The Wedding Directory 2009 Photo Shoot

Did I just pull my head off the keyboard of my computer?  OMG - Matthew and I are both exhausted today!  We worked with Bjorn Meisner last night from 10:00PM to 3:00AM this morning conducting our photo shoot for the cover of The Wedding Directory for 2009.  What a thrill it was to watch the master in action getting just the right angle and tweaking the lighting.  Oh and did I say we did the photo shoot at the W  Minneapolis - The Foshay.  So before I forget, here is the info on the coolest place to have a wedding, rehearsal dinner or just a celebration and a great photographer who is flawless in getting every detail.  Thank you Nikolai for your assistance at the "W" to make it all happen and Bjorn for your perfect eye!  So impressed with both of you!

W Minneapolis - The Foshay 612-215-3700

Bjorn Meisner Photography 763-221-3650

The gowns supplied for the cover of the 2009 issue of The Wedding Directory  were hot off the runway in New York for Monique Lhuillier from her salon in Edina, MN and Pronovias gowns from Mestad's Bridal Salon in Rochester, MN.  The women at the "W" were loving the shoot and were Ooohing and Ahhhhing over the gowns.  Watch for the new cover of The Wedding Directory as it realeases January 1, 2009.  It's going to be stunning.

Picture Coming Soon - check back often!

With Love From New York City! Kleinfeld of Manhattan Releases Bridal Fashion Line at The Wedding Shoppe on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, MN

It was a really Huge moment on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 as Lois and Jim Fritz along with their awesome staff at The Wedding Shoppe on Grand Avenue in St. Paul - as well as The Wedding Guys - welcomed the biggest name in bridal salon history to St. Paul, Minnesota. Kleinfeld of Manhattan known to brides around the world as "THE" bridal salon to go to and also known to millions of brides from the popular show "Say Yes To The Dress" on TLC is now part of the Twin Cities bridal scene. How you may ask well keep reading and I will give the 411 scoop!

Kleinfeld of Manhattan has release their exclusive bridal line called Alitia Graham Designed by Kleinfeld of Manhattan. Mara Urshela and Ronald Rothstein owners of the famous bridal salon along with fashion director Randy Fenoli and creative visual Jacques Vigneaulg who does the most amazing windows at Kleinfeld in New York City. I will be back to talk about the Window Shopping toward the end of the blog.

Mara, Ronnie, Randy and Jacques are such wonderful people and the line they are bringing to The Wedding Shoppe is truly as wonderful. You see Kleinfeld of Manhattan is very fortunate to see amazing gowns from all over the world and their line truly reflects the needs, desires and wants of brides from all over the world. So introducing the beautiful fabrics and embroidered lace. As many brides found out during their appointment that day the cut and fit of the gowns were truly amazing. So here are some of our greatest sound bites about the line...some from us and some from brides. I will say if you have not made an appointment to see them you should!

We heard a lot of WOW's all around. The fabrics so beautiful and light. Large ballgowns which you would think look to be heavy are actually light in weight. The silhouettes are stunning, perfect and flattering. Simple and Elegant, just the right touches in just the right spots. Not overly dramatic yet stated perfectly. The fun thing about these gowns is they are new on the scene and the designers are interested in knowing your likes and dislikes.

So there was so much fun in meeting with Brides, having the brides get their pictures taken with the stars of "Say Yes To The Dress". But the most fun I thought was not just the buzz in the air about the new line, but the fun the brides truly had playing "dress-up" so to speak with Mara and of course Randy. Randy was a delight. And yes Randy I am going to take your idea and match my socks with my tie. Randy had a fuchsia tie and matching socks. It was totally cool that's all I can say. But watching Randy help the brides in selecting accessories and how they might look walking down that aisle was like watching little girls play dress-up. It was magical, fun and exhilarating all in all a perfect match for the Kleinfeld Kollection! Speaking of the perfect match Lois from The Wedding Shoppe and Mara said the wedding gown for Trend Wedding 2009 will be a donation from the Kleinfeld Kollection.

If you are interested in having an appointment at The Wedding Shoppe to see first hand the amazing dresses, contact them at 651-298-1144. And YES you will be saying Yes To The Dress!

OK so you want some really cool visuals and decor ideas? OK, Shhhhh. Remember when I mentioned Jacques who designs the windows at Kleinfeld...here is the web address so you can see the windows.

They are Flipp'n Amazing! Bravo!

www.kleinfeldbridal.com/index.cfm?pid=kleinfeld-windows

We would like to thank Coppersmith Photography for covering the event. You can see their work at www.coppersmithphotography.com or schedule a meeting by calling 612-644-8024.

Ground Breaking - Open Arms of Minnesota

Matthew and I were very honored to be invited to the Saturday, September 27th ground breaking of the new Open Arms of Minnesota kitchens at 25th and Bloomington Avenue South in Minneapolis.  Over 400 friends of the Open Arms community gathered for this wonderful occassion.  Minneapolis Mayor Rybak, Councilman Gary Schiff long time client/volunteer Bill Kimker were among just a few of the speakers who moved the audience with passionate comments.  There were many times when you could just see the tears welling up in people's eyes.  I know there were times when speakers would have to stop speaking because it became so emotional for them and then you would just think to yourself, "Oh God don't let me start crying."

As you may or may not know funds from  our Love Is A Cure - Breast Cancer benefit are given to Open Arms of Minnesota who provide home meal delivery to women who are living with or battling their war against breast cancer.  The new kitchen facility will position Open Arms to enhance the services they currently offer their clients who suffer from AIDS, Breast Cancer, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), and multiple sclerosis.  Twin City Bridal Association and The Wedding Guys were key initiators in funding the beginning phase of home meal delivery through Open Arms of Minnesota for women living with Breast Cancer.

The Love Is A Cure event which will take place on February 22, 2009 will be our 4th Annual Love Is A Cure event.  Money is raised by our clients/members giving of their time and talent to donate auction items for the silent auction.  The items are those a bride will need to complete and plan her wedding....so as we say in the office, "If you are already going to pay for the service how about buying it from the auction and having the money go to a great cause.  In the three years we have raised just shy of $100,000.  We could not thank our clients and the brides who shop the auction enough.  For more info go to www.openarmsmn.org/loveisacure or www.twincitybridal.com/LoveIsACure/main.htm

So as we left the event we said good by and gave hugs to our friends at Open Arms of MN - Kevin Winge, Jennifer Van Wyk and Nancy Benedict.  As we were leaving Nancy told us about a new event coming up called DUSK 2 DAWN which will take place on the weekend of September 26, 2009.  It's so cool and and about raising HIV awareness and funding for the Twin Cities and South Africa.  It's a 12 mile walk starting at DUSK 6:00PM and Ending at 12:01AM DAWN of a new day.  With our creative heads we asked Nancy id they could get South Africa to walk the same time we walk - how cool would that be!  So I guess Matthew and I are volunteering to help out for the event.  If you want to walk with us contact us at 763-529-1900.

Way to go Open Arms of MN!  You all have your heart and head in the right place!  Everyone loves and appreciate what you do for so many!  Thank you!