Weddings and Receptions at GreatStone Castle
and Canal Lake Lodge

Victorian Weddings are our Specialty!
Castle Weddings and Receptions

Arrival

Arriving guests are greeted by GreatStone parking attendants and shown to their parking places. Guests are then directed to the front door of the mansion where they are welcomed to GreatStone Castle. We direct guests to the table provided for gifts and cards and to the registry. Guests are free to roam the first floor of the mansion, relax on the front porch, or enjoy the two acres of lawns and flower gardens. The bride and bridesmaids prepare for the ceremony on the second floor of GreatStone Castle in the master bedroom suite. The doors to the back half of the floor are closed, and the groom and groomsmen use the rear stairwell and dressing rooms to prepare for the wedding.

Rehearsal

A rehearsal before the wedding is necessary. It takes 70 minutes, and each step is guided by our expert staff. The rehearsal is scheduled within two days of your wedding.

Music

After the mothers are seated by ushers, bridesmaids and the bride begin the wedding by descending the grand staircase with their entry timed to music provided by our professional quality sound system, piano, or music provided by live musicians. Music provided on our sound system is included in our wedding pricing; live music is at your discretion.

Capacity

The first floor ballroom is used for weddings up to 100. The first floor reception hall and ballroom are used for weddings up to 130 guests. Outdoor weddings are performed among the flower gardens in front of a stone gazebo for groups up to 225.

Receiving Line

After the ceremony, a receiving line is located on our large, stately front porch (inside during winter.) While guests are moving through the receiving line, the interior rooms are prepared for the reception by the GreatStone staff. Set up will be as indicated by the type of reception you wish to offer your guests.

Receptions Many types of receptions can be accommodated at GreatStone Castle. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages, cake and punch, buffet dinners, sit-down dinners, food stations with roaming servers, etc. We require the use of one of the many full-service caterers recommended by GreatStone. You can plan your menu with the caterer, and then we will work the details with the service provider you have chosen. After passing through the receiving line, your guests may tour the four floors of the mansion. Beverages, served by the caterer, will be available in the conservatory and on the front porch. After the photographer finishes pictures outside, the bride and groom are escorted via the rear staircase to the second-floor dressing area and given a few minutes to refresh. When ready, they are introduced as they walk down the grand staircase together greeting their guests assembled in the reception hall. The bride and groom then move to the formal dining room and cut their tradition al first piece of cake. Our in-house DJ/Master of Ceremonies coordinates the movements of guests and photographers. All are then invited to take a seat, and the bride, groom, parents and wedding party move to the buffet line, sit down to be served, or visit the food stations. A Master of Ceremony is required for receptions of more than 35 guests to orchestrate the event.

Photography and Videography

GreatStone Castle is a photographer's delight! Many award winning photographs have been taken at GreatStone. Pictures are forever, and we recommend a professional. Pictures are spread out during the day and coordinated by the MC. In consideration of the use of GreatStone for the background for your video, GreatStone receives one copy, if done professionally. You may of course use this opportunity for family portraits, but use of GreatStone for this purpose is considered a separate service and will entail additional fees from GreatStone.

Entertainment

We accommodate many types of entertainment from background music, harp, staff DJ, and Master of Ceremony, live band, or other types of music. Guests may dance, sit and socialize in one of the several rooms or on the front porch, tour the mansion, or roam the grounds.

Finale

When the bride and groom are ready to depart, their transportation will await them in front of the mansion.

Decorations

No decorations may be affixed to walls or balustrades. Candles must be of good quality. Centerpiece choices should be discussed with GreatStone Castle to ensure that they will be workable for your event and that they pose no danger to these historic structures or their furnishings.

