Wedding Upgrades

Hello Wedding Enthusiasts!

As a planner, I work with a variety of budgets. I've had the pleasure of planning intimate affairs on a shoe-string and we used our creativity to stretch the budget. Additionally, I've worked on weddings where no expense is spared. I've found that there are a few non-essential wedding elements that can take your event to new levels. If you have the means to include them, it's my advice that you consider doing so!

1) Backdrops - These are usually strategically placed behind the head table and can be made from solid materials or fabric and lights. They really define the space where the wedding party will sit as special, and provide wonderful photo opportunities during speeches. Another area where backdrops can be used are for photographing wedding guests. This is an especially fun accessory when you have an outdoor cocktail hour. Setting up a station of hanging frames, a vintage sheet or crystal beading with a camera on a tripod attracts guests. It's a fun distraction during cocktail hour.

2) Photo-booths - The next upgrade that I've found to be very popular is the photo-booth. These differ from backdrops in that they are actual photo-booths, like what you would find at the arcade. They come with an attendant and your guests will leave with a strip of themselves and their antics. Many companies also will put together a photo-book for you, which many couples opt to do in lieu of a traditional guest book.

3) Lounge Area - Most receptions have some form of dancing. Couples these days are recognizing that keeping people on the dance floor the entire evening makes for a very memorable event. Therefore, they're making it easier for guests to stay close to the action but allowing them a place to sit down and rest. Lounge areas use chic furniture, couches, chairs, and cocktail tables situated near the dance floor. This is great for older guests to be close to the action early on in the evening (Grandma can be right up front watching your first dance) and for the guests that stay late into the night, taking small breaks in between songs.

4) Intricate Floral Installations - These cost a pretty penny, but are so worth it when you look back on your day via the photography. Many times, these are placed above the head table along with a backdrop. Other times, they're placed in places where you know you want to take advantage of the building's unique architecture. For example, the banister of a grand staircase, or the archway of the church door.

5) Additional Lighting - Investing in specialized lighting is definitely an upgrade. Chandeliers, paper lanterns, vintage light bulbs, Gobos, pin lighting.... All of these elements help to define the aesthetic of the reception. Many couples use crystal chandeliers to create elegance in basic structures, like tents or warehouses. Gobos with monogrammed initials gracing the dance floor celebrate the importance of your first dance, and up lighting in different colors can set help guests get into the mood to party! Lighting can generally be added on to your entertainment package, so be sure to ask about it.

6) Ceiling Draping - Speaking of lighting, swags of flowing fabric hung from the ceiling go hand in hand with beautiful luminaries. Generally, they are also lit with strands of twinkle light. The billowing lush fabric does a great job camouflaging an undesirable ceiling and creates romance. Worth every penny, especially when transforming a boring ballroom.

7) Special Entertainment - This trend is a personal favorite. I love dancing, so when a couple indulges in a choreographed dance or hires dancers to give a performance and entice guests onto the dance floor, I just love it! Other options, depending on the vibe of your reception, include alternative performers. Everything from belly dancers to fire breathers, and jugglers. Of course, be careful to pay attention to the overall feel of your event.

8) Late Night Snacks - The Late Night Snack is ingenious. Seriously, putting food into guests that have been imbibing is a great idea. Bonus if it's non-fussy, like pizza, sliders and fries, or a tortilla chip bar. Not only does it sober people up just a little, it takes care of those hunger pangs that hit around midnight. 

I truly hope that I've inspired you to consider upgrading your wedding. Adding just one or two of these elements will help to make your wedding a memorable masterpiece. If you can do them all, I'm sure we'll be seeing your fete on the pages of all the bridal magazines! :)

PHOTO CREDITS - 1) SNOWFROG PHOTOGRAPHY, 2) LAURA IVANOVA PHOTOGRAPHY, 3) BELLAGALA PHOTOGRAPHY, 4) MICHAEL JARVIS PHOTOGRAPHY, 5) A FRAME FORWARD

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.

Grooming for the Groom and Gentlemen Friends

In the wedding industry, we tend to pay a lot of attention to females. The dress, the flowers, the bling! However, the times are changing! More and more businesses are starting to realize that the guys have needs too. Gentlemen deserve to pampered as well, so I suggest they make an appointment with establishments that cater to them.

Whether they need just a trim and a shave, beard-scaping, or a new style all together, the following establishments are ready to serve their needs.

Heimie's Haberdashery is a well known hot spot for guys grooming. Not only do they have a shop that provides the most regal suits, shirts, ties and accessories, they also have an on-site barber and shave parlor. This is the place to go for the care and attention a gentleman deserves!

Gent Cuts & Grooming has such a cool, low-key, vintage vibe and a plethora of services to fulfill all the grooming needs of gentlemen. They offer hair cuts, a classic straight razor shave, beard trimming and shaping, even hair removal (a nice way to say "waxing the brows.") Another amazing detail, they cater to wedding parties which means your guys can have the run of the shop, picking their own music and TV channels.

