Vendor Spotlight - The Land of Promise

The Land of Promise is a beautiful outdoor ceremony space located on the shores of Beebe Lake in between St. Michael and Buffalo.

Pastor Gerry Ernst's charming farm boasts a beautiful view of the lake and a grand yard with enough space to host 200 guests. The white gazebo, rustic red barn and old wood shed are perfect backdrops for fantastic wedding photos.

In addition to the beautiful views, The Land of Promise is home to a small non-denominational Christian church.

"We are all about family here. We want to be a part of the celebrations of life, like baptisms and weddings." Says Pastor Gerry. You do not have to be a member of the Land of Promise to marry here, and all are welcome at their worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Although the Land of Promise is primarily used for weddings, it is the perfect place for a wholesome, family friendly reception, because alcohol is not permitted on the premises. I envision the bride and groom playing yard games with their guests after the nuptials! For large receptions a rental tent can be set up on the lawn and for smaller receptions there is a pavilion that can host about 75 guests.

However, if you intend to host your reception elsewhere, there are several options within a 20-minute drive of the farm.

The Land of Promise is truly a quaint, beautiful and family friendly ceremony space for couples in Wright county. It is definitely on my list of great wedding venues!

For more information on the Land of Promise you can contact Pastor Gerry Ernst at 763-682-6849, or, visit the website at www.dlandofpromise.org.

Etiquette Answers - Cash Bar Yes or No?

I know that the way the economy is going, wedding budgets are tighter and couples are trying to save money. Recently, I was asked if having a cash bar at your wedding is ever acceptable. The easiest answer is that this largely depends on the expectations of your friends and family, your cultural traditions and the formality of the occasion.

In a perfect world we would all be able to foot the bill for an evening of spirits. However, with more couples being budget conscious, this isn't always possible. That said, couples should strive to host a bar for their guests.

There are several ways to have alcohol available without breaking the bank. My favorite suggestion is to provide beer and wine for a limited amount of time, or until supplies are gone. This way guests have been provided a beverage even if it isn't for the entire evening. Then, if they still want another glass they can buy one at the cash bar.

Another suggestion is to do a signature cocktail. By only providing one type of cocktail to your guests, you can set the price point and get a good estimate from your venue. Also, you can set limits on this aspect by providing drink tickets to your guests. (Bonus, you can create tickets that incorporate your event design.)

Finally, the other option is to host a champagne toast only. Each table gets a bottle of champagne which is poured during toasts to the newlyweds. This is the most cost effective way to provide some spirits at your wedding.

Of course, doing any of these suggestions in conjunction with an available cash bar is the happy medium. I do want to reiterate that, if you are having a white or black-tie wedding, then it really isn't acceptable to have a cash bar at such a formal event.The expectation with very formal weddings is that the bar will be completely hosted.

Furthermore, if you know having a cash bar is not an accepted tradition within your culture or your family will give you a hard time, then you should avoid it. Cut back in other areas of your budget so you can afford to host the bar.

You can save money by not doing favors, or using store-bought invitations and embellishing them. The fastest way to be able to host the bar would be to trim your guest count. This means co-workers, friends of your parents and distant relatives are not invited.

The topic of hosted bars and cash bars are tricky for couples. Yet, I'm confident that if you look at the top three factors of family, cultural traditions and formality you will be able to make a decision that suits both your budget and your guests.

In short, during these economic times it is not appropriate to rule out a cash bar unless you are hosting a very formal event. However, it is very desirable for the hosts to avoid a cash bar if they are able.

Happy Planning!

Planner's Pick - Peonies

I am so excited! The peonies in my garden are just about to burst open and give a grand view of their pale pink petals and heavenly scent. This flower is classically romantic because the blooms are so luscious. Only a few peonies can fill a bouquet or vase to give you that bang for your buck.

I love to pair peonies with roses and a few lush greens, such as Amaranthus. The simplicity of this flower is what makes it so classic and so spectacular. Not to mention that the smell is amazing!

Peonies come in a variety of colors from fuchsia pink to white. I think they look their best in a monochromatic bouquet where their full plume takes center stage. The great thing about peonies is they can be paired with other flowers or complete an arrangement on their own.


Unlike roses, they have a hip edge to them because they are not used as a mainstay flower in the wedding world. Peonies are seasonal so that makes them very special for June weddings. Whether you use only white or a variety of hues, you cannot go wrong incorporating this flower into your wedding bouquets and centerpieces.

Happy Planning!


PHOTO CREDITS: MYWEDDINGFLOWERIDEAS.CO.UK, SHOPLOCALFLOWERSHOPS.COM