Lyman Harbor Wedding and Conference Center

1615 First Street, Sandusky, OH

300+ guest capacity

This venue can host 300+ guests

About this vendor

Lyman Harbor is a Beautiful Historic Landmark nestled along the shore of Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio. Once home to the Lyman Boat Works, it now features Banquet and Conference capabilities larger than most, as well as a competition sized dance floor. Lyman Harbor can serve intimate celebrations of 50, up to 1,100 seated guests comfortably. The unique quality of the facility and food are second to none, and we are backed by a gorgeous view of Cedar Point on Lake Erie. Stroll along our waterfront boardwalk, while enjoying the beautiful sunset over the lake. Plan your outdoor wedding ceremony on one of our two outdoor waterfront lawns. Lyman Banquet facilities can fulfill the needs of a bride and wedding party of nearly any size, with the assurance and flexibility to customize Your Day!

Amenities + details

Covered Outdoors Space

Handicap Accessible

Indoor Event Space

Liability Insurance

Outdoor Event Space

Reception Area

Wireless Internet

Dressing Room

On-Site Accommodations

Ceremony Types

Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony

Guest Capacity

300+

Settings

Backyard
Ballroom
Beach
Waterfront
Garden
Historic Venue

Venue Service Offerings

Bar & Drinks
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Destination Wedding Planning
Food & Catering
Planning

4.4

out of 5.0

17 reviews

Search reviews

8/17/2021 • Danielle N

We've always known we wanted to have our reception here because of the size and the location of being right on Lake Erie. We had our wedding reception at Lyman Harbor on 6/19/2021 - we had to postpone from 2020 due to COVID-19. We tried to re-schedule for our original date, but the owner kept giving us different answers as to why we could not, so we were forced to choose another date between May and July of 2021. We found out closer to our wedding day that they had decided to sell the business--which they need to. The owner was extremely inconsistent throughout the process and was not very easy to work with--Requested everything by email, which is fine, but then would take days to respond unless it was something they specifically wanted. It got very frustrating with all the inconsistencies, detached attitude, and just a major overall lack of customer service in doing what we, the bride, groom, and parents wanted versus "what we normally do." Thankfully, my family has had many weddings, so my parents were able to get everything the exact way we wanted. The food was very good (even though the meat was served in a way that was completely different than the tasting.. slices vs cubes and a completely different sauce) and the servers were young, but very helpful and even spoke to us after saying how much they enjoyed working our reception. The bar staff lacked basic knowledge and skills and obviously had very little training--they didn't know how to make shots or at the very least a simple Shirley Temple. The venue itself is worth 4 stars because of the location and size. I really do hope that a new owner comes in, because the venue is stunning, and deserves to have owners who focus on the customer/bride first.

7/06/2020 • Monica R

My husband and I just held both our wedding ceremony and reception here at the Lyman Harbor on 6/27/2020 in the middle of this pandemic. The venue was amazing at making us and our guests feel safe by spreading out the dining tables throughout the entire ballroom, supplying hand sanitizer by the bar, and serving our guests as they walked through the buffet. The space is beautiful being right on Lake Erie. The food was delicious and the chef was very accommodating to all our tastes and preferences. The staff was very friendly and helpful with taking care of serving and cleaning needs. Lea Ann, the owner, was so easy to work with and helped to make our vision come true amidst all the changes to state health regulations. She deserves an award for putting up with all the emails and phone calls received to pull this off. Thank you to the ownership and staff at the Lyman Harbor for making our wedding the most memorable moment in our lives, so far!

10/02/2016 • Jordan C

We held our wedding reception at Lyman Harbor on 9/24/16 and loved every aspect of it! While there were a few staffing changes early on in our planning process, the owner Lea Ann stepped in to help which eased any transitions. We worked with Kelly leading up to the event and she was nothing short of amazing. It is obvious she has many years of experience in hospitality. We held our reception in the large room with beautiful windows facing out on the water. We also had a cocktail hour on the patio outside which was perfect! The food for the cocktail hour and dinner were both great. The staff we worked with were excellent- very professional and made everything flow seamlessly behind the scenes. While they allow for you to decorate the room however you like, there is a great backdrop already set with the overhead lights and huge windows to the outside. I would highly, highly recommend Lyman for your reception. We loved everything about our day and can't thank the team we worked with enough.

6/27/2016 •

We held our daughter's wedding reception at Lyman Harbor in May. The view of the harbor from the room was absolutely beautiful. The staff was excellent and helpful in every way possible including the planning before the event. They set the room up to meet are needs perfectly including our own centerpieces and other individual touches. The food was very good and enjoyed by all. We received many compliments from our guests. A special thank you to Ashlee and Lee Ann. The event couldn't have been so wonderful without you! I highly recommend Lyman Harbor to anyone looking to be sure their event is the best.

5/21/2016 •

Lyman is a beautiful venue, right by the water and close to cedar point! The staff is really nice too. Would def recommend

7/29/2014 • Ashley A

Beautiful room! I do have to admit, they are a bit expensive. Overall I'd recommend them as long as you have the budget.

