NORTHVILLIANS,
Through the years, weddings in Northville have been celebrated in very unique & special ways. History is repeating itself with the Mill Race Village organization offering an outstanding value package for those wanting to get married (or even renew vows) during these pandemic times. Wedding ceremonies will be conducted on two Saturdays (9/26 & 10/3), with a package that includes photographer (100 pics by P. McCormick Photography), live music by Shawn Riley, Flowers by Adorn Fine Flowers, a beautiful wedding venue at the decorated Gazebo, a Justice of the Peace, and the ambiance of the entire Mill Race Village exclusively for their guests. The historical area is a quaint and romantic setting, giving the couple an opportunity to have an intimate gathering now and perhaps a larger reception at a later date when pandemic restrictions lift.
In the Depression era, public weddings were featured events at the Northville County Fair … let’s look back at a few of the historic weddings as referenced by the Northville Record and family stories that are part of Northville lore:
1888 – Henry Ford spent his honeymoon in Northville at 632 North Center St., as highlighted in a recent outstanding article in “The Ville” by Michele Fecht, where she elaborated on the Ford connection to Northville.
1929 – A high-flying marriage ceremony took place at 10,000 feet that involved Eddie Stinson, Northville Aircraft producer and resident (Thayer/Eaton Dr.) The wedding of Jack Whitaker and Helen Hovey was conducted between Toledo and Northville with our Methodist Minister William Richards officiating in the air. The plane’s graphics included “We’re Just Married” & “Atta Girl.”
1931 – During the Great Depression, the marriage of a prominent Northville couple (Gertrude Parmenter & Donald Starr) occurred in front of a packed grandstand at the Northville County Fair. They had won a contest for the elaborate marriage ceremony, with music provided by the Fair’s vaudeville orchestra and a production crew for the event. Northville merchants donated gifts (including a new Ford car) and a honeymoon suite at the old log cabin on River Street in “Beal Town”. It was estimated that 2,500 attended the marriage with 75 or so celebrating at the reception afterward at the Babbitt house (Rogers & Thayer).
1935 – The County Fair wedding of Herbert Ware and Madeline Lemmon took place amongst a carnival atmosphere, preceded by a trapeze act and a vaudeville show. According to the Northville Record, a beautiful garden background and theme was established for this event, with all cast members involved for the occasion. A car adorned with the traditional “Just Married” signs carried the newlyweds off to their honeymoon immediately following the ceremony.
1999 – A bridegroom (Steve Skinner) made a grand entrance when his helicopter touched down at Ford Field just in time for his wedding ceremony at the Mill Race Village.
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