live band for our reception and they sounded AMAZING plugged into the house system. The Gem’s technical staff helped coordinate everything with our band and ceremony musicians, meaning I didn’t have to get directly involved. Nathalie (assigned day-of coordinator) and the Gem’s house and banquet staff made sure our rehearsal and wedding day went off without a hitch. Nathalie even helped us by going back into the theatre at the very end of the night because something was accidentally left behind in a dressing room. The banquet team was on top of everything from making sure our getting ready suites were stocked with staff to accommodating some guests with severe food allergies. The FOOD was AMAZING. I wish I could go back and relive the day over again just so I could eat my wedding dinner one more time. I cannot recommend the Gem enough. The package was very reasonably priced considering the benefits that are included (the bar package alone is the best I saw out in the market). We are so happy we booked and would recommend again in a heartbeat.
Reviewed On 12/22/2021 by Haley B
We had our wedding and reception at the Gem this past Saturday and it was so wonderful. We were a little worried when we had to re-schedule our February 2021 wedding to December 2021 due to COVID-19 but we managed to make the night everything w...
e could have dreamed of with the help of the Gem staff. Nathalie was so accommodating and professional, she worked with all of our vendors to ensure the night went off without a hitch. Everyone kept commenting on how cool and collected we were as a couple and that's a testament to all the help and support we had. The dressing rooms were the perfect space for everyone to get ready and were great for pictures. When some guests arrived a little early and caught us doing our pre-ceremony photos, Nathalie was able to sneak us around the back so that no one saw us. The food was beyond amazing (we had the filet and salmon). We couldn't be happier with the entire night, thank you so much to the Gem for making our wedding day special.
Reviewed On 11/01/2021 by Diana K
The venue was beautiful, Preston our event manager was outstanding in making sure we had everything we needed when we needed it, the bartenders were great; sound staff was great! Everything went off with out a hitch except for one thing, the se...
rving staff was not so great, as the bride and groom we had a duty to greet and thank all of our guests which is standard, they took away our dinner with out asking if we were finished, and put down cake and took it away before we ever even got to it, that was frustrating to say the least seeing as we paid quite a bit of money for our dinners. Aside from that, I can’t say enough positive things about Preston. He made sure to give us his cell phone so that we could personally call him to let us in as it was raining that day, he made sure we had champagne in hand, and made sure to help us line up for our ceremony where everyone was suppose to be. He’s what helped the entire night to run as smoothly as it did and we can’t thank him enough
Reviewed On 10/27/2021 by Allie S
Allie S.
Reviewed On 10/19/2021 by Holly T
We are so thankful that we went with the Gem Theatre for our wedding venue. The entire team was extremely professional and helpful throughout our wedding planning. The food was great, the building was beautiful, and everything was exactly on ti...
me.
Reviewed On 9/28/2021 by Carolyn M
Where to begin? From the first time my husband and I walked into the gem we knew it was the venue for us. It was unique and had the amazing 1920’s vibe we were going for. From starting to plan before Covid to moving our date the staff was absol...
utely amazing. They answered any questions we had and more. When it came to the wedding finally happening they made sure every detail was set. The food was amazing. The bar was great. Everything we talked about was set up better than I expected! Overall an amazing experience that our guests have complimented us on since having our wedding!
Reviewed On 6/21/2021 by Jon/Renee L
We had the best wedding at the Gem Theatre! We had the unfortunate luck of planning a COVID wedding. Alex was great to work with throughout the entire process. We were a little nervous about being one of the first weddings at this Venue since t...
he state reopened, but everything went off with out a hitch! The staff was great and accommodating throughout the evening. The venue itself is stunning, and perfect for entertaining (especially if you plan on having live music!)
Reviewed On 12/11/2019 by Jenny B
I still can't believe how spectacular our wedding reception was. We knew when we walked in to The Gem Theatre that it was where we wanted our wedding because of how old and beautiful it truly is. Samantha was so great to work with - she never f...
ailed to answer any of my questions very quickly, and made sure we felt comfortable and prepared for our big day. Nikki was our 'day-of' coordinator, and can I just say, she made everything seem so seamless and easy. She met with me and my family a few days before the wedding to go over everything, and made sure we knew where we needed to be and what the day was going to look like. They helped set everything up so we didn't have to worry about that, and everything was beyond gorgeous. My husband and I were truly speechless walking in to the theatre before the reception started. Everything was BEAUTIFUL and went so smoothly. People were raving about the food, cocktails, and the uniqueness of the venue. We can't say enough great things about The Gem Theatre and their staff, thanks for helping make our wedding such a special day!
Reviewed On 11/30/2019 by Ashley G
Our wedding was a fairytale! Samantha and Nikki were so helpful. They made sure we were on schedule,but not rushed and that everything we wanted happened. They set up everything which made it easy for us! They have a wonderful staff and we rece...
ived complements all night about them and the venue. I highly suggest booking your wedding at the Gem! Easy to park, easy to organize and a fun time for everyone!
