Wedding recommendations in Minnesota

Question:

Hello Rev. Tomkin!

I apologize that it's been so long since we have been in contact with you! There have been many changes since the last time we spoke!

A few quick updates:
>>snipped out<<

We also had a few questions for you...

1) We are still looking for a florist. My mom was remembering that you had mentioned a woman who was a florist on the side, who was very good and reasonably priced. Could you put us in contact with her, and any others that we might be interested in? We're not going for super-formal- for centerpieces we're thinking about wheat, and for the flowers themselves, we're thinking about something a little more "wild". We'd really appreciate any suggestions you might have!

2) A friend of ours has offered to DJ. He has the equipment and has DJ'ed weddings before, but he is not a professional. Do you know if this will be an issue?

3) Do you know of a good place to do rentals for the guys? John was recently in a wedding that used the Men's Wearhouse, and we were not impressed...

We are getting very excited as the date approaches- things are finally seeming "real"!

Talk to you soon,

May Bride

Answer:

Dear MB,

Good afternoon, Emily,

Ooh, it's so good to hear from you!

Good call on both the Aloft Hotel in Minneapolis, MN and the Old Spaghetti Factory across the street for the rehearsal dinner!

>>1) We are still looking for a florist.
>>My mom was remembering that you had
>>mentioned a woman who was a florist on the
>>side, who was very good and
>>reasonably priced. Could you put us in contact
>>with her, and any others that
>>we might be interested in?

If you are looking for an individual designer, I highly recommend Polished Petals (Erin Erskine), who is at 612-418-7554.

>>for the flowers themselves,
>>we're thinking about something
>>a little more "wild"

I've found that there are 3 local shops that specialize in non-traditional, avante-garde, or "wild" arrangements. The easiest way to check them out is to look at some of their examples, and here's these Minnesota wedding florist's contact info and examples. (All 3 are fantastic!)

>>3) A friend of ours has offered to DJ. He has the equipment
>>and has DJ'ed weddings before, but he is not a professional. Do you know if this will be an issue?

Well, if he's done it before, that's a huge plus. I'd recommend asking him if he could give you a presentation, like you're interviewing him for the job, then he can sell you on it. The rule of thumb I've heard is that the DJ should do:

• 1/3 - What you request ahead of time
• 1/3 - Classics that he chooses  -YMCA, Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now), etc.
• 1/3 - Requests from the crowd

If he can do that sort of thing, and has the music to satisfy all 3 requirements, I'm sure he'd be fine!

>>5) Do you know of a good place to do rentals for the guys? John was recently
>>in a wedding that used the Men's Wearhouse, and we were not impressed...

I asked two of my favorite professionals in the wedding industry - Amy Rubins (wedding coordinator for Fete Perfection), and Katherine Hendrickson (wedding coordinator for the Semple Mansion).

• Amy Rubins from the fabulous Fete Perfection says: I recommend The Foursome in Wazyata (she also says, "BTW, I have had very good luck with The Men’s Warehouse at Southdale but not at the others – hope this helps.")
  
  
  
  
• Katherine from Semple Mansion says: Marie at Posh Bridal Couture (at the Semple Mansion) rents a full line of tuxedos. The bride or the groom can just call her directly to set up a appointment. Also, any out of town groomsmen can just send her in their measurements. Marie's contact info is 612.599.5750 or marie@poshmn.com

I hope this helps!  If you ever have other questions, I'm always here for you.

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin