There’s no doubt about it, Edina is an absolute destination for wedding planners and brides-to-be. From local retail shops and designers on the cutting edge, to programs like Brides of 50th and France that guide you through the planning process, one thing is true: you don’t have to leave home to plan a first-class celebration.
FLORAL
Floral Fantasies
Senior floral designer Raed Kakish from Indulge & Bloom shares his secrets for bountiful bouquets this wedding season.
Decide on a Budget
Wouldn’t it be nice to have an unlimited budget to beautify your wedding? Well, for most, that’s not the case, so Raed Kakish recommends deciding on a budget for flowers before meeting with your florist. This way, your florist will be able to come up with gorgeous arrangements that don’t break the bank. “We can achieve certain things on a budget and still make the wedding look great,” assures Kakish.
Decide on Colors
Choose the colors of your bridal party garb before consulting a florist. “This way we’re able to help mix [flower] colors that work with the dress colors,” he says. Tip: Bring in a swatch of the fabric color so your florist can pick out ribbons to match.
Decide on Your Look
We know you’ve been paging through countless wedding magazines, oohing and aahing over exquisite floral arrangements and bridal bouquets. Kakish recommends getting the most out of your grueling research by showing your dream bouquet clippings to your florist. “This helps us understand the bride’s likes and dislikes,” he says.
Indulge and Bloom, 3054 Excelsior Blvd.; 612.343.0000; indulgeandbloom.com
More fine floral establishments:
Flowers of Edina, 7029 Amundson Ave.; 952.944.5770; flowersofedina.com
Garden Gate Flowers, 5023 France Ave. S.; 612.929.8030
Artistic Floral, 4502 Valley View Rd.; 952.920.4772; artisticfloral.com
Linden Hills Florist, 4300 Upton Ave. S; 612.922.9303; lindenhillsflorist.com
DRESSES
How to Say ‘Yes’ to a Dress
Couture gown expert and Monique Lhuillier retail director Dawn Bromander shares insider tips for picking the perfect dress.
On Preparing
Before you hit the bridal boutiques, decide on a few important details like venue and budget, all of which play a huge part in the dress decision-making process. “The more detail you can share with your consultant, the better able she will be to select fabulous options,” explains Dawn Bromander. She also encourages brides to consider which side of their personality they want to play up: “Elegant, sexy, playful, stylish; there are as many directions to go as there are women!” And then there’s the all-important “B” word: budget. “Don't be hesitant or put off by talking about budget,” assures Bromander. “Everyone has one and it is very important to us that we show you selections that fit comfortably in your plans.”
On Shopping
“Choose one or two people to join you who are always great supporters of yours and understand your sense of style,” advises Bromander. “While it is tempting to want to share the experience with all of your bridesmaids or friends, it becomes difficult to hear your own voice in a sea of opinion.” Bridal consultants, with years of experience and stylist know-how under their belts, can be a huge help finding that gown that reflects your tastes (especially when you start to feel a little overwhelmed).
On Falling in Love (with the Dress)
“Play with detail you love,” encourages Bromander. Many brides are flocking to styles that include floral details, gorgeous embroidery, texture, flattering draping, body-conscious styles or lace (which is an “ongoing obsession” for brides)—think of various ways to incorporate those details into your look. “If beautiful fabric flowers fit in to your idea of the perfect gown, you can use them in a variety of ways … you may choose a gown with a full floral ball-gown skirt for an over-the-top venue, or you could choose to wear them tucked into a simple chignon with sheer veiling and an elegant form-fitting gown.” Find that gown that lets your personality shine and voila!—that’s the one.
Monique Lhuillier, 3928 W. 50th St.; 612.929.0747; moniquelhuillier.com
More beautiful bridal boutiques:
Brides of France, 5015 France Ave. S.; 612.926.1596; bridesoffrance.com
The Dressmaker, 3902 W. 50th St.; 952.929.9475; thedressmaker.com
Priscilla of Boston, 3926 W. 50th St.; 952.922.2106; priscillaofboston.com
DESSERTS
Sweet Finishes
Delightful, decadent and understated alternatives to the traditional, many-layered wedding cake.
Macaroons
Why do we love these? Let us count the ways. These little cookie concoctions are positively adorable and festively sweet in their pastel green, yellow and pink shades. Made in-house at Patisserie Margo by pastry chef Darcia Nunes, these French-inspired, ganache-filled delicacies come in three flavors: pistachio and white chocolate, dark chocolate and passion fruit, and rose cream. $1.50. Patisserie Margo, 5133 Gus Young Ln.; 952.926.0548; patisseriemargo.com
Cupcakes
Jump on the cupcake bandwagon and sweeten up your wedding with individually sized cakes. New Edina hotspot Sweet Retreat is no stranger to wedding-day cupcakes, offering tiered serving platters full of delicious treats, in flavors such as coconut, red velvet and mocha—all decorated to suit your fancy. $33 per dozen. Sweet Retreat Cupcake Boutique, 5013 France Ave. S.; 612.353.6230, thesweetretreatmn.com
Tarts and Pastries
A dessert buffet packed full of mini pastries and tarts is sure to please your wedding guests, who will have the luxury of trying a little bit of everything. The gorgeous glazed fruit, chocolate and lemon meringue tarts are almost too pretty to eat (but we’re sure you’ll find a way). Round out the menu with divinely rich napoleons, éclairs and mini opera and chocolate raspberry cakes.
