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

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!

New photos for site by Laurie Schneider Photography

Question:

Hello there, Rev. Coleman.

As always, it was wonderful working with you. Can you please send your mailing address to me.  I have a disk with some images of you from three weddings where we worked together in 2009.

Hope you’re well.

Best,

Laurie

Website: http://www.lschneider.com
Blog: http://lauriesblog.lschneider.com

Answer:

Good afternoon, Laurie,

Thank you so much for the pictures! I'm at "Rev. Tomkin Coleman, 197 Griggs St N, St Paul, MN 55104.

You are fantastic, Laurie. Your pictures are now up on my site on pages like Steps to Planning a Wedding in Minnesota, and there is credits, plus links to your site - you take amazing photos!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden wedding - rain?

Question:

Hello, Pastor Tomkin. We've found your site, with all it's reviews of wedding ceremony and reception locations in Minneapolis, to be extremely helpful with the beginning wedding planning stages. So, we've booked the Minneapolis Sculpture garden (reviewed on the gardens for MN weddings page) for our August 7 wedding (with the Profile Event Center for our reception) and are now starting to get worried about having a rain site. I've called Minneapolis Parks and looked into the Loring Park Arts Center (our wedding is the same weekend as the Loring Park Art fair so that location was out) and also asked about Cowles Conservatory. Both are unavailable. We are trying to keep our rain site on the cheaper side if possible since it might go unused. Do you have any recommendations? We've also called a few churches and they were unwilling to let us use them. I'm starting to get worried!! Ive heard of weddings being held at art galleries in NE Minneapolis. What do you know about this? We have a wedding of around 175. Thanks!!

Art Loving Bride

Answer:

Dear ALB,

While it's always good to have a back-up rain location for your wedding ceremony, having the reception site as a back-up is definitely good enough - you do not need to rent a second ceremony location. The chances of having rain at your particular time, at your particular site (Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, pictured to the right), are so small in the summer that having a backup location of your reception site is definitely good enough. Even if you'd have to seat your guests at their tables, and have your ceremony up front...that's just a backup idea, and most probably wouldn't be used.

I hope this helps!

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

p.s. I'd like to give another shout-out to my wife's wonderful services of premarital counseling in Minneapolis and St Paul - she's terrific!

Recommended wedding favors?

Question:

(Phone conversation)

Dear Rev. Coleman,

We went to several weddings last year, and I love the idea of wedding favors, but actually, the favors we saw at our friends' weddings were pretty, but not very practical. Any ideas?

2010 Bride

Answer:

Dear 2B (and readers!)

For this question, I defer to my own bride, my wife of almost 2 years now:

Hello, husband!

Sure, no problem! Here are the favors that I find appealing - I got them from a website, Elegant & Unique Wedding Favors, which had a huge selection:

Regal Monogram Mint Tins (Available in a Variety of Colors) Price: As low as $2.10
NOTE: Actually got these at a wedding recently, and I keep them in my purse!

For a couple who loves to travel:
Airplane Luggage Tag in Gift Box with Suitcase Tag  Price: As low as $3.55
OR:
Elegant Chrome Luggage Tag with Engraved Heart  Price: As low as $2.50

For an Asian or Asian-themed wedding:
Double Happiness Keepsake Candle  Price: As low as $1.60

Good Wishes Pearlized Photo Coasters   Price: As low as $1.84
NOTE: I like that these have multiple uses--placeholder, coaster, and picture frame.

Forever Photo Glass Coasters   Price: As low as $1.60
NOTE: These can't be used as placeholders, but they're a nice alternative to the option above if the person would rather not have the writing all over them.

Another photo coaster option:
"Fleur-de-lis" Frosted-Glass Photo Coasters    Price: As low as $1.90

Something Blue Gift Box Candle in Pearlized Box with Satin Printed Ribbon   Price: As low as $1.50
NOTE: A fun takeoff on the iconic Tiffany's box (pictured to the right).

If the bride and/or groom works as a seamstress or carpenter:
"Love Beyond Measure" Measuring Tape Keychain in Sheer Organza Bag    Price: As low as $1.40

If the bride and/or groom is a chef or really loves to cook:
"Love Beyond Measure" Heart Measuring Spoons with Free Personalized Tag   Price: As low as $2.95

If the bride and/or groom is a writer, a big reader, or has a book-related job:
"Love Story" Silver-Finish Heart-Shaped Bookmark with Elegant Silk Tassel  Price: As low as $1.50

An edible gift can be fun. Here's one example:
Love is Sweet Black and White Personalized Hershey Chocolate Bars   Price: $2.55

Some suggestions regarding wedding favors:

• I would suggest not giving anything alcohol-related. 
• Also, it's nice if the gift is something the guest could actually use. If it has the couples' names, monogram, wedding date, etc., it'll probably just get thrown away (which is fine if you're giving chocolates--another favor that's always fun to receive!). 
• Something regional or personal to the couple adds a nice touch.

Let me know if you need anything else, my darling!

Your wife
Julie Coleman
MN Premarital Counseling with Before Your Wedding Day

Professional MN makeup artist will come to bride's room

Question:

 

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I saw your wonderful reviews of the new salon (Posh) for weddings in Minneapolis, MN, and I thought brides might also be interested in the option of having a professional makeup artist come to their hotel or home to make them up for their Minnesota wedding.  It is my pleasure to introduce myself to your business.  My name is Amy Stutzriem and I am a makeup artist in the Twin Cities and surrounding communities.  I am certified and experienced in Film, Commercial, HDTV, Print, Video, Bridal, and Airbrush techniques.  (Photo to the right by Images By Kris and the Wedding News Blog).

 

Having just completed working on a Hollywood feature film, Statue of David, and having worked for Elizabeth Ries of "Twin Cities Live" (pictured to the right), I am available for new projects.  Many brides find that with the advent of high-resolution video and photography, they would really like a professional makeup artist to do their makeup and hair, and they don't necessarily want to go to a salon on the day of their wedding to make sure that they look their best. I usually charge brides $150 for makeup (and hair, if they want), or, what usually happens is that once I'm working on the bride, then bridesmaids or mothers ask if they can use my services, as well, in which case it's $100 for the bride and $75 for bridesmaids, mother of the bride, and such.

Sincerely,

Amy Stutzriem

Answer:

Dear Amy,

What a wonderful idea! Readers can contact Amy at makeupready@gmail.com or at 651.278.5263.

