Shopping around... for a reception venue.

If you're a bride that's spent any time looking at reception hall information- specifically the minimum costs...it can be a bit overwhelming to think about spending $10,000 for the food and drink minimum for your reception. Wow- $10,000? I almost want to say "Can I work for you reception hall? I've been in and out of work- laid off 3 times since '06 and trying to put together an economical but still fabulous wedding is a bit daunting.

I've found a few options for our modest budget - Elsie's in NE Minneapolis for example- no room rental fee and a food and drink minimum of only $2,000. I still have to see the space- I've been to Elsie's- to bowl and for the bar. It's a fun place and would definitely make for a fun time- especially for those non-dancers out there. This is a definite stop on the reception spaces-to-review list.

I still think it would be easiest to have the reception at the church- the fewer things to worry about the better...and a lower price tag as well. That approval can't happen until May though so I'm doing as much research for what our contingency plan may/could/will be as possible.

New Bridal Boutique in Minneapolis!

A new Bridal Boutique is opening in Minneapolis in November 2009. How thrilling!

The name: POSH Bridal Couture

Where: Semple Mansion at 100 W Franklin Ave, Ste 200, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Open: By Appointment only- so call 612-599-5759 to schedule!

Designers they carry:
Janelle Berte
Alisa Benay
Kelly Chase Couture
Lila Couture
Posh Signature Line

I'm just giddy with excitement!

Where to Find: Alisa Benay

Beginning in November 2009- one Minnesota Retailer will carry Alisa Benay.

This is exciting because it's a new shop and Alisa Benay designs look great on her web page!

The lone Minnesota shop where you can find her designs is~
Posh Couture in Minneapolis

Where to Find: Mori Lee

Mori Lee is a more economical wedding dress line. Prices start at the low $200s and up to the mid $1000s.

These stores in Minnesota carry Mori Lee:

Specialty House Bridal- Alexandria

Angelique's Bridal - Blaine

Belles and Beaus - Austin

Bridal Details - Omaha (yes Omaha, MN)

Bridal Impressions - Marshall

Chapel of Love- Bloomington @ the Mall of America

Formalities - Bemidji

Fun and Fashion - Mankato

Glenrose Florals to Formals - Plymouth

Glitz - Bloomington

Heartstrings Bridal - Hopkins

Jenni's Bridal Boutique - Rochester

Krousey Country Wedding - Little Falls

Lorraine Shop - Mankato

Mestad's - St Cloud and Rochester

Monique's Bridal - Roseau

Mrs. B's Bridal - Owatonna

Princess Bride of Duluth - Duluth

Princess Bride of Hibbing - Hibbing

Rush's - Minneapolis

The Bridal Gallery - Mankato

The Prom Shop - Byron and Rochester

The Wedding Chapel Inc - Crystal

The Wedding Parlour - Grand Rapids

The Wedding Shoppe - St Paul

Weddings by Deb - Faribault

Weddings By Tess - Apple Valley

Weddings on First - Willmar

Mary Kay website

The Mary Kay Cosmetics web page has a great tool that gives you a makeover. It's not just a makeover though- you can add accessories to create your wedding day look! It's so much fun to play around with the colors, application techniques, hairstyles, colors, and accessories. It's so helpful to visualize your wedding day look!

Call to Bella Bridal in Woodbury

Yesterday, I was in Woodbury and I called Bella Bridal on a whim. I was in town for a job interview and thought- I can at least call, check the hours, see if I could walk in. I called at 4:45 or so and was told that there was basically no way to get in to try on gowns as they had a few appointments already. I was also told that they like to have 90 minutes set aside for each appointment and since they close at 6pm- that's really not enough time. Ok, fair enough. I was told I could come in and look around but there was no guarantee I could try anything on.

This is a great example of why you need to call before you go to a store. I thought - oh it's a Tuesday- they probably won't be busy. I was basically discouraged from coming in. They were polite about it- so that was nice. I didn't go because of the discouraging comments.

Where to Find: Moonlight

Moonlight is a moderately priced bridal gown line. It's one that the shop I worked at carried. They have some very lovely designs and I'm surprised more shops don't carry them in Minnesota.

The shops that do carry Moonlight (and the specific lines are in parenthesis) are:
Rush's Bridal- Minneapolis (Bridal, Tango, Bridesmaids, Enchanted Veils)
Fun and Fashion- Mankato (Bridal, Tango, Bridesmaids, Enchanted Veils, and Mariposa Q15)
The Wedding Shoppe- St Paul (Bridal, Tango, Bridesmaids, Celebrations)
Red Magic Bridal- Cloquet (Bridal)
Napier Bridal - West Saint Paul (Bridesmaids)
Mary Kay's Bridal- Richfield (Bridal, Tango, Bridesmaids, Enchanted Veils)
Elegant Affair- Fairmont (Prom)
Milton's Bridal- St Paul (Bridal, Tango, Enchanted Veils)
Xtreme Bridal- Medford (Tango, Bridesmaids)
Silver Rose Fashions- Cloquet (Bridesmaids, Mariposa Q15)
Bridal Loft- Virginia (Bridal, Tango)
The Bridal Boutique- St Cloud (Bridal, Tango, Bridesmaids, Celebrations, Enchanted Veils, Prom)
Bella Bridal Boutique- Woodbury (Bridal, Tango)
Alan Evans Bridal- Moorhead (Bridal, Tango, Bridesmaids, Enchanted Veils, Mariposa Q15)
Ronda Jean's Bridal- Brainerd (Bridal, Tango, Bridesmaids, Mariposa Q15)
The Loraine Shop- Mankato (Bridal, Tango)
Satin and Silk- Byron (Prom)