Reviewed On 11/29/2019 by Catherine S
Our wedding was months ago (8/24), and guests are still raving about how amazing the Gem was. The location is incredible, an absolutely gorgeous building in the heart of beautiful downtown Detroit. And the food is delicious there, too! Everythi...
ng came together beautifully and the staff there were great to work with — so on top of all the details, big and small, that make a wedding day special. Samantha was especially amazing at helping us sort through everything beforehand. The whole day was such a whirlwind, but I felt like I didn’t have to worry because the Gem had everything under control and really went above and beyond to take care of us and our families.
Reviewed On 9/28/2019 by Olivia A
We got married at the Gem 7/20/19 and had the absolute best experience. From planning to the big day everything went so smoothly. Samantha was our coordinator and was always available for all of my questions. Even our food tasting experience wa...
s awesome. The food the day of the wedding was excellent. Bertha was our day of coordinator and left no detail undone. The bridal party had the option of coming in to the Venue in a separate entrance and we had drinks and all the hordoerves in the dressing room. Bertha even made sure I had a glass of my sangria. She brought my husband and I to look at the dining room in private. The space is so unique and beautiful that we didn’t need much to decorate. Holly took over later in the night and she was excellent. She made sure all of our decorations and items made it out of the venue, she thought of everything. Not one detail was missed. We highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a fabulous Detroit wedding with amazing food and staff that goes above and beyond.
Reviewed On 9/19/2019 by Alyssa W
My husband and I had a wonderful experience with the Gem Theatre! We had our ceremony and reception there, and everything exceeded our expectations. Samantha was great to work with as we were planning and was always very responsive/helpful. Nik...
ki was our day of coordinator and was absolutely amazing!! All the staff took such great care of us and helped make our night exactly what we wanted and more. Would definitely recommend the Gem to anyone looking for a beautiful downtown Detroit venue!
Reviewed On 2/26/2019 by Renee M
Working with the Gem Theatre was a dream come true. If you are looking for an all-inclusive venue that delivers on service and experience, this is your place. Sales Manager Samantha Sant was extremely responsive to every question throughout t...
he process and ensured we stayed on track for our wedding. Clara Kay, who helped to coordinate everything the day of, made sure things went smooth so that we didn't have to worry about a thing. Our guests raved about the venue itself (unique decor/theme, location, etc...) as well as the food and service. Would definitely do it all over again if we could. Thank you again to everyone at the Gem!
Reviewed On 1/22/2019 by Colleen C
I'm not sure where to even begin. The Gem Theatre and its staff were an absolute dream to work with. My husband and I wanted a venue that was unique but would still offer some hand-holding during the planning. The Gem was all of this and more. ...
Samantha fielded a couple dozen emails from us and was always so incredibly helpful and responsive. Clara was our day-of coordinator and I can't thank her enough for all of her guidance on our big day. We received so many compliments from our guests saying what a beautiful venue it was and how delicious (and hot! can you believe it?) the food tasted. I absolutely loved our wedding and that's due in very large part to all of the incredible people at The Gem.
Reviewed On 1/02/2019 by Abby F
I'm pretty sure we had the most perfect wedding and it was in large part because we chose The Gem Theatre for our December wedding. The Gem has everything you need at a very affordable price. I was shocked when I received the quote, as original...
ly, we were going to try and do everything ourselves because we thought that move was less expensive. Let me tell you. It's not. I can't say enough great things about the Gem. See below for my long-winded explanation, but I really wanted to get this out there. First, when you book The Gem, you book the ENTIRE venue, not just one room. For a winter wedding, this was perfect. We did not have to share our space with any other weddings. We were also able to have some separation between events. We had our ceremony on stage, moved downstairs for dinner (a larger space that accommodates more people), and then use the upstairs for private family photos. This was perfect for us. Also, the guests liked that they didn't have to drive anywhere. This made it very easy for them. Speaking of easy and driving... for a downtown Detroit venue, they have a parking garage that guests can use with complimentary parking. Another plus! Not only was the space and layout perfect for us, but it was SO BEAUTIFUL (and unique)! You can get away with minimal decor. You don't need it! The place is just stunning. I can't say enough about it and our guests are still talking about that. The staff was also amazing and so professional. We even met one of the head waiters at our tasting. He has been there for many years (I want to say almost 20!) and to us, that spoke volumes as that must mean that he does a great job, and The Gem must do a great job at keeping their staff happy (it shows!). They also provide a day of coordinator that you work with from before you book until after your wedding. I didn't think I would need somebody like that, but man am I happy they were there. They literally ran the show so I could just enjoy my wedding. Things go wrong on your wedding day, and I didn't even notice. It wasn't my problem, they just took care of it. From uninvited guests showing up, to our polaroid guest book not working, they handled it no problem. And after our wedding ended, everything from dinner was already packed up and ready to go, and we had very minimal clean up to do. Wow. Just wow. Did I mention that this IS ALL INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?! I still can't get over it. So the venue is perfect. The staff is outstanding. What about the food? Wow. That's great too! We had tons of appetizers, an outstanding meal, a champagne toast, midnight snacks, and an open bar for a very affordable price. You probably will get sticker shock at first and come to find out, weddings get expensive. But besides your photographer and florist, this will be the only other thing you need to book. And I promise you won't regret it. People are STILL talking about how perfect our wedding was. Thanks, Gem Theatre for making it that way!!
