AT THE HEART OF JOLIET

• Discover the Iconic Space Behind Joliet’s Most Memorable Celebrations •

From Rail Hub to Event Landmark

Historic Roots & Architectural Legacy

Originally opened in 1912, Joliet Union Station was designed by famed railroad architect Jarvis Hunt and constructed with smooth Bedford limestone and intricate interior marble finishes, a testament to the early 20th-century Beaux-Arts style.

Today, that legacy lives on as The Grand Ballroom, a stunning event venue that preserves the grandeur of soaring ceilings, Romanesque windows, and symmetrical facades once central to a major Midwest transportation hub.

Versatile Spaces for Every Celebration

The Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 200 seated guests or 300 + cocktail-style with additional intimate options for smaller gatherings.

Whether you envision an elegant wedding reception under crystal chandeliers, a corporate dinner in a refined space, or a social celebration with memorable touches, the venue’s flexibility and historic charm allow your event to unfold exactly as you imagine.

Personalized Service & Memorable Experiences

Versatile Spaces for Every Celebration

THE LOUNGE

Step into The Lounge, the lower-level entry to The Grand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station, where guests are welcomed beneath limestone arches and tall historic windows. It’s a flexible space that works beautifully for intimate ceremonies, cocktail hour, or relaxed photo moments before the celebration begins.

THE BALLROOM

The ballroom is an ideal space for hosting your wedding reception, designed to flow easily from cocktails to dinner and dancing. Surrounded by historic architecture and filled with natural light, it’s a timeless backdrop for everything from first looks to packed dance floors.

THE OUTDOOR SPACE

Host your ceremony or cocktail hour on an inviting outdoor terrace that surrounds the ballroom, framed by classic stone details and panoramic downtown Joliet views.

THE BAR EXPERIENCE

Guests can enjoy handcrafted drinks and full bar service as part of our all-inclusive packages, all in an atmosphere that fits seamlessly with the venue’s timeless style and lively event energy.

THE BRIDAL SUITE

Our bridal suite offers a comfortable, private space to get ready before the ceremony, giving you and your wedding party plenty of room to relax, prepare, and enjoy the moments leading up to your day.

AMENITIES

The Grand Ballroom features ornate architectural details, crystal chandeliers, and flexible floor plans that blend Beaux-Arts grandeur with contemporary event needs.

The Team That Makes it happen

Our team is the heartbeat behind every seamless celebration and gathering. With deep expertise, creativity, and a commitment to service, they’re here to bring your vision to life.

SENIOR EVENT SALES MANAGER

Taylor Hardin

SENIOR EVENT SALES MANAGER

Audra Konechney

EVENT SALES MANAGER

Megan Fox-Deyoung

BANQUET CHEF

Ben Barrera

BANQUET SOUS CHEF

Samantha Ornelas

THE CULINARY TEAM

A SCRATCH KITCHEN BUILT AROUND YOUR EVENT

Our culinary and banquet teams work directly with each host to fully customize the dining experience, crafting tailored menus for each event. From passed hors d’oeuvres to multi-course plated dinners and interactive food stations, every dish is prepared in-house using fresh ingredients and thoughtful execution.

MADE FROM SCRATCH

Every menu is built fresh for your event, tailored to your tastes, dietary needs, and vision.

FULLY CUSTOMIZED

From elegant weddings to corporate fundraisers and themed events, our chefs design each menu to fit the moment.

CHEF-DRIVEN EXPERIENCE

Led by a dedicated culinary team focused on quality, presentation, and guest experience

A Setting That Adapts to Your Vision

The Grand Ballroom offers remarkable flexibility, effortlessly transforming to suit weddings, corporate functions, and social celebrations of every style and size. Supported by a dedicated team committed to exceptional service, each event is thoughtfully crafted to reflect your vision and create an experience unique to you.

WEDDINGS

Celebrate your day in a historic ballroom designed to bring your vision to life.

» Learn More

CORPORATE

Host your next meeting, corporate gathering, or fundraiser in a distinguished setting that elevates any professional interaction.

» Learn More

TESTIMONIALS

Megan Flaherty

"We had such a wonderful experience having our wedding reception at The Grand Ballroom. We were paired with Taylor as our coordinator and she was such a pleasure to work with! Leading up to the wedding day, Taylor was there to answer all of our questions and make sure every detail was accounted for. She was always kind, responsive, professional and detail-oriented. All of the staff did an excellent job making sure our wedding reception went smoothly. We got so many compliments on how beautiful the venue is and how delicious the food was! I could not recommend Taylor, the Mistwood staff, and The Grand Ballroom enough!"

