Midwest Wedding (September 2023)

a look at three different wedding venues in Minnesota

Alterations

Willmar tailor offers full range of services

INCREDIBLY easy.

1300 5TH ST SE, WILLMAR

(320) 235-2485

CONTENTS FEATURES

5

Formal or laid-back, Fiddler's Green in Litchfield can make wedding visions come true

Shelby Lindrud | West Central Tribune

9 15 21

Willmar alterations shop is in the business of creating the perfect look for every wedding

Shelby Lindrud | West Central Tribune

Halstad’s own 'bachelor's barn' becomes wedding central during warmer month

Tammy Swift | The Forum

The Grainary at Lake Valley Farm on the shores of Lake Superior has grown in popularity

Maria Lockwood | Superior Telegram

Midwest Weddings is an annual publication of the West Central Tribune.

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How to take the hectic out of

your wedding day

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Weddings are among the most complex events many people will ever plan. Couples often try to go the extra mile in an effort to make the day memorable for themselves and their guests. That pressure can make a wedding day feel a little frenzied. Thankfully, there are various ways to ensure the vibe of the big day is happy and not hectic.

Hire a wedding planner/coordinator

Leaving the nitty gritty to a professional wedding planner takes a lot of pressure off of couples. The renowned

wedding resource The Knot says wedding planners are clued into everything there is to know about a wedding and they can be tapped to take care of just about anything on couples’ to-do list. Consider a package

deal

All-inclusive resorts are popular vacation spots because variables like entertainment, lodging, food, drinks, and more is all taken care of, leaving vacationers with little to do other than show up and relax. Couples can apply that same approach on their wedding

day. Host the ceremony and reception at the same site, which takes the potentially problematic issue of getting guests to and fro out of the equation. Some venues may even provide in-house vendors like photographers and florists. Such vendors’ familiarity with the venue reduces the risk of surprises that can derail wedding day schedules.

Pick your priorities

Avoid getting bogged down on a million details by making a list of your priorities when planning. Couples can revisit this list a couple of

days before their wedding so they remember what’s most important to them on the big day. This refresher can ensure couples don’t get too concerned if minor issues arise during their big day, helping them remain calm and keeping a focus on all the fun to be had during the day.

It’s easy for couples to feel a little overwhelmed on their wedding day. Some simple strategies can take the hectic out of couples’ wedding day and ensure they keep their focus on one another and their loved ones. ■

Picture-perfect

Formal or laid-back, Fiddler's Green can make wedding visions come true

BY SHELBY LINDRUD | WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE

LITCHFIELD — On a farm site in Litchfield that was once an operating dairy, couples planning their perfect wedding day may find the perfect venue. Fiddler's Green, with its renovated barn, outbuildings and 15 acres of quintessential Minnesota farm scenery, can lend itself to pretty much any type of wedding — from homey and laid-back to formal and glitzy.

"Both ways seem to work really well here," said owner Kristina Olson.

Olson purchased the property, complete with a barn built in the 1930s, about 23 years ago. It was her brother's idea to turn the building into a great place for family and friends to hang out and have parties. A friend even built a lighting rig and stage where bands could play.

Then those same friends started to walk down the aisle.

"They would ask if they could have their wedding here," Olson said. Prior to every such event, the barn would need to be cleaned up and put right, and Olson finally decided to make the structure a permanent event venue. "We've come so far at this point, why not do this professionally?"

It wasn't easy turning a barn, outbuildings and acreage into a venue open to the public. There was a lot of construction work to be done to get the barn up to code — not to mention the permits Olson needed before she could operate legally.

"It was a difficult process, but it went relativity smoothly," Olson said.

Fiddler's Green officially opened for business in 2017. For the first few years, the venue hosted a few events, but has increasingly become more popular. While this isn't Olson's, or her partner Tim Cook's, full-time job, they

try to schedule around a dozen events from May to October, usually on the weekends.

"We do quite a few weddings, lots of graduation parties, anniversary parties, memorial services," Olson said.

Fiddler's Green offers couples a variety of ways to design their weddings. Many hold their ceremonies outside, in front of various scenic vistas such as in a small wooded area or out near the fields. There is also a gazebo and shed that can be used. Some couples choose to hold their ceremony inside the barn as well. Spring and fall

are the most popular times to say "I do."

"Our favorite times are right in the spring; we're usually pretty booked May and June, then again September and beginning of October, when the leaves start to change," Olson said.

Once the ceremony is done, attention can turn to the dinner and reception. Again, there are many ways to go about this at Fiddler's Green.

