Say “I do” to The Beacon

Photo by Moriah Ruth Photography

By Courtney Stemler
May 20, 2024

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Welcome to wedding season! As we finish with graduations, Mother’s Day Tea and some fundraisers, wedding season is in full tilt. We love how busy the building is in May, and we love working with clients - some new and some we get to work with more than once! As we have entered our third wedding season, we have noticed some things about The Beacon that make it a great place to celebrate a wedding.

1. Direct, consistent and timely communication with our clients

Courtney and Shelby, two of the owners, work directly with clients throughout the process of planning their wedding, from initial communication to tour to booking to all the questions, floor plan mapping, decisions about bar service and everything else in between. We are the point of contact, with answers or the ability to get them for you. We do our best to make sure we respond quickly to anything you need throughout the process of planning your wedding.

2. Room and flow choices

The Beacon has five different rooms that consistently get used for weddings, with two more prep rooms for wedding parties to get ready in. Couples have their choice of which room(s) they use, how and when during their wedding day. Some couples use the Founders Room for cocktail hour, a slow goodbye at the end of the night or not at all. Some couples use one room, while others use all five.

3. Vendor choices

Couples are able to choose their vendors. You do not have to stick to a list of vendors or use our in-house services, except for serving alcohol. We do offer services like catering in partnership with a local caterer or decorating in-house, but you are free to choose who does those services for you if you want to hire any vendor of your choice.

4. Come, party, celebrate, remember

We’re a bit different because we have plenty of wide-open space. Clients often tell us the rooms look larger in-person than online. We don’t lack for space. What that means is that your event runs smoothly with no interruptions for “flips”, “room changes” or other venue-related needs. Couples often start their dance between 6 and 7:30 P.M., because they don’t have to wait for space to be freed up to get the party started.

5. Beacon staff

Our staff is simply amazing, and we make sure there are plenty of them at every event to make sure it runs smoothly. Our most frequent positive feedback is about our staff. They’re attentive, helpful and welcoming. We rarely have lines for drinks at the bar because there are plenty of bartenders, and we have an owner at most events.

Choosing a venue for your wedding is an incredibly important part of your day. It affects every aspect of how your day looks, feels, works and how much you get to enjoy all of the hard work you put into planning it. We’re here to help your day be one that you love, cherish and look back on as a great experience that you thoroughly enjoyed. We are honored to help throughout that process, and we love working with couples as they celebrate one of the largest milestones in their lives.

Spotlighting Our Smaller Spaces

Our Founders Room is one of our two great small spaces.

By Courtney Stemler
Feb. 7, 2024

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We hope you’ve had a great 2024 so far and that you stayed warm in January. We are off to a great start with events, including weddings, quite a few legislative events and a bridal show! The first part of the year reminds us of how versatile our smaller rooms are. Our Founders Room and Library get used quite a bit throughout the year but are especially busy right now. They’re probably our most-used rooms in the building! Each one has their own unique feel, and our clients and guests love how beautiful they are. We think they deserve their own spotlight.  

The Founders Room

The Founders Room is on the first floor, and it looks and feels like a cocktail lounge. There is an eye-catching circle bar encased in turquoise tile, with bar stools, soft seating throughout the room and a large fireplace. A 75-inch TV, speakers and other modern conveniences exist subtly in the room for modern needs. The eight twelve-foot-tall windows can be covered by heavy curtains or opened up to let in natural light during the day. If you have been to any of our Wine Tour events you’ll know it is Chris’ favorite room. The Founders Room works well for cocktail receptions, cocktail hours, tastings, holiday parties, engagement parties, graduation parties and more.

The Library

The Library - on our second floor just up the grand staircase - has an open, airy feel. It is a great size for 20-70 people. The furniture can be arranged for any need, and we bring in a mobile bar if there is alcohol being served. It has a large built-in bookshelf on one side and eight large ten-foot-tall  windows on two walls. All of these features are original from 1925, when the building was built. We have added some modern amenities like speakers and microphones, and we can always bring in televisions if necessary. The natural light in the Library is amazing and is a favorite of photographers. Just check out the ‘gram. We often do meetings, small dinners, cocktail receptions, small weddings, trainings, holiday parties, birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers and graduation parties in the Library. 

The Beacon just recently added the ability for clients to book their parties online in the Founder’s Room and the Library!

These online bookings are for four hours of access to either space, and clients are able to select times online. We will reach out after booking to work out details such as floor plans, schedules and specific event details. You still get the service and help you deserve with any event at The Beacon. This just lets you hop on and get bookings done on your time! If four hours is not the right time or you need something unique, we are happy to help you reserve the space you want instead of booking it online.  

Bookings for the Library can be made here.

Bookings for the Founders Room can be made here.

As always, we are happy to help you celebrate, and we hope to see you soon!