Home › Indiana › Merrillville › The Croatian Center
The Croatian Center
4.6 ★★★★★ 189 Google reviews · Garden wedding venue in Merrillville, Indiana
Banquet hall offering a variety of event spaces for weddings and other occasions. Gazebo.
Plan your tour
- Capacity hosts up to 325 guests, per the venue's own info
- Catering in-house catering & bar — confirm the policy (and any fees) before you book your caterer
- Today see hours ·
- Phone +1 219-736-1890
- Website thecroatiancenter.com — most venues book tours right on their site
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Amenities couples mention
“The gazebo is gorgeous for weddings and inside, gorgeous lights!”
What couples say again and again
“We had our son's wedding in the garden and reception inside, and it was beautiful and the food was excellent!”
“We had our son's wedding in the garden and reception inside, and it was beautiful and the food was excellent!”
“Attended an anniversary party, place was very clean, food was delicious!”
From the reviews
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! 10000/10 recommend this venue to anyone! Zarko is so easy going and he takes all your concerns and wants and he makes miracles happen! I had my wedding here in September it was amazing! The food was OUTSTANDING! I got so many compliments on the food ,the venue , the space ,and the service!
First I like to thank you Zarko for your understanding of a nervous and anxious bride. The ceremony was held outside. The grounds were lovely. The food was delicious, presented and serviced with skilled servers. I look forward to celebrating more happy occasions in this venue.👍🙂
Absolutely beautiful venue, inside and out. Dimitri made my daughter’s wedding perfect. His kindness, patience and professional staff exceeded our expectations. June 30, 2022 will forever be etched in my memories.
Family style wedding. Roast beef could have been warmer. Chicken was good. Bread and red roasted potatoes were excellent. Venue pretty. Can do wedding and reseption in same place. Bathrooms clean and modern.
Getting married at The Croatian Center
The Croatian Center comes up for weddings — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the tour worth it. First, see the garden at the time of day and season you'd actually get married — a garden that glows at golden hour in June can look very different at noon in March, so ask what's in bloom for your date and walk the path your guests take from parking to ceremony to reception. Second, bring your real questions: the rain plan (where does the ceremony move, and does it hold everyone?), shade and bugs for a summer afternoon, the catering and bar policy, the music curfew, and exactly what's included — tables, chairs, setup, and teardown are where quotes quietly diverge. Popular garden dates book 12–18 months out, so if the tour feels right, ask what's open in your season before you leave.
Corporate events & private parties at The Croatian Center
Reviews and the venue's own info mention corporate events, retreats, or private parties at The Croatian Center — garden venues often have real weekday availability since weddings claim the weekends. A quick call answers the three things that matter: weekday and off-season rates, whether the space works for your headcount and A/V needs, and what catering is allowed. If your event lands on a Friday or Saturday in wedding season, ask early.
More garden venues near Merrillville
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
4.7 ★★★★★ 479 reviews
360-acre oak preserve offering formal gardens, trails through diverse landscapes & events. Dogs OK.
Gabis Arboretum Wedding Venue
4.9 ★★★★★ 74 reviews
Nature spot for strolling and weddings, also featuring a train garden.
Aquatorium
4.6 ★★★★★ 265 reviews
Venue by the shores of Lake Michigan hosting events, with a park and a beach.