Annie & Tony // Interlachen Country Club
Annie & Tony’s sweet love story begins with the power of technology. After the two met online, their first date was at Borough in the North Loop. Their relationship progressed, and it’s no wonder! Annie is such a lovely person and Tony has such a calming presence. After dating 3.5 years, which included the true test of buying both a home and a dog together, the couple married. Their stunning winter wedding took place just a few days before Christmas. Mother Nature even provided the couple with a magical dusting of snow, which made for a gorgeous white backdrop in photos. Surrounded by elegant candles, luscious florals, and gorgeous gold accents, the decor was beyond romantic. The evening consisted of the sweetest speeches, tasty food, and entertainment from the most incredible Minneapolis band, Northstar.
Design & Coordination: Style-Architects Weddings & Events | Photographer: Ali Leigh Photography | Transportation: Reliacar | Tuxes: Milbern’s | Videographer: Snowshoe Productions | Venue: Interlachen Country Club | Hotels: Hewing Hotel & Westin Hotel | Gown: L’Atelier Couture Bridal - Monique Lhuillier Dress | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids - Theia | Cake/Desserts: Dorothy Ann Bakery | Caterer: Interlachen Country Club | Band: Northstar | Floral: Sadie’s Couture Floral | Invitations & Paper: Milestone Paper | Lighting: Phos Events | Stage/Chairs: Après Party & Tent Rental | Linens & Centerpieces: Linen Effects
Studio 1414 // Lawrence & Johnny
With no set traditions for same-sex couples, Lawrence and Johnny had complete freedom to create an unparalleled event. For their celebration we transformed Studio 1414, a photography studio, into a unique and fun experience for their guests. The couple utilized the same space for both the ceremony and reception without the need for a flip. We mixed things up and started with a cocktail hour followed by an informal, standing ceremony with guests surrounding the couple and officiant, creating a very intimate setting with their closest friends and family. For their free flowing reception, they provided food stations which featured charcuterie and favorites from Johnny's native Korea. The event continually evolved from dinner to dancing, darts and pool to amazing mini desserts and later to a create your own ramen bar! Lawrence and Johnny wanted to embrace their personal style in regard to both the attire and décor. They looked very handsome in their casual attire and the décor spoke to the relaxed feel of their celebration and their love for mid century modern decor. Edison bulbs were suspended from the ceiling; the round tables, high tops and wooden tables were lined with orange detailed linens; warm florals brightened the space; and modern lounge groupings were brought in to enhance the intimate feel of the wedding.
It turned out to be a beautiful and relaxed evening for family and friends of this {now} Los Angeles based couple! Check out the images below of Lawrence & Johnny's special day!
Event Planning + Design: Style-Architects Weddings + Events | Photography: Melissa Hesse - Rivets & Roses | Venue: Studio 1414 | Catering: Fabulous Catering | Lighting: Phos Events | Florals: Munster Rose | Rentals: Aprés Party and Tent Rental, Rudy’s Event Rentals | DJ/Band: Primetime DJs | Paper: Spark Letterpress and Meghan Rose Design
LGBTQ Wedding Trends
With the Gay Pride Festival this weekend, we wanted to celebrate a few of our lovely couples we've been fortunate enough to plan weddings for and to give inspiration with trends we have noticed for same-sex couples!
Original Attire Choices We love it when couples embrace the freedom to wear anything that fits their personal style! Of course we love wedding gowns and the traditional suit and tie, but Lawrence + Johnny looked very handsome in their casual attire.
Ceremonies in the Round Most of our couples are choosing to modernize traditional ceremonies by having a less structured bridal party and ceremony. We see a lot of standing ceremonies where guests surround the couple and officiant, creating a very intimate setting.
Exceptional Venues There are no limits to where you can celebrate your special day. Jason + Rodney had an intimate ceremony with their closest friends and family on the Guthrie Theater's Endless Bridge, which offered gorgeous views of the Mississippi River. Lawrence + Johnny chose to transform Studio 1414, a photography studio.
