Question 1

How many guests can the DoubleTree accommodate for a wedding?

Accepted Answer

The Dakota Ballroom holds up to 350 guests at full capacity. The room can also be configured at three-quarter (260 guests) or half (160 guests) size, a better fit for smaller celebrations. The Black Hills Ballroom accommodates up to 200, and the Board Room is available for micro-weddings up to 30. The venue coordinator can recommend the right configuration for your count; an underfilled ballroom is the most common issue we see at large-capacity venues.

Question 2

Is there natural light in the ceremony space?

Accepted Answer

No. The Dakota Ballroom, Black Hills Ballroom, and the atrium are all interior spaces with no natural light. This is manageable from a photography standpoint — we plan for it. But couples who strongly prefer natural light portraits should build in a 20–30 minute exterior portrait session during cocktail hour. The hotel is a short walk from several exterior portrait options in downtown Rapid City.

Question 3

Can we use the atrium waterfall as a ceremony backdrop?

Accepted Answer

The atrium is primarily a common hotel space and its availability for private ceremony use depends on your booking agreement — confirm this specifically with the venue coordinator. For portrait backdrops, the atrium is generally accessible and we use it regularly. The eight-story scale reads dramatically in photographs that most ballroom interiors cannot match.

Question 4

Does the hotel have getting-ready spaces for the bridal party?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A bridal suite and, in some packages, a dedicated board room for the wedding party are available. Confirm which spaces are included in your specific package; the inclusions vary by booking level. Having the getting-ready location, ceremony, and reception in the same building quietly saves more timeline than almost anything else you can book.

Question 5

Are there other events happening in the convention center on our wedding day?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. The DoubleTree operates as a full convention center in addition to a wedding venue, so adjacent rooms may host conferences or other events on your date. This does not affect your event; your booked rooms are private. But shared lobby areas and parking can feel busier than a dedicated wedding venue would. Ask the coordinator at booking what else is scheduled that day.

Question 6

What is the venue fee for a wedding at the DoubleTree?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is not publicly itemized on the Hilton website and typically requires a proposal from the sales team. Food and beverage minimums apply in addition to room rental, which is standard for hotel ballroom venues. For planning purposes, expect this to be a mid-to-upper range investment compared to other Rapid City options.

DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City Wedding Photographer