Detroit Hitching Post

I know this issue is like beating a dead horse on here, but I was unable to dig up any old forums. My fiance and I are planning our nuptials in Detroit around Sept/Oct 2010. We're both alums of UDM so getting married in Detroit is very important to us. For the ceremony we're planning on the Sacred Heat Chapel at Marygrove College or St. Joseph's off Gratiot. Her parents and grandparents we're married there, but I know the church is all locked up. Her family is now in Macomb County burbs, so I'm going for Marygrove based on our UDM connections. I also thought St Al's on Wash Blvd would be nice. Most of the guest are out of town as my entire family will be coming from out of state as most of hers so we'll need a venue close to a hotel. I really want to have the reception downtown [[Opera House, Masonic Temple, etc), but I have some reservations mostly about service and getting this all planned from out of state. I also refuse to have a reception in the burbs other than a real city like Birmingham or the sort. Any thoughts. We'll be in town this weekend and the future Mrs would like to check out some places. As a side note, the Book Cadillac is off the table because I am consistently let down every time I have visited.

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Originally Posted by hybridy

I know this issue is like beating a dead horse on here, but I was unable to dig up any old forums. My fiance and I are planning our nuptials in Detroit around Sept/Oct 2010. We're both alums of UDM so getting married in Detroit is very important to us. For the ceremony we're planning on the Sacred Heat Chapel at Marygrove College or St. Joseph's off Gratiot. Her parents and grandparents we're married there, but I know the church is all locked up. Her family is now in Macomb County burbs, so I'm going for Marygrove based on our UDM connections. I also thought St Al's on Wash Blvd would be nice. Most of the guest are out of town as my entire family will be coming from out of state as most of hers so we'll need a venue close to a hotel. I really want to have the reception downtown [[Opera House, Masonic Temple, etc), but I have some reservations mostly about service and getting this all planned from out of state. I also refuse to have a reception in the burbs other than a real city like Birmingham or the sort. Any thoughts. We'll be in town this weekend and the future Mrs would like to check out some places. As a side note, the Book Cadillac is off the table because I am consistently let down every time I have visited.

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Try the Omni Hotel on the riverfront. Since you're having it in the summertime. you're reception could be held outside, on the river.

The guardian building does receptions! They seem to do a classy job.

Also, what about the Belle Isle Conservatory?

How about a Casino or on the 50 yard line of Ford Field? Now thats class. You can wear your Lion's Jersey under your tux coat! [[yes I am kidding)

Find yourself a nice catholic church with a priest that has a good sermon, become parishioners and have it there. It ain't rocket science. People have gone overboard with receptions in my opinion. Keep it simple, the more you worry about details the less fun you will have.

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Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Find yourself a nice catholic church with a priest that has a good sermon, become parishioners and have it there. It ain't rocket science. People have gone overboard with receptions in my opinion. Keep it simple, the more you worry about details the less fun you will have.

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We both live in Madison, WI so we can't be parishoners to any local parishes. Because we are UDM alums we can marry at Gesu, Marygrove, or St. Peter & Paul by default. The priest officiating is a long time family friend and he'll be coming in from Las Vegas. I just need more downtown options for the reception. What about the Detroit Golf Club? Anyone know anything about holding events there?

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Originally Posted by kraig

Try the Omni Hotel on the riverfront. Since you're having it in the summertime. you're reception could be held outside, on the river.

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We'll definitely be looking into this. UDM hosted a downtown gala on the riverfront in a tent and it was extremely nice. I believe Opus One catered the whole affair-that may be over my budget though.

Get married on the Detroit Princess.

Yeah Madison would throw a monkey wrench into my suggestion. Good luck. I don't see much wrong with Gesu or SS P&P. With SS PP you have several nice hotels within a short distance for guests to stay or have a reception. I had my High School reunion at the Anthemeum, they did a wonderful job. It is close-by. The Greektown Casino hotel has a separation from the Casino, which might make it a good option as well.

The detroit yacht Club. You don't have to be a member to have a wedding reception there.

If you are going to use Sts Peter and Paul on Jefferson and guests will be staying downtown, you might consider the Grosse Pointe War Memorial for the reception.

