Weddings & Special Occasions
Personalizing the Event
According to Twin Cities wedding experts The Wedding Guys, Bruce Vassar and Matthew Trettel, a memorable invitation will not only set the tone of the party, but make a lasting first impression (and build anticipation) of what’s to come.
“Use something other than a standard envelope, and you’ll get people talking, Trettel suggests. “From metal clam-style boxes to mailing tubes, you can create a dynamic enclosure for your invitation.”
TIP: Customize invitations by adding wrap , ribbon, a motif or monogram, or using two colors of ink. —Parchment of Minnesota
Vassar adds that you can also make a “wow” statement with high-impact floral arrangements. “Upscale hotel and fine dining restaurants use this technique all the time. Do you remember the last time you stopped in awe of a large arrangement in a hotel lobby?” he points out Using high-impact floral arrangements can serve double-duty during a wedding: it can dress up the ceremony site and be moved over to the reception venue.
TIP: Most brides take into account the color of their bridesmaid dresses before choosing bouquets, but many forget about the colors of their venue when selecting centerpieces or floral arrangements. To avoid an awkward color combo, “Make sure you take into account the characteristics of your venue when choosing color and design selections for your big event. —Sadie’s Couture Floral and Event Sling
TREND: Hand-tied bouquets are popular, as are romantic roses and the all-white combination of classic and timeless Lily of the Valley and orchids.
Add pizzazz and personal touches to your party through items such as canopies, tables, chairs, P.A. equipment, LCD projectors (for slideshows), decor pieces, and ceiling and design treatments, available locally at ULTIMATE EVENTS (a culmination of Classic Events & Parties, Skyway Event Services, and Après Party & Tent Rental), FESTIVITIES EVENT SERVICES, and EVENT LAB. Couples can also hire event consultants and coordinators to take care of any “what ifs” on the big day, and put out any fires so the day flows seamlessly.
TIP: “The biggest decor mistake people make is not allowing their personality to come through in the vision of the day. If the day represents you, you can’t go wrong.” —Jennifer Braun, owner, Festivities Event Services
TRENDS: “We’re designing weddings and events with beads, crystals, chandeliers and unique lighting to make any event really shine.” —Jack Noble, president, Event Lab “Color isn’t the primary source of inspiration any longer. It’s still important, and we’re seeing brides use multiple shades of the same color rather than just green and purple, for example, but we’re also seeing themes like ‘Rustic Garden’ or ‘Classic 40s,’ with color as a supporting element.” —Ultimate Events, Inc.
The Food
Gone are the days of the dinner plate simply presenting a protein, starch, and vegetable medley. According to The Wedding Guys, presentation is just as important as taste. Trettal says, creative vessels such as martini glasses. or serving steak tartar in spoons. for example, can make all the difference.”
TIP: Keep it local. The BRYANT LAKE BOWL has a brand new catering business, with locally sourced products on the menu. BLB’s focus is on outdoor picnics and zero-waste events, in which they plan ahead to reduce waste, reuse various elements, and encourage recycling.
TREND: “Real foods and flavors are on everyone’s mind and plate lately. with an emphasis on sustainability. Everyone wants to do the right thing whenever and however they can. There’s been experimentation, too, with unique and delicious combinations, such as bacon ice cream and lavender creme brulee.” —Amy Carter, catering sales manager, Prom Catering-
When the vows have been exchanged and the wedding guests have returned home, your honeymoon is the perfect way to enjoy some time as a married couple before real life intrudes again. Plan your honeymoon with qualified professionals at CARROUSEL TRAVEL or MLT VACATIONS. It’s the only time in your newly married life that you’ll be able to take a honeymoon. Make the most of it!
TIP: Hiring a travel agent can help a couple simplify their search, give them access to expert advice and recommendations, and help them get the best pricing and deals. A travel agent can also be a couple’s best advocate should a problem inadvertently arise.
Signature Wedding from The Wedding Guys
BONNIE & JIM
A Root Beer Salut!
The venue where Bonnie and Jim Gross booked their December wed-ding—Academy of Holy Angels—has significant meaning to the couple: Jim was a member of the first co-ed class at ACA, and the couple had their newly adopted daughter Samantha’s baptism at the church. The chapel, with its bright stained-glass windows, was adorned in ivory, cream and light green roses, white and blue hydrangea, and accents of lavender thistle. Bonnie wore a breathtaking Henry Roth original gown. The celebration continued at the Hotel Sofitel. Guests arrived to a cock-tail reception featuring wine/cheese and stout/chocolate tastings, along with other hors d’oeuvres and beverages. In remembrance of their parents, the couple had a root beer float salute. Unique features of the winter wedding included a Guinness ice bar and premium cigars adjacent to an outdoor fire pit. Chef Serge created a menu that included multiple action stations with fun interactive foods that guests enjoyed throughout the night, concluding with an outstanding French wedding cake topped with layers of fresh fruit. Foregoing table favors, the bride and groom gifted each guest overnight accommodations at the hotel so they could dance the night away to Dr. Mambo’s Combo and then awaken the next morning to a sending-off brunch.
