OT: Where to have a wedding in AA?
I recently got engaged and we decided to head back to Ann Arbor to get married. I proposed an outdoor reception in the north end zone, but then quickly got the silent treatment (don't get me wrong, she is a huge U of M fan, but apparently field turf and dresses don't mix).
Does anyone that has gotten married or been to a wedding in AA have suggested places?
February 13th, 2010 at 12:46 PM ^
You can rent a room in the Michigan League for your reception. They'll even cater it for you--food, booze, and all.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:07 PM ^
and you can have your ceremony in the League's courtyard if it's warm enough. It's pretty small though.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:11 PM ^
Any idea if the University will rent out Ingalls Mall (the area between the League and the MLB)? They hold University-sponsored events there, but I've never noticed a private party...
February 13th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^
I saw a wedding held in ingalls mall last year when I was a student. I got in the way while trying to get to class. Wouldn't be my choice but it is allowed.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
Food in the league is no good, Law quad is the way to go
February 13th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
The food at the League generally is pretty good, just don't get the chicken.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
DO NOT go to the holiday inn ann arbor... unfortunately they are the most reasonably priced... you can get your pictures taken in the staduim if you want... my wife called and asked and they said if the construction wasn't going on it wouldn't be a problem... we went to the law quad and our pictures turned out great, plus you have the libary right there so there are bathrooms you can use... stay away from the 4 points sheridan also they are very expensive, they are all about you spending as much money as possible...
February 13th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
and we had the reception at the Crowne Plaza (now Kennsington Court). No complaints about either.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
We were married at the church across the street from the Campus Inn and then had the reception at the Campus Inn. (I'm not sure if the church is still there and can't remember the name).
It worked out well because the out-of-town guests could stay at the Campus Inn and transportation was obviously a non-issue.
It worked out so well that my husband's cousin did the same thing a few years later as well as my brother after that.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^
That church still exists and they have weddings and the like going on there all the time. Good all around location as far as Campus Inn being right there and downtown not being that far away if any guests want to go out.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^
Can't really suggest a Church, since I don't know if that is really your thing (sounds like you go the the Church of Bo). However, Campus Inn is nice. I worked there for a few years serving game day meals to Tom Brady, amongst other notables, and listening in to Borders corporate strategy meetings. Anyway, you can't beat the location, it is clean, and the food is decent. Price may be high though.
February 13th, 2010 at 4:55 PM ^
We had ceremony and reception at Campus Inn, and loved every part of it. Your wedding would have to be 150 people though. And the price was not bad, especially compared to other places in the area. The location being right on campus is a huge plus. And I'd highly recommend Cake Nouveau for your cake, although we got Courtney before she had been on TV that much. My groom's cake was in the shape of the winged helmet.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:22 PM ^
Reception in the Tap Room.
February 13th, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
Really? I'd go with the Ballroom over the Tap Room any day. The problem is that the Ballroom is reserved for the next 2 years.
February 13th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
You can't beat the catering from the Union basement. Wendy's and Mrs. Fields.
February 14th, 2010 at 2:43 PM ^
The Union has a legit catering service for events.
February 15th, 2010 at 2:05 AM ^
Not as legit as the League's...
February 13th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
We got married at St. Mary's downtown. We had the reception in the Union ballroom. They catered the whole thing and it was very good. We had tap beer for free and then cash bar for everything else. I only cared about my broke college buddies for alcohol. We figured if people wanted anything else they could pay for it.
I've also had friends get married in the League and the Union Courtyard. Both were good.
We also looked at Polo Fields Golf and Country Club. It was very nice but preferred the Union.
BTW, we had to reserve the Union ballroom more than a year in advance. You probably have to do it at least 8 months before if you want it on a Saturday.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:28 PM ^
In the Big House.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^
OT: I love the Tecmo Super Bowl avatar. My favorite play was the one were all the receivers ran curls back to the QB. Someone was always open.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^
Had a friend who was married at the Law Quad. Very nice event.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
if your fiancee's friends are hot, you can use my house for free..
I'll even throw in a keg or two
February 13th, 2010 at 2:05 PM ^
Family friends had the wedding and reception at the Union, up on the second floor. Not a large space, maybe enough for 100 people. I hadn't been in the Union in a while and was plesently surprised. Food was fine, atmosphere was great. Worth checking out.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:28 PM ^
My brother's second wedding was in that space and OldBlue is right about the food and atmosphere, it was nice. You can't go wrong holding your reception there.
February 14th, 2010 at 2:44 PM ^
that's likely the Pendleton Room, across from the billiards hall.
