The Brown Hotel

d that would have fantastic food and drinks. Our vision was luxe, elegant, and intimate. With a guest list of 60 people, we weren't sure we would find this at the Brown, having mainly seen photos of the very large Crystal Ballroom online. Thankfully, we went to tour the space anyway and met with Meghan McNeill, who showed us other options within the hotel. We knew the Bluegrass Ballroom was exactly what we were looking for when we saw it. Our ceremony and reception were both in that room, with cocktail hour in the South Lobby while the room was flipped. While the venue was gorgeous, it was Meghan who really helped the Brown shine for us. Throughout the planning process, Meghan was a complete joy to work with. She was attentive, thorough, professional, and responsive. As gorgeous of a venue as it is, the experience was elevated and made so easy by Meghan. She is a breath of fresh air when dealing with such a stressful life event! The day of the wedding, everything went even better than expected. Meghan and the event staff were top notch. We received so many compliments on the food and drinks ("you win for best wedding entree ever" said one guest.) If you couldn't tell already, I highly recommend the Brown Hotel. Thank you to Meghan for being instrumental in helping us achieve the wedding of our dreams!

g with Meghan was such an easy process and she made sure that anything we needed throughout the whole wedding planning process was answered promptly, and she made sure to keep our vision/budget in mind. Overall, I was a little stressed with the idea of planning a wedding. But after hosting ours at The Brown, I would highly recommend to any one else looking for a classic venue.

and the customer service at The Brown is top notch. I'm not kidding when I say that pretty much every guest staying there came up to me to say how nice the staff was. The food at the RD was delicious - the J Graham Brown suite is gorgeous. Meghan McNeill is just wonderful to work with - so patient, so organized. Even though she was getting over a cold, she stopped by our events to say hello and reassure me that the weekend would be wonderful. She left notes and champagne in my suite the night before the wedding, and the night after. I stay at The Brown every other year for Thanksgiving - so I knew they would be amazing, but they really went above and beyond. If you're able to have any part of your wedding here - DO IT. I got some bridal portraits above the lobby that I am dying to see! Ordering Hotbrowns in bed the morning after the wedding was maybe my favorite part of the weekend!

and was there to answer any questions I had, no matter how minute or crazy. Our day went off without a hitch and it was an absolute blast for both us and our guests! Our day turned out like a true fairy-tale and there's no other place I could have imagined for our big day! Everyone has still been complimenting us about how wonderful the venue, food, and staff were, and our wedding was over 3 months ago!!! Thank you for taking such great care of us!

them a little bit of history/culture while they are in town. We had about 40 rooms booked for the weekend. There were a few mix ups in rooming, but overall everyone was happy and the rooms were clean. In planning our day, we had worked with two wedding coordinators during the year leading up. Both were very friendly and responded quickly to emails and phone calls. My husband and I felt very pampered the days leading up to the wedding as we started to visit family and friends that arrived early. On our wedding day, the staff was so helpful in making sure everything was perfect and that the timing of the day went smoothly. Our day was like a dream and I definitely give the Brown a lot of credit for that. Everyone commented on how delicious the food was too! The food-tasting was one of my favorite meals lol. It is a little pricey, but if you want to feel super glam in a 1920’s style, this is your place. Thanks!

site, they do charge for welcome bags and basic services. Overall they were easy to work with and our guests were pleased, but value the decor before booking here.

taff treated us and our guests like royalty. Beautiful venue. Debbie Saag, the Catering Sales Manager, was phenomenal and had every detail of our reception memorized. All we did was show up! Highly recommend this venue.

