A wedding is one of those momentous occasions, those joyful events that are indelibly impressed in our memories. Our own wedding is a day we’ll talk about for the rest of our lives, and—if we’re lucky and the intensive planning is oh-so-right—so too will our friends and family.
But as many of us know, the preparations can add up to no easy task. That single day can have us driving from city to city, hither and yon, over hill and dale, to find just the right venue, jeweler, photographer, pastry chef, florist, musician, bridal shop and the list goes on.
So we thought: What if we did a little digging and created a compendium of local vendors, purveyors of all things wedding, who are Plymouth-based? What we’ve come up with is just a sampling of what’s available in our little corner of the world. (OK, not every source is in Plymouth, but pretty darn close.) Bottom line: You—or your daughter, niece, cousin, whomever—don’t have to travel very far to create the wedding of your dreams.
TAG: CAKES/DESSERTS
How Sweet It Is!
Whether it’s square, round, beautifully adorned or elegantly simple, a wedding cake should be (almost) as stunning as the bride. And Robin Martin, owner of Gateaux Inc., knows how to make gorgeous, one-of-a-kind cakes. Her custom, often gravity-defying creations have been the centerpiece of hundreds of weddings and other events, and were even featured on The Food Network in 2008 on Food Network Challenge. Marin relishes the challenge: “If I’m not terrified about how I’m going to make a cake, I’m not pushing myself hard enough.” 15705 35th Ave. N.; 763.577.9815; gateaux-inc.com
Other Places to Get Your Sweet On
Truffles & Tortes
72 Nathan Ln.
763.512.0944
trufflesandtortes.com
Painted Turtle Chocolatier & Artisan Shoppes
10100 6th Ave. N, Suite 106
763.550.9475
Edible Arrangements
1400 County Road 101 N. Unit K
763.231.6650
ediblearrangements.com
Lunds
3455 Vicksburg Ln.
763.268.1624
lundsandbyerlys.com
TAG: DRESSES
Say ‘Yes’ to the Dress
With more than 500 styles, from Cinderella-like ball gowns to the modern fit-n-flare silhouette, The Bridal Center Plymouth can help you find your gorgeous gown, plus you can check out the wide selection of bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses, too. And don’t worry; the Bridal Center’s knowledgeable staff is there to help you with your every bridal gown need. “Providing exceptional customer service is what we do,” general manager Joey Scherman says. 4116 N. Lancaster Ln.; 763.550.3992; bridalcentermn.com
Other Shops to Help You Say ‘Yes’ to the Dress
Heartstrings Bridal
1605 Mainstreet, Hopkins
952.932.9090
heartstringsbridal.com
Glenrose Floral to Formals
10100 6th Ave. N.
763.591.9333
glenrosebridal.com
TAG: GROOM/GROOMSMEN ATTIRE
Dapper Dans
Who says weddings are only about the bride? Guys like to look great, too. We know we say it a lot, but The Foursome truly has attire for every ceremony, every guy. “We’ve done weddings from very formal with black tuxedoes, Windsor ties and vests, to destination weddings where we’ve had to outfit the groom and his groomsmen with flip-flops, khaki pants and nice shirts,” says Rob Sigfridson, floor manager. The Foursome also offers a wide selection of men’s furnishings, and discounts based on the size of the wedding party. 3570 Vicksburg Ln. N. Ste. 100; 763.473.4667; thefoursome.com
Another Dapper Dan Destination
Savvi Formalwear
Ridgedale Center
12501 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka
952.546.0773
savviformalwear.com
TAG: HAIR/MAKEUP
The Pampered Party
Jay Dupay of Christopher J Salon knows how to pamper bridal parties. With massages, manicures, pedicures, hair styling and makeup application, an award-winning atmosphere and top-notch stylists— not to mention lunch—brides and their attendants can sit back and relax before the day’s momentous festivities begin. Dupay stays abreast of the latest wedding hairstyle trends with trips to Los Angeles because, as Dupay puts it, “what the brides see on television and in the magazines is how they want their hair.” 2700 Annapolis Cir. Ste. F; 763.404.8606; christopherjsalon.com
Where (Else) To Get Pampered
Studio 55 Salon
2855 Glacier Ln. N. Ste. 200
763.553.1010
Salon Bell’ Amici
4000 Annapolis Ln. N. Ste. 104
763.557.0896
salonbellamici.com
New Reflections Spa Salon
3530 Vicksburg Ln. N., Suite 400
763.559.3185
newreflectionssalon.com
Jodi Josephson
612.599.1214
TAG: JEWELRY
Beautiful Baubles
Whether you’re in the market for the perfect platinum wedding ring set, unique groomsmen gifts like Edward Mirell titanium cufflinks, beauteous bridesmaid baubles, gifts for your soon-to-be-betrothed or anything jewelry-related for your day of nuptials, Tesa Jewellers has what you need. “We carry a large selection of readymade pieces from some of the best jewelry vendors,” says Jill Risbrudt, appraiser and marketing coordinator. “And we also do custom work where you can bring in a photograph or an idea, and we can recreate it and bring it to life.” 3525 Vicksburg Ln. Ste. 400; 763.537.3144; tesajewellers.com
More Bauble Bestowers
Artelle Designs
3555 Plymouth Blvd. Ste. 216
763.559.0044
artelledesigns.com
Carats, Inc.
