Stonewall Farms in Willmar provides couples with a scenic locale to host their perfect wedding
Shelby Lindrud | West Central Tribune
McKale’s Catering has provided catering services to weddings around central Minnesota
Shelby Lindrud | West Central Tribune
Fitger’s Salon and Spa part of growing bridal community in northeast Minnesota
Brielle Bredsten | Duluth News Tribune
Midwest Weddings is an annual publication of the West Central Tribune.
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
CHRISTIE STEFFEL
FEATURES & SECTIONS EDITOR
KIT GRODE
PAGE DESIGNER MOLLIE BURLINGAME
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND STORY SUGGESTIONS: 320-235-1150
800-450-1150
csteffel@wctrib.com
ATTN: Midwest Weddings West Central Tribune PO Box 839, Willmar, MN 56201-0839
POINTERS FOR
post-wedding brunch
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
A post-wedding brunch is a nice way to wrap up a wedding weekend and gives a newly married couple a chance to spend more time with close friends and family, particularly if the couple isn’t immediately leaving for the honeymoon. A brunch is the perfect way to send guests on their way with a few extra hugs and full bellies.
A brunch is not a necessity by any means, but it is a nice gesture and a good way to wrap up a wedding weekend. Couples who plan on hosting brunches can consider these tips.
DELEGATE
The happy couple already has a lot of details on their plate to ensure the wedding occurs with minimal hiccups. A parent or member of the bridal party may want to take on the task of planning the brunch to alleviate stress on the newly betrothed.
FUNDING
There are no hard rules about who will pay for the brunch, but typically
it is the person who hosts it. Couples may want to set aside funds in their budgets for the brunch, or parents of the couple may want to contribute.
TIMING
Seeing as it likely was a late evening prior, the brunch should occur as late as possible in the morning, with 11 a.m. or noon a good start time so everyone has a chance to sleep in and recuperate.
EASE
The brunch planner should make it easy on himself or herself by finding a venue that is close by. Sometimes that venue may be a lodging location if the couple arranged for overnight accommodations. For example, if overnight guests stayed at a hotel near the reception site, that hotel may have a small conference or party room where brunch can be held. The brunch planner can work with the hotel staff to cater the brunch; otherwise, find a nearby restaurant that specializes in breakfast or brunch foods that is convenient to most.
INVITES
For those with big budgets, anyone can be invited to the wedding brunch, but it may be more manageable if it is restricted to only close friends and family, or only those who opted for the overnight wedding accommodations.
GIFTS
There is no need to offer another favor at the wedding brunch. However, if any favors from the wedding were left behind, they can be displayed at the brunch in case any guests forgot to take theirs.
DURATION
A 2 to 2-1/2 hour brunch is sufficient.
FOOD
Brunch implies a mix of breakfast and lunch treats, which can include bagels, muffins, omelets, waffles, cold cuts, and quiches. While cocktails like mimosas or bellinis may be offered, they’re not necessary after a night of indulgence. In fact, coffee and tea may be more coveted.
A wedding to remember
Stonewall Farms offers 80 acres of fairy tale setting for a dream ceremony
Contributed / CMH Photography LLC
BY SHELBY LINDRUD WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE
WILLMAR — Stonewall Farms can feel quite removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, even though it is only a few miles away from Willmar. The 80-acre site has rolling hills, grassy fields, groves of trees and even shares a shoreline with Solomon Lake, giving the area an almost fairy tale quality.
Owned by Bryce and Kim Holmgren for 30 years, the setting of the property just seems to make it the perfect place to hold a magical wedding.
“It is the nature of the property,” said Bryce Holmgren.
The Holmgrens have called Stonewall Farms home since 1994, but they aren’t the first to live on the property. The original homesteaders were Fred and Hilda Ammerman, who farmed the property. The second owner, Steve Ritema, sold the property to the Holmgrens and became a missionary.
When the Holmgrens purchased the property, the only structure on the acreage was an old farmhouse that didn’t meet the needs of the growing family.
“We built the house to raise kids. Which we did — we have 11 kids,” Bryce said. “We built the barn to raise horses.”
The Holmgrens bred Friesian horses in what is now called the White Oak Barn. They even had one of their first foals recognized internationally. After about five years, as the market slowed, the family decided to get out of the horse business, only keeping a few animals for the family’s enjoyment.