Reviewed On 9/05/2018 by Jea N
The Gem was absolutely perfect for my wedding reception. Lauren was my point of contact for the entire planning process. There was not one email she didn't respond to within 24 hours. She was extremely patient with multiple changes in our plans...
and didn't mind being contacted by both my mother and myself. Lauren's professionalism left little to be stressed about leading up to the big day. The week before, Bertha reached out to me as the day-of coordinator. Bertha was also extremely friendly, comforting and helpful. She did everything with a smile and seemed genuinely happy for us. Every request of mine was fulfilled. The food was delicious and service was great too. I have nothing but good things to say about this venue!
Reviewed On 8/14/2018 by Emily M
We had the absolute best time celebrating our wedding this past weekend at The Gem/Century Theatre. Everything was pretty much perfect from start to finish. The venue is beautiful, and everything was so detail oriented. Nicole L. and Lauren K. ...
were great with their responses/updating of the event order as we got closer to the date and accommodated all of our requests. Bertha C., our day-of coordinator, is nothing short of perfection and confidence and sweetness and wonderfulness all rolled into one. This venue was a perfect set-up (we had everything here and each part of the evening flowed into the next), and it was a perfect location for pictures/near our hotel/close to other activities for guests/etc. The only tiny issue we had is that we should have been a bit more explicit regarding what needed to be saved and how things should've been packed up--but part of that was our distraction/lack of communication. Be very clear about what you want kept, or take care of it yourself quickly. We loved the Gem Theatre, and our day was absolutely perfect!!! Food is amazing, wait staff is attentive, coordinators are professionals, and the venue is gorgeous and perfect to have everything there if you're not doing a church ceremony. There are a lot of options as well regarding different rooms/areas to hold different aspects of your evening to show off the building. Everyone was obsessed. Have your wedding at the Gem! :)
Reviewed On 4/29/2018 by Allison A
We just got married at the Gem this month and are so thankful we choose such a great venue. Access to downtown, a parking garage, the accommodating and professional staff, having everything made in house, helped make everything go SO SMOOTHLY...
! We didn't have to stress about a thing (huge shout out to Molly our day of coordinator for being a jack and jill of all trades that day). We also planned most of this event out of the state and really felt like we were taken care of from the first email to the big day. Thank you, Nicole, Samantha, and Molly!
Reviewed On 10/17/2017 by Caiti N
The Gem Theatre was an amazing venue for a wedding! The team is incredible to work with and helps to make sure your night runs perfectly! The food is amazing and the venue is beautiful with a great location in the heart of downtown Detroit. I c...
an't say enough about how happy we were with the Gem Theatre I would highly recommend this venue for anyone looking for a unique and historical venue in the city.
Reviewed On 9/18/2017 by Andrea B
Wow!!! Just had my wedding this past Saturday and I was blown away! I was really nervous planning from out of state but Lauren was a dream to work with!!! She always was prompt with email responses or phone calls!!!! She really helped me as I w...
as so uncertain with decisions at times! My day of coordinator Katie was AWESOME! She is so so efficient and professional! She ran a tight ship!! Regarding the gem...such a fantastic venue. It's true the food is phenomenal, we got compliments galore even as far as "this was the best filet I have ever had!". The appetizers were amazing as well! I loved that they had drinks and appetizers in the bridal dressing rooms for us to enjoy as well! I would so recommend the Gem! They take such good care of you and will help make your wedding flawless from start to finish!!!!
Reviewed On 9/18/2017 by Anna C
The Gem was an amazing venue for our reception! The staff was incredible and made sure that our vision came to life. They were professional and it was stress-free. During dinner, the staff made sure to provide the head table and VIP tables with...
drinks and check on us frequently. The bar and food were outstanding. I highly recommend The Gem to anyone looking for an amazing experience in Detroit!
Reviewed On 8/31/2017 by Katherine W
I wish I could give 10 out of 5 stars! Our wedding was beyond perfect and I attribute a huge part of it to the Gem. It was the first place my husband and I viewed, and although we saw many other venues the Gem's customer service, elegance, comp...
rehensive wedding packages, and personal touches made our decision an easy one. All of the sales people we worked with were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Weddings can be super stressful to plan but the Gem made sure no detail would be overlooked. Our wedding coordinator was incredibly thorough and made sure that my husband and I were comfortable, calm, and cared for the day of the wedding. The beauty of the theatre was absolutely breath taking when we saw it for our reception, and we actually got married in the century theatre - which is attached. We loved that we had the whole building to ourselves the entire night. I cannot stress enough how amazing it was to get married in such a beautiful and historic location. If you are looking for a venue that will take care of you, wow your friends, and leave you with the best memories of your life then you have to choose the Gem Theatre!
Reviewed On 7/28/2017 by Alyssa T
We could have not been any happier with our wedding reception at the Gem. Everyone we came in contact with was amazingly professional, helpful and truly wanted our day to be magical. The team we worked with firsthand were Nicole, Ashley and Mo...
lly all ladies were great! We received and are still receiving multiple complaints from our guests on all aspects of our reception including the Gem itself, he food and the entire experience! We could not have asked for a better venue since the Gem brought our 1920s themed/Gatsby style wedding to life!! Do not hesitate to book the Gem for your wedding you will not be sorry!
