Minnesota - At Home Reception - DJ & Cake?

[BeckyN]

I was originally dead set against having a separate AHR - mostly due to finanical issues but also because I didn't want the hassle and added stress. We chose a DW because we aren't big center of attention type of people- and liked the intimacy of a smaller, family wedding.

Well with the exception of my gma, no one on my mom's side will be coming. (And my aunts have been giving my mom a hard time about the whole no AHR from the beginning). Well now several cousins on my father's side have gotten pregnant and with rates going up a large chunck of family (and the majority of close friends that were invited) may now not be coming to Jamaica.

So last weekend my mom proposed doing an AHR next May and combining it with our graduation party. She figured we could do something somewhat low key down in the Twin Cities the evening after graduation... as my family will be down there and Sean's parents will be back in the States. Plus she stated that they would pay for the hall, food, and some beverages.

Sean and I talked about it and agreed that we are both okay with this. The more my mom and I've talked this last week... the more it has expanded. But suprisingly I'm still okay with it.

The three big things we are in charge of are entertainment (dj), the cake and decorations. If anyone has any recommendations on reasonably priced dj's or cakes in the TC area it would be grealty appreciated! Luckily I'll be in the TC area this fall for rotations so hopefully can check things out... but other than that I'm in Duluth or Mora for most of the time which makes planning difficult. TIA

[~Andrea~]

I used to live in Duluth a few years ago...that would be a great AHR location! I can ask around and see what friends down here in the TC did for DJs and cake. I'll let you know if I find out anything worth passing along...

[kate.com]

Hi there! We are getting married in January and having our AHR June 13 for the same reasons. I haven't put a ton of thought into it yet but I need to... so I'll keep you posted!

Where are you thinking of having your reception in the TC?
Cakes: Are you wanting a traditional wedding cake or just a sheet cake? If you want just a sheet cake Costco's cakes rock. Not sure if they do tiered wedding cakes, I'll look next time. I know that Byerly's makes wedding cakes. Remember: in MN try to get away from saying that you are having a wedding reception and just say party- save tons of money that way.

No idea about DJ's yet. I know a ton of people have used midwest sound. If you Google "DJ service in MN" I got a ton of results. I have heard that you get what you pay for around here so maybe we could research together!

[BeckyN]

Originally Posted by soontobeamrs

Hi there! We are getting married in January and having our AHR June 13 for the same reasons. I haven't put a ton of thought into it yet but I need to... so I'll keep you posted!

Where are you thinking of having your reception in the TC?
Cakes: Are you wanting a traditional wedding cake or just a sheet cake? If you want just a sheet cake Costco's cakes rock. Not sure if they do tiered wedding cakes, I'll look next time. I know that Byerly's makes wedding cakes. Remember: in MN try to get away from saying that you are having a wedding reception and just say party- save tons of money that way.

No idea about DJ's yet. I know a ton of people have used midwest sound. If you Google "DJ service in MN" I got a ton of results. I have heard that you get what you pay for around here so maybe we could research together!

Researching together would be great!

Since we are holding it the night of our graduation... we will be calling it a combo grad party when dealing the vendors. Which is partly true. haha

I think we are renting a hall thing that my cousin is using for his upcoming wedding. I haven't really looked into it - but will be seeing it in a couple weeks. I think it is near New Brighton. How about you?

As for cakes I would love to do a fun wedding cake.... especially from byerlys. yum! But realistically will probably due a sheet cake of sorts... as we didn't really budget for an AHR. I know we have used Sams Club for graduation cakes... and they have always been pretty good. Costco is another good idea, I'll have to check it out.

As for dj's there are too many options and its hard to go based off website and what not. I am going to talk to my friends/cousins who have recently been married down there and see if they have any suggestions. I'll let you know!