The decision was then made to go from horse breeding to event hosting. The Holmgrens had hosted a few events here and there over the years, especially as their children got older and wanted to hold their weddings on the farm and in the barn.
“We’d kick the horses out,” each time a wedding was held, Kim said.
- Kim Holmgren
Kim and Bryce Homgren, pictured Tuesday, June 11, 2024, have owned Stonewall Farms in Willmar for 30 years. Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
“You get married in the trees. It is like a cathedral.”
- Bryce Holmgren
Eventually, the decision was made to build a new barn for the horses and transform the White Oak Barn from a home for horses to a home for weddings. An addition was constructed on both sides of the barn to add space for restrooms, socializing and ramps to make the structure handicap-accessible.
Today, the barn is a centerpiece of the property. What was once the hayloft is
now used for dancing and as a backup ceremony site, in case of bad weather. The ground floor of the barn still has the original horse stalls, which have been used during weddings as areas to socialize or even dressing rooms for the groom and his entourage.
For most of the weddings held at Stonewall, the actual ceremony takes place in a grove of pine trees,
originally planted by the farm’s second owner. The Holmgrens created a ceremony site with chairs, benches and lights hung from the tree branches.
“You get married in the trees,” Bryce said. “It is like a cathedral.”
A large tent nearby is used as the reception venue. It can fit about 250
The Pine Cathedral at Stonewall Farms has played host to many memorable wedding moments. Contributed / Kelsey James Photography
people and Stonewall Farms provides the tables and chairs.
“It is not a normal tent. It is a tent that can survive 70-mph winds,” Kim said. “We call it the Pine Pavilion.”
Stonewall Farms hosts on average about 20 weddings a year between mid-May and mid-October. All sorts of different weddings, from informal to formal, have taken place at the farm. Themes have ranged from Disney to Duck Dynasty and everywhere in between.
“A little bit of everything,” Bryce said.
The wedding package at Stonewall includes renting out the estate from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. the day of the wedding. In addition to the barn, pavilion and outdoor ceremony site, there is a groom’s suite in the barn and a bridal suite in the main home available for use the entire day, and the venue also has golf carts available.
GOLF GATHER STAY
• Area’s Best Corporate/Business Hotel
• Large breakfast area serving great offerings
• Earn your Wyndham points for free stays!
• Extended Stay rooms with full kitchenette
• Max’s Bar and Grille with breathtaking patio view
• 27 hole championship golf
• Event Center for Weddings, Business and family gatherings
The White Oak Barn, first built as a stable for horses, is now a centerpiece to weddings held at Stonewall Farms. Couples can hold ceremonies and dances in the barn’s upstairs. Contributed / Kim Holmgren, Stonewall Farms
Guests can also enjoy the grounds of the estate. Kim said she once saw a grandpa and one of his grandkids fishing off the dock, and it’s not unheard of to come across a group of young guests running around.
“If you see kids out here, they are exploring everywhere,” Kim said.
The farm also provides a day-of coordinator for the wedding to make sure everything runs smoothly. A full staff is also available to help set up and take down, park cars, clean up and a sound technician runs the sound during the ceremony and for reception speeches.
Bryce and Kim are usually around all day as well.
“We’re going to work behind the scenes to make this seamless, hassle-free,” Bryce said. “We are going to take care of you. So you can enjoy the specialness of what you are doing here.”
The couples will need to hire vendors for things such as flowers, music, photography and the food. They can also bring in their own decor, though Stonewall does have its own couples can use as part of the cost of renting the venue.
“One thing Willmar has, we have amazing vendors,” Kim said.
The Holmgrens will do all they can to make a couple’s wedding dreams and plans come true, although there is one Stonewall Farms practice that the couple firmly believes in — little or no alcohol is served at the weddings. They feel not allowing alcohol creates not only a safer wedding but a more enjoyable one.
“It is peace of mind,” Kim said, adding it allows the venue to be a good neighbor for the community, provide a familyfriendly atmosphere and keep the focus on the bride and groom instead of the drinks.
The second floor of the White Oak Barn can be set up for ceremonies, receptions and dancing. Contributed / Stonewall Farms
The Pine Pavilion tent can seat up to 250 guests for dinners and receptions. Contributed / Kelsey James Photography
“It’ll be all about you, your day.”
- Bryce Holmgren
“It’ll be all about you, your day,” Bryce said.
