Never underestimate the power of beauty.
Or the power of a bride-to-be searching for the perfect wedding spot.
B.J. King, a Logan-based entrepreneur, will attest to that. Six years ago, King commenced restoring a neglected 1840s home on a serene site overlooking Lake Logan in the Hocking Hills. He intended to reincarnate the home as a bed-and-breakfast. But when A Georgian Manner opened last spring, the flood of brides beseeching King to let them use the house for their big day left him no choice but to amend his business plan.
"It just happened," says Kelly King, King's daughter-in-law and the BandB's event coordinator. "People just started stopping in, asking if they could get married here."
The curb appeal of the stately white home is seductive, to say the least. A quick turn off county Road 180 takes you down a country lane that offers little hint of what's ahead. Travel about a mile and an unforgettable shot of Lake Logan and the six-column Georgian structure on the hill is unveiled.
This dramatic effect is a natural lure for couples in search of an unforgettable — and still relatively undiscovered — spot.
"We did our first wedding in May [of 2003]," says Kelly King. Since that time, the inn has hosted more than 30 ceremonies, from smaller second weddings to a grand event that included 175 people.
"That was too big," confesses King. "We'll do weddings for two up to 125."
The manor is decorated with antiques and flea-market finds from around the world, and the sparkling water and lush greenery make outdoor weddings possible, too. Sunday through Thursday evenings, couples can choose from an assortment of predesigned wedding packages for parties of two to 20. A Georgian Manner's manager and resident chef Mary Jean Lanning will cater for parties of six to 20 people. The packages set the standard, but the Kings do their best to accommodate all reasonable requests.
Larger weddings require a weekend reservation. Kelly arms all couples with a list of local caterers, florists, ice sculptors, salons and other necessities. Lanning, who was trained as a pastry chef, also makes tiered cakes covered in rolled fondant. Both are as hands-on or hands-off as brides want them to be.
Of course, romance isn't only for newlyweds; couples looking for a quick romantic getaway will also find their goal here. The manor has four rooms upstairs and a secluded honeymoon suite downstairs, complete with a Jacuzzi bathtub for two. "It's a nice getaway for couples at any stage of their relationship," observes Kelly. "It's just a very romantic place."
For more information, call 1-800-606-1840 or visit www.georgianmanner.com.