at all due to my work hours and us living in Chicago. We went down for the tasting but otherwise I hadn't been down much to participate. So naturally I was a little worried about the organization and events. However, Debbie was our coordinator, and was seriously really good at her job. From the picture-taking to the ceremony to the reception, literally everything was flawless. We got whisked away to a private room after pictures and before the reception where my wife and I had private plates of our own appetizers and drinks, and we could enjoy being married and relax for 15-20 minutes before our bridal party came in and we all had a fun pre-reception drink. The coordination with the band, the cocktail party- we didn't have to think about a single thing, and it was so stress-free. The food was ridiculous, and the chef came up with his own new rum-glazed filet recipe which we had tried before-hand. The service couldn't have been better, as we got many compliments on it, the bartenders would make just about whatever you wanted, and seemed like guests of the party as the night went on. I really was blown away by how amazing every facet of it was, and we got a LOT of compliments. Couldn't be happier with our call, and again props to Debbie for just a phenomenal job.

job. Quick responses to emails and was there to make your day what you wanted. Getting ready there, the wedding, the reception, and stay was overall great! There is little I can complain about. My only issues were that the dinner service was a little off during the reception, the chicken stuffing was not what we had tasted before, and the alcohol services were not organized or handled properly. We were way over charged for services not given during the reception and for employees mistakes. However, our day was amazing! Debbie handled everything from the good and the complaints well!

was our wedding day, we were upgraded to a club room! Very large, very spacious, and a private floor with personal service. It was a great experience.

wedding coordinator works her butt off for you!

eautiful. I was very, very happy with the final product. However, the planning process left a lot to be desired for a vendor that promotes and prices itself as "top-tier". I had the unusual situation of working with three separate coordinators because two resigned during the year I was planning my wedding. I don't fault The Brown for this (sometimes people just move on to other jobs) but I did notice a common thread through all three women which is that their first response to any modification I wanted to make was "no". Not, "no, but would could offer you this...", just "no". At one point, I was concerned that the passed apps we had selected wouldn't be enough for the cocktail hour so I asked for a quote on some additional item we could add and suggested a cheese tray (just as an idea). I received a quote for $1600 worth of cheese - well out of my budget and an astronomical sum for cheese. Ultimately we found solutions to all of our issues but not after multiple emails back and forth and after my wedding planner called to brainstorm solutions with the coordinator. This was not a group of people interested in helping me find resolutions to my concerns and make it the best event possible (though they will tell you that). I felt that the price we paid for the event was not reflected in the level of service and assistance we received during the planning process. If your heart is set on The Brown, get ready for lots of extra expenses, staff that will not be willing to compromise easily with you on any of those expenses but a beautiful evening that your guests will gush about.

use of the heat. The crystal ballroom was exactly what I wanted, classic and timeless. The food, liquor and service were impeccable. We received so many complements all weekend on the hotel and the ballroom. Thank you Brown!

the room and thought it was beautiful. THe staff sees to your every need and goes above and beyond. Would not have had it anywhere else.

e still talking about How great the service and they will always stay at the Brown Hotel whether visit Louisville. My Wedding was perfect from the rom accommodations, lovely Ball Rooms, the great food, and first-class service throughout the wedding. I truly felt like a Princess and Ms. Payne and her team made sure my day was perfect.

of our wedding day. If you asked, they were there to help you or answer your questions. Jeri Payne their Sales & Catering Manager was especially wonderful to work with. For a bride and her mother the service was top class, the food (we are still getting rave reviews about) and the attention to every detail was first rate. It was a dream come true to have my wedding at this truly beautiful venue.

ing was not necessary. We also knew having a ceremony & reception at the same location would keep guests from having to travel from one location to another, which sometimes causes people to only see the ceremony. We had one idea for our wedding, but when we called to make the arrangements, the hotel was sold out for the weekend. So we decided to look around downtown Louisville. Our first (and last) stop was The Brown Hotel. It was beautiful and exactly what we wanted. Over the next 18 months, we spoke and met with the coordinator, Jeri Payne, several times, including email communication almost nonstop. She made sure everything was exactly how we wanted it to be. Finally, our 11/11/11 wedding day was here! Jeri was as accommodating as always. Once the ceremony was complete (which was elegant, calm, and beautiful in The Crystal Ballroom), the guests headed to the Mezzanine for cocktails, while my groom and I ventured around the hotel for photos and The Crystal Ballroom was transformed from elegant ceremony to grand reception. Once the room was complete, Jeri found us and escorted us to The Crystal Ballroom for our private first look at the reception...it was magnificent! The next four hours were filled with a plated dinner, usual wedding festivities (cake cutting, toasts, first dance, etc.), and plenty of dancing and partying. The night could not have been more amazing. If you are looking for a location in Downtown Louisville that provides service above and beyond expectations, choose The Brown Hotel and its amazing coordinator, Jeri Payne. She is fantastic and feeds off the bride's ideas to make the perfect wedding even more perfect!

