British bride looking for wedding site in Minneapolis, MN
Question:
Hello, Rev. Coleman,
I'm so glad to have found your site!
I'm English and my fiance is American, we are currently working and living in Mumbai, India and are planning to marry in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. The reason for choosing the Twin Cities is because the majority of my fiance's family live in the Minneapolis area, with the exception of one brother and mom who still live in North Dakota where he was born. We figured it is fairly easy to get from ND to the Twin Cities and it is a direct flight from Amsterdam too, which makes it easy for my sister and family to fly out.
It will only be a small wedding and we're thinking of maybe 50 people but it could be as high as 70/80, maybe.
Although we love the look of the Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis, (reviewed on your page about Minneapolis mansions for weddings), we kind of can't figure out where within the mansion the wedding could take place. Also we kind of get the feeling the caterers will turn out to be very ,very expensive.
We now think we like the look and idea of the Fort Snelling Chapel, it seems ideal for a small party. Please can you advise me what it looks like from the outside in terms of is it set in gardens, is it on a main road or set back from the road etc.
If we were to choose the Fort Snelling chapel, we would then have to decide on a nice venue for our wedding party. We want somewhere that isn't too far away, someplace that isn't too big for a smallish party of guests, and we still haven't decided whether a sit down meal or buffet meal is the best option. We definitely want a dance floor and a bar that will serve until midnight or maybe even 1am. We then have to bear in mind that guests who have come into town then have to get back to their hotels too, which is why we were considering holding the reception at a hotel to eliminate the after reception travel and drinking and driving, but then again we could arrange some sort of taxi or bus service if we hold it outside a hotel.
Gosh, it kind of sounds complicated right? And what makes it even more complicated is that we will have to do most of the arranging via email and/or phone, but we do think we should have the opportunity to visit the US maybe January next year to sort out some wedding related things and then the next time will be for the wedding. Would this be a problem in terms of using the chapel because we wont' be able to attend any of their services, also I am a divorcee would this be a problem with marrying in this chapel?
In terms of dates, we are thinking one Saturday in late July or August 2010 although we know these book up quickly so we kind of need to get moving I guess.
We really would like your thoughts, guidance, ideas etc to help us arrive at a decision and start making some bookings.
Many thanks and kind regards
British Bride
p.s. love your website, it so informative, clear, helpful, well laid out, easy to navigate around etc....I'm just glad I came across it!
Answer:
Good morning, BB,
What a great email! Congratulations on your engagement, and your upcoming wedding. You are so sweet to plan your wedding in the Twin Cities, where your fiance's relatives can come easily. You are giving him a great gift. And yes, direct flights from London (and Amsterdam) are handy!
I have worked with many couples from out of the country, and the process works very well. Usually non-local couples are from out-of-state, but several have been from out of the country (one couple from Japan, two from the U.K., and one from Germany). Here's how it usually works - it's easy, fun, and interesting:
>>we kind of can't figure out where within the mansion the wedding could take place.
Ah, I see what you mean. Wedding ceremonies larger than 15 guests are held in the attached, newer (not Victorian) reception hall, shown here, to the right. It's fine for the purpose, but not nearly as fancy as the Victorian mansion part of the place.
>>Also we kind of get the feeling the caterers will turn out to be very, very expensive.
Ah, that's not actually so. Aren't you glad you asked? Reception sites that are in the same class (everything listed on my website is what I would consider "premiere"), usually wind up being in approximately the same price range, either through their food/beverage minimum ($8,000-$10,000 or so), or because the meals usually wind up being about $50/each (or more, of course), and alcohol about $30/each. The last time I talked to the Van Dusen, they had several different caterers one could use, and they're all about the same price, and they're often the same ones that are used at many different sites around town.
However...there are many nice reception sites that are cheaper (I'm thinking of the Fort Snelling Officer's Club). These kinds of sites may not be amazing historic mansions, or word-famous museums, but they're still quite nice (what would they be called? Maybe "more affordable", instead of "premiere"?) So, in other words, most of the premiere sites cost around the same ($50-$100/guest) , and then most of the "more affordable" sites cost about the same ($30-$50/guest).
>>We now think we like the look and idea of the Fort Snelling Chapel,
>>it seems ideal for a small party.
Correct! It's a beautiful site for a small wedding.
>>Would this be a problem in terms of using the chapel because we wont'
>>be able to attend any of their services, also I am a divorcee would this
>>be a problem with marrying in this chapel?
It's no problem if someone is divorced, nor is it a problem if you are not a member. Just FYI, while most churches will not let non-members rent the church for a wedding, all the churches and chapels I listed at http://www.mnweddingminister.com/sites/chapels.html will rent to non-members (and all are fine if someone is divorced).