Couples interested in Stonewalls Farm can visit www. mnstonewallfarms. com to schedule a tour. Kim said the couples don’t have to decide right away either but can take their time to make sure Stonewall is right for them.
“We get the best people, the best brides and their families,” Kim said.
The Holmgrens feel both the history of the property and the natural setting are part of what makes Stonewall Farms so special and why people seem to love having their weddings among the trees. There is just something about being outdoors during a beautiful Minnesota summer and Stonewall Farms takes full advantage of that.
“People feel like the place is theirs for the day,” Kim said. “A lot of people say they feel at peace out here.”
Catering to your Tastes!
We want your reception dinner to be perfect. Stop worrying and enjoy your day. We help brides relax while their guests enjoy a fantastic meal!
Stonewall Farms has 80 acres of land that wedding guests can enjoy.
Brandon Eckroth
Dig into these
wedding cake options
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
Something sweet comes near the end of a wedding reception and that is the joy the couple experiences knowing they have their entire lives ahead of them to enjoy together. However, there is another sweet treat that is shared near the conclusion of the wedding and it is typically served with tea and coffee: the wedding cake.
Wedding cake traditions can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Cakes represented good luck and fertility for the couples tying the knot. The first wedding cakes were rather bland and breadlike, representing purity and virginity. Some were quite like the fruitcake now enjoyed during the holiday season. Eventually wedding cakes transformed into the sweet confections that are known today.
The modern wedding cake as most know it debuted at the 1882 wedding of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany. His wedding cake was actually the first to be completely edible. Previously, some cakes featured wooden broomstick pillars covered in icing, but the Duke’s cake used a hardened type of icing, according to Edible Art Bakery and Dessert Café.
Couples today have many options when picking their wedding cakes. The following are some wedding cake tidbits to chew on.
Couples can choose among various cake styles Many opt for a classic style, which is typically a white or ivory tiered cake with simple, elegant decorations. Rustic cakes may be much less ornate, while modern cakes may be rectangular or square and feature clean lines and minimalist decoration. The cake should
fit the overall theme and scope of the wedding as it is another complementary component of the larger celebration.
Wedding cakes can be quite costly Wedding Wire estimates the average wedding cake costs around $500. One way for couples to save on their cake is to have a faux cake on display, with one tier that is made from cake and can be cut. Guests will then be served slices of a sheet cake that is much less expensive.
Couples have many flavors to choose from Vanilla is classic and quite popular because it appeals to a vast number of people. Lemon, chocolate, and carrot are some other popular cake flavors.
Frosting can make a difference
When it comes to frosting a cake, there are various outer coatings that will encapsulate the cake to make it both beautiful and durable. Buttercream, Swiss meringue, fondant, cream cheese, and ganache all can be used in various applications. Some bakers attest that Swiss meringue, due to the addition of egg whites, makes it a more stable option over traditional buttercreams, particularly during warm weather. Of course, couples can opt for a “naked cake,” which usually has a scant amount
of frosting so that the cake underneath peeks through.
Two cakes offers more variety
A groom’s cake used to be tradition, but largely fell out of favor, although it is still alive and well in the American South. The groom’s cake typically is less ornate than
the wedding cake, and favors the groom’s choices in style, interests and flavors.
Couples and their guests look forward to indulging in wedding cake near the end of the reception. The looks and flavors of a wedding cake can be as unique as the couple saying, “I do.”
What to know when picking a
receptionwedding menu
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
Lots of details require a decision when planning a wedding. Engaged couples may or may not enjoy tending to much of the minutiae involved in wedding planning, but the reception menu is typically one popular point of interest.
When picking a wedding reception menu, couples typically get to sit down with their venue operator or caterer and take a taste test so they can decide what to include and exclude come the big night. That typically results in some happy hearts and full bellies. But there’s more to picking a reception menu than taste, and the following are some pointers couples can consider as they aim to provide a tasty meal for their wedding guests.
Resist the urge to make the menu reflect your personal preference. Couples, particularly those footing the bill for their own weddings, may be tempted to pick exclusively foods they like for the reception. Though it’s important that couples get to enjoy their first meal together after tying the knot, it’s good to ensure that guests get to have an enjoyable meal as well. Resist any urge to let personal preferences dictate the menu, particularly if you have a restrictive diet. For example, vegans need not insist everyone eat a vegan meal at the reception nor should meat lovers insist that every plate end up with some red meat on it. Diversify the menu so people with various preferences can fill up and enjoy their dinner.
