Rochester Area Wedding Magazine by Connect Media

Rochester Area

Wedding

2020 & Beauty Wedding Trends Farm To Wedding

Vineyard Weddings

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Real Wedding Stories Honeymoon Ideas for every Couple

Vows That Wow!

T H E W E D D I N G M AG A Z I N E 2 0 1 9 1

Everything You Need

Unforgettable.

Photo by - Midwest Lifeshots

To Make Your Day BALLROOMS AND EVENT SPACE Elizabethan Grand Ballroom Spanning a total of 3,150 square feet, this lobby-level ballroom also features 20-foot ceilings, original woodwork and a fireplace, perfect for intimate gatherings.

Heritage Hall Freshly renovated with 11-foot ceilings and stunning chandeliers, this flexible ballroom totals 7,150 square feet and can be divided, ideal for grand receptions and larger affairs.

Windsor Hall For medium-sized events, wow your guests in this spacious room featuring 4,788 square feet and nine-foot ceilings. This versatile space can be divided into three sections to meet your needs.

CATERING Create the perfect menu with our expert culinary team for your special day.

LOCATION Your guests will love the downtown location, great to explore.

WEDDING PLANNER A dedicated wedding planner will help you every step of the way.

507-285-2761

TheKahlerHotel.com/Weddings

Rochester Area

Wedding VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 2020 PUBLISHERS Cindy Schumacher & George Wright Connect Media, LLC EDITORS Thelma Grimes & Cindy Schumacher CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lindsay Lewis GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Tessa Slisz Becky Daum Lindsay Lewis CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Thelma Grimes Erin Young Michelle Koch DIRECTORS OF CUSTOMER HAPPINESS Erin Young George Wright Cindy Schumacher DISTRIBUTION Citywide Marketing Services

chester Area

Ro Wedding

2020 & Beauty Wedding Trends Farm To Wedding

Vineyard Weddings

For A FAbulous reheArsAl Dinner

ips

THE FASHION ISSUE!

We've got perfect

your

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Real Wedding Stories Honeymoon Ideas for every Couple

Vows That Wow!

2019 1 T H E W E D D I N G M AG A Z I N E

Barns & Vinyards We'Ve lost count

For Information: Call/Text: 507-884-8265 or email Cindy@ConnectMediaMN.com www.RochesterWeddingMagazine.com Rochester Area Wedding Magazine is published annually by Connect Media, LLC All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Rochester Area Wedding Magazine does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial materials.

PAGE FEATURE 8 10 Tips For A Stress Free Reception 14 Skip The Stress! Hire A Coordinator 19 Vineyard Weddings 22 Farm-To-Wedding Food Scene 26 How To Write Vows That Wow 52 Checklist To Plan Your Perfect Wedding 54 Fall 2020, Bridal Fashion Week Report 68 Honeymoon Ideas For Every Type Of Couple 74 Children & Weddings Go Hand-In-Hand 78 5 Tips For A Fabulous Rehearsal Dinner 80 How To Choose The Perfect Venue 88 Get The Right Touch With Flowers 105 Real Wedding - Rochelle & Nick 112 Real Wedding - Tammy & Michael 116 Real Wedding - Katie & Jarrod 120 Real Wedding - Laurel & Joseph 124 Real Wedding - Tricia & Rodney 126 Real Wedding - Carise & Ryan 130 Real Wedding - Erica & Cole 134 Real Wedding - Kate & Nick 146 Tips For Choosing The Right DJ

C O N T E N T S

10 Tips for a

STRESS-FREE

WEDDING RECEPTION If the moment the officiant announces the happy couple to the world is the highlight of a wedding day, then the wedding reception is surely a close second. Naturally a bride or groom wants everything about the big day to go perfectly, but with the many moving parts involved in a reception, it’s often viewed as the one part of the wedding where things can go wrong. Following these ten tips can help ensure that your wedding day goes off without a hitch (except for the “getting hitched” part.)

Consider full-service Many wedding venues offer options of full-service catering, decorating, entertainment, etc. While the price is usually higher to have one point person handle the entire event for you, it’s usually worth it. Acting as your own general-contractor of sorts, and planning out everything from hors d’oeuvres to the guest book can be exhausting. If it works for your budget, and if you don’t want to be too involved behind the scenes at your own reception, then consider going full-service.

Keep expenses realistic You may be tempted to go overboard with reception planning. Afterall, you want all of your guests to be as happy with the day as you are. But, nothing will bring you down more during your reception than counting costs in the back of your mind. Your attention should be on your new partner and your family and friends, and not worrying about whether or not you’re running out of free alcohol. There’s nothing worse than counting on wedding gift cash to help pay for the party. Making reception plans based on a realistic budget will help keep your event stress-free.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

Have options for food You might think it’s easier to have just two or even only one option for food at the reception, but consider going with more options if it works with your venue and caterer. The more options for food at the wedding, the happier the wedding attendees are, and the more successful the whole day can be. While beef or chicken are the staples, be sure to consider vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and other options. It’s a great way to let your guests know that you’re thinking of their dietary needs, and want them to have a good time too.

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

Be careful with seating Let’s face it, you already know your spouse’s uncle Larry shouldn’t be talking politics with your cousin Diane, and so on. It’s best for everyone if those two are seated as far away as possible. It’s your day, and you control the seating chart, so feel free to use those powers for good. We all have those certain family members who are invited basically just because they’re a relative. Got a chatty aunt? Pair her up at a table with your spouse’s hard-of-hearing sister. You never know, you might just be kicking off a lifelong friendship between the two.

Preview the entertainment If you’re hiring a band or a DJ to play your wedding reception, ask for an opportunity to see them live. You’re not necessarily inviting yourself to someone else’s wedding reception, but just ask if you can just peak into the venue and see them in action. Likely they’ve already shared with you a YouTube highlight reel, but there’s nothing wrong with asking to see for yourself. Many DJ services have a number of different DJs working for them and you don’t know which one you’ll get until they show up. If you’re promised Johnny Rocker and end up with Suzy Sad Songs, you’ll wish you had checked ahead of time.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Double check the playlist Speaking of music, keeping the audience in mind will help avoid a potentially embarrassing situation. The music of choice of the wedding party may not be the favorite songs of the grandparents in attendance, and that’s OK. But, consider the grandparents (and parents, aunts, uncles, children, etc.) when choosing dance songs. It’s OK to make a rule with your DJ that no “adult language” songs be played until after a certain time to ensure that both the old folks and the young kids have left for the evening.

Keep parents busy If there’s one thing that stresses couples out on wedding days, it’s the parents. Consider that a busy parent is less likely to want to meddle in too many plans or make too many lastminute recommendations. Give each parent (or parent figure) a project, and tell them it’s really important to you that the one thing they’re in charge of goes well. That gives each parent enough to do to keep them out of your way, and also lets them feel like they’re contributing as an integral part of the event.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Get pictures While official wedding photographer albums are great, you’ll also want to remember the day through the eyes of your wedding attendees. Encourage everyone to take pictures and share them, whether through social media, or emailing them to you after the fact. It’s a great way to catch all the action you may have missed while you were deep in wedded bliss. A catchy hashtag can encourage social sharing of the photos and allow you to find them on social media after the event.

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

Enjoy in moderation It probably doesn’t need to be said, but we’ve seen enough weddings that we know—it needs to be said. We’ve all been to that wedding where the bride is no longer allowed to hold the microphone because she drank enough to out-swear the old men in the room, or the wedding where the groom is in the back trying to sober up with a cup of coffee. While those receptions certainly may have seemed fun to the wedding party at the time, there were likely a lot of people rolling their eyes in the room and questioning the maturity of everyone involved.

Stick to the timeline The day is all about you, and everyone there knows it. But, everyone also knows there’s a certain expectation of the timing of events. When the reception is supposed to begin, it needs to begin. While it’s great for the wedding party to take a limo cruise from the wedding to the reception, be sure to keep your guests in mind before you make a stop off at your favorite bar along the way. The reception venue is likely already filled with people expecting food and refreshments and the presence of the happy couple.

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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SKIP THE STRESS! Hire a wedding coordinator to make your wedding day vision a reality By Thelma Grimes

he question was popped, the answer is YES! —Now the real work begins. That work being planning an entire wedding. But, before you

start thinking you have to do all the work in finding a venue, florist, DJ and caterer, you might consider hiring a wedding coordinator. A wedding coordinator gives a couple the ability to skip

The top reasons to hire a wedding coordinator include:

Coordinators stay in budget With a wedding coordinator, everything is discussed up front. This person knows your costs, knows what it acceptable and knows where to find the professionals to fit your needs without breaking the bank.

the stress and truly soak in the wonderful memories that are made on that special day.

Coordinators have an in A wedding coordinator knows the best florists, venues, entertainment, caterers and bakeries. You wouldn’t have to get online and search for each one separately. A wedding planner understands your vision and does the work for you. Let’s not forget, they can also get you discounts with wedding vendors.

Coordinators are project managers Coordinators know how to manage a timeline from start to finish. They know the date, they know what has to be done, and they know what to do to turn your vision into a reality. They do the planning and work leading up to the day, and on the wedding day, they coordinate everything from the walk down the aisle to the toasts at the reception.

Coordinators save you time Coordinators know where to find what is needed and can set up meetings, dates and also collect everything from gifts, cake toppers and special memorabilia at the end of the night. They work to take the pressure off you in every aspect.

At the end of that special day, you will realize a wedding coordinator was an investment in happiness.

507.202.7964 CASSIEWESTEVENTS.COM Photo by Meg Cooper Photography

Photo by Studio KH

Photo by Meg Cooper Photography

WEDDING PLANNING | EVENT DESIGN | DAY OF COORDINATION LET US HELP YOU TRULY TAKE IN EVERY MOMENT RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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Designer Sophia Tolli This gown features color, which is a popular trend in bridal. Available at Mestads Bridal And Formal Wear

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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VINEYARD WEDDINGS OFFER

Romance

By Thelma Grimes

Vineyard wedding venues are becoming increasingly popular as couples look to add character and uniqueness to the special day. Vineyards are also as close to a destination wedding as you can get on the local scene.

Rochester is home to plenty of vineyards, featuring rolling fields and beautiful scenery. Besides the views, Justine Prieve, of Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery in Spring Valley, said wineries serve as an all-inclusive wedding location. “Vineyards provide ceremony site, food, alcohol and the groom’s dinner,” she said. “The chefs make a customized menu to create the foods you love. At Four Daughters, you’re not stuck to a pre-made set of menu choices. (Vineyards) open up so many options for couples.” Vineyards are also all about the ambiance they create both indoors and outdoors. At Four Daughters, it’s hard to beat the Minnesota-oak barrels and vineyard views as the backdrop for the ceremony and reception, which features a six-acre vineyard, fitting up to 300 guests. “The ambiance at Four Daughters is spectacular,” Prieve said. “The vineyard is peaceful and beautiful, our barrel room makes the perfect setting for a reception hall

AND SO MUCH MORE...

and we have rooms available for a groom’s dinner, bridal shower and gift opening.” Rochester is home to a variety of vineyards throughout the region, including locations in Spring Valley, Pepin and Red Wing. Before planning a vineyard wedding there are a few things to keep in mind. Prieve said it’s important to consider what the vineyard looks like through the seasons. “If a bride wants a spring vineyard wedding, the vines will not be full enough at that time of the year,” she said. “August tends to be the best time for a vineyard wedding as the vines are full and the grapes look their best.” Other things to keep in mind before choosing a vineyard wedding include: •

Make sure GPS works at the vineyard to help guests navigate their way to the location.

•

Make sure the restaurant can accommodate the guest count and prepare the food onsite.

•

Make sure you understand the extras. Vineyards might require payment for the use of extras such as microphones, cables, speakers, linens and furniture. Make sure to read the fine print and add in anything you will need for the day.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR DAY UNFORGETTABLE.

20 SW Second Avenue Rochester, MN 55902 507-285-2761 | TheKahlerHotel.com/Weddings

Wedding. Easy.

LIKE A WEDDING

BOX IN A

The Farm-to-Wedding

FOOD SCENE

by Michelle Koch

The barn setting gained popularity in the late 2000â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. According to The Knot, 15% of couples chose a barn, farm, or ranch as their reception venue in 2017. As more and more agricultural venues continue to open, this trend appears to have some staying power.

any millennials are accustomed to being casual, even in professional settings, so the idea of a formal wedding can feel old-fashioned and outof-date. This generation of brides and grooms have grown up immersed in technology, I think, on some level, they crave simplicity for their special day. According to Twin Cities wedding planner Pam Rickard of JoyUs Events, barn weddings often are not simple. In fact, barn weddings can require a lot more work and a bigger budget depending on the venue. Some spaces are created specifically to host events, while others are more rustic and require every detail be hauled in on a truck.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Since many millennials are passionate supporters of the shop local movement, that got me to wondering if the farmto-table concept popular in restaurants had made its way to weddings. I set out to see if farmto-wedding was also a trend. The answer is yes! Couples who are seeking out agrarian venues are also interested in locally sourced food. The cost of a locally sourced meal doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t impact cost as much as you might think, according to Elena Byrne of Renewing the Countryside. Although some couples purposely opt for a smaller guest list in exchange for a more artisan inspired meal.