140 capacity with banquet rounds, but if you want a dance floor definitely don't go over 100.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:20 PM ^
if you want a great package deal, go for weber's for the reception. best value in town, hands down. unless maybe you have a heavy drinking crowd.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:05 AM ^
I second the motion for Weber's. Our wedding there was perfect. They have everything you'll need, the prices are the best, the food is good, the open bar is a good deal, and you can be totally Type-A about the whole thing, calling them regularly, always running hypothecticals by them, etc and they'll happily help you out.
We got married the summer of 2008 and at that point the U wouldn't let us use the law quad. We mentioned we'd seen a wedding there and they said it was one of the Dean's daughters.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:25 PM ^
I went to one at Earhart Manor and it was fantastic. Its on the Campus of Concordia college on the north side of town. Check it out it was a great place.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
My friend was married in the Baptist church just north of central campus (very pretty building) and just before, had photos taken in the Law Quad.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
If you stay in town the night before you wed your betrothed, there is a wonderful, little establishment you ought to visit in the nearby village of Ypsilanti. It's called Deja Vu, and they have a special welcome for young men on the eve of their nuptials. If luck is with you on this night, a fine young lady who goes by the rather unusual name of Cherry will greet you inside. Cherry always smells of the freshest spring flowers, even in the middle of winter! I just don't know how she does it, and she refuses to divulge the secret of her alluring scent. Nevertheless, Cherry will dance for you in a most distinctive style, and you will soon forget about trying to discover the source of her aroma and become lost in her mesmerizing gyrations. Before you know it, the night will come to an end, and Cherry will beg you to return forthwith. Heed well, my friend, and remind her, as I always do, that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
February 13th, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
A little bit overdone. About halfway through I thought this post was hilarious, but it faded for me at the end.
To the OP, obviously.... no Vu the night before the wedding.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
I got married at the First United Methodist Church on State St. We had the reception at the Michigan League. We had 2 rooms, with the adjoining alcove between them on the 2nd floor. Set up the bar in the alcove, had dinner in one room, and then the party in the other. We had a room at the Campus Inn for the evening. Was great, hit the church, then most people walked to the League. Had a very nice dinner (I thought the food was pretty good and they would buy any wine you wanted, just had to get it by the case and they got to keep the extras) then we walked to the Campus Inn. We figured, when in Ann Arbor, you walk. We had a blast walking down the street, everyone was honking their horn and clapping for us as we walked by. It was a smaller wedding, only 92 people (we had to pay for it on a very modest budget, so decided less people but higher quality) but I would do it exactly the same way again. Plus, the wedding party liked it, because they got to crash Ashley's after the reception and kept the party going to the wee hours.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:45 PM ^
Bail on the wedding and go to a Michigan football game.
[/getting smacked by wife]
February 13th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
I don't think you can get married in the law quad anymore. My buddy tried looking into reserving it for next summer and they said as of 2010 they are no longer doing it.
February 13th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^
didn't find info on weddings, but found a pretty sweet site w/ lots of great photos
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jensenl/visuals/album/2009/spring/
February 13th, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^
For the love of everything holy, don't do it man. Run, save yourself...
February 13th, 2010 at 6:41 PM ^
I love my wife, can't imagine being married to anyone else. That being said . . .
Stay single as long as you can. Hold out. Postpone.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:36 PM ^
Just rent Michigan Stadium for a day!
February 14th, 2010 at 12:36 PM ^
My wife and I got married at First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor and had the reception at 4 Points Sheraton. We admittedly got a deal because one of the managers is a family friend. We also had a lunch reception which was a whole lot cheaper than a dinner reception. My college roommate just got married and did the wedding and reception at Kennsington Court. They have a little outdoor courtyard, but also are flexible in terms of moving the wedding into your reception room in case of bad weather.
Depending on when you are getting married I don't know if you should do an outdoor wedding. Michigan summers are really hot and humid which might not bother you, but will surely irritate your bride.
The Union is also a pretty nice place for weddings. The food is decent. If think you have to be an alum, but I'm assuming if you are on MGOblog you are.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
If you have the cash, the Michigan Museum of Art (on State Street, across from the law quad) rents out space for receptions. I had a friend hold her reception there and it was amazing. It is quite pricey, however.
February 15th, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^
Coincidentally, I popped the question on Thursday and was surprised to see a post for exactly what I was looking for the following day.
For those who did their weddings/receptions in the Union/League - how many guests attended? My fiancee just called the office and they said that if we wanted the ballroom, we would need to spend a minimum of $10k on food, which doesn't fit our budget. Then they said that the next biggest room at either location can only accomodate 48 people? That sounds like bullshit given a couple of posts in this thread.
Anyone do a wedding at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens? We were also looking into that if the Union/League doesn't work out.
Any Ann Arbor wedding-related suggestions/recommendations would be excellent.