Mikayla Kosicek Stronski

"As a luxury wedding photographer, I have to say—this historic 1912 train station is one of my absolute favorite venues to work at! Walking through it is like stepping straight into The Great Gatsby—all the art deco glamour, classy whimsy, and golden-era vibes I could ever dream of (bonus points: it totally matches my own home, built in the same era and decked out in the same style—so this venue is basically ME...if I were a place)."

Brittany P

"We attended a wedding here last night, and the staff couldn’t have been better! Rylee and her team were absolutely amazing—always ready to jump in and help with anything we needed. At the end of the night, we had a big spill while packing up, and without hesitation Rylee jumped right in to help me clean it up. Our server, Julie (I apologize if I have her name incorrect), was also wonderful. She went above and beyond to answer all our questions and even helped me track down a sewing kit to fix a bridesmaid’s dress, truly saving the day. Their kindness and attentiveness made the evening even more special. Thank you for all your hard work!"

Christina

"Taylor was an absolute blessing as our wedding venue coordinator. Her kindness, attention to detail, and willingness to listen and offer advice made our wedding planning journey so much easier. Union Station is an incredible venue, but it was Taylor's dedication that truly made our experience unforgettable."

Rebecca Skiple

"My husband and I got married in November 2025. Throughout our whole wedding process, Taylor was nothing but a joy to work with. Taylor was detail-oriented, attentive, kind, and very flexible. We were able to discuss options for the ceremony and reception, and she even offered suggestions for us. Everything was on-time and all her responses were prompt."

Christina & Mary Kate

"We had such a positive experience working with Audra and the Joliet team. This venue is such a hidden gem and the whole team took excellent care of us!"

Karyna Flores

"We had our wedding this month. The pictures don’t do the venue justice. Audra was amazing during the planning. Day of, Jeff and the staff were absolutely incredible. They were so helpful and there for anything that was needed."

Clare Driscoll

"My husband and I hosted our ceremony and reception at the Grand Ballroom/Joliet Union Station on 9/30/23. We were looking for a venue that was uniquely beautiful, had great food and service, and met all of our basic requirements (capacity, location, budget). This venue ticked all of our boxes! We worked with Taylor Prieboy, and she was incredible!"

Kevin

"We recently got married at the Union Station and had an amazing experience. The incredibly beautiful venue, paired with the perfect event management by Mistwood (and amazing food) was everything we could have asked for."

Party Designs by Calesia LLC

"As an event decorator and balloon artist, I recently had the pleasure of working with this venue for my uncle's surprise 80th Birthday Party. I was thoroughly impressed with their service from start to finish. Melissa was just outstanding throughout the night and helped me to find any and everything I needed to have a successful setup. The rest of the wait staff was fun, friendly and outgoing! I loved chatting with them while grabbing a soda and at the end of the night, they made sure we didn't leave anything behind. The Chicken Parmesan was delicious and the bartenders were friendly and efficient. I highly recommend this venue to any other event professionals or couples looking for a beautiful and well-managed event space. I WOULD jump on any opportunity to come back and decorate this naturally beautiful venue! Thanks again for a great time!"

Katie Benet

"The best day of our lives. Everything was absolutely perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Food was WONDERFUL. No pictures can do justice the beauty of the ceremony space, at 5 pm, lit up with candles, and filled with all of your loved ones."

Lauren Spaccapaniccia

"We recently got married at The Grand Ballroom and I cannot say enough nice things about the venue, Taylor, and the team that worked that day and night! Taylor was a dream to work with- she was always so kind and patient with us and all of the questions I had during our long engagement. She was always very detailed and prompt in her responses, willing to meet with us whenever we needed, and always presented different options and ideas!"

Lakyn H

"We chose this GORGEOUS venue for our winter wedding and could not have been happier. Everything was perfect- from the food to the service and accommodations. Our coordinator Taylor and her assistant were beyond amazing and helpful! She truly became a friend throughout the entire planning process. Highly recommend!"

Jen W

"This venue and the staff are amazing! We worked with Taylor throughout the planning process and she was the best. She was always so quick to respond and always answered whatever questions I had. The venue is absolutely gorgeous, the food is delicious, and we are still getting compliments on how much everyone loved the unique venue. It was also reasonably priced when you compare it with other vendors in the area. We are so happy we chose Union Station for our big day and highly recommend it."

Claire D

"We had our wedding here on 12/31/22 and had the most amazing day and best experience!!! Our primary contact throughout the process was Audra, who was amazing. She was patient and communicative, and extremely responsive to all of my questions. She worked so hard to make sure we had everything we envisioned on our wedding day and just made us feel so at ease throughout the planning process, knowing that we were in such good hands."

Nestled in the heart of downtown, The Grand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station is an iconic Beaux-Arts landmark offering timeless elegance for weddings and private events.

About Us

Let's Connect!

Contact Us

(815) 254-7003
50 E JEFFERSON ST.
JOLIET, IL 60432