Some couples choose to have the dinner inside the barn, while others have it in a large tent on the grounds, saving the barn for drinks and dancing. Then there are the weddings that choose to

Photos Contributed / Visual Media

We do quite a few weddings, lots of graduation parties, anniversary parties, memorial services.

- Kristina Olson

forgo the formal dinner all together.

"What a lot have been going toward is a very informal dinner service, where they'll have a buffet or a couple of food trucks," Olson said.

Fiddler's Green lends itself to the do-it-yourself wedding crowd. Olson said they try to offer the couples as much assistance as they can, helping them find vendors for items like catering, alcohol and decor.

"We try to let them do what they want to. We don't have a lot of rules," Olson said. "We provide the venue, tables, chairs and any kind of guidance we can."

For weddings, Fiddler's Green can be rented for a flat rate for the whole day Saturday and Sunday morning. For an additional discounted rate, couples can also rent the venue out for Friday to give groups a chance to come in and set everything up. The day of the wedding, there is a suite available for one half of the wedding couple and their party to use to get ready.

"With a proper, running-water bathroom and plenty of room to get dressed, have your makeup done," Olson said.

There is also a different rate for groups

that just need to rent the venue for a single event such as a graduation party. More information can be found on the venue's website, www.fiddlersgreenmn. com.

For those who don't need an entire farm site for their wedding, Olson offers another, much different option — the Captain's Club in downtown Litchfield. The unique space, with its lounge and bar, has space to seat about 80 and can be used for small weddings and receptions, or other events and parties. It can be rented by the hour or for the entire day.

Kristina Olson has operated Fiddler's Green in Litchfield since 2017, providing a wedding and event venue in a beautiful rural setting. Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune

"That is a different vibe, much moodier, like a speakeasy," Olson said.

Regardless of whether the wedding is fancy or folksy, large or small, at Fiddler's Green the guests and wedding party seem to enjoy themselves. Perhaps it is a call back to a simpler time, or just part of the Midwestern DNA, but, for some reason, people enjoy parties in barns.

"There is something about it, people just have a really good time," Olson said. "It is a fun place to have a party."

While Olson might have kind of fallen into being a wedding venue owner, it is a role she and her family do enjoy. Many times, the happy couples invite them to join the party they helped make possible.

It is a job Olson is happy to do.

"We enjoy having guests here. We like to welcome people to the property and provide them with a really memorable experience," Olson said. "It is fun to have people show up and have, like, the best day of their life here." ■

There is something about it, people just have a really good time. It is a fun place to have a party.

- Kristina Olson

One stitch at a time

Willmar alterations shop is in the business of creating the perfect look for every wedding

BY SHELBY LINDRUD WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE

WILLMAR — When it comes to the wedding dress, finding the perfect one might only be half the battle. Because once a bride lands on the dress of her dreams, it then needs to fit like one.

That is where alterations come in.

If the dress is purchased at a bridal salon, going through the alterations process is part of the experience. However, more and more brides are choosing to buy their dresses online or from vintage and thrift shops, or taking a family heirloom down the aisle one more time. This usually means having to find a tailor or alterations shop to help out.

"It is all over the chart," said Addy Moua of the kind of dresses she sees at Emporia Suits and Alterations in Willmar. "We have those that are really simple, and those that are all about sequins and floral."

Addy Moua, of Emporia Suits and Alterations in Willmar, helps brides get just the right fit to their wedding gowns.

Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune

Emporia Suits started out as SewnEdge Alterations in Uptown Willmar, but owners Moua and Sean Yang decided to expand the business to offer suits, shirts and ties for formal occasions. The new store opened in 2022 in the Plaza One strip mall on First Street South in Willmar. Wedding dresses, no matter how simple they may look, can be very complex. As such, it can take a delicate and dedicated touch when making alterations.

"You have to be extra careful working on a wedding dress," Moua said. "It's a lot of work."

The first step in any alteration is a phone call.

Like so much in regards to wedding planning, Moua recommends planning months in advance. Brides should call about dress alterations at least three to four months prior to the wedding, and perhaps even closer to six months prior if the wedding is being held in late spring. That is prime prom season as well, and alteration shops can get very busy around then.

"Call us ahead of time to get fitted," Moua said.

Some brides call about an alteration and hope to get a price estimate. Moua is hesitant to give any sort of price without actually having seen the garment. At Emporia, they don't charge by the hour but more by how in-depth the job is. Moua said she feels that is a fairer way to charge for both the business and the bride.

