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Weddings
at Pythian Castle, Springfield, Missouri
Constructed in 1913
by the Knights of Pythias, the halls of this Missouri masterpiece
have echoed with the voices of both orphans and military men over
the expanse of time. While today the castle reverberates with
the joyful sounds of dance parties, masquerade balls and weddings,
if you listen closely you might be able to discern the faint whisper
of a spectral spectator, who has come to take part in the festivities.
In our interview with Pythian Castle's co-owner Tamara Finocchiaro,
find out how you can say "I do" at this regal venue.
If you’d like to see the castle for yourself, tours castle
are given on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
What
unique touches can Pythian Castle provide for couples wishing
to wed in a castle setting?
I think I might be
too close to the building to answer this question. The most unique
thing is the warm and colorful decor that requires very little
decorating. The colors consist of creative mix of purples, reds
and golds, including our stock red dishes and gold linens that
add a royal touch to any wedding.
What
sites within the castle or on the castle grounds are available
for wedding ceremonies, and which sites would you recommend for
wedding photo opportunities?
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Pythian
Castle |
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Pythian
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Photos
courtesy Pythian Castle |
We have two main rooms
that brides and grooms rent, our theater and ballroom. Each room
is the same size, 2,500 square feet, with the theater located
directly above the ballroom. This gives the bride and groom the
option to have both the wedding and reception here or just the
reception. The larger weddings choose to get married in the theater
with the reception following in the ballroom. Some of the smaller
weddings (under 100) have the option of getting married in the
same room as the reception is held in. They may choose between
either the theater or ballroom.
While we are not the best facility for an outdoor wedding, some
have chosen to get married on the front steps with the castle
as the backdrop. This works for weddings with fewer than 50 guests.
Regardless, of where you get married the front porch and front
steps makes a wonderful place to take your pictures.
Has Pythian Castle ever played host to a
theme wedding? What suggestions can you give to brides who wish
to incorporate historical elements into their wedding?
We are scheduled to have a Phantom of the Opera wedding here on
New Year's Eve. While we would be perfect for a renaissance wedding
none have taken place as of yet. I don't think they know we exist
just yet. All weddings, regardless of theme, are allowed to bring
in their own decorations to make it their own.
Couples preparing to walk down the aisle
can sign up for a variety of dance classes offered at your venue.
Can you tell our readers what they can expect from dance lessons
at Pythian Castle? What dances do you recommend for a wedding
reception?
We offer both group and private dance lessons here. You can choose
to join a group class or meet one-on-one with one our instructors.
For weddings, I always recommend our slow dance lessons. With
slow dancing, not only can you look good on your first dance ,you
will be able to dance with all your guests whether or not they
know how to dance. It is the most universal dance. An essential
for any bride and groom. If you are familiar with dancing, than
I would take lessons on any dance that fits your passion. We offer
lessons here for salsa, swing, slow dancing and all the ballroom
dances including waltz, foxtrot, cha cha, tango, quick step, bolero
just to name a few.
Pythian Castle harbors many benign spirits
which may be silent witnesses to wedding ceremonies held at the
venue. Could you tell our readers about the paranormal activity
recorded at Pythian Castle?
Pythian Castle is certified haunted and it is not uncommon to
have a few uninvited guests show up in the photos. Our ghosts
tend to enjoy the events that happen here and on occasion come
out and play. One ghost resides in the theater, most hang out
in the basement and several flit around the foyer during events.
You can expect to see orbs in some of the photos and in some cases
you may even get an aberration in the photos. For the most part,
the spirits tend to be friendly in nature and non-intrusive.
What nearby activities or attractions can
you recommend for brides and grooms who wish to stay in the area
for their honeymoon?
The big attractions around here include Branson with its multitude
of theaters and amusement parks, Fantastic Caverns, Bass Pro Shop,
and Big Cedar Lodge, a wonderful place to stay.
Is there anything else you would like to
tell our readers about Pythian Castle?
Originally, Pythian Castle was built in 1913 as an orphanage and
later owned by the US military for over 50 years. We have recently
purchased it and have been renovating it for two years. It has
only been open to the public for the first time within the last
year.
Currently, we are the only castle in Missouri that is open to
the public and available for private rental. Our theater and ballroom
are complete and as we complete more of the renovation, and we
plan to offer bed and breakfast rooms in the future.
For
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