Free Flowing Receptions Couples are moving away from formal sit-down dinners and are utilizing the same space for both a ceremony and reception without the need for a flip. This format is more intimate, requires less space and gives you the option to have food trucks or stations.
Decor + Aesthetic Overall, most couples want to break the mold and have unique details that speak to their long standing, committed relationships. Andrew + Brendan created a flawless wedding cake that told their love story from start to finish.
Unique Entertainment If you're looking for a more relaxed feel, plan a reception like Lawrence + Johnny's where they included fun activities such as pool and darts.
With no set traditions for same-sex couples, we have complete freedom to create an unparalleled event and to uniquely personalize their special day.
Images 1-8 Andrew + Brendan // Pixel Posey
Images 9-17 Lawrence + Johnny // Melissa Hesse Rivets + Roses
Images 18-25 Jason + Rodney // Thea Volk Rivets + Roses
Wedding Send-offs
One of the best photo-ops on your wedding day is when your guests send you and your groom off after the ceremony or reception. Make this traditional celebration modern by having your guests throw a little something that fits your wedding style! Choose an eco-friendly option such as wild flowers or greenery to maintain a boho feel, make it a party with confetti, or light the way with sparklers or LED balloons! Little details like this add a special touch to starting your new lives together.
Photography Credits {Top to Bottom, Left to Right}:
Etsy – craftupyourlife via Deer Pearl Flowers
Keidra Lejeune Photography via ruffled blog
Nina Claire Photography via Rock n Roll Bride
Bridal Musing via Deer Pearl Flowers
Photogen Inc.
via Google
Getty Images
Getty Images
Mother of the Bride Attire
Your daughter's wedding day is just as special for you as it is for her. It will be a day you both look back on and cherish forever. So, don't hold back on your wedding day attire and don't let the decision sit on the back burner in lieu of other wedding planning! Of course you don't want to steal any attention from the beautiful bride {and frankly how could you - she's your daughter}, but who says you can't look fabulous as well?
Here's some advice. Stray away from white + ivory {for obvious reasons} but don't limit any possibilities! Bridal shops do offer Mother of the Bride dresses, but don't be afraid to extend your search to a boutique or the formal section of any good department store. One of our favorite MOB options is a classy jumpsuit that is both trendy and flattering. Make sure your attire matches your style as well as the event's formality.
Pinspiration // Drip Cakes
Every bride wants a wedding cake that is [almost} too gorgeous to eat, yet has everyone craving a bite. Styling your cake with a perfect drizzle will achieve that goal by creating a trendy and tasteful look.
It's easy to design a drip cake that will flow flawlessly with your wedding style. From a stunning three-tier wedding cake that is elegant and detailed to a simple one-tier beauty that screams perfection, this trend is sure to complete your wedding decor. Decorate it with greenery, fruit or flowers to add some "flavor", or leave it bare to let the drip take all the attention!
See more inspiration on our {Drip Cakes} Pinterest board!
Photograph Credit {Top to Bottom // Left to Right}:
2 Kendra Sue Photography via Wedding Chicks
3 Midnight Sun Cakery via Brit + Co
4 Great Woodland Photography // Cake: Sweet Emma Lou via Something Turquoise
5 Petra Veikkola Photography via Wedding Forward
6 Koman Photography via Brides
7 Lucy Munoz Photography // CAKE Event Company // Beverly’s Bakery via SouthBound Bride
8 Hansel & Gretel Cake via Wedding Forward
9 Via Hochzeitswahn
Bar Lurcat // Karla & Tim
We had so much fun being a part of Karla + Tim's special day. As you know, our goal for each wedding is to make it a personal expression of the couple's style, and our lovely bride wanted bling so... we gave her bling {and lots of it} on her big day! Diamonds are a girl's best friend, am I right?!
For their ceremony, we suspended gorgeous, crystal chandeliers amongst flower garlands and hanging jewel strands. Cafe lights wouldn't do so we draped jewel strands above the ceremony seating instead! The centerpieces displayed hanging gems, and we also incorporated jeweled details into their wedding cake {that seemed just too beautiful to eat} in order to keep the look cohesive throughout.