The wedding dress, in many weddings, is one of the stars of the show. To get it looking, and fitting, the best, brides turn to tailors and alteration shops such as Emporia Suits and Alterations in Willmar. The store carries a wide range of suits, along with shirts and ties in a rainbow of colors. Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune

"It is not simple to give a quote over the phone," Moua said.

During the actual fitting, Moua will work with the bride to create the perfect fit. This may mean hemming, or letting the dress in or out. If a dress will require additional embellishments or fabric, Moua will also help the bride choose the right notions, though she usually has the bride purchase those themselves, so Moua knows the choices are what the bride wants.

"We can give her suggestions, recommendations too," Moua said.

With many brides now deciding to

buy their dresses online, or even at vintage or thrift stores where there are no size options, alterations become even more necessary.

One piece of advice Moua has is to pay attention to the hem. While that may seem like an easy thing to fix, it can actually be a challenge, especially if there are multiple layers or a lot of embellishment. When buying a dress, try to find one that is already the right length. For shorter women, perhaps just wearing a heeled shoe will be enough if a dress is just a bit too long.

"Usually the hem is the most difficult

part of the dress," Moua said. "Ninety percent of the dresses that come through the door usually have to do with hemming."

Another challenge for Moua is altering a family dress, one that has been worn by multiple brides. The dress itself could be decades old and, with that, have its own special needs.

"The fabric is very delicate," Moua said. The dress itself might also require extra care after the big day, to make sure it stays in good enough condition for the next bride.

With family dresses, Moua will

Usually the hem is the most difficult part of the dress. Ninety percent of the dresses that come through the door usually have to do with hemming.

- Addy Moua

sometimes need to alter the dress in such a way that it can be undone after the wedding. That way the dress can be returned to the original owner in the same condition in which it left.

Emporia Suits and Alteration can also help the other members of the wedding party get the right fit on their wedding day outfits.

The groom and groomsmen can

purchase their suits from Emporium and have them altered there. Bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and others can also get their dresses and suits altered. Moua said brides will sometimes bring in their bridesmaids and the dresses to all be fitted together. No matter how complex, challenging and time consuming the job may be, Moua wants to do the very best for her

clients. For many women, their wedding dress may be the most important dress they ever wear. The brides are trusting Moua with something very special, and she wants to do her part in making the wedding the best it can be.

"You have to be very patient with what you do," Moua said, and loving the job is very important. "Be very passionate." ■

Antique, vintage or family wedding dresses, such as these that were on display Aug. 3, 2022, at the Renville County Historical Society, can lend something special to a wedding day, but also have their own challenges when dealing with alterations. Emporia Suits and Alterations in Willmar has worked with several brides to carefully alter family heirlooms. Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune

You have to be very patient with what you do, and loving the job is very important.

Be very passionate.

- Addy Moua

Tips to help master your

wedding guest list

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Weddings are such momentous occasions that it's no wonder couples want to share their big days with as many people as possible. Though a wedding where all friends, family members and acquaintances are in attendance may be a dream scenario, reality often calls for a more carefully curated guest list.

Data from The Wedding Report indicates that the average cost of a wedding is slightly more than $20,000, though that figure could be substantially higher, or even lower, depending on where couples tie the knot. Both The Wedding Report and The Knot report that a wedding venue and catering make up a significant percentage of the overall cost of a wedding, with some figures indicating that these expenses account for around 65% of the final price tag. The number of guests couples will host on their wedding day will affect which venue they book and how much food and beverages they'll need to satisfy guests. Couples who hope to stay within budget can consider these tips as they try to build a guest list that won't break the bank.

Accept input

Parents may no longer foot the entire bill for their children's weddings, but couples who are accepting some financial help from parents must also accept Mom's and Dad's input regarding the guest list. Even if parents' desired guests do not ultimately make the cut, it's best to respect their wishes and consider who they want to invite. Couples who are financing their own weddings without outside help need not feel beholden to invite anyone who does not meet their invitation criteria.

Make a preliminary list without regard to budget

Couples can have fun making preliminary guest lists without considering their budgets. A preliminary list can serve as a solid starting point, and couples may even realize that their list is within budget. Once the preliminary lists have been created, couples can categorize guests (i.e., distant cousins, coworkers, etc.) and then work together to determine if any categories can be eliminated from the invitation list. For example, couples who may be going over budget with their guest lists can each agree to remove distant cousins from their prospective invitees.

