Michigan Stadium now available for weddings and other special events
There hasn’t been a tie game at Michigan Stadium since 1992, but the Michigan athletic department is hoping couples will be tying the knot in the future.
The university announced Thursday that the stadium -- along with a number of other athletic department facilities -- are now available to rent for weddings, business meetings and other special events.
Public access to the Michigan Stadium field had been limited to fan day, but now it's available to rent for special events.
AnnArbor.com file photos
To do a wedding right, a bride and groom will probably want to select:
- Access to the Michigan Stadium field for a one-hour wedding ceremony. Cost: $6,000.
- Use of the Jack Roth Stadium Club for the reception. It’s the biggest room in the east tower of the stadium. (Smaller rooms at the stadium and other facilities are available, too.) Cost: $9,000.
- You’ll need a dance floor, of course. Cost: $800.
- Lighting the field during your night-time reception would be a nice touch. Cost: $75/hour.
- Add Brady Hoke as best man and Denard Robinson as ring bearer. Cost: Negotiable?
The university also unveiled new facility tour packages and a photo setting package that includes one hour of stadium access and “a prop box of Michigan items” for $500.
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon first discussed using the stadium to host special events last December.
He told The Associated Press that families, individuals and corporations seeking a unique location for celebrations or meetings would have an interest in using the 109,901-capacity stadium that's typically used only a handful of days each year.
Rich Rezler is a sports producer for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at 734-623-2553 or richrezler@annarbor.com.
Comments
Hailmary
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
Well what the heck, if we're going to do weddings at the, "Big House" why not double our money and do divorces there to, just kidding!
QualifyTheDeal
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
Very smart move! They should be using the stadium for other events to generate revenue and attention. Party at the stadium, anyone? It is Friday and now we have more opportunities to celebrate there!
rreidannarbor
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
So when the minister says "Do you Sarah, take John to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health. In victory and in defeat til the clock says 00:00? Sarah says "Go Blue" instead of "I do".
QualifyTheDeal
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
LOL Very nice!
Forever27
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 5:55 p.m.
Apparently David Brandon can't go a week without coming up with a new gimmick to cheapen the atheletics of UM.
Ann English
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 11:32 p.m.
Before DB became the athletic director, the stadium was used for a Bo Schembechler memorial service. I remember unscheduled events there, ones that don't get scheduled: a man's death working there during football season, and the birth of a baby boy just outside the stadium. And let's not forget the special outdoor UM-MSU hockey game there last winter, setting a new Guinness record for the greatest number of spectators at such a game.
DonBee
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 11:08 p.m.
The Green Bay Packers remodeled the stadium with weddings and other ceremonies in mind. Today there are 2 to 3 weddings each day at the field and 2 or 3 business meetings. The whole stadium remodel was done with that in mind. About 40 percent of the jobs at the stadium are full time because of this decision.
clearwaterkeith
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.
I would contribute a large sum to the fund if my ashes could be put into a vault embedded in the brick wall behind the Michigan sideline. I'm thinkin' that there are others like myself and it could be a great source of revenue for the athletic department.
SMC
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.
Book now, and Rich Rodriguez will personally sing "You Raise Me Up" for your first dance as newlyweds.
Hailmary
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
Yes Bogie, there are some venues where that Flea Market idea works fantastically, the Rose Bowl comes to mind, 2nd Sunday of each month maybe seasonal I havent't been there in quite some time. About $8.00 a head and some folks think it's one of the greatest markets in the world. I don't know about that , I've been to some great markets (open air) one I was at in Bankok comes to mind. I think there are money making ideas that can work at Michigan Stadium and done with a touch of class. It took a lot of money to Re-vamp Michigan stadium and pay the new coaching staff, it's not like the old days when Bo and staff were on payroll as coach. I just hope they(whoever they are) don't just turn the stadium into a cash cow, this can be done tastefully and with a nice return to help offset the added expenses brought on by both the good and bad of the last 3-4 yrs
semperveritas
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
i'm old----really old----old enough to have watched oosterbaan coach. here's what i don't understand. when / why did a public university's athletic department become a money making enterprise. i'm not talking about meeting budget and paying the bills----i'm talking about the seeming desire to CREATE PROFIT. did we issue an IPO one day during my afternoon nap? should i be consulting the NYSE or NASDAQ looking for MBLU ? please realize i am not talking about paying the bills-----i just wonder about that enterprise BEYOND making a budget and banking a rainy day fund.
a2roots
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
If you have been around soooo long you ought to remember a guy named Canham. He would be the one responsible.