sitting in a circle around the altar. Once the ceremony was complete, guests went out to the Mezzanine Promenade to enjoy Cocktail hour while we took pictures and enjoyed a private room with our bridal party where we enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and champagne. During cocktail hour, Jeri Payne (Stewart) and the team at the Brown miraculously flipped the entire Crystal Ballroom into a reception in less than an hour. Jeri pulled my husband and I aside before all of the guests entered the reception to let us get the first look at the room. It was amazing! Everything was so perfect...I have to say one of my favorite parts of the set up was the cake stand. It had it's own stage so that everyone could see us cut the cake. While we were cutting the cake, instead of having everyone stay at their tables they called all of the guests over to the cake stand and they crowded around the stage. This made the toasts and cutting the cake more personal; all eyes were truly on us. Jeri Payne (Stewart) IS AMAZING. I honestly believe you can't find a better venue that has a better wedding coordinator. She took care of every small detail...from requesting to personalize the meal to exactly how you want it to setting up all of the wedding favors on each table. She will do whatever needs to be done to make your wedding a real life fairytale. Everyone says their wedding day was the happiest day of their lives...but I truly mean it when I say it.

ct reception with no stress. Jeri is extremely knowledgable not only of The Brown's services, but also of all the local vendors. She helped us plan every aspect of the reception: timeline, food, music, flowers, decorations, guest rooms, etc. You name it, Jerri took care of it. I was stress free the day of the wedding- I was confident that Jeri would take care of everything. Upon arriving at The Brown after our ceremony, my husband and I and the wedding party were swept away to a room to enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails privately before being introduced. Jeri then took my husband and I into the Crystal Ballroom to show us the finished product before allowing guests to enter. I cannot explain how amazed I was. Everything was beautiful- no detail had been overlooked. The night continued without a hitch. It was literally our every dream come true. For months we received compliments about our wedding reception. Our friends and family had only excellent reviews of the guest service, food, accomodations, and elegance of The Brown Hotel. If you are looking for a beautiful venue, delicious food, and hospitality at its finest, The Brown Hotel will not disappoint.

wless! The food was exceptional, and the compliments we received from our guests were over-the-top. Everyone was impressed that "reception food" could be so well prepared and presented. The service was extraordinary, from the hors d'oeurve reception prior to dinner, to serving the cake at the end. Jeri Stewart made my daughter-in-law's night by simply placing her dancing shoes beneath the sweetheart table without being asked. The coordination of the event by Jeri Stewart included personal, much appreciated touches like making sure that my son and his wife had time to get a drink and see the Crystal Ballroom prior to allowing the guests to enter. Those little thoughtful details were so important, yet we never thought of them ourselves. Our out-of-town guests utilized the sleeping rooms and the accommodations were impeccable. And again, the service was beyond our expectations. From the bellmen at the front door, to the front desk associates, to the housekeepers, each and every person we encountered was so genuinely courteous and helpful. My daughter will likely be planning a wedding in the near future, and I can assure you, we will consider The Brown most strongly.

ctober and we had the ceremony and reception in the Crystal Ballroom. It was amazing how after the ceremony, during the cocktail hour ,they were able to turn the room around into the most beautiful dining room.The food,decor,staff everybody and everything was top notch. But I must add the one person overseeing and making this all happen was Jeri Stewart. Even before the Wedding I have never dealt with a more professional,caring and thoughtful person in my life. Anytime I was concerned about something I would talk to Jeri and right away she would put me at ease. She was made for this job and how lucky The Brown is to have her and how lucky are the Brides and their families are that get to work with Jeri. She is an ANGEL! This IS the place in Louisville to go to for your Dream Wedding to come true!!