Karla is such a beautiful woman with a great sense of style {did you notice that Inbal Dror gown?} and from the look on Tim's face, he thinks so too!
Full Service Wedding Planning: Style-Architects Weddings + Events
Photographer: Graddy Photography
Venue: Bar Lurcat
Gown: Inbal Dror from l’atelier couture
Bridesmaid Dress: Tara LaTour
Florals: Martha’s Gardens
Rentals: Linen Effects
Chandeliers: Phos Events
Cake: Farina Baking Co.
Paper: Paper, Rock, Scissor
Band: Chris Koza
Gathering Wedding Photos From Your Guests
Making sure you capture every precious moment of your special day is a must. While you're eagerly waiting for your professional photos, you are sure to want to gather shots from your family + friends! We agree that using a unique hashtag on Instagram can be fun and easy, but let's be honest, it can be difficult to save those posts without losing quality, and what about your Instagram-less guests?!
Below are some easy ways to compile those photos!
WedPics is a FREE option {with premium features available for a price} that allows you to gather those lovely photos from an unlimited number of guests with unlimited storage! Guests can upload photos from their phones OR on the website if they use a digital camera.
Burner is an app that creates a temporary phone number and has a Dropbox Burner Connection that stores all your guests' photos! As a new user, you can use the app free for 30 days and costs $4.99 a month thereafter. Simply have guests send photos to your Burner number and you can enjoy them in a private folder with the option to share it.
Eversnap {a more expensive option} is a full-service app costing between $99 and $399. This app works with or without screening services and even includes 200 instruction cards for your guests! Plus, the folder will pull and add all of the photos from social-media channels with your personalized hashtag.
In order to successfully use these applications, be sure to share instructions on your website, program, table numbers, menu and other signage! Once you have all those beautiful photos, be sure to back them up, share them on social media, choose your favorites for around the house and use them to personalize your Thank You cards!
Image Credit:
monfriese
Engagement Photos
Now that it's getting warmer, it's the perfect time to get those engagement pictures taken! These photos mark a special time of your life so it's important to do them right! Personalize your shoot and emphasize your story by taking them up north, where you first met, or even at home. Don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone!
Here's some things not to forget:
Flaunt your style.
Be adventurous.
Favor the golden hour.
Make it meaningful.
Complement your love story.
And lastly, SHOW OFF THAT BLING!
See our {Engagement Photos} Pinterest board for more inspiration!
Photographers {From Top to Bottom}:
Getty Images
Mill City Museum // Katharine & Ryan
It's true, one of the most common wedding fears is a little drizzle on your big day {especially for those who plan an outdoor gathering}. But let's face it, rainy weddings make for beautiful pictures and great stories! Just ask Katharine + Ryan!
These two met in Minneapolis where they spent just three short months together before Katharine’s job moved her to California. Nine months later, Ryan joined Katharine on the west coast but they returned to Minneapolis for their Mill City Museum wedding. “I love the history of Minnesota and how it grew around the mill and the factory. I always saw myself getting married in the ruins.” However on their wedding day, the weather chose not to cooperate.
Although the sun wasn't shining, these two didn't let the rain "ruin" their special celebration. The misty weather made for perfect conditions as Katharine + Ryan cuddled up next to each other under the same umbrella during the ceremony while guests gathered under the overhang provided by the ruins.They exchanged vows {written themselves} and Katharine promised “in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, and to make Ryan “breakfast sandwiches for dinner”.
This lovely couple took full advantage of their rainy wedding and their positive demeanor was certainly contagious.
See for yourself!