Large facility, beautiful grounds with a great view of the lake. Straight up Jeffeson. Nobody gets lost. Would also recommend renting a party bus from Royal Transportation. They are located on Lycaste, midway between the church and the War Memorial. Great Service.

Try looking at the Grosse Point War Memorial for reception. Close to downtown and on the water. They have two venues,one large and one smaller. Our daughter is having her ceremony and reception there in Sept.

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Originally Posted by Homer

Try looking at the Grosse Point War Memorial for reception. Close to downtown and on the water. They have two venues,one large and one smaller. Our daughter is having her ceremony and reception there in Sept.

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Homer,

Mind telling me what you paid per person for food and drinks? Is there any extra venue charge in top of that?

Thought you had to be a Grosse Pointe resident to use War Memorial???

GPWM I do't know prices. Wife and daughter are handling details. I will write the check at the appropriate time.
SWMAP....you don't have to be a resident but someone in family, spouse, dad, grampa, etc. must be a veteran.

So after having an exhaustive online venue search all day I'm utterly disappointed with almost all options in the entrie metro area. We're both architects, so we're looking for something truly unique. I know people have had ceremonies on top of the Park Shelton. Sweet idea, but I need a reception space. The Guardian Building Lobby is cool, but lacking an outdoor view. The GM Wintergarden would be unique if we had like 1500 people to invite and cash to throw around. The boat idea doesn't appeal to me. Maybe this is a tall order, but I would love to have just a raw industrial loft space. My fiance wants to design and build some kind of temporary focal point/bar/stage or something and all we have to do is rent some tables, bring in a dj, food, and bathrooms would have to be nearby. It would be clean and minimal, leave the focus on the people. Theres gotta be some kind of roughed in but not finished commercial/art gallery or residential space in a building under renovation downtown. Some places that come to mind may be the commercial space in the Willys Overland Lofts, the 55 West commercial space where Avalon was moving to, the UA Building, MOCAD, Russel Industrial Center, Opera House Retail Addition, the renovated Arts n Crafts Kahn building on Woodward. What about the top floor exhibition space in the Argonaut. Even something at the Tech Center in Warren would be cool. Something along these lines would be perfect.

If you want something edgy and very different try contacting the Display Group. They are a large event planner company. I have been to several events they have set up around town and the burbs and have always been impressed. I have also been to party events they have held in their 1920 4 story brick warehouse located on Fort Street near Rosa Parks Blvd which is very near downtown. It is amazing the different ambiences they can create with their props and furniture. They can do it all, including flowers, music, seating, dance floor and catering. They already have many several themed party props but can also built sets for your own theme. The first floor of their building has indoor parking but I have attended events that have provided valet services. They have a large secured lot on the same block. It is handicap accessible. This is their number I think, 313 965-3344. The owner is named Rick. No doubt they have a website. No clue as to their pricing.

Another place that might be fun is Burt's Warehouse in Eastern Market. I still would recommend Display Group to do your table/decor set up. Lastly, the Renaisance Center has a top floor garage area designed for parties. Don't remember what event I was invited to to view on the river but it was very different.

Hope some of these ideas are helpful. Best wishes!

Here's a suggestion for the reception, how about the Colony Club on Park Avenue? The Louis XV style ballroom would be a perfect venue, and they have the facility in place for food, drinks, etc. Prices seem reasonable.

Or the Masonic Temple for both ceremony and reception.

I was at a reception onthe top floor of the Guardian Building - very "old Detroit" and very nice. There was valet parking.

hybridy;

try this: http://www.flat151.com/index.htm it's on one of the floors of the murphy telegraph building. only thing i've heard about it is that's it's nice but a little pricey.

i know that boydell properties [[owner of lafayette lofts, brooklyn lofts, grand lofts, etc.) is very open to renting any of their available units for events.

you can also try talking to the owner of the park bar. he turned the upper floor of the building into a small theatre. that might be raw enough for you.

also try talking to the owner of northern lights up in new center. the seond floor is completely cleaned out and is a very large space.

the main problem that you're going to run into is that places must carry specific insurance to cover events. some owners will be more willing to get it or help you get it than others. places that already have a public area [[bar, restaurant, etc.) are more likely to even cover this type of insurance. any active construction site will not let you near them [[argonaut will not be finished until september and who knows what's going on at the UA).

some other more conventional ideas: there is the top floor of the gaurdian building that you can rent. it has the views and you can even run it in conjunction with a lobby party. the lobby or black box theatre at the max m. fisher/orchestra hall. lobby of the fox theatre. the masonic has a multitude of sizes, styles, and areas available - take a tour and check them all out.

