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Photo by Adrienne Page
Courtesy The Wedding Fair

CAPTURING MOMENTS

There’s definitely a trend today toward photojournalism and black and white photography at weddings. Black and white photos convey more emotions and accentuate the essence of the subjects or objects being photographed, while color photographs capture the overall theme and feel of your wedding, like the decorations, the bridal party colors, and your flowers. If you are not sure whether or not you would like black and white photographs, have your photographer shoot everything in color and ask him or her to print some photos in black and white.

When it comes to theme weddings, make sure the photographer or videographer understands the vision of your day, says Wedding Guy Matthew Trettel.

“Make sure they’re aware of great photo or video opportunities,” he says. “Especially if you’re bringing in entertainment to thrill your guests.”

Brides and grooms choose Ellis Photography to capture their wedding day because of their roots in classic photography. Not only do the photographers understand how to work with the human form in various lighting situations, they also know how to keep the day spontaneous and fun for the couple. 

“In this time of exciting photographic advances, we have never lost sight of what’s important—capturing candid and classic images that truly reflect a couple’s unique day and relationship,” says Heather Northrup, a photographer with Ellis Photography.

The staff has photographed traditional Hmong weddings, the melding of a Scandinavian and Indian couple, and events where small details—such as the Wedding Lasso reflecting Mexican heritage—have been incorporated.

“Not only are traditions reflected in the wardrobe, but in the décor and party favors,” Northrup says.

At Videon Productions, Ken and Terri Kurita have over 20 years of experience creating hundreds of award-winning video stories for clients in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

“We gather life’s scrapbook of events through video footage, photographs, newspaper clippings, and testimonials and craft a story that is specifically built around you,” Ken explains. “An event, such as a wedding, is also about the most important people in your life, your family and friends. They have stories that have touched yours in important ways. We know how to blend their stories with yours to provide you with memories you will recall and feel forever.”

Every wedding is unique, Ken says, but some weddings are particularly unique. Some of their clients have been married in unusual settings such as farms, boats, parks, and baseball fields. Videon Productions has also had the opportunity to create stories based on cultures outside our borders, re-creating wedding stories based in Asian, African, Latin, and European traditions.

“Those differences are reflected in the music, dance, food, and ceremonial rites specific to those regions of the world,” he says. “Our different cultures help shape us as individuals. We want to help you celebrate and preserve the uniqueness of your wedding day.”


A MEMORABLE MEAL

“Whether you are trying to achieve an Asian theme with Asian cuisine, or a Southern or tropical theme, you don’t have to look at all aspects of the wedding breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner to be completely themed,” says Wedding Guy Bruce Vassar. “Perhaps you start with an Asian Chicken Salad served in white Chinese take-out containers or fried ice cream to embellish upon the wedding cake. Catering has become an art to showcase the sophisticated and creative palate of the couple.”

At Three Sons Signature Cuisine, “the ways in which brides and grooms incorporate themes vary as much as the couples themselves,” says Jodee McCallum, CEO, director of marketing.

Fun wedding ideas include designing signature cocktails that reflect the event’s overall theme, and creating a distinctive menu that will be remembered for decades to come.

“The most common thank you notes we receive refer to the food and our chef’s ability to make any vision a realty, whatever culture, style, or theme, and make the food taste wonderful,” McCallum comments. “We also receive many comments about how surprising it was to work with a team that brings out the creativity in everyone, and—while the thought of “designing” a menu can be overwhelming at first—our events team makes the process simple, memorable, and unique to each couple.”

The staff at Three Sons Signature Cuisine has designed 100 percent Indian menus, complete with exquisite, colorful décor and pillow seating; and worked with the following themes: Minnesota meets Britain—a merging of two cultures; and an Irish and Croatian celebration, (amongst many other cultural themes). McCallum also remembers a Christmas theme (complete with Santa and elves making a surprise visit), and a Parisian theme with an Eiffel tower and a flower garden.