Reviewed On 5/31/2017 by Hanna B
What a beautiful place to have a reception! We had excellent staff and service, many compliments from family and friends - and the food was excellent!
Reviewed On 5/05/2017 by Kelly S
The Gem was the perfect setting for our wedding, planning was seamless, food was amazing and everyone was great to work with. Lauren and Rachelle answered every ridiculous question I had over the course of a year immediately and without making ...
me think I was being crazy. Also, we have gotten compliment after compliment on our wedding since we've had it. I would recommend the Gem for a stress free (as much as wedding planning can be) and well thought out wedding!
Reviewed On 5/02/2017 by Christine E
Was really excited about using this venue for a Friday lady's sangeet. Although we couldn't do outside catering the assured us that they have done indian weddings before and could do indian food in house. She even went as far to say we could us...
e our own recipes (which seemed odd). After inquiring for pricing information her manager replied with "If authentic Indian cuisine is important to you and your group, our venue may not be the best fit." I wasted multiple days comparing venues, estimate pricing, and pros and cons only to be told I was lied to the entire time. I would have saved tons of time and looked for other options if they would have been upfront and honest.
Reviewed On 3/13/2017 by Raleigh D
We could not say better things about the Gem Theatre! If you are looking for a unique venue that will have you guests talking for years to come then this is your place!!!! From the very start they were helpful and easy to work with, especially...
as we were planning our wedding from North Carolina. Their organization skills go above and beyond, and we highly recommend this venue and its staff. Lauren, Rachelle, Nicole and the entire staff made our dreams a reality with minimal stress that normally accompanies wedding planning. I wish I could thank them properly, but words will never do it justice. As if the stress-free experience and wonderful staff wasn't enough, this venue is simply stunning!!! We held cocktail hour on the third floor with guests able to view the Detroit skyline. They had appetizers and drinks waiting for the wedding party in our dressing rooms before our grand entrance. We were all starving and could not believe they had even thought to save us all food!!! Dinner followed in the lower level with a roaring fire behind us. The food was exceptional! As was the wait staff! We finished the evening with dancing in the theater. We left the doors open to allow guests to easily flow between dancing and catching up at seated tables. I highly recommend this venue to every bride and groom looking to give their guests a unique Detroit experience. They think of EVERYTHING and are so easy to work with. Thank you to everyone at the Gem for the best day of our lives.
Reviewed On 12/01/2016 by Megan K
The Gem was the perfect backdrop for a one of a kind wedding. The staff was super easy to work with, the food was to die for, and the historic venue created a one of a kind experience our guests are still talking about.
Reviewed On 11/28/2016 by Mallory G
Lauren and the staff at the Gem were absolutely wonderful to work with! They made the process of wedding planning easy and enjoyable. I asked Lauren a million questions during the planning process and she was always very responsive and courte...
ous. We planned our wedding from out of state and we couldn't have done it without the outstanding level of service we received from the Gem staff. The entire experience, from food to accommodations was fantastic! Our guests all had an amazing time, they absolutely loved the venue, the food and the overall atmosphere. The day of staff were fantastic, they did everything to assist us, so we could just enjoy our special day! It was more perfect than we could have ever imagined! We would definitely recommend the Gem to other couples. It’s the perfect venue in the heart of Detroit!
Reviewed On 2/01/2016 by Lauren F
The Gem was the first and only venue that my husband and I went to look at in person. We knew we wanted to get married downtown and we knew as soon as we walked in that The Gem was the perfect place to have our wedding. From the beginning the r...
esponsiveness of the team at The Gem showed us that they knew what they were doing and that they were happy to be a part of our special day. It was very obvious that this is what they do and they do it best. The venue itself is stunning and since we were married in December there were some decorations up that complimented our own perfectly. We got married in the upper “Century Theatre” level and then moved our guests to the main floor “Century Grill” for a cocktail hour before going all the way downstairs for dinner. Afterwards we had an 8-piece band that perfectly filled The Gem Theatre space and our guests could move freely about the building at their leisure. The food was delicious, our guests still talk about it when we see them, and the staff was impeccable. I have to say that Melissa, our event manager for the day, was an absolute dream to work with. She was on top of everything and I cannot even begin to thank her for everything she did to make our day so special. I do not have one complaint or thing I would have changed about our wedding, it was truly perfect and most of that has to do with our choice to have our Wedding at The Gem Theatre. I highly recommend this venue!
Reviewed On 9/30/2015 by Sinéad N
The Gem was everything we could have hoped for and more. Here are some specific thoughts: -The food was fantastic and they had options that were unique and refreshing for our guests, as opposed to the typical wedding food options (i.e. - Par...
mesan-crusted halibut instead of salmon). More traditional wedding food options were available too. -the staff were amazing to deal with. From the sales people who helped us choose our options to the day of coordinator (shout out to Judy!), everyone seemed to be working towards making it the best experience possible for us. There was even a hiccup with the cake on the day of and I wasn't even aware until Judy made numerous phone calls and solved The problem. -the facility itself is in immaculate condition. What I loved was that the venue was already so amazing and beautiful that very minimal added decoration was needed, a big money saver if you're doing DIY decor. The courtyar d is also so wonderful and well taken care of, beautiful flowers. Our guests reported loving this venue and all its unique features. I would recommend it in a heartbeat!
