Best of the Best

text EMMA ESTEB +

MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA WEDDING INDUSTRY gathered at The Whim on a hot July evening for a giddy celebration of Minnesota Bride’s annual Best of 2022 awards. And, after enduring a pandemic and a lull in the wedding scene, there was plenty to celebrate.

Attendees not only celebrated the winners— determined by readers, followers and industry peers through an open voting process held online at mnbride.com—but also enjoyed delectable food, specialty drinks and lively entertainment.

To create an elegant and unforgettable night, the Minnesota Bride team worked closely with Pink Peony Weddings & Events to bring their Santorini theme to life with the help of some of the industry’s finest. Special thanks go to Après Event Décor and Tent Rental, Apricot Floral, AV For You, Champagne Press, Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery, Chowgirls

Catering, Collected + Co., D’Amico Catering, Exist Media Company, Food Gallery Catering, Girl Friday Creative, Haven & Gather, Maria Ahrens, PHOS, Rock With U, SISU Beauty & Co., Summit Hill Studios, The Fab Tap, The Traveling Photo Booth, The Whim, Unparalleled Parking and Yuppy Photo.

1. Attendees anxiously await award announcements after dining on a delectable meal by Food Gallery Catering.

2. Stylish paper goods created by Champagne Press reserved each table with flair.

3. Guests mingled during a cocktail hour featuring a savory Mediterranean-themed spread provided by Food Gallery Catering and beverages by Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery.

4. Festive florals like delphinium and peonies arranged by Apricot Floral surrounded guests in centerpieces and installations.

5. Meet the talented women who aptly curate Minnesota Bride: Janet McLaughlin, senior art director; Sonja Babich, owner and CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and Megan White, editor-in-chief.

6. The smiling faces behind Renee’s Limousines are overjoyed upon receiving the award for Best Transportation.

1. Ziel Bridal cheerfully shows off their award for Best Wedding Hair.

2. Guests got a first look at the covers of Minnesota Bride’s Fall/Winter 2022 issue, one of which is shown here with the cover model, Stephanie Singroy and planner/coordinator Reena Maheshwari of Kahani Events & Design.

3. Ireland Frisch is all smiles on behalf of Modehaus Bridal for their win for Best Custom Gowns.

4. Event planner Sarah Trotter of Lasting Impressions Weddings, winner of the Top of the Tiara award, celebrates with Sonja Babich.

5. Michelle Beck, owner of Bridal Accents Couture flashes a smile upon accepting her award for Best Luxury Bridal Boutique.

6. The creative Dan Riggs of Summit Hill Studio is beaming with pride as he poses with his Member of the Year award.

7. Best Hotel Venue was awarded to the elated staff of Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot.

8. Pretty little passed hors d’oeuvres kept everyone happy in the cocktail hour leading up to the ceremony.

9. The award for Best Dance Instruction went to the skilled Caitlin Camarda, founder and CEO of Tulle Tuxedo, graciously displaying her award.

10. Attendees began the night on the patio with a refreshing lemon sorbet prosecco provided by The Fab Tap.

RENTALS: Après Event Decor & Tent Rental, @apreseventandtent; Collected & Co.,@collectedrentals | FLORALS + INSTALLATION: Apricot

Floral, @apricot.floral | AUDIOVISUAL: AV for You, @av.for.you

PROGRAMS, MENUS & SIGNAGE: Champagne Press, @champagnepress | WINE: Chankaska Creek Ranch, @chankaskawineryweddings DESSERTS: Chowgirls Catering, @chowgirlscatering LATE NIGHT SNACKS: D'Amico Catering, @damicocatering | DAY-OF VIDEOGRAPHER: Exist Weddings, @existweddings | COCKTAIL CART: The Fab Tap, @thefabtap

CATERING: Food Gallery Catering, @foodgallerycateringmn | INSTAL -

LATION: Girl Friday, @girlfridaycreative; PHOS, @phosevents | BAR

RENTAL: Haven + Gather, @havenandgather | ILLUSTRATOR: Maria

Ahrens, @mariaahrensart | MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT: Michael Shynes, @michaelshynes; David Gerald Sutton, @dgsviolin EVENT

COORDINATOR + DESIGNER: Pink Peony Weddings & Events, @pinkpeonyevents | MC + DJ: Rock With U Entertainment, @rockwithu | HAIR + MAKEUP: SISU Beauty & Co, @sisubeautyco

OPENING VIDEO: Summit Hill Studios, @summithillstudios PHO -

TO BOOTH: The Traveling Photo Booth, @ttpb_msp | VENUE: The Whim, @thewhimevents | VALET PARKING: Unparalleled Parking, @unparalleled_parking | EVENT SECURITY: Unparalleled Security, @unparalleled_security | PHOTOGRAPHER: Yuppy Photography