Do Your Homework When Choosing Vendors

It seems pretty obvious..."Do Your Homework When Choosing Vendors for Your Wedding". But what does that exactly mean? Which questions should you be asking? Who should you be contacting for more information?

It may seem like a lot of work to do if you have a dozen or so different vendors for your wedding...but it is a MUST!

Our organization, the Central Minnesota Wedding Association, can certainly help you get started. Vendors in our association cannot just put up an awning and get listed on our website or Bride Guide.

Each new member in our association submits an application to our Board of Directors. Applications are reviewed, reference calls are made, work samples are taken into account and a vote is cast.

Once in our association, members commit to doing business that adhere to our Code of Ethics. If a vendor falls short, we are not afraid to remove them from the association.

Don't be afraid to ask prospective vendors questions! For some sample questions, check out this link.

See what the Better Business Bureau has to say about vendors you are looking into. They also offer some tips on their website.

Be sure to take a look at some past work samples and ask to talk to some former clients. Ask them about their experience with the vendor you are looking into- and if there were any 'surprises' after the wedding.

Your wedding is not a day that you want to be dealing with substandard vendors. Do your homework and make sure you are choosing only those that are the highest quality!

Do It Yourself or Doing Yourself In?

Napkin holders made out of spent toilet paper rolls? We all know the importance of holding the line on the wedding budget these days...but where do you draw the line? The media is great at showing how "easy" making invitations and centerpieces is.

But is it worth it?

Having a budget is important for your wedding. It's also important to figure out what pieces of your wedding are the most important to you and your spouse-to-be. The dress? The photos? The venue? The cake?

The weeks leading up to your wedding can get a little stressful with a lot of small details needing attention. If you are choosing to do some things yourself, don't wait until the last minute. Get as many things done early as possible. You'll thank yourself later.

For more information on this topic at a national level, check out:
http://ow.ly/16Gt91

Cold Feet Are OK at This Wedding

I've heard of weddings that take place in some unique places...but never on a frozen lake in the middle of winter!

Lori Gluth and Todd Hansen exchanged vows on Lake Minnetonka on January 30th. The ceremony literally took place on the lake, inside of a semi-heated tent.

This was the first wedding 'on ice' that the Bayview Event Center has hosted...and I'm guessing it probably won't be the last.

Check out the video and read more about this wedding here.

Win $1,500 in Free Jewelry on 1/23

The Engagement (After) Party is tomorrow night at Mestad's. The event will take place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (after the store closes!)

You'll have a chance to win $1,500 worth of jewelry from J.F. Kruse for just showing up!

You'll also be able to informally chat with some of the top wedding experts in the area, as you plan your big day.

Here are the details:

The Engagement (After) Party

Saturday, January 23rd
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Mestads Bridal and Formal Wear
2716 Division Street
St. Cloud, MN 56301

Mestads is opening their doors after-hours for this special event. Please RSVP before the event by calling 320-252-9634.

The Engagement Party at Mestads

We know wedding fairs are not for everyone. It can be overwhelming walking into a room full of vendors and not knowing where to start...and standing in long lines while trying to elbow your way through a convention hall.

We also know it can be very convenient to have a bunch of vendors all in one spot, so you are able to get a lot of planning done in a short amount of time.

We thought there has to be a way to bring vendors to one place and have a really laid-back atmosphere that is not overwhelming to walk into. So we started talking to fellow vendors in the St. Cloud area and came up with a new concept. We're calling it "The Engagement (After) Party."

Picture a place with a handful of Central Minnesota's top wedding professionals, looking to give you some tips and advice for planning your wedding. In a casual atmosphere, you'll sip on your favorite beverage while talking to wedding pros about your big day. No high pressure sales...no booths to visit...no long lines to stand in...and free parking.

And what if you were able to win $1,500 worth of jewelry from J.F. Kruse for just showing up? Sound good?

Here are the details:

The Engagement (After) Party

Saturday, January 23rd
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Mestads Bridal and Formal Wear
2716 Division Street
St. Cloud, MN 56301

Mestads is opening their doors after-hours for this special event. Please RSVP before January 21 by calling 320-252-9634.

So stay home this weekend and watch the Vikings game...We'll have all the resources you need next weekend at "The Engagement (After) Party".

2010 Vendor Awards

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association announced its 2010 Vendor Awards at their meeting on January 14, 2010.

Winners for the awards were nominated in December by recently married couples and industry professionals in the area. The nominations were then sent to a panel of wedding industry experts for review. They were judged on the quality of services they provided and their commitment to their industry and the community.

Congratulations to the 2010 CMWA Vendors of the Year!

Accomodations:
The Pillar Inn

Cakes:
Anna's Wedding Cakes

Catering:
Reichel's Catering

Décor and Rentals:
We've Got It Covered

Music/Entertainment:
Pianist for Parties

Florists:
Blooming Creations

Invitations:
Rengel Printing

Jewelers:
J.F. Kruse

Photo Booth:
Snap Shot Parties

Photography:
Yapuncich Photography

Reception Venue:
The Crown Room

Transportation:
Pearl Limousine

Travel:
Bursch Travel

Tuxedos and Dresses:
Mestads Bridal and Formal Wear

Videography:
Capture Video

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