GRAND FORKS (AP) - Wedding receptions not only are happy occasions for brides and grooms - they also are helping the Grand Forks events center out of debt.

Officials of the Alerus Center say revenue from wedding receptions helped put the center in the black for the month of September. Its revenue exceeded expenses by about $78,000, Executive Director Steve Hyman said.

"We've still got the last quarter," Hyman said. "We're well on our way to meeting if not exceeding that budgeted number."

The Alerus has projected it will be about $6,000 in the black for 2008. Year-to-date figures released at Wednesday's meeting of the Alerus Center Commission have the center just less than $60,000 in the red.

Alerus officials said much of September's attendance revenue came during two University of North Dakota football games, a jobs fair and the inaugural Grand Forks Women's Show. They said brides and grooms walking the red carpet could have the Alerus out of the red by year's end.

The opening of the Canad Inns, a Manitoba motel chain next door, has led to more wedding receptions, Hyman said.

"Since Canad Inns opened, we've seen a 200 to 300 percent increase in the number of wedding receptions we handle," he said. "Typically, you're looking at a net of $10,000 to $15,000 per reception."

The Alerus generated $114,000 toward Grand Forks taxes in September, bringing the total for the year to more than $550,000. City auditor John Schmisek said the Alerus is more than paying for itself.

"We're always excited to see that generation of revenue going into the system," Schmisek said. "The Alerus could have some strong months ahead and at least get themselves into the black."