Old Lystra Inn

Our wedding experience was very unique due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, my husband and I got married at Old Lystra in an intimate wedding ceremony. A year later, we would finally have our wedding celebration with all our friends and family together. During those two years, we were able to get to know Beth & Tony, and quickly discovered what genuine and caring people they were. From being so flexible with rescheduling multiple times because of gathering restrictions, giving us fair pricing when booking, being available to help answer any questions or concerns we had, to making our special day(s) personalized right down to the very last detail. Throughout our entire experience with Beth & Tony, they treated us like family and helped in any possible way they could. For instance, on our wedding day, we wanted to live stream our event so our friends and family members could watch from home. Beth & Tony went as far as helping setup the computer and figuring out all the connections and wiring in order to make it work. They even stood by during the ceremony to monitor the live stream and ensure it continued working. NO OTHER venue would have gone above and beyond the way Beth & Tony did! My husband and I are forever grateful for our experience with them and for their gracious hospitality. For any future couples searching for the perfect place to get married, Old Lystra will not disappoint! We promise you'll get more love, happiness, and priceless memories than you could ever bargain for!

Pros: Incredibly nice owners, Tony and Beth. They felt like family! They were very patient, flexible, and accommodating. We were able to stay in the inn the night before which was extremely convenient and cozy. Tony also put up icicle lights for us at our request! We unfortunately had poor weather (rainy all day the day before and overcast and FREEZING on wedding day - maybe the coldest day of November), thus we were forced with the decision whether to move the ceremony inside the tent or keep it outside - this was very stressful but Tony and Beth were so supportive and kind through that. It really made all the difference! Due to the weather, I feel we could not use the property to its full potential but we still had the most beautiful, lovely and wonderful day! The tent kept us warm and had lots of room for our guests who traveled from all over the country to attend.

Cons: property was slightly unkempt for the day of the wedding. The bushes/shrubs in the front of the house were untrimmed which showed up in wedding photos (see in a few of the ones attached), there was a ladder leaning up the front of the house until the very last minute, and a couple of the front porch flower pots were dead and had pumpkins in them though it was past Halloween. All small details that were perhaps my fault for not mentioning, but by the time of wedding day I was not going to mention. Certainly not deal-breakers for us!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this venue! Such sweet owners who are willing to work with you and want to make your dream day come true. They are hands-on and involved with the day, always available to help and answer questions. Despite crazy weather that was obviously out of everyone's control, we loved our day at Old Lystra Inn and I am sure you will too!

I tried to attach a mix of pictures so all different areas could be seen.

Our wedding on 9/21/19 at Old Lystra Inn exceeded all expectations we could have possibly had for our big day. The owners- Tony and Beth are phenomenal! Even their sweet daughter offered to help a ton. Beth's right hand (wo)man was amazing, she seriously was like a day of coordinator. She communicated with me all day to ease any worries I might have had. She even fanned me to cool me off while we were doing first touch pictures, Ha! This venue is the most beautiful I've seen. The price point is right in line (almost slightly cheaper) with most venues in the area. However, you get SO MUCH with Old Lystra. For the rehearsal, they allowed us to drop everything off and opened their doors to us. I opted to pay a small fee to allow my 4 bridesmaids and myself to spend the night prior to the wedding day. It was the best decision ever! We woke up in the venue, showered, had a nice home cooked breakfast, and then made our way to the sun room for hair and makeup. ZERO stress! There were so many people behind the scenes working hard to make our big day perfect, it was so amazing to watch. Beth and Tony are so very accommodating! The venue speaks for itself, it is absolutely stunning! I would hands down recommend this venue to anyone planning a wedding.

We photographed a wedding here in November and can't wait to be back for another in April! Tony and Beth were super helpful and accommodating—Tony even provided a stepladder for some dance floor shots, which, being a short girl, I greatly appreciated! The grounds are beautiful, the tent is elegant, and we loved working here. Highly recommend!

This is the most beautiful place for a wedding. From the moment my husband and I stayed at the Inn in 2018, we knew this was the place we wanted to get married. Beth and Tony are so sweet and easy going which made it ideal for us to plan the wedding. On the wedding day they work behind the scenes to ensure every detail is handled with perfection.

Our wedding party had full use of many suites within the Inn on our special day to relax and get ready. If you are looking for sweet simple elegance on your wedding day, the Old Lystra Inn is the perfect place to create your dream wedding with memories that will last a life time.

I could not speak more highly of the Old Lystra Inn. This venue far exceeded our expectations and truly made our wedding day unforgettable. The property consists of a beautiful historic home located just minutes from downtown Chapel Hill. We had guests from all over the world who loved the selection of hotels nearby. The home is perfectly decorated and impeccably clean. And the outdoor landscape is just as classic and timeless as the home itself.

What really set this venue apart is the family who owns it. The Pendola family is professional, personable, and truly treated us like family. They were consistently available to answer any questions by phone or email and hosted us for tea and coffee on multiple occasions to help us prepare. Another thing that sets the Old Lystra Inn apart is the ability to choose all of your own vendors. We loved being able to choose the caterer, DJ, etc. So many other venues restrict you to a list of very expensive vendors. In addition, amenities that normally costs thousands of dollars (tent, chairs, linens, etc) were all included.