Check out the Rooster Tail or Sinbads. I work at the Tech Center and I don't think you'll be able to do anything here.

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Originally Posted by rsa.313

hybridy;

try this: http://www.flat151.com/index.htm it's on one of the floors of the murphy telegraph building. only thing i've heard about it is that's it's nice but a little pricey.

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RSA, you are my hero. I hope to check it out this weekend when I'm in town. This is exactly the kind of venue I'm looking for, the future mrs is gonna flip. Thank you for all the suggestions. I was beginning to feel hopeless. DetroitYES is a lifesaver!

Just curious what you are reffering to St. Joseph's as being locked up. Are the dates already booked? If not the parish is in a cluster w/ Sweetest Heart of Mary and St Josaphat, http://www.saint-joseph-detroit.org/Because her grandparents were married there maybe it is worth investigating further?

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Originally Posted by danofcamden

Just curious what you are reffering to St. Joseph's as being locked up. Are the dates already booked? If not the parish is in a cluster w/ Sweetest Heart of Mary and St Josaphat, http://www.saint-joseph-detroit.org/Because her grandparents were married there maybe it is worth investigating further?

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The dates are not booked. Her parents would like us to get married there, so I would assume we would have to be in touch with Fr. Borkowski. Personally, I think the church is beautiful, but much too large for the size wedding we're were going to have, however we'll still want to look into it. Thanks

Yes contact Fr Borkowski.. Best wishes to you and your fiance..

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Originally Posted by danofcamden

Yes contact Fr Borkowski.. Best wishes to you and your fiance..

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got in touch with st. joseph's. they want $1,100.00 to have the ceremony there.:eek: my jaw dropped. i understand making a donation to the church one is married at, but i think not. my sister got married at a bascilica with a 2+ year waiting list and they didn't ask for a dime.

Brides sometimes like pretty places and long aisles to walk down. Thus that church is in demand by non-parishioners looking for a good setting. The high user fee is, in part, acts to discourage such use and also cover the time that the priest and staff would give on a week-end to a stranger's wedding. But mostly, the money goes to augment a very meager budget. You can imagine, in that neighborhood, there is not a big Sunday collection and yet, the upkeep of such a beautiful old and historic building is financially demanding. The obvious solution is to have the people who want to benefit from its beauty help the funding.

Divine Child - not a historic setting - also charges $1000 to non-parishioners.

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Originally Posted by rsa.313

hybridy;

try this: http://www.flat151.com/index.htm it's on one of the floors of the murphy telegraph building. only thing i've heard about it is that's it's nice but a little pricey.

some other more conventional ideas: there is the top floor of the gaurdian building that you can rent. it has the views and you can even run it in conjunction with a lobby party. the lobby or black box theatre at the max m. fisher/orchestra hall. lobby of the fox theatre. the masonic has a multitude of sizes, styles, and areas available - take a tour and check them all out.

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rsa, so we toured flat 151 last weekend. the space is great, but the managing guy said they were having some permitting issues and couldn't write contracts as of now. he said it would be fixed soon. he also told us that we had to hire security and valeting is $20/car. much too pricey for us. there is no kitchen on the floor so food prep is a huge logistical issue. i looked into the fisher theater option and it sounds promising. we could rent out the atrium space for $750 and it includes the entire three-story space with windows fronting on woodward. not sure what the event overlap would be and potential issues to keep meandering folks out of our party. i would also assume their may be problems with acoustics in such a high space. we're looking into it.

SWMAP-we opted to have the ceremony at Sacred Heat Chapel at Marygrove College. The intimate gothic chapel is the perfect size for out guests and since its a college church we forego the whole parishoner problem. It's also a more modest $500 hooray! Best part is we don't have a parking or security problem as its a gated campus. Should make our north-of-8-mile guests feel a bit more at ease. Best part is when we went to look at it last Saturday my future mother-in-law started bawling as soon as she walked in. The organist was praticing and the church was empty. The whole scene felt very scerene and spiritual.