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

Squash Blossom Farm in Oronoco holds many events but only a few weddings each year, as they are more of a working farm than a wedding venue, but their food is a crucial element. Owner, Susan Waughtal, says most of the couples who select Squash Blossom are interested in farmto-table, artisan food. Waughtal states that their food, which is local, mostly organic, and incorporates many ingredients grown on the property, is the key reason couples choose their farm. Wood-fired pizza is their specialty, but they once hosted a brunch wedding breakfast buffet with the freshest of eggs! More than once she’s been told by guests it’s the best meal they’ve ever eaten at a wedding. For couples interested in a more formal yet natural locale, Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery is a lovely option. They too prioritize locally sourced food, using fresh ingredients to assemble a delectable menu to pair with their wines, ciders, and specialty cocktails. Urban settings can still enjoy farm-to-table food. The Forager Brewery in Rochester caters events using locally foraged ingredients to create an inspired menu. Couples have not only fallen in love with peaceful pastoral settings, they’ve developed an appetite for fresh, locally sourced food to celebrate. Cheers to farm-to-wedding meals!

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

MIRACLE MILE • (507) 289-4744 • SJJEWELERS.COM

TREND: Adventurous

Food

more couples are changing up traditional wedding meals with small plates, ethnic favorites and other options. 24

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

K K C I U T D C H U E E N L B

K K C I U T D C H U EN E L B FRESH • LOCAL • INNOVATIVE

The Venue at Bleu Duck Unique Space for Any Event (seating up to 100) Private Chef’s Room (seating up to 14)

We can host your event with seating for 25-100 people. Whether it is a speaking event, groom’s dinner, wedding reception, luncheons, interview dinners or a cocktail party, the room offers a customized experience for you and your needs. Contact Jennifer Becker at 507-258-4663 or jenniferbecker@bleuduckkitchen.com

507-258-4663 • bleuduckkitchen.com • 14 Fourth St. SW, Rochester • Mon-Sat 4pm-10pm

How To Write

VOWS WOW that

rom our view at Rochester Area Weddings, the countless details and planning that go into a wedding pale in importance to the singular reason that brought everyone together: the promise of a couple’s life together. More than any other single moment, emotions run high when two individuals put into words the promise that will bind them together as a couple. You may want to write your own wedding vows…or not. Whichever it is, this piece is for you. If yes, we’ve compiled some tips to help you share the “why” behind the “I do.” If not, we’ve put together some sample vows, that you’re free to use as is or modify and make your own. Wedding vows are, and should be, as individual as the people tying the knot. The single most important piece of advice we have for anyone as they work on this element of their big day is this: Be real. Nothing is more powerful than the genuine reasons that brought you to this point. Without question, the very best vows are those that capture the fun, or the seriousness, or the quirkiness, or the solemnity…whatever it is that brought you together. If the words are real, the vows will wow.

Traditional

WEDDING VOWS I, , commit myself to , as wife/husband/ you, partner, for a lifetime of experiences, to learn and grow with, to explore and adventure with, to respect you in everything as an equal partner. I do this knowing that our life together will bring joy and pain, strength and weariness, direction and doubt, for all the dawns and dusks to come. We tie these symbolic knots to proclaim and celebrate our connection. They represent our trust in each other and the sum of our combined strength.

On this day, surrounded by friends, family, and people who love us, I , to be my life choose you, partner. I am proud to be your wife/ husband/partner and to forever join my life with yours. I vow to support you, push you, inspire you, and love you, for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, as long as we both shall live.

, take you, , I, to be the wife/husband/partner of my days, the companion of my house, the friend of my life. We shall bear together trouble and sorrow, as well as shall share the good and joyful things life may bring us. With these words, I marry you and bind my life to yours.

Modern

WEDDING VOWS I, , take you as you are, loving who you are now and who you are yet to become. I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and accept your support. I will celebrate your triumphs and mourn your losses as though they were my own. I will love you and have faith in your love for me, through all that life may bring us in all our years.

, take you, , to be my spouse. I vow to I, choose you every day, to love you in word and deed, to do the hard work of making now into always. To laugh with you and cry with you, to grow with you and create with you. To honor all that makes you who you are. To be your partner in all of life’s adventures. Loving what I know of you and trusting what I don’t yet know, I give you my hand. I give you my love. I give you myself. Will you give me yourself? Will you come travel with me?

, do pledge you, , all of my love, for I, as long as I live. What I possess in this world, I give to you. I will keep you and hold you, comfort and tend you, protect you and shelter you, for all the days of my life.

Personal I love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I vow to love you, encourage you, trust you, and respect you. We will create a home filled with learning, laughter, and compassion. I promise to work with you to foster and nurture a relationship of equality knowing that we will build a far better life together than either of us could create alone. Today, I choose you to be my husband/wife/partner. I accept you as you are today, and who you will become, and I offer myself in return. I will respect you, support you, and share with you all of life’s adversities and all of its joys for all the days of my life.

WEDDING VOWS I promise to laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I vow to share in your dreams and support you as you work to make them happen. I will listen to you with understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. Together, let us build a home filled with love, learning, laughter, shared freely with all who enter. Let us be partners, friends, and lovers, today and all of the days that follow, for the rest of our lives.

, take you, , to be my husband/wife/partner. I vow to always be your biggest fan and your partner in crime. I promise to create and nurture a family together, in a home rich with laughter, patience, understanding, and love. I promise to not just grow old together, but to grow together. I will love you faithfully through the tough times, and the smooth. What may come, I will always be there, each one believing that love never dies. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep. Because there’s nothing we can’t do together. I,

Romantic WEDDING VOWS

, you are my best friend and most important person in my world. I promise to laugh with you, cry with you, grow with you, and to always have you in my heart. I will love you when we are together as well as when we are apart. I vow to support your dreams and to respect our differences, and to always love you through all the days and nights of our lives.

, choose you, , I, exactly as you are. I love what I know of you, and trust those things I’ve yet to discover. I will respect you as a person, a partner, and an equal. There is little for me to say now that you haven’t already heard, and little to give that is not already freely given. Even before you asked me, I was already yours and I am devoted to you in every way. I marry you with no hesitation or doubt, and my commitment to you is absolute. I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone but you.

. To stand by your I choose you, side and sleep in your arms. To be joy to your heart and food for your soul. To learn with you and grow with you, for all the days of our lives. I vow to laugh with you in good times and struggle alongside you in bad times. I promise to respect you and cherish you as an individual, a partner, and an equal, knowing that we do not complete each other. Instead, we complement each other. I vow to love you as we begin a life of shared adventures, as we walk the path forward together.

You are now just pages away from 8 Real Wedding stories... Special

thanks to the incredible

photographers for sharing their art, and to the brides and grooms, like

Rochelle

that stole our

Nick & hearts.

Photo by Copper and Coal Photography

SERVICES

Uplighting | Ceremony PA Systems Video Projector and Screen Breathtaking Lighting Package Crystal Clear Sound

507-520-4376 | STAGE1SOUND.COM 32

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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Watermelon And Mint Cocktails

Only 6 ingredients

2 1/2 pounds watermelon, seeds removed, cut into chunks 1/4 cucumber, cut into chunks, plus slices to garnish 1 cup fresh lemon juice, plus an additional lemon, sliced, for garnish 1/4 cup packed mint leaves, plus more mint, for garnish 2 1/2 cups white rum, vodka, or water 1/4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1/2 cup agave syrup or simple syrup

Instructions: Put the chunked watermelon, cucumber, and mint in a blender, add the lemon juice, and puree until the mixture is smooth. Strain the mixture into a pitcher to remove the pulp and leaves. Mix in the alcohol or water and slowly stir in the syrup until everything is well-combined. Add the lemon, cucumber slices and ice. Garnish each glass with a sprig of mint.

TREND

Creative Cocktails (or Mocktails). Have some fun with a signature beverage, custom-crafted for the occasion. And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the fizz!

HOSTING

Garden Weddings

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Catering to you With over 8,000 square feet of meeting space, outstanding customer service, and impeccable catering the recently renovated Empire Event Center conveniently attached to the Apache Hotel and future Best Western – Rochester is the ideal location for your upcoming wedding! All 2020 bookings will receive a complimentary champagne toast for your wedding party when mentioning this ad!

Apache Hotel & Event Center 1517 16th St. SW | Rochester, MN 55902 | 507-529-7322 Conveniently attached to Apache Hotel and future Best Western Hotel

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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Say I do

PARADISE Make your wedding day dreams come true at Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enjoy personalized planning services tailored to your budget, incredible food, picture-perfect views of the Mississippi River bluffs and overnight accommodations for you and your guests at our luxury hotel. Call us today to start planning the wedding of your dreams.

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The Wedding You’ve alWaYs Tdreamt he Wedding You’ve abouT... alWaYs dreamed abouT...

Photos By Midwest Lifeshots

thekahlerhotel.com/weddings | 507-285-2761 20 SW Second Avenue | RocheSteR, Mn 55902

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take turns getting ready for your special day. Serenity Couture can service your entire bridal party at one time!

20,000 SQ.FT. 702 APACHE MALL, ROCHESTER, MN 55902 | 507.289.0123 SERENITYCOUTURE.COM

LARGEST SALON IN ROCHESTER WE CAN ACCOMODATE BRIDAL PARTIES OF ANY SIZE

Most Loved For Bridal Parties Massage Services Your work out working out? How about the stress in your life? Our therapists will customize your massage for your health concerns. Choose from 30, 50, 60, 90, 120 minutes Hand & Foot Services Allow our team to soothe & relieve stress. Your treatment will include customized nail care, polish or buff shine finish. Facial Services Keep your skin young and nourished with our Aveda customized Facials. Our team will customize your facial based on what your skin needs today. Styling Services • Bridal Updo • Updo • Special Occasion (Down Styling) • Luxury Blowout Blowout Additional Beauty Services • Customized Spray Tanning • Makeup Application • False Lash Application • Brow/Lash Tint • Waxing Visit SerenityCouture.com for a full list of services

your perfect day!

Create the Perfect Day on

Bridal Hair

Trial services are recommended Our bridal team has in-depth knowledge of all things bridal, and enough space to accommodate larger wedding parties.

Bridal Makeup Serenity Couture is an award-winning, premiere Salon & Spa in Rochester that specializes in catering to and indulging the human body and spirit. The awardwinning salon and spa offers a onestop experience, including massage, facials, pedicures, manicures, spray tanning, waxing, makeup, lash extensions, hair extensions, hair straightening services, colors, cuts and perms.

If the idea of applying your own makeup for your wedding day scares you to death, our trained technicians can fit you in for a makeup session on your special day.

Eyelashes

Pump up the glam factor with lash extensions to make your peepers look wide awake and lovely. We also offer lash tinting and lash lifting (perming).

Manicures & Pedicures

Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to want a glimpse of your new wedding band (not to mention your engagement sparkler!), so make sure to polish off your look with a pretty manicure. Wearing a fab pair of heels for your trip down the aisle? Throw in a pedicure, too!

Waxing

If you aim on being silky smooth for your nuptials, schedule a waxâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but we caution you to do so one week prior to the wedding

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

For a list o fa

ll ser

vices,

go to Se renityCouture.com

Every Bride is unique. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take into consideration your style and personality to ensure you look and feel your absolute best on your big day.

702 APACHE MALL, ROCHESTER, MN 55902 | 507.289.0123 SERENITYCOUTURE.COM

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Products Every Bride Should Have

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAN YOUR PICTURE PERFECT WEDDING

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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Luxe Bridal Couture Private Collection When modern meets boho, beautiful things happen! And this updated A-line boho wedding dress is no exception! Lace and tulle create what is truly a unique wedding dress. Delicate beaded straps meet at a deep sweetheart neckline that is embellished with sparkling beaded lace. A layer of tulle is sprinkled with sequins, giving the full skirt added drama. Strong textural beading adds to the richness and effortless feeling.

CHECKLIST

to Plan Your Perfect Wedding

We’ve all been to weddings that have felt “effortless and fabulous.” The secret behind those seamless celebrations is that they were thoughtfully and thoroughly planned…from the seemingly insignificant details through the biggest decisions. Here at Rochester Area Weddings, it’s our mission to take the guesswork out of the process, and to help you create the wedding of your dreams.

While your wedding should be as individual as you are, we’ve compiled a general checklist to help you start planning the celebration to mark the first day of the rest of your life!

12 MONTHS BEFORE □ Settle on a budget. More than any other single factor, the budget for your big day will make all of the decisions that follow that much simpler. Be sure to factor in the money you and your partner plan to spend, as well as any contributions from family. □ Decide the size. Once you’ve established a budget, the next step is to decide how large you want your celebration to be. You may want to share this day with everyone in your life, but keep in mind that the size of your guest list directly affects how over-thetop you can go on all of the details. □ Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. It’s smart to know who you’d like to invite to join your wedding party well in advance, so those closest to you can plan to be there for you.

□ Location, location, location. Popular wedding venues can book long in advance, so don’t delay on determining the location(s) of the ceremony and the reception. Find your spot and reserve your date. If they’re not in the same vicinity, you’ll want to allow plenty of time for guests to get from one place to the next. □ DIY or hire a planner. Believe it or not, 12 months in advance is not too soon to start researching caterers, florists, photographers, bands, etc. As with venues, the top pros can be booked long in advance. An experienced wedding planner can be a big help in recommending the best vendors to fit your budget.

6-9 MONTHS BEFORE □ Spread the word. People often plan vacations and other events far in advance, so you’ll want to make sure to send save-the-date cards to the family and friends who will make your day special. □ Say yes to the dress. Finding just the right dress is something that shouldn’t be rushed. Once you do find your dress, plan on several fittings to make sure it’s tailored to fit you just right. And don’t forget the veil! □ Hire vendors. That “effortless and fabulous” wedding we alluded to in the intro often comes down to this step. Make sure you get references—then check them. If they’ve overpromised and underdelivered at someone else’s wedding, then keep looking. Once you’ve identified the right photographer and videographer, the right caterer, the right florist, and the right entertainment—book ‘em.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

□ Bridemaids’ dresses. Another detail that can surprise first-time brides is the time required to get your bridesmaids’ dresses ordered and sized. Do this at least six months in advance. □ Gift registries. It’s smart to register with at least three retailers, to give your friends and family a range of choices (of products and prices) that they’re comfortable with—and that you’d love to receive.

