Wedding Venues: New and Renewed
This past year has seen some remarkable happenings in the world of weddings. Venues, notably, have raised the bar and stepped up their game. New venues opened while others remodeled. Each one wants to bring the best level of service possible and make your day truly special.
A’BULAE
Guests: 420 seated, 1000 standing
Starting at $3,500
Available for: Ceremony, Reception
The concept of A’BULAE is to transform the space to match the vision, instead of having to design the event around the space. With a variety of digital decor, interactive media, in-house lighting and sound, A’BULAE allows you to change the look and feel of the venue to what speaks to you and your partner. As an all-inclusive venue with a goal to make things easy, A’BULAE offers 29 different items in one flat rate rental (crystal chiavari chairs, a PhotoMingle photo booth, game room, and on-site event coordinator just to name a few). Although it is recommended that couples choose from a list of services – with discounts! – from A’BULAE’s sister company, Bellagala, feel free to bring in your own vendors as desired.
A’BULAE opened with their first wedding on June 1, 2013, already celebrating one same-sex wedding on September 8 with several other already on the books. “We’re excited about the pass of the marriage amendment and the opportunities it’s given all couples to plan the true wedding they’ve been dreaming of,” says Jenna Ferguson, an event coordinator with A’BULAE. “It’s our job to make that happen.”
651-788-9818
255 6th Street, Sixth Floor
St. Paul, MN
www.abulae.com
The Commons Hotel
Guests: 50-500
Starting at $7,500
Available for: Ceremony, Reception, Rehearsal dinner
The Commons Hotel plays on the theme of contrasts inspired by its collegiate ties to the university and industrial history of the Twin Cities with more than 20,000 square feet of newly redesigned event space – providing an ideal backdrop for ceremonies and receptions alike. The Meridian Ballroom features 14-foot ceilings, exquisite chandeliers and a private outdoor terrace, while the Pinnacle Ballroom is a smaller space with floor-to-ceiling windows. Boasting beveled glass windows and dark wood decor, private dining rooms also provide the perfect, cozy place to host a rehearsal dinner, gift opening or brunch. Catering must be done through the Commons Hotel, but all other vendors are up to the couple’s discretion.
With the recent passing of marriage equality, The Commons Hotel has released an Equality Ever-After package for same-sex couples interested in the space. The hotel offers engaged couples a choice of rooms with picturesque views of downtown Minneapolis along with essentials for the big day. The package includes professional photography, “Mr. & Mr.” or “Mrs. & Mrs.” custom chalk-art drawing, bottle of champagne, and a couples stationary class, among other perks.
612-379-8888
615 Washington Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN
www.commonshotel.com
Lowertown Event Center
Guests: 250 seated
Starting at $1,500
Available for: Ceremony, Reception
Enter the unique space of Lowertown Event Center (full of natural stone and brick and located on one of the most beautiful parks in the Twin Cities) and you shall receive excellence. “I feel that we brought this space back from the dead and gave it a beautiful purpose,” says Charice Bakke, the event facilitator at LEC. “I believe it is exactly what the space was meant to be.” Included in a rental fee are tables, chairs, lighting, the dance floor, and access to the entire Lowertown Event Center. And, although the bar is provided with Crave, couples are free to bring in a caterer and other vendors of their own choosing.
The inaugural event when LEC first opened this past August was a lesbian couple renewing their vows after ten years of marriage and two daughters. “I owe the beauty of the 1st client suite to them because I knew they wanted to get ready together so I made it much larger,” Bakke says. “We all have the right to choose a partner in this life and to make that partnership legal by law and I’m happy to provide a lovely space in which any couple can do that.”
612-310-4369
400 North Sibley Street
St. Paul, MN
www.lowertowneventcenter.com
Millennium Hotel Minneapolis
Guests: 160-350
No rental fee
Available for: Ceremony, Reception
Millennium Hotel Minneapolis completed a $22 million renovation in April 2013, transforming the venue. Perhaps the most notable attribute is the glass dome looking out across downtown Minneapolis – no other venue offers such a dramatic view of the skyline. Many couples enjoy the newly renovated Millennium Hotel’s no rental fee, however this also comes with a food and beverage minimum of $6,500 to $10,000 depending on the space requested and date. In addition, the couple will receive a complimentary room for their wedding night as well as tables, chairs, dining ware, linens, table accents and the dance floor included. As a seasoned event space, it comes with a list of preferred vendors, but couples are also allowed to hire vendors that fit their needs.
Jessica Hazelton, the Senior Catering Sales Manager, says “regardless of the event, our catering team takes a very personalized approach to every wedding. Each event is planned and detailed to reflect the couple’s personal style and taste.” Couples at the Millennium Hotel Minneapolis can expect a smooth and memorable wedding planning experience.
612-332-6000
1313 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
www.millenniumhotels.com/usa/millenniumhotelminneapolis/
Muse Event Center
Guests: 500 seated, 1200 standing
Available for: Ceremony, Reception
With a multi-level space, Muse Event Center is completely customizable to the needs of the event. “We have a created a blank canvas for your imagination to take over,” says Noelle Singerhouse, Muse’s Sales Manager. “The design is simple yet elegant allowing for clients to put their own spin on the place.” The space offers custom lighting and sound capabilities, allowing the ceremony and reception to take place within the same venue.
Having opened only a matter of weeks ago, Singerhouse and her staff are eager to celebrate love with couples. “Muse welcomes anyone and everyone to our space,” Singerhouse says. “We are excited for the new law that allows same sex marriage and could not be more proud of our state.”
952-562-5620
107 3rd Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN
http://musemn.com/
Bin Wine Bar
Guests: 100
Starting at $10,000
Available for: Ceremony, Reception
Although the minimum price might be a bit more, the cost also covers food and liquor costs from Bin’s exclusive vendor list. With a wine collection from around the world, wine drinkers will be more than satisfied, but Bin also offers beer and spirits. An exciting dinner menu is meant to be paired wonderfully with the extensive wine list. Situated directly on Mears Park, Bin Wine Bar is an urban, sexy, cozy venue perfect for a cocktail lounge-type wedding.
Situated in the historic Park Square Court, the building’s Romanesque style is sure to have wedding guests captivated with its heritage and charm. Rebecca Illingworth, the owner of Bin Wine Bar, says “love is love and we are happy to have all loving couple here to celebrate the beginning of their lives together.”
651-224-9463
400 North Sibley Street, Suite 150
St. Paul, MN
www.binwinebar.com
5100 Eden Ave, Suite 107 • Edina, MN 55436
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