NORTHVILLE, Mich. (WXYZ) — The wedding dreams of countless couples in metro Detroit were shattered by the pandemic, while the financial lifeline for event venues was abruptly cut off, putting their existence into question.
It’s pushed one historical wedding site to jump into action in a unique way.
Planning a wedding is challenging, but planning a wedding within the uncertainty of a pandemic may feel close to impossible.
Now, there’s a no nonsense way to say ‘I do’, and it helps everyone win big!
There’s a new fall event at Mill Race Historical Village in downtown Northville. It’s called Your Wedding!
“All the couple needs to do is get their Wayne County marriage license and show up,” said Jennifer Luikart from the Northville Historical Society.
Just show up on your big day to a venue that offers engaged couples the chance to say “I do” in a one of kind one stop shop.
“I’m hoping this is going to be a special part of their lives moving forward,” said Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull.
Getting married by the Mayor makes it official, but getting married with good tunes just makes it fun.
“Music’s a really key part of a wedding,” said Northville’s DDA Chairman and musician Shawn Riley.
You’ll have it all from an acoustic guitarist, a decorated gazebo, and even a professional florist complete with a bouquet and boutonniere.
The only thing left to do is bring your vows and say cheese because someone documenting those memories – you’ll get that too!
How much will this picture perfect wedding cost you?
“We’re getting calls, a lot of people are really surprised that we’re able to do all of this for $1.000,” said Luikart.
Just a thousand dollars! The affordable price tag is possible because each of these vendors is willing to do the job at a deep discount in order to help out the Norhville Historical Society.
“This was a no brainer for us to get involved” said Adorn Fine Flowers owner Alicia Racine.
“Anything we can do to assist. this is a very special place,” said Turnbull.
Those donations are both heartwarming & critical. When the pandemic hit, the Northville Historical Society at Mill Race had to cancel almost every event.
“We had about 50 this year, we broke all of our contracts and refunded all the money because it was the right thing to do,” said Luikart.
It was the right thing to do, but it hurt financially.
We are struggling,” said Luikart. “To maintain all this, it doesn’t happen for free, we don’t receive tax funding from the city, we are self sustaining.”
Making the inclusive wedding bundle a way to make sure this historical mainstay is still here when the pandemic is over.
“We thought what can we do , the village is too beautiful not to share it with people and and trying to figure out a way let people get married, to use the village, the place should be filled everyday with people,” said Luikart.
The goal is to keep Mill Race Village alive with visitors and of course….with love!
Mill Race Village has dates open at the end of this month and early October.
Source: www.wxyz.com
Author Name Ameera David
Publication Date 9/11/2020