Planning Tips |Bridal Show Season

A couple of weeks ago, we attended The Wedding Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The fair is put on three times throughout the year, January, March and October. There are dresses on display, menu sampling, tablescapes and fashion shows periodically through out the day. Some of the wedding professionals in attendance were Linen Effects, Lucas Botz Photography, Saavi Formal Wear, and Minnesota Bride. Since we are in the midst of bridal show season, here are a few tips to help the day go smoothly:

Create a wedding e-mail account.  An overflow of planning details and information may be a lot to overcome following the show in your personal (or work) inbox. Use this centralized account to stay organized with potential wedding professionals you meet as well as manage wedding R.S.V.P.s.              

Print mailing labels.  Many booths will ask for your contact information. Making labels instead of writing it out saves time and keeps your hand from cramping. Be sure to include your name, e-mail address, wedding date, and wedding location. 

Don’t get overwhelmed!  Yes, there are tons of brides, hundreds of wedding professionals, but enjoy it. The fair is an excellent way to get inspiration for your big day.

via Cristina's iPhone

Bring color samples and swatches.  It’s much easier to talk color, coordinate linens or accessories for the wedding party with swatches present. Many professionals will offer assistance and insightful suggestions when you come prepared. 

Talk to everyone.  A pro not your style?  Not in your price range?  Talk to them anyway!  They may have a friend or colleague that would better fit the tone, theme or price range of your wedding day. 

Use promotions.  Some vendors will offer a discount if you book an appointment at the fair. If you were planning on making an appointment at that bridal salon anyway, what a great way to cross something off your list and get a discount!

Head over to Minnesota Bride, MSP Weddings, the Independent Wedding Association, and The Wedding Guys for information on upcoming bridal shows in the Twin Cities.

Cocktails For A Cause |L'atelier Couture Bridal Boutique

You are invited by the ladies of L'atelier Couture to Cocktails For A Cause on Friday February 3rd! Enjoy a silent auction of Little White Dresses and cocktail dresses from nine of their exclusive designers, NELLE, Penny Larson Jewelry, and Tara LaTour with cocktails from Prairie Vodka and sweet confections from Cocoa & Fig. A portion of your proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. No purchase is necessary but donations are welcome to the American Cancer Society. 

RSVP by January 30th to: RSVP@lateliercouturebridal.com. Please include you and your guest's full name. If you are unable to attend the event but are interested in purchasing a cocktail dress, appointments are available on Thursday February 2nd & Saturday February 4th.

15th Anniversary Celebration |Che Bella

Che Bella boutique is celebrating 15 years in the bridal business through out the month of January! Join the ladies of Che Bella for daily events, sweets, and specials. Che Bella specializes in bridal gowns and bridal accessories for the style-minded bride with a smart budget. The boutique is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11am to 6pm, Thursday 11am to 8pm, and Saturday 10am to 6pm located on Grand Ave. Be sure to visit their website and fan page for the latest news and prizes!

Che Bella via Melissa Oholendt Photography

Lollipop Tuesdays

Enjoy a candy bar and 15% off all accessories

Winter Wednesdays

Relax and stay warm with hot tea, cookies and enjoy 15% off all accessories

Thirsty Thursdays

All the soda pop, popcorn and movies you could want and enjoy 15% off all accessories

Fancy Fridays

A crisp glass of champagne served with Sweets Bakeshop cupcakes and enjoy 15% off all accessories 

Saturday Soirees

Enjoy bridal shopping along with sweet treats and 15% off all accessories

Congratulations to the ladies of Che Bella, 

We wish you a Very Happy 15th Anniversary & many more to come!

Lowell Inn Stillwater Wedding |Jessica + Ryan

Meet Jess + Ryan, these two are made for each other and are just cute as a button. Towards the end of their planning process Jess needed an extra set of hands, and we were more than happy to lend a hand. From our final walk through, to the rehearsal and of course on their special day we had so much fun working with Jess + Ryan and their families. During memorial weekend, Jess + Ryan gathered family and friends to celebrate their union. With a large number of out of town guests the couple sought an intimate affair, Stillwater was the city of choice to do so. A few good luck showers arrived on the scene during their touching ceremony that was officiated by Jess’s uncle at Ascension Episcopal Church. The light shower didn’t deter the couple and guests from enjoying the special day.  


