Minnesota Weddings

Having lived in the South of France (can you say goalsss), today’s gorgeous bride was inspired by the simple sophistication of French design for her big day. So, with the help of the talented team at Premier Planning Services, Inc., the couple was able to infuse subtle elements of Southern France to their wedding decor – from soft romantic florals by A Day in Provence to delicious macaroons – without the overall look feeling too heavily “themed”. The end result truly couldn’t have been more beautiful. Head on over to the full gallery by Laura Ivanova to watch it all unfold!

From the Bride… Scott and I met in May 2016 in New York City and still live in the area, however for our wedding, we wanted to bring our guests to my hometown in Wayzata, MN. With a majority of our family and friends coming from out of town, we really wanted to show off everything we love about Minnesota in the summertime. It was especially important we brought in elements of lake life as it was reflective of both our passions and upbringing with Scott growing up in Rye, NY on Long Island Sound. Our guests stayed at The Hotel Landing in the heart of Wayzata, enjoyed drinks lakeside during our “Long Island Sound Meets Lake Minnetonka” nautically themed Welcome Party at my parent’s home, and even took a tour on the historic Minnehaha Steamboat around the Lake. When it came to the wedding day, I knew I wanted it to feel timeless and classic, but also have elements that reflected our own personality and style. 

Having lived in the South of France, I fell in love with the simple sophistication of French design. Without making our wedding feel themed, I wanted to infuse a touch of Southern France to a classic Minnesota summertime wedding. With the help of Premier Planning and my mom’s influence, we brought together soft, feminine florals with light, summery greens, French blues, vintage vases, and of course macarons. 

Our invite suite even had a gorgeous French toile, created by Abby Holden, incorporating all of the locations of the wedding weekend. The flower girl dress, worn by Scott’s niece Charlotte, was one of my favorite details. It was actually the dress I wore to my own aunt’s wedding in 1992. I loved the sentimental touch it added to the day and felt the vintage floral print tied together with our colors and the subtle floral print on my Lela Rose wedding dress. The morning of the wedding was a complete downpour, but by some miracle, the second my makeup and hair was finished the rain stopped and the skies cleared. 

Our first look was on my parent’s dock at the exact location Scott proposed to me the summer before. From there, my dad drove us across the lake in his wooden blue, Chris Craft boat that he had restored from his own childhood. On the other side of the Lake, we meet up with our wedding party in a trolley singing wedding songs and having celebratory drinks with one another as we headed to the chapel. The ceremony was held at Wayzata Community Church followed by a reception at the Country Club – both of which places I grew up going to with my family. After dinner and toasts in the clubhouse, we ate cake and danced the night away under the tent. It was a magical wedding weekend filled with a lot of laughs, a few tears, and everyone Scott and I loved.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photographer: Laura Ivanova Photography | Videographer: A.B. Rich Films | Planner: Premier Planning Services, Inc | Florist: A Day in Provence | Stationery: Letter Perfect | Ceremony Venue: Wayzata Community Church | Reception Venue: Woodhill Country Club (private) | Bridesmaids Dresses: Vineyard Vines | Hair Stylist: Julie Phaxay | Calligrapher: Rosann Konieczny Calligrapher | Band: The R Factor | Groomsmen's Attire: Suitsupply | Hotel: Hotel Landing | Baker: Country Cake Cupboard | Baquettes: Sun Street Bakery | Bridal Gown: Lela Rose | Bridal Gown Salon: M. Elizabeth Events | Easel Rental: Jill Elaine Designs | Farm Tables: Rudy's Event Rentals | Illustrator: Abbey Holden | Make-Up Artist: Julie Phaxay | Rentals: Apres Party And Tent Rental | Trolley: Stillwater Trolley Company

Does a lakeside, ballroom, Grace Kelly-esque kind of wedding sound like your jam? ‘Cause that’s what we’re serving up today alongside Lasting Impressions Weddings and Trish Allison Photography. It was the Bride’s childhood wedding dreams come true—from getting ready in her home on the lake to saying I do in the church she grew up attending, all topped off with the most dazzling reception we’ve seen in a while. This beauty also happens to be one of our editors—go give her some love!

From the Bride… I grew up surrounded by lake life in Minnesota. So when it came time for my (now) husband and me to plan our wedding, it only seemed fitting to center it around the biggest lake in the Twin Cities – Lake Minnetonka. Throughout the planning, which was done from where we were currently living in San Francisco, I reflected on sweet childhood memories to inspire the day. Think popsicle-infused prosecco signature drinks, pictures taken on my favorite dock in downtown Wayzata, and a local specialty, walleye, served at dinner. The elegant nature of our venue, Lafayette Club, only elevated the evening with its jaw-dropping chandeliers, scalloped windows lake views, and an all-white exterior that exuded classiness as you walked with your champagne flute through the door.

I’ve always trended towards traditional taste, so I knew a country club on the lake would be the perfect venue to set the tone for the day. To complement the season, I adorned it in as much white, blush, and subtle pops of greenery as possible. (let’s just say our flower request was a tall order!) Other must-haves included a lively, 12-piece band, champagne passed on the hour, and scattered tea candles everywhere. For attire, my husband rocked a sharp velvet tux jacket (with matching velvet loafers to boot!) while I paraded around in a slim-fit Galia Lahav gown with a cascading train. All of this made it come together like a true Grace Kelly-esque fairytale.