6/11/2014 • Andra B

The venue itself was absolutely GORGEOUS! We used the Starlite ballroom and loved the giant chandeliers. For the most part, everything went off without a hitch on the actually day of our wedding. Unfortunately, the staff was kinda hard to work with. On several occasions I called the venue to ask a question before the day of the event and got a snippy or inadequate/unhelpful response. While setting up the day before the wedding, we ran into several problems that caused a good bit of stress on the eve of the wedding. My husband and I are very thankful that everything turned out well in the end. Overall, everything turned out pretty amazing.

5/12/2014 •

Lyman Harbor has serious issues. The venue in no way makes up for the lousy service and food we experienced at our daughter’s wedding on May 3, 2014. The wedding planner we started with was wonderful (Suzi) nearly two years ago but she left and then the wheels fell off. It was "down" season during the winter months and virtually impossible after that to get in touch with anyone. When we finally did, we were told the chef we initially had contact with left. Then we started over with menus with Blue Ribbon Catering and I thought all was good as I know they (Blue Ribbon) has a superb reputation in the Sandusky/ Norwalk area. Lyman Harbor's owner then had a falling out with Blue Ribbon so a month to the date before my daughter's wedding Blue Ribbon, not Lyman Harbor called me to say they were no longer affiliated with Lyman Harbor and didn't want to be associated with the food that may be served. They were so right not to want to claim responsibility for the food served that night. When I called Lyman Harbor about the fact that we now had no chef and was very unhappy about it, the owner basically said if we didn't like it, we could break our contract and find another venue. This was a month before the wedding and even though the invitations were sent, we tried to find another venue because I feared the worst. And I was right to worry. The big event..........let me just list. ....Carpets were dirty...guests commented .....Pieces of railing and welding equipment were strewn around the dock .....Outside entrances ( that the bride walked through) had dead bird parts and piles of feathers. .....All food was mediocre at best - lukewarm and NOT good ......Green beans, which were to be garlicy green beans, were not seasoned at all and cold and hard ......Rolls on table were to be warmed......stone cold. ......Salad was atrocious....huge chucks of iceberg lettuce and some bowls no dressing at all. ......I could go on and on...... We paid a grand for the venue and it was a wreck! So brides...when you look for reviews of Lyman Harbor, don't be fooled by the past reviews. That was before the wheels fell off and they have many, many issues. Unless they hire a professional chef, wedding coordinator, custodian, service staff. DO NOT book this joint......you will be so disappointed.

12/17/2013 • Jillian

Suzi made planning our event a breeze! She was so accommodating and helpful. I couldn't have asked for anything more!

10/18/2012 • Ashley J

beautiful venue! Staff is great and truly helped to make our wedding day amazing!

8/21/2012 • Arianna M

Lyman harbor was the perfect venue for our lake front wedding and 350+ guests. Our ceremony was held on lyman lawn followed by cocktail hour, hors d'euvres and dinner in the Compass Point ballroom. I only wish they would have had the option for an x amount added to the bill to have an open bar instead of selecting the types and amount of each and every type of alcohol provided. Other than that, it was beautiful and perfect!

7/05/2012 • Lisa L

We had our wedding reception at Lyman Harbor in Sandusky. My husband and I live near Cleveland but we fell in love with the Starlite room and the view from Lyman Harbor. Our first impression was not the greatest with the previous event person but since then they hired a new event coordinator Suzy. Suzy did an amazing job and was always willing to answer any questions we have had and always followed up with us. The wedding reception was great and pretty much everything went smoothly. The only issues we had encountered was that they put the champagne on the wrong table and they did not serve my family's table first after the bridal party went up to eat. The only other complaint I received was that a guest had to request sections of the buffet to be filled which should have automatically been done. Other than that, the food was great and Suzy was amazing. We received tons of compliments on the venue. The experience and atmosphere truly made our wedding complete.

10/20/2011 • Allison L

This is where we had our reception, it was late September and the venue is fabulous. The Sales Manager was so helpful and made sure everything was exactly the way we requested it to be. Beautiful waterfront and Cedar Point view, literally right around the corner from the entrance of the amusement park. We had our reception in the Starlite room, it had huge gorgeous gold chandaliers and very low, intimate lighting. They were so accomodating and we wouldn't have changed a thing. We still have friends telling us how classy and fun it was there. Definately one of the moderate-priced venues in Sandusky, with a very fun and classic event spaces.\

9/20/2011 • Beth K

Very good...they went through internal changes with employees so that caused a little confusion, lack of communication but we were very happy for the most part. The food was a bit cold though as many guests told us.

9/13/2011 • Victoria G

Lyman Harbor is a beautiful venue with amazing views of Lake Erie and Cedar Point. The food (Prime Rib and Chicken Parm) was outstanding and the staff was nice, professional and willing to help out anyway they could. I would definitely recommend checking out Lyman Harbor for your wedding reception

6/06/2011 • Elizabeth G

I loved Lyman Harbor! The weather cooperated for our outdoor ceremony and it was absolutely beautiful! The staff was outstanding and so helpful with everything! The price was awesome too! Best experience. We had so many people come in out of town and everyone said it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever been to.

9/22/2008 • Elizabeth D

It was right off of Lake Erie and has a wall that was all but windows. The room was so beautiful .. you didn't have to even decorate it! There is a club and restaurant in this venue so it was a happening place.