Wises turn old barn into Manly's Lanterns & Lace wedding venue

By JoAnn Lower
Tom Fretty was often heard saying, “A prophet is never welcome in his hometown.” Mary and Steve Wise want to change that image and make Manly proud.
“We want to make Lanterns & Lace – 'A Party Place' available to anyone and everyone,” the couple said.
Located at 3584 Orchid Avenue in Manly, this unique wedding venue – a beautiful old red barn – was previously Tom Fretty’s Mechanical Musical Wonderland.
Mary and Steve purchased the property in the late 1990s where they held household and antique auctions until 2012.
“Gradually we’ve been working on the building, cleaning it out and sprucing it up,” they said. “Two weeks ago we hosted an anniversary party in our new facility, followed by a wedding on July 20.”
The 75x65 foot barn is equipped with a complete kitchen, bar area and dance floor. Its large beautiful stage is the perfect setting for a DJ, a band or the bridal table as well as speakers or performers.
The building is handicap accessible and climate controlled, with air conditioning and heat. With its huge parking lot, you’ll never have to worry about where to park.
"Lanterns & Lace – 'A Party Place' is not work,” smiled Mary. “I’m in my element while I’m here.”
Mary and her daughter Katy will be on hand to help with the smallest of details to make your special day something you’ve always dreamed of.

Tables, chairs, table cloths, candelabras, table runners, chair covers, candle sticks, lanterns, candle holders, cake stands, pillars, backdrop and card holders and that’s just the beginning of the hundreds of decorations available.
With so many beautiful things already in place, the couple can add their own finishing touches within just a few hours with help from Mary and Katy.
“We have our own bar and bartenders, which frees the couple from having to acquire their own liquor license,” said Mary. “Tokens can be purchased and handed out to guests so they can come to the bar to choose their beverage.”
Reasonably priced and affordable, Lanterns & Lace is available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for parties or weddings. The building can also be rented for an entire weekend. As an added bonus, the next 10 weddings booked will receive 20% off.
Mary and Steve have been married for almost 44 years. They have always lived in the Manly area and are now living on the family farm southeast of Manly.
A much-loved kindergarten teacher in Manly for 25 years, Mary is now retired. Steve, a bus mechanic at the school for 25 years, is now a semi-retired auctioneer.
The couple has three children – J.J. Wise, an auctioneer; Katy Troe, who works full time for the National Guard; and Jenna Wise (soon to be Jenna Blochlinger), who owns a salon in Concordia, Kansas. Steve and Mary are also the proud grandparents of seven beautiful grandchildren.
Lanterns & Lace is now ready to book weddings or any other type of social gathering. Events can be scheduled through December and into 2020.
For more information phone call 641-420-1074. You can also find Lanterns & Lace on Facebook or email at venue@lanternsand lace.com.