 

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

Minneapolis Weddings

p.s. Here's some more examples of her work:

 

 

 

Phone call - 2010 MN weddings booking up

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

(Taken from a phone call with Steve Rouch, Master Photographer),

We talked about the importance of good wedding photography (Steve Rouch is amazing - he's my favorite wedding photographer in the Twin Cities!), and I mentioned how so many brides on Facebook use their wedding photograph for their profile picture, even years later. Steve said, yes, that's true - if you see obituaries in the newspaper, they often use their wedding picture from 1960, because that's the best picture that's ever been taken of them.

That's amazing!  But it's so immediately true, once I think about it...Steve's studied art and photography formally for years, and now has over 20 years of years shooting brides and grooms and making them look their best, and those photos turn out amazing, like the photographs you see in magazines. When in life do we hire a master craftsman like that to take photos? "The best picture they ever had"...that's right, that's what wedding photos are.

I really believe in pampering the bride, and so does Steve...I mentioned how weddings are one of the few times when things can't be mass-produced, and people have to hire local craftsman, like him, to do things like wedding photography - and he gently reminded me that this isn't exactly true. Since the advent of digital photography, there's been many local photography companies who hire a bunch of photographers with less than a year of experience to go out and shoot weddings...news that is appalling to me. There's SUCH a difference between great photography and well, not-great photography, and a wedding is the ONE time where you want to make sure everything is totally the best. Photography is like painting...painting with light, really, and there's a huge difference between photographs carefully taken with a trained and experienced eye, and photographs that are taken by the thousands, hoping that one or two turn out.

Check out this amazing page, which helps sum up the difference in pictures:

http://www.choicephoto.com/wedccourse.php

"The best picture they ever had"...what a great way to put it. I can see that couple who got married in 1960 in my mind's eye right now...quality craftmanship and an artistic eye took that photo.

Great conversation with a great artist - Steve Rouch, Master Photographer.

p.s.  In our phone call, we talked about how weekends in 2010 are booking up so quickly. I've only got a few booked for next year (about half of 2010 is booked, though), 2011, but he's booked up SO much of 2011, and with his booth at the Twin Cities Bridal Association Fair this Sunday, January 17th, 11 am - 4 pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center, he'll book up many more. 2000 brides and over 200 vendors - check out his booth, and check out the fair, if you are looking for something fun to do Sunday - it's amazing!

Christian and Jewish elements in a wedding in Minneapolis, MN

Question:

Dear Reverend Coleman,

I was reading about how you perform Christian-Jewish wedding ceremonies for interfaith couples in Minnesota. Thank you for providing this valuable service! Here's a more specific question - do you have experience with mixing Catholic and Jewish traditions in a ceremony?

Interfaith Bride

Answer:

Dear IB,

Yes, I've performed many wedding ceremonies in Minnesota that were a mix of Christian and Jewish, and several that were specifically Catholic and Jewish. There are elements of weddings that are the same in both faiths, and that's the part we emphasize, but then we include traditions from each faith, and explain what they mean, and the mix can work really well. We can talk about these options when we meet together to go over which traditions are meaningful to you, and how we can include them!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Interfaith Weddings in Minnesota

University Club in downtown St Paul - review

Question:

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

We have only lived in the Twin Cities, MN area for two years and we are currently planning a wedding for November, 2010.  Our top choice at this point is the University Club downtown St. Paul, Minnesota.  We love the room, but we have never attended a wedding there, nor do we know anyone that has attended a reception there.  Can you offer any insight into the wedding experience at the University Club downtown?  I truly appreciate any help you can offer - we love your wonderful reviews of historic wedding locations in the Twin Cities.

Thank you in advance!

November Bride

Answer:

Good evening, NB,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Yes, I have performed wedding ceremonies at the University Club, both in their first-floor lobby, and in one of their upper-floor rooms.  The lobby is the really beautiful site (although the room was quite nice).

The University Club's downtown St Paul location is not only gorgeous, but the people there are extremely friendly and helpful. It is one of the few top, premiere wedding ceremony and reception sites in the Twin Cities, MN, and I recommend them wholeheartedly. If it's within your budget, then my recommendation is to snap it up quick before it gets booked (assuming you're looking at a Saturday...they go so very, very fast)...in my opinion, you would be very pleased with them!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Weddings in MN

Photography giveaway in MN

Question:

Reverend Coleman, 

I'd like to introduce myself.  My name is Jacob Mengelkoch, and I am a co-founder and photographer for a Minneapolis, MN based photography and videography company called Imagine Your Wedding.  

Right now I'm working on promoting our business.  In order to do so, we're doing a free wedding photography and video giveaway of our standard package, which is normally $3000.

I've taken a look around your website and decided to email you because you seem like the right kind of person we want our business networking with.  I love your information on great places to take wedding photographs in Minneapolis/St Paul! Would you be interested in perhaps mentioning this giveaway to any Minnesota brides that don't already have a photo/video person set up?  That would be great!  There will be a blog post regarding this sometime between tonight and tomorrow morning.  Please take a look around our website and let us know what you think!  Thanks so much.

Imagine Your Wedding

Jacob Mengelkoch

Photographer and Co-Founder

Phone-763.732.9352

jacob@imagineyourwedding.com

Twitter-@IYWedding

Answer:

Dear Jacob,

Pleased to meet you! Such a great idea - good luck with your giveaway!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

Minneapolis Weddings

Minneapolis wedding location question

Question:

 

Hello Reverend Tomkin,

I'm planning to have an August wedding in Minnesota and we were looking for outdoor locations for weddings and stumbled across this picture of you and a couple:

 

I was wondering if you could perhaps remember this particular wedding and it's location because it looks absolutely beautiful! :)

Thanks so much!!

I look forward to hearing back from you! :)

 

August Bride

Answer:

Dear AB,

 

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Unfortunately, that picture is from a wedding I performed at the Four Seasons Resort in Maui, Hawaii (sorry!) They flew me out there and put me up in a hotel room...if that works for you, of course, that's great, but otherwise, the closest wedding site we have to that in Minnesota would be the Sunken Garden at the Como Conservatory, pictured below. A review of this wedding location is here.

Warm regards,

 

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

Weddings in Minneapolis

New links to weddings at Mill City Museum

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

Thank you for your wonderful review of the the Mill City Museum. Our web site has undergone a major redesign breaking many linking. You may wish to update any links you have to the site. Thank you for support and linking to us a resource.

Joe Hoover
Web Designer
Minnesota Historical Society

Answer:

Good morning, Joe,

Thank you so much for your email!  Thanks for telling me about the broken links on my site.

Your review of weddings at the Mill City Museum has now been updated with the correct links. I love performing wedding ceremonies at the Mill City Museum, and I love that I can recommend your site so wholeheartedly!