Seek advice

Many couples face difficult decisions regarding their wedding day guest lists, so it can be helpful to speak to a recently married friend or relative to see how they handled paring down their guest lists. Some

might have done it by category, while others might have limited guest lists to local friends and family. When taking this approach, couples can speak to friends about how they approached handling people who were surprised that they were not on the final list of invitees.

Throw a less formal party down the road

A less expensive backyard barbecue within weeks of tying the knot can serve as a less costly alternative to a large wedding reception. Couples who take this approach can keep their wedding day guest lists to a minimum, but invite everyone they hope to see to a postwedding day backyard barbecue or pot luck picnic so they can celebrate with everyone they love.

Curating a wedding day guest list is no small task. However, couples can try various approaches to keep a guest list more manageable and less expensive. ■

Bridesmaids

Novel gifts for Stonewall Farms, a place where two becomes one

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Brides- and grooms-to-be select people who are near and dear to their hearts to be special parts of their momentous days. So the chance to participate in a friend's or family member's wedding is a great honor.

A wedding party plays a key role in both the ceremony and reception. Participants do everything from helping couples make decisions to addressing invitations to providing emotional support. As so much is asked of the wedding party — particularly the maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids — it's customary to bestow gifts on those people who devoted so much time and effort to the wedding. These potential bridesmaid gifts can serve as a thoughtful and unique way to thank bridesmaids for all that they've done.

Photo books. Gift the bridesmaids with photo books of carefully curated photographs taken throughout the wedding planning experience. Pepper the books with other photos, such as images of you with the bridesmaids at fun moments throughout your lives together.

Portrait wine or champagne glasses. Beverage glasses customized with the bridesmaids' likenesses painted or printed onto them make for great gifts. Bridesmaids will enjoy sipping their favorite drinks in special glasses for years to come.

Personalized phone cases. Who doesn't rely on their mobile phones these days? Treat your bridesmaids to something special with colorful phone cases with their names embossed or printed on the outsides.

Wellness or spa gift card. After all of the running around for the wedding, bridesmaids may need a little extra pampering. Gift cards to a local spa can fit the bill. Birthstone jewelry. Necklaces, rings or earrings become that much more special when they're customized to the recipients. Purchase jewelry with your bridesmaids' birthstones so they'll be as unique as each woman.

Friendship bracelets. Gift each bridesmaid with beaded friendship bracelets that features all of the ladies' initials. Be sure to keep one for yourself, and you all can enjoy nights on the town showcasing your special bracelets.

Monogrammed robes or purses. A customized pocketbook, robe or another item bridesmaids will use every day can make for an extra-special item that will serve as a daily reminder of how much you appreciate them.

Bridesmaid gifts are a great way for brides to thank their bridesmaids for all that they've done to make a couple's wedding day special. ■

Many couples who gravitate to Legacy Acres near Halstad, Minn., seem to like the private, rural setting, the relaxed vibe and the friendly atmosphere. Contributed / Legacy Acres

'Bachelor's barn' becomes wedding central for many in RRV

BY TAMMY SWIFT | THE FORUM

HALSTAD, Minn. — Stacy Christianson sometimes wonders what Marvin would think.

When she and her brother, Bryce Stromstad, bought the Halstad, Minnesota, farm in 2015, they learned it was the long-time home of the late Marvin Menge, a well-known local farmer and confirmed bachelor.

So they couldn't help but see the irony that they were turning the farm into Legacy Acres, an events center mostly devoted to weddings.

In other words, it would become a place where hundreds of men bid

farewell to their bachelorhood.

Even if Marvin couldn’t have predicted the barn’s future fate, his barn seems to have transitioned seamlessly from milking cows to sharing vows.

“When things go right, we’ll say, ‘Thanks Marvin,’ because the barn had the perfect layout for a wedding venue,” says Christianson, with a laugh.

Like so many rural events venues that have cropped up in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota, the Legacy Acres' barn acts as the central showpiece and main activity center.

Built from a 1958 Sears kit, the iconic

white structure features a gracefully arched Gothic roofline. Inside, Christianson speculates that Menge must have spent extra on sturdier construction: The rafters are spaced so close together that there are no bulky support beams or distracting pillars to obstruct the view. And after over 50 years of use, the second-floor hardwood floor remains beautifully intact.

Christianson and Stromstad were so smitten with the structure that she says they were ready to buy the 13-acre property the minute they saw it.

Just as they were about to climb back into the car, the real estate agent said, “Don’t you want to see the house?”

