Prenuptual agreement(!) in MN

Question:

(Taken from several personal conversations)

Dear Rev. Coleman,

This is kind of a random question, but we're getting married (this is our second marriage), and we were thinking of getting a prenuptial agreement, but was wondering how much it would cost, and where we could go to get one?

Careful in Minnesota

Answer:

Dear CIM,

Those are great questions! Talking with Cragg Law in St Paul, MN, he quoted $995 for most prenuptial agreements, and for peace of mind, of nothing else, it can be a great idea. With the minimum cost of a divorce being $4,000, if one can think of a prenuptial agreement more like insurance, then it seems like a well-reasoned and well-thought out contingency plan - especially if it's a second wedding and assets are a bit complicated.  Two complications from Cragg Law's page on prenuptial agreements that a prenup can help with:

• Ensuring that children from a previous relationship receive all or a substantial portion of their parent's estate
• Limiting ownership in a closely-held business

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Thank you for baptism

Question:

Hi Rev. Tomkin,

Thank you for such a lovely ceremony! It was everything we wanted and more for our daughter's baptism. It was so wonderful to meet you. Your warmth and genuine care for our family made it extra special. I am so glad you were able to be a part of her day, we will never forget it.

Thanks again,

New Hope Couple (and Daughter)

Answer:

Good morning, NHC (and D!)

Thank you so much for the honor of being part of your daughter's special day! I loved meeting you three and your extended family...the love and happiness in your household is such a perfect place for raising children.

Again, thank you for the honor...your daughter is a lucky little girl!

God bless you!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

MN wedding videographer cost

Question:

Dear Rev. Tomkin,

Thank you so much for all your wedding vendor recommendations, especially the music ones! We're using wedding pianist Sharon Planer, and we're very excited about our choice.

We're debating whether or not to get a wedding videographer...do you know how much it costs to have someone make a DVD of the wedding ceremony, or how much it would cost to shoot a wedding and reception in Minnesota?

August Bride

Answer:

Dear AB,

I talked to Tom at PixelSkew wedding videos, and he said:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I hope 2010 is treating you well! My base package starts with a 3 camera setup. I know that some places have options with fewer cameras, but I don't feel that does the kind of quality job I've run my business doing these past years. 

• Just for the wedding ceremony, I could probably do for about $1,200
• Wedding ceremony and Reception starts at $2,500 

Wedding videography prices go up after that with the addition of cameras and the Blu-Ray option. Everything is filmed in HD, but it takes a lot longer to work on that version, thus the price increase if a couple would want Blu-Ray.

I hope this helps! Have a great Valentine's Day!

Tom Beckel

Minnesota wedding videography at PixelSkew

I'm so glad you're set up with Sharon - she's wonderful. I highly recommend getting the ceremony (and even the wedding reception) taped by a professional (PixelSkew is great)...video captures so much more than just photos. I hope the above answer helps!

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

Minneapolis Weddings

Van Dusen Manor closed

Question:

Hi, Rev. Coleman,

It’s been a while since we e-mailed about the wedding at the Calhoun Beach Club this last October, and I hope the new year is treating you well.  I was just visiting your wonderful site, and visiting the page about Minneapolis and St Paul mansions for weddings, and thought I’d mention the Van Dusen Mansion is no longer doing events.  The site has been seized by the government.  Luckily it did not impact any brides and grooms negatively.  The ones who were booked there we were able to move to other sites they were happy with.

Looking forward to working with you again!

Brenda Probasco Event Planner office  | 612-238-4444 direct  | 612-625-6593 fax  | 612-624-7572 www.damicocatering.com

 

***Now at Chambers, the Luxury Art Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis!

Click here for a virtual tour of our venues

Answer:

Good afternoon, Brenda,

So good to hear from you! Wow, that's really too bad...the Van Dusen Mansion is a beautiful site, and I've loved performing wedding ceremonies there.

Business Week says it's for sale for $4 million, describing it this way:
This three-story, 12,000-square-foot mansion was restored in 1995 and features magnificent millwork throughout, 10 fireplaces, a gracious floor plan, and finished basement with stainless steel prep kitchen. The two-story, 4,200-square-foot carriage house was renovated in 1996-97. It can accommodate 136 people for banquet seating and includes another stainless steel prep kitchen, a mezzanine overlooking the first floor, an antique English bar, and cherry wood throughout.

We can only hope someone will snap up the Van Dusen!

Thank you for the update, Brenda. You are wonderful, to let people know like this - thank you so much.

Looking forward to working with you again, too - best wishes for 2010!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Outdoor winter wedding in Minnesota

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

My fiance and I are big cross-country skiiers and love the Minnesota winters, and we would love to have our wedding outdoors in the winter. Have you ever performed a wedding ceremony outdoors in the winter? Is it at all possible? Any ideas?

