Photos and story by Monty Siekerman
Hundreds of people attended the open house for Crimson Lane wedding and event center on Saturday afternoon. The new multimillion dollar facility is a dream come true for brides and grooms...and for the owners, Mike and Jody Willeke.

Incredibly, 45 weddings already have been booked. The Willekes did their homework, determining that a weddings venue is needed in the area. Shortly after construction began last spring, future brides began to reserve dates for their dream wedding at Crimson Lane.

It’s more than a place for a perfect wedding. The event center is constructed to host birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, graduation parties, showers, and corporate meetings, as well. It will be open year round.

The 10,000 square foot facility is nestled between a 10-acre pond and a woods. There is a winding sidewalk, skirting the woods, between the large parking area and the building. There is a main hall, plenty of room for catered foods, a room with a large fireplace, and dressing rooms for men and women in bridal parties. The facility has a liquor/beer license. There is not a kitchen for preparing food, but plenty of ovens and refrigerators for keeping catered food at the proper temperature.

Viva Maria, Milano’s, and Harlan’s were all there on Saturday offering samples of their catering to those attending the open house. A florist had a display of her work. Wedding photographers were on hand. A company that specializes in providing table setting and chair coverings was there, too.

At Crimson Lane, brides may choose from three outdoor locations for the ceremony: a gazebo by the pond, a gazebo in the courtyard, or an area near the woods. The ceremony can take place inside in The White Oak Hall, which has a large fireplace at one end.

Appropriately, the Willeke’s daughter was the first to be married at the dream location. Taylor married Austin Dumbaugh at Crimson Lane on September 8.

The venue is located two miles east and three miles north of Ada, just into Hancock County. Route 30 is visible to the north. The address is 4600 County Road 1, Ada, Ohio 45810. Phone: 419-604-1740 or 419-604-1312. Email: [email protected] and there is a Facebook page for Crimson Lane.