Everyone laughed as Christianson and Stromstad agreed to tour the house, almost as an afterthought. The farmhouse turned out to be just right for her large family, but it really was Marvin's barn that sealed the deal.

The barn, about 5,000 square feet total, can accommodate up to 300 guests, although there’s also plenty of room outside to erect additional tents.

But people who have used this facility say this property, located 6½ miles from Halstad, has more to offer than buildings.

Like Christianson, who is bubbly,

personable and experienced at wedding decor and floral arrangement.

“Stacy is wonderful,” says Alyssa Kriesel Jordan, who married Walter Jordan at Legacy Acres Aug. 13. “I think it’s not only the space you’re in, it’s the people who are going to be involved in something that is as big as your wedding. We tried to treat the event more as a party. She had a huge part in that and her family was superwelcoming.”

Another feature that sets Legacy Acres apart is its many add-on options. Because of Christianson’s design background, couples can leave the decorating and floral-design to her.

Rates range from a $3,000, one-day “basic” package to a $7,000, all-inclusive package, which includes extras like decor planning and set-up, sound system, cupcakes and couple’s cake, and full social hour and dance set-up (complete with snacks table).

“It was just one less thing to worry about. Her prices are phenomenal for everything you get,” Jordan says.

Christianson also offers decorating and floral services at weddings held at other venues. It helps supplement their business income in the wintertime, she says, as "Marvin's barn" isn't heated, so events can run only from late spring through fall.

“Let

make your day special with a meal that your guests will talk about for months”

The main gathering place at Legacy Acres Events Center near Halstad, Minn., is this 65-year-old dairy barn, once owned by a well-known farmer and bachelor named Marvin Menge. Contributed / Rachel Kraft and Devin Graft

“

You know, these huge events have such a catalyst in our life.

- Stacy Christianson

Inspiration follows tragedy

Christianson’s apprenticeship into eventsorganizing began decades before opening Legacy Acres.

The Beltrami, Minnesota, native recalls sitting in church during services and imagining how she would decorate the interior for weddings.

Both of her grandmothers had an eye for design. “Grandma Gertrude was country/rustic before country was cool and Grandma Tootsie was more feminine and trendy, so I learned early how to notice styles and help people create a desired look,” she says. “I think that has translated well to helping me listen to couples and create the look or vibe they are going for.”

After she married Chad Christianson, they lived in several different Minnesota communities, where they ran a Bible camp and Chad later worked as a youth director.

While living in Walker, Minnesota, Christianson launched Simply Stacy, a wedding and events decorating company.

After a few years, Christianson and her mom, Linda Stromstad, decided to also study floral design so they could create a more cohesive overall effect with their decor. Following classes at Koehler and Dramm Wholesale Florist in the Twin Cities, they've offered floral services ever since.

In 2014, tragedy hit. Christianson’s brother, Kory, died and everything changed. The Christiansons moved back home to the Hatton, North Dakota, area to be closer to loved ones. At the time, Stacy was still driving across Minnesota to fulfill decorating gigs, during which time she pondered what to do with her life.

“You know, these huge events have such a catalyst in our life,” she says. “They make you pause.”

Christianson’s older brother, Bryce, was also struggling with Kory’s death, which made Christianson wonder if they could find comfort and meaning by working on a project together.

She thought of her expertise in decor and floral and his ability to fix or build almost anything.

When she suggested an event center, he agreed. ‘Like a Hallmark movie’

The siblings originally planned to base the venue at their grandmother’s farm near Hatton, she says, but “it was a total God thing that he led us in a different direction.”

Not long after, two other event centers — Naastad Acres and the 1908 House — both popped up right by Hatton.

In the summer of 2015, Christianson says she was in the Christiansons’ bedroom “and had been kind of crying because life wasn’t working the way I wanted it to, and here was this property that popped up.”

She was excited to see Menge's farm was right by Halstad, where she used to attend basketball games while in school.

Stacy Christianson and Bryce Stromstad embarked on the Legacy Acres project as a way to use their talents while dealing with the grief caused by the loss of their brother in 2014.

Contributed / Legacy Acres

Legacy Acres is a family project, with three generations of family pitching in to help decorate, park cars, direct guests and clean up afterward. Chad and Stacy Christianson (seventh and eighth from left) now oversee the majority of the events, although Stacy's brother, Bryce Stromstad (far right) was essential in helping renovate and establish the venue in its early years. Stacy and Bryce's mom, Linda Stromstad (far left) is a trained floral designer who helps Stacy with the flowers. Contributed / Legacy Acres

Renovations began in February of 2016. They had to gut the interior, which still had hay in the loft and milking stanchions on the ground floor. Bryce, also an expert forklift operator, did much of the demo work.

