Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Limited services venue

The venue will provide the space, plus a few extras.

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $1,500 for off-peak dates, and $2,500 for peak dates

Packages

Prices start at $1,500

Guest capacity

Up to 620 seated guests

About this venue

The historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater is a versatile location for any style of wedding. Looking for fun? One couple invited friends and family to perform a talent show on the stage during the reception. Seeking elegance? This 1922 theater already has style in spades. Ready to boogie? The stage or the orchestra pit can be used as a dance floor; adding our disco ball is a must. And don’t forget about the marquee, which will welcome guests to your big day, along with the flashing lights of the historic “Indiana” sign. Check out our current rates and availability here: (personal information protected by Zola)

Seated guest capacity

Venue type

Historic Estates, Mansions
Museums, Galleries
Urban Locations

Venue setting

Indoor

114 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408

Our event spaces

Lobby & Mezzanine
Dressing Rooms
Auditorium

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Lobby & Mezzanine

Cocktails and buffets

Our lobby and mezzanine areas feature art deco décor and are the ideal location for cocktail hour and a buffet setup. Our concessions area is outfitted to serve everything from beer, wine, and cocktails to movie favorites such as popcorn and gummy bears.

Guest capacity

Up to 20 Seated

Up to 50 Standing

Ideal for

Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Warm and cozy”

Included in this room:

Rental includes usage of our lobby space, auditorium and stage, dressing rooms, mezzanine area, and the History Exhibit. It also includes all of the lighting and sound equipment in the building. Rental also includes: - use of poster display cases at front of theater - personalized marquee message - 6ft rectangular tables and maroon linens - photo booth / draped background for photos - a House Manager to help your day run smoothly

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Buskirk-Chumley Theater packages

Standard Wedding Package

620 guests

Peak pricing $2,500-3,500

Off-peak pricing $1,500-2,500

Description

Check out our current rates and availability here: https://buskirkchumley.org/rent-the-bct/weddings/

Available services that can be provided by Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Services & amenities

Bar services
Clean up
Dance floor
Dressing room / Bridal Suite
Event coordinator
Event rentals
Event staff
Lighting/Sound
Pet friendly
Set up
Wheelchair accessible
Wifi

Transportation & access

Limo
Self parking - paid
Wheelchair accessible

Rentals

Linens
Sound / AV
Standard Chairs

Buskirk-Chumley Theater menu options

Reviews

Write a review

Zola (6)

5.0 (6 reviews)

One hour wedding!
Verified review
•Sarah P.•6 months ago
Jordan, the theatre manager, was amazing to work with as we planned our event. We had to make some changes and she was very helpful and guided us through the process. We decided to go the more untraditional route and have a “1-hour wedding”. We were married in the gorgeous entrance lobby of the theater with 8 of our closest family and friends. Additionally, we arrived and were surprised to have our names and wedding announcement on the marquis. It was such a cool touch and great for photos. We are so thankful we had such a small, intimate event. It was perfect!
The Coolest and Most Unique Wedding Venue
Verified review
•Morgan•8 months ago
When we were looking for a wedding venue in Bloomington, we wanted something unique and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater was just that! Guests loved it and so did we. From getting ready in theater dressing rooms (which have the best lighting for wedding day makeup), to being on stage during the ceremony, to dancing in the orchestra pit with a disco ball, the whole day was perfect. The Tech Director, David, was so incredible and helped with lighting, music, and rearranging after the ceremony to the dinner setup. We were planning the wedding from 2 hours away which made things tricky at times but the Event Manager, Jordan, made things easy and was able to answer any questions we had. The venue is unique, affordable, and within walking distance from most of the hotels which made things easy for us and our guests! I can't recommend the Buskirk-Chumley Theater enough for your big day.
Can't recommend enough!
Verified review
•Faye M.•9 months ago
Dave, Jordan, and Ahmed were an absolute pleasure! Our big day couldn't have gone off so smoothly and easily without them! Not only are they great staff, but the location was perfect! Just the right size for our smaller, intimate ceremony. They had everything setup when we got there, and made sure all our equipment worked. We didn't have a lot of preference when it came to lighting, and Dave RAN with the creative freedom! He came up with multiple, beautifully lit presets for different parts of the ceremony/reception. Jordan and Ahmed helped so much with navigating parking and catering and so much else! We're so grateful! We had such a magical wedding and the crew really made it the most stress-free experience. 10/10 for communication, paperwork experience, ease of access, general vibe, creative contributions, scheduling and planning, and EVERYTHING. Thank you thank you thank you!
Thrilled BCT Bride
Verified review
•Jayne Anne G.•3 years ago
Working with the Buskirk Chumley theater was the best decision we made for the wedding, it was also the first decision. The venue is beautiful and can lend itself to any need or dream you have for your wedding. We actually used it as a movie theater, screening “Casablanca” during the ceremony and “Bringing Up Baby” during the reception. We used the dressing rooms to get ready, and the theater for the ceremony and reception so we didn’t have to do any additional traveling. The dressing rooms are big, and there is so much space to utilize from the stage, to the orchestra out, the inner lobby, the outer lobby, the mezzanine, the balcony - its perfect for any type of wedding. The events manager, Sami, also went above and beyond in communicating with me not only about the venue and my wants for it, but planning during a pandemic she kept me up to date on all city regulations to make sure we were always informed and how to best meet our needs. I also met with their technician, Skyler, before the wedding to explain my vision with lights, sound, media, etc and he also went above and beyond making my vision come to life. He worked with my photographer to set up amazingly lit photos. Sami and Skyler treated us with so much kindness and grace as we planned this wedding. I would recommended the BCT over and over again to every soon to be bride.