Warm regards,

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

Northfield, MN wedding venue

Question:

Hello Reverend Tomkin,

I recently discovered your Minnesota Wedding Blog, and you have such great information on Minneapolis/St. Paul wedding venues. I'm wondering if you have any information on venues in Northfield, MN, or if you know of anyone who might be able to give us that information. My fiancee is from Northfield, and that is where we would, ideally, like to have our wedding ceremony/reception, but we don't really know where to start looking.

Thanks,

Fiance is from Northfield

Answer:

Good evening, FIFN,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

YES, there is a wonderful, classy site in Northfield, MN - the Grand Event Center, a former old-style movie theater, now converted into a gorgeous venue.

It's beautiful, private, and the people there are very friendly - I think you'd love it!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Wedding Ceremonies in Minnesota

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

Honeymoon

Question (from Facebook):

Dear Rev. Tomkin,

Your honeymoon sounded like so much fun!!!!!!!!! I want to see pictures!

January Bride


Answer:

Dear JB,

Here's the best one (my wife took it with one hand, while at the restaurant, Don The Beachcomber, on the Big Island of Hawaii (it's the place that invented the Mai Tai). The sunset is behind us, and we spent the next 20 minutes watching it.

As much as we loved it, it's good to be back. Minnesota is a terrifc place, full of warm-hearted people, friends, family, our dog, and my wonderful work. I love vacationing - and then I love coming back!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin

Minnesota Wedding Minister

Wedding florists in Minneapolis/St Paul, MN area

Question:

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

It was wonderful meeting with you yesterday, and we look forward to working with you! I had a quick question. Do you have a Minnesota wedding florist you could recommend, one that is sort of non-traditional?

Thanks!

August Bride



Answer:

Dear AB,

I loved meeting you both, and yes, I can definitely recommend some great, non-traditional florists for weddings in Minnesota!

I've worked with Brenda Probasco, Event Planner for D'Amico wedding catering, and at a recent Calhoun Beach Club wedding (their website doesn't have much about their weddings, but Studio 306 has a wonderful display of photos from the Calhoun Beach Club), Brenda tipped me off to these wonderful florists, who produce high-end, non-traditional displays.  She points out that it's most important to actually meet with these designers, because it's all about personalities, and who "clicks" with whom.

Wisteria
Very high-end - Amazing floral designs, sometimes with lovely plumes, or even crystal, often with amazing items integrated into their displays.

Martha's Gardens
Organic, yet sculptural.  Lots of greens, which makes a unique display that works incredibly well.  (She does classical displays, too.)

Bastian and Skoog
Very avante-garde, non-traditional.  Beautiful displays, with lots of texture.  Amazing work with texture.

If you're looking for high-end, top-of-the-line beauty, with a non-traditional twist, you'll certainly fall in love with one (or all three) of these Minneapolis florists for weddings.

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Wedding Planning and Officiating

Guitarist recommendation for Minnesota wedding

Question:

Dear Rev. Tomkin,

Thank you for your wonderful wedding musician recommendations!  We're interested in a guitarist, but the guitarist you recommend on your website (Joel Shapira) is booked on our wedding day.  Do you have another possible recommendation?

June Bride

Answer:

Dear JB,

While I've not worked with Bobby Stanton, he comes highly recommended as an outstanding Minnesota guitarist, and he does play at weddings.  He plays either classical guitar, or steel string, his website has audio clips, he lists some of recent gigs (wow!)...plus, he lists some of the famous people he's played with, including:
 

• James Taylor 
• Garrison Keillor 
• Del Shannon 
• The Shirelles 
• Bo Diddley!!!
• The Temptations  
  
• The Drifters
  
• The Shangralas
  
• The Platters 
• Donny Osmond
  
• Box Car Willie
  
• Charlie Daniels
  

Bobby's fee for weddings is $175 (a standard price, but an amazing one for an artist of this caliber), and I'd love if you'd use him - then I'd get to hear his wonderful music live!

I hope this helps!

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Weddings

Wedding the day after Thanksgiving

Question:

Hello, I am an Airman First Class and I was reading your helpful article on how to get your marriage license in Minnesota, and I just have a few questions.

My fiance and I, both being in the US Air Force, plan on getting married so we can be stationed together.  The only problem is, the next time we will see each other is over Thanksgiving weekend.  Now i understand Thanksgiving is on a Thursday, but being in St. Paul for the entirety of the weekend, will the courthouses be open on that Friday? And what is the deal with witnesses, would be be able to have the legal marriage finished completely within the courthouse in one day, as long as we have our two witnesses? I'm of course new to this whole action, so I thank you for your time. Please write back soon and in as much detail as possible, since time is of the essence.

Respectfully,

A1C

Answer:

Dear A1C,

Congratulations on your engagement!  Wow, it's so difficult for soldiers, isn't it?  Here's answers:

>>Will the courthouses be open on that Friday?
Unfortunately, no, both Hennepin and Ramsey counties call that Friday "Thanksgiving Friday", and they're closed on that day (sorry).  Here's the link for the Hennepin County holidays, and the other county's holidays are pretty much the same.

>>And what is the deal with witnesses
That's easier - you need two witnesses (but anyone can serve as a witness, it doesn't have to be your friends, it could include anyone in the courthouse...I've had waiters do it - people are very accommodating about that).

I know this isn't the answer you wanted, but at least you now have some more info for your decisions...

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Minneapolis wedding photographer, Karen Tobler

Question:

Hello Reverend Coleman!

I can't believe it's been two and a half years almost since you married us! We still have comments about how touching the ceremony was, THANK YOU!!! I was wondering if you would feel comfortable with me putting your name and website on my upcoming photography website. I am revamping mine and want to put respected partners for people to call on should they need their services. Please let me know at your convenience if you are okay with this. Thank you so much and I appreciate your time. Hope you and your family are well!

Answer:

Dear Karen,

How wonderful to hear from you!  Yes, of course!

And readers - wow, if you are at all interested in photography, you HAVE to check out her site - Karen Tobler Photography - and her blog (pictured to the right) is amazing! Though I'm not a good photographer, I love great photos, and love talking about them, and it's fascinating to read her blog.  There is all this fascinating stuff going on around us, and it's so easy to miss, and a good photographer can capture these things and bring them to our attention, but so few photographers can talk about it (they're usually such visual people, but not aural).  Karen is a wonderful exception - she is not only a great photographer, but has a wonderful way of talking about what she's shooting, and why, that really brings you in!

Follow-up:

Hello, Rev. Coleman!  :D

Thanks so much for your voice-mail yesterday and now your kind words!  My new site will be live this weekend.  Many of the photos that are on the site you viewed will be on there as well as some new ones which I am so excited about.  In fact, I found out yesterday I will have the opportunity to photograph some humanitarian efforts with Big Brothers and Big Sisters which I will add under a new category which I think I will call "Helping Hands".  It will feature a number of pro bono photo sessions that I have been working on scheduling.