Diversify the menu so people with various preferences can fill up and enjoy their dinner.
Inquire about food allergies. When inviting guests, ask them to cite any food allergies they may have when they RSVP. Many banquet halls and caterers are now accustomed to accommodating diners with food allergies, but the earlier that information is communicated, the more time couples have to pick delicious foods that won’t compromise the health of guests who must avoid certain dishes or ingredients.
Align food with degree of formality. It’s important that couples consider the ambiance of the wedding when picking a reception menu. A pig roast might be ideal for a backyard wedding, but something more formal is called for when dining in a lavishly decorated banquet hall. Couples can keep this in mind when choosing the menu. It’s also notable that caterers
Keep your Wedding Gown Forever Young
For the past 70 years, Schwegman’s Cleaners has been the leader in wedding gown cleaning and preservation.
tend to have a creative side, so they might be able to present certain foods in ways that match the vibe of the wedding even if those dishes would not ordinarily align with the ambiance of the reception.
Leave the experimentation to the cocktail hour. If couples have certain exotic foods in mind, they can still serve those items but do so during the cocktail hour. Guests can simply turn down the chance to try exotic foods during the cocktail hour without going hungry. But a sit-down dinner should ensure every guest has something to fill their belly.
Picking a reception menu is a fun and filling component of wedding planning. Keeping some simple pointers in mind can help couples pick a menu everyone can enjoy.
Are you and your fiancée on the same
financial page?
STATEPOINT
Finding the love of your life can be tricky, but what can be even trickier is making sure you’re both on the same financial page before you walk down the aisle.
Meeting with a Certified Financial Planner™ professional may not sound like the most romantic aspect of wedding planning, but getting aligned on money matters can safeguard your relationship against one of the most common sources of marital strife. Here are a few ways a CFP® professional can help:
Getting aligned
A person’s “money story” is informed by how they were raised, experiences they’ve had or financial lessons they’ve learned — and everyone’s story is unique. A CFP® professional does more than crunch numbers. They help you understand your personal money story to facilitate productive discussions about spending, saving and other financial matters.
Addressing the past
If either of you brings debt to the marriage, it’s essential to be transparent about the type and amount of debt, even if you intend to keep your finances separate. Debt can affect your ability to pay for daily expenses and save for the future. Your financial advisor can help you create a repayment plan.
Addressing the future
As a couple, it’s important to share your vision of
what the future holds, whether that involves buying a home, raising children, traveling the world or planning for an early retirement. Now is the time to create a road map for achieving your individual and shared goals. This should include practical considerations, such as how you will divide financial responsibilities and whether you will combine your savings and investments. Having these conversations now can help you avoid surprises down the line.
Wedding budgeting
A 2019 study from Lending Tree revealed that 45% of couples married within the previous two years accrued weddingrelated debt, with nearly half of those couples contemplating divorce as a result. A CFP® professional can help you avoid debt and create a realistic budget that prioritizes which wedding day expenses are most important to you.
Special considerations
Your financial plan may involve special considerations. For example, if you’re over age 50 and marrying for the second time, you may want to focus
on retirement, legacies and living wills. If you’re part of the LGTBQ+ community and live in a state without robust antidiscrimination laws, you’ll want to ensure that your strategy protects you both. Your financial advisor can walk you through what to consider based on your circumstances.
Don’t wait until you’ve tied the knot to address important financial issues
with your spouse. Let a CFP® professional who will be committed to acting in your best interests get the ball rolling. To get started, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.
Conversations about money are not always easy. However, setting a precedent for open communication around money during your engagement can pave the way for a healthy marriage.
Catering to all tastes
McKale’s Catering offers high-quality custom menus for events of all types
BY SHELBY LINDRUD | PHOTOS BY MACY MOORE WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE
NEW LONDON — If there is any part of a wedding where good taste reigns supreme, it would be the food. Whether it is a formal sit-down meal or a more relaxed and varied buffet, the food can be one of the most remembered parts of a wedding celebration.
McKale’s Catering, owned by Lisa and Phil Quam of New London, has been providing high-quality meals and service for weddings and other events for more than 35 years.
McKale’s Catering owners Lisa and Phil Quam pose for a portrait inside their New London kitchen on Friday, July 12, 2024.