Reviewed On 7/30/2015 by Jessica H
My new husband and I just had our wedding reception at The Gem Theatre. He worked for the Detroit Lions when we first started dating and had mentioned that they had their draft parties there and that "it was a cool place to have a wedding". (...
Hint! Hint!) Well when he popped the question and as we started planning, the Gem pushed itself to the front of the line! They were reasonably priced, had great food, which we able to taste (very important to me), and were very flexible with vendors we wanted to bring in. Their wedding coordinating staff was always prompt and friendly with responses and more than willing to work with us on whatever we needed with a huge smile on their faces! We have had compliment after compliment on how perfectly beautiful our wedding was since the big day! I'm so happy that it was not only our fairytale, but that others felt the great vibes! A few favorite things I like about the Gem Theatre is that the owner himself tends the beautiful outdoor garden/patio where cocktail hour can take place, the fact that you rent the whole venue out and it almost has an "estate" feel, and even though it is downtown Detroit, the parking structure makes parking easy and very safe!
Reviewed On 5/05/2015 by Katie G
Everyone at the Gem did an amazing job. From the moment we booked, the were available and made our day so incredibly special. All the details were perfect. Our guests could not stop commenting on how beautiful the Gem is! We had a wonderful nig...
ht. I feel like I didn't lift a finger. I highly recommend the Gem and its staff to any couple looking for a smooth, beautiful experience.
Reviewed On 4/08/2015 by Gina S
The staff at the Gem was amazing! I had a really short engagement (3 months!) and they really helped me in every aspect of my day. The wait staff was the best I have seen, and my wedding coordinator Bertha was top notch! They really made my ...
whole family feel special and I have heard nothing but wonderful compliments from that day!
Reviewed On 12/08/2014 by Lauren W
The Gem was the only venue my husband and I looked at for our wedding. We wanted a venue with charm and character, but which was also professionally staffed and run. The Gem was the perfect balance of the above. Our wedding was three weeks ago,...
and we are still receiving compliments from friends and family about the beauty of the venue, the food, the service, and the entire evening. Throughout the planning process, Nicole, Lauren and Alyssa were never more than an e-mail or phone call away. They answered any questions we had in an extremely prompt manner and sent helpful reminders when things like balances, seating charts, and vendor information were due. Two weeks before the wedding, we had our final meeting, and handed over our vendor information, which was such a relief! The Gem coordinated all of our vendors - we were not left calling anybody last minute and telling them when to show up and where to load. Our event manager, Judy, was impeccable. She was at our rehearsal the night before, and even gave my husband and I her cell phone number, insisting we call her at any time that night if we had anxieties or questions. We didn't, of course, but wow - that is dedication! The day of the wedding, everything was perfect. Judy kept everyone organized. People were never milling about or unsure where to go. Mohammad was our dinner server and he was also fantastic - he was following us around with a bottle of champagne all night! If you want more than just a "room" for your wedding…and if you want an enjoyable, stress free wedding day…the Gem is the place. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Reviewed On 7/16/2014 by Sarah A
My fiance and I looked at a number of different venues for our wedding and we really fell in love with the Gem. We loved the feel of the old theater and appreciated the privacy available for our event and various activities that would occur dur...
ing the day. The Gem was really easy to work with and very thorough. They even provided a day of coordinator at no additional cost who confirmed with all our vendors before the event to make sure they knew where to be and when. Judi helped with our event on they day and she made sure everything went perfectly. She ensured that the wedding party had food and beverages and ensured all the events happened on time. She even took the time to check in with the guests to make sure they were enjoying themselves. Months after our wedding people are still talking about how great the venue, food, and entertainment were. The late night coney station was a hughe hit with everyone. We had a wonderful and stress-free event at the Gem. It was absolutely perfect!
Reviewed On 1/20/2014 by Caitlyn V
We selected the Gem Theatre for our New Year's Eve Wedding. We were looking for a unique venue where we could host both our ceremony and reception. We were extremely pleased with the Gem on our wedding day and throughout the entire planning pro...
cess. As the bride, I emailed our event coordinator about 100 times, and she was always helpful and quick to respond. We tried to set up our decorations the day before the wedding, but we were not able to finish everything. Our event manager (Judy) helped our wedding planner set everything up the day of the wedding, and it was all gorgeous. She went above and beyond to make sure everything was as we imagined it. After our wedding, we got continuous feedback from our guests on how beautiful the wedding was and how delicious the food was. Overall, I could not have been more pleased with the venue we selected for our wedding.
Reviewed On 10/21/2013 by Jessica H
The Gem is such a beautiful venue and the staff was the most helpful and understanding staff ive ever worked with. all of the event planners are right there with you along your journey of planning. they give you a check list of when certain tas...
ks need to be completed, they answer any small question you have, and are happy to assist you. Judy (event mgr) is amazing!she contacted all the venders for us and talked to them directly about how things would go. so sweet!for example she approached me during dinner and made me promise I would eat (most brides forget to do that) every few minutes she'd walk over and say "you need to eat more!" lol i loved it! the food was THE BEST WEDDING FOOD EVER!! and we heard that from everyone we asked. we had a 7peice band for our reception and they rocked that stage! It was like their own concert being played just for us! The band even said it was an awesome experience to play on that stage in the main theatre. when the night was done and we had time to reflect, we both agreed, how happy we were with our venue choice, wouldnt have changed a thing! THANK YOU TO THE GEM & CENTURY THEATRES FOR MAKING OUR WEDDING PERFECT!
