Our Newest Members

We are always looking to add great vendors in the Central Minnesota to our wedding association. The CMWA only wants to promote vendors of the highest quality and has an application process that each new member must apply through.

Members must agree to run their business according to our code of ethics, provide references of past clients, and be accepted by a majority vote of our board of directors.

We are thrilled to welcome these 11 new members to our group!

Classic Hall (Annandale, MN)
Bridal Boutique & Outlet (St. Cloud, MN)
D'Angelo Sound and Light
Refine Dermatique (Albertville, MN)
We've Got it Covered
Tip Top Tux (Multiple Locations)
Prime Mortgage Vicki Erickson (320) 529-4944
AJHeckman Photography
PM Enterprises
D.J. Bitzan Jewelers (St. Cloud, MN)
Princess Bride Cinematic Videography

We will have more about these vendors and their services in future blog posts...check out their websites and learn more about their great services!

2010 Bride Guide - Unveiled

We are proud to present the 2010 Bride Guide, featuring great ideas to help you plan your wedding with the help of the finest wedding professionals in Central Minnesota.

When we started the Central Minnesota Wedding Association in February 2008, we did not want to have the most vendors, just the best vendors in the region. Businesses featured in this guide are truly the best our area has to offer. They are guided by our code of ethics and are committed to professionalism in all aspects of their business. Our vendors commit to ongoing professional training to remain at the top of the industry.

Our Web site, www.idoido.org, will provide you with the most up-to-date information about wedding events happening in the area. The site will also connect you with our vendors and other great resources to help make your wedding planning easier.

The wedding industry has seen a number of changes over the past year. People planning weddings and our vendors have been affected by the difficult economic times. While your first instinct may be to cut services, we encourage you to consult with one of our professional vendors to see what they can offer. We have seen many couples take on too many additional wedding-planning tasks, only to get frustrated and stressed out on their wedding day.

Don’t try and do everything yourself. Our association and our members are here to help you plan your wedding. We are professionals who love to work with engaged couples and find solutions that will work within your budget.

Mestad's 2010 Gown Preview (Video)

Mestads wanted to offer brides a way to enjoy their wedding planning while relaxing and watching a Fashion Show. Adam Welz, of Prime Time DJs, dropped the tunes, Capture Video recorded and edited the event, and Stems and Vines supplied us with beautiful bridal bouquets.

Brides relaxed on the leather sofas, sipped wine and champagne, enjoyed delicious cupcakes by Icing Dreams, and took in the sights. Fun was had by all. Sometimes it is just fun to sit back T

The Pronovias 2010 preview event was a celebration of beautiful wedding gowns. Pronovias, based out of Barcelona, Spain, is Europe's hottest bridal design house. Pronovias gowns have classic lines yet have a bit of an edge to them. Because they are European gowns, the finishing touches to the dress feel special and fresh.

Mestad's staff travels around the world to hand select the most beautiful and best fitting gowns in a variety of price points. This fashion show highlights just that. The Pronovias gowns shown in this video were seen on the runways of Barcelona Spain just a week prior to the June 26th event.

Pronovias gowns span a range of price points - about $1100 - $3000. Manuel Mota and Elie Saab also have lines under the Pronovias label. These gowns start at $2,500.

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Holiday Weekend Weddings

I admit, I was not thrilled about going to a wedding over Memorial Day weekend. One of my wife's friends from college got married on Sunday...and I have become friends with the couple over the last few years...great people.

I was an Usher/Videographer for the day...which actually worked out pretty well. I had my business partner running the main camera for the day- so I ran the second camera for the ceremony and got a few other shots here and there.

Enough about me. The big question here is- "Is it OK to plan your wedding on a holiday weekend?"

I guess the answer depends on who you ask and what your motives are to have your wedding over a long weekend.

For this couple, there were a lot of people from out-of-town that needed to travel to Minnesota for the wedding. The groom grew-up in Nebraska- and still has a lot of friends and family there. Their goal was to provide people an extra travel day by having it over Memorial Day weekend. I think that makes a lot of sense...and I am sure their out-of-town guests really appreciated the extra day.

If most of the people coming to your wedding are less than a plane ride away, I would take a look at your motives...People here in Minnesota really value their holiday weekends- with cabin trips and other personal vacations that are planned around these holidays. You may upset some people if you are asking them to give up their weekend.

The 4th of July falls on a Saturday this year...anyone have any weddings planned for that weekend?