Kenzie Amick 10/4/18 Kenzie Amick 10/4/18

Wedding Planning 101: Venue

We’re back with more wedding planning tips and this week it’s all about location! The venue is where all the magic happens, so it’s important this step doesn’t get overlooked. If you are following our advice, then you have already established your wedding-day vision, right? Whether you’re going for a glamorous chic soiree, a trendy and modern celebration, or a bright and organic outdoor wedding, we encourage couples to pick a space that is consistent with their overall look. If you haven’t defined the vision yet, then you’re not ready to pick a venue!

Not only should the venue fit in with the style of the overall wedding, but it should also be budget-friendly. {Still a little stressed out about the budget? Don’t fret. Before reading on, take a peek at our Wedding Planning 101 blog on budgets!}

The most important thing to do when touring venues is ask the right questions. Aside from the basic “What is the room rental and food and beverage minimum?” type of questions, there are many things couples forget to ask that are crucial to nailing down your perfect venue.

Capacity is often a confusing and overstated number. When a venue quotes capacities, think no dance floor, no bar set-ups and tables so tight you need to turn sideways to get through! Ask for sample floor layouts to really see whether your wedding will “fit” within the space.

We also encourage couples to ask for a sample BEO, or “Banquet Event Order,” which itemizes every little cost that a couple would need to pay. This is a definite must before signing your name on the dotted line! Don’t forget to ask about extra charges that can add to the overall cost. Here are some examples of questions you should be sure to ask: Are there additional charges for auxiliary room rentals? Does your venue charge extra for tables, linens, chairs, lighting or lounge furniture? What about AV equipment? Is there a bartender fee or bar set-up fee associated with the venue? Do you need to rent a dance floor? What is the parking situation for your guests? Is security required? After all, nobody likes those last-minute surprises {and neither does your bank account!}

There you have it. Now, go schedule some venue tours and blow this one out of the park! Stay tuned for our next Wedding Planning 101 post on catering!

Kenzie Amick 8/29/17 Kenzie Amick 8/29/17

Guthrie Theater // Mary & Nick

Happy anniversary to Mary + Nick! To celebrate their two years of marriage we are reminiscing on their story!

Mary met Nick her first semester at Augsburg in speech class. On days when speeches were being presented, Mary couldn't help but notice Nick sitting down five minutes before class writing his speech, which somehow resulted in him doing better than everyone else. She was impressed and a month into the semester they began dating.

Years later, Nick was ready to propose, and he wanted to do it in a meaningful way that Mary could remember forever. He knew he would catch her by surprise no matter what his plan, since all of their friends and family expected Nick to propose on their upcoming trip to Vail, Colorado. After a few mishaps with his original plan, he made great dinner reservations and planned a perfect night out so that he could finally propose. As fate would have it, they couldn't find the key to the apartment and they had to cancel their dinner plans. Undeterred, Nick asked Mary to describe her "perfect meal." She suggested grabbing something from Sheesh in St. Paul, but he insisted she choose something fancier. Mary then jokingly said, "$200 worth of sushi." Nick immediately obliged and headed out to pick up all the sushi she could ever want from Saji-Ya in St. Paul. He returned with her dream meal and flowers and finally had the perfect moment to propose.

They wed at the Guthrie Theater in the Pohlad Lobby, which transformed into their dance floor after dinner. We projected lit chandelier gobos at the walls of the Dowling Studio and detailed the space with romantic blush and gold tones and lots of sparkle!

Event Planning + Design: Style-Architects Weddings + Events
Photography: Photogen, Inc.
Bridal Gown: Posh Bridal Couture
Bridesmaid Dresses: Flutter Boutique
Venue: Guthrie Theater
Catering: Culinaire
Cakes/Desserts: Sweet Retreat
Florals: Sadie’s Floral Couture
Linens: Linen Effects
Lighting: Guthrie Theater
String Quartet: Terzetto String Trio
DJ: Primetime DJs
Photo Booth: Time Into Pixels
Invitations + Paper: Katie Murphy Stationery

Kenzie Amick 8/16/17 Kenzie Amick 8/16/17

Guthrie Theater // Jason & Rodney

Happy anniversary to Jason & Rodney! In honor of their anniversary, we are re-blogging their story and showing images from their special celebration!

In 1999, Jason and Rodney met after joining the same fraternity at the University of Minnesota. After an immediate connection, their story began and the two started dating. In 2003, Jason and Rodney had a civil union ceremony in Vermont. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to celebrate with all of their friends and family due to the distance from home. Fast forward some years and crazy enough, their 10-year anniversary falls just days after gay marriage was legalized in the state of Minnesota! What better way to celebrate their 10-year anniversary than to legalize their long time union in their home state of Minnesota with their closest friends and family at the Guthrie Theater?

We incorporated the couple’s theme of “I Do, Take 2”, a perfect play off the couple’s unique story and their theater venue, and branded all of the paper elements with this overarching theme. There was an intimate ceremony on the Endless Bridge {which offered gorgeous views of the Mississippi} followed by passed champagne, hors d’oeuvres, food stations, delectable desserts, and lively DJ sets throughout the night!