$24 per dozen. Patrick’s Bakery & Café, 2928 West 66th St.; 612.861.7570; patricksbakerycafe.com
Table Cakes
Ordering centerpiece cakes in different flavors and placing one at each table encourages attendees to get up and mingle while trying out the different varieties. Flavor sensations such as chocolate with strawberry filling or marble with amaretto mousse will definitely be an incentive. Another plus? The cakes are expertly (and opulently) decorated to match your theme, enhancing your event’s décor. $18 and up. Queen of Cakes, 7027 Amundson Ave.; 952.942.7628; queen-of-cakes.com
VENUES
Reception Venues Deconstructed
We know that the reception site is key when it comes to planning the perfect wedding, so here’s a guide to help find that venue that’s just so … you!
The Classic Bride
For the traditional bride, Interlachen Country Club is just the ticket. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the golf course, hardwood floors and wrought-iron chandeliers give it that sophisticated touch for an intimate yet elegant reception. Interlachen’s director of catering and events Stephanie Eiden loves being a part of her couples’ wedding experience. “We host approximately 30 weddings a year, and they are my favorite part of my job because I get to see the event transform from a vision to a dream day for the couple,” she says. 6200 Interlachen Blvd.; 952.929.1661; interlachencc.org
The Glam Bride
Wow your guests with everything from the décor to the cuisine at Edina Country Club. Offering a pre-function area to start the night off right, Edina Country Club’s recently restored private patio is perfect for a cocktail or two before the party gets started. The Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 325 people, featuring large windows with picturesque views of the grounds and Minnehaha Creek. Sales and catering manager Cindy Cegla says it’s the service that truly sets Edina Country Club apart, however, with their experienced catering staff and talented culinary teams. 5100 Wooddale Ave.; 952.927.7151; edinacountryclub.org
The Green Bride
Overlooking a 10-acre lake and surrounded by formal gardens and walking trails, Centennial Lakes is the perfect reception site for the bride who wants to bring a little of the outdoors to her special day. The Centrum Building hosts receptions for up to 120 guests and gives you a taste of tranquility with its cozy fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows and lakeside patio. Centennial Lakes’s general manager Tom Shirley also recommends the venue for its numerous photo ops. “The park, with its lush landscaping, gardens and water features, makes a wonderful backdrop for a couple’s special day,” he says. “Spring flowers give way to summer landscaping that eventually takes on the rustic tones of fall.” 7499 France Ave. S.; 952.833.9580; centenniallakespark.com
The Posh Bride
Get the modern elegance of a reception in the city without the traffic at the Westin Hotel at Galleria, where the exquisite George W. Baird Ballroom can host up to 300 guests.
Perfect for the bride with a host of out-of-towners, guests can stay in one of the Westin’s superb hotel rooms, which are conveniently located next to the Galleria’s plethora of upscale shops and restaurants. Bonus: The bride and groom receive a complimentary guest room. 3201 Galleria; 952.567.5000; westinedinagalleria.com
INVITES
Impeccable Invites
Here’s a look at the latest trends to kick your wedding off right.
In the bridal world, trends are always changing. That’s why we called graphic designer extraordinaire Vanessa Kimball from Amy Zaroff Designs & Events (formerly known as Give My Regards To), to give us a sneak peek at what’s hot for this season’s invites.
Bring on the Color
The color palette for a wedding can help guide your every decision. This year, expect to find turquoise popping up on wedding invitations left and right. “Teal blues are very popular,” says Kimball. “They’re the big up-and-coming color.” The new combo of yellow and gray will also start showing up this season, and not only in invitation designs—look for it in bridesmaid dresses and decorations this fall.
All Things Personalized
These days pretty much any wedding accoutrement is available with that personalized touch. “People are branding their wedding by creating a logo or using a monogram,” says Kimball. Brides are starting to think of their wedding as a whole package rather than a handful of separate parts, and a monogram or logo ties it all together. With the invitation the first piece of the wedding that guests see, brides are making a statement with bold monograms and personal logos.
Vintage is the New Vogue
We all know that fashion repeats itself, so it’s no surprise that vintage-inspired invites are so “in” right now. Drawing inspiration from old-school graphics, Kimball says silhouettes of things like plants and flowers or even the bride and groom’s profiles are making their way onto wedding invites. Kimball has also created poster-like invitations for brides with Old West-style fonts and a homespun yet sophisticated flair.
Amy Zaroff Designs & Events, 7179 Washington Ave. S.; 952.941.3371; amyzaroff.com
More Edina invite experts:
Epitome, 70th St. & France Ave.; 952.920.2978; epitomepapers.com
Gloria Cooper Calligraphy, 612.822.5709; gloriacooperart.com
Papyrus, 3600 Galleria; 952.920.8766; papyrusonline.com
