Cost of getting married doubles at city-owned historic site

In keeping with the City of Sault Ste. Marie's push to increase revenue from user fees, the cost of getting hitched at one of the most popular local wedding venues is about to double.

The city's historic sites board agreed today to raise the cost of weddings at the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site to $400.

The fee hike will take effect January 2018.

Until now, wedding arrangements at the Old Stone House and Clergue Blockhouse have been a bargain at $200, compared to $400 at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site and more than that at the Bushplane Museum.

Ward 3 councillor Matthew Shoemaker, a member of the historic sites board, commented that his church charged $275 when he married Jenna Ward in October 2015.

That price included the officiant, Shoemaker said.

Ian Ganton recently completed this mural, displayed in the Clergue Blockhouse. David Helwig/SooToday

Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site charges $200 on top of its rental fee for on-site wedding photography.

There will be an additional charge of $100 to use the Old Stone House's summer kitchen or the theatre at the Heritage Discovery Centre.

The Ermatinger-Clergue $400 fee includes a day-before rehearsal session and any use of the site for wedding photography, curator Kathy Fisher told board members.

Edie Suriano, marketing and promotions coordinator at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, tells SooToday that the museum normally books wedding reception dinners at a price based on duration of the event and the number of guests.

The Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site and nearby Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre are both looking at increasing their $12 general admission fees, board members were told today.

Ermatinger-Clergue is also expected to hike the $18 cost of its popular Lilac & Lavender Tea events, which sold out four sittings this year.

On Friday, June 30. Ermatinger-Clergue will host a $50-a-person Lobsterfest, offering 1-1/4 pounds of freshly shipped-in lobster served with warm butter and a selection of appetizers, creamy coleslaw, potato salad, a fresh-baked biscuit and a slice of homemade pie.

For more information about this licensed event, please call (705) 759-5443.