Mayo Civic Center & Rochester Arts Center | Vendor of the Week

You’ve met their team at UNVEILED Rochester, now get to know Mayo Civic Center and the Rochester Arts Center a bit more in this Vendor of the Week! We talk to the Catering and Sales Manager, Amanda Davis, about what makes their spacious ballrooms unique and how they’ll help you host a seamless wedding day.

Amanda Davis, Catering Sales Manager
at Mayo Civic Center & Rochester Arts Center

Q: Let’s get to it, what’s your business’ specialty?
A: At the Mayo Civic Center, we offer two stunning locations within one campus for your wedding ceremony, reception, or both! Our Mayo Civic Center Ballroom, and the Rochester Arts Center Grand Lobby.

Q: Where can we find you?
A: 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, MN 55904

Q: What makes your company unique from others?
A: One thing that stood out to me right away about our two spaces, in particular, are the stunning views of Downtown Rochester and the Zumbro River. Both the Rochester Arts Center and Ballroom Lobby have floor-to-ceiling windows that offer gorgeous views of the sunset and city nightlife.

Q: How long have you been in the industry? What do you think has changed the most since then?
A: About 6 years. When I started working in weddings I felt as though it was almost unheard of to have your ceremony and reception in the same event venue. Nowadays, this trend has become so much more popular and convenient for the couple and their guests and I see it with almost every wedding I coordinate.

Q: Walk us through your average workday.
A: Average day-to-day activities include drawing up Banquet Event Orders for all events happening in the Mayo Civic Center or the Rochester Arts Center that have ordered catering, possibly meeting with a client for a venue tour or a menu tasting, attending planning meetings with clients virtually or in-person to organize food & beverage details, and responding to all wedding and social gathering inquires that come in.

Q: What would you want couples searching for your business type to know?
A: That we offer two beautiful and modern venue spaces, and also that we offer an all-inclusive wedding package that you can find more about by scheduling a tour with us or by visiting us at the January UNVEILED Rochester Bridal Show!

Q: How far in advance should a couple book with you?
A: We book up to a year in advance.

Q: What’s one wedding trend you’d like to see fade away?
A: The pressure to have a hosted bar for your guests! I don’t think that the bride and groom should feel obligated to purchase drinks for guests all night long, but if that’s something you’d really like to offer for your guests then definitely go for it! For couples who are thinking of alternative routes, I always suggest choosing one specialty cocktail to host all night long and maybe some bottles of wine or champagne!

Q: What are your other hobbies and passions besides creating beautiful wedding days?
A: I love spending time with my husband, Wil, and our two dogs, Rogue (a 3-year-old German Shepherd) and Oakley (a 2-year-old Corgi). They definitely keep us on our toes!