Elegant Minneapolis Club Black Tie Wedding

Melissa Baran
August 7, 2014
Categories: Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

With a modern Cinderella-esque feel, this glamorous, yet elegant soiree from Liz Banfield and Rocket Science Weddings & Events will leave you feeling sparkly, to say the least. From a bow-adorned pair of Valentino‘s matched perfectly to the Bride’s stunning Vera Wang dress, to the glittered cake pops from Cocoa & Fig and everything in between, this gallery has black-tie bash written all over it.

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From Liz Banfield and Rocket Science Weddings & Events…According to Amy and Maury, there are never enough reasons to get dressed up so going with black tie for their wedding was a natural choice. Working with their event designer, Gretchen Culver, they settled on the theme of “Modern Glamour,” inspired by the timeless style of the 1950s but with new twists on classic traditions. This theme fit perfectly with the venue, the historic Minneapolis Club. Both the ceremony and reception would take place here so that guests to move throughout the spaces with ease.

The bride loves Cinderella, so hints of the fairytale showed up throughout the event from the Save the Date card that was designed to look like the Cinderella movie credits to the beverage napkins that read “happily ever after.” And although Amy didn’t wear glass slippers, her knockout Valentino shoes seemed fit for a princess. Amy also got to wear her dream gown, the Vera Wang Luxe “Esther” from L’Atelier Couture Bridal which was accessorized by a train-length black velvet sash. Velvet accents were used throughout the wedding design, including the wedding invitation that was enclosed in a velvet black “tie.”

Inspired by vintage photos of Frank Sinatra, the groom and his groomsmen donned single carnations for boutonnieres. Also to keep his wedding party occupied while waiting for pictures to begin, he had custom playing cards made and set out poker chips along with classic games like backgammon and chess for some old-school entertainment. Later in the reception, these games were also put out for the guests to play.

Instead of a traditional monogram, a unifying theme throughout the design was a custom pattern created by the Gretchen Berry Design that was inspired by the iconic carpet pattern in the Minneapolis Club’s dining room. The graphic pattern was repeated throughout the printed materials.

In a modern twist on the old school “champagne fountain,” glasses of champagne were incorporated into a oversized ice sculpture designed especially to hold modern stemless flutes. This sculpture served as the centerpiece to a pre and post ceremony cocktail hours for guests. And later, these same glasses were washed, filled with candy, and given as a parting gifts.

In keeping with Jewish tradition, the ceremony was timed for after sunset on Saturday. Cool blue tones from the dusky sky outside lit up the oversized leaded glass windows, a beautiful counterpoint to magical candlelit ceremony. The room’s columns were accented with floral garlands, twisting floor to ceiling. With the stage thus set, the bride and her parents emerged from the doors under a canopy of dangling votives and lace installation to evoke “fairy godmother dust” created by Rocket Science Weddings and Events. They arrived at a modern lace chuppa in which each corner of a small stage was anchored with oversize hurricane lanterns that housed gold candelabras. Wishing to be surrounded by their friends and family, the couple chose to have seating along three sides of the chuppa rather than rows of seats behind them.

After cocktail hour, guests were led to the upstairs dining room and greeted by individual “his-and-hers” cake-pop escort cards. Two flavors, hers with a pink and his with an ivory frosting, were sprinkled with edible gold glitter.

Upon entering dinner, the mostly ivory and pink color scheme was transformed to ivory and yellow. This floral transformation complemented the moss green linens and iconic carpet in the dining room, creating a very formal yet fresh feel for dinner.

The couple cut into a four-tier wedding cake iced with ivory buttercream in the club library. The nostalgic confection was adorned with roses and two porcelain cats, representing the couple’s beloved pets.

After a spirited Hora dance, guests mingled, danced, played games and took turns at a photo booth. Mid-reception they were offered an array of late night snacks including 50’s-style malts (complete with authentic white and red straws), sliders and petite grilled cheese sandwiches to keep the dancing going well into the night.