10100 6th Ave. N., Suite 122
Plymouth, MN 55441
763.444.2200
caratsinc.com
Shane Company
11300 Wayzata Blvd., Suite A
Minnetonka, MN 55305
952.546.2900
shaneco.com
TAG: STATIONERY/INVITATIONS
Wedding Words
Beautiful individualized invitations set the tone for your wedding; they are the first glimpse into the look and feel—the soul—of your big day. Amy Mills, owner of UNIQLOVE, creates one-of-a-kind invitations that will have your guests eagerly anticipating your aisle-traipsing day. “It’s easy to make a wedding beautiful, but emphasizing the personalities of the couple and their story can make it legendary,” Mills says. “Custom invitations create a distinguished branding [for] your day, making it more than just an event, but a day to be remembered for a lifetime.” 763.712.4834; UNIQLOVE.com
Other Wedding Wordsmiths
Beau Papier
15705 35th Ave. N.
763.577.9815
gateaux-inc.com
Anchor Paper Express
12855 Highway 55 Ste. B
763.550.0926
anchorpaper.com
The (Not So) Lost Art of Calligraphy
There is something lovely and oh-so-special about hand-calligraphed invitations, envelopes, menus, table cards, monograms and more. And Rosann Konieczny, who has been honing her calligraphy skills since junior high, is one of the best. “I believe it is much more meaningful to receive a hand-created invitation,” says Konieczny, who can match almost any typical font and has well over a dozen calligraphy font samples for brides to choose from. “It lets the guests know they are special and that the wedding will be something equally as wonderful.” 7023 Knoll St., Golden Valley; 763.221.4584; rosannkcalligrapher.com
Other Pen and Ink Purveyors
Pen and Ink
4116 N. Hemlock Ln.
763.520.9373
penandinkpersonalization.com
TAG: CATERING
Food, Glorious Food
Fabulous food is a must for a fabulous wedding. Whether you’re having a small sit-down affair in a cozy locale, a large buffet dinner in a grand ballroom or anything in between, Town & Country Catering, in operation since 1948, has what you’re looking for. “All of our food has always been made from scratch, using the freshest and highest-quality ingredients,” general manager Tony Berg says. “We plan each event’s menu, staffing and details based on the location, group size, budget and desires of the customer to truly offer a custom-planned event.” 3155 Empire Ln.; 763.559.4461’; tcreserve.com
More Fabulous Food Folks
We Cater To You
10000 Hwy. 55
763.546.9346
wecatertoyou-mn.com
Famous Dave’s
11308 Hwy. 55
952.593.5050
famousdaves.com
TAG: ENTERTAINMENT
Dance the Night Away
Music is the lifeblood of any wedding reception. Whether you’re in the mood for jazz, contemporary, pop, swing, big band, waltz or numerous other genres, Mark Bloom and Marquis Music will get your guests out on the dance floor. “There is a lot of synergy to the event when there are live musicians,” says Bloom, who has played in a host of local country clubs, churches, synagogues and outdoor venues. Interested in having music at your ceremony? Mark Bloom and his trio can do that as well. 4605 Narcissus Ln. N.; 763.553.2679; markbloom.com
TAG: DÉCOR
It’s All About the Details
It comes as no surprise that a successful event is often made by the smallest of details— a perfectly flounced chair, just the right centerpiece, a coordinating tablescape. At Festivities, owner and professional event planner Jenny Braun helps make your wedding successful , no matter your budget or creative input. “We bridge the gap between the do-it-yourself bride who wants to be very hands-on and the bride who wants to utilize our complete event services,” Braun says. 3969 County Rd. 116, Medina; 763.682.4846; festivitiesmn.com
TAG: FLOWERS
Beautiful Blooms
Whether you’ve envisioned romantic roses, dainty daisies, lovely lilies or any other variety of beautiful bloom, the right flowers speak volumes about your wedding.