The structure featured two adjacent wings. One housed the milk room, which was transformed into restrooms while two additional restrooms were added to the second floor. The second wing now accommodates a full staircase because one originally had to climb a ladder to get to the loft.

An old granary was refurbished and outfitted with air conditioning to provide a “getting ready” space for wedding parties.

The area’s ample green spaces lent themselves to a tree-framed ceremony site and areas where guests can play lawn games.

When COVID prohibited large indoor events, Christianson and

Photo credit: Ali Hormann Photography

Floral designers Stacy Christianson and her mother, Linda Stromstad, offer floral design as an optional add-on when people book events at Legacy Acres near Halstad, Minn. Contributed / Legacy Acres

Stromstad improvised. He built an outdoor dance floor, which couples still use today. “The first time we did it it was like a Hallmark movie,” Christianson says. “It was beautiful with the lights overhead and everyone having a great time.”

Eight years and no bridezillas

Many of Legacy Acres’ couples are from Fargo but some are from neighboring communities. Some live in Fargo and have family in Grand Forks or vice versa. Legacy Acres presents the perfect halfway point to meet.

“The ones that come are looking for some sort of country setting,” she says. “They’re usually people who want some kind of privacy on their day, because at a hotel ballroom, there might be two or three other weddings happening at the same time.”

Her clients also value a flexible and relaxed vibe. She holds one wedding per weekend, so customers can usually set up on Friday and pack up on Sunday.

“With some venues, you’re expected to be in at 9 (a.m.) and out at 1 (a.m.),” she says. “I think that’s also why we get called in a lot to do our offsite work because people will call and say, ‘There is no way we can make that happen.’ But if they hire us, we’re working on it while they’re doing their dance.”

Legacy Acres was busy every weekend for the last two years but has openings in July and October this year, which is unusual.

“I think what holds us back a little bit from being booked every single weekend is our location,” Christianson says.

If people are concerned about catering the event or lodging, Christianson says wedding parties have booked hotel rooms in nearby Hillsboro or Ada or reserved a shuttle service. She also provides a name of vetted caterers to her couples.

The Halstad location was ideal for their small wedding of 75 guests,

Jordan says, as almost all of their guests hailed from the Twin Cities.

Jordan also valued the friendly and welcoming vibe. “I was just looking for different venues that weren’t that stuffy conference-room, corporate feel. I didn’t want it in Fargo, we wanted it to be more of that rustic feel,” she says. “We would have done it at our house if we’d had the resources to coordinate all that, so we were looking for something laid-back that had the space.”

The Halstad venue and the Christiansons’ philosophy fit the bill.

“We’ve always operated on the idea that the couples that are meant to come to us will come to us," Christianson says. "You talk about bridezillas and whatnot and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I don’t really have that ... We like to treat people like if it were our family and they were getting married, how would we like it to be?”

Learn more about Legacy Acres at www.legacyacresevents.com. ■

Photos Contributed / Legacy Acres

Tricks to keep floral arrangements fresh

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a fresh bouquet of flowers on a special occasion? Flowers traditionally are given for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries, and other special events. While a beautiful bouquet can make a lovely gift, fresh flowers have finite lasting power.

Recipients of floral arrangements need not fret. Various strategies can help prolong the life of freshly cut flowers. Florists employ certain tricks to keep cut flowers fresh longer. In fact, that’s a person’s best bet to keep cut flowers fresh — purchasing arrangements from knowledgeable florists who have done their part to ensure flower longevity.

Here are some additional strategies to consider.

Make fresh cuts in stems

Think back to the last time you purchased a fresh Christmas tree. What is the key to ensuring it gets enough water while on display? You

guessed it: making a fresh cut in the trunk of the tree. The same concept applies to floral arrangements. Use a sharp scissor or pruning shears to cut about one inch from the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Continue this process every three days or so. The 45-degree angle prevents the stem from squishing during the cut and enables it to absorb more water.

Get them in water quickly

Place the flowers in a vase or other vessel with water promptly after making the cuts. Some florists like to cut the stems under water to prevent air bubbles from forming in the stems. Choose an arrangement first, then cut and place the flowers in water quickly. This gives fresh arrangements a good chance to last a while.