Vendor Credits:
Design + Coordination: Style-Architects Weddings & Events | Photography: Photogen Inc. | Venue: Mill City Museum | Catering: D'Amico Catering | Linens: Linen Effects | Wooden Chairs: Rudy's Event Rentals | Floral: La Petite Fleur | DJ: Primetime DJ’s | Uplighting: Phos Events | Hair and Make-up: Julie Swenson
Pinspiration // Dusty Rose
Summer is coming in HOT, and so are our favorite summer wedding trends! One trend we are obsessing over is color scheming with dusty rose. Deeper and richer than the ever popular blush, dusty rose is completely versatile. Whether you're looking to accessorize your head table or your bridal look, incorporating this color is the perfect way to achieve that warm summertime feel.
Pair dusty rose with navy or grey accents to keep your look modern and sleek; or add an element of glamour with gold metallic tones. Include a touch of greenery to pop the color and provide some contrast and added warmth.
For more inspiration on how to use dusty rose on your special day, go check out our {Dusty Rose} Pinterest board!
Minneapolis Event Center // Hayley & Luke
We were so fortunate to be a part of Hayley and Luke's wedding. They couldn't have been sweeter or more adorable! Hayley and Luke started "dating" in junior high and haven't taken their eyes off each other since. As a young couple, they wanted to incorporate into their big day youthful and fun aspects in a sophisticated way, so we made it a priority, personalizing every detail.
To enhance the privacy and intimacy of their ceremony we brought in a truck load of arborvitae plants to fill in the existing plants along the fence enclosing the area. The ceremony also featured a custom floral backdrop made of fresh moss with pops of pinks fading to lighter shades in an ombre fashion. It was repurposed at the reception as a gorgeous photo booth backdrop.
After the ceremony, Hayley and Luke decided to ride off in-style with a pedicab succession down the Stone Arch Bridge. At the venue, we took advantage of the beautiful wood beams and created a chandelier of flowers hanging from ribbon, spanning the length of the head table. Instead of a traditional cake, we brought in delicious donuts and cupcakes for the reception. There were so many options to choose from, we made that {tough} decision easier by creating a menu detailing each flavor. A late night food truck with gooey delights such as pulled pork and caramelized onion grilled cheese sandwiches wrapped up the festivities.
From the gorgeous floral décor to the delicious catering sweets, every moment was perfect! Check out the images below of Hayley + Luke's special day!
Full Event Planning + Design: Style-Architects Weddings & Events | Venue + Catering: Minneapolis Event Center | Photography: Pixel Posey | Videographer: Flow Event Group | Bridal Gown: Posh Bridal Couture | Hair + Make-Up: Julie Swenson | Floral Design: Munster Rose | Linens + Chargers: Linen Effects | Event Rentals: Rudy’s Event Rentals, Apres Party and Tent Rentals | Band: Empty Pockets | DJ: Flow Event Group | String Quartet: Loring String Quartet | Donuts: Glam Doll Donuts | Cake + Cupcakes: Nadia’s Cakes | Food Truck: Fork in the Road | Invites + Day-Of Paper: Spark Letterpress | Transportation: Twin Town Pedicabs
The Dos and Don’ts of Proposing
Proposal planning tips and ideas to make asking "will you marry me" an unforgettable moment.
Engagement season is quickly approaching so you know what that means; men don't forget to take advantage of the most wonderful time of the year and make it forever with your sweetie! It’s not too late to avoid the cliché and plan the perfect proposal. Getting down on one knee to ask the love of your life to marry you can be daunting, and planning the perfect way to ask her can be equally as scary, but don’t get cold feet! As wedding planners, we know that arranging the perfect proposal that has your fiancé boasting for years is no easy task so we have come up with a few “dos” and “don’ts” to start you off on the right foot {or knee in this case}!
DON’T always follow the rule, “bigger is better.” Sure, a “will you marry me?” on the jumbo-tron puts your love on display for your girlfriend {and the 20,000 other spectators}, but women don’t need a spectacle; they just want something meaningful.
DO consider significant times and places when planning your proposal. Special moments and memories are sure to pull at the heartstrings and bring on the water works {the happy tears, of course}!
