One thing always stops couples in their tracks when they visit Williams on the Lake, our lakefront deck at Lakeside South. We’ve watched countless engaged couples step onto this space and instantly envision their reception flowing smoothly between our cathedral ceiling dining room and this elevated lakeside perch.
The deck over the lake at Williams on the Lake’s Lakeside South venue enhances reception experiences by offering guests a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Elevated over the private 11-acre lake, it provides stunning views and diverse photo opportunities. This space is integrated into your reception flow, ensuring an elegant, natural extension of your celebration.
The Deck That Changes Everything
The deck over the lake isn’t just an outdoor space. It’s where your reception naturally expands beyond our walls while maintaining the elegance of our indoor venue. Your guests move effortlessly from our main dining area to this elevated platform that extends directly over our private 11-acre lake.
How the Deck Integrates with Your Reception Flow
Williams on the Lake designed Lakeside South so the deck feels like a natural extension of your celebration. During cocktail hour, guests gather here while you’re taking photos around our landscaped grounds. As dinner service begins, the deck becomes a retreat where guests can step out for conversation while still being part of the festivities.
The elevation matters more than you might think. Standing above the water gives your guests unobstructed views across the entire lake, while our grapevine walkway and landscaped stream-to-waterfall create photo opportunities right at deck level.
What Makes This Space Work for Receptions
Our deck over the lake works because it’s built specifically for events, not adapted from something else. The connection to Lakeside South’s main space means your bartenders can serve drinks smoothly, your DJ’s sound system reaches the deck perfectly, and your coordinator can manage the flow between spaces without missing a beat.
We see couples use this space differently throughout their six-hour reception time. Some start with ceremony photos here, move guests inside for dinner, then return to the deck for dancing under our state-of-the-art lighting that extends outdoors. Others keep the deck active throughout the evening as a conversation space while the main room handles dinner and dancing.
The Lake View That Guests Remember
From the deck, your guests look out over water that reflects our professional lighting and the natural beauty of our 26-acre property. Williams on the Lake has maintained this private lake specifically as a backdrop for celebrations. While insurance restrictions mean guests enjoy the view rather than interacting with the water directly, the visual impact creates exactly what couples want a setting that feels special and separate from everyday life.
The deck’s positioning captures different moods depending on your reception timeline. Late afternoon ceremonies get golden-hour reflections across the water. Evening receptions see our landscape lighting create intimate shadows and highlights that make every photo look professionally planned.
Planning Your Reception Around the Deck
When we coordinate your reception at Lakeside South, we plan the deck into your timeline from the beginning. Your personal event coordinator works with our full-service staff to ensure the space feels integrated, not like an afterthought.
Our award-winning culinary team can extend hors d’oeuvres service to the deck during cocktail hour. Our in-house decorator includes deck lighting in your overall design. Even our setup accounts for guests naturally moving between the indoor space with its cathedral ceilings and built-in stage and the outdoor deck experience.
Why This Matters for Your Celebration
Creating spaces that feel connected but offer variety is a common reception challenge that the deck over the lake addresses. Your guests aren’t choosing between indoor comfort and outdoor beauty. They’re moving naturally between our climate-controlled dining room and an elevated outdoor experience that’s designed specifically for celebrations.
Conclusion
Williams on the Lake has hosted receptions here since 1985, and we’ve learned that couples remember the moments when their celebration felt effortlessly elegant. The deck creates those moments not through complicated planning but through thoughtful design that lets your reception flow naturally.
Ready to see how the deck over the lake fits into your reception vision? Call us at (330) 722-6766 to schedule your tour of Lakeside South.
FAQs
Can we have our ceremony on the deck over the lake?
Our ceremony spaces at Lakeside South are the courtyard and gazebo. The deck over the lake is designed for receptions and cocktail hours, where it integrates smoothly with our main dining space.
How many guests can the deck accommodate?
The deck is part of Lakeside South’s overall capacity of 315 guests. Your personal event coordinator plans deck usage as part of your total guest flow, not as a separate space with its own capacity limits.
What happens if weather affects deck usage?
Since the deck connects directly to Lakeside South’s main space with its cathedral ceilings and full amenities, your reception continues smoothly indoors. Our coordination team plans for weather contingencies from the beginning.
Is the deck included in our Lakeside South booking?
Yes, when you book Lakeside South for your reception, the deck over the lake is included as part of your venue access during your six-hour reception time.