I would be more than honored to have you mention my site, Karen Tobler Photography, and my blog, Light Wanderer!  This has been a passion for so long and I feel so blessed to be able to share it with others.

Thank you again and it's wonderful to be in touch with you!

Karen
Karen Tobler Photography

Letterpress wedding keepsakes in St Paul, MN

Question:

Reverend Tomkin-

Hope this message finds you well.  I've heard of having wedding vows printed for framing.  Do you know someone who would be able to do this?  The vows are so beautiful that we would love to have the keepsake.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

October Bride

Answer: 

Good morning, OB,

Such a wonderful idea!  Brides have raved about the gorgeous letterpress printing services at the amazing Dick and Jane Letterpress of 2500 University Avenue, in St Paul, MN, 651-756-8990.  Letterpress printing is a term for the relief printing of text and image using a press with a  printing press and movable type, in which a reversed, raised surface hand-inked and then hand-pressed into a sheet of paper to obtain a positive right-reading image. I highly recommend this process for a beautiful image! I talked to Brian at Dick and Jane Letterpress, and they sent me the following e-mail:

• Thanks so much for the kind words. It was very nice to hear from you today. I've attached what I think might make a really simple yet sophisticated solution to the proposed vows. The layout plays on the delivery of each persons individual voice during the ceremony. Please have a look and let us know what you think. I included the lines "i do" but they could easily be removed at your request. These final dimensions are 6x9 which I think would frame quite nicely and hopefully pretty inexpensively.
  
  As for price, these types of projects can be tough to quote because you are really only looking for a single item as opposed to a standard minimum order of 50. Natalie and I looked over the final printed area and estimated we can print for a fee of $120.
  
  Please feel free to have a look over the design, consider the cost and let us know if you wish to move forward. Payment can be collected upon completion. Thank you so much for the opportunity to supply you with a quote. We wish everyone a wonderful wedding day.
  
  xoxo
  brian and natalie durk
  Dick and Jane Letterpress
  2500 University Ave - D6
  St Paul MN 55108
  P. 651-756-8990
  dickandjaneletterpress.com 

Note to readers:  The following image has the names blacked out, and is reduced in size, but you can at least get hint of how it looks (The image looks so beautiful and classy when blown up to 6x9"!)

Thank you!

Question:

Reverend Coleman,

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I really appreciate it. Your website bio has you coming across as a very kind, caring individual. From your e-mails and phone call, you seem that way. I appreciate your kindness (this whole planning thing is kinda stressful!).

Minneapolis Bride

Christian and Buddhist wedding in Minneapolis, MN

Question:

Hello Rev. Tomkin,
My fiancé and I are planning an Asian wedding next July 2010. However, I am Vietnamese and my fiancé is Cambodian. Also, I am a Christian and he’s a Buddhist. We do want to have a small Christian church wedding ceremony. The amount of people that we’d like to invite to the wedding ceremony will be mostly family members and very close friends only, so around 50- 100 people; so we don’t need a very large site. Also, we would like a nice indoor facility and will need to hire a pastor to do the ceremony for us. BTW, most of his family and mine who will be attending the wedding ceremony are Buddhists as well.
Would you be able to provide me an appropriate wedding ceremony location site suggestion?
Asian-American Bride

P.S: We already have a Chinese restaurant picked out and plan to invite about 300 people to attend the reception; so we just need a wedding ceremony location now.

Answer:

Chau co, AA-B,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

You may not now that one option would be to have your wedding ceremony right at your reception site (right at the restaurant). People do it all the time, and it works really well. For instance:

• I've performed a wedding ceremony at a Chinese restaurant on Rice Street in Saint Paul for a Hmong couple three years ago, and it went splendidly. They then set up the tables, and had the reception right there at the restaurant.
  
• I've also performed a wedding ceremony for a Chinese couple at their reception site (Windows of Minnesota, which is a conference room on the top floor of the 50-floor IDS building in downtown Minneapolis), and that went really well, too. (The guests stayed at their dinner tables during the ceremony.)
  

There are a few wonderful churches and chapels in Minneapolis that rent space to non-members for wedding ceremonies (check the link for info.) Most churches do not rent to non-members, but the above sites do. While none of the above cater specifically to Asian Americans, they are all very welcoming.

I hope this helps!

Xin chao ba,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Wedding Minister

Walker Art Museum for weddings

Wedding at the rooftop of the Walker Art Center


Wedding reception in Gallery 8 of the Walker (ceremonies are sometimes held here, too), although often it's used as the reception space, after a wedding ceremony.

Wedding reception (ceremonies can be held here, too) at the Walker Art Center's Skyline Room

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I hope you're doing well! We at the Walker Art Center loved having you officiate for so many weddings at the Walker, whether in the Skyline Room, Gallery 8, or on the rooftop terraces.

When we last talked, we chatted about your expanding your review on your wonderful page of reviews of museums for wedding ceremonies in the Minnesota, and Sharon, Ann and myself (note to readers - Sharon Broscha is Walker's Facility Rental Manager, Ann Jacobson is Wolfgang Puck's Director of Sales, and Erin Brunelle is the Catering Sales Coordinator) can host you for an afternoon tour of our locations for wedding ceremonies throughout the museum and point out features and answer questions you might have.

We would love to have a relationship between you and the Walker Art Center and Wolfgang Puck!

Sincerely,
Erin Brunelle
Catering Sales Coordinator
Wolfgang Puck Catering
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Dir: 612.253.3401
Fax: 612.377.6345
erin.brunelle@walkerart.org
"LIVE. LOVE. EAT!" - Wolfgang Puck

Answer:

Dear Erin,

So good to hear from you! Yes, let's definitely set up a meeting - I look forward to it! (Note to readers - stay tuned, review to come within a week!)

Warmly,

Reverend Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Ceremony Designer & Wedding Minister

Wedding ceremonies at Mulligan's in St Cloud, MN

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I wanted to follow up with you, and thank you for all your helpful advice. We ended up booking Semple Mansion in the Twin Cities, which I found thanks to your website review of Minneapolis mansion for wedding ceremonies. I fell in love with it, and we moved the wedding to the Twin Cities so that I could have it there. :)

But I did learn one important thing in my research that I wanted to share with you. The Grands at Mulligan's in St. Cloud, MN hosts wedding ceremonies and receptions, AND will allow you to bring in your own caterer. I know you get a lot of requests about this, so I wanted to share that tidbit with you, in case you get asked again.