The Barber Sharp Salon- Is owned by a lady master barber that is committed to hair-cutting, facial grooming, and traditional shaves. Located in North East Minneapolis, surrounded by breweries, restaurants and eclectic shops this area caters to the metro-chic crowd. A masseuse is located upstairs so before getting all gussied up, the guys can relax with a quick shoulder rub. What a perfect way to start a wedding day!

Dick's Sports Barbers - This is the perfect place for your gent if he is a sports fanatic. The walls covered in sports paraphernalia, sometimes famous athletes stop into the shop for their grooming needs. They offer hair cuts and the classic straight razor shave. Definitely a great choice if you're getting married to a manly man.

Rooster's Men's Grooming Center - Located on West End Blvd. in Minneapolis, Rooster's offers the classic barber shop experience. They provide everything from the classic cut to facial waxing and beard-scaping. Their signature seven step shave hot towel preparation with essential oils, a close straight razor shave followed by deep cleansing and after shave.

Happy Planning, Gentlemen! Enjoy the big day by treating yourself to some pampering. You deserve it!

PHOTO CREDIT - ISABELLE SELBY PHOTOGRAPHY

Saint Thomas More/Hamline University Wedding

On May 16, 2015 I had the pleasure of being the planner for a lovely couple, Brandon and Evelyn! They hosted their wedding at St. Thomas More Catholic Church and the reception at the Kay Fredericks Ballroom on the Hamline University campus.

The St. Thomas More Catholic Church is absolutely stunning! It has high arched ceilings, intricate tile work and very cool architecture. Perfect for getting those artistic shots! The Kay Frederick Ballroom was a natural choice to host their reception because it is Brandon's Alma Mater and it is located only fifteen minutes from the church. It boasts beautiful views through its' floor to ceiling windows and has a spacious layout.

Both Brandon and Evelyn are a lively couple, and they really wanted to have some unique elements that encompasses who they are. I think we did a great job of merging Evelyn's love for soft color palettes with Brandon's exuberant, fun loving personality.

Evelyn chose a dusty rose color for the bridesmaid dresses with a flowing, chiffon fabric. She wanted to have a very romantic feel to her wedding reception. The Kay Fredericks Ballroom is a very cool space, but it is a bit modern so we decided to create a softer aesthetic by using lighted ceiling swags provided by Avant Decor. They can transform virtually any space from ho-hum to OMG!!!

  For floral we went with a traditional flower combination of hydrangeas, roses and baby's breath. Evelyn wanted to have a few "bling accents" so Carol Kushke of Bellagala Floral included crystal water beads to spread at the base of each centerpiece. The way the candlelight played off of them was gorgeous! It was the perfect amount of sparkle.

Brandon's contribution to the wedding were a couple of very unique ideas. Instead of having guests sign a traditional guest book, he wanted them to sign a Jenga game piece and finish by stacking them! I thought it was such a fun way to get many well wishes and signatures. Plus it is a very cool keepsake for after the wedding! They also did a non traditional escort card by using small frames with the name and table number etched on each one.


The evening ended with everyone shaking it on the dance floor to the cool tunes of The Covers. This band is seriously awesome! They have a huge repertoire that spans decades and I was impressed that they knew quite a few songs from today. Their rendition of "Uptown Funk" had literally everyone on the dance floor.

Of course, the lovely photographs that you're seeing are from Patrick Clancy Photography. He did a superb job and I'm so happy to share his work with all of you. He has years of experience dealing with the restrictions of churches, and that is a huge bonus!

Well, ta-ta, for now. I will keep you posted on the many weddings to come.

Happy planning!







*This wedding was contract work that I did as a Bellagala Event Planner. It was a wonderful experience! :)

VENDOR CREDITS: ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH, HAMLINE'S KAY FREDERICKS BALLROOM, HAMLINE CATERING SERVICES, BELLAGALA FLORAL, BELLAGALA EVENT PLANNING, THE COVERS - BAND, PATRICK CLANCY PHOTOGRAPHY

Vendor Spotlight - Camrose Hill Wedding - Plum and Green

Hello wedding enthusiasts!

Well, it is now May and wedding season is gearing up. I'm so excited for this year's crop of events! That being said, I really, really need to share with you one of my favorite weddings from last year.
I try to keep on top of my blog, but reality is I'm quite a busy lady trying to wear the many hats of a small business owner and balance the needs of my family.

So, without further a-do, let me share some beautiful images from last September. Christina & Max's wedding and reception took place at my most favorite MN venue, Camrose Hill Farm.

Christina wanted to have a wedding that was casual, fun, and yet, classy. I had the pleasure of helping her throughout the process as she and Max are residents of NY city! It was such fun Skyping for our many planning meetings and attending a plethora of vendor meetings when they had the opportunity to come to town.

The weather on the wedding day was absolutely perfect. Christina and Max held their fairytale garden ceremony under a beautifully adorned gazebo. They were serenaded by Trillium Ensemble. After a short and sweet ceremony, officiated by the groom's friend, guests enjoyed cocktails on the lawn with many games, such ad Badminton and bean bag toss.