“We make it our mission to help the bride and groom find exactly what fits with the overall feeling of their wedding,” says Cyndi Davis, store manager of Glenrose Bridal Florals to Formals. “We advise them to start with their favorite colors and flowers, and work from there.” 10100 6th Ave. N.; 763.591.9333; glenrosefloral.com
Bountiful Blooms
Bachman’s
10050 6th Ave. N.
763.541.1188
bachmans.com
Dundee Floral
16800 Hwy. 55
763.559.0385
dundeefloral.com
Festivities
3969 County Rd. 116, Medina
763.682.4846
festivitiesmn.com
TAG: TRANSPORTATION
Riding in Style
With top-of-the-line limousines (think Lincoln super-stretch town cars, Excursion SUVs and H2 Hummers), a rolled-out red carpet, crystal glassware and exceptional customer service, Renee’s Royal Valet is all about elegance, style and creating your dream wedding. “We make the bride and groom feel truly special,” owner Scott Hebl says. Looking for a pink limousine for a pink-themed wedding or bachelorette party? Renee’s Royal Valet has one of those, too. 12813 Industrial Park Blvd.; 763.551.1919; reneeslimousines.com
TAG: PHOTOGRAPHY
A Moment in Time
Great wedding photographs are those that evoke an emotion, stir a memory and capture a moment in time. “I love to capture the storyline of a couple’s wedding day,” says Amy Anderson of Amy Anderson Photography, “the organic, candid moments that capture how in love they are and how beautiful they feel.” Anderson prides herself on working within any budget; her packages range from $900 to $3,500, and she offers myriad a la carte options. 612.747.8946; amyandersonphotography.com
More Moment-capturers
Bjorn Meisner Photography
212 2nd St. SE, Suite 3221, Minneapolis
763.221.3650
bjornmeisner.com
Kelly Brown Weddings
763.416.1279
kellybrownweddings.com
Accent Photography
3990 Zanzibar Ln.
763.383.0589
accentphotography.com
LC Photography
763.227.2984
thelcphotography.com
Shutter Box
The photographer is all lined up to capture those beautiful wedding images. Now, how about adding a photo booth for those truly candid shots? Rob Boisvert of Event Photobooths offers a basic photo booth wedding package that includes delivery, set-up, unlimited photos for three hours, CD of your photos and more, all for $500. Want your guests to leave you a quick wedding message? Event Photobooths also offers video booth packages. 4116 N. Hemlock Ln.; 763.520.9373; eventphotobooths.biz
TAG: RECEPTION VENUES
The WOW Factor
When you set foot in any wedding reception, the first impression should be “WOW!” The Radisson Hotel and Conference Center can achieve the “wow factor” you’re looking for with three distinctive and elegant ballrooms, including The Regency Room with high ceilings and glistening chandeliers, The Europa Room with breathtaking views of the adjacent wetlands and the Scandinavian Ballroom with a large reception area that flows into a beautiful outdoor terrace. 3131 Campus Dr.; 763.559.6600; radisson.com
Other Venues to WOW the Crowd
Medina Golf & Country Club
400 Evergreen Rd., Medina
763.478.6021
medinagolfcc.com
The Reserve
3155 Empire Ln.
763.559.4461
tcreserve.com
Three Rivers Park District
(Wedding venues: Elm Creek Chalet, Gale Woods Farm Pavilion, Hyland Chalet, Noerenberg Gardens, Silverwood Great Hall and The Landing)
3000 Xenium Ln. N
763.559.9000
Plymouth Creek Center at Millennium Gardens
14800 34th Ave.
763.509.5280
plymouthmn.gov
The Carlson Towers Rotunda
701 Carlson Pkwy., Minnetonka
763.212.1448
carlsoncenterevents.com