Southern Exchange Ballrooms photos show off the grand Whitehall Ballroom in downtown Atlanta: 30-foot ceilings, original crystal chandeliers, polished marble floors and a wraparound mezzanine. Southern Exchange Ballrooms is at 200 Peachtree Street, inside the historic 1927 building designed by architect Philip Shutze, and it hosts weddings, ceremonies and receptions across several event spaces.
Below you’ll find photos from a Whitehall Ballroom wedding, along with what we’ve learned about light, portrait spots, nearby hotels and planning a smooth day in this beautiful space.
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About Southern Exchange Ballrooms at 200 Peachtree
The building opened in 1927 as the flagship Davison’s department store, later became Macy’s, and today hosts events as Southern Exchange Ballrooms. You’ll also see the venue listed by its address, 200 Peachtree, on older photos and wedding websites.
The venue lists six event spaces: the Whitehall Ballroom, Davison Ballroom, Grant Loft, Augusta Conference Center, The Cellar and Skol Brewing Company. The Whitehall Ballroom was once the store’s marble-floored cosmetics and jewelry floor, and it’s the room featured in the Southern Exchange Ballrooms photos on this page.
According to the venue, the Whitehall Ballroom covers 18,000 square feet with 30-foot ceilings, 14-foot crystal chandeliers original to the building and a wraparound mezzanine balcony. It seats up to 450 guests on the ballroom floor.
What Couples Should Know
- Ceremony and reception in one room: The Whitehall Ballroom can host both. The photos on this page show the ceremony and reception in the same room, with the space flipped from ceremony rows to dinner tables. Since the venue has several event spaces, ask the venue team whether a separate room for your ceremony or cocktail hour fits your guest count and timeline.
- Planning around a room flip: When the room is reset during cocktail hour, we’ll build the timeline together so portraits and the flip fit comfortably around each other.
- Catering: The venue lists catering as in-house.
- Drapes and setup: The venue lists optional interior track draping for the Whitehall Ballroom, so ask how drapes can be arranged for your ceremony and reception.
- Details can change: Confirm current room options, policies and pricing directly with Southern Exchange Ballrooms.
Hotels Near Southern Exchange Ballrooms for Getting Ready
Several hotels sit within a few blocks of 200 Peachtree, which makes it easy to get ready nearby and arrive at the venue calm and on time. A few close options:
- The Westin Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree St. NW
- The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, 181 Peachtree St. NE
- The Candler Hotel Atlanta, 127 Peachtree St. NE
When you book, ask for a room with a large window and enough open space for your wedding party. High-floor rooms with big windows give soft, even light for dress, detail and portrait photos, with the downtown skyline in the background. The venue also lists a private hospitality suite with the Whitehall Ballroom; ask the venue team how it can be used on your wedding day.
Ceremony Photos in the Whitehall Ballroom
The front of the Whitehall Ballroom is a natural focal point for a ceremony: tall arched windows above a wall of sheer white drapes, framed by columns and crystal chandeliers. The white columns and pale marble bounce light around the room, which keeps the front of the space bright and skin tones clean.
The hall is long, and light fades the farther back you go. For ceremonies, that makes cameras and lenses built for low light important, so we bring professional gear that holds detail and color from the altar to the back rows. The wraparound mezzanine can offer an elevated view of the full aisle; ask the venue whether it’s open during your ceremony.
If you’d like portraits before the ceremony, our first look guide walks through how to plan the timing.
Portrait Spots in the Whitehall Ballroom
Some of the most striking Southern Exchange Ballrooms photos come from the front of the room, in front of the big arched windows where the ceremony takes place. A silhouette against the glowing windows, reflected in the polished marble floor, makes a dramatic and timeless portrait. Anywhere in this room is beautiful, though: between the columns, under a chandelier or down the long center aisle.
Natural light is strongest near the windows. Because the Whitehall Ballroom is so long, the far end of the room is much darker, so we add supplemental lighting for portraits there to keep faces bright and the room’s details visible.
The entrance on Peachtree Street, with the 200 address above the doors, is another favorite backdrop once the sun goes down, and a great setting for twilight and nighttime portraits.
Reception Photos and Evening Lighting
By evening, the Whitehall Ballroom takes on a warm glow from its chandeliers and any uplighting your décor team adds. Uplighting sets the mood on the columns and walls. Once the sun goes down the room gets dark, so we add our own lighting for toasts, first dances and the dance floor, keeping skin tones natural and the chandeliers glowing in the background.
Parking and Logistics
- Address: 200 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
- Parking: The venue lists an attached parking deck at 150 Carnegie Way.
- Travel time: Allow extra time between your hotel, the venue and any portrait stops, since downtown traffic and events can slow things down.
- Confirm load-in, parking and timing details with the venue team as you finalize your plans.
Southern Exchange Ballrooms Photos: Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is Southern Exchange Ballrooms?
Southern Exchange Ballrooms is at 200 Peachtree St. NW in downtown Atlanta, with parking listed at 150 Carnegie Way.
Is Southern Exchange Ballrooms the Same as 200 Peachtree?
Yes. The venue is inside the 200 Peachtree building, and older listings and wedding photos sometimes use the address as its name.
What Is the History of the Southern Exchange Ballrooms Building?
Architect Philip Shutze designed the building, which opened in 1927 as the flagship Davison’s department store and later became Macy’s. The Whitehall Ballroom was once the store’s marble-floored cosmetics and jewelry floor.
Can We Have Our Ceremony and Reception in the Whitehall Ballroom?
Yes. The photos on this page show both in the same room, with a flip in between. The venue also has other event spaces, so ask which layout the team recommends for your guest count.
How Many Guests Does the Whitehall Ballroom Hold?
The venue lists seating for up to 450 guests on the ballroom floor. Confirm current capacities with the venue for your layout.
What Hotels Are Near Southern Exchange Ballrooms?
The Westin Peachtree Plaza, The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta and The Candler Hotel Atlanta are all within a few blocks of 200 Peachtree.
How Much Does a Southern Exchange Ballrooms Wedding Cost?
Venue pricing depends on the room, date and guest count, so contact Southern Exchange Ballrooms for current rates. For photography, you can view our wedding collections.
Can We Plan a Bridal or Wedding Portrait Session at Southern Exchange Ballrooms?
A stand-alone portrait session is a relaxed way to enjoy the ballroom away from the wedding-day timeline. Access depends on the venue’s calendar, so we’d confirm availability with Southern Exchange Ballrooms first. Learn more about booking a stand-alone wedding portrait session.
Planning Your Wedding at Southern Exchange Ballrooms
If Southern Exchange Ballrooms is on your list, we’d love to help you plan Southern Exchange Ballrooms photos that make the most of the Whitehall Ballroom, from window-lit portraits at the front of the room to a glowing reception under the chandeliers.
If you are still searching for a team to document your day, meet our Atlanta wedding photographers with a documentary approach. When you’re ready, reach out to check your date and we’ll start planning together.
