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Set Your Sites

(page 2 of 6)


Photo by Kate McGough,
Perspective Studio

When the bride and groom arrive, they’re greeted in a formal fashion with personal assistance, from the top hat doorman to professional wedding coordinators. For the rest of the day, the couple is treated like royalty. The talented, experienced support staff are readily available should any need arise, rich ivory linens and beautiful china, glass, silver, and crystal are part of the wedding day experience, and specialty décor items such as ceiling drapes, backdrops, and candles add an extra touch of elegance and class.
 
The Saint Paul Hotel’s renowned Promenade Ballroom is perfect for weddings of up to 300 guests, and the newly remodeled and expanded Hill Room can easily host events up to 150.

The Depot, built as a downtown Minneapolis railroad station over a century ago, is a beautiful example of Renaissance Revival architecture, says Rick Harms, director of catering.

“With 33-foot gilded ceilings, white marble floors, magnificent arches, and intricately paneled oak details, the Depot’s Great Hall is a one-of-a-kind venue for weddings and events for up to 350 guests,” he comments.

The Depot Pavilion, another wedding day option, can accommodate up to 1,100 guests. The Pavilion features 190 feet of floor-to-ceiling windows providing gorgeous views of the Minneapolis skyline. The vintage feel of the venue can be complemented with an old-fashioned carriage ride near the Mississippi River.

Couples not only want a venue that will take their breath away, they want to go the extra mile to make their wedding completely unique, Harms says. Couples are doing this through personalizing or “branding” their wedding celebration with logos, interesting color palettes, or signature items.

Another first-class Minneapolis venue brimming with personality and history is Jax Café. From the unique ambiance of stained-glass windows and massive beamed ceilings to the gorgeous outdoor patio with a cobblestone path and trout stream, the environment is perfect for a wedding or rehearsal dinner. Jax is known for quality food and service—the staff exudes a certain sincerity and warmth that only comes from working in a family-owned and operated restaurant—and it all adds up to a classy, classic venue that feels more meaningful and personal than other venues, says Jane Benavides, banquet coordinator.

At Golden Valley Country Club, floor to ceiling walls overlooking the golf course provide a spectacular backdrop for a wedding. GVCC is the only Private Country Club that allows non-members use of their first-class facilities. “Because we are unique in this fact, we often exceed our guests expectations by treating them as members,” says Ron Nelson, Director of Sales and Catering. GVCC can host up to 500 guests and a spacious pre-function area offers an elegant atmosphere and memorable first impression. Nelson advises engaged couples to consider not only the facility, but also the people they will be working with for the next year! They will want to feel a connection with both the facility and the people in charge of making their wedding day perfect!

The charming ballroom at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville is the perfect Cinderella setting, complete with exquisite chandeliers, a large dance floor, and the remarkable Brackett’s Terrace, offering breathtaking views of the golf course. In addition to remarkable views, weddings at Brackett’s Crossing are notorious for excellent catering and a professional, courteous, attentive staff. Sales and catering manager Karen Bohnert says the staff will do “anything it takes” to make sure brides and grooms are happy, whether that’s mending a bridesmaid’s dress or groomsman’s tux, steaming the wrinkles out of dresses after outdoor pictures, or helping with floral arrangements.

Customized bridal packages, a full-service spa, overnight guest accommodations, outdoor receptions on the deck, and award-winning cuisine are part of the wedding experience at The Marsh, A Center for Balance and Fitness, based in Minnetonka. The Marsh also offers pre-wedding services such as massage, manicures and pedicures, and The Shop, a designer boutique perfect for custom-ordered bridal accessories and wedding party gifts.

The Marsh strives to provide a peaceful retreat from life’s everyday demands, and Jennifer Allen, marketing coordinator, advises couples to “keep things simple” to eliminate wedding-day stress.

“A great measuring tool is to ask yourself, ‘Will it matter to me in five years?’” she says.

Another way to stay relaxed and focused before the wedding is to plan in advance, so you’re not frantically trying to get things done at the last minute.

“Many brides wait until the week of the wedding to do simple tasks and miss out on embracing this very special time in their lives,” she says. “So many people get caught up in the planning, they forget to enjoy the experience!”

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