3-6 MONTHS BEFORE □ Order Invitations. Finalize the wording and design of your wedding invitations, and make sure to see and touch samples of the paper stock to make sure they have the look and feel you desire. □ It’s all in the timing. Sit down with paper and pencil (or keyboard and mouse) and start planning out how the day will flow. Doing this, from the ceremony itself through the dinner, dancing, and music is a great tool to help you visualize the day—and ensure there are no scheduling snafus. □ The ceremony itself. Meet with the person who will officiate your wedding. This is your day, so it’s critical that you’re comfortable with the details of the ceremony, and that you know exactly what official documents are needed. □ Order the cake. Like other vendors who should be booked far in advance, you’ll want to make sure that the baker you choose (after several tastings, of course) is available to create the cake for your big day. □ The rings, please. To make sure the rings you select are a style you’re comfortable spending the rest of your life with, and to provide ample time for customizing (sizing, engraving, etc.), three months out is a safe time frame.

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

1-2 MONTHS BEFORE □ Send invitations. There are many conflicting “rules of thumb” detailing when to send wedding invitations. Brides.com recommends setting your RSVP date for four weeks after you mail the invitations, giving guests plenty of time to respond. We suggest mailing invites eight weeks before the event.

□ Destination: honeymoon! Whether you plan to travel to some exotic locale or keep it simple, now’s the time to start mapping this out. The last thing you want is to be tripped up by last-minute details—like a passport and vaccinations.

□ Assign seating. When you leave seating to chance, you run the risk of separating friends and family members. Sketch out the room, complete with number of tables and seats per table, and get to work assigning guests to tables with others whom they’ll enjoy. Your friends and family will appreciate it.

□ Finalize details. It’s close enough to the event, but still far enough out, to make final decisions on flowers and menu items, as well as transportation, wedding favors, readings during the ceremony (who will read, and what they’ll read), music (what you do and do not want played) send event schedule to vendors and make sure any and all questions have been answered.

□ Bridesmaids’ gifts. This time-honored tradition is a wonderful way of thanking your bridesmaids for being a big part of your big day. Make it something special, as they’ll likely treasure it for years.

□ Transportation. Now’s the time to schedule a limo (to deliver you and your partner in style), or mini-buses (to get your guests from the wedding to the reception and back, if necessary).

□ Timing is everything. The week of your wedding, make sure to connect personally with each vendor and confirm the time, date and address. And it doesn’t hurt to thank them in advance for doing everything they can to make your wedding extra special!

□ Meet with photographer/videographer. Long after your big day, the photos and video will serve as priceless memories of your wedding day. Sit down with your photographer and videographer to make sure they understand what you expect, and discuss any fun suggestions that they may have.

□ Hair and makeup artists. Make sure you’ve scheduled time with your chosen hair and makeup artists for them to work their magic on you—or you and your bridesmaids.

□ Hotel block. If you have family and friends coming from out of town, this is an important detail, especially if they’d like the convenience of spending time together, pre-wedding. Reach out to hotels to learn what options they offer for wedding parties.

THE FINAL WEEKS □ Marriage license. Time to make it official. This is typically a quick process—but “typically” is not something you can take to the bank. Make sure to do this a couple of weeks in advance to avoid any bad surprises. □ The RSVP database. Make sure you know how many invited guests are coming, and how many of them are bringing a guest. Armed with a headcount, you can confidently order food and drink to fit your headcount and your budget.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

See them all in the UNVEILED Rochester Fashion Shows

See See them them all all in in the UNVEILED the UNVEILED Rochester Rochester Fashion Fashion Shows Shows Photo courtesy of Anne Barge

Want Want to to ﬁﬁnd nd the the latest fashions? latest fashions?

Photo courtesy of Anne Barge Photo courtesy of Anne Barge

Stay up to date on all the latest

Bows are not for just the back of the waist! Now we see them on sleeves, shoulders and Bows are not for just the back of the waist! Now we see them on sleeves, shoulders and untied falling into a beautiful train. untied falling into a beautiful train.

Stay up to date on all the latest

Guys also publish a trends

fashion trends and wedding

Guys also publish a trends

newsletter to bring you every-

WantSee to ﬁthem nd theall in UNVEILED latestthe fashions? Rochester Fashion Shows

Here is a full rundown of what you will see Here is a full rundown of what you will see walking the bridal aisles next year: walking the bridal aisles next year: Photo courtesy of Anne Barge

Stay up to date on all the latest Stay up to date on all the latest fashion trends and wedding fashion trends and wedding ideas. Each week The Wedding ideas. Each week The Wedding Guys also publish a trends Guys also publish a trends newsletter to bring you everynewsletter to bring you everything you need to create your thing you need to create your own special day. Sign up now own special day. Sign up now at: www.TheWeddingGuys.com at: www.TheWeddingGuys.com

fashion trends and wedding

newsletter to bring you every-

thing you need to create your

We all agree brides should look their We all agree brides should look their absolute best on “the biggest fashion absolute best on “the biggest fashion day of her life”, however, the question is day of her life”, however, the question is what styles and trends resonates with what styles and trends resonates with today’s bride while still embracing the today’s bride while still embracing the inspiration, creative imaginations and inspiration, creative imaginations and vision of designers. From our seats we vision of designers. From our seats we saw amazing fashions on the runways of saw amazing fashions on the runways of the leading “bridal fashion” designers like the leading “bridal fashion” designers like Romona Keveza, Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Romona Keveza, Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Santo, Mark Zunino, Berta, Pnina Tornai, Santo, Mark Zunino, Berta, Pnina Tornai, Anne Barge, Justin Alexander, Amsale, Anne Barge, Justin Alexander, Amsale, Isabelle Armstrong, Juli Vino and Eve of Isabelle Armstrong, Juli Vino and Eve of Milady just to name a few. Milady just to name a few.

Tying the Knot! Our Blog

ideas. Each week The Wedding

thing you need to create your

own special day. Sign up now

Photo courtesy of Justin Alexander Photo courtesy of Justin Alexander

ideas. Each week Wedding Want to The ﬁnd the latest fashions?

own special day. Sign up now

® The The Wedding Wedding Guys Guys®,, Bruce Bruce Vassar Vassar and and Matthew Matthew Trettel Trettel

In many fashion collections; whether it’s In many fashion collections; whether it’s ready-to-wear, resort wear, evening wear, ready-to-wear, resort wear, evening wear, high fashion or haute couture, designers high fashion or haute couture, designers always continue to push the boundaries always continue to push the boundaries in every aspect of design. Over centuries in every aspect of design. Over centuries “bridal” fashion has always had its own “bridal” fashion has always had its own signature bridal look and never seemed signature bridal look and never seemed to blur the lines until now. Bridal designto blur the lines until now. Bridal designers seemed to have that in mind for their ers seemed to have that in mind for their Spring and Fall 2020 collections. Yes, Spring and Fall 2020 collections. Yes, there were still ball gowns, A-lines, Merthere were still ball gowns, A-lines, Mermaid and Fit & Flare silhouettes (add in camaid and Fit & Flare silhouettes (add in cathedral veils, and custom embellishments) thedral veils, and custom embellishments) and voila you have all the makings and and voila you have all the makings and choices to help you say,” Yes to the Dress.” choices to help you say,” Yes to the Dress.” But, the looks have never straddled both But, the looks have never straddled both ends of the spectrum; now they do as ends of the spectrum; now they do as designers try to set themselves apart. designers try to set themselves apart.

at: www.TheWeddingGuys.com

Bridal Bridal Fashion Fashion Week Week is is our our opportunity opportunity to to hobnob with the world’s leading hobnob with the world’s leading designers, designers, see see their their collections collections and and report report back back on on all all the the trends. trends. We’re We’re thrilled thrilled to to bring bring you you the ‘what’s hot’ we saw in New York this the ‘what’s hot’ we saw in New York this October! October!

at: www.TheWeddingGuys.com

FALL 2020 BRIDAL FASHION WEEK REPORT

The Wedding Guys®, Bruce Vassar and Matthew Trettel

Our Blog

Your FALL Wedding Day Style 2020

BRIDAL FASHION WEEK REPORT skirt while other feathers were used to create stylish capes and jackets. We have seen a lot

his season is all about Glitter and Feathers! From the beginning of the shows we started seeing the trends develop. Feathers! Did a pillow just explode? The delicate Ostrich feathers were in almost every collection in some form or another. Some were on the gown’s

Shop

Bridal Fashion Week is our opportunity to hobnob with the world’s leading designers, see their collections and report back on all the trends. We’re thrilled to bring you the ‘what’s hot’ we saw in New York this October!

The Perfect Gown...

The Wedding Guys®, Finding the perfect goesTrettel beyond the Bruce Vassar and gown Matthew

So when it comes to finding the perfect gown, it is often a game of trial and error. Biggest mistake? Bringing an entourage with you on your shopping trip. Instead, take one or two trusted helpers that can assist in finding the dress that defines your bridal style. Any more than that will provide conflicting options and make the search all that more daunting.

Our Blog

The best news is, with all the dress options available, you are sure to ﬁnd something absolutely perfect for your day.

ideas. Each week The Wedding Guys also publish a trends newsletter to bring you everything you need to create your own special day. Sign up now

at: www.TheWeddingGuys.com

We all agree brides should look their absolute best on “the biggest fashion day of her life”, however, the question is what styles and trends resonates with today’s bride while still embracing the inspiration, creative imaginations and vision of designers. From our seats we saw amazing fashions on the runways of the leading “bridal fashion” designers like When you start to say puffy Romona Keveza, Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di sleeves it comes bridal, Santo, Markwhen Zunino, Berta, to Pnina Tornai, Anne Barge, Justin Alexander, Amsale, people automatically think back Isabelle Armstrong, Juli Vino and Eve of to the gown Princess Diana Milady just to name a few.

Puffy Sleeves:

wore to her wedding in 1981.

Here is that’s a full rundown of what you will see Well not too far fetched, walking the bridal aisles next year:

but we also have romantic puffy sleeves that are detachable so

DEEP PLUNGING NECKLINES

you can be more urban chic when you groove on the dance ﬂoor. From the big puff sleeves

Bows are not for just the back of the waist! Now we see them on sleeves, shoulders and How low will you go? Deep plunging to the smaller, less billowy ones, untied falling into a beautiful train.

necklines are hot this season! Some

even feature sheer illusion fabric to help hold everything together.

to the bishop sleeves to bell sleeves, one thing was certain – sleeves were out in full force.

Photo courtesy of Justin Alexander

fashion trends and wedding

Photo courtesy of Justin Alexander

Tying the Knot! Photo courtesy of Viktor & Rolf

We all agree brides should look their absolute best on “the biggest fashion day of her life”, however, the question is what styles and trends resonates with today’s bride while still embracing the inspiration, creative imaginations and vision of designers. From our seats we saw amazing fashions on the runways of the leading “bridal fashion” designers like Romona Keveza, Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Santo, Mark Zunino, Berta, Pnina Tornai, Anne Barge, Justin Alexander, Amsale, Isabelle Armstrong, Juli Vino and Eve of Milady just to name a few.

Here is a full rundown of what you will see walking the bridal aisles next year:

Stay up to date on all the latest

Photo courtesy of Justin Alexander

latest trends. It’s all about discovering your personal style. Let’s face it. We don’t dress up in yards of diamond white tulle on an everyday basis and most of us don’t don lace, bows and feathers all that often.

In many fashion collections; whether it’s ready-to-wear, resort wear, evening wear, high fashion or haute couture, designers always continue to push the boundaries in every aspect of design. Over centuries “bridal” fashion has always had its own signature bridal look and never seemed to blur the lines until now. Bridal designers seemed to have that in mind for their Spring and Fall 2020 collections. Yes, there were still ball gowns, A-lines, Mermaid and Fit & Flare silhouettes (add in cathedral veils, and custom embellishments) and voila you have all the makings and choices to help you say,” Yes to the Dress.” But, the looks have never straddled both ends of the spectrum; now they do as designers try to set themselves apart.

FALL 2020 BRIDAL FASHION WEEK REPORT

In many fashion collections; whether it’s We all agree bridesresort shouldwear, look evening their ready-to-wear, wear, absolute best on or “the biggest fashion high fashion haute couture, designers day always of her life”, however, the the question is continue to push boundaries whatinstyles trends resonates with everyand aspect of design. Over centuries today’s bridefashion while still “bridal” hasembracing always hadthe its own inspiration, creative and signature bridal imaginations look and never seemed vision designers. our seats to of blur the lines From until now. Bridalwe designsaw ers amazing fashions theinrunways seemed to haveonthat mind foroftheir the leading “bridal designers Yes, like Spring and Fallfashion” 2020 collections. Romona Lhuillier, Ines Di thereKeveza, were stillMonique ball gowns, A-lines, MerSanto, Mark Berta, Pnina Tornai, maid andZunino, Fit & Flare silhouettes (add in caAnne Barge,veils, Justin Alexander, Amsale, thedral and custom embellishments) Isabelle Juli all Vino Eve ofand and Armstrong, voila you have theand makings Milady just totoname a few. choices help you say,” Yes to the Dress.” But, the looks have never straddled both Hereends is a of fullthe rundown of what spectrum; nowyou theywill dosee as walking the bridal aisles next year: apart. designers try to set themselves

Tying the Knot! Tying the Knot!

Bows are not for just the back of the waist! Now we see Bows them areon notsleeves, for just shoulders the back ofand the waist! Now we see them on sleeves, shoulders and untied falling into a beautiful train. untied falling into a beautiful train.