DON’T do something routine or cliché. Wow her with something unforgettable. You can take your sweetie to a favorite restaurant any night. Hire a private chef to cater an intimate dinner at home or put the chef's hat on yourself and make her an extraordinary, romantic meal.
DO cater the proposal to your soon-to-be fiancé’s personality. Is she a hopeless romantic? Go for a romantic sleigh ride and arrange a lovely bonfire picnic.
Still stuck or don’t know how to make your brilliant idea come to life? Consider hiring a professional like Style-Architects Weddings. We can do as little as help you generate proposal ideas, and as much as plan the unforgettable proposal from beginning to end. You can concentrate on what to say and we’ll take care of the rest!
2013 IN(DY)SPIRE: The Independent Wedding Fair
Stock up on bridal inspiration at the sixth annual Indyspire! Presented by the Independent Wedding Association, Indyspire will feature hand-selected wedding vendors, workshops and even various mini-workshops! Don't miss Joy Teiken of Joynoelle Bridal's mini-workshop discussing the custom dress process. There will even be a chance to experience an actual dress fitting! Also, be sure to enter the Pinterest to Reality Challenge and have your favorite DIY inspiration created during a workshop at the fair!
Saturday, February 16, 2013 American Swedish Institute 1:00 - 4:00pm Tickets $15 per pair
1:15 - 1:45pm Pinterest to Reality: how DIY translates (in time and money) to your big day Presented by Jessica of Jeff Loves Jessica Photography and Alyson of Bash Collective.
2:45 - 3:15pm Photography Panel: this mostly Q & A session includes a panel of 4 wedding photographers discussing how to best select a photographer.
3:30 - 3:45pm Personalizing your Ceremony: Presented by Sarah Lawton, pastor of NE United Methodist Church. Will include sample ceremony scripts and helpful tips for writing vows, including your diverse or non-traditional family, and same sex couples.
Monthly Musings: Black & Gold
Gilded Glamour Sleek, classy, sexy and always captivating. Black and gold are just the right combination for this holiday season. An easy transition from your work day to a cocktail party, a monochromatic outfit with standout gold touches suits most occasions. Lots of bling, not your thing? Add just a bit of flair to your t-shirt and jeans with a pair of capped toe flats. Brand your downtown N.Y.E party right from the start by using black and gold invitations and thank you notes. Carry your gilded ebony theme throughout your soiree with gleaming centerpieces and a feature dessert. And you just never know, maybe one of your gifts will include those 5 golden rings that we’ve heard so much about!
Check out our Pinterest board for more inspiration!
Images: Gown; Stationary; Gold Elk Vodka, Sigerson Morrison flats; cake; place setting; outfit
Vendor Feature: Gateaux Inc.
Meet Robin Martin, cake boss and owner of the infamous Gateaux, Inc. Robin specializes in designing beautiful and customized cakes and desserts for weddings and special events. Style-Architects is completely head-over-heels for Gateaux, Inc., and apparently, so are the celebrities! Whether she’s creating Betty White’s 90th birthday cake {delivered, no less, by Robin on the General Mills Corporate Jet} or Justin Morneau’s wedding cake, Robin steps outside the box and delivers stunning results. Lovely Robin’s cakes have been featured nationally in Bride’s Magazine, People, InStyle, and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style. Is there anything this woman can’t do or create? Go ahead, we dare you to challenge her!
How did Gateaux Inc. get its start?
I was working as a photographer when I decided to start making wedding cakes. I was newly married, and wanted to find a job that didn’t require me to work evenings and weekends so I could actually see my husband from time to time. I opened Gateaux Inc. and haven’t seen him since.
I gave notice at the photo studio, and bought a cake decorating book (Colette’s Wedding Cakes). Six months later, having never made a cake that wasn’t frosted Styrofoam, I did my first wedding fair and booked 40 wedding cakes.
What sets Gateaux Inc. apart from other wedding cake specialists?
We’re not your typical bakery. We specialize in wedding and event cakes. Each cake is designed to its specific event, and we rarely repeat a design. Most bakeries and cake shops prefer to focus on a number of simpler designs that they can execute quickly and efficiently. I bore easily and want each cake to be a new challenge.
