1886 Stafford Opera House

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Raw space venue

The venue will provide just the space. You’ll bring in your own caterer and vendors.

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $500

Packages

Prices start at $50

Guest capacity

Up to 300 seated guests

About this venue

The Grand Hall, located on the second floor of the 1886 Stafford Opera House, is the epitome of timeless opulence. Large enough to comfortably seat up to 300, the Grand Hall will captivate you and your guests with its historic elegance. Columbus Historical Preservation Trust (CHPT) would be honored to host such a special and meaningful day for you at the 1886 Stafford Opera House, located at the heart of our downtown and historic town square! We want your celebration to reflect YOU! You are welcome to select the event planner, florist, décor team, caterer, bartender, and entertainment of your choice—we do not require the use of a mandatory vendor list. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule a tour. CHPT is delighted to assist you as you explore whether the 1886 Stafford Opera House is the perfect setting for your big day!

Seated guest capacity

  • 0-300

Venue type

  • Ballrooms, Banquet Halls
  • Historic Estates, Mansions
  • Hotels, Inns, Resorts
  • Museums, Galleries

Venue setting

  • Indoor
425 Spring St Suite 101, Columbus, TX 78934

Our event spaces

The Grand Hall

The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House: Refined elegance, rich in history. Ideal for a timeless celebration.

The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House is rich with history, architectural character, and timeless Texas elegance. A dramatic stage, historic balcony, and private elevator create a setting as functional as it is unforgettable. More than a beautiful venue, the Grand Hall offers something newly built spaces cannot: authentic history, remarkable architecture, and an even better story.

Guest capacity

Up to 300 Seated

Up to 350 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement, Other

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Included in this room:

Historic stage and balcony Dedicated elevator access ADA-accessible restrooms Professional stage and house lighting and sound Backstage dressing and support spaces Elegant gold cushioned event chairs 60" round banquet tables 6' and 8' rectangular tables Flexible floor plan for ceremonies, receptions, dinners, performances, and presentations Operable partition for flexible event layouts Historic architectural details throughout Convenient bar/service support areas Wi-Fi connectivity

Room cost

$3,000 for a 15-hour rental or $250 per hour under 5 hours

The Buddy Rau Room

The Buddy Rau Room: Where history welcomes you in for effortless gatherings, meaningful moments, and timeless celebrations.

The Buddy Rau Room, located on the first floor of the 1886 Stafford Opera House, offers a warm and elegant setting for gatherings of up to 97 guests. The space includes an adjoining kitchenette and a beautiful, flexible foyer ideal for cocktails, receptions, auctions, guest arrival, or additional event space. Thoughtfully designed for both function and charm, the Buddy Rau Room may be reserved on its own or added to your Grand Hall event for an even more seamless and memorable experience.

Guest capacity

Up to 80 Seated

Up to 97 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement, Other

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Included in this room:

60" round tables 6' and 8' rectangular tables Cocktail and welcome tables HDMI presentation capabilities and (2) TVs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity Adjoining kitchenette with refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and sink Built-in buffet and serving area Flexible foyer for cocktails, receptions, auctions, registration, or overflow May be rented independently or paired with the Grand Hall for larger events

Room cost

$500 for a 12-hour rental or $50 per hour under 4 hours

The Grand Hall

The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House: Refined elegance, rich in history. Ideal for a timeless celebration.

The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House is rich with history, architectural character, and timeless Texas elegance. A dramatic stage, historic balcony, and private elevator create a setting as functional as it is unforgettable. More than a beautiful venue, the Grand Hall offers something newly built spaces cannot: authentic history, remarkable architecture, and an even better story.

Guest capacity

Up to 300 Seated

Up to 350 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement, Other

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Included in this room:

Historic stage and balcony Dedicated elevator access ADA-accessible restrooms Professional stage and house lighting and sound Backstage dressing and support spaces Elegant gold cushioned event chairs 60" round banquet tables 6' and 8' rectangular tables Flexible floor plan for ceremonies, receptions, dinners, performances, and presentations Operable partition for flexible event layouts Historic architectural details throughout Convenient bar/service support areas Wi-Fi connectivity

Room cost

$3,000 for a 15-hour rental or $250 per hour under 5 hours

The Buddy Rau Room

The Buddy Rau Room: Where history welcomes you in for effortless gatherings, meaningful moments, and timeless celebrations.

