We couldn't be happier with our decision to have our wedding reception at the Grand Ballroom at Rivers Casino. From the very beginning, the space stood out with its stunning views,... elegant feel with a modern twist, and unique vibe—it gave us everything we were looking for.
With 240 guests in attendance, we needed a space that could comfortably fit everyone and was reasonably priced. Included in the Gold Package (we booked in October 2023 and our wedding was in March 2025) were 3 types of hors d'oeuvres, a 3-course meal (starter salad; starch, vegetable, and 2 different types of meat per plate; and cake), champagne toast, 4 hour open bar, and 3 different types of cake of our choosing. In addition to the food provided by Rivers, they also managed the complete setup and tear down of our 4,000 cookie table! We loved that all the major costs were up front with no surprises.
From a lodging and transportation perspective, our package included a standard room (Friday and Saturday night), a bridal suite (Friday and Saturday night), and a bridal getting ready room (Saturday morning) which had it's own bathroom, studio chairs, backlit mirrors, countertop for food, and plenty of lounge space. We also had a lot of out of town guests traveling in for our wedding so it was such a HUGE factor that The Landing Hotel was directly attached to the casino. Nathan and his hotel team were able to offer our guests a very competitive discount for through a room block and helped add rooms when we continuously ran out. They even drop off welcome bags to guest rooms (for a fee) if you want! While the casino has free parking for everyone, The Landing Hotel offers free valet parking for guests staying there, as well. Our ceremony was at Heinz Chapel, so we provided guest shuttles by Elite Transportation and bridal party transportation by Molly's Trolleys which Rivers Casino coordinated pickups and drop-offs seamlessly.
Everything else aside, what really made the experience exceptional was working with Desiree, our complimentary wedding day coordinator. She was truly a godsend. Throughout the planning process, Desiree answered every single one of our silly and/or redundant questions efficiently and effectively. Day of, Desiree handled everything with professionalism, calm, and kindness, and made what could have been a stressful day feel effortless. She coordinated every detail from managing the setup with both her staff and our vendors (i.e. florals, DJ, guest book, table numbers, etc.), coordinating the timeline with the DJ, and helping guide our wedding party and guests throughout the day. I even forgot my wedding shoes in the bridal party room and she was able to safeguard them until I was able to pick them up after our honeymoon.
Overall, Desiree and the entire staff at Rivers Casino went above and beyond to make our day everything we dreamed it would be. If you're considering this venue—do it. You will be in excellent hands.