We limit the number of events that we’ll take each week to three so that our entire staff can spend a full day decorating a single cake. This allows us to spend the time necessary to make each cake one of a kind and often ridiculously detailed.
With that type of decorating schedule, we don’t have to mass produce any cakes. This allows us to bake everything fresh. We don’t even have a commercial freezer in the shop. Fresh baked cakes make all the difference. They are always moist and delicious.
What other services does Gateaux offer besides beautiful and customized cakes?
We’ve always made wedding cakes and edible favours. Our favours range from handmade truffles and petit fours to elaborately decorated sugar cookies.
We’ve offered dessert displays for years, but have just recently added Gourmet Popcorn Buffets (served out of silver champagne buckets) and S’mores tables.
About thirteen years ago, we began doing custom wedding invitations and stationery. It started as a way to keep busy during the slower winter season, but has become another vehicle for us to customize our clients’ event from start to finish. We work with letterpress companies that will allow us to provide the art for our clients, so that we can create completely unique invitations for each couple. If that means hand-making hundreds of ribbon rosettes, so be it!
Every Gateaux design has a unique expression of the particular client or event, similar to a brand. How do you ensure that no two designs are alike?
That’s simple. No two weddings are alike! If the couple allows their own tastes and personality to shine through, their wedding will be like no other. I often sit across from clients who claim to have no theme to their wedding. That’s good! Theme weddings have a high potential to be overdone and cheesy. What these couples often have is a design scheme. Whether it be as pronounced as a Beatles design scheme, or as subtle as a simple collection of the things that the couple loves, each wedding develops its own look. Cake ideas can come from the least likely of sources. I’m constantly saving things online that intrigue me, from home décor patterns, to ethnic pottery, and graphic design.
Tempt us with your flavors! What is your favorite cake flavor? Do you create custom flavors?
My personal favorite is listed on our menu as our Cream Cheese Nirvana. It is my favorite wedding cake flavor for any season. It is lemon cake with cream cheese filling and fresh raspberries, and it is delicious. My true favorite, is more of a seasonal flavor, but I could eat it year round. It is our Pumpkin Walnut cake with cream cheese filling. It is love on a plate.
We customize our flavors just like we customize the look of our cakes. I recently had a groom that didn’t like sweets at all. When I asked him what he did like, he answered “Jack Daniels”. So, we made them a “Whiskey Sour” cake. The cake was flavored with lemon zest and Limoncello, and we made a Whiskey infused mousse filling. Layered the Mousse with lemon curd, and it came out as a velvety-smooth sophisticated flavor.
What are your current favorites from among your cakes?
That’s kind of like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. They all have their charms as well as their problems. You always love them, but some days you don’t like them all too much. My current favorite is a graphic wedding cake that we copied from the bride’s beautiful wedding invitations.
The best engineering feat would be the 80th birthday giant sundae cake or our Taj Mahal cake, complete with light-up minarets.
Happily Ever After Hour Recap: Select & Style Your Wedding Gown
Recently Style-Architects teamed up with l’atelier couture bridal to host our quarterly Happily Ever After Hour event, “Select and Style Your Wedding Gown.” Brides basked among gorgeous gowns as our lovely neighbors shared wedding gown styling tips. Our intern, Anna Tu discovered that even 5'2" brides can wear a full gown if the proportions are right! Guests sipped on our signature cocktail, the “Bubbly Bride”, and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres by Common Roots Catering and tasty treats by Gateaux, Inc. The swanky club mix, courtesy of Level11, set the perfect ambiance. A number of additional Twin Cities vendors helped our event unfold flawlessly: Flora bella {gorgeous flowers}, Jett Makeup {stunning makeup} and Ultimate Events {amazing linens}. Our love and gratitude go out to all our wonderful vendors for their assistance.
