Review: The MSP Mag Wedding Party on Sunday, September 20

I attended the Wedding Party yesterday-- stag-- at the Metropolitan ballroom. It was interesting to go alone because I got to see how vendors treated someone who went alone rather than bringing their entire wedding party. Sometimes I was ignored, sometimes I got very personalized attention. Overall, I think it was good to go alone. I didn't have to worry about anyone else getting too tired, bored, hungry, or put off.

It was a decent get together with a variety of vendors that you could meet with and get a feel for their personalities, find out pricing, time frames, and other information.

Surdyk's was there and provided champagne and cheese samples. I'm not a champagne fan as it is- but I sampled a really fabulous german blue cheese that was very creamy and not too tart.

with three different flavors. Buttercream is a personal favorite of mine that I have used for events in the past and plan to use again in the future (i.e. my own wedding).

Cocoa and Fig, a newer cake and dessert bar vendor, handed out mini cupcakes. The cake left something to be desired. I over heard one woman comment "It's not any better than box cake..." This was overheard before I sampled the Cocoa and Fig offerings for myself. I don't know what box cake she's been eating, but this was worse than my box cake experiences. I will say, Cocoa and Fig does nice dessert buffet table designs/ catering. We were only able to sample the one chocolate cake item they brought. The dessert buffet was just for show. Overall, I was less than impressed.

Anderson Photography was very warm and welcoming. I didn't feel like I was being SOLD. They are a husband and wife team and seem like good people. They even provided a cd of examples of their work that I plan on reviewing.


There was a fabulous caterer at the party-- and they're actually called "Fabulous Catering". One of my favorites at the party was:

Humboldt Fog Fondant Cheese Canapes with Honeycrisp Apples
With Ames Farm Honey & Lavendar Flowers

Delicious!

I was less amused by their other sample that I was able to try:

A pulled pork option that I did not find under the "Current Menu offerings" section and...

Roasted Butternut Squash and Amish Bleu Cheese
in Filo with Sage and Maple - Glazed Walnuts


The major benefits of going to The MSP Wedding Party are:
- some vendors offer discounts, coupons, or lock in pricing when you meet them at shows like this one
- meeting with a number of vendors at one time- it's a time saver/ one-stop-shop that can really help you find the right vendor for, say, photography or flowers- as an example.
- opportunities to win prizes

Where to Find: Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta is in the upper eschelon of wedding gown designers.

Oscar de la Renta's bridal designs are available, in Minnesota, exclusively at A'telier Couture Bridal Boutique in St Paul.

Nordstrom carries non-bridal items designed by Oscar de la Renta.

Where to Find: Niki Livas

Niki Livas designs are great for a destination or informal ceremony. Classic with a hint of trendy dresses with little to no train are typical of the The White Collection. Short length dresses are also available.

Two boutiques in Minnesota carry Niki's designs:
Satin and Silk in Byron
Bridal Boutique in Winona

Department stores also carry Niki dresses:
Von Maur
Macy's
Carsons
Bonton
Deb

Niki also designs evening and prom dresses- so if you are specifically looking for the White Collection I advice calling ahead prior to visiting a store!

Where to Find: Monique Lhullier

Monique Lhullier opened her first salon in the mid 1990s and has since become one of the most popular high end designers.

Monique Lhullier has a signature salon in Edina at the 50th and France shopping district.

Where to Find: Melissa Sweet

Melissa Sweet is classic and a little whimsical.

Priscilla of Boston is a signature salon for Melissa Sweet designs.

Other locations include:
Flutter Boutique in Minneapolis
Raffine in Stillwater

Where to Find: Lela Rose

Lela Rose is based in New York.

The premier retailer for Lela Rose in Minnesota is in St Paul:
L'Atelier Couture Bridal Boutique

Where to Find: Lazaro

Lazaro is a division of the Jim Hjelm company.

There is a trunk shows coming up for Fall 2009:
November 20 at Macy's- Minneapolis.

There are two boutiques in Minnesota that carry Lazaro:
Macy's in downtown Minneapolis
Raffine in Stillwater

Where to Find: Layne Corban

Layne Corban is a small wedding designer who is based out of Maryland and after referencing her website- appears to be just getting started.

While doing a search for this designer I found three different sites- a new flash site, the old plain jane site and an events blog.