Winter Bride

Answer:

Dear WB,

I have to admit, I've never performed an outdoor wedding ceremony in a Minnesota winter before. The closest is probably a mid-October wedding on the outdoor grounds of Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, MN (they had outdoor heaters set up, and it was in the mid-60s)...or, last weekend, I performed a February wedding ceremony in the Pavilion's outdoor tent (but that was heated up to 72 degrees). I'd say it all depends on your guests...are these fun, outdoor-type athletes, or are there 90-year old grandparents among the guests? One tip...it feels 10 degrees warmer in the daytime that at night (that's the "feels-like" temp, in addition to the actual temperature), and then it feels 10 degrees warmer than that in the sunshine, as opposed to when it's cloudy. So a lot depends on the actual day, as well!

I was chatting with Minneapolis wedding photographer John Perry and mentioned your e-mail -and he said he's set to shoot a wedding on the North Shore of Lake Superior this weekend - a mid-February wedding ceremony! So, I guess it is possible...I would think that the bride would be the one who has to be the most flexible, as most everyone else can wear silk long underwear!

I hope this helps!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Weddings (both summer and winter) with Rev. Coleman

p.s. To readers - By the way, I just have to give a shout-out to John...his work is amazing.  He has a wonderful way of capturing intimate moments...waiting patiently for the shot, anticipating as much as possible...plus, he as a calm, warm manner that puts people at their ease, so they are comfortable (and eventually, actually having fun while getting their wedding photos taken...he's a rare jewel.

It's really important to find a wedding photographer you feel comfortable with, and John Perry is amazing in that respect (plus, I love his aesthetics!)

 

  

  

  

  

Rehearsal dinner in Eden Prairie

Question:

Hello Reverend Coleman,

I came across your website while researching rehearsal dinner venues in the Twin Cities area.  After reviewing your website information, manager Jim Cameron and I would love it if you would let people know about Wildfire in Eden Prairie as a desired venue for your brides and grooms.

We would love to host you and your wife for dinner, as well as show you our private dining space.

Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you!

Best regards,

Cara
Cara St. John
Parties & Special Events Manager
Wildfire Restaurant
8251 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Phone (952) 914-9100
www.wildfirerestaurant.com







Answer:

Good afternoon, Cara,

Thank you so much for the info, and for your gracious hospitality! I loved dinner at Wildfire steakhouse in Eden Prairie, MN, loved meeting you and Jim, and hope that lots of brides continue to enjoy your wonderful restaurant!

Thank you again!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman


My website review of Wildfire and my enthusiastic recommendation for rental for rehearsal dinners (and wedding receptions!) is here, but the following are pictures of one of the amazing dinners offered by the restaurant:

 

My wife ordered Wildfire's signature "flights of wine", which she said was just delicious, with a great wine selection. When renting a rehearsal dinner room or rooms for a wedding reception, Wildfire offers bar packages that start with beer and wine for $15 per person for 1 hour, all the way up to premium brands, including Wildfire specialty martinis and classic cocktails, imported and domestic beers, cappuccino, and sterling a "Vitner's Collection" Cabernet Sauvignon.

  

Wildfire's scallop skewers were amazing (plus, the shrimp cocktail on the left)...I realize that a steakhouse prides itself on its steaks, but wow, both the scallops and the shrimp are wonderful!

  

Wild rice is on the left, roasted vegetables (with an amazing balsamic vinegar reduction!) on the right - both available with Wildfire's rehearsal dinner or wedding reception menus (starting at $30.95/person, including starters, salads, main courses, potatoes and vegetables, and desserts...I love it when a fine restaurant serves the dinners at a wedding reception - they can really serve top-quality meals to every single guest!)

  

Here I'm sitting in front of the star attraction - the filet mignon, which was perfect! Bravo! To the right is Wildfire's signature dish, which my wife ordered - filet mignon medallions, each "crusted" with a different topping, such as blue cheese, parmesan, and horseradish. I loved this dish...usually, I don't put anything on a fine steak (not steak sauce, or anything else), but these toppings were outstanding...they really added to the meat' flavor, and when coming again, I'll order these! Note that filet mignon with crusts is available with Wildfire's premium rehearsal dinner or wedding reception offerings at $41.95/person.

Check out my full review of Wildfire's Eden Prairie steakhouse on my MN rehearsal dinner review page - they are unique among Twin Cities, MN restaurants in that Wildfire can host a full 80 guests, which makes them work not only for western-suburb rehearsal dinners, but also for actual wedding ceremonies and receptions!

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

  

New website for Lake Harriet Spiritual Community

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

Thank you for listing Lake Harriet Spiritual Community (LHSC) on your web page about Minnesota churches that rent out their space for wedding ceremonies. We certainly appreciate the listing! Some updates:

• Our www.lhscweb.org address has been changed to: http://www.LakeHarrietSpiritualCommunity.org
• Lily has moved on to another position, Nancy Couné is the new Office Manager. You can certainly keep the description “fun, very warm, and outgoing”… she’s all that too!

We love that you love us so much! I can’t help it if I’m a little biased too. Things are really blossoming at LHSC! Thanks again for your tremendous support!

