![\"Looking](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Couple-marry-at-The-Conservatory-in-Monroe.jpeg?w=1300&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nSurrounded by bountiful flora and hanging baskets of cascading pothos and ivy, Lenore Boberg and Nathaniel \u201cNate\u201d Turner said, \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The couple wanted a one-of-a-kind venue to go with their \u201cTill Death Do Us Part\u201d theme. Guests were encouraged to wear black.<\/p>\n
Finding the perfect place was easy for Lenore Turner (nee Boberg). She knew she wanted something small and considered an elopement ceremony but did not want to get married at the courthouse.<\/p>\n
It was late February and Turner was considering places in downtown Monroe when she thought of The Conservatory at 21 W. First St.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the store. I think it\u2019s beautiful in there,\u201d Lenore Turner said.<\/p>\n A phone call to Stuart Eastman, owner of the store specializing in house plants and home accessories, sealed the deal.<\/p>\n The West First Street shop\u2019s wide selection of plants offers a tropical atmosphere and it was exactly what Turner had envisioned. Instead of renting plants to fill a room, they rented the house plant boutique.<\/p>\n\n The Turners invited 70 guests to attend their wedding on May 14 \u2013 Mother\u2019s Day. Their parents, Judith and Michael Boberg Sr. and Pat and John Turner Sr., were integral to the special event along with Lenore\u2019s sister, the Rev. Deanna Paulin, who married them.<\/p>\n When it comes to the actual cost of the wedding, Turner admits her case is unique.<\/p>\n \u201cI had people that did a lot for my wedding, so I did not have to pay for a lot of traditional things,\u201d she said. \u201cAfter food, the venue, decorations and the cost of my dress, Nate\u2019s clothes and shoes and including tips for people, everything was about $3,000.\u201d<\/p>\n\n At The Conservatory, the Turners used the shop\u2019s plant lab to set up a cake, catering and favor table.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have a few tables that are used to display the plants that we were able to use. Our head table was one of their tables and we used a couple of smaller ones,\u201d she said. \u201cThe chairs were rented and I brought in cocktail tables I had borrowed from friends. For our favors, we gave away mini succulents and mini cactuses we purchased through The Conservatory.\u201d<\/p>\n The Turners incorporated dark red and lavender as part of their wedding d\u00e9cor but relied on the natural beauty of the plants to create a romantic atmosphere.<\/p>\n For their out-of-town guests, they offered Michigan products like Faygo pop and Better Made chips.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople at the shop were amazing to work with. They were very helpful and supportive,\u201d Turner said. \u201cThey made me feel like they cared about the day as much as I did and, as a team, they care about the shop. They are passionate about what they do there.<\/p>\n\n \u201cFor me, keeping it as local as possible was important to me. Monroe has a lot to offer. A big part of that is starting the conversation and reaching out. It\u2019s one of the perks of being in a small town.\u201d<\/p>\n Following the wedding, Turner posted photos on Facebook which has prompted more business for Eastman. The shop is preparing for a wedding next month and renting plants for other events.<\/p>\n Eastman admits with Turner it was a first-time request but he welcomed the idea along with the opportunity to add the service to his business profile.<\/p>\n At The Conservatory, couples can get the feel of an outdoor wedding \u2013 rain or shine \u2013 and can include up to 80 guests.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore Lenore had called about the wedding, we were already doing bachelorette and bridal showers, Mother\u2019s Day parties and date night,\u201d Stuart Eastman said. \u201cWe were considering weddings and it was through Lenore\u2019s excitement that it became a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n The Turner wedding was the first physical wedding at the shop. However, Eastman and his staff began providing plant rentals for weddings not long after the business opened in 2020.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen a wedding is booked here, we offer all our plants as decorations and our staff will move any of our plants around to fit a vibe or atmosphere,\u201d he said. \u201cWe allow our guests to bring in their own food, which they can set up in the plant lab. We have two areas where people can get ready or take pictures of the bride and the groom getting ready.\u201d<\/p>\n The shop also has recently remodeled a full bathroom for the bridal party to use while getting ready. There are tables in the shop which can be used along with 50 wooden chairs that can be set up for the ceremony.<\/p>\n \u201cFor our weddings, anyone can book them on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,\u201d Eastman said. \u201cWe\u2019re open to days during the week. Usually people don\u2019t want to get married during the week, but if they did we would make every effort to accommodate them to the best of our ability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n Fulfilling Turner\u2019s request has been good business for Eastman and his staff.<\/p>\n Along with a July wedding, he has rentals for four additional weddings.<\/p>\n He said plants provide a warm, organic feel to a special event and, unlike flowers, they don\u2019t die.<\/p>\n \u201cSome customers feel renting the plants are a better value than flowers. They don\u2019t have to pick up the plants or drop them off. That\u2019s a service we provide for an additional fee,\u201d he said. \u201cFor color, we can always add flowers to the plants and use them as centerpieces. Our most popular plant for rental is our bird of paradise.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cmajestic plant\u201d is often used on each side of a wedding arch or at the ends of the bridal table.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people getting married these days are getting married in industrial areas like converted warehouses or car factories. Our plants provide some warmth,\u201d Eastman added. \u201cIt\u2019s an organic piece that ties in the wedding scene and provides a pop of color. A lot of our plants are not just green. We have deep purples, pinks and deep reds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n The Conservatory is offering discounts on plant rentals and wedding bookings through Sept. 30, 2023. Interested parties must mention they read about it in The Monroe News. More information can be obtained by sending an email to events@theconservatoryshoppe.com<\/a> or by calling the store at 734-244-4889.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning a wedding and looking for a unique venue, below is a list (but not limited to) of possibilities available in the Monroe area.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning a wedding and looking for a unique venue, below is a list of (but not limited to) possibilities available in the Monroe area.<\/p>\n Agua Dulce Coffee & Tea<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: 114 W. Front St., Monroe<\/p>\n Fee: $300 for three hours<\/p>\n Capacity: 25 people indoors; outdoor arrangements available<\/p>\n\n Contact: Owners Anthony and Sheryl Trujillo, 734-682-5427<\/p>\n Four Star Greenhouse<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: 1015 Indian Trail Road, Carleton\u00a0<\/p>\n Fee: Starting at $600 for two hours and goes up to $1,000 for six hours. Chairs and audio equipment\u00a0can be rented.<\/p>\n Capacity: 250 people\u00a0<\/p>\n Contact: Debbie, event coordinator, 734-654-7480\u00a0<\/p>\n Gazebo at Riverfront Park\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: Next to the Knights of Columbus Hall on the River Raisin\u00a0<\/p>\n Fee: $100 for city residents and $150 for non-residents\u00a0<\/p>\n Capacity: For very small weddings\u00a0<\/p>\n Contact: City of Monroe\u2019s finance office at 734-240-7250\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Other city of Monroe park locations can be rented by visiting\u00a0forms.monroemi.gov\/Forms\/Park_Fac_Permit<\/a>.<\/p>\n Loranger Square Pavilion\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: Downtown Monroe\u00a0<\/p>\n Fee: $50 per use\u00a0<\/p>\n Contact: City of Monroe\u2019s finance office at 734-240-7250<\/p>\n Michigan Museum of Horror<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: 44 S. Monroe St.<\/p>\n Fee: $500 for two hours; $1,200 for six hours<\/p>\n Capacity: 50 people indoors; 300 people outdoors<\/p>\n Contact: Owner Nate Thompson on Facebook at www.facebook.com\/nate.thompson.5070276<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Flanked](\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Couple-marry-at-The-Conservatory-in-Monroe.JPG\")
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Other unique wedding venues<\/h2>\n