Monitor water temperature

The temperature of the water in the vase should coordinate with the

flowers on display. Do not use hot water or the stems will cook. Room temperature is best for most flowers, except for blooms from bulbs that flower during cooler months, such as tulips and daffodils. They’ll be more likely to thrive in cooler water, according to Consumer Reports.

Chill your arrangement

The experts at FTD by Design tested various theories for keeping floral arrangements fresh, including adding aspirin to the water or using sugar or concoctions that contain vodka. Sugar and vinegar served as a runner-up for long-lasting blooms, but the best solution for prolonging the flowers was putting the arrangement in the refrigerator each night for roughly eight hours.

Prune the foliage

Before placing cut flowers in a vase, remove extra leaves at the base of the stems that will fall underneath the water line. This helps to limit bacteria growth in the water and cuts back on foul odors. Plus, removing foliage focuses flowers’ energy on the main blooms rather than the leaves.

These steps can add life to cut flowers, helping arrangements thrive in any home. ■

Destination wedding

The Grainary at Lake Valley Farm has grown in popularity

BY MARIA LOCKWOOD | SUPERIOR TELEGRAM

POPLAR, Wis. — A wedding venue based on a family farm has garnered a fan base, and not just among the couples who’ve been married there. The Grainary at Lake Valley Farm is a favorite for MidCoast Catering Co. out of Duluth.

“They’re on the top of our preferred venue list,” said Kelsey Auran, office manager and event coordinator for MidCoast Catering. “If people are ever looking around town, I highly recommend them. It’s fantastic working with them, and it’s wonderful being out there.”

The space was created by four educators — Kraig and Anne Anderson, of Poplar; and Greg and Sarah Nelson, who now live in Iron River. Kraig and Greg, who are cousins, both teach sixth grade at Northwestern Middle School; Anne teaches first grade. Sarah, a former first-grade teacher, now works for CESA-12.

Auran called the wedding venue their passion project.

“I love the place,” said Cory Bonneville, of Sounds Unlimited. “Every time I go there, it’s just nice,

smooth. The four of them are owner/ operators. They’re like hands-on. They have a personal interest in the venue, and it makes it just that much better for the client.”

The site is versatile, with a range of indoor and outdoor spaces.

“You can open the doors on the sides and you can have all the air come in, or else you can put down partitions and turn the heat on inside,” Bonneville said. “What sets it apart, I think, is obviously the outdoor portion where they have their patio and it’s set up with furniture and really neat decor.”

From left, Greg and Sarah Nelson and Anne and Kraig Anderson pose for a picture in one of two grain bin silos that are part of their wedding venue, The Grainary at Lake Valley Farm, in Poplar, on Sunday, Jan. 8. Maria Lockwood / Superior Telegram

Sarah and Anne toured other wedding venues to create a plan for theirs that was intentional and offered a smooth flow. Every zone at The Grainary is tied together.

“People have options,” Greg said. “A lot of times people come to a wedding and then they leave, but it seems like a lot of people here stay because there is that space where they can visit with people they haven’t seen for a long time and still be a part of it.”

Custom venue

The bridal cottage and barn at the site date back to the 1920s, while the pavilion and patio area are new. The silos — one of which serves as the bar and the other as a space for the groomsmen to gather — came from Iowa.

“We took them down bolt by bolt on different trips, then brought them back on trailers,” Anne said.

The four built the venue together, literally.

“We did it all ourselves,” Sarah said.

“I always tell people we put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it, and it was literally blood, sweat and tears,” Greg said.

They stood together Sunday, Jan. 8, in the pavilion, discussing the site’s various components. Used bricks from Globe Elevator in Superior were used for the brick wall; they made the tables out of hemlock reclaimed from the bottom of Lake Superior. The wooden doors, which can be pulled back to open up the space, were a Facebook Marketplace find. The pews in the barn came from churches in Ashland and Durand. All of it is available to the wedding party.

“It’s their space for the day. We can be as involved or disappear as much as we need to,” Kraig said.

The site’s wood, brick and neutral colors were an intentional choice, creating a blank slate for couples to build their dream wedding. Auran, who has worked 20 weddings at the Poplar venue, has seen everything from rustic, outdoorsy weddings to “super duper upscale” events there.

Sarah Nelson, left, and Anne Anderson sit on a couch in the bridal cottage at The Grainary at Lake Valley Farm in Poplar on Monday, Jan. 8. Maria Lockwood / Superior Telegram

“We love it, because how we cater is basically whatever the customer wants, we’re more than happy to provide it. We’re down to do custom menus and stuff like that. And I feel like they’re pretty similar to that, where they’re happy to do completely custom looks and just really, really wonderful work,” Auran said.