Valerie Olson
Lake Harriet Spiritual Community (LHSC) Meetup Events Coordinator
events@LakeHarrietSpiritualCommunity.org
http://www.LakeHarrietSpiritualCommunity.org

Answer:

Good evening, Valerie,

Thank you SO much for the updates! You provide a wonderful service to couples in the Twin Cities area, and I love performing wedding ceremonies at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community.

Wow - your new website looks amazing! Your review is now updated, and up and running.

I look forward to working with LHSC again and again!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin
Minneapolis Weddings

Outdoor wedding in St Cloud, MN

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman, I am in desperate need of your help! My fiance and I are planning our wedding for September of this year and STILL have been unable to find a location for the ceremony.

We want to get married in the St. Cloud, MN area (as we already have our reception hall booked there) and have been unsuccessfully searching for an outdoor venue for the ceremony. We are estimating about 200 guests so places like Munsinger Gardens are not options as they can only accomidate small groups. I'm starting to get very worried about finding something and came across your website with great Twin Cities wedding locations. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for the St. Cloud, MN area? I look forward to hearing back from you!

St Cloud Bride

Answer:

Good afternoon, SCB,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Wow, those requirements are pretty tough:

• St Cloud, MN location
• Outdoors
• Wedding ceremony only
• 200 guests

Have you thought about having your wedding ceremony at the reception site? That can work surprisingly well.

But - if you have your heart set on an outdoor location, and it has to be in the St Cloud area, and has to accommodate 200 guests, that's a tough one. One possibility is to get a wedding permit for Riverside Park in St Cloud (pictured above), and then rent chairs (and perhaps chair covers, maybe even a tent) from General Rental Center of St Cloud.

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
MN Wedding Ceremonies

 

Reply-back:

Rev. Coleman –

Thank you for your quick response!  I gathered that this was a difficult thing to find since I feel like I’ve hit a dead end with it.

I am also willing to look at ceremony sites that are indoors if there are any as options.  Originally we wanted an outdoor wedding mainly because my fiancé was not  brought up with a religious background and although he has found his own spiritual relationship, he feels uncomfortable in churches.

The reception site we chose is the 400 Club on Pleasant Lake.  They do have patio we could use for the ceremony but I fear the space would be pretty cramped with 200 people.  If you have any suggestions for indoor facilities in the area, I would be more than happy to look into those as well.

Kind regards,

St Cloud Bride

Answer:

Good afternoon, SCB,

I'm sorry I don't know of any indoor ceremony sites in St Cloud, other than ceremony/reception sites (since a church isn't an option).

Hmm...the patio at the 400 Club would be tight, wouldn't it? I'm trying to think of an option that might work there...perhaps with you, your groom, and your attendants up on the deck stairs/platform (you two on the top, with your attendants fanning down on the sides of the stairs), and the guests on the deck and on the lawn? 

It might be worth talking to the coordinator at the 400 Club, or walking down there again and taking a look at it, seeing what the options might be. It can be so nice to have the ceremony and reception in the same place...

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Thank you!

Question:

Dear Rev. Tomkin,

I just wanted to let you know that you have the absolute best website for Minnesota wedding venues. Too many of the other sites are far too crammed and confusing. No venues will work for us but I thought I would let you know that your site was by far the easiest and nicest we came across..... thanks for keeping it simple yet informative. Wonderful job!

October Groom

Answer:

Dear OG,

Aw, thanks so much!

Best wishes for your wedding!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Church for a Sunday wedding in Minnesota

Question:

Hi Reverend Coleman, Thanks so much for your site and everything it includes! It's helped me a lot in searching for a Minnesota ceremony and reception venue. My fiance and I were thinking about getting married on the sunday of July 4th weekend 2011 (July 3rd) primarily because it would be much cheaper to rent facilities on a sunday but also because it would most likely be a good traveling time for people. The problem we're running into is that we really want to get married in a church or chapel and we are having a hard time finding one that does a wedding on a sunday and on July 4th weekend. We live in the St. Paul/Roseville, MN area and would like to get married in the Twin Cities. Its also important that the ceremony site have air conditioning for comfort and because it is a warmer time of the year. Any suggestions you have would be so great!

Thanks,

Independence Day Weekend Bride

Answer:

Good evening, IDWB,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Ooh, that's a tough one...there are very few churches or chapels in the Twin Cities area willing to rent to non-members, and the ones that do, well, they have Sunday services...

That being said, you might want to check out the "Little White Church in the Valley", a historic church built in 1882 in Golden Valley, MN. It is now run by the Golden Valley Historical Society, so it doesn't have Sunday services. It's owned by the city of Golden Valley, and used as a city museum, educational center, historical wedding chapel, and meeting hall. Note that this wedding chapel really small, though - only holds 80 guests, and like most old churches, I would guess it doesn't have air conditioning.

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Weddings with Rev. Coleman

p.s. Check out Minnesota Premarital Counseling to get $70 off your MN marriage license!