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If it's
an urban wedding reception you're after, we've got the venue
for you! Take a walk with The Wedding Pages, down to the West
Bank of the flats and the dramatic, fully renovated Powerhouse
Building, the former home of the actual power company, and
the current home of Windows on the River. Guests park for
a modest fee in the ample, attended parking lot and enter
the building under an extended awning. Once inside they will
immediately see that they are in for a treat, a city reception
experience unlike any other. The Powerhouse Building's entryway
is impressive, with loft-like industrial architecture. The
Steel breezeway and girders, double-wide wooden stairs, open
landings and three story high ceiling, give the impression
that you are entering a working factory, one that now produces
parties and the promise of good times. Located on the third
floor of this wonderful building is Windows on the River,
with its unique offerings. Two rooms, each with flexible set-ups
offer a variety of options for your medium or large reception.
Your party enters The Bridgeview Room, which can seat up to
400 people, through a private lobby area with wide double
doors. Once inside, dramatic views steal your breath away.
One side of the room looks out at the shoreway stretching
high across the horizon. The other view takes in an easy eyeful
of river. Together they create a two sided downtown panorama,
seen through a bank of arched windows, that reach from the
floor towards the ceiling high, high above. The third wall
is floor to ceiling exposed brick, adding again to the industrial
urban feel of the space. Though the Bridgeview room is huge
and open, it doesn't feel cold or sterile. Rather, you feel
as if you are floating along with the city, at one with it,
a part of its splendid grandeur. You don't feel lost in the
room, but rather firmly planted in the arms of downtown Cleveland.
At night, the Bridgeview Room comes alive with the lights
of the city, and shimmers within with overhead twinkle lights
and candle adorned centerpieces. The room can be divided for
smaller parties, set up with a dance floor, and arranged to
suit.
The City
View Room, a level below, is a slightly smaller, multi-level
room with its own special character. It is essentially, three
levels, beginning with the patio, right there on the river
(which can be rented with the City View room for a modest
additional charge). A stairway from the patio to the main
floor can be seen from above through an open railing. The
third level, joined by another stairway, is a kind of gallery
overlooking both, again enclosed by open railing. All three
levels are housed in a towering atrium of glass offering views
out to the water, and up to the sky. It's easy to imagine
a band out on the wide terrace, with guests dancing under
the stars, and dining within - the party three levels of pure
unadulterated rumpus. City View can seat 300 guests on two
levels.
Perhaps
the most enticing things about Windows, at least from the
perspective of the anxious bride to be, are its menus and
pricing structure. Widows offers two all-inclusive wedding
packages. Both offer premium brand bar service, passed hors
d'oeuvres, an elegant sit down dinner, a champagne toast for
all guests, wine service with dinner, a tiered wedding cake,
coffee service, centerpieces, linens and coat check service.
The premium package includes all of the above with the inclusion
of an hors d'oeuvres display with ice carving, a pastry table,
cordial and specialty coffee station, and floor length linens
-plus white glove service and an upgraded bar service. Servers
and bartender are included in both packages. At $57 and $75
per person respectively, the value and quality is unparalleled.
All guess work is taken out of the equation. There are no
surprises or hidden costs. Of course the Windows staff is
happy to modify the menu, make additions, or customize to
your heart's content, but if you want to just pay the basic
fee and have a gracious gala, you can do that too. Molly Coyne,
one of the exemplary event coordinators, makes you feel like
you are in good hands with her calm, easy, confident manner.
"The more relaxed you can be, the more confident you
are in decision. We try to make the whole experience as easy
for the bride as it can possibly be, so she can just enjoy
the day." A day that will come pouring in through every
window and in every detail of this remarkable downtown venue.
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