Something Old, Something New: City Offers Senior Center as Wedding Venue

The city wants to play a part in your next big celebration.

In an effort to draw attention to Lemon Grove’s public facilities as party venues, the city is giving away a prize package that will award one lucky ticket holder with a free wedding—or another special occasion of the winner’s choice—at one of its premier settings: the Lemon Grove Senior Center.

Valued at $7,500, the party package will be raffled off at the city’s free Celebration Showcase event Saturday at the , 8235 Mt. Vernon St.

“We’re partnering with local business to boost Lemon Grove’s economy and show people what we’re worth,” says Keri Yednak, the city marketing specialist.

The city would like to be seen as the ultimate resource for the party planning needs of brides and grooms, parents throwing quinceanera, baptism and confirmation celebrations, and those who are having a landmark anniversary or big birthday bash. 

The senior center site boasts indoor and outdoor space, with French doors that lead out onto a large, landscaped patio area. There is a full-service kitchen and a hall that seats 160 banquet style, or 300 theater style.

The city also offers the community center, recreation center gym, and the H. Lee House and courtyard at Civic Center Park for special occasion rental. Fees vary from site to site (see fee schedule PDF in media box), with the senior center generating $37,800 in revenue for the city this fiscal year, according to Mike James, public works director.

Yednak says the senior center makes an attractive venue for an outdoor wedding and indoor reception, is bright and breezy—and an exceptional value at $800 for an eight-hour rental that includes set up. Plus, there’s plenty of parking, she says.

A variety of local vendors, including Forever Blooms, the Grove Pastry Shop, J. Dean Entertainment, A Touch D’Elegance, The Foto Box, Makeup by KC and others, donated the products and services for the give away. 

The Celebration Showcase, which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,  features live entertainment, food tastings, hair and makeup demonstrations, and a performance by Muevete Dance Studio.

The grand prize package includes everything needed for a special celebration—eight hours banquet hall rental, flowers, a wedding cake, DJ services, photo booth, photographer, linens, and catering.

Participants can enter the free raffle online, or at the event. The winner will be chosen at a 12:30 p.m. ticket drawing that Mayor Mary Sessom will preside over. The person whose ticket is drawn must be present to win.

James says there are about 650 participants who have registered online to attend Saturday's event.