>>Please can you advise me what it looks like from the outside in terms of
>>is it set in gardens, is it on a main road or set back from the road etc.
Well, there's a reason that no one shows the surroundings of many reception sites...they're usually surrounded by a parking lot. But don't be discouraged...it's the very rare site that is surrounded by gardens, or a park, or anything like that. (Millenium Gardens in the Minneapolis suburb of Plymouth is an exception, as it's surrounded by a park, and the Wesley Church in downtown Minneapolis is across the street from a park). Sorry...got way off track. Anyway, Fort Snelling Chapel is very isolated, and you have to go through acres of Fort Snelling parking, then over a bridge, then you reach the Chapel parking lot (to the right is a distant shot...). The location is fine, and isolated, but it's not like it's surrounded by gardens and you'll probably not be taking tons of pictures on the grounds (unless the chapel is in the background).
>>If we were to choose the Fort Snelling chapel, we would then have to decide on a
>>nice venue for our wedding party. We want somewhere that isn't too far away,
>>someplace that isn't too big for a smallish party of guests, and we still haven't
>>decided whether a sit down meal or buffet meal is the best option. We definitely
>>want a dance floor and a bar that will serve until midnight or maybe even 1am.
>>We then have to bear in mind that guests who have come into town then have
>>to get back to their hotels too, which is why we were considering holding the
>>reception at a hotel to eliminate the after reception travel and drinking and
>>driving, but then again we could arrange some sort of taxi or bus service if
>>we hold it outside a hotel.
Wow, that is a lot of requirements, but hey, it's good that you know what you want, and that your're very upfront about it. The first thing I should emphasize is that there are VERY few premiere wedding reception sites in the Twin Cities, and if you are interested in a Saturday wedding in warm weather, they book up REALLY fast.
So I realize that these following options I'll suggest aren't a lot of options, but they're specifically picked to your needs. Note that the Twin Cities isn't all that big...there's only a few premiere spots to choose from. All of them listed here have a dance floor, a bar that serves till midnight, and you can have a sit-down meal or a buffet. (Side note - surprisingly, a buffet is often more pricey than a sit-down meal. The reason is that for a sit-down meal, the chef can make exactly the right amount of food, which keeps the price down). Some thoughts:
Antique photo of the Fort Snelling Officer's Club
St Paul College Club on Summit Avenue in St Paul, MN
>>although we know these book up quickly so we kind of need to get moving I guess.
You are correct - the sites are booking up quickly, and so are my services. Saturdays in warm weather book FAST!
>>We really would like your thoughts, guidance, ideas etc to help us arrive
>>at a decision and start making some bookings.
Hopefully, with the above guidance, and the suggestions above, one of the above will work for you. My advice would be, take stock and then decide if affordablity, gardens, or convenience is the most important consideration, then book a site. Just so you know, any of the sites listed above, or any of the sites listed on my website, would make you very, very happy - it's just a matter of what priorities are the most important.
>>p.s. love your website, it so informative, clear, helpful, well laid out,
>>easy to navigate around etc....I'm just glad I came across it.
Thank you! I've found that once brides see my site, they spend a ton of time on it, and then wind up using my services, as they realize that instead of a stressful wedding planning time and a stressful wedding, they can have an experience that's easy, classy, fun... it's really a service that can be found nowhere else. Hopefully, I'm not booked up on the Saturday you pick! I'd be honored to be part of your special day.
If you have any other questions, I'm always here for you!
Warmly,
Rev. Tomkin Coleman
http://www.mnweddingminister.com
Hello, Rev. Coleman,
I'm so glad to have found your site!
I'm English and my fiance is American, we are currently working and living in Mumbai, India and are planning to marry in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. The reason for choosing the Twin Cities is because the majority of my fiance's family live in the Minneapolis area, with the exception of one brother and mom who still live in North Dakota where he was born. We figured it is fairly easy to get from ND to the Twin Cities and it is a direct flight from Amsterdam too, which makes it easy for my sister and family to fly out.
It will only be a small wedding and we're thinking of maybe 50 people but it could be as high as 70/80, maybe.
Although we love the look of the Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis, (reviewed on your page about Minneapolis mansions for weddings), we kind of can't figure out where within the mansion the wedding could take place. Also we kind of get the feeling the caterers will turn out to be very ,very expensive.