Thank you again,

St Paul Bride



Answer:

Dear SPB,

Glad to help! You'll love Kathryn and the Semple Mansion - best wishes for your wedding!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Wedding Ceremonies

Minnesota marriage license waiting time

Question:

Hello Rev. Tomkin!!

I can't remember how long you said it takes to receive our Minnesota marriage paperwork/certificate? and I believe I can't change my name until after I receive this? Correct?

We can't thank you enough for making our ceremony so beautiful and memorable!! You were just wonderful to work with!

Thank you again! I am sad it is all over!

September Bride



Answer:

Good morning, SB (not her real name, of course!)

It's crazy it's over, isn't it? In some ways, it would be fun to have your wedding every weekend (although, you'd be a tired girl!) All those friends and family members, all the emotions and love...well, at least there's pictures still to come, that'll be fun!

And, of course, the changing of your documents (driver's license, passport, etc.)...well, that's not fun, exactly, but it's kind of neat to get your new Minnesota driver's license with your new, married name on it. Unfortunately, the process can't start until you receive your stamped and certified license back from the county.

The county (depending on which Minnesota county it is...) can be really slow in mailing you your stamped and certified marriage license (short answer: up to a month). I mailed it to them early last week, and it only takes 1 day to get to them, and once they've stamped and certified it, it will only take 1 day to get to you, but it takes them a good, long while for them to do their administrative part. I'd say that you'll be receiving it in the mail by the end of the month...(sorry, that's not the answer you wanted to hear, but they're quite slow about it).

If you have any questions at all, I'm always here for you.

Hugs to both of you!

God bless you!

Rev. Tomkin
Minneapolis Weddings

Summit Manor for outside wedding ceremonies in MN

Question:

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

As a newly engaged bride, I love your amazing blog and website, and last week found our Minnesota wedding musicians from your list of vendors - thank you! Would you be willing to help us with a recommendation for a beautiful outdoor wedding site in Minnesota, one where we can have the wedding reception, too? We've found a couple great places, but they are all in sunny locations, and we'd like ours in the shade because our wedding is in August. Can you help??? (We would definitely use you for our minister, but my father is the minister of our church!)

Shady Bride

An outdoor wedding at Summit Manor is usually in front, with chairs lined up on either side of the front sidewalk, the bride and groom on the top step, with their attendants on the lower steps. However, the pictures below show how a wedding ceremony can be set up off to the left of the house, under their huge oak tree.

Answer:

Dear SB,

Congratulations on your recent engagement!

Great question...there are several Minnesota wedding reception sites that have outdoor locations for wedding ceremonies, but most couples want a sunny location, so they're usually sunny. One great option, though, is Summit Manor in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Wedding ceremonies there are usually either indoors or out on their front lawn (with the couple standing on their gorgeous front stairs), but sometimes couples choose to have their wedding on the side lawn, which is under a huge, beautiful oak tree, which provides plenty of shade.

I hope this helps!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Wedding Ceremonies with Rev. Coleman

Falconer Vineyards in Red Wing, MN for weddings

Question:

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

I just stumbled across your amazing blog as I Googled a few of the million questions I've got (I just got engaged). The first one is about the Minnesota marriage license, as my fiance and I live in Chicago (and plan to continue to).

Next, we want to have the wedding near our friends and family in SE Washington County. I really want something around the bluffs and fall beauty of that area and wouldnt be opposed to going into Wisconsin (Hudson area) if the venue is right, but I'm not sure if that's allowed. The second thing I wanted to ask is whether you know of any reception sites that are low cost, in a natural setting, that allow for big tent rentals. We'd love a tent wedding in October, but also wanted to avoid paying a huge amount for the tent AND the site (i.e. there are a lot of venues in the right setting, but you have to pay for the whole venue, obviously, including the gorgeous mansion, etc.). This would be for around 200 people, so that puts a kink in things, too.

Thank you so much for your help. Your blog has been so informative and is put together so well!

Best,

Out of State Bride



Answer:

Good afternoon, OSB,

To get married in MN, you'll need to get a marriage license here (and then you have to get married here...it won't work in Wisconsin). You also need to apply in person. You can apply in any county (and then use it in any county). Note that it takes 5 days to get the license (the waiting period), so you want to do this ahead of time.

If you're willing to go as far as Red Wing, MN, which is in the Saint Croix River Valley, then I'd highly recommend Falconer Vineyards. (I've got another review of this Red Wing wedding location here.) The vineyard is really beautiful, and they set up a tent for your reception, and you have the ceremony and reception right there in the vineyard. Gorgeous!

I hope this helps!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

Review of 317 on Rice for weddings

The sketch above is just to give you an idea of what is where
around St Paul's downtown Rice Park,

including the following wedding ceremony and reception sites:
317 on Rice, the James J. Hill Library, the Landmark Center,
and the Saint Paul Hotel (off to the left, not actually pictured)

Question:

Hi Rev Tomkin Coleman,

I just wanted to be one of the many who thanked you for this wonderful blog and website. I recently got engaged and this site has been my 'how to' guide for the first steps of planning. I am starting to look at upscale wedding reception locations in the Twin Cities and I was hoping that you might be able to offer some advice.

Since the wedding will most likely be in the winter, and we were looking at your review of Rice Park for weddings, we thought that the Rice Park in downtown St Paul, MN would be an amazing site during the time of the ice sculptures. One of the sites right next to the park is 317 on Rice park. I was wondering if you had any experience working with this venue. I am one of the many college students that is looking for a fun site, yet is also on a budget. Hidden fees seem to pop up every where so having a place that prides itself on giving exact costs is helpful.

Again, I am so glad that you can offer great advice to naive engaged people like us. We appreciate it!

Bride Checking Things Out


Answer:

Dear BCTO,

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments - you made my day!

Yes, I've performed many wedding ceremonies at Rice Park (in the summer), and also at 317 on Rice - and 317 is a terrific place! Very classy, and the people there are wonderful. It would probably be too chilly in the winter to have the actual ceremony in the park, but your photographer would be estatic to have the wedding photos taken there - how beautiful would that be? Wow!

I hope this helps!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Weddings in Minnesota

University of MN's Weisman Museum for weddings

Question:

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

Thank you so much for your review of the University of Minnesota's Weisman Museum, and it's use as a unique wedding ceremony and reception location in the Twin Cities. We get lots of calls from couples who have found us through your website, and, of course, we always love it when you officiate here. I was just writing to let you know that we have a new coordinator for weddings. She is Chris Cunnington and her number is 612-626-5241.

Thanks much, we love your website.

