Michiganders, I need your help!
Jan 24th, 2008, 05:12 AM
#1
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Michiganders, I need your help!
My mothers best friend is getting married in March. She doesn't want a church wedding but does want something pretty. Obviously, she can't have an outdoor wedding. Does anyone have any ideas? Metro Detroit area or within a couple hours drive is fine.
Jan 24th, 2008, 07:42 AM
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What about one of the auto baron's estates? I'm not sure about the Edsel Ford House, but Meadowbrook Hall and Fairlane can both be rented for weddings. She may also check into Cranbrook House or the Opera House or the Dossin Museum on Belle Isle.
I believe the Inn on Ferry Street also does weddings. I'm sure others will have more ideas.
I believe the Inn on Ferry Street also does weddings. I'm sure others will have more ideas.
Jan 24th, 2008, 08:00 AM
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How about Greenfield Village? My uncle got married there years ago. It's in Dearborn (suburb of Detroit) and is a 40 acre estate with historic buildings and houses of America - cobblestone streets, carousel, steam train, ferry, etc. It has a beautiful little church with a German clock (with mannikens that come out and ring the bell). I know they do weddings well 
Jan 24th, 2008, 08:56 AM
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The Martha-Mary Chapel in Greenfield Village doesn't have a clock and the streets aren't cobblestone. They used to be asphalt and after a remodeling to upgrade utilities and meet ADA requirements, the whole village is now paved with concrete. The clock with the German figurines is in Frankenmuth, about 90 miles north of Detroit.
The village is closed to the public until April 15, so it may not work, but the museum has several venues available since the OP doesn't want a church wedding. Another possibility would be the nearby Dearborn Inn.
I'm not sure how they work for non-members, but there are the private clubs-The Detroit Club at Fort & Cass, Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club or the downtown YWCA in the old University Club on Jefferson.
The village is closed to the public until April 15, so it may not work, but the museum has several venues available since the OP doesn't want a church wedding. Another possibility would be the nearby Dearborn Inn.
I'm not sure how they work for non-members, but there are the private clubs-The Detroit Club at Fort & Cass, Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club or the downtown YWCA in the old University Club on Jefferson.
Jan 24th, 2008, 10:04 AM
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Sorry Citylights - I could have sworn I remember cobblestones from my childhood. Maybe brick streets in one area? That was over 30 years ago, so much may have changed.
I could have sworn I remember German figurines, and have never been to the other place you mentioned. Ah, childhood memories - how mixed up you are!
I could have sworn I remember German figurines, and have never been to the other place you mentioned. Ah, childhood memories - how mixed up you are!
Jan 24th, 2008, 10:14 AM
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Let's not forget the war memorial in GPC or the Mariner's church downtown Detroit. I'm pretty sure the gem theater does weddings too.
If your looking for a wedding chapel there is one in Rochester Hills. www.candlelightchapel.com very nice place and family owned. Ask for Darris.
Or Frankenmuth, that maybe an idea.
Congrats to your mom's friend.
If your looking for a wedding chapel there is one in Rochester Hills. www.candlelightchapel.com very nice place and family owned. Ask for Darris.
Or Frankenmuth, that maybe an idea.
Congrats to your mom's friend.
Jan 24th, 2008, 10:50 AM
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Greenfield Village weddings book years in advance.
She can have a judge marry her. That is what we did.
We did it on Mackinac Island, but that will be a bit chilly in March.
March is going to be tough. That is only two months away! Things will all be booked. Maybe she can do an odd time of the week.
Hmmm...let me put on my thinking cap and get back to you. I wonder if there is something in the Irish Hills that would work? A winery would be a great place. A cute bed and breakfast in March would be good. Look here:
http://www.lanierbb.com
There are also some tea rooms in the area that are nice. How many people are going to the wedding?
She can have a judge marry her. That is what we did.
We did it on Mackinac Island, but that will be a bit chilly in March.
March is going to be tough. That is only two months away! Things will all be booked. Maybe she can do an odd time of the week.
Hmmm...let me put on my thinking cap and get back to you. I wonder if there is something in the Irish Hills that would work? A winery would be a great place. A cute bed and breakfast in March would be good. Look here:
http://www.lanierbb.com
There are also some tea rooms in the area that are nice. How many people are going to the wedding?
Jan 24th, 2008, 03:41 PM
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GreenDragon, the sidewalks in some areas of the village were brick, but those have all given way to smooth surfaces with curb ramps.