Farm and family

The idea for the wedding venue started when Kraig and Anne’s son asked to hold his graduation party in the barn. So they cleaned it out. Shortly after, a niece asked to get married on the property.

By 2019, The Grainary at Lake Valley Farm hosted its first wedding. Sixteen weddings were planned for 2020, but

It’s their space for the day.

the pandemic shutdown whittled that down to nine, and ended plans for a grand opening. It was, Greg said, a nice soft opening for them.

The site now hosts about 20 weddings a year, sometimes back-toback. It is a family business. Family members, including the couples’ six children, help out with cleaning and turnaround. Kraig’s sister and her husband sometimes tend bar.

Although it’s become a destination venue for couples from Minneapolis and St. Paul, local residents have also been married there.

“A really cool thing that happened this season is one of my first graders actually got married (here),” Sarah said.

Anne and Kraig’s son got married at

the venue over the summer, as well.

The Grainary at Lake Valley Farm is more than a wedding venue, though. It’s a working beef farm, with up to 40 head of cattle.

“After the season’s done, it was like, they were all vaccinating cows,” Anne said. “It was like, the last wedding was one weekend, and the next week, it turns back to farm.”

On Monday, Jan. 9, the site hibernated under a blanket of snow, waiting to welcome a new batch of weddings in the spring.

The venue has already been booked up for 2023 weddings, but there is availability in 2024. For more information, visit www. thegrainaryatlakevalleyfarm.com. ■

We can be as involved or disappear as much as we need to.

- Kraig Anderson

Cousins Greg Nelson, left, and Kraig Anderson stand in the barn loft, which is used for wedding ceremonies, at The Grainary at Lake Valley Farm in Poplar on Sunday, Jan. 8. Maria Lockwood / Superior Telegram

wedding budget

Wedding planning is a unique experience unlike any endeavor most couples will ever encounter. Much effort goes into planning a wedding, and that includes building a budget that ensures the big day will be fun without breaking the bank.

Most couples planning a wedding have never tied the knot before, so it can be difficult to determine a reasonable amount to spend. It's easy to go overboard when planning a wedding, and couples may find their list of wants and, consequently, their expenses, growing as they get into the weeds of wedding planning. Though it might require some difficult decisions, couples can keep these tips in mind so they can build a wedding budget that won't land them in debt after saying, “I do.”

Determine funding

The days when a bride's parents would finance the wedding entirely on their own are largely a thing of the past. According to a recent WeddingWire Newlywed Report, parents now pay for 52% of wedding expenses. As couples begin establishing a wedding budget, it's imperative that they first determine who, if anyone, will be helping them finance the big day. Fifty-two percent of wedding expenses is a significant

amount of money, but in that scenario, couples will still need to come up with roughly half of the money needed to fund their weddings. Couples without substantial savings may be forced to cut back in order to avoid beginning their life as a married couple in debt. Make a list of potential expenses

Location will be a significant factor when determining potential expenses. For example, a 2022 ValuePenguin analysis of data from The Wedding Report found that the average wedding in Massachusetts cost roughly $30,500 in 2020, while couples tying the knot in Arkansas spent around $12,500 on their weddings. With such wild fluctuations, it's important that couples get an accurate estimate of how much it may cost them to get married in a given city. Couples who met in a city and still live in a city but grew up in a suburb might save a considerable sum by getting married in their hometowns. Compare and contrast prices in locales you're considering, and then build your budget accordingly. This can help you avoid sticker shock and going over budget. Notable expenses to budget include the venue, attire (i.e., wedding dress and tuxedo rental), hairstyle and

makeup, entertainment, photography, and transportation, among others. Make a list of what's most important

Most couples will have to compromise in order to avoid taking on debt to finance their weddings. An earnest discussion about what's most important to each person can ensure you both get what you want. Each person can make a list of their priorities, ranking them from most important to least important. Once lists are shared, couples can see where their priorities converge and where they diverge. Any items that rank low on each person's list of priorities can be afforded less funding, while those that are high on each list can take up more of the budget, if necessary.

Commit to a limit before spending a dime. Committing to a limit before spending a dime can help couples keep wedding costs more manageable. Once that number is defined, couples can then work within its parameters, which can make potentially difficult decisions a little easier by narrowing options at a time when options can seem endless.

A well-planned budget can be just what couples need to begin married life on strong financial footing. ■

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