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Weddings

About

Agora Palace Event Center is a historic wedding venue in Lewiston, Maine. Its distinctive Gothic spire has towered high above the city for over a century, and the church continues to be a fairy-tale setting in which to exchange vows. The center offers couples modern facilities as well as a convenient location in the heart of Maine’s second-largest metropolitan area.

Facilities and Capacity

Agora Palace Event Center is a contemporary space that is respectful to its storied roots. A Neo-Gothic masterpiece, the church’s gothic-style windows lend a fairy-tale ambiance to any celebration. Guests will arrive to a monumental setting with a towering vaulted ceiling cast in relief by dramatic uplighting. The church’s nave is flanked by stately Corinthian columns, creating a boundless central space in which to host a magic reception. Overhead a giant stained glass rose window, reminiscent of the most hallowed cathedrals of France, floods the hall with ample natural light. The renovation team has worked to accentuate this sense of celestial space, with a minimal white color palette adding to the open and airy tone. The center can host a grand celebration for up to 350 invitees and there is a separate chapel that couples can use for their ceremony. After the party has ended, the newly married couple can retire to the Royal Tower Honeymoon Suite. Located underneath the steeple, it is luxuriously appointed and features stained-glass windows and its own whirlpool bathtub. Guests will find a welcoming place to rest their heads at the Inn at the Agora which adjoins the venue.

Furniture rental is included with the rental of the venue, and there is parking available on-site.

Services Offered

The staff of the Agora Palace Event Center offers a range of services to those celebrating their nuptials. The events team can provide full-service planning for occasions, as well as day-of coordination. The management is also happy to organize beverage services for events, and there is a fully equipped bar on-site.

  • Woman-owned
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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$6,600

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$3,300

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

No

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
Clean Up
Glassware
Lighting/Sound
Parking
Tables

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$20

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Wine
Open Bar

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Historic Building

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Pet Friendly

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Altar/Arch
Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Chairs
Dance Floor
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
Glassware

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

January
February
March
April
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

May
June
July
August

Reviews of Agora Palace Event Center

M
Mary Sent on 02/08/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful day in April

Billie was great to work with, we were her first wedding at the venue since she bought it. We were in quit the rush because my daughter and her fiancee were due to move to Washington State in 5 weeks for the military. With Billies help of letting us come early mornings to review the venue, chapel and set up, it was achieved. I will say that a night wedding at this venue is much more beautiful because of the lights in the venue, a day wedding is also beautiful but if we had to do it all over again it would have been a night wedding for sure. Plenty of kitchen space for the caterers to get ready and do a proper job, plus a great spot in the venue to set up buffet tables. The Agora had tables and chairs for us to use at no extra charge, round and rectangular plus chairs, so that was helpful. There is also a en suite for the bride to get ready and the couple to stay afterwards, the couple didn't take advantage of the rooms but they sure are beautiful.
I would like to say that the whole experience was wonderful, the bar was well stocked, area for the cake beautiful and plenty room for dancing. When all said and done the wedding was beautiful, Billie was extremely helpful and my daughter and son in law loved every minute of their special day.
Courtney
Courtney Sent on 05/03/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Beyond magical!

