Really Bad Engagement Photos

Engagement photos are part of the process in the months before your wedding. There's, love, romance and sometimes that awkward moment or two. Like when you realize it's not just your boyfriend, but Spider Man that you are marrying.

Some of these engagement photos are pretty funny. Check 'em out! Be sure to click on "newer entries" on the bottom of the page- as there are a few different pages to view. I'm pretty sure none of the photographers in the CMWA could be found guilty of taking any of these.

Enjoy!
Jake

You're Engaged...Now What?

This is one of the most popular times of the year to get engaged- and now that the holidays are officially over, you or one of your friends may be wondering, "What do I do now that I'm engaged?"

Shortly after I proposed to my wife, we organized a dinner with our parents. I think this is an important step to see how much or how little they want to contribute with their time and money. It also helped us get a better feeling for our guest list, as our parents gave us a good idea of the number of their friends they wanted to invite to the wedding.

It's important to have an idea for your wedding budget before you get too into the planning process. One of your first decisions should be where your reception will take place. This is going to be your biggest expense of your wedding day.

Choosing your ceremony and reception location(s) should be top on your list. The rest of your vendors will want to know what your date is- so they can make sure they have availability.

Choosing the rest of the vendors is up to you. However, I would suggest finding a few areas of the wedding that are most important to you- and what you and your fiancee want to make a priority. Find the best company for these areas and don't skimp! If having the best flowers is what you value most, don't settle! Find a vendor that will deliver exactly what you want- even if they are not the "cheapest".

Here's a list of wedding vendors to help you get started.

• Cakes/Desserts
• Catering
• Dress/Tuxedo
• Groom's Dinner Venue
• Decor/Rentals
• Music/Entertainment
• Florist
• Hotel
• Invitations
• Jewelry
• Photographer
• Reception Venue
• Transportation
• Travel Agent
• Videography
• Other fun things, like a Photo Booth

Check out our website, http://www.idoido.org to get the contact information for wedding vendors along the I-94 corridor in Central Minnesota...from Rogers to Monticello to St. Cloud to Alexandria and beyond!

**Photo Courtesy of Yapunich Photography

Make a Nomination Today!

There are just a few more days for you to nominate your favorite Central Minnesota wedding vendor!

We are looking to recognize wedding vendors in the area that provide great service to their clients and also give back to their industry and community.

The nomination process is really simple- and should take only a couple minutes.

Visit http://www.idoido.org/vote to make a nomination today! The nomination deadline is December 31, 2009. Vendors will be recognized at the next meeting of the Central Minnesota Wedding Association on January 14, 2010.

Wedding Dancers Update

The Minnesota couple that made dancing down the aisle cool recently updated Meredith Viera on the Today Show about what they have been up to since their video hit it big on YouTube.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The whole thing seems to have cooled off, at least for now. We'll see what the summer of 2010 brings...What do you think will be the next wedding "sensation"?

Changes in Marriage Prep

If you are planning to get married in a Catholic Church within the Diocese of St. Cloud, your marriage preparation will come out of a new program. Beginning next year there will be a pre-marriage inventory and workbook the Diocese will publish for engaged couples. This replaces a curriculum that has been used for nearly 30 years.

There will be about 170 questions in this new "inventory" that will range in topic from intimacy to finances.

You'll want to check with your priest if you have questions on the changes. More information about marriage preparation in the St. Cloud Diocese can be found here.

Nominate Your Favorite Vendor

It's that time of year again! The Central Minnesota Wedding Association is collecting nominations for the 2010 Vendor Awards.

We are looking to recognize wedding vendors in the area that provide great service to their clients and also give back to their industry and community.

The nomination process is really simple- and should take only a couple minutes.

Visit http://www.idoido.org/vote to make a nomination today! The nomination deadline is December 31, 2009. Vendors will be recognized at the next meeting of the Central Minnesota Wedding Association on January 14, 2010.

Here is a list of the vendors that won in 2009.