Katie

Katie Rodgers
Asst. Events Coordinator
Weisman Art Museum
612.625.9683



Answer:

Good evening, Katie,

So good to hear from you! Thanks for the news, and the pages have now been updated.

I always love performing wedding ceremonies at the Weisman Museum - it's a gorgeous and unique site. So many U of M graduates (and art lovers) have wonderful memories of the site, and great to have a place that's meaningful and special. Every wedding ceremony I've performed there has gone really well - you people are amazing. Looking forward to next time!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Wedding Ceremonies

Wedding piano in Minnesota

Question:

Note received on my Facebook account:
"Become a fan of Pianist For Parties, Sharon Planer" - The link to her Facebook fan page is http://bit.ly/1NczM7

(Sharon is an amazing musician, reviewed on my MN weddings music page, at this link on how to look for a wedding pianist in Minnesota.)



Answer:

I then left the following note on her Facebook fan page:

You're the best, Sharon! My face always lights up with joy and I let out a sigh of relief when I see that you are playing piano for a couple's wedding. I immediately know that I'll hear beautiful music, all the cues will be spot-on,... that there will be no awkward moments, the bride and groom will be happy with the music, and that all the guests are going to be comfortable and relaxed. You're the only pianist I recommend to couples - simply the best. Keep up the great work!

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings



Follow-up:

Thank you for your kind comments, Rev. Tomkin. I love performing when you are the officiant! Your weddings flow the smoothest--no doubt, due to the way you cover every detail thoroughly making it easy for everyone to follow your direction. As a musician I find it so easy to follow your cues, enabling me to perform at the exact moment necessary. You make my job easy! It is obvious you care about each couple and have the talent to create a unique and meaningful ceremony each and every time.

I shout your MN wedding blog from the rooftops--anyone planning a Minnesota wedding, this is a MUST READ.

-Sharon Planer, Pianist for Parties

Rasberry Island weddings

Question:

Rev Coleman -

I am wondering if you have performed any wedding ceremonies at Raspberry Island in St Paul, MN and if you have is it a good location for those that have a bigger amount of guests?

Thank you.

Inquiring Bride



Answer:

Dear IB,

Short answer:
Nope, the island is too small, and dominated by the Minnesota Boat Club (which is available for wedding ceremonies and receptions, though).

Long answer:
The wedding ceremonies I've performed on Raspberry Island (on the banks of the Mississippi River in St Paul, Minnesota), were at the Minnesota Boat Club that is on 50% of the island, and not on the small park-like land surrounding it. While one could imagine getting married on the island (and not renting the Boathouse), the city's website says that they're not giving out wedding permits for Rasberry Island by itself, or, at least, not at this time. There are many other St Paul (and Minneapolis) parks that work well for wedding ceremonies that work really well, though.

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Weddings

Green weddings in Minnesota

Question:

I was wondering if you knew any environmentally friendly wedding reception sites within the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. We are looking at about 200 people.

Thanks,

Green Groom


Answer:

Dear GG,

What a neat question!

While there isn't any MN reception sites that I know of that specifically cater to green weddings, the most important and significant way to make a wedding green is to cut down on transportation - 200 guests running around town to 3 different places burns up a lot of carbon! So, if you can have your ceremony and reception in the same place, that cuts down on a lot of travel, and then, even better, if you can have your guests stay at the same site (for instance, if everything is done at a hotel), that's the greenest.

In other words, the greenest way of having a wedding in Minnesota is to find a site that can host all three of the following:

• Wedding ceremony
• Wedding reception
• Wedding guest accommodations

With these ideas in mind, the Saint Paul Hotel works wonderfully for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and then the guests can stay there, too. Or, you could have your wedding ceremony at 317 on Rice, the James J Hill Library or Landmark Center (reviews of these last two Minnesota wedding reception sites here), and the guests could just walk over from the Saint Paul Hotel. All of the above sites are on the edges of Rice Park (pictured here on the right) in downtown Saint Paul, M. Here's a phototour of the gorgeous park and the surrounding historic buildings, four of which host wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Next, catering can emphasize local ingredients, which cuts down on lots of carbon costs (food/beverages are the largest part of a wedding budget). You may want to check out this wonderful article on going green for MN weddings, and my green wedding article, too.

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Weddings




Follow-up:

Thank you very much, Rev. Coleman! My bride to be and I have started to look into the options you mentioned on helping reduce the footprint of our wedding. We are looking at trying to find a building that also took into account green features. I know Dakota County Parks has "Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center," as an example, it uses rain water collected from the roof for the toilets, uses a wind turbine to generate the electrical usage, and other features as well. The problem was it has a capacity of 75 seated. I was interested if you are aware of any buildings that had a low eco-footprint but a larger capacity?

GG


Answer:

Dear GG,

Now that I re-think it, the Minneapolis Central (downtown) library is eco-friendly, with its green-roof and other designs. Its Library Commons is a dramatic 7,000+ square foot, five-story, luminous atrium.

Weddings there are catered by Mintahoe, and Mintahoe runs events there. Their phone number is (612) 253-0255. Then the Marquette Hotel (in the IDS building) is within walking distance of the library, to cut down on guests' carbon emissions.

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

Violinist for weddings in Minneapolis, MN

Dear Readers,

I love to pass on unique wedding information when I come across it:

Last Saturday, I officiated for a terrific couple who chose the Carlson Towers for both their wedding ceremony and reception - beautiful spot! (FYI, the site is reviewed here.) I got to talking with
James Plattes, the head of Larkpur Strings, who played the music for the ceremony, and he encouraged me to check out his website.

I'm glad I did! Not only does Jim provide string quartets and Piano/Violin/Bass trios, he also specializes is strolling-musician kind of work...now that is a great idea.

You can read a fascinating article about having a strolling violin for your wedding reception - I love it!

The music from the Larkpur musicians was beautiful, too - I have heard them a half-dozen times in high-end wedding venues across the Twin Cities, and I highly recommend them. My hat's off to James - once again, great job!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Favorite wedding caterer in Minnesota - Fabulous Catering

Question:

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

Can you help us with a referral? We found our singer, Diane Martinson, through your recommendation page for wedding musicians in Minnesota, and we were wondering if you had a recommendation for a wedding caterer? We're getting married at my parents' house on Lake Minnetonka.

Thank you!!!

Minnetonka Bride



Answer:

Dear MB,

I've written about them before, but I'll say it again - I love Eden and Dawn of Fabulous Catering in Minneapolis, MN (their picture is from a wedding event at Semple Mansion). They are amazing - high-end, and worth it! Why?