Reviewed On 9/17/2013 by Heather L
The best night of my life!!! I had my reception at the Gem Theatre in August 2013 and I couldn’t be happier. First and foremost, Bertha, my day of event coordinator, was amazing. We had a mishap with our cake and she went above and beyond to...
make sure I had a cake to cut for my entrance. The hall looked beautiful and perfect size for my 115 person wedding (we kept everyone in the theatre room). Between the wedding and the reception starting I had some family coming over to the hall to set up my candy bar and some other favors, and the staff at the Gem had already had everything set up by the time they got there without even asking. The food was just how I remembered from the tasting and the servers were first class. We went with the mushrooms and the coconut shrimp for the cocktail hour and salmon and chicken for the reception. The liquor selection is top shelf for all of the packages and the wine was pretty tasty (and I live out near Napa Valley, so that is saying something). I had no complaints:)  All of our vendors were well aware of where they needed to be and the time. The event coordinator called them all in advance to confirm timing and answer any questions which took a lot of the pressure off of me in those last couple of weeks before the wedding. The parking attendants were top notch. I came down to the theatre throughout the weekend and we had Tiger’s Games, a Kenny Chesney concert and more going on and we always had no problem parking in the garage. Overall I highly recommend the Gem. It is a beautiful venue with a ton of charm. I have had so many people tell me that have never been to such a beautiful wedding/reception. The only thing that went wrong with that night is that it ended. Thank you so much for making my wedding day so special!!
Reviewed On 9/15/2013 by Rebecca G
My ceremony and reception at the Gem was exceptional. Every staff member involved was outstanding, especially Judy, the banquet manager, and Mo/Mohammad, the head table waiter. There were a couple problems that were out of the Gem's control (...
air conditioning issues, parking garage overcrowding, and guests of honor seating situation) that could have turned into catastrophes, but Judy calmly and effortlessly prevented them, saving me unneeded stress. Mo's personality charmed our head table, and he was more than accommodating all night. Our guests raved about the location- doting on how delicious the food was, the beauty of the venue, and the service. Vendors complimented the ease of communication with Gem staff and the organization of the event, which made their jobs easier. The entire process, from signing the contract and making the payments, to the tasting, to the day of the event was so easy because of the outstanding service that the Gem provides. Alyssa was available for all of my questions in the weeks leading up to the wedding, and always treated me as if I were her only bride. I was hesitant about having our wedding at this location because I knew that I could spend less money elsewhere, but I am SO happy that we ended up choosing the Gem. Our wedding truly would not have been perfect without it.
Reviewed On 8/20/2013 by Jessica B
I really couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding! The venue, staff and service far exceeded my high expectations! From start to finish, everyone was beyond amazing! Both Alyssa and Nicole were extremely helpful and there to assist in ...
anyway, or answer any questions that came up during the wedding planning process. Bertha and the day of staff were absolutely brilliant and our guests were raving regarding every detail! The uniqueness of the venue, the hustle and bustle of downtown Detroit, and the intimate feel made for the perfect atmosphere to celebrate our wedding. It really couldn't have gone any better!!! I can honestly say that I feel like the luckiest bride of 2013 and it wouldn't have been possible without The Gem!!!
Reviewed On 8/13/2013 by Jessica S
We could not have been happier with the Gem Theatre as the venue for our wedding reception this past July. The service at the Gem was outstanding! We had many requests during the planning process and Nicole worked with us every step of the way ...
to ensure that our event was just as personalized as we had imagined. The entire event staff (Mario, Judy, and all of the servers/ bartenders) at the Gem were very accommodating. At one point, our server for the night even came to find me on the dance floor with a glass of ice water! We loved the outdoor patio for our cocktail hour and we lucked out with a gorgeous summer day. We highly recommend the Gem to any couple looking to host a downtown Detroit reception in a unique space. All of our guests loved the location and the decor. We received several complements after the wedding from family and friends.
Reviewed On 6/12/2013 by Lauren W
We just had our wedding at the Gem on June 9, 2013 and had an amazing time. Nicole, who is the main events coordinator, was professional and on top of things from the beginning- even when there was a consultant switch 3 months before the weddin...
g. After our final meeting, I knew that anything venue-related would be worry-free, because she and the whole staff are so competent. They also go out of their way to make sure you can contact them at any point with any request, small or large. We had our ceremony upstairs in the Century Theatre, cocktail hour outside on the patio (which was spectacular) and then our reception in the Gem Theatre. The Tigers were in town the weekend of the wedding, and we worked around the traffic issues by having a shuttle from the hotel. However, even when we drove, it wasn't that bad. I will agree with a previous reviewer who mentioned the nickel-and-diming... for instance, to bring in one kosher meal cost me $100 above and beyond the cost of a regular adult, and they wanted to charge me an "outside vendor fee" of $150 for my MIL and mother to place their home-baked cookies on the cake table (we got around that by calling the cookies "favors", put them on another table, and then there wasn't a cost). But I really do feel that overall the value is quite good for all that you get, and the staff were really top notch. I can't say enough good things about how helpful everyone was and how lovely the venue was for our wedding!