Our Blog

In many fashion collections; whether it’s ready-to-wear, resort wear, evening wear, high fashion or haute couture, designers always continue to push the boundaries in every aspect of design. Over centuries “bridal” fashion has always had its own signature bridal look and never seemed to blur the lines until now. Bridal designThe Wedding Guys®to, have that in mind for their ers seemed Bruce Vassar Matthew Trettel Spring and and Fall 2020 collections. Yes, there were still ball gowns, A-lines, Mermaid and Fit & Flare silhouettes (add in cathedral veils, and custom embellishments) and voila you have all the makings and choices to help you say,” Yes to the Dress.” But, the looks have never straddled both ends of the spectrum; now they do as designers try to set themselves apart.

LET’S

FALL 2020 BRIDAL FASHION WEEK REPORT

of glittery skirts and this season was no exception however they were a little more tame and Bridal Fashion Week is our opportunity to subdued with the use of organza over all that sparkle. hobnob with the world’s leading designers, see their collections and report back on all the trends. We’re thrilled to bring you the ‘what’s hot’ we saw in New York this October!

See them all in the UNVEILED Rochester Fashion Shows The use of 3-D ﬂowers makes for a very romantic and sweet style.

Want to ﬁnd the latest fashions?

Did You Know...

The interesting thing about 3-D flowers is how they are being intermingled with lace as if the floral lace is the canvas and the flower is evolving from the painting. Photo courtesy of Anne Barge

FINERY BRIDAL CHIC LIS SIMON HAYDEN GOWN (Top Left) Sweetheart neckline with illusion lace sleeves, laced bodice, chiffon a-line skirt, illusion back, fabric buttons, zipper back. Photographer: Ingrid Svare Photography

Photographer: L.O. Imijri

C H I C N O S TA L G I A ANNIS GOWN (Top Right) Ribbon lace, beaded, fit & flare gown with deep plunge neckline and chapel length train. Illusion v-backline with lace, beaded trim. LIS SIMON KIM GOWN (Left)

Photographer: L&H Photography

Strapless, plunge sweetheart neckline with crystal tulle panel, sparsely sequinned lace bodice and illusion back. Satin jersey fit & flare skirt with chapel length illusion train.

carefully curated gowns and a passion for making every bride feel beautiful

Real Finery Bride, Rachel photo by Karlee Mikkelson

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THE WHITE ROSE BRIDAL & FORMAL WEAR

Photo by: Alacia Adrienne Photography

MAGGIE SOTTERO

SOPHIA TOLLI BY MON CHERI

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Trumpet style gown. Aldora Crepe with layers of sheer lace and lace motifs that adorn the front and back of this gown.

Sleeveless light satin fit and flare gown with scalloped lace shoulder straps and plunging V-neckline.

This minimal fit-and-flare wedding dress is made up of silky charmeuse, stretch lining and satin for the softest simplicity, contrasted by a gorgeous beaded lace bodice.

The White Rose Bridal Offers Bridal Designs by: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Maggie Sottero Bridal Casablanca Bridal Sophia Tolli Australia Bridal Mon Cheri Bridal Martin Thornburg Bridal Enchanted Bridal DaVinci Bridal Mary's Bridal Beloved Bridal Sottero & Midgley Bridal Rebecca Ingram Bridal Amare' Couture Bridal & More

MAGGIE SOTTERO REBECCA INGRAM GOWN (Bottom Left) ALL OVER LACE FIT-AND-FLARE

Photo by Keela Jo 58

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Beautiful all over lace fit-and-flare wedding dress complete with hand beaded spaghetti straps, an illusion V-neckline, and V-back all lined with pearls, beads and Swarovski crystals. RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

AVA I L A B L E AT L U X E B R I D A L C O U T U R E

GOWNS BY ESSENSE OF AUSTRALIA, STELLA YORK AND LUXE BRIDAL PRIVATE COLLECTION (Top) ESSENSE OF AUSTRALIA (Left) The ease of this simple off-the-shoulder wedding gown is what makes it so glamorous and gorgeous. A plunging sweetheart neckline, reminiscent of an old-Hollywood style, extends effortlessly into off-the-shoulder sleeves, creating a look that highlights your face beautifully. STELLA YORK (Top Right) This traditional ball gown wedding dress features lace over tulle in a soft A-line silhouette, perfect for the classic bride! The voluminous skirt feels full and flowy while remaining light-as-air as layers of tulle are adorned with delicate lace details that give off a unique effect. ESSENSE OF AUSTRALIA (Bottom Right) A classic gown with hints of glamour, this traditional wedding dress with beading has ballroom wedding written all over it! The bodice of this gown is designed with sheer lace, adding an element of sexinessâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;while the beaded trim along the neckline and straps brings the glamour!

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

Luxe Bridal Boutique 4270 Maine Ave SE Rochester, MN 55904

Make Your Appointment Today! www.LuxeMnRoch.com 507-206-4658

AVA I L A B L E AT M E S TA D S

MARTIN THORNBURG LACE FIT AND FLARE GOWN WITH DARING CENTER FRONT SLIT This daringly sensual and romantic sleeveless lace fit and flare gown features a deep plunging neckline with an illusion panel and center front slit trimmed with scalloped lace. Crafted from Schiffli lace, allover lace and chiffon, the sexy Rachel also includes an illusion lace back adorned with crystal buttons and a chapel train.

CHRISTINA WU (Left) Stunning only describes this sheer lace bodice gown with long illusion lace sleeves and dramatic lace placement. Available with lined bodice. MON CHERI (Right) This style showcases the clean simplicity that has blown up in bridal since the last Royal wedding.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

A VA AV IALIAL BA LBEL EA TA T KN E NE SN W E AE RA R K INGI H G TH 'TS' SM M SW

Hailey Hailey Marie Marie Photography Photography

Scott Scott Bacon Bacon Photography Photography

Hailey Hailey Marie Marie Photography Photography

Leeza Leeza Marie Marie Photography Photography

Debra Debra Medin Medin Photography Photography & Brooke & Brooke Elizabeth Elizabeth Photography Photography

Leeza Marie Photography

Designer: Alain Dupetit - Grey Suit Our signature modern two-button, flat-front suit combines the best features of classic and slim fit designs to give you comfort and utmost style. Available at Knight's Menswear 66

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

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HONEY MOON

IDEAS for Every Type of Couple

As the anticipation and excitement (dare we say stress?) of the wedding day draws near, couples begin to count on the honeymoon as both a way to celebrate their love and commitment to one another, and also as a welcome reprieve from all the time they’ve put into planning the big day. Like a perfect life partner, a honeymoon destination has to be compatible — entertaining, adventurous, maybe a little quirky in just the right ways, and certainly romantic. Here are a few ideas we’re sure will match any couple’s personality types.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

Romantic Of course your honeymoon needs to be romantic, but for couples who want to focus on just the romantic parts, Saint Lucia tops almost every list of romantic honeymoon spots. This Caribbean island paradise features the Pitons mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, clear blue skies, and perfect beaches. With a number of all-inclusive resort options, honeymooners in Saint Lucia have plenty of time to focus on romance.

Educational It’s okay to nerd out on your honeymoon just a little; you can’t change who you are, after all. If your shared love of history and/or politics is what brought you and your spouse together, then you might want to explore Washington, D.C. The nation’s capitol features all the likely stops such as a White House tour and a visit to the Smithsonian, yet also offers its share of romantic highlights, including cherry blossoms in the spring, art galleries galore, and historic stroll routes guaranteed to move the mind as well as the heart.

Adventurous While every honeymoon will be romantic, some couples like to express their love while staring down the face of danger. If your idea of romance includes hand-in-hand scuba diving, deep sea fishing, cliff diving, zip lines, and dune buggy races on the beach, then Acapulco, Mexico is for you. More than a spring break or family vacation destination, this Mexican city is also known for its nightlife and entertainment options.

Close To Home For many honeymooners, venturing overseas or even cross-country can be a bit more than the schedule or budget will allow. If that’s the case, a romantic weekend in Duluth may be the perfect match. On the shores of Lake Superior, you can watch ships come into the harbor, hike along woodland trails in a number of nearby state parks, and hunt for agates on pristine freshwater beaches. The town’s revitalized restaurant and brewery scene may just encourage you to extend your stay.

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Historic Charm  Voted BEST Event Center in Southern MN 2019 by Southern Minnesota Scene

Lora & Isaac

The Round Barn Farm Is Perfect For: • Weddings + Rooms for the Bride/Groom to get ready • Barn Dances • Ceremonies • Receptions • Bed and Breakfast open year-round

Lily & Fawn

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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Casablanca Bridal Gown. This irresistible fit and flare wedding dress features a tank neckline adorned with beautifully beaded lace that trails all the way around the bodice and down the sides of this stunning gown. A row of buttons on the illusion back leads all the way down the stretch chiffon and satin skirt, stopping to bloom into a stunning train with a beautifully contrasting section of lace down the middle.

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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Real Finery Bride: Mary Ryan Photographer: TwelveTen Photography Gown: "Vera" by Lotus Threads NYC Description: Chiffon, capped sleeved, sheath gown with crystal beading and deep plunge neckline. Available at Finery Bridal Chic

CHILDREN

WEDDINGS go hand-in-hand

When it comes to attending weddings there are always specific things people look at and look for. How beautiful is the wedding gown? Check on bridesmaids’ dresses and chosen ceremony colors. And, most of all, how adorable are the children? There is something special about a group of young ladies dressed to the nines holding the bride’s vail as she walks with her father down the aisle. A young lady and young man, which were supposed to be holding hands, walking awkwardly with the rings and dropping flower petals. Incorporating children into the wedding ceremony may be somewhat of a headache at times, but there is no doubt they are a crowd pleaser. Whether they are nieces or nephews, or children from previous relationships, there are truly meaningful ways to include them. Here are some ideas on roles children can take: • Junior Bridesmaid/Groomsman — Maybe you have older children, or teenage family members you are close to. This is a perfect role for them. Just don’t let them get too involved in the bachelor and bachelorette party. • Reader — This is a great honor for older children, especially those who have become strong readers. Let them read a passage about marriage or a bible verse. 74

• Escorting the bride — This is a fan favorite. Get those little girls and young gentleman on the aisle. No one says the bride’s son can’t be the one to escort her down. Children keeping the veil from dragging on the ground is also a useful and important job. • Flower Girl/Ring Bearer — This is a great role for younger children. The flower girl and ring bearer are a longstanding tradition in weddings and, with practice, the children do it well. Just remember to be patient. Even the bravest of children can suddenly become shy.

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

• Bouquet holder — If one of your young children is a little shy and might struggle with the idea of all the smiles and “how cutes” coming down the aisle, a good position is the bouquet holder during the ceremony. While great for a younger child, just remember, a lengthy ceremony could also mean fidgeting and the possibility of looking around and losing track of the job at hand.

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Once assignments are given, the hard work begins. While the photos and memories created on that special day will make you laugh, getting there and what actually happens on the day may be a source of some stress.

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Children may not be willing to do everything you plan, arrange and practice. That’s where the best advice is to just go with it and follow some of these tips: • Delegate — With smaller children, make sure to get someone to help and keep close watch on the young ones. This person’s role is vital in keeping them calm, comfortable and prepared to do what’s got to be done. • Practice and practice again — It’s important that a room full of people watching them isn’t a shock on the big day. This means practicing walking up and down the aisle. Put people in the seats to give them a taste of what it will be like.

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Hayley Bodin Photography

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• Rewards — If the young children respond to the idea of a reward, don’t be afraid to offer one to ensure they do well. • Be sensitive — If this is a case where it is a child whose parent is getting married, be understanding and sensitive. At any age, they may be going through some emotions. They also want to be included. Just be patient as they work through the process.

In the end, the pictures and memories will be worth the time and patience that goes into including the children of family and close friends into your big day.

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Photos By Midwest Lifeshots

” o D “I n w o t n w o D

6 Event Spaces 12,257 sq ft Total Event Space Largest Space 300 Capacity Marriott Certified Wedding Planners

Call now for your private tour 101 First Avenue SW Rochester, MN 55902 507.285.2761 • thekahlerhotel.com/weddings

5 Tips for a

FABULOUS REHEARSAL DINNER There was a time when rehearsal dinners were quiet events attended by just the bride and groom, their immediate family members, and the wedding party. Those days are in the past. What was once a small gathering the night before the wedding has turned into an official kickoff of many weekend wedding celebrations. As you plan your perfect rehearsal dinner, here are five key things to consider.

Decide who hosts

Plan the guest list

Rehearsal dinners used to be commonly known as grooms dinners. Scheduled to follow a wedding rehearsal the evening before the big day, the grooms dinners were the family of the groom’s contribution to the celebration— that is, back when the bride’s family was responsible for the wedding expenses. In our modern era in which couples’ families share in the wedding expenses, it often comes down to the lucky couple footing the bill for the rehearsal dinner, therefore also serving as the official hosts of the dinner.

You’ll want to make sure everyone is on the same page with the guest list. While the wedding party and the lucky couples’ families will be in attendance, clarify whether or not anyone intends to invite out-of-town guests, children, or grandparents, and so on. It’s okay to keep the guest list small.

Keep it simple Resist the temptation to go too fancy on the rehearsal dinner. You don’t want to upstage the big day! With a simple three course meal in a casual environment, you’ll keep everyone comfortable and the conversation flowing.

K K C I U T D C HE N U E L B

Manage introductions Don’t forget that some of the attendees at your rehearsal dinner may be meeting each other for the first time. For example, maybe the father of the bride hasn’t met the groom’s old college roommate in the wedding party. Make sure to run through introductions so that no one feels left out of conversation over dinner. This also serves as an ice breaker for those who will want to stand up and share a few words about the couple.

