Wedding Receptions

Numerous decisions are made when planning your wedding day. Let the easiest one be choosing the elegant William H. and Dorothy Thompson Alumni Center as the place to host your reception.

Hundreds of happy couples have hosted their special day at the Alumni Center since it opened in 1994. The popular facility features everything you're looking for in a reception setting—ample space for guests, sophisticated décor, numerous catering options and much more. 

Best of all, the professional event staff at the Alumni Center and Brandeis Catering can help you plan it all! Read on to discover more about our Room Selections, Outdoor Events, Catering and Fees.

Room Selections

For wedding receptions, most couples utilize four first-floor rooms that together provide a maximum seating capacity of 450: Bootstrapper Hall, the Hospitality Room, Centennial Hall and Severa Parlor. All four rooms must be rented together on Saturday nights from April through October. The rooms may be rented individually from November through March.

Click on photo to go to slide show.

T Wandel Photography (www.twandel.com)

Bootstrapper Hall is the heart of the Alumni Center and will accommodate 200 guests at round tables. Beautifully decorated, it features a polished oak dance floor, lighted wall sconces, a ceiling-mounted LCD projector and an electronically controlled projection screen on which many couples show their life retrospectives. Our system accommodates DVD, VHS or computer-generated slide shows and includes an accompanying sound system. Outside of Bootstrapper Hall is Sokol Concourse, a beautiful pre-function space that guests also utilize throughout the evening. Features include a 13-foot vaulted ceiling, comfortable furniture groupings and a built-in marble-topped bar.

Most couples place their buffet line in the Hospitality Room, located across the concourse from Bootstrapper Hall. The room also can seat guests during increased attendance. The Hospitality Room opens directly into Centennial Hall and, combined with Bootstrapper Hall, provides a unique and functional suite of rooms for you and your guests.

Centennial Hall can accommodate 150 guests, more when combined with the Hospitality Room. The room mirrors the classic décor of Bootstrapper Hall, also featuring a permanent dance floor, LCD projector, screen and sound. Four French doors open to an outside terrace where during seasonable weather guests can rest in comfortable outdoor furniture and enjoy our beautifully landscaped grounds.

Severa Parlor features sofas, armchairs and a classic gas fireplace. The Parlor can be utilized in a variety of ways. Some couples host a cocktail reception in the Parlor prior to the main event—a particularly appealing option when there's time to spare between the ceremony and dinner. The room also can be used for additional dinner seating, accommodating up to 48 guests at round tables. Guests can exit the Parlor through two sets of French doors leading to the spacious Jeter Patio with seating for 48 guests.

The Alumni Center combines "high-tech" with our "classic architecture" to bring you and your guests the best of both worlds. Any audio (including music and announcements) or video (including slide shows) can be broadcast simultaneously from Bootstrapper Hall to all guests. Your event title will be displayed on LCD flat-screen marquees at the two main facility entrances.

Outdoor Events

The Thompson Alumni Center offers one of the most beautiful and private outdoor spaces in the area for wedding ceremonies and receptions. A canopy of mature trees shades the landscaped grounds, which also features smaller ornamentals, bushes and a paved walkway. There is no extra charge to utilize this space, though some events might entail other expenses, such as rental of folding chairs, canopies, arches and outdoor PA equipment.

Catering

Brandeis Catering is the exclusive caterer for the Thompson Alumni Center. One of Omaha's most popular caterers, Brandeis also owns and operates the Georgetowne Club in west Omaha. Professional event planners from Brandeis will answer questions you may have about their service as they guide you through the reception-planning process. Brandeis provides all food and beverage, including alcohol. They provide a professionally dressed serving staff (including bartenders) and an event manager who will strive to make your reception an affair worth remembering.

Brandeis also provides table linens and cloth napkins and can provide assistance with table centerpieces. Many of these extras are built into the price of the meals. Customers are not required to utilize Brandeis for their wedding cake, though they do offer a cake-serving package that includes plates, flatware and servers at no extra cost. Browse the extensive Brandeis Menu online or call them (402) 334-5446 with any questions you have.

Rental Fees

Combined, the four first-floor rooms rent for $210 per hour. The fee includes the brick patio and Alumni Center grounds. The rental fee also covers all the tables and chairs inside the building and on the patio, all china and silverware, room setup and cleanup. Room rental fees begin from the time you expect your guests to arrive and last until the end of the event. Starting time and event length are up to you (subject to availability).

Friday and Sunday Discounts

Many couples realize substantial savings on Friday nights and Sundays. On Friday nights, when renting the entire facility for a wedding reception, room rental is discounted 50 percent. Room rent also is discounted 50 percent on Sundays, though there is no requirement to rent the entire facility. Fridays and Sundays have fewer catering restrictions as well. The Friday night discount is not applicable in December. The Sunday discount is not available on long holiday weekends.

Other Fees

Fees are kept to a minimum, but there are some costs associated with other services. The Alumni Center provides a security guard (not campus security) who is professionally dressed (not in uniform) and who will oversee the security of your event, including the gifts, parking lot and building. You may contact him for assistance for any reason throughout the event. When not on foot he can be found at the reception desk near the east entrance. There is a security guard fee of $20 per hour. Security guard time begins one hour prior to your scheduled start time and lasts until one hour after the ending time.

Other fees may be charged when you utilize additional equipment, such as LCD projectors, the baby grand piano or the outdoor PA system. Fees for these and other items are listed on our Policies/Rates page.

Choose the Alumni Center Today!

The UNO Alumni Association and Brandeis Catering have hosted hundreds of wedding receptions with thousands of satisfied customers and guests. 

If you think the Thomson Alumni Center is the ideal setting for your wedding reception, begin the rental process today by submitting a Reservation Inquiry form. Alumni Center staff will promptly answer your request according to your indicated preference—e-mail, mail or phone. You are under no obligations by submitting the form.

You also can call (402) 554-3368 or e-mail Alumni Center Manager Greg Trimm (gtrimm@unomaha.edu) for more information or to schedule a tour. Remember, prime dates often are reserved a year or more in advance.

Make your special day truly special—rent the Thompson Alumni Center for an event forever remembered.