Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul

info on any and all vendors

OK Minneapolis/ St.Paul!  I am planning my wedding there from my home here in Spokane, WA.  I need reviews on photographers, florists, caterers...


wedding is joune 18th 2011

budget is under 3500 for photos
under 1500 for flowers
35 per person ish for caterers

location will be ceaderhurst (cottage grove)
                         gale mansion (stpaul)
                         como for ceremony reception at FIVE
                       or outings lodge    (stillwater)

thanks

Re: info on any and all vendors

  • Bimbi284Bimbi284 member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    First of all, you've come to the right place! Check out the MPLS/St Paul bio (link in LittleSweetie's welcome sticky post above) for some ideas. After that, feel free to browse through our bios. I know I have most of my vendors listed in mine, as do other knotties.! Aside from that, I'd say google the type of vendor and "minnesota" for some more ideas. 

    Once you've got some ideas down, feel free to ask us for more specific info!
  • hkieslinghkiesling member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My personal favs are Dana Schoppe and Ben Berndt Photography (in your price range). I had a friend do flowers and our venue (Summit Manor) did our catering.  However, you can also check out the Minneapolis bio (link in LittleSweeties siggy) and MrsTwinCities (link in my siggy).  Both are compilations of Knottie vendor reviews.  Good luck!
  • edited December 2011
    For flowers, Deven Nelson is highly recommended on these boards. She takes you to the flower wholesaler and shows you the flowers first hand so you can see what you are getting for your money and she is really affordable!
    www.devennelson.com

    As for a photographer, ours is Callie V Photography. She is really great! Her price is $1800 and that includes all day on your wedding day, an engagement session, rights to all your images, editing services, and a CD of your edited and unedited pics. We have done our engagement pics with her and I've done my boudoir pics with her as well and love the results. pics in my bio if you want to see
    www.calliev.com

    For our DJ, we are going with Neon Express, who is also really highly recommended on these boards. For 5-6 hours of service, we are only paying $350! They are doing light background music during our hors'devours (sp?) hour and dinner, then whatever music we want for the dance.
    www.neon-express.net

    Our caterer is Bon Apetit but that is the caterer we have to use for The Carlson Towers. I calculated the price per person after taxes and service charge and for chicken it is $36 and beef is $47.

    For cakes I think we are going with queen of cakes in Edina. My FI and I don't like cake so we just went with them based on our reviews we heard about them. I think it's like $500 for 175 people.
    Trying to Conceive Ticker "All that I'm after is a life full of laughter, As long as I'm laughing with you" Planning Bio image
    image
  • edited December 2011
    Oh and for make-up, Smart and Chic Bride is amazing and their prices are really good!
    Trying to Conceive Ticker "All that I'm after is a life full of laughter, As long as I'm laughing with you" Planning Bio image
    image
  • edited December 2011
    I am still working on my vendor reviews...

    But I will give a shout out to my photographer and my florist.

    They both did a great job!

    John Sharpe Photography, Grade: A+
    He did our engagement pics, photo wall at our wedding and our wedding pics...

    and

    Christine's Floral Touch (My flowers were under $1500), Grade: A
    I had 4 bridesmaids and no florals at the church.
  • edited December 2011
    Personally, I don't think the food at Cedarhurst is any good. Honestly, I think it's horrible. If food is really important to you, I would look elsewhere. 

    Good luck!
  • AmberDerekAmberDerek member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My wedding reception is at Cedarhurst in 12 days so I can give you a full review after that.  So far True (owner) has been great.  It is so pretty!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    I'll pimp a few of my vendors.

    For photography: JM Photography or Laura Ivanova.  Jessica of JM was our primary shooter and from the moment I met with her, I knew I had to use her.  She just fit our style so well and her personality meshed with mine fantastically.  Our package called for a second shooter and we ended up with the amazing Laura Ivanova!
    Full review on both in my married bio (Link in siggy)

    For make-up: I HIGHLY recommend Smart & Chic bride.  I know you didn't ask about make-up, but you can't go wrong with Smart & Chic!  Full review also in married bio!

    Can't recommend florist (friend of mine) or caterer (used our venue...not one of the ones you listed).

    Good luck with your search!!!
  • Bimbi284Bimbi284 member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I second Laura Ivanova for photog www.lauraivanova.com!

    Sadie's Floral for flowers www.sadiesfloral.com

    Adagio for DJ

    Smart & Chic for makeup




  • NuggetBrainNuggetBrain member
    5000 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I think you have to use the in house caterers for all the locations you mentioned above.  So you won't be able to bring in outside chefs.

    My photographer is Cadence Cornelius and she's fabulous, and well within your price range.  More info on her is in my bio. 

    image

    If I wanted to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, I'd put shoes on the cat. image

  • edited December 2011
    Hi,
    My name is Tami from Studio B Floral Designs.  I have helped plan a lot of weddings via e-mail for out of state Brides.  Check out my website www.StudioBFloral.com. I would be more than happy to help you stay within your budget and get the look you envision for your wedding day.  Give me a call or e-mail me, I love to chat flowers!
    Tami
  • debbieupperdebbieupper member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    I've done writeups on most of my vendors in my bio (link in signature).

    I also have a spreadsheet of info on a lot of the venues/vendors we looked at for the categories you listed above. PM me with your email if you want me to send them to you! I think we have similar tastes based on the location venues you listed, so you might find something good in there.
    image
    Married and lovin' it!
    Our Wedding! (click.)
  • edited December 2011
    Check out 283 Photography for pictures... very affordable, yet quality work!



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