Don’t forget gifts The rehearsal dinner is the traditional time to present gifts to the wedding party. Typically these gifts are inexpensive and practical, and often personalized, something like an engraved compact mirror for the ladies and a flask for the guys. Making the gifts practical and personal ensures they’ll be cherished for years to come.

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

How to Choose the

PERFECT WEDDING VENUE by Thelma Grimes

Before deciding on decorations, flowers and design, a couple must first consider where they want to have their wedding. Choosing a venue for that special day doesn’t have to be stressful. To choose the location perfect for your big day, keep these tips in mind: What can you afford? – Before venturing out to tour locations, it’s important to know your price point. You don’t want to fall in love with a place only to find out you can’t even afford the taxes. Set your venue budget before proceeding. On average, couples spend just over $5,000 on the venue. Setting this price point is important because it takes a big portion of the entire wedding budget. How many are coming? - You need a guest count before you can really choose a venue. Wedding venues have a maximum capacity count, which means you need to know how many guests might be coming before you sign on the dotted line.

2020 TREND

Micro Weddings. Perfect for introverts or people wanting to spend their day with close family and friends (think 40 or fewer), small weddings can deliver big.

What fits your vision? – Once the business questions are answered, it’s time for the fun part. What do you envision for the big day? Start looking online at pictures of local venues. See if any of them speak to you. Take guided tours and see if you can see yourself saying I do at that location. Consider dates – You might have a date in mind, but the venue you are most interested in may not be available. In the early stages, don’t be afraid to have a few dates in mind in case a back-up plan is needed. Get it in writing – Once you’ve found what you are looking for, get a contract in place. It’s important to remember that wedding venue contracts aren’t as straightforward as one might expect. Ask questions, make sure you are clear on all payment schedules, cancellation policies and in-house requirements.

2020 TREND Al fresco weddings are warm and welcoming, inspired by the home and family style dinners. Initially part of the California vineyard scene, al fresco weddings now rule the wedding world - achieved by the use of open-air tenting, whimsical lighting, and long, rustic and elegant feasting tables in any locale. Source: Style Me Pretty, stylemepretty.com

Dine Alfresco

YOUR PERFECT DAY

Photo By Chad Johnson

IT STARTS HERE Dream weddings don’t just happen, they’re planned. Marriott Certified Wedding Planners are trained to help. After completing demanding coursework, each Marriott Certified Wedding Planner is qualified to coordinate weddings of all types, including ethnic and military weddings. Relying on experience, training, tradition and old-fashioned intuition, Marriott Certified Wedding Planners can help you determine an overall vision for your wedding and help you execute each detail. That includes setting an event budget; deciding on a menu; arranging table settings; and finding florists, photographers, a band and other entertainment for the big day.

ROCHESTER MARRIOTT MAYO CLINIC AREA 101 First Avenue SW • Rochester, Minnesota 55902 USA • 507.285.2761 • thekahlerhotel.com/weddings

The Value You Deserve with Amenities Your Wedding Guests Will Love

Get the value you deserve with a free, hot breakfast, free WiFi, and friendly service. Gather with friends or colleagues in the meeting room. Take a dip in the indoor pool or hot tub before working off some steam in our modern fitness center. We have the travel amenities you need so that you can make the most of your experience. Every detail is considered so that your stay is both comfortable and memorable.

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GET THE RIGHT TOUCH WITH FLOWERS – Q&A WITH A LOCAL FLORIST Flowers aren’t just about the centerpieces at the reception, they are the centerpiece to the bride’s ensemble in the bouquet, they add character, color and class to any wedding day. Make sure you are getting the right florist to handle your big day by knowing answers to important questions. Jessica Miers, owner of Le Jardin Floral, has been a local florist serving the community for the last 15 years. Miers answers some common questions and elaborates on things the happy couple should consider before hiring a florist for the big day.

What do you get out of helping a couple choose colors, arrangements and planning for flowers in a wedding? This is the first celebration/party they are throwing as a married couple. I think it’s important for the couple to show their style and stay true to who they are. They might have a theme they like or a look and feel and then we go from there to create they special day. I love how each couple is different from the next and we get to be part of a once in a lifetime event.

When Planning a wedding, how important is it to choose flowers that are in season? Choosing flowers that are in season can help with cost but also with availability.

Can you provide arrangements with flowers not in season? Yes and No. It really depends on the growing season/weather. Sometimes, for instance, we can get local peonies earlier in the season, or later in the season. It depends 88

on our spring. A florist will usually tell you if a flower is in season or not. Sometimes you can still get it at a high cost or they will recommend a substitute.

What advice would you give couples in starting the process of finding a florist to serve their wedding? Make sure you feel comfortable in knowing that all your questions were answered. Make sure you have a clear understanding of their services, the product and the cost of what you are paying for before hiring the florist.

Do you provide other decor beyond floral arrangements? Yes, we have lots of rental items such as vases, candles holders, linens and etc.

What are the most popular types of flowers used in weddings? A mixture of greenery/garlands played a big role in weddings this year. But there are still the traditional staples such as roses and

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

dahlias. Brides still like the elegant look but with lots of texture and movement.

What are some unique, or unusual floral arrangements you’ve been asked to do? We did a wedding this summer that had a Lilly Pulitzer/Palm Springs look and feel. We created large arrangements of tropical leaves and palms. The floral centerpieces had shades of pink. It was very fun to step out of your everyday floral design box and create a very Palm Beach feel.

How do you work to bring a couple’s vision to life while staying within the confines of the budget they agreed to? I approach every wedding the same we are all on a budget. I find out what their vision is and move forward. I say it’s like building a home. Tell everything you want and I will price it out for you. Then, it’s time to go to the drawing board to see what works for the budget and what doesn’t. Then, we look at other options with the same look and feel maybe we downsize the floral or change to RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

a different design. We recommend three different centerpieces. This way you can have some of the tall, large florals centerpieces, some short floral centerpieces and candles centerpieces. We always recommend dual duty for your flowers. Using flowers from your ceremony as part of your reception décor helps the budget as well.

Do you handle all the setup and delivery at weddings? How important is this aspect of hiring a florist? We are a full-service florist. We deliver, set up, transfers and tear down our product. I think it’s important that you know what you are getting for your money. Setting up a ceremony and reception takes a lot of time. As a bride on the day of your wedding, time is limited to begin with. Hire professionals so you can enjoy every minute of your magical day.

What happens to flowers after the wedding? We always design flowers so the bride can keep or give the flowers away at the end of the night. When using our rental items, this is important, we want our clients to be able to enjoy the flowers after the celebration is over. We have had brides ask that we donate the florals to nonprofits/nursing homes so they can enjoy them. This is pretty common when it’s a destination wedding.

e JESSICA MIERS I love all things floral! I started picking flowers at age two with my grandfather and I’m still picking flowers today. I wanted to be a florist for as long as I can remember. I have been working with flowers for 25 years. Le Jardin adopted the European style of floral arranging using a strong sense of color and texture with a more natural and uncontrived style as nature intended. Whether the look is causal, bohemian or elegant

Photo by Taryn Christine Photography

Le Jardin Floral offers something for every style. Le Jardin offers a flexible and creative approach and will work with you to create your beautiful wedding or event.

To learn more about scheduling a consultation with Le Jardin Floral, visit the website at lejardinfloral.com/.

507.281.2484 info@lejardinfloral.com www.lejardinfloral.com

Photos by Moments Of Life

Offering a flexible & creative approach to create a beautiful wedding or event on YOUR budget.

TREND:

Videography With the increasing popularity of droneS, more couples are capturing the moment from above.

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DAUBE’S BAKERY 1310 5th Pl NW | Rochester, MN 507-289-3095

Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

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VENUES AND CATERING

Y O U R W E D D I N G D AY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS IN A FA M I LY â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S L I F E . OURS TOO.

O U R FA M I LY O F C O M PA N I E S

VENUES AND CATERING

In addition to the breathtaking views, amazing food, and world-class service, you’ll be impressed with the thoughtful details that will ensure your event is a success at our Hilton, the newest hotel of downtown Rochester, Minnesota. • Two large ballrooms with floor to ceiling windows and room darkening shades • Outdoor reception terrace • Three configurable break-out rooms • Designated registration areas • 19’ ceilings and ceiling riggings • Complimentary WiFi • 264 luxury guest rooms and suites • Skyway access to Mayo Clinic Campus and Mayo Civic Center • Adjoining parking ramp

Rochester’s Hilton is proudly partnering with J.Powers, a luxury event venue and catered experience delivering exceptional service and exquisite cuisine. With a spirit to serve, the J.Powers team is committed to making each event memorable beyond measure. 1 0 E A S T C E N T E R S T R E E T , R O C H E S T E R , M N 5 5 9 0 4 | 5 0 7. 2 8 0 . 8 8 8 8 | J P O W E R S . E V E N T S

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Exceptional moments are made here.

As southeast Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s s largest and most experienced caterer, you can count on Rochester International Event Center to provide you with unmatched service, flawless attention to detail and exquisite food ensuring the most memorable wedding day for you and your guests.

VENUES AND CATERING

Our beautiful facility has plenty of free, front door parking and features a Grand Ballroom, which accommodates up 800 guests (13,000 sq feet) or can be divided in two, for separate events of up to 400 guests. We have a large, comfortable lobby area and a state of the art 6,000 square foot kitchen staffed by our fulltime culinary team.

Custom wedding packages for

your distinct needs

P ricing

We offer half the ballroom, which may accommodate up to 365 people, or the entire grand ballroom, which may accommodate up to 750 people. The Rochester Event Center does require food minimums on Saturdays along with a ballroom rental charge. We offer a special discount on Fridays and Sundays. Please feel free to ask an Event Center representative about our special non-peak rates for those interested in booking a wedding event during the week.

D E C O R A T I N G PA C K A G E S SILVER PACKAGE:

• Black or White backdrop with inlays and lights. • Head Table, Gift Table & Cake Table Swag with lights. GOLD PACKAGE:

• Silver Package plus • Dance Floor Ceiling Draping with lights PLATINUM PACKAGE:

COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES AND AMENITIES We offer a wide variety of different services to meet all of your needs, including additional decorations and wedding cakes. We’d be happy to assist you with your wedding planning process and answer any questions you may have. • Linens, Table covers, and Full Service China (colored napkins are available) • Centerpieces or Round Mirrors with Candles • Discounted hotel rooms at the AmericInn and La Quinta Inn & Suites (Upon Availability) • Reduced food minimum for non- peak days or times • Children’s Menu and Pricing • Head Table, Risers, Skirting for all tables, Gift Tables, Cake Table • Champagne Toast for Head Table • We also offer chair covers upon request

• Silver Package & Gold Package plus • Chair covers with sash (color choices include: black, white, or champaign) 7 3 3 3 A I R P O R T V I E W D R I V E S W, R O C H E S T E R , M N 5 5 9 0 2 | 5 0 7 5 2 9 0 0 3 3 | R O C H E S T E R E V E N T C E N T E R . C O M

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Mayowood Stone Barn THE PREMIER SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA HISTORIC WEDDING & EVENT LOCALE

Now hosting weddings and events year-round!

Photo by: Joelle Julian Photography VENUES AND CATERING

The history is in every stone, the craftsmanship is evident. The beauty is in the arches and windows; boasting the character achieved only by thoughtful design, hard work and the passing of years. We invite you to experience the natural beauty and craftsmanship of the century-old stone buildings and wide open spaces surrounding Mayowood Stone Barn. Our private venue feels secluded and rural, but is less than 6 miles from downtown Rochester, Minnesota, award-winning restaurants, five-star accommodations and less than 10 miles from the Rochester International Airport.

Photo by: Marit Williams Photography

Photo by: Glasser Images

Mayowood Stone Barn Rentals include: • Access to the Outdoor Grounds, Carriage Way, Loft**, Restrooms, Private Rooms for getting ready • Set up and tear down of tables and chairs for up to 250 people for both ceremony and reception • Use of house sound systems for outdoors and inside the barn 3385

Photo by: Glasser Images

M AY O W O O D R O A D S W, R O C H E S T E R , M N 5 5 9 0 2 | 5 0 7 - 2 81 - 2 2 7 6 | M AY O W O O D S T O N E B A R N . C O M

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Choose from our catering menu

• 125 Live

With our principal philosophy on excellence and personal accountability, we are committed to 100% guest and customer satisfaction. We empower our teams VENUES AND CATERING

to do what it takes to help our philosophy come to life. Our staff culinary team of experts rises to the challenge of pleasing the most discerning palates. Our professional and courteous wait staff prides itself on impeccable hospitality and expert attention to details.

C A T E R I N G

CANADIAN H O NK E R HA S A N E XCLUS IVE CAT E R E R ’ S P E R MI T W H I C H A LLOW U S TO PR OVIDE OF F S ITE LIQUOR F O R E V E NTS T H AT W E AR E PR OVIDING F OOD F O R .

V E N U E

L I S T

• Blue Moon Ballroom • Cambria • Ironwood Springs • Mayowood Stone Barn • Peace Plaza • Plummer House • Rochester Art Center • Rochester Fair Grounds • Wood Lake Meeting Center • Studio 324

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Rochester Area Wedding Magazine, 2020

Innovative cuisine and impeccable service

Custom design your catering menu

W E

T U R N

M E N U S

I N T O

W O R K S

O F

A R T

Photo by: Elizabeth Nida Photography At Pinnacle Catering, we understand your guests are sophisticated consumers who care about food quality, origin, and ingredients and seek a compelling culinary adventure. Pinnacle Catering delivers the highest quality of food with thoughtful selections of distinguished flavors that are innovative, noteworthy and unmatched. We promise exceptional world-class service and attention to every detail. VENUES AND CATERING

Our secret ingredient is our people. Our team consists of executive chefs, wine sommelier, servers and event planners from four star signature hotels, resorts, private clubs and signature restaurants across the country. Together, our team crafts, customized thoughtful selections of world flavors with unmatched service.

