Review of the Carson Towers for weddings in MN

The Carlson Towers in Minnetonka, MN offers a gorgeous amphiteatre for wedding ceremonies (more photos below)

Question:

Re-post from a couple years ago

Dear Reverend Coleman,

We are still (frantically!) looking for a ceremony/reception site. Per your review of the Carlson Conservatory and Rotunda in Minnetonka, MN, we visited it, and although we loved the facility, we had some hesitation about the capability of the staff as well as their seemingly strict restrictions. I was wondering if you had performed any weddings at either of those locations and whether it seemed well organized and well executed? I apologize for soliiciting your advice, but we just moved here and have found it difficult to obtain objective reviews. Thank you!

New To Minnesota

Answer:

Dear NTM,

Good call on the Carlson Towers Conservatory - it's gorgeous! Yes, I've performed many wedding ceremonies there 3 times on the outside pavilion on the lake, and 1 time indoors), and had only positive experiences. The weddings I've performed there have gone extremely well and interaction from the staff has been very positive although minimal... they take a pretty hands-off approach to ceremonies there, which actually works fine for me.) I hope that opinion helps, for what it's worth!

It's too bad that Carlson has rigid policies, but usually with a big place like that, it just takes one incident several years ago for the staff to then institute a rigid rule sometimes, it's the insurance company that insists on the annoying rule), and then future couples have to work with that overly-restrictive rule. It's really too bad, but actually, that kind of rule-making is pretty common at most reception sites. If the specific rule impacts on something that is super-important to you, though, that may mean that you wind up choosing a different site... it all depends on your thoughts, ideas and the choices available.)

Usually, I advise brides to book sites really quickly basically, there are only a few reception sites in the Twin Cities, and they book up extremely fast), but since you're looking at a Sunday, that does give you more flexibility. So...my thoughts would be that if you are finding that there are many sites with availablity, then I'd recommend taking another week or two to decide. But if most other sites are booked, then I'd recommend just grabbing that site and then making the best of that site as you possibly can. There are only about 30 weekends in warm weather in Minnesota, and with the millions of Minnesota residents, those few reception sites' weekends book up EXTREMELY quickly.

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman


Response:

Dear Pastor Tomkin,

Thank you very much for your reply and suggestions. We have scheduled 5 tours this week so hopefully I will have a definite location and date for you next week.

I'm glad to hear that the weddings you performed at the Carlson Center went well. I had reservations about the staff because so far they have seemed slightly unorganized. I am usually not bothered by strict policies because I am pretty conservative and do not need anything out of the ordinary; it was mostly language used in the brochure describing what would happen in the instance of bad weather that bothered me.

Anyway, hopefully this week we will find the "perfect" location. I will get back to you as soon as we have something confirmed. Thanks again!

New To Minnesota


Response:

Dear NTM,

That's so great that you have five tours scheduled - you're so organized! You should be able to find a site that you really fall in love with.

As always, if you have any questions or need advice, I'm always here for you.

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
MN Wedding Officiant & Planner