What is Planterra, exactly? The Planterra Conservatory is a glass-enclosed botanical garden style of building. It contains numerous exotic plants and flowers and has lovely features such as our koi ponds, 60-year old Queen Sago Palms and the largest indoor living wall in Michigan. The Conservatory is operated by Planterra Corporation one of the leading interior landscape service providers in the nation and is owned by the Pliska family.

How many people can you accommodate for a ceremony and/or reception? We can accommodate 200 people, for ceremony and reception (strolling or plated). The Conservatory is a spacious 11,000 square feet but due to plants and other features the fire marshal has limited occupancy to 200 for events.

Do you have preferred caterers or can I bring in anyone I want? Signature menus have been crafted and designed specifically for Planterra and food service contracted exclusively through Planterra’s preferred caterer. Food and beverage menus are customized according to the tastes and requests of the client.

What are the fees associated with renting Planterra, and what does that include? We charge a facility fee which includes rental of the entire conservatory for up to 6 hours, use of our PA system, access to our gardens for breathtaking photography for up to 2 hours prior to the event, access to the “green room” which contains 4 vanities and a private bathroom, free wi-fi internet access, event set-up and clean-up. The rates are based on the day, Monday through Wednesday $1,950, Thursday $2,850, Friday and Sunday $3,950. We also offer all-inclusive ceremony-only packages at lower rates.

How does the conservatory look year round? The Conservatory is a filled with beautiful exotic plants and flowers year-round. However, we only offer the conservatory for formal events September through May because it is difficult to cool the space in the summer months. We are an especially breathtaking venue in the winter.

Is there anything I am not allowed to bring in? Floral arrangements and alcohol can only be provided by Planterra. Food can only be provided by our preferred caterers.

What do you love about hosting weddings and receptions? It is an honor to be the venue for such an important occasion. I enjoy the personal details that couples choose to do to make their occasion unique and special. I also love the life that it brings into our botanical wonderland.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about the space? The Conservatory building was imported from Belgium.

As a follow-up to my post a while back about the Big House being open for weddings now, I wanted to show some more pictures and go into more detail on logistics and pricing!

As guests arrive, they will be parking their own cars (complimentary) or you can hire a valet service to park them for you. The parking is right outside the entrance to the Tunnel and Suites, which is where they will enter for a ceremony and reception respectively.

For a ceremony on the Block M, you are looking at $6000 and an hour window for the actual ceremony to take place. Guests will walk down the tunnel to their seats, which are right on the field!

Your bridal party will get ready in the locker rooms! The visiting locker room is available as well, so ladies can be separated from the men, and you’ll have all the room you could ever need.

This is the view as you walk from the locker rooms down the tunnel toward your wedding ceremony!

For an additional fee, you can have a banner (probably for the guys to run through), a fly-by, your picture(s) on the jumbo-tron, the Michigan Marching Band, and many other bonuses!

After the ceremony (wherever it may take place), guests will enter the Stadium Club and take a manned elevator up to the 4th floor (or the 3rd, if you prefer that space!). The reception fee is $9000 and includes security, parking, tables and chairs.

Cocktail hour might include live music and displays of food for your guests, and some fun things to do such as a photo booth or caricature artist! During this time guests can watch you take pictures on the field through the glass windows, or catch up with friends and family.

Once guests are all seated, the grand entrance might lead into toasts and a welcome, followed by dinner service.

The four approved caterers at the Stadium are Katherine’s, Opus One, University Catering and Sodexo.

They would also provide the service staff and bartenders – but you can purchase your own alcohol.

Once dinner ends, dessert might be served or available at a decadent sweets table! Dancing will get started, and you and your guests can party the rest of the night! For an additional fee you can have the lights turned on in the Stadium for an excellent view of the field as well.

Katy Jackson-Hepner will be your on-site contact in the Athletic Department at UM. TwoFoot Creative is currently planning a 2012 Stadium wedding reception and she is wonderful to have on our team as we go through the logistics involved in a Big House wedding!

We would love to help you plan your Big House wedding!