FARM TO F ORK Pinnacle Catering cultivates using local and seasonal foods for the freshest, superior tasting and most in-season creations available. Greener Fields Together is a collaboration of environmentally responsible parties, including farmers, distributors, retail and foodservice operators, who have come together to make steady, measurable improvements in

sustainability and food safety practices. We are proud to take a leading role in bringing this to our clients.

W E U S E A D I ST I NC T B L E N D O F C U L I NA RY K NOW L E D G E A N D A RT I ST I C S H OW M A N S H I P T O C R A F T O U R M E N U S . E V E RY E V E N T I S U N I Q U E , A N D E V E RY P I N NAC L E M E N U I S C U ST O M D E S I G N E D F O R YO U R U N I Q U E N E E D S .

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Exclusive bakeshop for Powers Ventureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s venues!

VENUES AND CATERING

Complimentary tastings and consultations for all of our weddings.

*Classic Wedding: Almond Sponge Cake with raspberry jam and vanilla buttercream *Lemon Raspberry: Vanilla sponge cake with layers of lemon curd and raspberry buttercream finished with vanilla buttercream *Funfetti: Classic rainbow sprinkle funfetti cake filled and finished with vanilla bean buttercream Chocolate Wedding: Chocolate cake filled with dark chocolate red wine mousse and finished with either vanilla bean or chocolate buttercream Chocolate Salted Caramel Peanut: Chocolate cake filled with our rich peanut butter cream and finished with a salted caramel buttercream Cookies & Cream: Layers of our classic vanilla and chocolate sponge cakes stacked together with oreo cream filling and finished with either vanilla bean or chocolate buttercream Carrot: Our classically made simple carrot cake filled and finished with cream cheese frosting Cupcakes, Premium Cupcakes, Cheesecakes, and A La Carte Desserts available.

OUR TIERED CAKES INCLUDE FOUR L AYERS OF CAKE WITH THREE L AYERS OF FILLING. OUR SHEET CAKES ALL H AV E T W O L AYERS OF CAKE WITH FILLING BETWEEN.

*all cakes & cupcakes marked with an asterisk can be made GF for an additional cost

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Custom wedding packages for your special day. A C H I E V E M E N T I N C A T E R I N G E X C E L L E N C E AWA R D 211 2 2 N D S T R E E T S W S U I T E 10 0 ROCHESTER, MN 55902 5 0 7. 2 5 8 . 4 6 3 3 POWERSVENTURESMN.COM Photo by: Jeff Dose

O U R FA M I LY O F C O M PA N I E S

REAL WEDDING

ROCHELLE

& NICK

Wedding Date: October 5, 2019 How did you meet and what was your proposal story? We met on a blind date on November 21, 2017, thanks to the collective matchmaking skills of Adrienne, Nick’s sister, and Maria, my friend from medical school and neighbor of Nick’s family. Although Nick had deliberately chosen drinks instead of dinner for the first date in case it went poorly (it’s faster to drink a beer than eat a whole meal), we ended up talking for close to three hours. Our love story progressed quickly from there. Nick says he knew I was The One on December 6, 2017 (our third date!) when I asked for a “rain check” for something that conflicted with my schedule. (Coincidentally, Nick’s mother had also asked his father for a “rain check” early on in their courtship, so Nick saw this as a sign.). I took a little longer, but wrote a note on December 16, 2017 after having dinner with his family, “I’m calling it now. I’m going to marry this guy.” On May 18, 2018, Nick took me to a birthday dinner at the Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery, only to find that he had arranged a huge surprise 30th birthday party with friends and family at the Tap House. Afterwards, he proposed with a beautifully written love letter. The rest is history!

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What was the inspiration for the look and feel of your wedding?

Would you change anything if you could do it over again? If so, what?

We wanted a feel of romantic elegance… something classy but simple at the same time.

Wouldn’t change a thing.

What advice do you have for other couples planning their weddings?

What was the significance of your wedding location? Rochester is home! Nick has lived in Rochester nearly his whole life, and it has become my home as well after more than nine years of school and training. We love Rochester and wanted to be able to share it with our family and friends.

What was your favorite moment in your ceremony and reception? Our vows were the most special and meaningful to us. We wrote our own, and shared them for the first time surrounded (literally!) by our family and friends. Our ceremony was in a circle, a feature we truly loved. RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

Take at least 10-15 minutes during the day to just spend with each other. It goes so quickly, and it’s nice to have a few minutes of time with your new spouse to remember why you’re there. Also, if it’s in your budget, strongly consider a wedding planner. Ours kept the whole planning process and the day itself low-stress and fun.

What did you do for your honeymoon? We will be going to South Africa and Botswana on Safari this spring.

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WEDDING TEAM CEREMONY/RECEPTION: Hilton Hotel OFFICIANT: Reverend Christopher Hanley CAKE/DESSERT: Flapdoodles Ice Cream CATERING AND EVENING SNACKS: J. Powers Catering, evening snacks from John Hardy’s FLORIST: Le Jardin Floral INVITATIONS: Paper Rock Scissor MAKEUP: Heather Trachsel HAIR: Stephanie Knutson BRIDAL GOWN: Eve of Milady, Allegria Bridal (Belmont, MA) BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Azazie TUXEDOS: Jos. A. Bank RECEPTION MUSIC: Bluewater Kings PHOTOGRAPHER: Copper & Coal Photography VIDEOGRAPHER: Ambient House Productions WEDDING PLANNER: Denae Brennan Events RENTALS: The Seatery, Majestic Tents, Rentex Rentals RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

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REAL WEDDING

TAMMY

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Wedding Date: September 19, 2019 How did you meet? How we met: In 2013, Michael was listed in Rochester Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Single in the cityâ&#x20AC;? feature. Thanks to the dating app Hinge, I was officially taken off the market after our meeting.

The proposal? Michael wanted to propose to me on the day his dad died. Taking a truly sad day, he wanted to make something memorable and happy out of it. However, things did not go as planned. I was flying back from visiting family in Vietnam and my plane was delayed due to a major snowstorm. On the drive home, the snowstorm kept causing trouble and the car got stuck two blocks from the house at 3:30 am. After walking the final two blocks, I went inside to find roses and a card. I thought they were simply welcome-home gifts. Michael asked me not to open the card right away and wait a few minutes. After some time, he said I could open the card. As I was reading the card, Michael got on one knee, presented the ring and proposed.

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What was the inspiration for the look and feel of your wedding? Our favorite color is purple and we thought it would go well with white so we chose our wedding theme as purple and white. We like classic tuxedos, and had a simple, elegant wedding. We used purple and white colors in all linens, decorations and flowers.

What was the significance of your wedding location? The Apache Hotel was newly remodeled and convenient for family and friends.

What was your favorite moment in your ceremony and reception? We surprised our family and guests with our Vietnamese traditional gowns in our ceremony. We wanted to incorporate my (Tammy's) culture in Vietnam with Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s American culture. The gowns we wore during the ceremony are traditional Vietnamese gowns worn for all special occasions. Only Michael, Tammy and her parents knew about the special gowns. The gowns were worn for the

ceremony, and we changed back into the bridal gown and traditional tuxedo for the reception.

Would you change anything if you could do it over again? If so, what? We would find a different bakery for the wedding cake. They were unresponsive and not helpful. On the day of the wedding, they dropped the cake during delivery and family members worked to fix it.

What advice do you have for other couples planning their weddings? Start the planning with checklists and spreadsheets as soon as possible. Do it as a couple using online shared-document programs, and make sure to get estimates in advance.

What did you do for your honeymoon? We are planning a trip to Vietnam so Michael can travel outside of the U.S. and meet my family and friends there.

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WEDDING TEAM Ceremony/Reception: Apache Hotel Officiant: Joe Evans Catering and evening snacks: Apache Hotel Florist: Renning’s Flowers Makeup: Serenity Couture Hair: Serenity Couture Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal Bridesmaid’s dresses: David’s Bridal Groomsmen suits: Men’s Wearhouse Reception music: Men’s Wearhouse Photographer: Joshua Becker Photography

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REAL WEDDING

KATIE

& JARROD

Wedding Date: September 14, 2019 How did you meet and what was your proposal story? How we met

“We actually met online. Both of us were getting tired of not ‘finding the one,’ and after only a few dates it became a whirlwind romance. When we met, I had a 6-year-old Corgi named Bentley and Jarrod had just adopted a German Short Hair pointer puppy named Ruby. We quickly became a blended family with our dogs. We experienced and survived puppyhood early in our relationship, which only brought us closer together as well as tested our patience! The rest is history.”

Proposal story

“We were at home one evening cleaning the house to get ready for Jarrod’s parents to visit us for the weekend when my Corgi, Bentley, came into the room I was cleaning with a note pinned to his collar. “The note read: ‘Mom, I know I don’t show it very often, but I really love my big little sister and Dad. I love when dad gives me belly rubs and plays fetch with me. I like how my little sister picks up my bad habits and takes after me sometimes. So, Mom, Dad has something he wants to ask you. But I want to ask you something as well, will you be my sister’s forever mom?’ “Then when I was done reading the note, Jarrod was down on one knee with the most beautiful ring. And of course, I said yes!”

What was the inspiration for the look and feel of your wedding? “We wanted a vintage/timeless look to our wedding. We also wanted lots of neutral colors and greens throughout the wedding. Our wedding location was so beautiful and had tons of windows, so we wanted to bring the outside into the ceremony and reception space.”

What was the significance of your wedding location?

What was your favorite moment in your ceremony and reception?

“We both fell in love with the place during our very first tour. Neither of us is very religious at the moment, but I had always loved the idea of getting married in a small chapel in the woods. Steeplechase had the exact feeling we were looking for. We loved all the space for our guests to walk around on the grounds.”

“Standing up in front of our all of our family and friends on the alter saying our vows was our favorite part. The whole ceremony felt very intimate and personal. Jarrod’s dad was actually our officiant and he did an amazing job of talking about our love. It meant so much to us to have someone who knew us well perform the ceremony. Also, instead of traditional readings, we had our best man and maid of honor read poems we found that were meaningful to our relationship.”

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Would you change anything if you could do it over again? If so, what? “Honestly, nothing! The whole day was absolutely perfect, I would do everything the exact same way again in a heartbeat. The day went by so quickly, so the only thing I would have done is to slow down even more and enjoy all of the little moments throughout the day.”

WEDDING TEAM CEREMONY/RECEPTION: Steeplechase Event Center OFFICIANT: Groom’s Father CAKE/DESSERT: Daube’s CATERING AND EVENING SNACKS: Sonte’s Catering

What advice do you have for other couples planning their weddings?

FLORIST: Fox & Fern Floral

“Choose wedding vendors that you really enjoy as people. Everyone who was part of creating our wedding was absolutely amazing, and so we put our trust in the professionals and the end results were breathtaking. If you find wedding industry people who are passionate about their jobs, they will go above and beyond to create the perfect wedding for you.”

INVITATIONS: Minted BEAUTY: Amber Budd Atelier BRIDAL GOWN: Luxe Bridal BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: The Wedding Shoppe TUXEDOS: Men’s Wearhouse RECEPTION MUSIC: Wedding Day DJs

What did you do for your honeymoon? “We are going to go on our honeymoon in March 2020. We are going to go to Disney World!”

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marit Williams Photography WEDDING PLANNER: Cassie West Events RENTALS: Majestic Tents & Events & Linen Effects

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REAL WEDDING

LAUREL

& JOSEPH

Wedding Date: May 10th, 2019

What was the significance of your wedding location?

How did you meet and what was your proposal story?

"After living in Wyoming for the last six years, I wanted to get married in Rochester close to my hometown so my family could be there. Thankfully, my groom was supportive of that!"

"We met during a Bible study at church and our first date was a six-hour coffee date. (And I don’t even drink coffee.) Nine months later, we went for a hike one summer’s morning to “scout some elk.” At the top of the mountain, there is a beautiful view and a special spot with an old wooden cross. It was here that Joe proposed. I was so excited to call my family, but he suggested I wait until we were back in town and we had better cell reception. Once back to my home, I was met with the surprise of family and friends. It was such a memorable, joyful day."

What was your favorite moment in your ceremony and reception? Ceremony

"We both loved simply standing up front, listening to the hymn and sermon, and holding one another’s hands. (Sappy, but true.)"

Reception

"Joe isn’t typically big on dancing, but that night we both had a blast on the dance floor with each other and with our loved ones."

What was the inspiration for the look and feel of your wedding? "Simple and elegant."

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WEDDING TEAM CEREMONY/RECEPTION: Mayowood Stone Barn

Would you change anything if you could do it over again? If so, what?

OFFICIANT: Rex Russell

"We had so much fun, I wish the day could have been 10 hours longer. Realistically, I wouldn’t have changed a thing."

CAKE/DESSERT: Costco CATERING AND EVENING SNACKS: Powers Ventures FLORIST: Bride's Mother INVITATIONS : Microsoft Word and my scissors

What advice do you have for other couples planning their weddings?

HAIR: Stephanie Knutson

"Nobody is going to remember the linen colors at your wedding or what the invitations looked like. All the little details are fun to plan, but that is not the point of a wedding. Remember the day is about marrying the person you love."

MAKEUP: Angela Murphy BRIDAL GOWN: Essence of Australia, from Raffiné Bridal and Formal Wear ALTERATIONS: Reyna’s Alterations BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Bill Levkoff

What did you do for your honeymoon? "We immediately went back to Wyoming for my graduation, and the following week we went on a chilly cruise from Boston to Canada."

