Dear Friends,

You are invited to experience a rare level of hospitality, uncompromising service, and attention to detail within a unique and distinctive setting.  Our mission is to offer a depth of experience, ideas and resources designed to create events that exceed expectations.

We are very proud of our historical setting, delicious food, spectacular presentation and dedicated staff.  From the beautiful grounds and gardens, to the understated elegance of the mansion itself, you have the rare opportunity to entertain your guests in the very same rooms where Henry & Clara entertained heads of state and captains of industry, as well as some of the greatest minds and most significant figures of the 20th century.

From traditional to award-winning, gourmet to exotic, our culinary staff stands ready to prepare  a variety of exceptional cuisine for your affair.  You can expect, from your initial contact to the final presentation, that our talented and experienced staff shall make every effort, to make your experience memorable.

On behalf of the entire staff, I thank you for your interest and welcome you to the Henry Ford Estate.

Gail Raby

Gail Raby

Special Events & Sales Manager

he following details most of the pertinent information regarding weddings, ceremonies only, special events, meetings and luncheons at the Henry Ford Estate. Your HFE sales representative will be happy to provide you with any further information you may require.

Please remember that the revenue generated by your event helps support the preservation and maintenance of The Henry Ford Estate National Historic Landmark!

Note: To download and print the various HFE Package Information Files, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may get it free by clicking here.

Please click here for our Introductory Brochure

Please click here for our current Wedding & Showers Package

utdoor wedding ceremonies are performed on the Music Room Terrace, and can be set with up to 150 white folding chairs. Indoor ceremonies are held in the Music Room, and can be set with up to 100 banquet chairs. 

If you have a ceremony along with your reception, the ceremony fee is $1,000.00. If you would like to hold your ceremony at the estate without a reception, the ceremony fee is $2,000.00. Ceremonies without receptions may take place on Saturdays between the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm.

For a $100.00 fee, a one-hour rehearsal will be scheduled prior to your event (subject to availability), and can usually be confirmed one month in advance. Estate staff does not coordinate rehearsals.

In the event of inclement weather, a planned outdoor ceremony can be moved indoors to the Music Room. The custodial staff needs at least a one-hour notice to set the seating for an indoor ceremony. A standing ceremony can be arranged should it become necessary to move indoors with less than a one-hour notice. 

he Henry Ford Estate offers a variety of rooms/areas to meet your upcoming event needs, no matter how big or small your group may be. Rooms available include the Sun Porch, Mrs. Ford's Study, Music Room, Library, Pool Room and/or the Powerhouse.

	We can accommodate parties of up to 212 guests for a served meal and 300 for a standing hors d' oeuvres reception (in which case the main level must be rented and the Music Room terrace must be tented).  We offer a variety of furnishings (cocktail tables, easels, rectangular, etc.) and A/V equipment (screen, projector, wireless microphone, etc.) for your event needs.

Please click here for our Corporate Events Package in its entirety, 

Hours:

aytime events may be scheduled between the hours of 7:30a.m. and 4:00p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Saturday. 

Evening events may be scheduled between the hours of 6: 00 p.m. and midnight, Friday through Sunday. Evening weddings may be scheduled between the hours of 6:00pm and midnight, Tuesday through Sunday (5:30pm if also having a ceremony). 

Rental start times may vary slightly, please inquire with your HFE sales representative.

Minimum Charges & Rental Fees:

ental fees and minimum charges for food and beverage apply for all catered events. A room rental fee and signed contract is required within two weeks from the date of your booking to confirm your reservation. Sales tax and service fees apply to all food and beverage charges. Please refer to our General Information and Policies for pricing.

Food Service:

ne menu and entrée must be selected for all guests, although limited dietary substitutions can be honored with sufficient advance notice. HFE must provide all food served with the exception of special occasion/wedding cakes. It is the policy of the Henry Ford Estate that all food prepared for an event must be consumed on the premises.

In order to ensure availability of only the finest ingredients, and the preparation of food to the high standard we have established, menu selections must be made and turned in three weeks prior to your event. There may be limited availability for menu selections made in less than the specified time frame.

Henry Ford Estate is happy to provide the assistance of our on-site executive chef to custom design the menu for your special event. 

Liquor Service:

he Henry Ford Estate cannot sell alcoholic beverages, but will provide bartenders to serve alcoholic beverages provided by the client. Alcoholic beverages can only be served in conjunction with food. Beer can be provided to the bartenders in either cans or bottles, but not in kegs, and will be served to your guests in glasses we will provide. HFE bartenders are not permitted to provide cans or bottles to guests. Shots of alcohol are not served on the premises. HFE cannot serve alcoholic beverages before noon on Sundays. 

In order to provide for the safety of your guests, as well as to limit both your liability and ours, all persons must be at least 21 years of age, and be able to provide proper identification to be served alcoholic beverages. Additionally, our bartenders are instructed not to serve alcohol to any person that is visibly intoxicated.

Event Enhancements:

istoric interpretive tours may be arranged in advance for group functions at an additional charge and the catering office can arrange for the Gift Shop to be open during your event, so you and your guests can go away with a special treat.

Special Considerations:

ue to the unique nature of the facility as a national historic landmark, every effort is made to preserve the building in its original condition. Therefore, the Henry Ford Estate is neither fully air-conditioned nor handicap accessible.  Our visitors can help us to protect the historic beauty of the mansion and its grounds by adhering to the following standards:

• Any signs for indoor or outdoor placement must be approved by HFE to preserve the ambiance of the historic landmark. These signs must be removed at event end.

• No posters or signs may be affixed to any wall.

• Scotch tape, nails, pushpins, or potentially damaging fasteners may not be used in decorating. All decorations placed on any surface must be smooth bottomed.

• Flowers or fresh plant material cannot be put on original wood surfaces.

• All candles, including votives and tea lights, are not permitted.  Fuel-cell luminaries are available as an alternative. Click here for more information regarding the fuel-cell luminaries we provide.

• If you have hired a band for your musical entertainment, they must bring a pad for the drum set with extra padding for the drum pedal.

• Photographic studio backdrops cannot be used at the Estate.

• No balloons or table confetti are permitted inside or out.

• Throwing of any materials (rice, birdseed, flower petals) is not allowed in/outside the Estate.

• HFE is unable to store flowers, decorations, alcohol, etc. All such items must be brought in the day of the event and removed from the premises that evening. HFE cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage to articles left either before or after an event.

• For the safety of this historic building, and the comfort of your non-smoking guests, the Henry Ford Estate is a smoke-free environment. Designated smoking areas are available outdoors.

• The client is fully responsible for any damage done to the premises during an event, including any damage done by any independent contractors hired by the client.

• We ask that you please respect the boundaries imposed by the museum roping.

Please click here for our General Information, 
Policies and Pricing for all events. 

package sent to you, please contact the catering office at 313.593.5590 or:

Due to the unique nature of the Fair Lane Estate (A national historic landmark), every effort is made to preserve the Estate's buildings in their original condition. Therefore, the Henry Ford Estate is neither fully air–conditioned nor handicap accessible. 

For the safety of this historic property, and the comfort of our non–smoking guests, the Henry Ford Estate is a smoke–free environment.

Plenty of on-site parking is available.