To see what you missed, check out the following photos, provided courtesy of Laura Ivanova Photography. Stay tuned for our next Happily Ever After Hour event - we hope to see you there! xoxo
Monthly Musings: Oxblood
Oxblood is the hottest color of the season! Rock it on a sassy handbag or a sexy skirt and you are sure to be a showstopper.
Tis' the Season for Oxblood! Rock the hottest color of the season! From brooding handbags to sexy skirts, this fall trend is all the rage. Use it as a pop of moody color or cover yourself head-to-toe. Imagine walking into the party with this stunning Alexander McQueen clutch! You could even experiment with this sassy hue as a lip color. We especially loved it when used to modernize this classic suit. Incorporate it into your wedding with stunning invitations or even your groom’s boutonnière! However you decide to wear this fierce shade you are sure to be a showstopper!
Can't get enough oxblood? Visit our Pinterest board for more ways to incorporate this fabulous hue into your life.
Images: Oxblood - head-to-toe, clutch, suit, invitation, lipstick, boutonnière.
Venue Feature: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Style-Architects spotlights the historical Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
Style-Architects is excited to be designing and executing one of the very first weddings at the historical Minneapolis Institute of Arts. With stunning outdoor space for the ceremony, gorgeous marble foyers for cocktails, adjacent art galleries, and the built-in lighting and ambiance of the Graves Reception Hall, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts should definitely be on the tour list of all discerning brides. What types of events are held at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts?
The MIA has recently opened up its elegant surroundings to host social events such as wedding receptions, engagement parties, anniversaries, birthdays, and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Beautiful reception areas and meeting spaces are located within or adjacent to the museum’s renowned galleries, so guests feel immersed among the world-renowned collections.
What makes the Institute such a unique and attractive venue for events and weddings?
Every couple wants their wedding to be special, unique, joyous, and memorable. Weddings, after all, are direct reflections of a couple’s personalities, individually and together, and unique interests. MIA spaces offer distinctive, refined, stylish appeal to any modern bride or groom, with the ease of event-planning professionals who handle all the details.
Tell us about the spaces that are available to events at the Institute.
Graves Reception Hall:Designed by internationally renowned architect Michael Graves, this magnificent reception hall was completed in 2006. Crowned with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, the maple-paneled room is an elegant, spacious setting. The adjacent MacMillan Atrium, with its marble floors and dramatic sightlines, is a perfect space for a cocktail reception.
Regis Fountain Court & Bruce B. Dayton Rotunda: The majestic marble hall and elegant rotunda, complete with marble fountain, offers dramatic sightlines with soaring ceilings and enchanting balconies. It is surrounded by iconic masterpieces that form a backdrop to hosted events.
Villa Rosa Room:This elegant third-floor dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer beautiful treetop views of Target Park. The space is perfect for roundtable discussions, lectures, luncheons, or dinners. Adjacent to gallery space, it offers an opportunity for guests to feel immersed among the artwork.
Wells Fargo Community Room:This versatile, light-filled room is ideal for a more intimate wedding reception. A patio area opening onto Target Park is a wonderful amenity, weather depending.
What are some of the benefits of hosting an event at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts?
The MIA offers an unparalleled environment in which to connect with art, ponder it, marvel at it, and celebrate the important moments of life in a creative, elegant, historic atmosphere. Guests will always remember any event held—flawlessly—at the museum.
What is your favorite part of working with event planners and brides?
It’s exciting to collaborate closely the host or the event planner to ensure the execution of a flawless event. The MIA team meets with clients to brainstorm about their vision. Then our friendly, well-trained staff works to make it happen, delivering professional service and attention to detail from setup to cleanup. The joy witnessed on guests’ faces is priceless and incredibly rewarding.
What types of clients are drawn to your venue?
The MIA special events staff caters to a diverse group of people who love the arts and appreciate the sophisticated ambiance offered by the museum’s facilities. Its unique, versatile spaces invite hosts to use their imaginations. Clients frequently come to us with their creative vision, or look to us for ideas. It’s our job to make that vision a reality, which is what makes the job so fun.