“We do small groups, large groups, breakfasts, lunches. We do grilling,” said Lisa Quam. “Everybody says we have a large menu. We do soups, hot dishes, grilled steak, prime rib.”
The story of McKale’s Catering began more than 38 years ago, when the Quams were asked if they would be interested in opening a restaurant as a partnership with the then-owner of the New London Bakery. It wasn’t exactly a job the young couple was trained for.
Neither had any culinary experience. Phil was a farmer and Lisa was a licensed nurse practitioner. However, something about opening a restaurant appealed to the couple, who were in their early 20s at the time.
“I mean it was risky. I think we were just so young and dumb and nothing was holding us back at that point,” she said. “It just interested us.”
McKale’s Family Restaurant opened first, quickly followed by McKale’s Catering. The two businesses operated side by side for three decades, but the Quams eventually started to prefer the catering side. It offered more flexibility and time for family. Eight years ago, the restaurant was sold to another local couple and the Quams focused exclusively on catering.
Unfortunately, the restaurant became a victim of the COVID pandemic and went out of business.
McKale’s Catering survived, and even started offering curbside evening meals. While the Quams thought curbside service would cease once the pandemic passed, the offering became so popular they still offer it today.
Alexis Stafford, left, packages items for a taco bar as workers prepare food in the McKale’s Catering kitchen in New London on Friday, July 12.
“We were able to work during COVID,” Quam said. “We were actually doing Meals on Wheels at the time; that was (deemed) essential. We were able to operate the whole time.”
Today, McKale’s Catering is back to providing food for multiple big events a week. Quam said they bounced back once pandemic restrictions were lifted.
“We do a lot of everything. Weddings and funerals and graduations,” Quam said. “Reunions, groom’s dinners, anniversaries, business meetings, social gatherings.”
Weddings are a big part of the business, with an average of 50 a year. The process of putting on a successful wedding meal begins with meeting the couple. McKale’s has a large menu from which to choose, but they will also do custom menu options to fit specific wants and needs.
“We do a taste testing,” Quam said. “We can create their whole menu, whatever they want, which I think they appreciate.”
While the stereotypical wedding dinner is a sit-down meal with one or two different choices, those aren’t the only options now. The vast majority of the weddings done by McKale’s choose to offer a buffet.
“We probably do 85% as a buffet,” Quam said. “They still want their guests to be able to choose what they like.”
Some couples like their meal to have a theme or specific taste. Quam recalled one dinner in which the couple wanted to represent different countries where they had traveled. There were about six different tables, each one representing a different food culture.
“They had a Mexican theme, an Italian theme,” Quam said. “I thought that was really cool.”
It is also important for the team at McKale’s to know about any dietary restrictions for the wedding, or individual guests. That way, a special option or meal can be created for those people. Dietary restrictions have been a growing challenge in catering, but not something that Quam struggles to meet.
Lehi Smith prepares chopped lettuce for a taco bar at McKale’s Catering on Friday, July 12.
“I always just say, if I know ahead of time, we will make it happen.” - Phil Quam
“I always just say, if I know ahead of time, we will make it happen,” Quam said. “Whether it is vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, just tell me how many you need.”
There are a lot of steps involved when planning, prepping, cooking and serving a wedding meal. About two weeks before a wedding, Quam starts ordering the food. The business buys a lot of its stock through Cisco, but also makes many grocery runs at local stores, including Walmart, Aldi and Teal’s.
“It is nice that we still can buy local like that,” Quam said. “I’m at Teal’s all the time.”
As the wedding day nears, the team at McKale’s begins counting out silverware and plates, and preparing the linens for the event. By the Wednesday before the wedding, food prep begins.
“Thursdays and Fridays are huge slicing and dicing days,” Quam said.
The meal really comes together the day of the event. Phil Quam does most of the cooking, and McKale’s has two bakers who take care of desserts.
“They make everything from scratch,” Lisa Quam said.
All of this work happens alongside the prep and cooking for the other events McKale’s caters. The kitchen can get quite busy, and lists and labeling play a huge role in keeping everything straight.
“I don’t know if people realize how much organization it takes,” she said. “So much organizing throughout and prepping through the week.”
McKale’s brings everything it needs to put on the meal service with them to the event space. They don’t even require electricity or water to function. Quam said that is probably a huge bonus for the venues, especially the more rustic locations such as barns or outdoor destinations.