TUXEDOS: Mountain Valley Bridal RECEPTION MUSIC: Total Music DJ Systems PHOTOGRAPHER: Unique Touch Photography VIDEOGRAPHER: Josiah Billock

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REAL WEDDING

TRICIA

& RODNEY Destination Wedding

Wedding Date: June 28, 2019 Wedding Location: Allenspark, CO

What was your favorite moment in your ceremony and reception?

We met on match.com. Rodney proposed spontaneously on an August evening, during a walk around the lake. He didn’t even have a ring yet! We wanted to find the perfect ring together.

It would have to be a tie. We only had 30 of our closest family and friends at the ceremony, and being able to look out at their faces during the ceremony was so intimate and special to us. We had a storm roll in right after the ceremony. It rained on and off throughout the reception. Then, as we were wrapping up the party, a beautiful double rainbow arched across the mountain tops right outside the venue. It was truly magical.

What was the significance of your wedding location?

Would you change anything if you could do it over again? If so, what?

Colorado has been a special place for us since we’ve met. We have vacationed there every year and hope to retire in the mountains one day. We find such peace and tranquility in the mountains, and our relationship is always refreshed after our trips.

We honestly wouldn’t change a thing.

How did you meet and what was your proposal story?

What advice do you have for other couples planning their weddings? Don’t listen to all the noise. There are so many websites and photos and social media posts urging couples to

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have the ‘perfect’ wedding. There is no such thing. What are your top three most important details of a wedding? For us, it was mountains, family, and relaxation. We built a wedding based on those three things and it all fell into place. Don’t compete for the most ‘instagramworthy’ wedding. Instead, remind yourself what is most important in your marriage and build your wedding from there. Don’t spend your engagement worrying, planning and being anxious about building one perfect day. Just breathe, and enjoy every moment. What makes you and your partner happy? Your wedding is all about the love you two have for each other…it’s about no one else. Remember that!

What did you do for your honeymoon? Surprise, surprise…we went back to Colorado! We went hiking, white water rafting, and enjoyed lots of wining and dining.

WEDDING TEAM CEREMONY: State grounds, Mountains of Allenspark, CO RECEPTION: Copeland Institute, Allenspark, CO OFFICIANT: Anna Copeland - Copeland Institute, Allenspark, CO CAKE/DESSERT: Jubilations Catering, Estes Park, CO CATERING AND EVENING SNACKS: Jubilations Catering, Estes Park, CO FLORIST: Floral Design of Europe, Estes Park, CO INVITATIONS: Hand designed with Canva BEAUTY: Brides' mother BRIDAL GOWN: Finery Bridal Chic, Rochester MN BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: David’s Bridal TUXEDOS: Mestad’s, Rochester, MN RECEPTION MUSIC: Spotify PHOTOGRAPHER: JMEG Photography RENTALS: Copeland Institute – Allenspark, CO RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

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REAL WEDDING

CARISE

& RYAN

Wedding Date: June 28, 2019 How did you meet and what was your proposal story? We met through mutual friends. Ryan saw a picture of me and called dibs. He DM’d me something super lame on Instagram and I didn’t respond. We met at a New Year’s Eve party, and the first thing we talked about was the Minnesota Vikings. We kissed at midnight. The rest was history. Ryan and I both knew early on we were each other’s person. I kept hinting that I wanted him to propose! He told me he had to go to the Twin Cities for work, which was normal. In reality, he was going to the cities for work AND to meet my parents to ask for their blessing to marry me. After that, Ryan bought a ring. He had it for a couple months before deciding the right time to pop the question. We were at his family’s lake cabin on Diamond Lake. We were sitting on a bench at the end of the dock, his arm around me, admiring the sunset and talking about some of his favorite lake memories. He did a yawn and stretch, so I stood up and turned to head towards shore. He grabbed my hand, and I turned around to find him getting down on one knee. I said, “Ryan, what are you doing?” He started to say, “Carise, you are the most beautiful, passionate, and....” I didn’t hear anything else. As soon as he stopped talking, I kissed him! I forgot to say yes and just kissed him over and over while my legs were shaking. When he stood up, my 5’10” self hugged his 6’7” frame, and RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

I literally fell into his hug. Ryan pointed back to the porch where his sister-in-law was recording and his father was taking pictures to capture the moment. When we got off the dock, his mom greeted us with almond champagne (my fav). I couldn’t even hold my drink because I was shaking with excitement. That night I called all of my friends and family to share the news. Ryan said he had never seen me so giddy.

What was the inspiration for the look and feel of your wedding? Rustic, Barn, Woodsy, Floral, Friendly, Romantic

What was the significance of your wedding location? It was in Rochester, Minn., which is where we met.

What was your favorite moment in your ceremony and reception? Ryan’s favorite was the whole day. My favorite part in the ceremony was walking down the aisle to my best friend with our friends and family standing to support us. I also LOVED our first look. It was intimate and beautiful. I couldn’t wait to finally get to see him. My favorite part of the reception was probably when Ryan surprised me with a super goofy, unexpected flash mob with my brother to Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’s Old Town Road. (insert facepalm)

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Would you change anything if you could do it over again? If so, what?

happy. The day flies by in the blink of an eye. Treasure every moment.

For the most part, no! We totally forgot to do a bouquet toss! We would do that. We would have also planned a secret dance routine to perform.

What did you do for your honeymoon?

What advice do you have for other couples planning their weddings? The day is literally about the two of you. Take time to adore each other in the first look, during the ceremony, and during the first dance. The ceremony and reception are more than just pictures. Do what will make you

We wanted to save to go somewhere tropical for a honeymoon, but couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford that right away. We looked at AirBNBs in northern Minnesota and found a cute lake house in Henning. We both love Minnesota summers and days on the lake. Looking back, we would have scheduled our honeymoon sooner. The AirBNBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s were pretty picked over, but we enjoyed our private getaway and certainly made some memories.

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WEDDING TEAM CEREMONY/RECEPTION: Mayowood Stone Barn OFFICIANT: Wayne Allen CAKE/DESSERT: Hy-Vee Barlow CATERING AND EVENING SNACKS: Pinnacle Catering FLORIST: Flowers By Jerry INVITATIONS: Vistaprint HAIR: Stephanie Knutson and Kristan Adkins MAKEUP: Kenz Peterson BRIDAL GOWN: Mestad’s BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Mestad’s TUXEDOS: Men’s Wearhouse RECEPTION MUSIC: Chris Williams PHOTOGRAPHER: Midwest LifeShots Photography VIDEOGRAPHER: Ambient House Productions RENTALS: Mayowood Stone Barn RochesterWeddingMagazine.com

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REAL WEDDING

ERICA

& COLE

Wedding Date: September 20, 2019

get up there either, so we met them at a coffee shop instead. And then Cole had one more surprise and said we had to hurry home because he invited a bunch of friends and family over to celebrate. It was such a fun day and night!”

How did you meet, and what was your proposal story? How we met

“We went to the same high school and had actually met a few times (informally) throughout the years, but we were in different friend groups and didn’t know much about each other. Then one night during our senior year we both attended a high school hockey game and ended up sitting by each other by chance. We started talking and didn’t stop talking the entire game. We instantly connected and after the game Cole asked for my phone number. We started hanging out a lot, which eventually led to us officially dating. Fast forward 10 years, a house and a dog later, and Cole popped the question!”

Proposal

“On Saturday morning, November 24, 2018, Cole had to run to Red Wing (which is one of our favorite places to visit), and asked me to come along. Once we arrived, Cole suggested we go hike up in the hills where we normally go. We tried going up, but the roads and trails were closed due to some fog that rolled in. At the time Cole was freaking out…I now understand why. So instead he drove us down to a spot by the river where no one was around, then got on one knee and asked me to marry him! He also asked my parents to come down and meet us up in the hills, but obviously they couldn’t

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What was the inspiration for the look and feel of your wedding? “An overall feel of rustic elegance with lots of greenery, and pops of white and golds. We love the ‘barn’ look, but also wanted a classic wedding feel and added in our own little modern twists.”

What was the significance of your wedding location? “We had been looking online for a venue that had an outdoor rustic barn feel to it, but that was also elegant and classy. Then I found the Mayowood Stone Barn and fell in love! It was exactly the feel that we were going for and was only an hour outside of the cities which wasn’t too far for us. We set up the tour and were sold right away. We only did one venue tour and knew it was the perfect place for us.”

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What was your favorite moment in your ceremony and reception?

Would you change anything if you could do it over again? If so, what?

“As me and Cole walked down the aisle after the ceremony, we looked at each other and he gave me this squeeze and a kiss and we were both just so happy! Then as the rest of our wedding party walked back, we all went into the bridal suite and had a quick celebration. We got out the champagne and blasted music, jumping around and cheers-ing each other! There was just so much joy and love surrounding me and Cole, and it was such a fun moment that I will never forget.”

“The day was absolutely amazing and even better than I had imagined. There were a couple of small details that didn’t go as planned, but they made no difference to anyone but me, so I think if I could change anything it would be to not stress so much during the planning process. The day was so perfect for us.”

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WEDDING TEAM

What advice do you have for other couples planning their weddings?

CEREMONY/RECEPTION: Mayowood Stone Barn

“Don’t stress on the small things, because it’s very likely that no one will notice. Pick a couple of important things that you want to focus on and once you have those figured out, everything else will fall into place. Also, wine and dog cuddles help. :)”

OFFICIANT: Nathan Lyke CAKE/DESSERT: The Battered Spoon CATERING AND EVENING SNACKS: Canadian Honkers FLORIST: Rennings Flowers INVITATIONS: Jessica Rohrbeck

What did you do for your honeymoon? “We did a mini-moon to California the day after we got married. We had no plans, and nothing booked besides our plane tickets and decided to just figure it out when we got there. We spent each night in a different city, and it was so much fun to just relax and be with each other after all of the craziness. We are planning to go to Europe this summer for a couple of weeks but wanted to wait so we could save up a bit and have more time to plan the trip out.”

MAKEUP: Monica Wambach - Team Frank & Monica HAIR: Becka Lyke BRIDAL GOWN: Effie’s Bridal Trunk BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Showmeyourmumu GROOMSMEN SUITS: JCPenny’s RECEPTION MUSIC: Ever After Entertainment PHOTOGRAPHER: Cara Carisch - Cheeky Monkey Studio WEDDING PLANNER: Me! RENTALS: Borrowed some decor from the barn and then made and bought everything else!

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KATE

& NICK

Wedding Date: October 12, 2019 How did you meet and what was your proposal story? We met in high school the summer before Nick left for college (heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a year older). We kept in touch and then starting dating my second year of college. For our first date, we took a walk around Silver Lake Park. Recalling that memorable date, Nick researched parks in Milwaukee and then proposed when we were on a walk.

What was the inspiration for the look and feel of your wedding? Simple elegance.

What was the significance of your wedding location? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re both Rochester natives and we wanted to do somewhere historic and special, so we chose the Mayowood Stone Barn.

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What was your favorite moment in your ceremony and reception? Our first dance as a married couple

Would you change anything if you could do it over again? Nothing! It even snowed but my mom pointed out that it was meant to be since its both of our favorite seasons (mine is fall and Nickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is winter) coming together.

What advice do you have for other couples planning their weddings? Have fun and enjoy the process. It can be stressful at times but in the end, you get to marry your best friend so enjoy the ride!

What did you do for your honeymoon? A weekend in Seattle.

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WEDDING TEAM CEREMONY/RECEPTION : Grace Lutheran Church OFFICIANT: Rev. Gregory Heidorn CAKE/DESSERT: Top Tier Delights CATERING AND EVENING SNACKS: Canadian Honker FLORIST: Fox and Fern Floral INVITATIONS: Minted Bride Hair & Makeup: Cristina Ziemer Beauty Bridesmaids Hair: Cristina Ziemer Beauty Bridesmaids Makeup: Liz Guevremont Esthetician BRIDAL GOWN: Annika Bridal BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: The Wedding Shoppe TUXEDOS: Mestad’s RECEPTION MUSIC: Wedding Day DJ PHOTOGRAPHER: Copper and Coal Photography

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While boudoir photography has become more mainstream in bigger cities, Nicole McDaniel, of Nicole McDaniel Photography, said it’s fairly new in Rochester. McDaniel, a professional photographer for 13 years, started providing boudoir photography services to women about three years ago. “Doing this has been special,” McDaniel said. “(Boudoir photography) is about being confident in who we are as women. I have seen women of all shapes and sizes coming into the studio and leaving feeling confident and beautiful. We live in a world where people have this ideal that we have to fit one image, we have to fit into the image society expects. I show that we are all unique, we are all beautiful.” “After I work with them and take their photographs, I’ve had women leave in tears knowing how beautiful they are,” McDaniel said. Women coming in for a photo session may be nervous, which McDaniel said is understandable. “I understand how intimate this is,” she explained. “We start with general talking, girl talk really. I show them poses myself. I’m down-to-earth. I work with them to find their comfort level. After that, we get started in doing something special.” Besides taking the photographs for themselves, about half of McDaniel’s boudoir photography is for women wanting to give a gift to a soon-to-be-husband or to their husband for an upcoming anniversary.