Billie was absolutely wonderful to work with! From showing us the venue at our walk through to the day after the wedding, Billie helped our magical weekend come true!
J
Jim Sent on 10/11/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We had our wedding ceremony and reception at the Agrora Grand in September of 2017 and could not have asked for a more perfect venue to celebrate our big day. My beautiful wife and I began our search for a venue online (we live in Texas) with a “rustic barn” in mind…but we stumbled across the Agora and saw the beautiful pictures and had to check it out. The Agora was the second venue we visited and immediately fell in love and knew it was the one. As beautiful as the pictures are, seeing it in person is unbelievable. The space is elegant and spacious with the perfect blend of modern and classic. The architecture is stunning; from the high ceilings to the illuminated windows, it truly is one of a kind. Andrew and Jan were FANTASTIC and went above and beyond, helping us every step of the way from the planning (which is not easy 2,000 miles away) all the way up to the big day. Truly a spectacular experience.
A
Annalise Sent on 07/17/2017
5 out of 5 rating
The Agora Grand was the most perfect setting for our wedding this past May. The recent renovations to the church are well executed and help to create a phenomenal space no matter what the occasion is. Andrew and Jan are great people who are pleasant and easy to work with. We had a seamless wedding day experience and I am so pleased we chose Agora as our wedding location.
T
Tiffany Sent on 02/09/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Stunning and over the top. I live in Northern Virginia and attended a wedding at the Agora Grand. A venue like this in the DC area wouldbe very expensive, especially for a wedding of 200 or more. This place is a masterpiece, super classy and full of architecture and elegance you won't find in anything modern. On the down side, while it's located in Maine's second largest city, it's still a pretty small city so don't expect any wild nightlife. Still, it's an incredible bargain considering how close it is to Boston (about 2 hours). Once the rest of New England hears about this place, you can expect the price to jump, so book while you can!
P
Patrick Sent on 01/31/2017
5 out of 5 rating
I was asked to be part of a wedding party. The wedding itself was held at the Agora Grand, and the wedding party stayed at the adjacent inn. The whole event was great! The inn is was a nice, cozy, and very convenient place to stay with very friendly and courteous staff. The Agora Grand -- formerly a church -- was an excellent and tasteful wedding venue. It fit 200 guests comfortably and had great acoustics for the reception after the ceremony.
V
Vanessa Sent on 11/14/2016
5 out of 5 rating
We had our wedding reception at the Agora Grand in August of 2016 surrounded by friends and family. We could not have asked for a more perfect venue. (Note: We may be a hair biased, as the groom and his family were parishioners at the former St. Patrick's Church which the Agora Grand has acted to preserve.)

The space is naturally beautiful, classic Gothic architecture that draws the eyes up; with the accent lighting in the windows, bar, and ceiling, decorating beyond some nice centerpieces was unnecessary.

The layout worked well for our rather large reception, but could still be comfortable and close for a smaller group. The dance floor is centrally located, so getting your guests out on it is that much easier. Our DJ was able to hook in to the built-in sound system quickly without any trouble, and the dance music easily filled the space. While we experienced some issues with the acoustics for speeches given through the venue sound system, the Agora Grand staff were apologetic and have since resolved the issue with a completely redesigned speaker setup, so this should not be an issue for future events in the space. As far as the climate control of the space, there is a central air system that kept the space, with many enthusiastic dancing guests, quite comfortable in the middle of the August heat.

The choir-loft-turned-balcony-lounge is well appointed and provided an excellent space for our bridal party and parents to relax before getting announced into the reception. The bathroom up there was an added, and much-needed, convenience. The bridal suite itself made for a perfect dressing room for the groom as well.

Overall, if we had to do it all over again, we would hands-down use the Agora Grand as our reception venue. We have even contemplated hosting other family events there in the future (milestone anniversaries and birthdays). It is a great space and the staff is second to none and really creates a first class experience for their clients.
C
Cecilia Sent on 09/22/2016
5 out of 5 rating
In July, my husband and I had our wedding at St. Patrick’s Chapel at the Agora Grand Event Center. It’s quite an understatement when I say that the chapel is classy, elegant and, most importantly, very spiritual. It was the ultimate perfect intimate setting for our wedding on a beautiful, sunny day. When I arrived, our 12 grandchildren were on the outside front lawn of the church, running and laughing, making this day an extra very happy and festive occasion as they waited for their grandparents’ wedding to begin. With the sunlight streaming from the beautiful old fashioned stained glass church windows, the church was alive with a rainbow of colors as all our children and grandchildren, all dressed in pink, with flowers in hand, walked down the aisle as one big, happy family (just before the bride), making the chapel setting extraordinary and unique. It was really something to see! It was such a wonderful day and we are very grateful to Andrew for making it possible for our wedding day to be so memorable and joyful … and 25 years from now, we hope to renew our wedding vows at the same St. Patrick’s Chapel at The Agora Grand Event Center.

