Planning Your Parties

Engagement parties, showers for the couple, rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons, wedding anniversaries, graduation or retirement parties—whatever your cause for celebration, you can guarantee each of these events is truly special by making the most of local restaurant resources.

Fortunately, the Twin Cities boasts an incredible array of restaurant venues for staging virtually any kind of event. Whether you envision a quaint bridal tea or a jazzy rehearsal dinner, or a festive family reunion—you can find the perfect Twin Cities setting with just a little bit of research.

But before you narrow down your options, you need to determine exactly what kind of event you’re hoping to create. By answering some key questions, you can shed light on the best venue for achieving the kind of event you’ll be proud of.

How much can you spend?
The bottom line for many of the decisions regarding your celebration will be financial, and special events at restaurants are certainly no exception. Once you start your search, you’re sure to find that the Twin Cities offers great venues to fit any budget. 

Do you want your event to be fun or formal?
Consider what kind of attitude you want to create at your event. While fun and formal certainly don’t need to be mutually exclusive, you’ll be much happier with your event when you know the ambiance you want to achieve.

How will a specific venue reflect your personal tastes?
Don’t wind up with a run-of-the-mill event. Make sure the setting and caterer you choose reflect not only the level of formality you require but also offer memorable ways to distinguish and personalize your event in the small touches like centerpieces, color palette, and menu selections.

Do you want the venue to showcase the region?
Rather than treating Minnesota as a backdrop, more and more people are  giving their home state star billing. A bridal party getaway on Lake Superior with a beautiful dinner at a North Shore restaurant, for example, gives far-flung friends a chance to see Minnesota’s beauty up close. A limousine ride around the chain of lakes followed by a rehearsal dinner in a hip, downtown Minneapolis restaurant gives a nod to the city’s cosmopolitan culture.

What about the basics?
Depending on your needs, you may have to consider more than just your budget. Are decorations allowed? Is there a sound system? Is on-site catering available? The site representative you are working with should be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

How stress-free do you want this event to be?
Face it—even for the mellowest among us, planning a large-scale celebration like a wedding can be stressful. To ensure the planning for special events and parties is as painless as possible, make the most of the resources that local restaurants provide. Most Twin Cities special event venues reflect that “Minnesota nice” reputation—a reputation that, put into practice, will help you create events that you can simply relax and enjoy along with your guests.