• True foodies* - they love what they do...they're not just doing it because it's they're work, but because it's their passion. They will go the extra mile to make your wedding food brilliant.
  *It's funny, I like food (much like I like music), but when talking with real foodies, it's totally different...they LOVE food, and really want to make people happy with their food. It's like people who are real audiophiles...people who love music that much really love music, they know every single band in the genre of music they love, and they have every good piece of music technology, and can talk about records vs. CDs all day, etc... Now that's the kind of person you want to hire for your wedding. Someone who really loves everything involved in what they do.
  
• Really nice. Like, REALLY nice. It's funny, people always treat me extremely well because I'm the minister, but it was really eye-opening when I got married last year, that I found that people weren't as on-their-toes friendly and available to my fiance (now my wife). I think what happens is that the managers and owners are always friendly...but sometimes, managers and owners have to hire so many people that service can suffer. Not at Fabulous Catering wedding caterers! Wow, Eden and Dawn make everything really personalized... and that is a rare and wonderful treat.

Sorry, I'm kind of going on and on here...but it's nice when I can recommend a vendor so wholeheartedly.

I hope this helps!

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Wedding Planning and Officiating in MN

Alexandria, MN wedding reception sites

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for wedding sites outside of the Twin Cities, MN area? I really appreciate your amazing reviews of historic wedding reception sites in Minneapolis and St Paul, but I'm from Alexandria, Minnesota, and we would love to have a wedding somewhere near that area. However, I'm really struggling to find a place that meets our needs. We're looking for a place that can host the wedding and the reception, is affordable, lets you bring in your own caterer AND is original and unique (not your typical ballroom or event center). We have about 200 guests. Any suggestions?

Thank you so much for your advice!

Alexandria Groom



Answer:

Dear AG,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

I'm sorry, but I've got bad news...

Now, I've been wrong before, but in my experience...well, that sort of site doesn't exist even in the Twin Cities (sorry!)

There's two big sticking points in your request:

1. Most wedding reception sites make most of their income from the catering, so they don't rent out the site for you to do your own catering. It's too bad, isn't it? Their rental fee is just a fraction of the money they need to break even (and then make a small profit)...most of the money is from the $8-10K food/beverage minimum. Those big sites just have huge taxes, repair bills, labor costs, advertising...and so they charge a bundle. The site rental fee is just a fraction of that...most of the money comes from catering...(sorry!)
2. Outside of the Twin Cities, MN metro area, it's extremely hard to find a wedding reception site that isn't a reception hall. There's only 10-12 in the Twin Cities (museums, mansions, historic farms, historic sites, and such...virtually all of the premier wedding reception sites in Minneapolis/St Paul are listed on the reviews on my website)...and outside of this Minneapolis/St Paul urban area, a historic/unique/original site like that is as rare as hen's teeth...exceptions such as historic old river towns like Stillwater, MN (with its beautiful historic Washington County Historic Courthouse, available for weddings) and Red Wing, MN (with its historic St James Hotel, or nearby Falconer Vineyards) are the exceptions because they're very old towns.
   

But hey, I could be wrong - I've been wrong before. But I'd be really surprised if what you are looking for exists. (If it does, please let me know - I'd love to tell the world about it!)

That being said, if you:

• are willing to take a banquet hall (which can be quite nice, like the Arrowwood Resort & Conference‎ Hall, pictured above)
• are willing to use their catering (after all, catering for 200 loved ones is incredibly difficult)

...then there are definitely great choices. I have not been to these sites, but they host wedding ceremonies:

• Arrowwood Resort & Conference‎ Hall (shown in the picture above), 2100 Arrowwood Ln NW, Alexandria, MN‎ - (320) 762-1124‎
• Broadway Ballroom‎, 115 30th Ave E, Alexandria, MN‎ - (320) 763-6565‎
• Alexandria Country Club‎, 2300 N Nokomis St NE, Alexandria, MN‎ - (320) 763-3604‎
• Minnewaska House‎ Banquet Facility, 24895 State Highway 28, Glenwood, MN‎ - (320) 634-4566‎
• Prairie Event Center‎, 201 W Main St, Parkers Prairie, MN‎ - (218) 338-4115‎
  

For what it's worth, I hope this answer helps. I wish you the very best with your wedding - and with your new life together!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Wedding Planner & Minister

p.s. I WAS wrong! I just thought of one that fits part of the bill - the Carlos Creek Winery in Alexandria, MN rents out their site for weddings. I wouldn't think that they'd allow you to bring in your own catering, but they have recommendations for licensed caterers in the area.

Muddy Paws cheesecakes - for weddings, how cool!

At the recent Minnesota Bride magazine awards event, Minnesota wedding singer Diane Martinson introduced me to the owner of Muddy Paws cheesecake - Tami Cabrera Weinmann. Tami was super-friendly, and told me about how they offer 200 kinds of cheesecake, and love serving them for weddings! Popular ways to serve them are:

• An assortment of cheesecakes displayed on a cake or dessert buffet table
• Tiers of cheesecake set on a traditional wedding stand
• A cheesecake on each table as a centerpiec

I checked out their website today, and they have pages and pages about their wedding cheesecakes, including this main page, as well as these pages of pictures: pictures #1, (the images here are from this page), and pictures #2. This City Pages article talks about how most of their business is now for wedding receptions.

In our conversation, I got to ask about the derivation of the name - as a dog-lover, I think Muddy Paws is a great name! It turns out that Tami was originally interested in being a veterinarian, but so many people requested her amazing cheesecakes that she wound up doing it full-time. She came up with the name just in fun as she started out, but then once the business got big, it was too late to change - everyone loved "Muddy Paws" too much to consider changing it!

If you're at all interested in a unique dessert or wedding cake option in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, I highly recommend Muddy Paws!

Sincerely,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Wedding Officiant

Hinkley, MN wedding reception places

Question:

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

My sister is getting married soon. I love how helpful your website is for couples looking for wedding reception places in Minnesota, and I was wondering if you know of any places for getting married and for receptions. Our location is in Hinckley, MN. We are willing to travel about 60 miles. Can you help???

Hopefully Helpful Sister,
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile




Answer:

Dear HHS,

Congratulations on your sister's upcoming wedding!

I don't know the wedding reception centers outside of the Twin Cities, MN area very well, so I haven't personally been to these, but the following banquet halls are fairly close to Hinkley, Minnesota:

• Audubon Center of the North Woods‎ (the building pictured above...)
  54165 Audubon Dr., Sandstone, MN‎ - (320) 245-2648‎
  

• Northern Lights Ballroom & Banquet Center‎
  Highway 169, Milaca, MN‎ - (320) 369-4622‎
  

• Cassidy's Restaurant‎
  327 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, MN‎ - (320) 384-6129‎
  

• Grand Event Center‎
  2025 Rowland Rd, Mora, MN‎ - (320) 679-1000‎
  

I hope this answer helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Historic Concord Exchange for wedding ceremonies

The Historic Concord Exchange is a huge mansion in St Paul, MN. While it's usually the nightclub, Valentino's, it is available for wedding ceremonies and receptions. I've never performed a wedding ceremony there, but got a tour of the site this spring. Here's pictures and notes!