We were also most honored to attend The Agora Grand Event Center grand opening and I can’t say enough as to how beautiful this venue is. Andrew made sure to respectfully keep the integrity of the old St. Patrick’s church alive and well while, at the same time, enhancing it like no other could! Andrew: you’re a planning genius with great and fine vision for rich, good taste and classy glamour! You are gifted with ultra-unique creativity and you make it possible for people to celebrate any occasion by making their special day alive and splendid … a really wonderful “dream come true.” Thank you, Andrew! The Twin Cities of Lewiston and Auburn are very proud and honored to be home to the Agora Grand Event Center.
D
Debra Sent on 07/07/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Our son recently got married at The Agora Grand and it was exceptional. The chapel is fairly large, but nice and quaint. The Inn next door provided an excellent place for the Bride and her entourage to stay (close to the venue) and the rooms were absolutely gorgeous; it sleeps 14 with individual rooms and connecting bathrooms, so no fighting to get ready. And the cathedral makes for a breathtaking reception hall, with a beautiful stained glass window, large area for easy movement, a nice-sized dance floor, a bar for those who like drinks, and a DJ station. Andrew, the owner, even stepped in at the end and enjoyed playing DJ. The Bride and Groom were very pleased and we heard nothing but complements from all of the guests at how lovely the venue was. I would highly recommend The Agora Grand for your "Big Day"!
J
Jen Sent on 06/27/2016
5 out of 5 rating
The Agora Grand stands up to its name – it’s a gorgeous, elegant and spacious celebration venue. The owner of the Agora Grand went above and beyond to help us make the Emerge Film Festival’s Award Show Reception a spectacular and memorable event. From the special lighting to the super chic bar and lounge to the huge catering kitchen, even karaoke, it was a perfect venue for us and we look forward to holding many more events at the Agora in the coming years. It’s also the perfect venue for a wedding and reception and I highly recommend it to everyone looking for a special place to celebrate.
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Awards

12

Professional Network & Endorsements

5 Endorsements
Coastal Critters Clam Bakes Coastal Critters Clam Bakes Wedding Caterers

Andrew has a great event venue that is centrally located near the midcoast Maine area with easy access from Portland, Augusta and well beyond. It's a beautiful place with high cathedral ceilings and many other amenities. Andrew goes out of his way to provide a pleasing and functional venue for his guests and has been a pleasure to do business with. Thank you, Andrew, for your part in providing a great venue for me and other caterers to recommend to our clients. Good luck and success to you in this fine venture of yours. James - Coastal Critters Clambakes & Grilling

Maine Wedding Barn & Event Center Maine Wedding Barn & Event Center Barn & Farm Weddings

The Agora Grand is indeed Grand for the bride looking for an urban setting in a historic and quite magnificent building for their wedding. Their professionals are eager to work with you to ensure your wedding is just that...Grand!

Gendron Franco Center Gendron Franco Center Historic Weddings

We are very happy with the partnership forged between the Gendron Franco Center and the Agora Grand Event Center. Andrew and Jan are great to work with and we welcome this new event center to the L/A Community!

Map

Agora Palace Event Center frequently asked questions

Agora Palace Event Center includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Glassware
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Parking
  • Tables
The bar service starting price at Agora Palace Event Center includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
The space offered by Agora Palace Event Center for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet Hall
  • Historic Building
Agora Palace Event Center offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
Agora Palace Event Center offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Agora Palace Event Center offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Pet Friendly
Agora Palace Event Center offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Altar/Arch
  • Audio Equipment
  • Centerpieces
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Lighting
  • Tables
Agora Palace Event Center is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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