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WEDDING DIRECTORY 2020

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Rochester, MN | 507-281-2484

1811 2nd Street SW, Rochester, MN 507-281-2496 4th generation family-owned and operated. Expect the extraordinary when you order from Sargent’s Floral. Offering upscale Up to $100 . . . . . . . . . $ arrangements made to . order for weddings. $101-200 . . . . . . . . $$

3185 41st Street NW, Rochester, MN 715-781-2297 Travels with On-site License | Airbrush Makeup | Featured in Rochester Magazine, LODGING Rochester Woman’s Magazine and KTTCs Takeover my Makeover

DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON 150 South Broadway, 507-281-8000

doubletree3.hilton.com

$ M-F

91 X

$$ M-F X

FAIRFIELD INN 470 17th Ave NW, 507-258-7300

marriott.com/hotels

Hair and Makeup Artist X

4141 Maine Avenue SE, Rochester, MN 507-424-2720 Wedding Party Amenities Include: Amenities include: Guest rooms feature: • Free WiFi • Microwave and Free Whirlpool Suite | Complimentary refrigerator • Free hot breakfast Shuttle Service | Free Hot & Cold Breakfast • USB ports • Buffet Free parking | Indoor Heated Pool & Whirlpool • Coffee maker • Work desk • Flat-panel TV

Quality Inn

Home 2 Suites By Hilton

choicehotels.com/hotel/mn106

Free parking

Walk to shop/dine

Free wifi

EXTENDED STAY AMERICA

Free cont bkfst

$M-F $$

$ M-F

2814 43rd St NW, 507-289-7444

On-site restaurant

extendedstayamerica.com

100% Smoke Free Hotel

98 X

EXTENDED STAY AMERICA

Hotel

$$7 X $$$$ DAYS

55 Woodlake Dr SE, 507-536-7444

• Indoor heated pool and hot tub • Fitness center

212 X

extendedstayamerica.com

Comfort Suites

Fitness center

62 X

Pet friendly

ECONOLODGE-ROCHESTER 1850 Broadway Ave S, 507-282-9905

choicehotels.com

Laundry

days-inn-suites-rochester-south

$M-F $$

Hot tub

Florist

Pool

DAYS INN

Shuttle

3595 Commercial Dr SW, 507-206-4675 120 X

Price range

$201-400 . . . . . . . . $$$ $401-1000 . . . . . . $$$$ $1000 & up . . . . $$$$$

Kitchenette

Spacious accommodations. Floristservice. Friendly

Suites

Le Jardin European Style Floral, the premier florist for weddings, events and unique fresh LODGING flower arrangements for any occasion in the Rochester, MN area.

karastudio26@gmail.com

Number of rooms

sargentsfloral.com

PRICE RANGE KEY

lejardinfloral.com

home2suites.hilton.com

choicehotels.com

831 16th Street SW, Rochester, MN 507-361-4200 The perfect place for the perfect wedding weekend. Proud to be ranked in the top 3 hotels in Rochester on Trip Advisor.

Hotel

Special rates for patients and their families attending the Mayo Clinic

507-424-2720

5902

4141 Maine Ave SE • Rochester, MN 55904 • www.comfortsuites.com/hotel/MN106

TPI Hospitality

Treasure Island

Complete Weddings

2nd Street SW, Rochester, MN 507-696-2807 Let one of our hotels be your home away from home. All conveniently located on 2nd Street. Call to ask us about our Wedding Package specials!

5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch, MN 800-222-7077 Caribbean-themed Casino Resort overlooking the Mississippi River. Enjoy Banquet seating for approximately 1,000 guests, Catering Services and much more!

5227 Castleview Drive NW, Rochester, MN 507-252-1499 Planning your dream wedding or event should be simple and fun, and we firmly believe that having all our services under one roof makes planning easier on you.

Hotel

Hotel/Venue

Photo Booth/DJ

tpihospitality.com/rochester-locations

ticasino.com

completerochester.com

FLORIST | HAIR AND MAKEUP | HOTEL | HOTEL/VENUE | PHOTO BOOTH/DJ

WEDDING DIRECTORY 2020

Nicole McDaniel Photography nicolemcdaniel.com Rochester, MN Looking for an intimate gift for your fiancé or husband? Consider boudoir photography. McDaniel can also do hair and makeup styles for women ahead of the photo shoot.

Photographer- Boudoir

Salt & Pepper

saltandpepperphoto.com 2220 Bamber Valley Rd SW, Rochester, MN 507-281-9312 Salt & Pepper Photography studio focuses on capturing the love, emotion and beauty of everyday life - one photograph at a time.

Cheeky Monkey

Midwest Lifeshots

cheekymonkeystudio.com Rochester, MN | 507-272-4575 Our memories can fade but a moment preserved in time can not. Cara Carisch (Rochester MN Wedding and Portrait Photographer for 10+ years) will capture every beautiful moment on your day.

midwestlifeshots.com Rochester, MN | 507-951-8859 Your wedding is unique & your photography should be as well. We custom-tailor every package to get you exactly what you want and fit your budget perfectly. We can include Engagements, Guest Books, Albums, Boudoir sessions!

Photographer

Bleu Duck

Cameo Restaurant

14 Fourth Street SW, Rochester, MN 507-258-4663 Co-Owner and Events Coordinator Jennifer Becker will work with you personally to plan your night. The Event Space can host your party with seating from 25 - 100.

121 North Broadway Ave Suite 100, Rochester, MN | 507-361-2070

bleuduckkitchen.com

cameoatthecastle.com

Our private rooms can accommodate up to 30 each room. We customize the menu and pricing to meet your needs.

Photographer

Rehearsal Dinner

Hubbell House Restaurant

Majestic Events

Serenity Couture Salon & Spa

502 North Main St, Mantorville, MN 507-635-2331 Since 1946, the Pappas family has been proud to offer guests an unforgettable meal and dining experience. You will not be disappointed! Seating up to 100.

522 6th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN 507-876-1127 Be it an indoor venue or one of our tents, we can fit your vision, space, and budget to help you create the event you’ve always imagined for your once in a lifetime wedding.

702 Apache Mall, Rochester, MN 507-289-0123 Don’t take turns getting ready for your special day. Serenity Couture can service your entire bridal party at one time!

Rehearsal Dinner

Rentals

Salon & Spa

hubbellhouserestaurant.com

majestictents.com

P H O T O G R A P H E R | R E H E A R S A L D I N N E R | R E N TA L S | S A L O N

serenitycouture.com

WEDDING DIRECTORY 2020

Star Transportation We have a vehicle for every limostar.comOCCASION EVENT & SPECIAL

Knights Menswear

7828 Leque Drive SW, Rochester, MN 507-281-0969 Travel in style with Star Transportation. Luxury Sedans & SUVs, Stretch Limousines, Mercedes Sprinters, Corporate & Luxury Visit LimoStar.com to see our fleet Coaches, Deluxe Motor Coaches

1300 Salem Road SW, Suite #900 Rochester, MN | 507-876-1127

Transportation

knightsmenswear.com

The Med City leader in affordable menswear for your big day. Why rent when you can own for less?

Tuxedo/Formal Wear

CAP. 300 Bearwood Event Barn bearwoodeventbarn.com

CAP. 400+ Empire Event Center

Barns Of Old Glory

CAP. 275

barnsofoldglory.com 18410 Old Glory Road, Saint Charles, MN 507-696-3818 A dream location in a beautiful, country setting. Event spaces including The Gable-Roofed Barn, The Post and Beam Barn, The Granary, The Milk House, and The Point.

Venue

CAP. 300 Four Daughters Winery

507-421-7088 Experience elegance with a rustic feel. Make your wedding unique and unforgettable. Also ideal for corporate events, graduations, and family reunions. Located in Byron, MN

The recently renovated Empire Event Center Hotel & Event conveniently Apache attached toCenter the Apache Hotel 1517 16th St. SW MN 55902â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rochester is the and future BestRochester, Western 507-529-7322 ideal location for your upcoming wedding!

fourdaughtersvineyard.com 78757 State Highway 16, Spring Valley, MN 507-346-7300 Exchange your vows in Four Daughtersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; beautiful 6-acre vineyard. Celebrate with a choice of award winning wines, hard cider or custom cocktails.

Venue

1517 16th Street SW, Rochester, MN 507-529-7322 catering to you

conveniently attached to Apache Hotel and future Best Western Hotel

Joelle Julian Photo

Cap. 300 In Summer 100 In Winter

CAP. 100 Garten Marketplatz gartenmarketplatz.com

CAP. 250+ Mayowood Stone Barn mayowoodstonebarn.com

5225 County Road 15 SW, Byron, MN 507-365-8891

3385 Mayowood Road SW, Rochester, MN 507-281-2276

Beautiful Civil-War era farm located 6 miles SW of Rochester on paved roads. Carriage House Events Center available year-round.

Experience the natural beauty and craftsmanship of the century-old stone buildings and wide open spaces surrounding Mayowood Stone Barn.

Venue

Plummer House

CAP. 275

1091 Plummer Lane SW, Rochester, MN 507-328-2525 Historic Rochester home with formal gardens and beautifully landscaped grounds. Venue Features: ceremony area, indoor event space, and outdoor event space.

Venue T R A N S P O R TAT I O N | T U X E D O | V E N U E

WEDDING DIRECTORY 2020

CAP. 800 Rochester Event Center

Somerby

CAP. 380

rochestereventcenter.com

somerby.com

7333 Airport View Drive SW, Rochester, MN 507-529-0033 Award-winning culinary team creates exquisite food with a sophisticated presentation. Facility features a Grand Ballroom, which accommodates up to 800 guests.

975 Somerby Parkway, Byron, MN 507-775-3722 An elegant setting inspired by the stately manors and charming villages of the English countryside within minutes of Rochester, MN.

Venue

CAP. 350 DoubleTree by Hilton doubletree3.hilton.com

150 S Broadway, Rochester, MN 507-281-8000 Venue hosts up to 350 guests. The University Hall stuns as an elegant downtown Rochester wedding venue. In-house catering team offers a full range of packages.

CAP. 300+

The Round Barn roundbarnfarm.com

28650 Wildwood Lane, Red Wing, MN 651-385-9250 Voted Best Event Center in Southern MN 2019 by Southern Minnesota Scene. Enjoy special wedding packages adjusted to fit your needs. 11/11/19 4:14 PM

Venue

CAP. 50-500

CAP. 275 J. Powers At The Hilton

The Kahler Grand Hotel

10 East Center Street, Rochester, MN 507-280-8888 In addition to the breathtaking views, amazing food, and world-class service, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be impressed with the thoughtful details and luxurious surroundings.

20 SW Second Avenue, Rochester, MN 507-216-6801 From floral arrangements to customized catering and entertainment, an experienced team will handle all of the details. Enjoy beautiful ballrooms of all sizes.

jpowers.events

thekahlerhotel.com

A location as perfect as the day, at the Kahler Grand Hotel

Venue/Hotel

Daubes Bakery

visit KahlerWeddings.com or call 507-216-6801

Venue/Hotel/Catering

daubescakesandbakery.com

counterpointhome.com

Counterpoint

Cassie West Weddings And Events

1310 5th Pl NW, Rochester, MN 507-289-3095 Locally Owned & Operated | Custom Wedding Cake Designs | Everything Baked from Scratch |Cakes Available in Individual Sizes Awarded Best Bakery in Rochester

111 South Broadway, Rochester, MN 507-280-6419 You'll find the perfect wedding gift and we happily gift wrap items purchased in our stores, offer shipping, and assist with personalized shopping

507-202-7964 Cassie West Events specializes in taking the stress of your special day away. From Full Service Wedding Planning to Day of Coordination. Let us help you truly take in every moment.

Wedding Cake

Wedding Gifts

Wedding Planner

VENUE | VENUE/HOTEL

| WEDDING CAKE | GIFTS | WEDDING PLANNER

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Complete Guide To Local Vendors Including Information + Deals

DON'T FORGET TO Tips on choosing the right DJ for your wedding reception. By Alan Reed

From the time you say, “I will,” to the time you say, “I do,” you’ll do a lot of planning and make a lot of decisions. As with many wedding vendors, good DJ’s can book up early, so calling when you’re early in the planning process will save you some worries later.

Dance!

keep in mind that bands often average a 15-minute break each hour for a four-hour gig, while most good wedding DJs play music for 6-8 hours straight.

of all genres of music is a must, as the crowd may include everyone from kids to grandparents, to friends and coworkers. No two receptions are the same, and a good DJ will “read the room” to deliver the right mix

How Do You Find The Right DJ?

About the DJ

There are a lot of wedding DJ’s in southern Minnesota. How do you know who’s good? More importantly, how do you find the one that’s right for your event? One of the best ways is to call the area wedding venues and ask the banquet/catering managers. They see them all, and know who is good and who’s not so good. They’re a great resource, and most are happy to share their insights.

There are two parts to your wedding day. First is the ceremony itself, which could be at a church, or a farm, or a bluff. Good wedding DJ’s will have a PA system to fit the environment. The second part is the reception, where the celebration of your new lives will begin. People may travel a great distance to be at your wedding, and a good DJ knows it’s their job to make the party fun for everyone. Vast knowledge

of music, and the right amount of emceeing/audience interaction. In the Rochester area, wedding DJs range anywhere from $600 to $2,000 and more. If you’re deciding between a band and a DJ,

When you interview potential DJs for your wedding, here are a few questions you should ask: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

How long have you been in business? How many wedding receptions have you done? Can you provide references from couples who have had a similarly sized wedding? Do you have a wireless microphone to use for toasts? Will you be there early to set up before the guests arrive? Do you charge extra for lights, mileage and more? Can we make requests? Will the total price be stated on the contract? (Some DJs will quote a low price upfront, then charge extra for lights, dinner music, wireless mic, etc.) There should be no surprises when you get the bill. Will we meet in person to discuss contract details?

The right DJ can be the frosting on the cake for your big day.

ALAN REED

B R O O K LY N WELLER

Alan Reed has been in the mobile DJ business for 35+ years and is the owner/operator of Total Music DJ Systems in Kasson. Learn more at www.totalmusicdj.com, or contact him with questions at djalanreed@juno.com Rochester’s Best Wedding DJ’s 507.259.3191 • TotalMusicDJ.com

Photo by - Ash & James Photography

Photo by - Lauren Goodell