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We're Open Detroit: Rochester business offers 'mini-wedding' package during pandemic

Posted at 12:38 PM, Jul 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-19 18:38:09-04

ROCHESTER (WXYZ) — In today’s We’re Open Detroit, we are taking you to the Royal Park Hotel where they are open for weddings. They are helping couples with their nuptials, while still maintaining safety precautions during the pandemic.

2020 has not been kind to love birds looking forward to what’s supposed to be one of the best days of their lives. The pandemic forced weddings to be canceled, postponed or be held in smaller, less extravagant settings.

But what if you can still have a special event in a safe way?

Patrick and Van Mittlestat just got married in June at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester.

“It’s kind of like the Michigan version of Las Vegas where you elope, kind of, that’s how we looked at it,” Van said.

They were supposed to tie the knot in April.

“In mid-March, we got the call," Van said. "That was canceled and then it got moved to May. That was canceled.”

The wedding coordinator at the hotel then presented them with two options, keep pushing back the date or have a mini-wedding. So they said “I do” on June 23.

The Royal Park Hotel came up with the idea for engaged couples who want to be married and won’t let the pandemic get in the way of that.

Their mini-wedding package starts at $1,800 and includes:
Two hour rental
Wedding officiant
8 guests
Photographer
Champagne Toast
Wedding Cake
Flowers
Overnight stay for the bride and groom

Meredith Maringo is the Catering Sales Manager at Royal Park Hotel.

“Almost like wedding therapists working through, helping them through all this. We understand it’s such a stressful time and this was a great option that we are able to do,” Maringo said.

Now, the newlyweds are planning a bigger reception closer to their one year anniversary.

Patrick and Van tell other couples in similar dilemmas, the marriage matters more than the special moment.

“For us, it was the love that we have and the commitment that we want to make to each other and that was more important overall," Van explained.

For more information, go to: www.royalparkhotel.net.

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