Black Bear Crossings photo

Question (from phone call):

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

This is Kathy from Black Bear Crossings in Saint Paul. Thank you for all your referrals from your website, and we're so glad to refer couples to you, as well! We love the picture you took of Black Bear Crossings, the one on where you review our wedding reception site, in the bottom right, which shows the lake. Would it be okay if we used it in our site?

Sincerely,

Kathy

Answer:

Good morning, Kathy,

It was so nice talking with you today! Yes, you may certainly use my photo of Black Bear Crossings, which is attached.  I love performing wedding ceremonies at your site, and couples are always glad that they chose it! Thank you, too, for all your wonderful referrals.

I look forward to working with you again!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Weddings in Minnesota

The historic, and well-loved Black Bear Crossings at Como Lake in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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

New bridal salon in Minneapolis, MN - Posh Bridal Couture

Question:

Hello Reverend Coleman,

Posh Bridal Couture is the newest couture bridal salon located in the historic Semple Mansion wedding reception hall in Minneapolis, MN.  Katherine Hendrickson recommended I contact you as I get my name out in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  You are her #1 referral source to her website!  I would love to meet you and show you around our space.  Our Grand Opening is January 7th, 8th & 9th from 10 am - 8 pm.  I'd love to invite you and your wife!  

I look forward to meeting you!

Marie Suchy

Marie Suchy

Posh Bridal Couture

100 W Franklin Avenue, Suite 200

Minneapolis, MN  55404

p: 612.599.5759

f: 612.871.4747

www.poshmn.com

Be a fan on facebook ~ www.facebook.com/poshmn

Answer:

Good evening, Marie,

What a great e-mail to get!

That's wonderful that you're opening a new salon in the Semple Mansion. I'd love to stop by the Grand Opening!

Please give the fabulous Ms. Hendrickson a big hug for me, and I hope you get lots of traffic, and I hope your opening is a rousing success!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
http://www.mnweddingminister.com

Wedding gardens in Minnesota

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I am looking for an outdoor wedding spot around the Twin Cities. Honestly, this is the first bit of planning I have started. We set the date a couple months ago before he proposed. :) Which happened last night!

I love your page on wedding gardens in Minnesota, and would like to be married under an archway of some sort with a beautiful background. Let me know what you can help me with. I am not a very good planning type person, so I need all the help I can get! :)

Thanks!!

New Bride

Answer:

Dear NB,

I think you would LOVE Sherer's Garden, in Eagan, Minnesota. I've got a whole review of this wedding gardens here.

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
MN Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Computer repair in Minneapolis or St Paul, MN

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

Thank you for your phone call, and yes, I can help you with your computer repair.  First of all, thank you for providing all the details about your MacBook Pro, and the problem you're having. I found a replacement drive at geeks.com which would be a direct swap with your current optical drive. Here is the link.

I personally have bought parts from this establishment before and have no complaint. Once the drive arrives, we can set up a time for me to install it. The replacement procedure is about 2 hours long (assuming the damage doesn't prevent me from putting the top casing back together). Please keep me updated.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays!

The IT Guy
651-208-4178
itguyhelps.me

Answer:

Dear IT Guy (Truong Nguyen),

Thank you so much for all your help with my computer!  It's working fantastic, and I really appreciate your prompt, professional service. You did a terrific job, and I wish that all service repairs went so well!

• Note to readers: This post is really off-topic (not about weddings at all), but it was such a positive experience, I wanted to let you know about it.
• I had trouble with my computer this winter, in that my CD drive stopped working when I fell off my bicycle last summer and landed on my laptop (!) Truong Nguyen, aka The IT Guy, helped me out in a wonderfully personal way. He actually drove through the cold, snowy weather and came to my home and to replace my CD drive, all for a fraction of  the Mac store in Roseville quoted. Truong was very professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and incredibly easy to work with. There are only a few things in life that work really well (e.g. Macs, Tivo, Snap-On Tools), and now I can add the IT Guy to the list!  Truong works out of his home in St Paul, and is even willing to come to your site, if you wish. Like he did with me, he's also willing to let you buy the part, which means that the parts cost is a fraction of what it would be if you went to the manufacturer. Troung's phone number is 651-208-4178, and his website for computer repair in MN is here. Check out his reviews, too - I recommend Truong's repair services 100%!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Steel drums for wedding in Minnesota

Question:

 

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

I am a steel drum performer who has played over 300 weddings in the last few years - mainly in the Florida Keys.   I live in Minnesota late spring, summer, and fall and am available to perform private functions, corporate events, and wedding ceremonies and/or receptions.   I'd love for brides to know about my services, in addition to your recommendations for Minnesota wedding musicians.

My promotional kit is available online which also contains video and song samples.   I also have a website from my Key West weddings.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration.

 

Dave Herzog

Island Steel Drums

Answer:

Dear Dave,

Absolutely! For a beach-themed wedding, or for a wedding with a bride who was from the Carribean, your services could be very helpful. Best wishes for your drumming, and I hope to see you at a wedding soon!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

MN Wedding Officiant

Thank you!

Question:

Dearest Rev. Tomkin,

I just wanted to extend the warmest thank you imaginable. The ceremony and rehearsal were not only perfectly organized, but a lot of fun for all involved. Thank you for being so warm and welcoming to all of our friends and family. Our special day was wonderful and we have you to thank for such a wonderful ceremony. We've received many compliments and kudos from friends and family about the ceremony you created. Thank you for all that you did! Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy and happiness.

Thanks!

Laura and Gordon McDonald

Outdoor wedding reception in Minnesota

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

Looking at your site online- lots of great information. You have a wonderful list of outdoor wedding ceremony sites in the Minneapolis area, but I have been driving myself crazy looking for a place to have an OUTSIDE wedding reception, as well as outdoor wedding ceremony... know of any place? Thank you!

Outdoor Loving Bride






Answer:

Dear OLB,

Regarding a site for you to have an outside wedding reception and ceremony in Minnesota...hmm, there's many places that let you have an outside wedding ceremony, but an outside reception, that's much rarer. The problem is that they must accommodate the possibility of rain, so most Minnesota wedding reception sites only have their receptions indoors.

However, there is a place that will set up a huge tent (like the one pictured above), and then you can have your wedding reception outdoors (it's a really nice tent), plus, guests can wander in and out at will. The site I'm thinking of is Majestic Oaks Golf Club by Ham Lake.

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Wedding Officiant