The Buddy Rau Room, located on the first floor of the 1886 Stafford Opera House, offers a warm and elegant setting for gatherings of up to 97 guests. The space includes an adjoining kitchenette and a beautiful, flexible foyer ideal for cocktails, receptions, auctions, guest arrival, or additional event space. Thoughtfully designed for both function and charm, the Buddy Rau Room may be reserved on its own or added to your Grand Hall event for an even more seamless and memorable experience.

Guest capacity

Up to 80 Seated

Up to 97 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement, Other

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Included in this room:

60" round tables 6' and 8' rectangular tables Cocktail and welcome tables HDMI presentation capabilities and (2) TVs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity Adjoining kitchenette with refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and sink Built-in buffet and serving area Flexible foyer for cocktails, receptions, auctions, registration, or overflow May be rented independently or paired with the Grand Hall for larger events

Room cost

$500 for a 12-hour rental or $50 per hour under 4 hours

1886 Stafford Opera House packages

Rental of the Grand Hall

350 guests

Peak pricing $250-3,000

Off-peak pricing $250-3,000

Description

The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House is rich with history, architectural character, and timeless Texas elegance. A dramatic stage, historic balcony, and private elevator create a setting as functional as it is unforgettable. More than a beautiful venue, the Grand Hall offers something newly built spaces cannot: authentic history, remarkable architecture, and an even better story.

What’s included
  • Historic stage and balcony
  • Dedicated elevator access
  • Professional stage and house lighting
  • Sound and microphone capabilities
  • Handheld, lavalier, and headset microphones
  • Grand piano and music stands
  • Backstage dressing and support spaces
  • Elegant gold cushioned event chairs
  • 60" round banquet tables
  • 6' and 8' rectangular tables
  • Operable partition for flexible event layout
  • Convenient bar/service support areas
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Flexible floor plans

Rental of the Buddy Rau Room

97 guests

Peak pricing $50-500

Off-peak pricing $50-500

Description

The Buddy Rau Room, located on the first floor of the 1886 Stafford Opera House, offers a warm and elegant setting for gatherings of up to 97 guests. The space includes an adjoining kitchenette and a beautiful, flexible foyer ideal for cocktails, receptions, auctions, guest arrival, or additional event space. Thoughtfully designed for both function and charm, the Buddy Rau Room may be reserved on its own or added to your Grand Hall event for an even more seamless and memorable experience.

What’s included
  • Accommodates up to 97 guests
  • Comfortably seats 80 at round tables
  • Tables and chairs included
  • 6' and 8' rectangular tables
  • 60" round banquet tables
  • Cocktail and welcome tables
  • Two large presentation TVs
  • HDMI presentation capabilities
  • Podium, speakers, and microphones
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Adjoining kitchenette for catering
  • Built-in buffet and serving area
  • Piano (mobile)
  • Convenient first-floor access
  • Flexible foyer for welcome or cocktails
  • Flexible floor plans
  • Rented alone or paired with the Grand Hall
  • First-floor ADA restrooms

Available services that can be provided by 1886 Stafford Opera House

Services & amenities

  • Clean up
  • Dance floor
  • Dressing room / Bridal Suite
  • Event staff
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Set up
  • Wifi

Transportation & access

  • Self parking - free
  • Wheelchair accessible

Rentals

  • Sound / AV
  • Standard Chairs

Reviews

Worked with this vendor?Write a review
Tables (uncovered), chairs, set up, clean up, wi-fi, Bluetooth, lighting, and sound.
The 1886 Stafford Opera House has two event spaces: The Buddy Rau Room located on the first floor can be rented at $500 for a 12-hour reservation or at $50 per hour for an event under 4 hours. The Grand Hall located on the second floor can be rented at $3,000 for a 15-hour reservation or at $250 per hour for an event under 5 hours. The Buddy Rau Room can be added to your Grand Hall reservation for $500 and/or additional set up or building hours can be added at $125 per hour.
Yes, free parking is available around our beautiful courthouse square.
Yes, we will gladly work with you or your bartending service to obtain the appropriate TABC permits (if needed).
Yes, all our facilities are wheelchair accessible.
April, May, June, October, November, and December; however, we do not charge for "peak" season.
January, February, March, July, August, September.
A 50% deposit is due at booking. All refund requests must be made in writing. Partial (50%) refunds will be given for requests received 90 days or more in advance of the event. If a request is received less than 90 days before, no refund will be given.
From the 1886 Stafford Opera House, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is approximately 80 miles to the northwest and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport are approximately 85 miles east. San Antonio International Airport is approximately 130 miles to the west.
Lessee is required to obtain day-of-wedding insurance; proof of insurance must be presented 30 days before the event.

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