Jeri Stewart in particular was a life saver. If anything went wrong, I never knew about it. She acted like an angel in the wings and swooped in to save the day before a problem even arose. Looking back I'm amazed at how she could be in so many places at once. My only job on my wedding day was to be a bride. When I woke up the day of the wedding, Jeri was the first call I received to let me know she was on the job. Due to her attention to detail, I never had one moment of anxiety. For example, during picture time, I was talking and had to clear my throat. Before I finished my sentence, Jeri was standing there holding a sparkling water. The staff of servers and bartenders were not only extremely attentive and friendly, they all seemed to be sincerely enjoying themselves and were genuinely happy for us. The venue itself is incredibly beautiful. The food was unbelievable. I've been told countless times that the food at my wedding was the best my guests had ever had. They even cut and individually served my wedding cake on a plate painted with chocolate and garnished with fruit and a little chocolate cup filled with this decadent mousse. When we arrived in our wedding suite, all of our gifts were neatly arranged in our room. I literally never had to lift a finger all day long. Since that day, I have sent many of my friends to The Brown for their weddings and have received many thanks. We all agree that booking at The Brown was the best decision we could have made.

erfect vendors to make this happen. My goal, as the MOB, was to walk into my daughters reception and enjoy the evening, and walk out. I did not want to have to work or think about anything but my family and our guests. As my daughter and future son-in-law met for the first time with Jeri Stewart from the Brown Hotel, I remember thinking how great it would be to work with her to help us pull this wedding together. Jeri is the perfect face of the Brown Hotel. She is just a nice person and she truly enjoys her job. In one meeting you knew perfection was the goal of the Brown Hotel. In the several months leading up to the wedding we were in contact with Jeri several times to ask the usual questions, get ideas and to set up room blocks for our guests. The level of professionalism is to the highest standard from all areas of the hotel. No matter what our concerns or questions, Jeri was quick to get us the information we needed. I even joked that she had a way of telling me No that made everything OK. In fact, on the rare occasion she told me No to a request, she had the alternative ready to offer me. The evening of the wedding was nothing short of spectacular. My daughter and her husband walked into the Crystal Ballroom before anyone came in just so they could take in the beauty. The look on my daughter's face made everything come together for me and my husband. She said this was the dream wedding she never thought could be a reality. And yet, the best was yet to come. We had a sit down dinner service for 150 people. The food came out of the kitchen cooked to perfection. Our salads were chilled and our dinner was hot. The food was just as it was at our tasting, delicious with more than ample servings. Richard Conrad kept everything in the room flowing so our guests were not waiting on their food. He was so nice and ready to meet our ever need. At the end of the evening he even helped me create a bouquet of flowers, from the table decortations, to be taken to the wedding suite. All of our servers displayed the highest level of professionalism and courtesy to us and our guests. No one wanted for anything. Our rooms were clean, large and beautiful. The front desk were pleasent and most helpful. The food at the restaurant, J Grahams, for breakfast was good. Our catered breakfast buffet the morning after the wedding was scrumptious, and again, the service was perfect. Don't let your budget tell you not to look into having your reception at the Brown Hotel. Before we walked in to meet with Jeri, I would have never thought in my wildest dream we could afford to have their reception here. After looking at other places and realizing you are charged for EVERYTHING, we soon, and happily, saw the greatest deal in going with the Brown. Now, seven months later, we watch the video and marvel at the natural beauty and the elegance of the room. Because of that you save on not needing chair covers and outlandish floral arrangements for the tables. See, already a savings!

rfect. Everyone at the Brown made my wedding go as smooth as possible. I would definitely recommend the The Brown as a site to have your wedding. It was truly a fairy tale.

t. The food was awesome and the ballroom was gorgeous. Our guests still talk about the great time they had at our wedding. If I had to do it over, I woudn't change a thing!