As many brides anxiously anticipate the weather on their wedding day, I was hoping and praying for clear skies. I never thought I would say it, but I love that it poured rain on our wedding day. The ceremony and reception inside the tent was elegant and simply stunning. And the photos taken outdoors with umbrellas are my absolute favorite. Rain or shine, this venue is incredibly romantic and captivating.

Looking back, we would not change a single aspect of this venue and highly recommend it without a single reservation.

We attended a wedding at the Old Lystra Inn. The grounds were just beautiful, and peaceful and so inviting. It was the perfect setting for a memorable wedding ceremony. They had an outdoor tent where the guests gather for food and merriment. The tent made you feel like it was a banquet hall, but with an outdoor environment. My husband and I had a blast celebrating the happy couple who got married. Tony and Beth were very attentive to their guests and their experience. I highly recommend Old Lystra Inn to anyone looking for a wedding venue, an event venue, where they know the owners genuinely care about the importance of the experience of the special occasion for which they are there.

This was the perfect place for our daughter's wedding. The owners gave way beyond to provide a welcoming and warm environment. Definitely a 5 star experience!

I coordinated a wedding here and the venue owners are some of the kindest people I've ever worked with. The venue is so unique and beautiful, and the venue owners really make the place that much more special. Highly recommend!

We attended a wedding at the Old Lystra Inn. The wedding was organized, beautifully decorated, and peaceful. There were 150 guests and we did not feel crowded or rushed in any way. We had the reception under a lovely tent. It was one of our most enjoyed wedding to attend. Thank you for a wonderful day!

Old Lystra in is absolutely amazing! Its a beautiful rustic chic venue. They have multiple amazing places for photos so everyone is unique. It ended up raining at my event but they supplied the cutest clear umbrellas. They really thought of everything! The owners of Old Lystra Inn are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. I’m so thankful that they opened up there land and home for others to enjoy. If prom was this amazing I can only imagine how wonderful weddings must be! I hope to come to more events here

We cannot recommend the Old Lystra Inn enough; they are the perfect venue run by the best people! After a series of COVID-related venue disasters, we were desperate to find a venue only a few months before our wedding. Beth and Tony at the Old Lystra Inn were there for us. They were helpful, kind, and supportive through the entire process. The house and grounds could not be more beautiful and getting to spend time there with our wedding party the day of was so relaxing and fun. Our guests loved the space and Tony and Beth were the most accommodating, generous hosts we could have asked for. We can never thank them enough. Everyone should get married at the Old Lystra Inn!

A wonderful experience with extremely generous, kind, and thoughtful hosts. Thank you for a lovely time -- it could not possibly have been better!

I wish that I was writing this review because I had the most lovely wedding at Old Lystra Inn. Unfortunately, Hurricane Florence came and had other plans for us. Our dreams were absolutely crushed when we had to change venues last minute due to needing an indoor space for our wedding. We did however get the opportunity to work with Tony and Beth throughout the planning process of our wedding so this review reflects the amazing courtesy and care that they provided to us. Although we didn't get to have our event at Old Lystra, I feel that working with people like Tony and Beth are what everyone should look for when deciding on a venue for a wedding. There are tons of beautiful homes, museums, restaurants, etc. that would make a beautiful wedding but not every place has people that are super easy to work with. If you choose Old Lystra you will get just that. Tony and Beth were so amazing. They even took it upon themselves to call vendors to help me find a tent to set up and even looked for alternative venues when the forecast changed for the worst. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and work with them. Our week had many ups and downs and after it was all said and done, I would pick to work with them again any day.

Hands down one of the loveliest venues I have been to. Tony and Beth Pendola have created the perfect blend of rustic, beauty, and class. They really take the time to get to know you and make you feel like family. Your wedding and the vision you have truly matter. Not to mention the VALUE you receive. You will not be disappointed with Old Lystra Inn. I hope I can attend more events here!

Beautiful beautiful beautiful lawn and historic home. Friendly and accommodating owners, excellent setting for day and evening events. I have been to a wedding, a prom, and a youth event at this venue and it is outstanding. Clean, spacious, and elegant. They know how to tailor to the event and the space is just so lovely.

My daughter's wedding ceremony and reception at a most perfect venue. Tony and Beth were sooo accommodating. They allow more flexibility than most venues with respect to your preferences. What an incredible natural beauty with an historical homestead of local significance. Ask Tony about it! So thankful we found the Old Lystra Inn!

The Old Lystra Inn was the perfect setting for our perfect day! Tony and Beth went above and beyond to help make our wedding day so special! Mother Nature threw every obstacle it could at us but through all, we persevered! They suggested wonderful vendors that were a crowd hit. The fire pit was a great night cap (Thanks for chopping all of the wood, Joshua!) We would recommend this place to everyone we know - and some we don’t know!

If you are looking for an impeccably furnished venue with owners who pay attention to even the littlest detail, look no further! Beth and Tony are so friendly and welcoming, and they treat your event as if it were their own special occasion. You will love Old Lystra!

As vendors who provide servers and bartenders for weddings and we can honestly say you'd be hard pressed to find a nicer venue and kinder more accommodating staff. Ive personally done several events there and Beth and Tony make the guests, and vendors for that matter, feel right at home and they go above and beyond to make the event run as it should. If you're looking for the total package at an affordable price with owners who are second to none, Old Lystra Inn would be your best choice.

Dennis Cullen
Celebration Sidekicks Event Staffing