Where to Find: Kristie Kelly for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings

Kristie Kelly designs specifically for the Disney Line.

In Minnesota you can find the Kristie Kelly gowns at:
Bella Bridal Boutique in Woodbury.

I have to admit- I am surprised that there is not a Disney only store or available at theme parks only clause.

Where to Find: Kenneth Pool

Kenneth Pool is a part of the Amsale company. One of its more well known designers is Austin Scarlett of Project Runway, season one, fame.

For those of you who like the Real Housewives of Orange County- Lauri of season one, two, and three, wore one of Kenneth Pool's designs for her wedding to George.

Kenneth Pool also had a design featured on "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway" on the Style Network.

No stores carry Kenneth Pool designs. Bummer.

Maybe it's just me- but I love the idea of traveling to California or New York to find my dream dress.

For those of you who serious consider this travel:

New York- Kenneth Pool is available at:
Kleinfeld
Amsale flagship store
House of Botticelli in Bronxville

(when no city is listed they are in Manhattan)

California- Kenneth Pool is available at:
Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills
The Unique Bride in Burlingame
Marina Morrison in San Fransisco
R-Mine Bridal in Studio City
Chez Bride Moderne in La Jolla
The White Dress in Newport Beach

A little Closer in Chicago- Kenneth Pool is available at:
Ultimate Bride

Where to Find: Junko Yoshioka

Junko Yoshioka is a New York based designer. She was born in Japan and has two sisters. In design school in Japan, she won the "Best Wedding Gown" design, a prestigious honor and continued on that track. Junko has dressed celebrities including: Jessica Alba, Katherine Heigl, Anna Joaquin, Helen Hunt, Jaime Preissly, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Aisha Tyler, Ali Landry, and Claire Forlani. Her dresses have been worn at the Oscar's, Grammy's, Emmy's, and Tony's.

No Stores in MN carry Junko Yoshioka's designs.

In New York you can visit Saks Fifth Avenue and Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier.

Where to Find: Alfred Sung

Alfred Sung gowns are classic yet modern, simple but elegant, and have a bit of glamor with all the sparkle in the bead work.

Three stores in Minnesota carry the Alfred Sung line.

Jackie J. Bridal in Alexandria
Rush's in Minneapolis
Raffine in Stillwater

Trunk shows are also listed on the webpage and as of this posting date- none are scheduled in Minnesota for 2009 or 2010.

Where to Find: Aire Barcelona

Aire Barcelona is a European boutique line that is sophisticated and whimsical all at once. I came to this conclusion because of the soft flowing fabrics they use- including Organza and Garza.

No stores currently carry this line in Minnesota.

In North Dakota:
The Bridal Shop

In New York:
Artemida Wedding Gallery in Brooklyn
Sposa Bella Couture in Brooklyn
The Wedding Plaza in Floral Park (Northeast)
Moonlight Couture Bridal Salon in Merrick (Northeast)
Wedding Atelier in New York City
Designer Loft in New York City
Peggy's Bridal and Mr Tuxedo in Rochester (Northeast)


In South Dakota:
Interlude Bridal Shoppe in Sioux Falls

Where to Find: 2 Be Bride

2 Be Bride is exclusively available at: The Wedding Shoppe in St Paul.

2 Be Bride is a consortium of designers who have a combined 140+ designs to choose from. The designers lines include:
Isabella Chessari (princess)
Elizabeth Darcy (romantic)
Gavin Michaels (contemporary)

Review: David's Bridal- as a bridesmaid

A friend of mine decided on Bridesmaids dresses from David's. I will wear what the bride asks. When I went to pick up my dress a few weeks ago, I went ahead and tried it on- it still fits- at least right now. I explained to the sales associate that the baby weight is finally coming off and inquired about exchanging the dress in the future. She said it would be no problem- I would just have to bring the dress in and allow 6 weeks to order the new size.

This is the nice thing about David's Bridal.

Where to Find: Farah Angsana

Farah Angsana designs couture evening, resort, and bridal collections. The line is based in Zurich, Switzerland and Farah made her fashion debut in London in 1999.

Today, I received an email from a representative of Farah Angsana. While there are no retailers in Minnesota- you'll have to venture to either Kleinfeld's in Manhattan or Renee Strauss in Beverly Hills to see the dresses.

The next showing of this line is during New York Bridal Week on October 19, 2009 and will be announced on their web page in the next few days.