Christina loved the idea of using plum and green to take full advantage of the early autumn landscape.  Her bridesmaids each wore a variation of plum in a cut that flattered their body types. (I absolutely love the idea of coordinating, not matchy-matchy.) The bride was a vision of beauty in her Ann Taylor dress with cute, vintage, kitten veil.

For the event design, Christina wanted rustic-elegance. She chose wrought iron lanterns adorned with hydrangeas, gypsum and tree fern for centerpieces. Wooden stanchions held the table numbers and burlap runners, sewed by a family friend, added the final touch to her table-scape.

Guests were treated to a wonderful buffet by Common Roots Catering and then danced the night away.



The couple opted out of a traditional DJ, instead having the officiant act as master of ceremonies. A playlist created by the couple set the mood and everyone was on the dance floor the entire evening!

Instead of doing a traditional cake, the newlywed decided to do a cupcake dessert buffet. They tenderly fed each other delectable cupcakes in lieu of wedding cake. When the evening was coming to a close, everyone lined up to send them off with sparklers! They then preceded to go to the "after party" via Eclipse transportation.

Isabelle Selby Photography took the amazing photos I'm displaying here today. She is based out of NYC and has a thriving small business as a wedding photographer. I'm very glad that we had the opportunity to work together! If you're living in the New York area, I would recommend her as a photographer.


Many thanks to all the lovely vendors that made this wedding a fantastic reality! - Camrose Hill Farm & Flower Studio, Common Roots Catering, With A Twist Bartending service, Isabelle Selby Photography, Trillium Ensemble, Ultimate Events, and Eclipse Cars.

 PHOTO CREDITS: ISABELLE SELBY PHOTOGRAPHY

2015 ISES Star Awards

Hello everyone,

Wow! It has been a very busy past few days and I have some exciting news to share! I've had clients in from California to do some marathon planning, and I had the pleasure of attending the 2015 International Special Events Society Star Awards.

ISES is an international organization that provides support, education and networking opportunities to event professionals. Each year, chapters across the nation host the Star Awards to honor outstanding professionals in several different categories. Everything from event lighting to best catering.

I'm so thrilled to announce that I was nominated this year for an award in the "Best Wedding under $50,000" category! It feels so great to be recognized and appreciated by top notch professionals in the industry.

Of course, I had some stiff competition - The Wedding Guys and Rosetree Events. The talented Wedding Guys won the award for their work on "Falon & Paul's Wedding."
As you may know, Falon is a popular radio personality on KDWB. I have to give it up to her and the Wedding Guys, it was definitely a fantabulous affair! A hearty congratulations to them. Still, I will try again in 2016, and I have some really great clients that I'm keeping in mind for next years' submission. :D

The 2015 Star Awards was held at the glamorous Aria in downtown Minneapolis. It was such a night to remember! The theme for the awards ceremony was "Storytellers." If you think about it, that fits perfectly because as event professionals we are tasked with telling the story of our clients through event design, entertainment, cuisine and logistical support. Events are a living story!

The event design was remarkable. Not only was it held at arguably the hippest venue in the Twin Cities, there were so many interesting elements to look at. As you entered, there was a large book case that held teal escort cards in the shape of a feather. A vintage globe and several books were support props for the "quill" seating arrangements.

Book pages were hung from the ceiling in the cocktail reception area to emphasize the theme. Coupled with the beautiful crystal chandeliers and show stopping ice bar that offered craft beer, it was a sight to see! The table centerpieces were a neat mix of books, candles and golden antlers encased in glass. It was pretty magical.

 The very talented Fabulous Catering offered a mouth watering Charcuterie of a variety of meat and cheeses. Crave Catering offered small bites of different dishes such as mini-Cubans (YUM) and vegetarian sushi rolls. Of course, that was just during cocktail hour! We were treated to a 5 course plated dinner, with wine and champagne for toasting the nominees.

After the award ceremony, we all enjoyed a dance with a DJ provided by Enticing Entertainment. It was fun to get out onto the dance floor and let loose with my hubby under the spell of colorful lights and great tunes.

All in all, it was a very majestic evening. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by so many talented professionals and get a date night with my hubby. Many thanks to this year's Director of the Star Awards, Gretchen Culver of Rocket Science Weddings. She did a phenomenal job planning this event!

I know everyone always says, "It was an honor just to be nominated," but I really mean it! It  was an honor to be recognized and I'm so thankful. I've got my work cut out for me next year, so I'd better get back to business.

Happy planning,

PHOTO CREDITS: WONDERFUL DAY WEDDINGS LLC


INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS: ARIA (VENUE), CRAVE CATERING (PASSED APPETIZERS), CREATE CATERING (CRAFT BEER), ENTICING ENTERTAINMENT (DJ & DANCE TROUPE) FABULOUS CATERING (CHARCUTERIE), INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS SOCIETY (MPLS/ST. PAUL CHAPTER), ROCKET SCIENCE WEDDINGS (GRETCHEN CULVER, DIRECTOR OF STAR AWARDS), ROSETREE EVENTS (NOMINEE), THE WEDDING GUYS (2015 STAR AWARD WINNER), WONDERFUL DAY WEDDINGS LLC (NOMINEE)