THE DETAILS: Venue: Hotel Sofitel Photographer: Erika McCauley Stationery: A Milestone Paper Co. Gown: Mestads Bridal Salon Formalwear: Heimie’s Haberdashery Flowers: Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry Band: Dr. Mambo’s Combo Linens: Apres Party and Tent Rental Ice Bar: Ice Sculptures by Tom Doyle Draping: Avant Decor Transportation: Eclipse Transportation Wedding Designer: The Wedding Guys®
KIMBERLY & PAUL
A Modern Day Fairytale
The vision for Kimberly and Paul Jilek’s wedding was “fairytale wedding with a modern flare.” Every aspect of the wedding was orchestrated right down to the arrival of the bride—reminiscent of an elegant Grace Kelly as she ascended the aisle on her father’s arm to “I Was Glad” by Parry, written for the coronation of King Edward VII. Her beautiful Arnalia Carrara gown from Mestads was complemented by a stunning tulle shawl wrap cascading 20 feet behind her. The flowers, designed by Sassafras Floral and Garden Design, were fresh from local gardens and included bridal wreath spirea, peonies, and Lily of the Valley. In European style, the bridesmaids followed the bride instead of preceding her down the aisle.
Following the ceremony, a “Cake and Tea Sandwich Luncheon” was catered by Lunds and Byerly’s. A canopy of chiffon featured the wedding cake, with tea sandwiches displayed on small tables accented with white lanterns. Following the luncheon, guests mingled and sent the couple off in a festooned car. The next stop? A dinner celebration at restaurant Max in Hotel Minneapolis. The main focus of the decor at restaurant Max was the head table, adorned with low florals. The menu was beautifully prepared butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, a deconstructed baby green salad, and a duet plate of grilled filet of beef and a seared scallop served with fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, oyster mushrooms, and tomato vinaigrette. Dessert was a shared tasting plate trio of seasonal sorbets. Speeches were cheered with a toast of champagne and sparkling water. The groom recorded his own rendition of the first dance as a surprise to the bride. Dancing continued into the wee hours of the night.
THE DETAILS: Venue: Hotel Minneapolis/restaurant Max Photographer: Coppersmith Photography Stationery: A Milestone Paper Co. Gown: Mestads Bridal Salon Flowers: Sassafras Floral and Garden Design Videography: Forever Films DJ: Complete Music Linens: Après Party and Tent Rental Cake and Catering: Lunds and Byerly’s Draping: Avant Decor Transportation: Eclipse Transportation Decor and Lighting: BeEvents Hair and Makeup: Bridal Beauty Artists Network Wrap: Che Bella Formalwear: The Wedding Shoppe Wedding Designer: The Wedding Guys®
DEB & PHIL
Home Is Where The Heart Is
For Deb and Phil Dow, it was important to have an intimate, private ceremony with only close family and friends when they exchanged vows. They achieved this by getting married under a stunning pergola in the garden of their Kenwood-area home in Minneapolis. Wait staff served celebratory glasses of champagne and San Pellegrino, and Deb’s children, Allison and Thomas, performed a heart-warming duet. The flowerpots at the entrance to the home echoed the design in the garden, with flowers in cream and white placed throughout the home. The flowers under the pergola were created as contemporary art with suspended floral and mercury mirror balls. Deb wore a light silver blue fit-and-flare gown by Monique Lhuillier. The bridesmaids wore ivory dupioni silk tea-length dresses. The ceremony was followed by a joyous evening filled with family, friends, love and laughter—as stated on their invitation—at one of their favorite restaurants, Mission in downtown Minneapolis. Another popular trend, a restaurant reception, gave the 120 guests the option to order off a pre-selected menu encompassing five different entrees as well as individual sides and selections of wine with dinner. Since the environment of the restaurant provided instant decor, the focus was on flowers. A sea of phalaenopsis and cattleya orchids towered over the tables. Additional details included olive satin napkins wrapped around copper glass chargers with laser cut menu cards tucked inside. The tables glowed with candles as saxophonist Don Washington played into the evening.
THE DETAILS: Venue: Mission Restaurant Photographer: Coppersmith Photography Stationery: A Milestone Paper Co. Gown: Monique Lhuillier Flowers: Martha’s Flowers Music: Don Washington Music: Birchwood String Quartet Linens: Après Party and Tent Rental Cake: Lucia’s Wait Staff: Hire A Host Wedding Designer: The Wedding Guys®
Recognized internationally as leading authorities on wedding celebrations. The Wedding Guys, Matthew 7’rettel and Bruce Vassar, helped plan the creative Signature Weddings featured in this section. If you would like to hire them to plan a unique Signature Wedding for you, contact Bruce at 612- 770 -3635 or [email protected]
