Romantic Historical Venue With Lighted Gazebo
Cynthia
EVENTS DIRECTOR
Typically responds within 24h
Nestled in historic downtown Galveston near the Strand, The Lyceum is accented with a soaring square tower and steeple, a grand double-door entrance, and beautiful floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows. Adjoining it on the side and separated by pull-down partitions is The Lyceta, a room with a stage and front doorway leading into a lighted private courtyard with a gazebo. The Lyceum can handle 300 people seated assembly style, and banquet seating for 200 guests. The Lyceum is truly one of the best and most affordable wedding venues in Galveston, so call us today for a personal tour to see it's beauty for yourself! We want you to be confident that we will work diligently to ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy our charming and historic Galveston architectural treasure.
Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception:
$3,250
Ceremony:
$3,250
Bar services:
$35 per person
Catering:
Contact for price
Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees. Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices. Peak season for this venue is Jan-Dec.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Backyard
Ballroom
Historic Venue
Religious Setting
Church
Venue Service Offerings
Service Staff
Any questions?
Meet the team
Cynthia
Events Director
Cynthia McEldowney is Executive Director of The Lyceum of Galveston Island. Cynthia has been with the venue since inception after a complete restoration in 2009. As a BOI (Born on the Island), her resources and contacts are vast and immeasurable. Having worked in the Events and Fundraising Industry for a majority of the last 25 years, Cynthia has massive experience with planning and a superior eye for detail. In addition to hosting over 500 weddings and receptions, Cynthia has planned much larger events such as gala’s, trade shows, luncheons, and many different other parties.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.020 reviews
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Julie F
5.0
4/09/2022
This is an absolutely magical place to get married! There are three unique spaces that provide plenty of options. We used the larger space for our ceremony and then flipped it for dinner. The smaller space was fantastic for dancing and the courtyard was wonderful for getting out for fresh air. We didn't have to worry about the weather because we had the indoor option. The staff was absolutely wonderful to work with, so helpful when we had questions and clearly thrilled for us on the day of our wedding. The price for all of this could not be beat. We had looked at so many spaces that offered for less a lot higher cost. Having the Lyceum as our setting was perfect!
Brittany M
5.0
11/16/2021
we just had our wedding here. the place is absolutely beautiful. we had been searching for a historical venue and happened upon this place. we fell in love instantly. Cynthia and her staff were super friendly and very accommodating. cannot recommend this place enough.
Any questions?
Christopher S
5.0
1/18/2021
We had such an amazing experience with The Lyceum and with Cynthia, Sheila and the entire team. Cynthia was always there for us when we had a question, and she made the whole process seamless. Everyone still continues to tell us how beautiful the venue was, and how gorgeous the stained glass windows are. It truly is breathtaking and certainly a one of a kind venue.
Marissa S
5.0
12/04/2019
The Lyceum was hands down the best venue we could have chosen. Cynthia and her team are pros. Very willing to work with you to make your dream wedding come true. Any ideas you have, she can help you figure out if it will work and how. We went with an all indoors set up without having to do a room flip. It couldn't have been any more beautiful. We didnt need any decorations except for tables and chairs because the building itself is so beautiful. I got a countless amount of compliments on my choice of venue and I think I will continue to receive them for a long while.
response 12/15/2019
THANK YOU so much for letting us know how beautiful your wedding was with us!
Meagan W
5.0
12/02/2019
Cynthia and Sheila were so wonderful! I got a prompt response for every question I had (which was a ton) and they did not miss one single detail with the venue and our vendors. I stumbled on this venue online right before I booked a different one way further from home and the pricing and beauty cannot be beat. W for married at 4pm and the light through the stained glass was a fairytale to marry the man of my dreams in. I was nervous about flipping the room between the ceremony and reception, but they were so fast at getting it done that it made it easy to relax!
response 12/15/2019
We appreciate your great feedback and are so happy that you had a relaxing and beautiful w...
edding with us!
Ronna C
5.0
9/09/2019
This is a beautiful space! Cynthia was amazing at answering all our questions and giving advice on how we could make the most of the space on our big day. We were even able to have a little extra help the day of that wasn't expected but was a great help! Our wedding had approx. 100 people and there was plenty of room. The outdoor courtyard space is great for kids to play or for guests to get fresh air. This is an affordable venue for the DIY bride and your photos and video will turn out beautiful.
response 09/09/2019
Thank you so much for letting us (and the wedding world) know!
Sarah B
5.0
8/24/2019
Beautiful wedding venue in Galveston! We had the best time at our wedding there! The venue was well kept and the staff were very nice and responsive.
response 09/09/2019
We appreciate your kind words and so happy that your wedding was so much fun!
Eryn M
5.0
10/08/2018
This venue is breath taking! From th eminent we walked in we knew this was it. Cynthia and Brenda are amazing and helpful. They answered all questions and emails promptly and were available when we wanted to do my bridals and the rehearsal. The day of Brenda was there to open the doors and helped with setup and take down. We received so many comments on how beautiful the venue was. The pictures turn out so well with all the stained glass. Can’t recommend this venue enough!
Hannah W
5.0
6/30/2018
The Lyceum was BEAUTIFUL and the process was easy. I had originally booked another venue until I saw this place, but after seeing it I could not pass it up. Because it is already so pretty, it required little effort in decorating. My wedding was on a Saturday, and Cynthia had told us that if no one had booked a wedding the friday before within 6 weeks of the wedding we could use the venue for the rehearsal at no extra cost. This was truly a blessing. Would recommend this place!
