Transportation Logistics and Styles

One of the last elements to come together for a wedding is often transportation. It's hard to imagine how you're going to transport guests or get to your hotel accommodations before you've even selected your wedding dress! However, it's something to consider early on in the process.

 If you have sizable portion of your guest list coming from out of town then you will probably need shuttles. Think about it, you don't want Great Aunt Gertrude trying to navigate the downtown gridlock or an unfamiliar suburb. Usually, a mini-shuttle is sufficient for most guest counts. They can transport up to thirty people at a time. If you don't have far between your hotel accommodations and venues, several trips is optimal. However, if you have a larger guest list with the majority of people coming in from out of town, definitely consider renting a coach bus.

Logistics are an important part of securing transportation. You have to think about managing the wedding party, the couple's getaway car and having vehicles for VIP's, like mom and mom in law. First off, how are the ladies getting to the ceremony location? Are they getting ready there or at the salon or hotel? What about the gentlemen? Are they getting ready at the same location, and do they need to be there as early as the girls? What about after the reception - can wedding party members leave their vehicles at the location overnight? Do you want to include your wedding party in the final send off at the end of the evening or have a car for just you two?

Figuring out logistics beforehand can really help you articulate your needs when you speak with a transportation representative. If you have some idea of how many trips you will need to take that day and how many people will need to be transported, they will be able to help you accurately secure the type and how many vehicles you will need for your big day!

Finally, we need to talk not only about function but about style! I think it's best to match your vehicle style to the type of wedding your having. If you going sleek and modern, a limo hummer would be
awesome but if you want a vintage wedding, a classic Rolls Royce might be a better fit. If you want something memorable and out of the ordinary, consider using a trolley to transport you around town, or if your venue location is in the country why not do a horse and carriage?

Whatever your transportation needs, talking with your planner will help you pin down what is essential for moving people from point A to point B seamlessly. Happy planning!

An Elegant June Wedding at Landmark Center

 Landmark Center is one of the premiere event spaces in the Twin Cities. It has the capability to host intimate or grand weddings, which makes it ideal for many couples. The regal architecture lends itself to many different types of weddings, from modern to romantic! Pretty much the only style that wouldn't fit here is a country theme.

In June of 2015, my lovely couple, Justine and Jin, wanted to have a "Vintage Glam" wedding. Justine decided that gray combined with dusty rose and soft lavender accents would be the perfect representation of her style.  She wanted to have some bling, and some traditional elements intertwined.

The Landmark seamlessly enables couples to host their wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and reception in the same space. For Justine and Jin, we had the ceremony at the Musser Cortile, moved guests upstairs to the second floor balcony for a cocktail hour, then flipped the Cortile for dinner and dancing. Immediately following the ceremony, guests climbed the main staircase to greet the couple and enjoy a variety of cocktails and Hors D'eouvres.

Sadie's Couture Floral created several lush centerpieces that we reused. They are very experienced at dealing with flipping event spaces. They staged all of the decor and floral behind a sheer curtain, and as soon as the ceremony was finished, we got to work transforming the ceremony space into a reception ready room. All of the fabulous linens, ceiling draping and chair covers were provided by We've Got It Covered. They have a great selection of specialty linens and an expert staff that can totally transform any room from dull to dreamy.

Deco Catering, a preferred caterer for Landmark, quickly moved pre-set tables, while we placed centerpieces and candles to design the glamorous tablescapes from Justine's imagination! The head table was set apart by a glittering table cloth, tall centerpieces and loads of unique candles.  To create a coordinated vintage look, the guest tables had staggered centerpieces, some tall and some short.

Of course, after dinner the guests were treated to a choreographed dance by Justine and Jin. Bellagala provided the music for the ceremony and the reception. With skilled DJ's, they keep the flow of the evening going effortlessly. I love that we thoroughly communicate about every aspect from speeches to dances so that everything falls into place!

During the festivities, guests were able to indulge their silly side by having their pictures taken in The Traveling Photobooth. Justine and Jin then had the photo strips collected as a keepsake!

After the reception, Justine, Jin and several of their guests merely walked across the street to the classic Saint Paul Hotel. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to watch traffic stop to congratulate the bride and groom! Several well wishes and a few short steps later, they retired to start their new life together! It was a fantastic day with an awesome cast of experienced and professional vendors.

VENDORS - VENUE - LANDMARK CENTER, FLORAL - SADIE'S FLORAL COUTURE,  LINEN RENTAL - WE'VE GOT IT COVERED, ENTERTAINMENT - BELLAGALA, PHOTOGRAPHY - BELLAGALA, EVENT PLANNING - BELLAGALA*, HOTEL - SAINT PAUL HOTEL,PHOTOBOOTH - TRAVELING PHOTOBOOTH

*Wonderful Day Weddings was contracted for hire by Bellagala.