Minnesota Arboretum for weddings

Question:

Good Afternoon Rev. Coleman –

I found your website and I must say I am very impressed with your site and your obvious passion for helping new couples navigate what can be a very stressful time for them –the wedding planning (cue ominous music).

I would be happy to give you a tour of our gardens & facilities at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum at a time that is convenient for you. In 2009 we have 102 weddings booked – a record for us. We are often asked about officiants and would be happy to promote you as well.

Please let me know what we can do to become one of your premiere wedding destinations of Minnesota. I look forward to speaking with you!

Lindsay Sypnieski
Visitor Services & Reservations Manager
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive
Chaska, MN 55318
Direct: 952-443-1427
Fax: 952-443-3018
Email: lsypnies@umn.edu
Website: www.arboretum.umn.edu


Answer:

Good afternoon, Lindsay,

Thank you so much for your wonderful email - you made my day! Sorry it took so long to get back to you (I was on vacation).

You have a gorgeous and special space, and I would love to promote the Arboretum - thank you! I've performed many wedding ceremonies at the MN Landscape Arboretum, and love your site. I had no idea that you offered a space for wedding receptions, too - that's terrific! May I ask you a few questions? (If there's some formula, or something, an approximate number is totally fine, just to get a rough idea).

Note to readers: Her answers are provided here.

• What is the fee for renting a spot for just a wedding ceremony, on a Saturday in the summer?
  --- The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has several gardens we use for wedding ceremonies they range in rental cost based on the number of people it can hold. Our smallest is our Japanese Garden (holds max. of 12 people) for $500 up to our Nelson Shrub Rose Garden (holds max. of 250 people) for $1,000 (includes shuttle bus to and from the visitors center for guests).
  
  
• What is the rental fee for using the hall for a reception on a Saturday in the summer?
  --- The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has 5 spaces that range in size for receptions – our Tearoom & Terrace (holds max. 50 guests) for $1,050 room rental up to our MacMillan Auditorium (holds up to a max. of 300 guests) for $2,000 room rental. We also have food & beverage minimums to reach based on the room size.
  
  
• Just to give couples an idea of prices for wedding receptions, may I ask what's the price for, say, a chicken dinner? (This info, placed on this comparison chart, can be really helpful for couples!)
  $20.49 plus tax and 18% service charge

Note to readers: Kudos and many thanks to Lindsay of the Minnesota Arboretum - it is so gracious and generous of her to provide these answers for readers. I love performing wedding ceremonies at the Arboretum, and highly recommend it for both wedding ceremonies and receptions!

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Wedding Minister & Planner