Preferred vendors of Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Accommodations

The Graduate Providence

Providence, RI

Accommodations

Hyatt Place

Boulder, CO

Some couples just have their ceremony in the theater and move to another location for their reception. Others just have their reception here. We can accommodate both, although it should be noted that the theater is not suited for large seated meals, as open space for tables with seating is limited to the stage and orchestra pit.

Your rental fee includes a house manager who helps your day run smoothly. We have a limited number of six-foot tables and table cloths available for your use. And, of course, the theater comes with seating for more than 500 (300 seats on the orchestra level). You are also welcome to use our high-quality lighting and sounds systems.

Why, yes, there is a disco ball. That’s included in the rental rate as well.

We can provide locally-sourced concessions and bar service and offer open or cash bar options. Our staff must serve any alcohol provided to your guests. Otherwise, the theater does not handle catering, although we recommend you order your coffee and sweet treats from from BLU Boy Cafe & Cakery, which is adjacent to our lobby.

Downtown Bloomington is a great wedding location, with museums, shopping, and access to a walking trail within a few blocks of the theater. Parking is plentiful, and we will happily direct your guests to the free parking options available downtown.

September - May

June - July

All alcoholic beverages must be distributed by licensed servers, which the BCT will provide.

Valet parking is available at the rate of $30 for up to 24 hours. We do not offer in-and-out privileges or self-parking.

Yes, all our facilities are wheelchair accessible. We also have ramps at the main and side entrances, hearing-impaired fire alarm lights, and trained staff.

Rental of our entire theater, aside from our office spaces. Set up, clean up, tables, chairs, and linens are also included.

Your reservation is for the whole day. We do ask that your event conclude at or before midnight.

Booking fees for our facilities, and all payments made including deposits, are non-refundable. If you cancel your event within 40 days of your booked date, we’ll bill you the full amount of all estimated charges.

The nearest commercial airport is located one hour away in Indianapolis.

All renters must acquire liability insurance that names both BCT Management and the City of Bloomington as additional insured. We have an insurance agent we regularly work with who can help you get the coverage you need.

Want them for your wedding?

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Limited services venue

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Packages

Guest capacity

About this venue

Seated guest capacity

Venue type

Venue setting

Our event spaces

Lobby & Mezzanine

Guest capacity

Ideal for

Guests often feel this space is

Included in this room:

Room cost

Dressing Rooms

Guest capacity

Guests often feel this space is

Included in this room:

Room cost

Auditorium

Guest capacity

Ideal for

Guests often feel this space is

Included in this room:

Room cost

Buskirk-Chumley Theater packages

Standard Wedding Package

Available services that can be provided by Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Services & amenities

Transportation & access

Rentals

Buskirk-Chumley Theater menu options

Concessions Menu

Reviews

One hour wedding!

The Coolest and Most Unique Wedding Venue

Can't recommend enough!

Thrilled BCT Bride

Preferred vendors of Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Frequently asked questions

A wedding in a theater? How will this work?

What's included in the rental?

Is there a disco ball?

Does the BCT provide catering?

What will my guests need to know?

What is your peak season?

What is your off-peak season?

Can we bring our own alcohol?

Do you have on-site parking?

Do you have accessible facilities?

What’s included in your starting rental fee?

How many hours are included in our booking?

What’s your cancellation policy?

How do we get to your venue from the nearest airport?

Do we need to get insurance?

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