A couple’s dream wedding venue hunt took an unexpected turn when Christina Butkus and her fiancé decided to take a chance on a beautiful mansion in their neighbourhood. The couple, who got engaged last summer, has been on the lookout for the perfect venue to tie the knot this fall, all while planning a move out of state and purchasing their new home. Butkus explained to PEOPLE, “We’re trying to move to Savannah, Georgia, to buy a house there. Obviously, we’d like to put more of our money into our house than a wedding venue, so we’re looking around but nothing’s set in stone.”
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Despite not knowing the owners, the couple often admired the mansion during their morning walks and fantasised about getting married there. Turning their joke into reality, one evening after a few glasses of wine, they penned a heartfelt letter introducing themselves as hard-working community members seeking an affordable wedding venue. On December 6, they took a stroll and dropped off the letter in the mansion’s mailbox, documenting the whole adventure on TikTok.
Although they are yet to receive a response, the video on TikTok has garnered over 5 million views, surprising Christina with its unexpected popularity. She shared her astonishment, “I thought it was a joke that it kept going up by thousands. I’ve never had a video blow up like that”. While she remains hopeful, she acknowledged the slim chances of it materialising, saying, “I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt that maybe they’re seasonal here. We are in Wisconsin and no one wants to be here in the winter.”
Christina’s story has inspired many other couples to consider similar approaches for their wedding venue search. She expressed her gratitude for the support and interest shown by people, noting, “I get comments every day of people who want to do this and you never know. Maybe there’s a super-rich couple out there that wants to help a working couple out.” She encourages others to take a chance like they did, believing that the worst outcome is a simple rejection or no response.
Despite the buzz surrounding their adventurous move, the couple remains realistic about the outcome. Christina shared her optimism about a potential surprise text from the mansion owners, saying, “I’m still waiting for a random text like, ‘Hey, this is the owner of the mansion. We saw your TikTok, let’s do it.’ ” Whether or not their dream wedding at the mansion comes true, Christina is grateful for the experience and the connections made through their unconventional approach.
As the wait for a response continues, Christina is heartened by the interest and positive feedback their story has generated. She remains hopeful for a favourable outcome but recognises the value of the journey itself. With their unconventional wedding venue request gaining traction on social media, Christina and her fiancé’s story serves as a beacon of inspiration for couples seeking unique and affordable ways to celebrate their special day.