Reviewed On 5/22/2013 by kendra k
Thanks to everyone at the Gem who made our wedding night spectacular! The staff was so accommodating and helpful. Our guests, as well as we, had an amazing evening! The food was delicious and I am still receiving compliments. Thanks for everyth...
ing! I would highly recommend the Gem Theatre for a wedding or any event!!
Reviewed On 11/04/2012 by Jermaine J
The Gem Theatre is an excellent venue! The most common accolade I heard from our guests was that they didn't have to travel between the ceremony and the reception. The Gem was able to reconfigure the theatre from a ceremony setting to a 200-p...
erson sit down dining area. The Gem staff were professional and ensured our night went off without incident. They provide you with many different packages and are willing to accomodate the most unconventional requests. You may be turned off by the price initially but when you see the venue you quickly learn that decorations and flowers aren't required. The decor is so elegant that to slap balloons and flowers on it will only cheapen the majestic venue. Judy, in particular, was amazing! She was always around to answer our questions and ensure that everyone was where they needed to be when they needed to be there. If your budget allows for this type of venue I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. Lastly, the food was amazing! I highly recommend the coconut shrimp and the (don't know the name) beef/cream cheese appetizers. The bar staff also ensured that our guest were properly lubricated. They provided enough bar tenders to service 200 people quickly and with little to know waiting.
Reviewed On 10/27/2012 by Cheryl V
I knew the first time I walked into the Gem Theatre that it was the perfect place for my wedding day. My wedding was Septembe 29, and I am still receiving compliments on how impressive, and unique the Gem Theatre venue choice was. The staff w...
as professional and executed everything perfectly. Our event coordinator Judy was absolutely amazing and was so invested in making sure I was happy and that everything went perfectly. I can't recommend this venue more!
Reviewed On 10/25/2012 by April S
When we started our wedding planning process we knew we wanted an unique venue, was exclusive to us, and that offered amazing food. The Gem Theatre brought us that and so much more. The decor of the historical theatre is by far the most beautif...
ul and unique venue. The food was amazing, there was not a single guest that didn't bring up how great their meal was or the appetizers. The kicker was the service for me. They are truly experts and there every step of the way for questions, concerns and ideas. We changed the usual table setup by having our entire wedding party on stage for dinner. It was such a cool idea and left more room for our guests. Bertha was my go-to the evening of my wedding she was simply perfect, handled anything I needed plus was there to ensure everyone else was happy as well. She even helped set up all my handmade accents prior to the wedding & had everything neatly packed up for us to take with us when the evening came to a close. Nicole & Allison helped us make our vision of the Gem Theatre come to life with answering all our questions and helping make the Theatre customized to us. People constantly mention our wedding and the how unique & beautiful our venue was. We could not imagine having our wedding anywhere else. I love the little details that made our day different like the stage seating and little touches here and there. We appreciate all of Nicole's help with these and making everything come together so beautifully that our only focus that day was eachother and enjoying each moment. Without Nicole, Allison, Bertha and the full incredible team we would have not been able to just kick back and enjoy ourselves on our wedding day.
Reviewed On 9/11/2012 by Barbara M
The day couldn't have been more perfect. The Gem pulled out all the stops to make sure we didn't have to worry about a thing. Everyone raved about the food, the passed appetizers were amazing too. The service was impeccable. If you're looki...
ng to host a wedding downtown, the Gem is a great venue.
Reviewed On 8/21/2012 by Kathy G
We hand our ceremony and reception at the gem on August 18, 2012. This place is amazing!!! They provide every couple with a ceremony director who is present on wedding day to organize every aspect of ceremony. The also provide you with a di...
rector for your reception. I cannot say enough about our director Bertha. This woman is a saint!!! She took care of every potential problem for us! She made our day worry free. We were able to have a great time and not worry about anything. The food is awesome! The coffee bar was great! The bar service includes top shelf liquor. I saw that someone had said they thought the price was a little steep. I disagree, our budget was $25,000.00 for 130 guests. We we able to stay on budget. Definately worth checking out for your upcoming big day!!!!
Reviewed On 8/16/2012 by Josiah K
We had our wedding in early August at the Gem, which is not exactly the coolest time of year. However, even with around 150 guests, everybody stayed comfortable and had plenty of room. Also, even with a Tiger's game occurring at the same time...
, the outdoor courtyard felt private and was the perfect place for cocktail hour. Speaking of cocktails, the drinks were served quickly and were not weak pours. I highly recommend Mod4 Photography as well. Jess did a great job of capturing the unique beauty of the theater and the surrounding neighborhood and made our day that much better.
Reviewed On 7/10/2012 by Jen L
The service at the reception was fantastic. However, the event coordinator was a little less than stellar. As a bride you expect to be helped out and guided through the process, as there are many things to take care of on top of the reception. ...
Just make sure that you get specific answers about dates & money. I HIGHLY recommend this venue, because it really was amazing and we got so many compliments on it. They set it up beautifully and it was magical. Just be sure to stay active with deadlines and make sure they provide you with a list of dates/times you should have things completed!!
