Proposals and weddings at Big Cypress Lodge — venues, capacities and tips
Big Cypress Lodge has multiple ceremony and reception spaces that suit small to large weddings — the Mississippi Terrace (outdoor terrace) holds about 250 guests, while indoor rooms such as the Ducks Unlimited Gallery and Flyway Room cover mid-size receptions and smaller boardroom-style gatherings. The property offers on-site catering, bars (including Mississippi Terrace and The Den), event coordination, guest rooms (103 total, including Interior Room, Duck Cabin, Treehouse Room, Terrace Suite, Fly Fishing Lodge, Exterior Room, Terrace Room) and a complimentary downtown shuttle for attendees.
In this guide
Venues and capacities
Big Cypress Lodge provides several named event spaces with stated capacities and flexible layouts. You can mix indoor and outdoor areas for separate ceremony and reception locations.
Capacities differ by source and by how rooms are combined; confirm final numbers with the events team when you book.
- Mississippi Terrace Venue — outdoor third-floor terrace with river views, fire pits and a full bar. Capacity listed as 250 guests.
- Ducks Unlimited Gallery Venue — ballroom-style space (about 1,400 sq ft) for receptions or conferences; cited capacity around 150–160 guests.
- Cattail Boardroom Venue — small, handcrafted-boardroom setting for up to 10 guests.
| Venue | Typical capacity |
|---|---|
| Mississippi Terrace | 250 |
| Ducks Unlimited Gallery | 150–160 |
| Cattail Boardroom | 10 |
| Flyway / Delta / Gator rooms (individual) | Up to 95–200 depending on room |
Ceremony locations and views
Outdoor ceremonies are commonly held on Mississippi Terrace, which provides views of downtown Memphis and the Hernando De Soto Bridge and features oversized furniture, two fire pits and a stage for live music.
If you prefer an indoor backdrop, several event rooms overlook the indoor cypress swamp and Bass Pro Shops environment; those indoor settings can be easier to plan around weather and timing.
- Mississippi Terrace: best for sunset or river-view photos; terrace access is 24 hours and the Terrace Bar has seasonal hours.
- Indoor options: Ducks Unlimited Gallery and other third-floor rooms provide controlled lighting and rustic décor that fits the lodge theme.
- Note: some spaces can be combined (property materials indicate combinations can accommodate several hundred guests).
| Setting | Photo-op notes |
|---|---|
| Mississippi Terrace (outdoor) | River and skyline views; fire pits for evening ambience |
| Indoor event rooms | Overlook indoor swamp/retail area, consistent lighting, climate-controlled |
Reception logistics, catering and bars
Big Cypress Lodge offers on-site food-and-beverage options and in-house catering through its restaurants and bar outlets. The Lookout at the Pyramid is the full-service rooftop restaurant; Wahlburgers Wild and The Fishbowl provide more casual menus.
Mississippi Terrace has its own Terrace Bar and can operate as an exclusive venue for private parties on most evenings, according to property materials.
- The Lookout at the Pyramid — lunch and dinner service; reservations recommended for larger private dining needs.
- Wahlburgers Wild and The Fishbowl — casual options that can support receptions or late-night food stations.
- In-Room Dining hours run Sunday–Thursday 11:00AM–9:00PM and Friday–Saturday 11:00AM–10:00PM if you need food for smaller gatherings in suites.
| F&B outlet | Typical use for weddings |
|---|---|
| The Lookout at the Pyramid | Plated or buffet reception dinners; skyline views |
| Wahlburgers Wild / The Fishbowl | Casual receptions, late-night fare, bowling-adjacent events |
| Mississippi Terrace Bar | Outdoor bar service for terrace receptions |
Guest rooms and suites for wedding parties
There are 103 individually decorated guestrooms in a range of styles that fit a lodge theme. Room types you can request include Interior Room, Duck Cabin, Exterior Room, Fly Fishing Lodge, Terrace Room, Terrace Suite and Treehouse Room.
Many rooms have screened-in porches or balconies facing either the indoor cypress swamp or downtown/Mississippi River, useful for getting-ready photos and private pre-ceremony gatherings.
- Terrace Suite and some suites (Governor's Suite referenced in property materials) offer extra space for hair/makeup or staging.
- Treehouse Room and Duck Cabin are themed options often used for bridal-party photos.
- Ask the events team about room-blocks and whether they can hold a group rate or early check-in for your party.
| Room name (exact) | Beds (typical) |
|---|---|
| Interior Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Duck Cabin | 1 King Bed |
| Treehouse Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Terrace Suite | 1 King Bed |
Practical planning tips and hotel policies
Confirm capacities, setup times and whether terrace-bar hours affect your event night. The Mississippi Terrace Bar has seasonal and nightly hours; terrace access is available 24 hours but bar hours vary.
Remember key hotel policies that affect guest logistics: the lead guest checking in must be 21 or older, overnight parking carries a required fee per night, and the property does not have a swimming pool.
- Check-in begins at 4 PM; early check-in may be available for a fee and is subject to availability.
- A $100 authorization hold is placed at check-in; late check-out fees apply unless pre-approved.
- Parking: overnight parking requires a nightly fee (the property sets a required per-night parking charge).
- Shuttle: a complimentary on-demand downtown shuttle is available (confirm current hours and app-based requests).
- Spa and treatments are additional costs and should be reserved in advance for wedding-day services.
| Policy | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Minimum check-in age | Lead guest must be 21+ |
| Parking | Required per-night parking fee and valet availability |
| Pool | No on-site swimming pool — indoor swamp and aquarium are not pools |
Vendors, timing and on-site activities
Work with the hotel's events or catering contact to coordinate external vendors (florists, musicians, photographers) and to confirm load-in times for deliveries and setup. The property has multiple service elevators and freight access as part of a retail/hotel complex, but specifics should be verified.
Big Cypress Lodge offers several on-site activities that can be part of a wedding weekend itinerary, such as the Sky High Ride (glass observation deck), a 13-lane bowling alley at The Fishbowl, and on-site archery — useful options for guest entertainment before or after the ceremony.
- Confirm vendor access windows and whether union/insurance requirements apply.
- Ask whether the Mississippi Terrace or other spaces have amplified-sound restrictions or curfews.
- Plan guest transport using the complimentary on-demand shuttle for key downtown stops (verify hours) and consider nearby parking/valet for vendors.
| On-site activity | Typical hours or notes |
|---|---|
| Sky High Ride (observation deck) | Operates daily (hours vary by day) — confirm for wedding day |
| The Fishbowl bowling | Has set operating hours; lanes sold up to one hour before close |
| Big Cypress Spa by Gould's | Open Tue–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm (Mon closed); reserve early |