Icing Dreams specializing in unique wedding cakes, 3-D cakes, cookies and cheesecakes perfect for any occasion; located in Waite Park. icingdreams@hotmail.com 320.257.4246

Reichel's offers a variety of home cooked meals and personalized menus perfect for weddings, showers, meetings and specials occasions in an event center that seats up to 400; located in Annandale. Contact reichelscatering@yahoo.com 320.274.2291

Events Extraordinaire works around your schedule so all you have to do is show up to your customized event! Located in St. Cloud. Contact jean@eventsbyjean.com 320.267.8609

Pianist For Parties is one of Minnesota’s finest solo pianists with a repertoire of music for all occasions including weddings, corporate events, receptions, and special occasions. Contact Sharon@pianistforparties.com 612.845.1970

Blooming Creations is a family owned and operated floral service committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements and gifts for weddings and all occasions; located in Waite Park. Contact bloomingcreations@teleflorist.com 320.257.7673.

Hampton Inn And Suites offers excellent customer service for guests and is conveniently located within walking distance of event centers and is just off of I-94 in Rogers. Contact hamptonsuitesrogers@zmchotels.com 763.425.0044.

Rengel Printing offers a wide variety of custom and nationally ordered invitations and has been serving St. Cloud and the central Minnesota area for three generations. Contact info@rengelprinting.com 320.251.5951.

J.F. Kruse Jewelers specializes in unique designer collections, custom-made jewelry and superb values on hand-selected and independently certified diamonds; located in St. Cloud. Contact info@jfkrusejewlers.com 320.253.4755.

Snap Shot Parties rents state-of-the-art and easy to use photo booths anywhere in Minnesota; located in St. Cloud. Contact Ezra@SnapShotParties.com 320.310.0812.

The Crown Room offers an elegant ambiance for any event including wedding receptions, business luncheons or anniversary celebrations; located in Rogers. Contact GinaA@5sqc.com 763.428.8181.

Pearl Limousine, a one of a kind service, offering luxurious Cadillac and Mercedes Limousines; located in St. Cloud. Contact pearllimo@rearscope.com 320.251.1101.

Bursch Travel assures you the most accurate information and the best travel production selection available, at the least expensive cost; located in Waite Park. Contact leeh@hurschtravel.com 320.251.3180.

Mestad’s is a premier bridal salon with hundreds of different wedding gowns, bridesmaid’s gowns, tuxedos and accessories to choose from; located in St. Cloud. Contact info@mestads.com 320.252.9634.

Northern Lights Video specializes in creating cinematic wedding videos that can capture your beautiful wedding using HD cameras; located in Zimmerman. Contact jeff@northernlightsvideo.com 763.856.9193.

Mulligan’s Event Center offers a completely private setting overlooking the Sartell Golf Course with tow large patios, a waterfall and a water fountain – the perfect setting for celebrating with family and friends; located in Sartell. Contact missy@mulligansevents.com 320.656.9000.

2009 CMWA Bride Panel

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association held its second annual bridal panel on November 17th. We had five brides who were married within the last 12 months share their wedding planning stories - as they searched and booked different wedding vendors.

A couple of the common themes I heard:

• Email is the preferred way to communicate with brides (no more phone!)
• It's not all about money. People are willing to spend a bit more to get quality service.
• Money is being spent on the things the couple is passionate about.

We had approximately 50 vendors in the audience, who were able to ask questions and learn first-hand what engaged couples are looking for when choosing vendors for their wedding. I always enjoy going to events like this one. It gives me some great insight on how the wedding industry is changing and what people are expecting.

Many people ask me what the future of the industry looks like for 2010...and it's looking good! Most reception hall managers tell me their Saturday nights are almost fully booked this summer- and many of their Friday nights are also booked. This should trickle down to other vendors in the coming weeks and months. The reception hall is typically the first or second thing that is booked. (You do need a DATE to get married!)

If you are a vendor and are interested in what happened at the Bride Panel, send me an email and I will send you a link to the .MP3 version of the panel.

I did take a picture on my phone at the event...it's pretty horrible. It does not do justice to the time Gina and her staff put into making The Crown Room look spectacular for the panel.