Nice Day for a Fort Wedding

Measuring over 165 ft, the limestone walls and emerald green steeple of Fort Street Presbyterian Church stand out amid Detroit’s towering skyscrapers — a tribute to the region’s history and culture.

“Members come from a 100 some zip codes to be a part of what we have going on here,” said Fort Street’s Event Planning Coordinator Loretta Stanton.

“Pastor Mark Keeley’s idea was to have stuff going on, every day. So we’re trying to make this building go to its full capacity and offer all kinds of services,” Stanton said. “Our major programs we have are open door, the corale, and the wedding program.”

Since Keeley’s death in 2006, Stanton has steered the wedding program to success, broadening it into a full service operation including receptions, rehearsal dinners, afterglow events, a bridal suite, technical support, communication-based premarital counseling — anything a couple may need on their special day.

“We want them to relax, we want them to have a bite to eat… to enjoy the day, not have it rushed so fast that they have no remembrance of what happened,” Stanton said, whose corporate background and 17 years wedding planning experience help her orchestrate these events.

“I’m literally directing all of this… I will give them tips to help them with the planning of their reception, I know how to read the contracts and negotiate,” she can provide a list of vendors, knows the trends and traditions, and a check list from A to Z, Stanton said, “I want them to have all the bells and whistles.”

Whether it was an intimate wedding of 30 or a glamorous 1,000, Keeley wanted couples to see Fort Street for its unique and beautiful history, convenient location, and open door policy, without requiring them to become members.

As a result, the 19 century church has become a haven for interfaith couples and a host of nearly 400 weddings, opening its doors to every creed, culture, and community.

“This is how Fort Street is. We welcome people from all different walks of life… People are excited about having this downtown church and there are other churches, but again they don’t have all the programs going on,” said Stanton.

Fort Street is currently accepting reservations. Please register on their website or contact Loretta Stanton for a consultation: 313-549-1015.

https://www.fortstreet.org/

Published in Grosse Pointe News