I agree that it's going to be tough with only about six weeks to plan, but how large a wedding is she planning to have?
Another possibility could be the Detroit Masonic Temple.
I agree that it's going to be tough with only about six weeks to plan, but how large a wedding is she planning to have?
Another possibility could be the Detroit Masonic Temple.
Jan 24th, 2008, 05:52 PM
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I haven't been to this tea room, but it is supposed to be great.
http://www.tby3.net/
I know the MIchigan Union at the University of Michigan also does weddings.
http://www.tby3.net/
I know the MIchigan Union at the University of Michigan also does weddings.
Jan 25th, 2008, 04:44 AM
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For something unusual, is Trapper's Alley in Detroit still a nice place? It's in Greektown, and was an indoor replica of a Greek alley, with street vendors and such - a neat place (again, recalled with childhood memories)
Jan 25th, 2008, 05:02 AM
#11
The Victoria Wedding Chapel in Waterford, MI, is beautiful.
http://www.michiganweddingsolutions....s/00439_pp.htm
http://www.michiganweddingsolutions....s/00439_pp.htm
Jan 25th, 2008, 05:36 AM
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Oh GreenDragon, you need to visit!
Trappers Alley is now Greektown Casino.
But I think the German figures you remember at Greenfield Village are on top of the candy shop. I'll look closer next time I go.
I still have my thinking cap on, but indoors on short notice is hard. Do they like bowling or are veterans of foreign wars?
Trappers Alley is now Greektown Casino.
But I think the German figures you remember at Greenfield Village are on top of the candy shop. I'll look closer next time I go.
I still have my thinking cap on, but indoors on short notice is hard. Do they like bowling or are veterans of foreign wars?
Jan 25th, 2008, 06:03 AM
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Oh, no, Trapper's Alley is gone! I remember wandering around there, sniffing the homemade candles, seeing all the scarves and such. And then going to eat at an Ethiopian Restaurant, couldn't get a table, so we went across the street to the Pegasus.
Jan 25th, 2008, 06:49 AM
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Kelliebellie, the figurines are on the candy shoppe and are from John Bennett's Jewelery store. http://tinyurl.com/yvfxdn
The two largest are Gog and Magog, the mythical guardians of the City of London. In addition, there's Mercury holding a caduceus and, I think, either Minerva or Venus. Together, the four figures ring "Westminster Chimes" on the quarter-hour.
The two largest are Gog and Magog, the mythical guardians of the City of London. In addition, there's Mercury holding a caduceus and, I think, either Minerva or Venus. Together, the four figures ring "Westminster Chimes" on the quarter-hour.
Jan 25th, 2008, 09:26 AM
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Well, technically Trappers Alley is still there, it just doesn't smell like candles anymore. But Pegasus is still delicious.
Thanks for the link Citylghts! I will definitely look closer the next time we go.
Thanks for the link Citylghts! I will definitely look closer the next time we go.
Jan 25th, 2008, 11:23 AM
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By the way, this place in Greenfield Village:
http://www.thehenryford.org/village/...ne/default.asp
Is my ancestor's farm. My grandmother remembered visiting it as a girl. Her maiden name was Firestone, and her great-uncle was Harvey Firestone, who started the tire company.
http://www.thehenryford.org/village/...ne/default.asp
Is my ancestor's farm. My grandmother remembered visiting it as a girl. Her maiden name was Firestone, and her great-uncle was Harvey Firestone, who started the tire company.
Jan 25th, 2008, 11:36 AM
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That is so cool GreenDragon!
You must come visit us then as an adult. They've added Holiday activities recently to Greenfield Village and they sell out. We went to the Halloween event and had an old fashioned dinner by candlelight in the Eagle Tavern and then went trick-or-treating around the village. We also did the Christmas program where they deck the village out in old Christmas splendor, have carolers and hot chocolate and sleigh rides. It is like a porcelin Christmas village come to life! (a bit cold perhaps)
You can't beat it in the summer time though.
You must come visit us then as an adult. They've added Holiday activities recently to Greenfield Village and they sell out. We went to the Halloween event and had an old fashioned dinner by candlelight in the Eagle Tavern and then went trick-or-treating around the village. We also did the Christmas program where they deck the village out in old Christmas splendor, have carolers and hot chocolate and sleigh rides. It is like a porcelin Christmas village come to life! (a bit cold perhaps)
You can't beat it in the summer time though.