“We’re self-sufficient,” Quam said. “That’s huge, because not all caterers can do that.”
Usually, McKale’s tries to schedule only two to three weddings a weekend, and only two on any given day, so one of the owners can be there.
McKale’s has a staff of about 15 regular workers and another 15 that can be called on to help at specific events. The number of staff needed for an individual wedding or event depends on the type of meal it is. A buffet requires fewer staff than a sitdown meal.
Amanda Sharp looks at tickets while working in the McKale’s Catering kitchen in New London on Friday, July 12.
“I don’t know if people realize how much organization it takes. So much organizing throughout and prepping through the week.” - Lisa Quam
“Our staff is amazing,” Quam said. “These days, having good service means as much as having good food.”
One piece of advice Quam has for couples starting to plan their weddings is not to wait to start lining up your catering. The popular wedding months fill up fast — and sometimes months in advance.
“Right now, I’m getting calls for next year,” Quam said, adding she is already declining potential jobs for this fall.
Despite all the challenges and work that goes into catering a wedding, Quam enjoys being part of a couple’s special day or providing food for any event.
“This job is never boring. There is something different every single day,” Quam said. “We wouldn’t be here this long if we weren’t liking it. You have to love your job.”
McKale’s Catering owner Lisa Quam looks over worksheets for the upcoming work day on Friday, July 12, in New London.
perfect honeymoon TIPS TO PLAN A
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
Couples have much to look forward to when planning their weddings. In addition to the momentous occasion when they say “I do,” couples can look ahead with excitement as they anticipate spending time with family and friends in a fun setting.
Though the wedding day is the focal point of couples’ planning efforts, the postwedding honeymoon also merits ample consideration. A honeymoon is the first trip many couples take together after tying the knot, and many will never forget this special excursion. As couples pore over the details of wedding planning, they may want to consider these tips to ensure their honeymoon is a trip to remember for a lifetime.
Identify your dream trip
There are no rules regarding honeymoons. Though couples’ budgets and professional obligations may factor into where they can go and how long their honeymoon can be, couples can discuss their dream trips and then determine if they can make those dreams come true on their honeymoon. Couples who have always aspired to backpack through Europe should consider that a possible honeymoon trip. If a food tour of Italy is on couples’ bucket list, then investigate how feasible that might be for your honeymoon.
Stay up on current events It can be easy for couples to get lost in the weeds while planning their weddings and miss what’s going on across the globe. However, knowledge of current events can be vital when planning a honeymoon. Faraway and exotic locales may seem tailormade for a honeymoon, but
that’s only the case if such destinations are not plagued by civil unrest, conflict, natural disasters, or other events that can affect how safe it is to visit such places. The U.S. Department of State maintains a free, easily accessible list of travel advisories at travel. state.gov. The Government of Canada maintains a similar list at travel.gc.ca. Couples are urged to visit these sites before booking their honeymoon, particularly if they hope to travel internationally.
Consider amenities and all-inclusive packages All-inclusive packages can be a great deal, particularly for couples who want their honeymoon to be all about relaxing at a single resort destination. All-inclusive packages cover the cost of food and most beverages, making these options both convenient and budgetfriendly. When going this route, couples also should decide which amenities they want to access on their trip. Access to a gym and/or spa, activities like parasailing, and other perks are just some of the potential amenities couples can look for as they choose a honeymoon destination.
Collaborate
A honeymoon may be the first trip couples take after tying the knot, and it can lay the foundation for future collaborative efforts. Planning travel is not always so easy, so couples can work together and make any necessary concessions so each person gets what they want out of the trip.
Some simple strategies can help couples plan and enjoy a honeymoon they are likely to remember for a lifetime.
Wedding hub
Fitger’s Salon and Spa part of growing bridal community
BY BRIELLE BREDSTEN DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE
DULUTH — Over the past decade, Fitger’s Salon and Spa has partnered with others in the industry to help create a wedding destination on East Superior Street.
“The wedding community here has really boomed, especially down here,” said Fitger’s Salon and Spa manager Chelsie Evers.
Located on the first floor within the historic Fitger’s Complex at 600 E. Superior St., the
beauty parlor serves as a “one-stop shop” for bridal parties — taking care of them head-to-toe in preparation for the big day.
