About the Venue

The Carlyle House is a family-owned wedding venue located in Historic Downtown Norcross, GA, at the corner of Carlyle Street and 173 South Peachtree Street. They offer both indoor and outdoor wedding venues which includes a terrace that is suitable for weddings throughout the seasons. They also provide comprehensive wedding planning services, and their venue is equipped for both ceremony and reception needs. With a beautiful landscape and an award-winning chef, William Janousek, they promise a special and memorable wedding day experience. The Carlyle House prides itself on exceptional service, as evidenced by positive customer reviews on The Knot and WeddingWire.

The 173 Carlyle House’s owner, Gerise, and I, have collaborated on many weddings. I can confidently affirm that this is one of the premier venues for hosting your wedding in Norcross, Georgia. The Carlyle House offers a worry-free experience for couples planning their wedding. They provide a dedicated Venue Coordinator to work closely with you to fulfill your dreams, whether it’s choosing flowers, selecting a DJ or band, or coordinating various vendors like photographers, videographers, and florists. You have the option to use your preferred vendors or let the Venue Coordinator handle all the details and coordination, ensuring your wedding is just as you envision it. You can also check out some of the weddings I did at the 173 Carlyle House on their official website.

Reception and Ceremony Spaces

The venue’s grand ballroom can accommodate up to 300 guests for a buffet-style event or 200 guests for a sit-down dinner. Additionally, there are five cozy drawing rooms available for your wedding day needs, and the outdoor terrace can host an additional 250 guests.

At the Carlyle House, wedding ceremonies are their specialty. Whether you prefer an indoor or outdoor setting, whether your guest list is large or intimate, this venue offers the perfect place for your wedding ceremony and you have the choice of three unique ceremony locations: 

The Outdoor Terrace: adorned with a striking arbor, creates an enchanting and picturesque setting for your wedding ceremony.

The historic front porch steps: offers a charming and timeless ambiance for your outdoor wedding ceremony.

The “Garden View” Grand Ballroom: provides a captivating indoor ceremony space, offering a perfect blend of elegance and natural beauty with its garden view, ensuring a memorable wedding experience.

Pricing and Packages

The pricing packages at 173 Carlyle House include a rental fee based on the date and time of your event, which covers essential amenities such as dance floor, tables, Chiavari Chairs, linens, glassware, and more. There’s also a four-hour use of the facility for receptions, and additional hours can be added for $750 per hour. Meanwhile, a $2,000 catering deposit is required, with payments due for estimated event costs, food, and beverages leading up to the event.

For Saturday night functions, a food minimum of $5,400 is required, and all functions must meet a food minimum of $29.00 per person, in addition to other charges like dessert, beverages, service fees, and taxes. There is also a Venue Coordinator fee of $400 for receptions and $500 for ceremony and reception combined.

If you opt for an indoor wedding ceremony, there’s a $750 fee, including 200 chairs. For outdoor seated ceremonies, the fee is also $750, including 75 chairs, with additional chairs available at $3.75 per chair. A $200 transfer fee applies for last-minute changes from outdoor to indoor ceremonies, which includes rehearsal time and setup.

It is also important to note that the rehearsal time is determined by the Carlyle House, typically occurring the night before the wedding. Wedding ceremonies must start 30 minutes after the time specified in the contract.

Reviews and Testimonials

After reviewing numerous testimonials on TheKnot and Weddingwire, here is a summary of the praise received from previous couples for this venue:

Flawless Execution: Every detail of the wedding was flawlessly executed, from the moment they arrived at the venue to the final farewell, creating an unforgettable celebration.

Exceptional Staff: The staff at 173 Carlyle House went above and beyond, showing attentiveness, hospitability, and genuine excitement from the beginning of the planning process. Their expertise and dedication were evident throughout, providing a reassuring presence.

Enchanting Venue: The venue itself offered a picturesque and romantic setting with charming architecture and lush gardens, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere. It provided stunning backdrops for both the ceremony and reception.

Outstanding Food: The highlight of the wedding was the exceptional food, with the catering team’s culinary talents leaving guests raving. Attention to dietary preferences and restrictions ensured all guests felt included.

Exceptional Customer Service: The staff’s outstanding customer service was marked by their ability to anticipate every need, orchestrate events seamlessly, and maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the celebration.

Professionalism and Passion: The entire team exhibited professionalism and passion, coordinating seamlessly with other vendors and allowing couples to fully immerse themselves in the joy of the day without worries or stress.

Photo Opportunities

Many couples often wonder how we manage to capture beautiful one-hour bride and groom portraits at the 173 Carlyle House. The secret lies in our ability to utilize not just the venue itself, but also the nearby Lillian Webb Park. Here’s a breakdown of the fantastic locations available for your wedding day photography:

The Outdoor Terrace at 173 Carlyle House: This versatile space serves as both your outdoor ceremony area and an excellent spot for portraits. The stunning arbor against a white wall creates timeless and elegant backdrops for your photos.

The Pathway from the House to the Outdoor Terrace: A hidden gem at the venue, this pathway offers a unique perspective. With trees framing the foreground, you and your partner become the focal point, with the Carlyle House in the background. The lighting here is ideal, thanks to the nearby trees that provide soft, diffused light.

Lillian Webb Park Near the Library: Located near the Norcross Library, this outdoor open area is a well-kept secret among our couples. It offers a natural, elegant, and timeless backdrop for your photos. The spacious setting is perfect for accommodating large groups, such as a large wedding party. If you’re aiming for a more modern look, the park is surrounded by townhouses, providing a contemporary style background.

Lillian Webb Park Green Area: This area is ideal for natural light outdoor photography. Additionally, there’s a charming gazebo for intimate pictures. Nearby, you’ll find a fountain and long stairs, offering a variety of backgrounds for your wedding portraits.

These diverse locations, combined with our photography expertise, ensure that your wedding portraits are not only stunning but also capture the essence and beauty of your special day.