Amenities

We coordinate all activities and service providers from the rehearsal to the departure of the bride and groom. We conduct over 50 weddings a year. Our expertise is ensuring your special day runs smoothly and that your guests receive royal hospitality. Our checklist and staff assures you of worry-free planning and execution of your wedding and reception. You do not need to decorate, set up, or clean up at GreatStone. Lists of approved service providers (including local pastors/ceremony officiates) are available. All previous customer's names and phone numbers are available for references. Honeymoon suites and rooms for special out-of-town guests are available here and at our private lodge just outside of Sidney.

Wedding Policies

Smoking is not permitted in the mansion, but is allowed on our spacious front porch. Receptions at GreatStone are elegant with a high level of service. Drinks are served (no self-service). Tables are cleared throughout the reception. Dancing is in the ballroom. The moderate consumption of alcohol, served by a professional bartender, and in accordance with the applicable laws, is permitted, but unlimited open bars are not. We reserve the right to stop serving anyone at anytime, and we stop the consupmtion of alcohol at least 30 minutes prior to the end of the reception. The mansion is not childproof. While we do not prohibit children at GreatStone, we discourage large groups (more than 8) of young (under the age of 12) children. If more children are involved, Canal Lake Lodge (our private lodge and lake just outside of Sidney) may be available. Immediate family of the bride and groom -- regardless of age-- are always accommodated. We ask our customers to consider putting "Children 12 and older are welcome" in invitations.

Canal Lake Lodge Weddings and Receptions

Canal Lake Lodge is a completely separate property, located 6 mles from GreatStone. It boasts a wooded private lakeside setting, perfect for your outdoor wedding or reception. We can accommodate up to 50 for an indoor wedding inside the heated and air-conditioned Lodge.Outdoor weddings up to 300 can be accommodated. Weddings over 50 and receptions over 75 may require a tent. Please ask about your options.

Receptions can be a casual lakeside affair, or an elegant tented fantasy. The Lodge is a very child friendly site and is perfect if there are many children on your guest list.

We offer the same professional planning and coordination services for the Lodge, as well as many of the same amenities and services. Please call us to discuss your vision and the possibilities.

COSTS

GreatStone Castle

2008 & 2009 weddings at GreatStone are $900, including a rehearsal and the wedding music. If you are planning a small wedding of 50 or fewer, special pricing is available Sunday through Friday. Four hour receptions are $9.00 per person with a Saturday minimum of $900. A $600 minimum applies all other days. If you will have more than 35 guests there will either be a $200 Master of Ceremony fee or a $425 DJ/Master of Ceremony fee. The reception price includes tables and chairs for up to 150, linen table cloths, centerpieces, parking attendants, and planning and coordination of services. Additional reception time is available at $100 per hour for GreatStone and $75 per hour for the DJ. Food and beverage costs are not included. The use of a GreatStone approved full service caterer is required.

Canal Lake Lodge

Outside weddings at the Lodge are $550, inside are $350 – rehearsal and wedding music is included. Four hour receptions are $5.00 per person with a $550 minimum. Because of the informal nature of most receptions at CLL a DJ/Master of Ceremony is not mandatory. The reception price includes indoor seating for 50, 3 picnic tables, parking attendants, and planning and coordination services. Additional reception time is available at $100 per hour. Food and beverage costs are not included.

Why over 400 couple have chosen GreatStone or Canal Lake Lodge for their weddings or receptions:

GreatStone Castle weddings are all about service. Our core staff of four has conducted more than 400 weddings. Where else is someone going to carry your dress from your car rehersal night and hang it properly so it is ready for you on wedding day? We will do everything we can, including last minute repairs, to make your wedding as carefree as possible. You won't find our caliber of professional wedding planning and execution at 10 times the cost. As a reminder, the following services (and others too numerous to list) are included in our pricing:

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GreatStone Castle Resorts

A Bed and Breakfast, Private Lodge and Spa
Near Dayton, Ohio

429 N. Ohio Avenue  -  Sidney, Ohio (OH) 45365
Telephone: 937-498-4728   -   Fax:  937-498-9762
Email: info@greatstonecastle.com  -  Website: www.greatstonecastle.com

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