Marriage in the Ville
Posted on 06/02/2026
Mayor Brian Turnbull

NORTHVILLIAN

Switching gears from previous weeks’ reflections on Memorial Day and all the Graduation activities which took place – the grads’ parade, graduation ceremonies and the all-night senior party – we will now touch on the wedding season (a.k.a., June), which is in full swing in the Ville. Amongst many others in the 1800’s, Henry Ford & Clara honeymooned here.

At the Mill Race Village, love is in the air with wedding celebrations already happening this year. In fact, I officiated one recently when all the prom goers were having pictures taken there. When I first became Mayor in 2019, a citizen asked me at my swearing-in ceremony if I would officiate their wedding. At the time, I didn’t realize that mayorship also included being Justice of the Peace. Since then, I have married 87 couples, with ceremonies mostly at the Mill Race Village but also at various homes, City Hall, Genitti’s and other venues.

HISTORY OF MARRIAGE

Many cultures have legends concerning the origins of marriage and the way ceremonies are conducted. The first recorded evidence of marriage rituals dates back to around 2350 B.C. in ancient Mesopotamia and Babylon. Even within our lifetimes, we have witnessed how the ceremonial union of couples has evolved and changed over the years.

The color Red is the color of love, passion and auspiciousness, and plays a significant role in wedding traditions across the globe, especially in eastern cultures. In China, India and many Asian countries, RED is chosen for wedding dresses as it is believed to bring good luck, happiness and prosperity to the couple. White is also used in many cultures signifying purity, innocence and new beginnings.

The name for the month of June is derived from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. It was thought that couples who married in June would be blessed with prosperity & happiness for life.

BEFORE LOOKING AT HISTORIC WEDDING ACTIVITIES … WHATS HAPPENING TODAY!

  • Northville Cars & Coffee – 6/13, 8-10AM, 550 W 7 Mile (Always the 2nd Saturday of the Month) – Bring a car, yourself, a friend … sponsored by Alexander’s Custom Clothiers.
  • Video Episode 1 “Happenings in Northville” (Chamber/DDA/City) Link
  • Detroit & the Underground Railroad Seminar – 6/12, 10:30AM, Community Center Link
  • Summer Solstice Luncheon – 6/30, 11:30AM, Community Center Link
  • Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Marquis Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link, Northville Winery Link, Chamber/DDA Concert Series in Downtown Northville Link

    INFO FOR CITIZENS … Projects Around Town

  • FORD FIELD
    • ¾The Playscape assembly will open this month.
    • ¾The pathways are done & final details are being completed.
    • ¾Serenity Point waterfall area is now a spectacular placemaking area.
    • ¾The ADA entryway is complete, & the Vista (Gateway) is being finalized.
    • ¾A new staircase is being designed & considered. (Discussions at Policy Conference)
  • RIVERWALK – The pathway system at the Downs along the rivers is complete.
  • DOWNS INITIATIVE – River Park ribbon cutting is 6/17 @ 11AM. Details on the Beal St. bridge stonework wings are done. The roundabout ribbon cutting is 6/12 at 11:00AM.
  • NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – Farmers’ Market every Thursday, Car Shows monthly on 2nd Saturdays. Next one June 13th.
  • GRANTS that Support Northville’s Initiatives (Over $17.6M) – Link

TASK FORCE MEETINGS

  • Cemetery Renewal Task Force Mtg – 7/13/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold–Chair)
    • ¾(See Link for information or Link to donate/support.)
  • Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 7/15/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
    • ¾Additional ways to be involved will be posted soon.

 

HISTORIC NORTHVILLE WEDDING ACTIVITIES:

Weddings in Northville historically have been celebrated in very unique & special ways. The Mill Race Village area is a prominent example of a popular, quaint and romantic venue.

1888 – Henry Ford spent his honeymoon in Northville, and he & wife Clara would stroll along the Rouge riverbank by Ford Field. Eventually, Mr. Ford built the Albert Kahn-designed valve factory there. Between Mr. Ford and Northvillian Rick Cox (in modern times), the City was deeded the land where the Mill Race Village and Ford Field are positioned today.

1929 – A high-flying marriage ceremony took place at 10,000 feet in a Stinson Aircraft produced in Northville (Stinson’s planes are highlighted in the Smithsonian & The Henry Ford Museum). Eddie Stinson, a Northville resident of Orchard Heights, was involved in this ceremony that took place between Toledo & Northville, with our Methodist Minister officiating in the air. The plane was painted with graphics that said, “Just Married.”

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 Wayne County Fair (Northville Downs). The couple won a contest for an elaborate wedding ceremony with music provided by the Fair’s vaudeville orchestra. Northville merchants & businesses donated gifts. It was estimated that 2,500 attended the wedding, followed by a reception in Orchard Heights.

1935 – Again, at the annual County Fair (Larger than the State Fair), an elaborate wedding took place uniting Herbert Ware and Madeline Lemmon in a carnival atmosphere. The ceremony was preceded by a trapeze act and a vaudeville show.

1999 – Bridegroom (Steve Skinner) made a grand entrance at Ford Field when his helicopter touched down, just in time for his wedding ceremony at the Mill Race Village.

Enjoy June in the Ville – See trees in full bloom and the young ducklings, swans, and geese on the Mill Pond. Stroll the grounds of the Mill Race Village, walk through our historic downtown, and partake in the downtown social district.

Keep that Northville June (Juno) Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville