WA2008's reviews

We sent out emails as soon as we got engaged, and then a second round of emails with the wedding date we had planned. Because we were sending out invitations two months before the date, we decided to set up a webpage with all the information on it, like where we were going to be registered and where the event was to be held. I liked having a webpage because we were able to include information like why it was such a small event, but how we hoped to see our friends at the ceremony. David did almost all the website work, including choosing a template and uploading pictures while I watched and made suggestions. I think the internet kind of helps people answer the awkward wedding questions. I didn’t want my guests to bring gifts, but if they were going to get something, I think it’s fair to let them know that you’re registered at target. Also, I think many friends and co-workers felt better knowing that I wanted them at the ceremony.

I love Apres! They made the backyard look like an enchanted place, with really colorful linens and chair coverings. We had the color palette of the bridal party in light pink, and they continued with the colors of a grape and lime. The caterers had said that they would bring the dishes, which was good, so there was no confusion between all the vendors. The tent was set up at the end of the week, and when we originally booked the tent, we kept the weather in mind. They made the suggestion to keep the option of having a closed tent, in case it rained, and if it was sunny, then we would be able to keep the sides off. I think everyone in my family really appreciated working with a group of people who knew a lot about weddings, what set ups would work best for which situations, and how to make the most out of the space given. I would work with them again.

I didn’t want to spend a lot on invitations, so we decided right away that I would be making them. Because we already had the website up with most of the information, all we needed was a simple reminder of when and where. I went to the paper depot, and looked for what was the cheapest for the amount of money that I wanted to spend. I think I was very lucky and found two really beautiful set that were on sale, in different colors but in more or less then same style. I didn’t mind that I didn’t get a complete uniform set, and the person who was working there told me it wasn’t a big deal at all. She said that brides often mix and match the invitation cards. There were lots of pretty things in there, and in the end I also bought a stamp pad and a stamp of a tree for the back of the envelope.

As the reception was going to be at my parents’ house, we didn’t just need flowers, but we needed someone to fix the yard! My father is a fairly good gardener, and there are a few flowerbeds, but it’s not anything great. We initially called Bachman’s because they do fairly nice bouquets, and once we started talking more about the wedding, that’s when they offered their landscaping services. They started three months before the wedding date, treating the lawn and then adding some small shrubs and creating a border along the flowerbeds. At their suggestion, we also had the fence repainted, which made a big difference. It brightened up the backyard! A week before the wedding, extra flowers were planted, and the whole yard, front and back, looked beautiful. We only had a few centerpieces, along with my bouquet, and I think that it was a wonderful way for my family to remember the wedding for the rest of the summer.

David and I wanted to get a little something for all our guests, and after I tasted the chocolates at the Menomonie Wedding Fair, I knew that my choco-friends would love Legacy chocolate truffles. We went to their store in St-Paul, which was really nice, sat down and figured out how many boxes would we need, and in which flavors. We gave out boxes of six truffles per family, rather than per guest. They have a couple dozen flavors to choose from. For our bridesmaids, I got the chocolate lava potion no.9 sauce, but David said that his best man wouldn’t want chocolate.

To keep with the chocolate theme, we also got a couple of big boxes of chocolate covered almonds and chocolate covered raisins and put them inside the house in pretty serving bowls where they could serve themselves. This might sound like obvious advice, but don’t keep chocolate outside on a hot day.

This was my mother’s suggestion. We wanted to have the reception at our house, but given the space, we thought that a park setting would be better, especially if the park was located close to our home. We thought that parks were also free, but you have to rent the site. The price for just the amphitheater was around $250 dollars, and we were lucky to get it because another couple had reserved it but then changed their location at the last minute. It worked out well. The Amphitheater is really beautiful. It looks out over the lake, and the way the seats are set up, everyone can see clearly. It worked out well, because having it at the park means that we could invite more people to the ceremony without inviting them to the reception. Also, it gave us time to have pictures taken while everyone returned home.

This was a great choice! For a summer, outdoor wedding at my parents’ house, we wanted to set up a really delicious buffet style table with lots of options. L&B made so many wonderful salad plates, with fruits cut up in the shape of stars, and then these amazing fruit kabobs. When we went in for the consultation, they were able to provide us with so many options and themes, so it was easy to make a menu that would suit almost everyone’s tastebuds. And I think we were able to get a bit more trendy by also including fresh sushi, which was a really great alternative to the standard chicken and rice wedding meal. They also take care of the set up, and clean up, and the staff they had working for them were very considerate and hardworking.

We wanted a cake that was pretty and that was also not so traditional looking. I went to Denny’s 5th Avenue with my mother for a consultation, and I was really happy to see that along with the more traditional ‘wedding bells’ cake, they also had the cute cup cake towers that I think are really popular now. We spoke with Kevin, the owner, for almost an hour, and he was great! I was really happy that such a nice person would be making the cake. We went with two layers of cupcakes, with small pink and yellow icing flowers, and then with a top layer of a ten-inch cake, just so that we could have something to slice for the photographs. The cake was tasty, and by the end of the evening all the cupcakes were gone!

My best friends works at UW-Stout and got free tickets to the show, and insisted that I go along with her seeing how I was trying to plan a wedding in under 7 months. I went, it was fun, and I found one vendor that I would use for my own wedding. Otherwise, I felt it was really overwhelming, and that there are lots of things to take into consideration when planning a wedding. I was also a bit sad because I knew my wedding wasn’t going to be a big dancing party because it was held at a home. I guess the second best thing about the fair, other than all the delicious free samples and chocolate fountain, was that I did get to speak with a few wedding planners who gave me tips on how to spend and budget for the wedding. Which was great! It gave me real perspective!

David and I had a group outing for our bachelor/bachelorette party. We’re big basketball fans, and sometimes we go to the Target Center right before a game and buy good seats really cheap! It’s sad that the Timberwolves aren’t a good team, but this means that we can get tickets for cheap and still see the Lakers or the Celtics play. David’s best friend and best man offered to pay for most of the suite, which was really generous of him, and a group of 12 of us were able to watch the game from a trendy suite room. It’s better to be courtside, or outside in the crowds, but this was fun because we were able to have a private party, drink beer, and eat an expensive dinner. I had fun, and it was a great experience!