First marriage proposal at The Bay Theatre is accepted

From staff reports

“She said yes!”

Before the weekend movie was to start, Riley Griffis from Milan, Michigan, proposed to Ashlee Engstrom of Bryan, Ohio, at The Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay on Saturday, October 24.

They were celebrating their second anniversary together as a couple with a weekend get-away in Leelanau County.  At least that was what Ashlee thought. Riley had bigger plans for the weekend.

Riley had secretly arranged with the staff at The Bay Theatre a private screening of a special movie. The movie was a marriage proposal he created. 

Ashlee was unaware of all this. To her they were walking down the street in Suttons Bay before dinner reservations. As they walked down the street they stopped and peeked in the door of The Bay Theatre to see what was going on. As planned, a theatre volunteer happened to be at the door and asked them if they would like to come in to see the theatre. Riley said yes and the couple was given a short guided tour of the theatre. 

While in the auditorium, the volunteer said, “The projectionist is going to test the movie for a few minutes to see that it’s working alright. Why don’t you take a seat right here and see what watching a movie is really like.”  Riley of course thought this was a great idea and they sat down.

After they sat down, both sets of parents quietly sneaked into the back of the theatre. They had been waiting outside for the ‘all clear’ signal.

Riley’s movie started like a regular feature film. Ashlee’s name appeared on the screen. She started to suspect something was up. Through tears of joy she said “Yes” to Riley’s creative proposal.  

“It was quite the covert operation,” said Sherry Edwards, Programming Director, “Very nice couple.”

Riley and Ashlee will be graduating from Eastern Michigan University this December. Ashlee is finishing up her studies to become an elementary school teacher. Riley is completing a Computer Science degree.

Private screenings for couples and small groups for romantic or special occasions has become part of the weekly schedule at The Bay Theatre.

“With our Private Screenings, the Bay Community Theatre is fast becoming the most romantic date night destination in Northern Michigan,” said Sherry Edwards.

Click here for more information on private screenings at The Bay Theatre.