We now think we like the look and idea of the Fort Snelling Chapel, it seems ideal for a small party. Please can you advise me what it looks like from the outside in terms of is it set in gardens, is it on a main road or set back from the road etc.If we were to choose the Fort Snelling chapel, we would then have to decide on a nice venue for our wedding party. We want somewhere that isn't too far away, someplace that isn't too big for a smallish party of guests, and we still haven't decided whether a sit down meal or buffet meal is the best option. We definitely want a dance floor and a bar that will serve until midnight or maybe even 1am. We then have to bear in mind that guests who have come into town then have to get back to their hotels too, which is why we were considering holding the reception at a hotel to eliminate the after reception travel and drinking and driving, but then again we could arrange some sort of taxi or bus service if we hold it outside a hotel.
Gosh, it kind of sounds complicated right? And what makes it even more complicated is that we will have to do most of the arranging via email and/or phone, but we do think we should have the opportunity to visit the US maybe January next year to sort out some wedding related things and then the next time will be for the wedding. Would this be a problem in terms of using the chapel because we wont' be able to attend any of their services, also I am a divorcee would this be a problem with marrying in this chapel?
In terms of dates, we are thinking one Saturday in late July or August 2010 although we know these book up quickly so we kind of need to get moving I guess.
We really would like your thoughts, guidance, ideas etc to help us arrive at a decision and start making some bookings.
Many thanks and kind regards
British Bride
p.s. love your website, it so informative, clear, helpful, well laid out, easy to navigate around etc....I'm just glad I came across it!
Answer:
Good morning, BB,
What a great email! Congratulations on your engagement, and your upcoming wedding. You are so sweet to plan your wedding in the Twin Cities, where your fiance's relatives can come easily. You are giving him a great gift. And yes, direct flights from London (and Amsterdam) are handy!
I have worked with many couples from out of the country, and the process works very well. Usually non-local couples are from out-of-state, but several have been from out of the country (one couple from Japan, two from the U.K., and one from Germany). Here's how it usually works - it's easy, fun, and interesting:
- As you have started now, you can ask me questions that you can't ask anyone else.
- Then once you've found a place you like that's available, then you can book it. Booking goes quite easily (once you've made the decision!)
- Then we can talk via conference call...
- Then you'll receive the scripting via email...
- And then you can make changes via email throughout the coming months.
- When you're in town, you can then apply for your marriage license (it takes 5 days to get, called the "waiting period". The license is good for up to 6 months.)
- The night before the wedding I'll conduct your rehearsal (and we get to mee
t each other in person!) Then everyone will be comfortable and confident. - Then on the wedding day, everything's taken care of, you just enjoy your day and be in the moment. What a great, easy, fun way of planning!
>>we kind of can't figure out where within the mansion the wedding could take place.
Ah, I see what you mean. Wedding ceremonies larger than 15 guests are held in the attached, newer (not Victorian) reception hall, shown here, to the right. It's fine for the purpose, but not nearly as fancy as the Victorian mansion part of the place.
>>Also we kind of get the feeling the caterers will turn out to be very, very expensive.
Ah, that's not actually so. Aren't you glad you asked? Reception sites that are in the same class (everything listed on my website is what I would consider "premiere"), usually wind up being in approximately the same price range, either through their food/beverage minimum ($8,000-$10,000 or so), or because the meals usually wind up being about $50/each (or more, of course), and alcohol about $30/each. The last time I talked to the Van Dusen, they had several different caterers one could use, and they're all about the same price, and they're often the same ones that are used at many different sites around town.
However...there are many nice reception sites that are cheaper (I'm thinking of the Fort Snelling Officer's Club). These kinds of sites may not be amazing historic mansions, or word-famous museums, but they're still quite nice (what would they be called? Maybe "more affordable", instead of "premiere"?) So, in other words, most of the premiere sites cost around the same ($50-$100/guest) , and then most of the "more affordable" sites cost about the same ($30-$50/guest).
>>We now think we like the look and idea of the Fort Snelling Chapel,>>it seems ideal for a small party.
Correct! It's a beautiful site for a small wedding.
>>Would this be a problem in terms of using the chapel because we wont'
>>be able to attend any of their services, also I am a divorcee would this
>>be a problem with marrying in this chapel?
It's no problem if someone is divorced, nor is it a problem if you are not a member. Just FYI, while most churches will not let non-members rent the church for a wedding, all the churches and chapels I listed at http://www.mnweddingminister.com/sites/chapels.html will rent to non-members (and all are fine if someone is divorced).
>>Please can you advise me what it looks like from the outside in terms of
>>is it set in gardens, is it on a main road or set back from the road etc.