We started the day by getting ready at my house, which was conveniently located on the lake the reception was held on. In between doing hair and makeup, the girls spent time sipping coffee on the deck overlooking the lake in their adorable matching floral robes. It was the perfect backdrop for a few candid photos!

Following a ceremony at my childhood church, we squeezed in bridal party photos on the docks of my favorite locale growing up – downtown Wayzata. The sharp black tuxes and blush bridesmaids gowns looked stunning against the watery backdrop, an ideal way to set the tone as we made our way towards the club.

Lafayette Club fulfilled the timeless look I had envisioned for my wedding with its all-white interior to greet guests as their vehicles pulled around the semi-circle drive-up. Along with this, came a chance for me to really play up the details. Think a floor-to-ceiling custom balloon wall in our wedding colors to prep the cocktail hour space for a night of fun. And signature his and her drinks, which including a Wisconsin Old Fashioned (where my husband is from) and a prosecco popsicle option for her (creatively titled a “Minnesota Meltdown”). On the dancefloor, I featured an enlarged, gold version of the custom monogram we had on our stationery suite, surrounded by towering arrangements of spring flowers on every table. A specially made donut wall continued our “light and bright” color theme, with goods baked up specially from our favorite Minneapolis donut store. An adorable local coffee cart was stationed next to the dance floor, which got its fair share of visits as the band commanded more energy with each passing hour.

Overall, the day fulfilled every vision of grace and elegance we had hoped for – with our own Minnesota twist – thanks to these special details. Nods to life on the lake surrounded practically every element of the day too, which seemed all too fitting for this Twin Cities loving gal.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Trish Allison Photography | Planner: Lasting Impressions Weddings | Floral Design: Sadie's Couture Floral & Event Styling | Wedding Dress: Annika Bridal | Stationery: Paper Rock Scissor MN | Church: Our Lady Of Grace | Reception Venue: Lafayette Club | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Brideside | Catering: Lafayette Club | Band: Bluewater Kings Band | Tux: The Black Tux | Balloon Wall: Girl Friday & The Vintage Type | Coffee Cart: Coffee Cart (Coffee Catering) | Dessert: Glam Doll Donuts | Dress Designer: Galia Lahav

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bluewater Kings Band

View Portfolio

There may be nothing better than a sweet bridal shop filled to the brim with incredible designers. Case in point? a&bé bridal shop. With a midwest nice + coastal cool style, this Twin Cities boutique has it all for the unfussy bride looking for something honestly amazing + truly unique.

Bringing 10 new designers to Minnesota such as Sarah Seven, Rue De Seine, Katie May, Anna Campbell and Rebecca Schoneveld, a&bé curates a collection that highlights upcoming + independent designers focusing on boho-chic and romantic designs. Aside from incredible gowns, the shop also carries gorgeous accessories from designers such as Untamed Petals, Sara Gabriel and Hushed Commotion. Owned by two ladies who have worked tirelessly to elevate shopping for bridal attire, a&bé makes sure each and every bride has an amazing experience.

Since the opening of the second a&bé location, the first being in Denver, the Twin Cities’ bridal scene has moved up a notch. To celebrate the new locale, a&bé is offering SMP readers a $100 accessories credit with the purchase of a wedding gown! Gown must be purchased by October 31, 2014. Be sure to mention SMP to redeem the credit. Happy dress shopping, lovelies! xo

[dotted]

I’ve always been fond of backyard weddings. Especially when that backyard happens to be the bride’s childhood home. It’s the sweetest of all “I do” locales, made EVEN sweeter through the lens of Laura Ivanova Photography. And while I could go on for days about the beautiful bloomage a la Mickey O’Kane Floral or the gorgeous styling by Sable Event Styling & Design, let me direct you to the full gallery for all that plus soooo much more.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Stephen and I met in Boston one week before I moved to Chicago, but we both knew we had found something too special to pass up. After two years of dating long distance, I moved back to Boston and we were engaged four months later. We wanted our wedding to be filled with special touches that delighted our guests and represented who we are as a couple. With all of our friends and family traveling long distances to be a part of the celebration, it was important to us that our guests were swept up in the day as much as we were!

My childhood home in Minnesota was the perfect backdrop for our vintage, garden party inspired wedding. The cocktail hour among the trees and tented reception beneath the flickering lanterns that hung from their branches set the perfect tone and allowed us to make the day completely our own. I especially loved crafting all of the elements myself – from the place cards to the table runners, the corn-hole boards to the welcome flags on every straw – it was amazing to see our dream become a reality. It was my favorite craft project to date and has inspired me to turn my creativity into an event styling business of my own!

We loved how Laura Ivanova Photography was able to so accurately capture the love and happiness we both felt throughout our wedding day. She captured all of the little moments that were so special to us, and will cherish for years to come. Our wedding was the most wonderful day in our lives to date, and we are so excited to be married!

photography: Laura Ivanova Photography | Floral Design: Mickey O'Kane Floral | Cake: The Country Cake Cupboard | Church: St Martin's by the Lake Espiscopal Church | Reception: Private Home | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: l'atelier couture bridal boutique | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Ann Taylor | Catering: The Deco Catering | Dress Shop: Allegria Bridal | Invitations, Bridesmaids Jewelry, & Decor: Sable Event Styling & Design