• The 3rd floor has a dozen hotel rooms, which can be rented for special wedding guests (optional)
• The 2nd floor features the balcony above the ballroom - it's amazing. The balcony has plenty of room for tables, and includes a bar.
• The 1st floor has the main ballroom, with cherry wood and elaborate ironwork.
• The lower level has a restaurant, which is perfect for a rehearsal dinner.

The balcony of the Historic Concord Exchange, above the main ballroom can seat guests, plus there's a couple more bars up there, as well as more rooms in which guests can mingle.



Down below is the head table and the main tables. The ballroom tables are then cleared for dancing after dinner. If you have your ceremony at the mansion, they set up chairs and a riser. There's other rooms on the main floor for guests, as well.


The stairways of the Historic Concord Exchange feature gold trim and cherry wood.



Chandra, the wedding coordinator at the Historic Concord Exchange in, shows off one of the main hallways on the first floor.

The Historic Concord Exchange, at 200 Concord Exchange North in Saint Paul, is unique
among Twin Cities mansions in that it will soon offer optional hotel rooms for guests to stay the weekend. It designed by the same architect who built Grand Central Station in New York City. The Concord mansion overlooks the Mississippi valley in South Saint Paul, just north of 494. It's unique in that soon you will have the option to rent up to 15 hotel rooms in the mansion, which are on the third floor, so that guest don't have to drive home after drinking. Once the hotel rooms are built, your loved ones can spend the weekend there, so they'll be visiting with each other, even before and after the wedding. The Bourbon Street Steakhouse is in the very lower level, which can be used for a rehearsal dinner. They have a built in sound system for the whole building and are also equipped for live bands.

The Historic Concord Exchange can seat 250 guests for dinner and they provide the catering. Their rental fee is $2500, and their food and beverage minimum varies depending on the time of year. For availability, call 612-233-6619 and ask for Chandra.

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

Spelling error

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I was checking out the Minnesota History Center page and followed a link to your Minnesota Wedding Venue page.

The second paragraph's first internal link contains a homophonic spelling error. The word should be "premier" instead of "premiere".

Just thought you should know. Although I'm confirmed Catholic and my wedding is likely to take place in my girlfriend's native central Wisconsin I found your inclusive message of love to be very refreshing.

Wisconsin Groom

--
"Love is the first feeling people feel, because love is nice."
--Honest to God Asian Kitchen fortune cookie fortune cracked November 3rd 2007


Answer:

Dear WB,

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your e-mail (and my error has now been corrected). I appreciate your kind words - you made my day.

Best wishes for your wedding and with your new life together!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Wedding Officiant

Gibbs Farm for weddings in Minneapolis, MN

Question:

Dear Reverend Tomkin Coleman,

Thank you so much for including the Gibbs Museum (Gibbs Farm) of St Paul, MN in your listing of wedding venues in Minnesota. We just wanted to let you know that our rental fee has gone up and will be $1,250 in 2010.

Thanks again for the coverage, we see quite a few folks visiting our website because of your link.

Maureen McGinn
Membership & Marketing Manager
Ramsey County Historical Society
651-222-0701




Answer:

Dear Maureen,

That's wonderful that so many brides are finding your unique museum through the site. As always, the information on my site is not paid for, and I list places I love, in order to be helpful for Twin Cities couples. There's so few places where people can get unbiased reviews and information, it's nice to be able to provide that.

Your review has now been updated, and if there's ever any information or pictures you'd like to change, just let me know. If there's ever a way to link to my site, it would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to working at Gibbs Farm again.

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Minnesota Weddings with Rev. Coleman

Advice for a cheap wedding in Minneapolis, MN

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

Thank you for your terrific website - you are providing a wonderful service for brides, even when they don't use your services. Can you help us with some advice? We are looking for an inside venue for the wedding ceremony with a reception area near by or even attached. We are interested in doing our own catering and drinks (unless the price is right), and would like the ceremony to take place around 2-4pm, with the reception following. We will have many guests from out of town, so nearby accommodations are a must. About 150 total guests for the reception with a few less for the ceremony. Total wedding budget under $5000 if possible. Let me know what you think. Thank you.

Twin Cities Bride

Answer:

Dear TCB (What a great acronym!)

Ooh, you're in luck!

While most Minnesota wedding reception sites have a $8-12K food and beverage minimum, I just went to a wedding reception which was held in the upstairs of Sweeney's Bar in Saint Paul, MN, and, (considering it's the upstairs of a bar), it is a beautiful space...lots of old wood, floor to ceiling windows, an antique bar...it was a beautiful place. They had a banquet of appetizers, and for 150 guests (which is about all they could hold), it would be about $3K, plus probably another $2K for alcohol (or, you could have a cash bar). They only charge $60/hour for renting the space...what a deal!

Note: Trying to find a wedding reception site in the Twin Cities that permits you to bring in your own food is close to impossible, since most places make their money off of the catering, not the minimal rental fee. Plus, catering a wedding dinner for 150 people is really hard...

I hope this helps!

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
MN Wedding Officiant & Planner

Wesley Church still available for winter '09 weddings

Question:

Hello, Rev. Coleman,

I've been thinking of you since I've been recommending you often to brides and grooms that are planning weddings at Wesley. I know you have a summer wedding at Wesley, so I look forward to meeting with you in person - we've talked on the phone so often!

I wanted to give you a heads-up that Wesley still has some November and December 2009 dates available. As you know, Wesley is beautiful in the winter. It's romantic, cozy (yet spacious, which doesn't make sense if you haven't visited the space), and pretty darn magical, especially when the weather is cold.

I thought I'd let you know since many wedding sites in Minneapolis, MN are so booked up already! We are pretty packed until November 2009 and then we have a couple of weekends available each month through the Spring.

Please pass on the word to any brides or grooms who are desperately searching for the perfect Winter spot!

Molly Campe
Wesley Church
612-518-5528

P.S. Still working on our preferred vendors list-- and you are at the top of it!



Answer:

Good afternoon, Molly,

Thank you so much! I'm pleased that Wesley is filled up for the summer. I'll definitely let brides know about your availability in the winter - and I look forward to working with you again!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin
Minneapolis Wedding Officiant