Well, there's a reason that no one shows the surroundings of many reception sites...they're usually surrounded by a parking lot. But don't be discouraged...it's the very rare site that is surrounded by gardens, or a park, or anything like that. (Millenium Gardens in the Minneapolis suburb of Plymouth is an exception, as it's surrounded by a park, and the Wesley Church in downtown Minneapolis is across the street from a park). Sorry...got way off track. Anyway, Fort Snelling Chapel is very isolated, and you have to go through acres of Fort Snelling parking, then over a bridge, then you reach the Chapel parking lot (to the right is a distant shot...). The location is fine, and isolated, but it's not like it's surrounded by gardens and you'll probably not be taking tons of pictures on the grounds (unless the chapel is in the background).>>If we were to choose the Fort Snelling chapel, we would then have to decide on a
>>nice venue for our wedding party. We want somewhere that isn't too far away,
>>someplace that isn't too big for a smallish party of guests, and we still haven't
>>decided whether a sit down meal or buffet meal is the best option. We definitely
>>want a dance floor and a bar that will serve until midnight or maybe even 1am.
>>We then have to bear in mind that guests who have come into town then have
>>to get back to their hotels too, which is why we were considering holding the
>>reception at a hotel to eliminate the after reception travel and drinking and
>>driving, but then again we could arrange some sort of taxi or bus service if
>>we hold it outside a hotel.
Wow, that is a lot of requirements, but hey, it's good that you know what you want, and that your're very upfront about it. The first thing I should emphasize is that there are VERY few premiere wedding reception sites in the Twin Cities, and if you are interested in a Saturday wedding in warm weather, they book up REALLY fast.
So I realize that these following options I'll suggest aren't a lot of options, but they're specifically picked to your needs. Note that the Twin Cities isn't all that big...there's only a few premiere spots to choose from. All of them listed here have a dance floor, a bar that serves till midnight, and you can have a sit-down meal or a buffet. (Side note - surprisingly, a buffet is often more pricey than a sit-down meal. The reason is that for a sit-down meal, the chef can make exactly the right amount of food, which keeps the price down). Some thoughts:
Antique photo of the Fort Snelling Officer's Club
- Affordable option: Close to Fort Snelling Chapel is the Fort Snelling Officer's Club. While it isn't a premiere site, it is very affordable. The link is broken right now, but their website and their phone number is(612) 725-2272.
St Paul College Club on Summit Avenue in St Paul, MN
- Garden option: The St Paul College Club is a beautiful mansion, and you can have a wedding ceremony in the back. The Saint Paul College Club is on gorgeous Summit Avenue, the longest stretch of Victorian homes in the U.S. Beautiful spot, a premiere site, and get this - you can bring your own alcohol in, which saves you a ton of money. I know of no other premiere wedding reception site in the Minneapolis, St Paul, MN area that offers this option.
- Convenient option: A hotel. Definitely, definitely, definitely. Ceremony, reception, and rooms all in the same place. Super-convenient for out of town guests. Also, downtown Minneapolis hotels are connected by the light rail system directly to the Minneapolis/St Paul airport. Nice!
- There are many great Minneapolis hotels for weddings. All are premiere sites. If you want a cheaper option, try the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Minneapolis...it's new (fairly small, but can hold 80 guests...a review of the Hilton Garden Inn in Minneapolis is in the post I did yesterday, below).
The other convenient option is the Historic Concord Exchange, which is a mansion with hotel rooms in it! They're a premiere site, but surprisingly affordable because they're new.
>>although we know these book up quickly so we kind of need to get moving I guess.
You are correct - the sites are booking up quickly, and so are my services. Saturdays in warm weather book FAST!
>>We really would like your thoughts, guidance, ideas etc to help us arrive
>>at a decision and start making some bookings.
Hopefully, with the above guidance, and the suggestions above, one of the above will work for you. My advice would be, take stock and then decide if affordablity, gardens, or convenience is the most important consideration, then book a site. Just so you know, any of the sites listed above, or any of the sites listed on my website, would make you very, very happy - it's just a matter of what priorities are the most important.
>>p.s. love your website, it so informative, clear, helpful, well laid out,
>>easy to navigate around etc....I'm just glad I came across it.
Thank you! I've found that once brides see my site, they spend a ton of time on it, and then wind up using my services, as they realize that instead of a stressful wedding planning time and a stressful wedding, they can have an experience that's easy, classy, fun... it's really a service that can be found nowhere else. Hopefully, I'm not booked up on the Saturday you pick! I'd be honored to be part of your special day.
If you have any other questions, I'm always here for you!
Warmly,
Rev. Tomkin Coleman
http://www.mnweddingminister.com
posted by Rev. Tomkin Coleman | 10:22 AM
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