The Minikahda Club Wedding | Minneapolis, MN Wedding

sophisticated-christmas-wedding-minikahda-country-club-Liz-Banfield-02.JPG

Thanksgiving has passed and it’s officially time to start thinking about Christmas and Hanukkah (and snow and hot chocolate…). Relatedly I wanted to share this sophisticated winter wedding that I shot at Minikahda Country Club, a classic club overlooking Bde Maka Ska (formerly known as Lake Calhoun) in South Minneapolis. The couple wanted a winter wedding but little did they know just how winter-y it would be… a chilly Minnesota morning started out at 11 degrees below zero. A “sunbow” (winter’s version of a rainbow) graced the sky the bright, clear morning of Wynona Jane and Keric’s big day. It was as if nature itself added the finishing touch to a wedding already planned to perfection by the bride who was a professional wedding planner at the time.

The bride shared her story with me here:

“ Keric and I first met at the University of Missouri in December of 2011. My Chi Omega sorority sister was dating Keric’s brother, and she introduced us. Fast forward five Decembers later, and we were about to be married the week before Christmas. A horse-drawn carriage brought my dad and me to St. John’s Episcopal church. We entered the church to trumpet and organ strains of Clarke’s “Trumpet Voluntary.” My favorite moment of our wedding ceremony was a candle lighting ritual which symbolized the light of our community supporting our new marriage.

Our reception followed at The Minikahda Club, overlooking a frozen lake in the heart of Minneapolis. We kicked off our cocktail hour with a champagne tower that Keric and I poured ourselves. The club was beautifully decorated with lit trees & wreaths for the most wonderful time of year. The inspiration behind our winter wedding day décor was warmth and luxe texture. The tables were set with velvet linens, gold flatware, gold rimmed goblets and chargers from Aprés & Linen Effects. Sadie’s Couture Floral created classic white floral arrangements accented with winter greenery.

After dinner, our 100 guests enjoyed cake & cookies by Farina Baking Company. The cake was a traditional tiered cake adorned with florals, while the cookies were custom baked with a Mizzou theme to honor our alma mater & meeting place. The reception area fireplace kept our guests warm, while braver guests stood on the patio by the bonfire pit and smoked hand-rolled cigars by International Cigar Company. Rock With U kept the party going with their DJ fusion live entertainment.

When I look back, I’ll remember the warmth & joy of that day, even though it was set on one of the coldest days of the year!”