The reception was held at a quaint and charming inn blocks away from the beautiful historic downtown area of Stillwater captured by Collin Hughes Photographs. It was truly an amazing day from start to finish filled with buttons and lovebirds. We were happy to be a part of their special day. We wish Jess + Ryan all the best with their new life in Charlotte!

Creative Team
Wedding Coordination: Faith of Urbane Montage Events  
Wedding Photography: Collin Hughes Photographs
Ceremony Location: Ascension Episcopal
Reception Location: Lowell Inn
Floral Design: Simply Stated Elegance 
DJ: Instant Request
Hair: Jamie Lynn Muehlbauer of Hair For All Seasons 
Make-up: Kaki Ronning  
Wedding Cake: Wuollet Bakery
Photo Booth: VIP Photobooth 
Trolley: Stillwater Trolley Co.
Wedding Dress: Mori Lee via The Wedding Shoppe 
Custom Button Purse: Lorna Lou via Etsy

Boudoir Marathon IV |Cadence Cornelius Photographs

It's that time again ladies! Cadence Cornelius Photographs is hosting their annual winter Boudoir Marathon on Saturday January 21st and Sunday January 22nd! Boudoir is picture perfect for Valentine's Day, as a wedding day gift or anniversary gift. You will be pampered with Hair + Makeup by Amber of LoveLee Looks, styling by Stephanie Morrison Gandy, and bubbly- sounds like a great time to us! Spots are limited, so connect with Cadence to reserve your session today.

Inspiration Board |Waves in the Winter

Being landlocked in the middle of North America, I appreciate the chance to see the ocean any time I can. I love thinking about the whole other world that exists under the waters, and what lies far away into the horizon.                                                                                                            
Of course, the ocean is also responsible for creating some gorgeous combinations of blue, green and white.

via EarthWatch2

It's often a source of inspiration for summer or destination weddings, but softened versions of those colors are just as mesmerizing - and perfect for a winter wedding color palette.

Foamy whites become snow whites, sea greens turn into mint greens, and deep water blues go glacial. The combination looks rich with gold and silver, and rustic with chocolate brown.

Don't forget to trade beachy fabrics with more substantial ones like satin and velvet to hold up to the cold (they'll look especially gorgeous in unexpected light colors); details like rock candy and frosted glass add even more ice appeal.

Top Row: Dress, Samuelle | Escort Card, Woodva Weddings | Cake, Martha Stewart 

Center: Cupcakes, My Wedding Place | Flowerettes, Twigs and Honey via The Sweetest Occasion | Invitation, Wedding Paper Divas 

Bottom Row: Rock Candy Decor (DIY Alert!), Once Wed | Centerpiece, Wedding Planning 101 | Shoes, Missy Photo via The Wedding Chicks

Minneapolis Special Event |FOUND // The Art of Wedding

I’ve always viewed weddings as an art form. It’s the first event you host as a couple, the first masterpiece you create as one. In fact, it is the foundation in which Urbane Montage was formed. So to see local talented artists in the wedding industry celebrate this, elevates weddings even further as the art form they truly are!

In comes FOUND // The Art of Wedding. This fine art event curated by Eliesa Johnson of Photogen Inc will be held on Friday January 20, 2012 at the 514 Studios in the North Loop district of Minneapolis. It will showcase some of the Twin Cities’ talents with fine art installations of photographers Photogen Inc and Rivets & Roses, the floral design of Munster Rose, the cinematography of Capture Studios, the couture fashion designs of Tara LaTour, and the paper goods of Paperista. This amazing night will include Cocoa & Fig confections, Crispin cider, along with complimentary copies of Minnesota Bride’s latest issue as Flow DJ spins through the night. This event is perfect for wedding enthusiasts, fine art lovers, and engaging couples. I will be attending and hope to see you there! 

FOUND // The Art of Wedding

Friday January 20, 2012 

6 - 10 pm

514 Studios

514 North 3rd Street Suite 101 

Minneapolis, MN

Follow the FOUND Event on Twitter