Photo by Adrienne Page
Courtesy The Wedding Fair

FLOWERS AND DÉCOR

For many couples, flowers and décor are the key elements that pull details together and make the wedding cohesive and harmonious. When you design your wedding reception, you will begin to see how everything comes together, piece by piece. Color ties it all together.

“Color is like the paint in a picture,” says Wedding Guy Matthew Trettel. “When you start to bring in flowers and specialty linen and décor, you begin to see your vision come to life.”

Flowers can take your theme from classic to Asian, Russian to tropical. Linens and décor can add the finishing touches.

“Color helps to make people feel like they’re in Rome or living in the 1920s,” Trettel says. “It helps to drive the theme home.”

From elegant gold or mahogany chiavari ballroom chairs to 186 varieties of linens, the staff at AARCEE Party and Tent Rental has provided quality rental equipment to about every wedding theme imaginable—from grand fairytale weddings to Renaissance celebrations to casual outdoor weddings in Mom and Dad’s backyard.

Not only do they have a wide selection of everything from décor and props (think dramatic candelabras, beautiful display fountains, closed-top arbors, and neon trays) to 21 different types of tents, they have experienced professionals on hand to guide brides and grooms through the rental process.

They offer creative and innovative ideas that will make your event truly memorable.

“The fun part of being in this business is finding new ways of doing old things,” says Dick Nelson, AARCEE’s president. 

The staff prides themselves on quality products, superior service, and a 24-hour emergency response, should any problems arise on the big day.

Sarah Mettner, design manager at Midway Party and Tent Rental, Inc., says they’re seeing a rebirth of the “golden ages,” with color tones changing from the traditional pastels to new, vibrant colors such as oranges, fuscia, bright reds, lime green, and brown.

“The black and white “tuxedo” look seems to be making a comeback, too,” she comments.

They bring in new linen on a weekly basis and recently received a new line of centerpieces, Mettner says, adding that the employees at Midway Party and Tent Rental “like to be on our toes with the changing trends.”

Not only are tent weddings becoming more and more popular, Mettner says everyone wants to rent LCD projectors and sound equipment for a slide show presentation, “a great addition to any reception.”

In addition to offering canopies, tables, chairs, dance floors, stages, P.A. equipment, décor pieces (linens, chair covers, centerpieces, arches and candelabras), and ceiling and design treatments, this family-owned business will offer delivery and pick-up and exceptional customer service.

“Many of our clients have become much more than customers – they’re really friends of our family,” Mettner says. “I even had a few of them attend my own wedding!”

Photo by Adrienne Page
Courtesy The Wedding Fair

Another way couples are setting a tone for their big day is through the use of invitations.

Custom-designed shower invitations, wedding invitations, programs, table cards, menu cards, thank you cards, engraved napkins, matchbooks, and attendant gifts can be found at Sincerely Yours Printing, located in St. Paul. You’re only limited by your imagination—the combinations and possibilities are endless.

At Watermark Fine Stationery, themes are very common, says owner Alexis Gelder. “We have designed a traditional Indian invitation ensemble, complete with Mehndi invitations, and Garba and Raas invitations. We have worked with our graphic designer to create one-of-a-kind designs for couples to incorporate throughout the day on invitations, favors, the cake design, personalized napkins, menus, place cards, and programs. The design is subtle or bold, and used throughout the ceremony and reception.”

One bride loves the look of birch and is incorporating birch elements in unique ways, from a birch tree for a fun “guest book tree,” to birch place cards, birch in the centerpieces, birch tied around the napkins, and birch strands holding together the favor tags.

The expert team at Watermark understands etiquette, stays ahead of trends and styles, and offers selective lines, creative styles, and budgets to fit every bride and groom.

“Our team doesn’t rest until we have found the perfect invitation,” Gelder says.

The team at Watermark Fine Stationery develops such a strong rapport with many couples; Gelder says the newlyweds “will continue to come visit us long after the honeymoon stage is over.”

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