I wish I could give the Lyceum more stars because they deserve it! My daughter and I began looking for a venue for her New Year's Eve 2015 wedding over a year before the event because of the limited venues for a winter wedding on a holiday. We looked at the Museum Center, Cincinnati Club, Bell Center and a few others and they all met some of our criteria, but not all.
We needed a venue that wasn't limited to one area. The evening would be long with a 5:30 ceremony and 6:30 arrival at the venue. The evening wouldn't end until after the ball drop (12:30), so having somewhere to go when you weren't dancing and could relax was a must. We need it to seat at least 250. We were also hoping for an all inclusive venue that provided china, flatware, glassware and linens.
Wish list items: a big screen to show the ball drop at midnight, fireplace, allowed to come the day before to decorate the venue, plenty of free parking and a place for the bridal party to get ready.
Imagine when we walked into the elegant Lyceum...a grand foyer with french doors leading into the ballroom - wood floors and chandeliers, large windows with window seats and a fireplace at one end and a stage with a big screen that could be lowered and used for our day of edit and midnight ball drop. To the right was a carpeted library with working fireplace and lots of seating for those trying to talk while the music played. But what sealed the deal was the old fashioned club in the basement with flat screen TV's, juke box, bar, card tables and couches. We booked knowing that this was the perfect place for a New Year's Eve wedding.
Over a year later, we had our daughter's wedding and came to understand how little we appreciated this gem when we had first rented it. Over the course of that year, the manager, Cindy, and facilities manager, Kevin, were professional, friendly, helpful, open and enthusiastic to new ideas (600 balloons dropped from the ceiling at midnight? Sounds like a great idea!). They didn't bat an eye at us stringing twinkle lights and asking if furniture could be moved so the seating would be just right for our event or setting up a champagne tower on the stage to kick off the midnight festivities (and, of course, they already had the coupe champagne glasses that we needed). They allowed us to come in 2 days ahead of the wedding to set up and leave everything there until the day after the wedding for clean up. We also couldn't believe how lucky we were to get to use the newly renovated bridal rooms upstairs with a kitchen, living area, full bath and "getting ready" room with big mirrors, lots of lighting and even an ironing board.
My daughter's wedding was definitely the elegant event that we envisioned with a jazz band playing on the stage, candles filling the ballroom and greenery draped over the fireplace. Although people noticed the decor, they gushed over the Lyceum and how perfect it was for our event. Lots of people stopped down at the club for a cocktail, checked on the football scores or played a round of Euchre. I saw all the couches filled in front of the fireplace in the library near the cake and the photo booth. The dance floor was packed and the sunroom was constantly being used as people stopped at the bar or the coffee cart. For a 6 hour reception, the Lyceum had just the space we needed and all the atmosphere for a glamorous night. It felt like we were hosting a reception in our home because of the warm and relaxing rooms.
I give the Lyceum bonus points for allowing us to bring in our own alcohol (great savings) and giving us a key so we could come and go as we decorated the venue. On the day of the wedding we arrived at 8 AM to start hair and makeup and finally left at 1 AM the next day. For such an important event, I was confident all year that our event was going to be handled well and can't say enough about the beautiful Lyceum and wonderful staff.
A long post to say - book the Lyceum! You won't be sorry! :) read more
