Your Perfect DayYou make your grand entrance—the first as a married couple—framed by stunning views of Memorial Stadium. The room is just how you pictured it, with special touches as distinctive as the two of you. Family and friends are already seated; it was easy to find the venue and park. The evening progresses; guests dance. A panoramic sunset over the Haymarket is the backdrop. When you leave, you know your reception could not have been more perfect. You know that, quite simply, there is no other venue like the Nebraska Champions Club.
We Know EventsWhen you choose the Nebraska Alumni Champions Club for your special event, you’re choosing peace of mind. The special events staff at the Nebraska Alumni Association boasts a decade of experience producing hundreds of weddings, awards dinners, intimate gatherings and large conferences in one of the most exceptional venues in Lincoln.
A Partner in PlanningWhen it comes to special events, we know what works. And we’ll work with you to develop your event; then think of the details you forget. We’ll listen to your wants; then add the special touches you didn’t realize you needed. We’ll be here for you from the time you book an event until the time your last guest has left the building—just as a true partner would.
Uniquely YouWe understand that the big day should be as distinctive as the couple who share it. Our staff and official partners have worked with virtually every color palate and staging request. We’ll make your reception truly unique—from multiple dance floor options to complex audio/visual needs, from unique rental requests to coordination services. And if you don’t see it in this packet, simply ask and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Friends and Family
The Champions Club is easy to find and easy to get to, with highway access just minutes away. Guests unfamiliar with Lincoln have the ultimate landmark (Memorial Stadium) to guide them. And once they arrive at the venue, they’ll find 420 parking stalls just steps from the club entrance. Once the reception is over, downtown hotels for lodging are minutes away. It doesn’t get easier than that.
Policies and ProceduresFor policies governing site rental, special services and catering, please consult with the Nebraska Alumni Association Facilities Rental and Usage Policies manual. All special events will be governed by these policies and must be agreed to by all those wishing to rent our facilities.
The Great HallThe upper level of the club is home to our main reception room. It features floor-to-ceiling windows, rich woodwork and stunning views.
- Seated receptions – Maximum capacity is 350 guests, with a standard set-up of round tables, dance floor, buffets and a head table.
- Hors d’oeuvre receptions – 400+ guests may be accommodated with two-thirds seating and cocktail tables for an hors d’oeuvre reception.
- Multi-level receptions – Adding the club’s Plaza Level, up to 700 guests may be seated with full buffets on each level, head tables and a dance floor.
Catering OptionsThe Nebraska Champions Club has selected the best catering companies in Lincoln to serve our clients. They offer a wide array of menu selections for wedding receptions. Please see the attached list of caterers for descriptions of menus and contact information.
LinensStandard linens and china are provided by the catering company of choice. Please inquire about the colors and selections at the time of researching your menu options. Specialty linens may be ordered through the Nebraska Champions Club at an additional charge.
Booking ProcedureInitial appointment: During or immediately following this meeting, a deposit equal to the full room rental rate is required to reserve a date. The client’s file will be started with all contact and billing information. The initial details of the reception also will be discussed. Facility staff will offer referrals to other wedding specialists if the client so desires and will answer any initial questions the client may have. A formal contract may be completed at a later date.
Planning appointment: This appointment will cover menu, bar service, a tentative timeframe for the reception, the alcohol request form, wedding vendor information, room layout, linens and decorations.
Final walk-through: The final appointment is typically scheduled the week of the reception. A complete review of all reception details will take place during this appointment, and a test run of the wedding video may also be completed.
Room LayoutsFacility staff will provide recommendations during planning sessions regarding the room layout for each reception. Typically, the dance floor is set at the north end of the room, the bar in the southeast corner and buffet tables in the north corners. If a disc jockey or band is used, they are stationed in the northwest corner of the room.
Receptions for fewer guests have more flexibility in room setup than larger receptions. Cocktail tables may be added to the room setup near the bar. A traditional head table, nontraditional block head table, or a round head table may easily be accommodated. Traditional head tables should have 16 or fewer guests seated at them. It is recommended that only the bride, groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids be seated at the head table unless there is a very small wedding party. Reserved tables may be used to accommodate other special guests involved in the wedding festivities. Reserved tables usually are set close to the head table.
Larger receptions have less flexibility in room setup. If a reception features a band with full seating for all guests, we recommend no more than 325 guests. If there is no bar or dance, 360 guests can be accommodated for full seating. A non-traditional block table for the head table cannot be accommodated in the center of the room. Head table options for larger receptions are a traditional head table on the west wall or non-traditional head table utilizing a round table(s) or a large rectangular table centered in front of the dance floor.
For smaller receptions or those utilizing both the Great Hall and the Plaza Level, facility staff will share options and the best practices to make your layout fit your guest list.
Centerpieces and DecorationsYou are free to bring in your own centerpieces as approved in advance by facilities staff in accordance with facility policies. Any centerpieces brought in externally must be set up by the florist, vendor or family/friends. You may also elect to rent decorations, glassware, mirrors or other items in stock at the club. See the price sheet for specific costs.
Dance FloorOur dance floor is available in different sizes to accommodate a variety of receptions. Generally the dance floor is set in the front of the room for dancing, with the disc jockey or band set off to the side. Facility staff will be able to offer recommendations on the size of dance floor if needed. See the price sheet for specific costs.
Special Room LightingThe Nebraska Champions Club can offer suggestions for local lighting professionals. Arrangements should be made through facilities staff. Room lighting packages can range from custom-colored gels on the security lights in the room to full lighting packages including studio spotlighting, can lights and light tubes. Lighting packages are available in many colors to enhance the color scheme of your reception.
Deliveries and SetupDeliveries and setup for the reception for the couple as well as all vendors (cake, florists, DJ, etc.) should occur within a two-hour window the day of the reception. Additional delivery time may be worked out with facility staff. See the price sheet for specific costs.
Audio/Visual EquipmentProjectors, HD televisions and a sound system are available at the club. Many wedding clients have a video, slideshow or other presentation played during the reception. We highly recommend that a test is conducted prior to the day of the reception. Most clients bring their presentation to the final appointment for a test run to ensure that everything will run smoothly the day of the reception. See the price sheet for specific costs.
Guestbook Table/GiftsThe guestbook table for wedding receptions is typically a four-foot table set in the entrance, with an option of gifts being checked directly into the coatroom. Other options for gift tables in the main hall are available. If elected, facility staff will man the gift room for the course of the reception and assist in loading gifts at the conclusion of the event. See the price sheet for specific costs of staff assistance.
The Wedding Cake TableThe wedding cake, mints and nuts may be brought in from an outside vendor. Our facilities staff is happy to provide recommendations of local bakers for wedding cakes depending on the style, design and price range the client is seeking. A cake-cutting service is available through the catering companies. Facilities staff can provide mint trays and nut dishes to uniquely display on your cake table.
On-site CeremoniesSmall ceremonies may be accommodated in the Great Hall on the dance floor area. Some have guests seated at tables, with limited theater seating near the dance floor for special family members. Larger ceremonies may be held in the Plaza Level with seating for up to 300+ guests. The open-air Plaza can be a nice alternative for a couple who wishes to have an outdoor wedding without the worry of weather, or those who desire to have everything at one location.
There is a $200 charge to have your ceremony at the Nebraska Champions Club. This fee covers additional planning and ceremony staffing and coordination – aspects such as assisting with getting the wedding party down the aisle, ceremony etiquette and coordination with the presiding ceremony official.