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
bogie I hear that at the 'shoe' you can get lying, cheating, and stealing at no additional price. Now that's a deal no O LI O State Buck LIES can pass up. TiM Go Blue!
Bogie
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 12:43 p.m.
Yes, I understand for an additional 300 dollars, and Elvis impersonator will marry you. Also, I heard michigan stadium is looking at hosting a flea market, and monster truck show. @treetown, funny.
Theo212
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 12:39 p.m.
The Wedding Song There once was The King of the House, DB cowered and quivered like a mouse. He said: "King, you must go. Lloyd just told me so. He's my boss just as much as my spouse!"
treetowncartel
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 12:07 p.m.
Weddings are kind of fitting considering that since the loss to OSU in 2005 the program has continually been carried across the threshold and consumated in the way most wedding nights end.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. In either case the tears are rolling. One of the better posts I've read since this place opened for business.
Hailmary
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 11:33 a.m.
My own personal point of view about the commercial posibilities of our stadium is more of a traditionalist point of view.I love lobster but part of the allure of lobster to me is that a rarely eat it and when I do it's a treat not only the act of eating the lobster but also the anticipation of the meal (dinner). I love going into Michigan stadium and part of the allure is that I rarely go except an occasional home game. When I do occasionally go the anticipation and actual trip into the stadium for me is one of facination and thrill of the football game. I hope Pizza man doesn't turn Michigan Stadium into an amuzement park. Whatever Pizzaman does I hope it's with the class that great stadium deserves. I like the idea of weddings, why not. I use the term Pizza man loosely and with admiration and respect for DB.
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 11:18 a.m.
I don't understand. I went to Michigan Stadium in the 70"s and got married there. It's been a love affair that outlasted my other marriage, and is still going strong. There has to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, like me who took their vows there. The lastest example was Mr. Kalis who stood on the "M", felt the strong bond of committment, and took his vows. "Let's go Blue!" is very close to "I do, Blue! I'll prove my point. How many of you have another, more traditional, spouse that understands at selected times on nearly every Saturday in the Fall, you will not be available to them for hours at a time? Most of them understand that there's love for them too. (Just don't get in the way as you head from your house to the Big House.) TiM Go Blue!
10dz
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 2:23 a.m.
I'd like to host a celebration party on November 26, 2011, say around 6:30ish. If you have a ticket stub for the game, you can stay and join the party for free. Go Blue!!
johnnya2
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.
It could be really useful if the state will allow them to have alcoholic beverages served at the weddings or business meetings. The cost seems fairly reasonable to me.
johnnya2
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.
I looked up some of the policies regarding alcohol service on campus. It seems that it would be possible to serve alcohol under these guidelines. I do know that when my mother was planning her wedding at Fairlane (owned by UM Dearborn) they would not allow alcohol on the grounds. Needless to say, the wedding was held elsewhere.
1bit
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 11:34 a.m.
Craig: I am unsure if there is a policy. I've never seen alcohol there at a football game. But they have openly served alcohol at a private event, so I imagine there isn't a set policy against ever serving alcohol. I wouldn't mind having the "right credentials", though, on game day.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 11:03 a.m.
1bit, How does the alcohol policy work? If you have the "right credentials" can one buy a cocktail during a football game?
1bit
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
They have had alcohol at some events in the Club level - I think they may be able to do it for special or private events. There's liability issues involved but I'm sure if there's a will (and for a fee) there's a way.
Ross
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 : 1:11 a.m.
Sheesh, might as well get some use out of the place in the off-season. Kind of baffling how much infrastructure that stadium is, to only be used for 8-10 days per year. Concerts? Camps? Dave Brandon, keep thinking outside the (pizza) box.