Finding a Spot to Tie the Knot
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Photo by Coppersmith Photography
He knows (and loves) your quirks. You consider his family yours. You envision growing old together.
And now, after a memorable engagement, you’re on your way to getting married.
Nearly as soon as you share the exciting news, you’re bombarded with questions: When is the wedding? Where? Who will be standing up for you? What colors do you like? Is there going to be a theme? Do you have a planner, a florist, a band, a DJ, a photographer, a videographer, because I know a great one! It’s enough to make a couple want to elope.
The first task to cross off your “to do” list is securing a ceremony and reception site.
Popular venues can book over a year out, and lodges, resorts, and hotels have a tendency to fill up quickly during peak wedding season. While looking for a venue, visit different sites. What’s your gut reaction? Is the entire space available? If not, what’s off-limits? What does the food taste like? What’s the parking situation? Does the staff seem polite and helpful?
A dedication to customer service drives everything the staff does at the Saint Paul Hotel, where wedding parties and guests are treated like royalty. The hotel, a local landmark since 1910, consistently ranks among the top in the country.
The charming history of the hotel, combined with their reputation for unsurpassed service, “gives couples a level of trust with us,” says Terrie Bulanek, director of catering.
Over 100 weddings are hosted at the hotel on an annual basis, a testament of the hotel’s popularity. (Another testament to their popularity is the fact that weddings book out as far as 18 months in advance.)
Elegant extras such as ceiling drapes, candles, rich ivory linens and beautiful china, glass, silver, and crystal add a sophisticated feel to the space. It’s not difficult imagining presidents Herbert Hoover or Woodrow Wilson strolling through the lovely English garden outside. The Saint Paul Hotel’s renowned Promenade Ballroom is ideal for weddings of up to 300 guests, and the newly remodeled and expanded Hill Room can easily host events up to 150.
Guests at an Embassy Suites Minneapolis – Airport wedding celebrate in a Caribbean setting, complete with lush tropical vegetation, palm trees, flowing waterfalls and a ten-story garden atrium flooded in natural sunlight.
“Guests forget they’re even indoors,” says Erika LaDousa, director of catering.
Embassy Suites Bloomington features romantic European style courtyard, complete with Spanish-tiled walkways, a beautiful Italian marble fountain, and old-fashioned lampposts. A garden atrium, waterfalls, and ponds (complete with a family of ducks) greet guests at Embassy Suites St. Paul. Reception space at the Bloomington location can accommodate up to 420 guests, and up to 200 can celebrate at the St. Paul locale.
The three venues offer all-inclusive wedding packages to help eliminate planning stress for brides and grooms.
Arched entryways, 60,000-square-feet of floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed wood beams, sprawling vaulted ceilings, and views of rolling hills on an adjoining golf course make for an unforgettable reception at the Golden Valley Golf and Country Club. The upscale venue—a private club with public meeting and event space—goes one step beyond many other banquet facilities by offering some of the most memorable catering around, says Ron Nelson, director of catering sales.
“Guests always comment on the food,” he says, adding that “the sky’s the limit” when it comes to creating customized menus.
The Marsh, located in Minnetonka, is another hidden gem within the metro area.
“Not many people are aware that we host weddings or that we’re open to the public,” says Betsy Ellwanger, conference and catering director.
Brides and grooms who do find their way to The Marsh are pleased with the unique location, charming decor, superb dining (the award-winning chef utilizes locally grown and organic ingredients), and superior service. There is indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception space, overnight guest rooms, a full-service spa, a designer boutique, and childcare available. The Marsh has hosted weddings as large as 250 and as small as 18 guests.
The beauty of scenic Red Wing, combined with the charm of the St. James Hotel, adds up to a memorable wedding in southern Minnesota.
Built in 1875, this beautiful hotel possesses a sense of timeless elegance. The Summit Room highlights panoramic views of the Mississippi River, and the historic Victorian Dining Room features tall, tin-coffered ceilings and crystal chandeliers. The culinary staff will honor special wine and menu requests.
It’s all about the experience at Treasure Island Resort and Casino in Red Wing. Whether celebrating in a tropical banquet room, outside on the grassy lawn, or afloat on the 150-passenger “Spirit of the St. Croix” two-story cruise liner, the atmosphere at Treasure Island is unique. Inside the 250-room luxury hotel’s entry, there’s a waterfall, rock pool, and a pair of large tropical fish aquariums to set a tropical tone. The restaurant area resembles a Caribbean village, and the hotel rooms are Caribbean-themed.
Photo by Coppersmith Photography
Minnesotans love the tropics almost as much as they love the water, and what better place to exchange vows than on a boat? Cruises aboard Afton-Hudson Cruise Lines, located in the quaint town of Afton on the beautiful St. Croix River, are available from April through October. After celebrating on the river, many couples stay overnight at the Historic Afton House Inn. The inn offers 25 suites, most with Jacuzzis and fireplaces.
“It makes it easy to have everything in one location, especially for out-of-town guests,” says Kathy Jarvis, owner.
Another “venue with a view” is the BayView Event Center, featuring charter cruises, an outdoor patio, and a two-level event center on Lake Minnetonka. The Minnetonka Ballroom is a slice of lakeside rustic featuring a 24-foot timber cathedral ceiling, 20-foot-tall natural stone fireplace, and panoramic views overlooking BayView’s lakeside gardens and Excelsior Bay. The ballroom can accommodate 300 guests for a plated meal and 450 guests for a stand-up reception.
The Lower Lake Room is another option at BayView, accommodating 120 guests seated or 175 for a stand-up reception. Features include floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors that open onto a lakeside patio and gardens.
