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MLK Student Union

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Berkeley Wedding Location
Bancroft & Telegraph
Berkeley, CA 94720-4500
Contact: Reservations Services
Phone: 510/642-1141
asuc.berkeley.edu
Request more information from MLK Student Union

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Why We Like This Place

Whether you’re a Cal alumnus who dreams in blue and gold, or a bride (or groom!) looking for a room-with-a-view that won’t cost a bundle, consider the Martin Luther King Student Union. Overlooking Sproul Plaza at the heart of the UC Berkeley Campus, the five-story MLK Student Union is a contemporary structure that offers a variety of flexible event facilities.

The Main Lobby is modern and bright, thanks to two glass-paneled walls. Its focal point is a wide marble staircase, and brides often set a festive tone by decorating the banisters with garlands or greenery. Photographers usually pose the wedding party on these stairs, and guests headed for a reception or cocktail hour take them up to the Ballroom and Lounge.

For wedding ceremonies, ride the elevators to the Tilden Room at top of the building. Here, the simple décor showcases a magnificent wall-size mosaic of boldly colored stained glass done in deep scarlet, glittering white and shades of blue. The splendid work of art, which often serves as a backdrop for an altar, is especially evocative of a Renaissance masterpiece when backlit by the sun’s rays.

After the ceremony, open the doors wide on both sides of the room so that guests can flow out to the East and West Patios for more visual treats. The West Patio takes in a spectacular Bay Area skyline, with the Golden Gate Bridge poised above the blue-green waters of the bay; in the evening sunset gives way to the twinkling of the San Francisco City Lights in the distance. Landscaping and potted plants further enhance the West Patio, and you can add Tivoli lights or paper lanterns for even greater effect. A promenade leads to the East Patio, which faces the verdant Berkeley Hills. The stately Sproul Hall lies below, and the venerable Campanile seems almost within reach. Even if you hold your ceremony at one of the local houses of worship, you can still use all of the Tilden Room for your cocktail hour; leave the room’s doors open, and up to 250 of your friends and family can mingle in this refreshing milieu.

For a cocktail hour with a relaxed formality, consider Kerr Lounge, located at the top of the Lobby staircase. This open area, defined by blue carpeting, wood paneling and tall windows, conveniently adjoins the foyer of Pauley Ballroom.

Seated receptions for up to 600 can be staged in this spacious ballroom, where oak paneling, a high ceiling, modern light fixtures, and a gleaming hardwood floor create a timeless blend of the traditional and contemporary. The star here, however, is the rows of floor-to-ceiling windows that let guests peer over leafy treetops to far-reaching vistas of rolling hillsides, historic buildings and star-filled skies. Not only does the view make the room feel even more expansive, but it also connects your celebration to the surrounding community. There’s even a service kitchen, and you’re free to use whichever caterer you like—even your Aunt Millie! With an accommodating staff and very attractive pricing, the Student Union is catching on as a prime venue for any important occasion.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 900
Max. Seated Outdoors:

Max. Seated Indoors: 600
Max. Seated Outdoors:
Max. Standing Indoors: 999
Max. Standing Outdoors:

Max. Seated: 900

CEREMONY & MEETING CAPACITY: The Ballroom holds up to 900 guests, seated theater-style.

EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: Various indoor spaces hold up to 600 seated at round tables or 999 standing guests.

Fees & Deposits

50% of the rental fee is required to reserve your date. The balance is due 30 days prior to event. Rental fees range $500–3,000 depending on space rented.

Availability

Year-round, subject to University activities and availability.

Catering

BYO

Alcohol

BYO

Site Uses

Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Rehearsal Dinners

Services/Amenities

Catering: BYO
Kitchen Facilities: fully equipped
Tables & Chairs: CBA
Linens, Silver, etc.: BYO
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: yes
Bride's Dressing Area: yes
Meeting Equipment: CBA, extra fee
Parking: on-street, or on-site and nearby garages
Accommodations: no guestrooms
Telephone: pay phone
Outdoor Night Lighting: access only
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no
Cleanup: caterer and facility
View: cityscape and rolling hills

Amplified Music

Indoors

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Cityscape
Forest/Wooded Area
Hills
Panoramic

Site Type

Banquet Hall/Events Facility
College Campus/School
Ballroom

Restrictions

Alcohol: BYO
Smoking: outdoors only
Music: amplified OK indoors
Wheelchair Access: yes
Insurance: liability required

Contact: Reservations Services
510/642-1141
asuc.berkeley.edu
Email or request more information for your event from MLK Student Union

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