With 11 hair stylists, two nail technicians, a massage therapist and four estheticians on staff, the fullservice salon offers services including hair coloring, haircuts, facials, dermaplaning, lash extensions, lash tints, eyebrow lamination, gel
manicures, pedicures and massage services.
Most recently, airbrush spray tanning was added to the mix on June 1.
Having previously worked at a dermatology clinic, Evers describes herself as “anti-sun.” However, she admitted to enjoying the look of a good glow, and so do many brides who come through the shop.
Manager Chelsie Evers showcases a display of the Fitger’s Salon and Spa new product line called Oribe. Brielle Bredsten / Duluth Media Group
“The colors that we use are really nice. Nothing gets too green or too orange, and it’s super customizable,” Evers said. “We don’t love UV rays, so this is a great way to catch a tan without the skin damage.”
Clients step inside the ventilated My Tan Professional machine, where the spray tan is applied by a trained esthetician using an airbrush hose. Once dried, it is nontransferable and lasts anywhere from seven to 10 days.
The newest service came at the request of Fitger’s Salon clientele, who expressed a desire for spray tan capabilities via an Instagram poll.
Particularly for bridal parties, the ability to schedule all their services with one appointment at a single location is a perk, Evers said.
‘Wedding hub’
And so is the salon’s proximity to partnering businesses in the industry. Fitger’s Salon is just one piece to the puzzle, working in conjunction with nearby businesses in what is becoming commonly referred to as the “wedding hub” of Duluth.
The synergy between local businesses in the wedding industry such as Northland Special Events, Greysolon and others within the Fitger’s complex has garnered recognition from Minneapolis-based Minnesota Bride magazine, which Evers said will feature the trio in a 2025 edition.
“They can come and stay in Fitger’s Inn. They can do their rehearsal dinner at The Boat Club Restaurant,” she said. Both neighboring businesses are located within the complex.
Less than a mile from the salon is the Greysolon event venue, located at 231 E. Superior St., where 800 custom weddings have occurred, according to its website. It offers space for up to 200 guests in the Moorish Room, and up to 370 guests in The Ballroom, complete with in-house catering from Greysolon by Black Woods.
Also within the Greysolon Plaza building is a new fine jewelry store called Genereau & Co. which opened June 7.
“We’re looking to make this corner a wedding destination.
A Midwest
matrimony, hotspot, if you will.”
- Genereau & Co. co-owner John Panchyshyn
“We’re looking to make this corner a wedding destination,” said Genereau & Co. co-owner John Panchyshyn. “A Midwest matrimony, hotspot, if you will.”
Then just down the street headquartered in the Bagley Building at 315 W. Superior St. is Northland Special Events. Within its sisterhood of companies, Northland also offers a one-stop shop through planning and coordination services with True North Weddings, floral through Superior Blooms and specialty rentals through the Vault Event Decor.
“All of our clients received a preferred vendor list upon booking,” said Northland Special Events CEO Mariah McKechnie. “Clients feel they can be firmly supported with a team of local wedding vendors, an economic benefit for all involved. Our relationships across every category of wedding vendors make referral-driven business our preferred method of growth.”
Support among those in the local wedding industry is necessary, according to Evers, who explained that the wedding landscape has transformed post-pandemic. Couples are now striving for a more intimate setting versus a big bash, especially as costs associated with throwing an event of scale continue to increase, she said.
“We’ve actually run into a lot of elopements lately,” Evers said. “It’s
not like it was prior to COVID. It’s pretty seldom that we get a big 12-plus party anymore. We’ve also noticed a lot of people are doing a random weekday wedding.”
Already experiencing a fairly full 2024 season, the salon will reopen wedding party reservations for the upcoming year on Sept. 1. This summer, there are 30 wedding parties on the beauty shop’s books.
This year marks the salon’s 10th business anniversary. Since opening in 2014, both its team and services have grown — from the development of its own Fitger’s skincare line by an advanced practice esthetician to the upcoming launch of its new brand called Oribe at the Pike Lake Beach Club Sip-n-Social this July.
Over the past 15 years, Northland Special Events has been working to create a dynamic and vibrant wedding industry in Duluth and across the Northland. Another brand will soon join the family with an announcement anticipated this summer, McKechnie hinted.
“We’re committed to growing this hub for weddings and events,” McKechnie said. “The local industry will continue to benefit many other businesses. We firmly believe that our ‘rising tides’ will continue to grow the wedding economy in our region.”