Kristen H
5.0
4/29/2018
Absolutely Amazing!
The building is so beautiful that you don't have to bring in a lot of extra decorations. The stained glass is great for pictures.
It is easy to get answers through phone or email.
Brenda helps make your day go as planned and knows how to work the building. I am so happy that she was there for us.
I am actually sad that I don't have a reason to go back to The Lyceum. I would marry the building if I wouldn't have just got married!
Beatrice A
5.0
4/03/2018
We loved how straight forward they were with details and great deal for your money. Lovely people to work with
Shaena O
5.0
4/17/2017
I always wanted to be married in a beautiful church, so for me The Lyceum was a dream come true! From the gorgeous stain glass windows to the picturesque front steps; it will make your special day even more unforgettable!
Jennifer M
5.0
12/15/2016
It's a fantastic venue and the ladies who run the place are more than helpful. Anytime I had a question they answered
Amy T
5.0
7/05/2014
Beautiful venue, and romantic feel!
Jennifer S
5.0
11/17/2013
I would have never known about this venue if my photographer hadn't suggested it. Very classy venue for a wedding ceremony. The stain glass windows are absolutely gorgeous, and provide most of the decoration for the venue. The coordinator for the site is so nice and helpful, and she returns all your emails and phone calls promptly.
5.0
10/15/2013
The Lyceum was the first venue we looked at. We were looking for something spiritual and historical. We wanted to get married in a church, but something interesting and just...special. As soon as we walked in, we were sold. The outside of the Lyceum is absolutely gorgeous, but the stained glass windows will really take your breath away.
However, as beautiful as the Lyceum is, it's the staff that really makes it one of a kind. Cynthia, Brenda, and Linda are an incredible team. They are kind, accommodating, ORGANIZED, and just flat-out resourceful. They meshed perfectly with my A-type personality. Cynthia responded quickly to my e-mails and made sure every detail was covered. Linda opened the Lyceum for our rehearsal and made sure we knew where everything was located. Brenda actually coordinated our wedding (which we did not expect) and was SUCH an asset to us. She fussed over me like a protective mother, and was so warm and considerate. She definitely knew what I needed and how I was feeling. Together, they were an incredible team.
The guests loved the Lyceum, and I heard compliments all night long. Between All That Blooms and the Lyceum staff, they place just looked incredible! If you need a good florist, I highly recommend All That Blooms as well.
If you are looking for smart, organized, and caring staff, a beautiful venue with some soul, an amazing price, and a great location, I highly recommend the Lyceum! All my guests came from Wisconsin and Ohio, so they just had a blast at Galveston Beach (even in the middle of October)!
Renee S
5.0
11/05/2012
Cynthia was great to work with coordinating everything prior to the wedding. I had access to the venue anytime I asked for it (I looked at it 4 times before booking!) You are able to take bridal portraits there for free and have your rehearsal for free. You can bring in your own alcohol, which saves a ton! The venue was opened the day of the wedding for all the deliveries and everything went very smooth. It is a BEAUTIFUL location--you get the church feel without having to be in a church. I loved having the ceremony on one side and the reception on the other! It made it great for my guests since most were out of town. It was goregeous and for a good price in the area. Tables and chairs were included in the rental and were actually nice. When I came back from the honeymoon, my refunded deposit was alwready in my mailbox--no hounding them to get my money back! I loved it, my husband loved it and all of our guests loved it.
Adwoa D
5.0
10/17/2012
This was the best location at the end of the day because the stained glass windows were so colorful on their own that much decorating was not necessary. I had wanted to use the Lycetta for the ceremony but I didn't like the fact that the door to enter wasn't in the center of the room! So the main room (Lyceum) was divided in two; the first half was for the ceremony while the back half was for the reception. Turned out beautifully. Also, Cynthia was a great help, answering every question I had, as well as Brenda who took charge at the last minute and made things flow. Wonderful women. I would recommend this place for anyone who wants a simple yet elegant wedding or any event for that matter.
Ellen D
5.0
8/18/2012
We used this venue for our ceremony and it was absolutely stunning. The stained glass makes for beautiful pictures and the choir loft makes the music resonate through the whole venue. The staff is super helpful and very easy to contact. They will help you run the day and make everything perfect for an unbelievable price. It would be great to have the reception here as well, but our wedding was too big for that. I HIGHLY recommend this gorgeous historic building.
Coley D
5.0
6/11/2012
The Lyceum is the original Sanctuary of the First Lutheran Church in Galveston, built in the 1850s. Over time, it has been used for many things, including the gym of a middle school. After Hurricane Ike, they decided to restore the building to its original beauty, complete with the stained glass windows from the 1850s, and boy did they do a tremendous job! Now the Lyceum is available for events and wedding ceremonies of all kinds, and it is perfect! Gorgeous for a wedding ceremony, reception, or both. With an adjoining room with a stage, perfect for a DJ/Band and a dance floor, a full prep-kitchen downstairs, and a Bride's room, it was perfect for my wedding and reception, and very economical, I might add. And Cynthia, the wedding coordinator is very helpful!
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$2,800 starting price
Cynthia
EVENTS DIRECTOR
Typically responds within 24h
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