Tying the Knot: Exceptional Local Wedding Venues

By: Toni Cunningham | May 14, 2014
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If you’ve recently posted an Instagram photo with a sparkly number on a ring finger with the caption “I said yes” or “She said yes,” you’re on your way to planning a wedding. While some people are blessed enough to choose a destination wedding, or venture to other parts of the Great Lakes State for their special day, others choose to stick close to home to say “I do.”

How’s a gal (and groom) to plan a wedding in Metro Detroit? By choosing a unique, obscure place to hold your ceremony, for starters. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with a traditional church ceremony or country club wedding, there are tons of places to tie the knot in Metro Detroit that you might not be aware of. Let’s take a look!

For the music fans

The Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac, is a popular concert venue, but what you might not realize is that it’s also a wedding location! Whether you’re looking to hold your ceremony or reception (or both) at the Crofoot, the site will book you a live DJ or band as well as cater your big day.

When you have the tools to do it yourself, nothing can stop you from turning your vision into reality. Trailblazer offers advanced storage options for a small SUV that is versatile, powerful, and ready to get the job done

The 1830 era building has a great sound system and acoustics (obviously) and when transformed for a wedding, the venue is breathtaking. Don’t take my word for it though; take a gander at the photos provided in the link above.

For the animal lovers

The Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., is not just a great place to take your kids on the weekend. It’s a great place to get hitched! The Detroit Zoo offers several different wedding packages, including various zoo locations like the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery (in the Butterfly Garden), Rackham Fountain, Cotton Family Wetlands Boardwalk, Events Pavilion and Arctic Ring of Life (with polar bears swimming above you!).

Each location includes different food and drink packages for the reception, and prices for all can be found on the Detroit Zoo’s official website.

For the artsy duo

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAD), 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit, is a quirky venue full of beautiful sights—so, what better place to read your vows? MOCAD, which used to be a car showroom in a previous life, is a very modern facility that will certainly stand out from any other cookie-cutter wedding you might be used to. Hosting your wedding here not only sets you apart and provides you with a super cool and unique venue; it also allows you to support local arts!

If you’re a fan of the arts, The Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, also holds wedding receptions in a variety of its locations, like the Great Hall and Prentis Court.

For the history buff couple

The Whitney, 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit, also known as the David Whitney House, was once a private residence turned into a restaurant and event space. It’s a building with tons of history (it’s rumored to be haunted!), so it’s a great place to make a memory in a chapter of your own life.

Private rooms are available for weddings, and the entire mansion is available for rental as well (when available). You can get married both indoors and out—the Whitney Garden is available during spring, summer and fall months for ceremonies and receptions. It’s hard to decide which sight is more gorgeous—the interior, or the gardens.

For the nature enthusiasts

The Belle Isle Conservatory, 8109 East Jefferson, Detroit, is available for weddings between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. The space is modeled after Thomas Jefferson’s mountaintop home in Charlottesville, VA. The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is full of lush orchids, cacti, ferns, palms and more—all of which makes for a gorgeous wedding ceremony!

You can recite your vows inside the conservatory in the Show Room, or outside in the open air.

Café Cortina, 30715 W. 10 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, will transport you to an Italian countryside vineyard without leaving the Metro Detroit area. It’s a great place to hold both your ceremony and reception—less time traveling from one location to another means more time to celebrate!

Ceremonies are held next to the fireplace both indoors and outdoors, as well as on the patio during seasonably warm months.

Roostertail, 100 Marquette Dr., Detroit, is an event planning and catering company that holds weddings at its facility on the Detroit River. You can take a peek at the Marine Room, Club Room, Palm River Room and Outdoor Deck online before even checking it out in person.

If you’re looking for a great wedding space with unique and beautiful photos ops (the Detroit River and boardwalk), the Roostertail might be for you and your sweetie.

Planterra Conservatory, 7315 Drake Rd., West Bloomfield, is a botanical garden perfect for a gorgeous wedding ceremony and reception. The space is an architectural wonder, complete with koi ponds and more foliage and greenery than you could imagine.

With the conservatory’s glass ceiling, you’ll be able to have your first dance under the stars with your new hubby or wife. Pretty romantic, ‘eh?

When searching for a venue to hold your wedding in Metro Detroit, you’ll likely come across venues like the Detroit Opera House, Masonic Temple and Detroit Yacht Club, which are popular places to say, “I plan on spending the rest of my life with you.” More than one couple has even tied the knot at Comerica Park (Google it).

Ultimately, when choosing a venue for your big day, make sure to remember what it’s all about—you and your honey, and your promise to spend all eternity together. Congratulations, and let’s pop some bubbly!

 

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