Your first dance is one of those moments you’ll replay in your mind for years. The music starts, your guests settle into their seats, and you step onto the floor together. At the Grand Marquis, that floor happens to be a spacious marble oval at the center of the Marquis Ballroom, and there’s something about dancing on marble that makes the moment feel even more special.
Why the Marquis Ballroom’s Dance Floor Matters
When you’re choosing where to celebrate your wedding, the dance floor might not be the first thing you think about. But it should be. You’ll spend some of your most photographed, most emotional moments on that surface. Your parents will dance there. Your friends will dance there. And years later, when you think about your reception, you’ll remember what it felt like to be at the center of it all.
We’ve been hosting weddings for over 30 years, and we’ve learned that the right dance floor changes how the entire evening feels. At the Grand Marquis, the Marquis Ballroom’s marble oval does more than just give you a place to dance. It shapes the whole experience.
A Marble Oval That Anchors the Room
The Marquis Ballroom features a marble oval dance floor right in the center of the room. It’s not tucked into a corner or squeezed between tables. It’s the focal point, surrounded by Roman Corinthian marble columns that line the perimeter. When you’re dancing, you feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
The marble itself is smooth and polished, so your steps glide naturally. You’re not worried about uneven surfaces or awkward transitions from one flooring type to another. It’s all one continuous surface that can comfortably hold you, your wedding party, and eventually all your guests as the night progresses.
Space That Holds Up to 800 Guests Comfortably
The Marquis Ballroom accommodates a maximum of 800 guests, which means your dance floor doesn’t exist in isolation. There’s plentiful seating during cocktail hour, so your guests aren’t crowding around the edges when you’re having your moment. They have their own comfortable spots with clear sightlines.
This matters because when you’re dancing, you want to see faces, not just a wall of people pressed up against the edge of the floor. The layout gives everyone room to enjoy the evening without feeling cramped, and that includes you.
Crystal Chandeliers and Color-Changing Columns
Above you, crystal chandeliers catch the light. Around the perimeter, the columns can change colors, so you can set the mood to match your vision. Want soft romantic lighting for your first dance? We can do that. Prefer something brighter and more celebratory when the party gets going? That works too.
The lighting isn’t just decoration. It shapes how your first dance feels and how it looks in your photos. You get to decide what kind of atmosphere surrounds that marble floor.
The Flow from Cocktail Hour to Reception
We’ve been hosting weddings for over 30 years, so we understand how the evening should flow. Your guests enjoy a full cocktail hour with butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, along with cold and hot food stations. They’re well fed and relaxed by the time they move into the Marquis Ballroom for the reception.
Once everyone is seated, you make your entrance. The room is ready. The marble floor is waiting. And when your song starts, you step onto that oval surface with your guests watching from every angle.
After your first dance, we serve a first course followed by a four-choice entrée tableside. Your guests aren’t scrambling for food or wondering when dinner will arrive. Everything is timed so you can enjoy the evening without worrying about logistics.
Your Guests Join You on the Floor
One of the benefits of a spacious marble dance floor is that it can hold a crowd. After the formal dances, your friends and family will fill that oval. The marble stays smooth no matter how many people are moving across it, and the open layout means there’s room for everyone, from your college roommate to your 85-year-old grandmother.
We’ve seen guests dance for hours in the Marquis Ballroom. The floor holds up. The energy stays high. And the Grand European style of the room keeps everything feeling elegant even when things get lively.
Planning Your Reception at the Grand Marquis
Once you’ve seen the marble floor and pictured your first dance, the next step is understanding what your booking includes and how the planning process works. We keep things straightforward so you know exactly what you’re getting.
What’s Included with Your Booking
When you book the Marquis Ballroom, you get more than just the space. Your celebration includes the full cocktail hour we mentioned, along with a premium open bar for the entire event. We provide stemware, silverware, linens, tables, and chairs. Valet parking is available for your guests.
You also get multiple dessert options and a wedding cake. Our award-winning chefs prepare everything, and our professional staff coordinates the evening so you’re not managing details on your wedding day.
Book Your Tour
The best way to understand how the Marquis Ballroom will work for your first dance is to see it in person. Walk across the marble floor. Stand in the center and look up at the chandeliers. Picture your guests seated around the perimeter.
We’re located at 1550 Route 9 South in Old Bridge, and we’re open every day from 10 am to 7 pm. Contact us at 732.679.5700 to schedule a private tour. We’ll walk you through the space, answer your questions, and talk about how we can make your wedding day exactly what you’re envisioning.
FAQs
How many people can dance on the marble floor at once?
The marble oval in the Marquis Ballroom is spacious enough to hold dozens of guests comfortably. We’ve hosted receptions with up to 800 people, and the dance floor accommodates everyone who wants to join in, from formal dances to the late-night celebration.
Can we customize the lighting for our first dance?
Yes. The columns in the Marquis Ballroom can change colors, and the crystal chandeliers provide elegant overhead lighting. We work with you to set the mood for your first dance and can adjust throughout the evening as the celebration evolves.
What if we want to bring in our own caterer for a cultural wedding?
We welcome outside caterers for cultural and traditional events. We can provide a list of recommended options, or you’re welcome to bring in your preferred licensed and insured caterer. We still provide the premium open bar, valet parking, and all the venue amenities.
Is the marble floor difficult to dance on in heels?
The marble is smooth and polished, but it’s not slippery. Brides dance in heels on this floor regularly, and we’ve never had issues. The surface provides a stable, elegant foundation for your first dance and all the dancing that follows.