Reviewed On 11/02/2011 by Andrea T
You will pay top dollar for this venue...but you get what you pay for. They GEM was accomodating of our every request. The service and quality was amazing and the venue provided a memorable experience for everyone.
Reviewed On 10/04/2011 by Emilie F
This venue has the potential to be amazing if done right! I was a little nervous when I first chose this venue because I didn't see any pictures that I really liked on their website. You need to look past this...This theatre has amazing archi...
tecture and character, and is very beautiful! It is a wonderfully unique place to hold a reception. We worked with amazing vendors for flowers, decor, and lighting..and the place looked absolutely amazing. Nicole and Allison are the main staff you will be working with, and they are wonderful. They were very helpful with the planning process, and were prompt in getting back to you with answers to questions. They have a very nice menu tasting evening. If you are using the Gem Theatre, make use of the stage. We chose a large 10 piece band, but there are many musical options. This venue lends itself to "wowing" your guests with great entertainment.
Reviewed On 9/22/2011 by Janna T
I had my wedding at the Gem on June 11, 2011. The venue was amazing. We did our dinner in the smaller Century Grill room and then had everyone move into the theatre for dancing. The Gem set up the theatre with cocktail table seating. It was gre...
at. Our cocktail hour was outside in the courtyard which was also beautiful. We received many compliments that our wedding flowed very well which is a result of the amazing Gem staff. With that being said, my wedding was on a Saturday in Detroit in sync with a Taylor Swift concert AND a baseball game. Many people missed the ceremony (including my grandparents) and my wedding was delayed about a 1/2 hour due to traffic. So, if you consider the Gem, please check what other events are going on in Detroit to warn guests! All in all,a great venue for a wedding! Not the standard hall/church place. The reason why I knocked 1 star off was because I was told the appetizers for the cocktail hour would be passes; however only 1 of the 3 was passed. Additionally, I thought a bar was supposed to be set up outside with beer/wine, however that wasn't the case...
Reviewed On 9/20/2011 by angelie t
We had our wedding here this September 3. This theatre is very classy and intimate--perfect for a guest list of about 200-230. We knew we wanted our venue to be in a non-traditional and non banquet hall-type location. We wanted something th...
at is elegant but not gaudy (not like a ballroom type, not cinderalla-type) and also represents the city of Detroit. The Gem Theatre did not disappoint! Not only is the venue historic and beautiful,the staff of the theatre were professional, organized, easy to work with and really catered to ours and our guests' needs. The food was also very delicious! Our guests raved about our venue saying it was one of the most beautiful places they've even been to for a wedding. I highly recommend this place for your wedding or any future events!
Reviewed On 8/31/2011 by Halley B
My ceremony and reception at the Gem was magical! Perfectly romantic and beautiful. Amazing food and great staff! I did subtract one star for value because they charge you for every. little. detail. They charge you $3 for each chair they re...
move from their room if you don't use theirs!
Reviewed On 7/01/2011 by Tuere A
The Gem Theatre is a tough act to follow when it comes to all things wedding. This venue provided one stop shopping for the majority of my wedding ceremony and reception needs. Nicole (who is the event planner at The Gem)and her staff are top n...
otch professionals who give great attention to the many details that a bride can become ovewhelmed by. The food service provided by The Century Grille was wonderful and enjoyed by all. The Gem also provided some extra services as part of their wedding package which turned out to be the best part of the wedding day experience!

Contact Info for Gem Theatre

Vendor Logo
333 Madison Ave, Detroit, MI
(313) 463-4215
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

Meet the Team

meet the owner
Parker James Forbes
President
Parker keeps an eye on everyone in the office and makes sure everything runs smoothly starting at the time of booking until the Wedding day. We are a family run business that grew with Detroit's emerging popularity. We love Weddings and Events and take great care in creating a magical wedding experience located at our amazing historic venue, with on trend food & beverage, and personalized service!

Wedding Vendors in Detroit

Detroit Bridal Salons
Detroit Beauty Salons
Detroit Caterers
Detroit DJs
Detroit Florists
Detroit Reception Venues
Detroit Videographers
Detroit Wedding Bands
Detroit Wedding Photographers
Detroit Wedding Planners
  1. Wedding Vendors
    /
  2. Wedding Venues
    /
  3. Michigan Wedding Venues
    /
  4. Detroit Wedding Venues
    /
Gem Theatre
made withlove
Planning & Inspiration
Wedding Websites
Registry
Marketplace
Wedding Invitations
Wedding Planning App
Wedding Budget
Wedding Checklist
Wedding Guest List
Wedding Ideas & Etiquette
Engagement
Parties & Events
Wedding Dresses
Gifts
Real Wedding Photos
The Knot News
Community
The Company
The Knot Worldwide
About Us
The Knot Editorial
Careers
International
Press
National Advertising
Our Sponsors
Sister Sites
The Bump
The Guest
The Bash
How They Asked
Get Our Wedding Planner App On Your Mobile Device
Are you a vendor?
Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings!
Start Here
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • CA Privacy
  • Customer Service
©1997-2022 XO Group Inc.