About Us
Learn more about The Union
We’ll Turn Your Wedding Dreams Into Reality, Without the Stress
The Union is Ashland’s premier vintage wedding venue located in the historic 1920s Union Bank. With timeless elegance, and walking distance to Lake Superior, it’s a perfect location for your special day.
We will work with you on making this day exactly as you want it. We have a list of preferred vendors that meet our venue’s high-quality expectations and we’ll be with you each step of the way to make sure everything is as you want it.
Why Choose Us
Elegant, Historic, Local
Event Partners
Ask us about our preferred event partners such as caterers, musicians, florists, and more.
Elegant Venue
The Union was built in 1923 and we've worked really hard to keep much of the original vintage design.
Convenience
Only one minute from Lake Superior and situated in the heart of downtown Ashland, WI, our venue is conveniently located.
Founder of The Union
Jeanne Aspenson
My husband Jay and I were married in 1992 in Southern Wisconsin at a historical bed and breakfast. We chose to honeymoon in the Bayfield area. At first, we returned to the area only every five years, being a young couple with small children and limited funds. As the years went by, we returned more often to the Apostle Islands. Our hearts are definitely tied to the area.
In 2019, we traveled to the area once again for our anniversary, but our then 20 and 18-year-old daughters asked to come along. As it was Labor Day weekend, and all rentals were booked in Bayfield, we decided to look in Ashland. We were delighted with the “hometown” feel of the town, along with the friendly community, including many more options for shopping and dining.
2020 arrived! I had been running a wedding barn venue since 2012 but lost almost all of my weddings. I realized then that we needed to diversify. My husband and I decided to invest in a home in Ashland that would also be income-producing, with short-term rentals. This would allow us to visit the area more often.
In 2021, out of nowhere, it popped into my head that I should open a women’s clothing boutique here in Ashland. The hunt was on to find a unique space to either rent or purchase a building.
As Jay and I were leaving town one weekend, we drove by The Union National Bank Building in downtown Ashland, and he looked up and said, “I still wish that building was for sale”. Always up for a challenge, I started to investigate.
Jay and I felt in many ways it was a blessing that the previous owner preserved many of the exquisite details that remained of the historic building. The bank was built in the 1920s and updated in the 1950s. With different owners in the following years, some of the historical features were destroyed, but some were actually “preserved” under the paneling and drop ceilings. For the past 17 years, the owner was able to “save” the building from succumbing to a major leak from a faulty roof. He also removed lots of 1950s carpet which had been covering the incredible marble and terrazzo flooring.
After I climbed the ladder and saw the beautiful, original plaster ceiling and skylights above the dropped ceiling, I said, “This has got to be a wedding venue!”
Renovating this historic building has brought so much joy and excitement, many tears, and some moments of doubt. Nothing worthwhile comes easy. Seeking divine direction is always necessary, even when “our timing” is not “HIS timing”. As we progress in restoring and painting the beautiful plaster, installing flooring, and building the space out, the excitement of owning this building is starting to overshadow the challenges. Stepping into the unknown is always scary. We just have to look at the wall hanging that I purchased before we started: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
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Our Address
100 Main Street W, Ashland, WI 54806
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