Newlywed brides shared their insights with members of the Central Minnesota Wedding Association.

The Crown Room of Rogers was filled with professionals from the Central Minnesota Wedding Association who were eager to hear what the newlyweds had to say about their recent wedding experiences.

Moderator, Adam Welz of Prime Time DJ's, asked the brides the following question.

If there was one thing you could have changed about your wedding, what would it have been?

Here are some of their answers.

• "I wish I would have hired a videographer."

• "I wish my photographer would have given me more information ahead of time on determining what photos were to be taken of various family members."

This bride said it would have been helpful if the photographer has posted real photos of various family poses on the web site. In retrospect she realized there were some family members who were not included in photos that she wished had been included.

• "I wish I had hired a day-of coordinator."

This bride was pretty certain some problems would have been avoided had there been a coordinator overseeing that everything ran smoothly. In particular, the sound tech who was supposed to play recorded music for their Recessional, never played the song. At the end of the ceremony when everyone was clapping and the bride and groom were supposed to exit the ceremony to lively music...they had to walk out in silence. Ouch!

Adam then asked the brides the following question.

What was one thing you absolutely loved about a wedding professional that you hired?

Here are some of their answers.

• "Hiring two photographers was the best thing I did!"

This couple hired a husband and wife team, both were equally experienced. Some of their favorite photos are from the pre-ceremony activities of getting ready. A huge smile came across this bride's face as she described some of the incredibly fun-loving photos that were captured while the guys were getting ready and the gals too. Having the husband wife team made those photos possible.

• "The staff at our venue treated us like we were the most important client in the world. Even though this venue had many other clients, they always knew us by name and knew exactly who we were when we called on the phone. They took good care of us all the way through."

This couple did not have the opportunity to see their reception hall ahead of time on the day of their wedding, so when they walked through the door to their reception hall, it took their breath away. Everything was more beautiful and perfect than they had ever imagined!

• "I knew the exact wedding dress and dress designer that I wanted. As soon as I was engaged, I went out to buy the dress, only to learn that it had been discontinued a month prior. All the shops I went to did not have it.  I called shops all over the state and got the same response....except for one. This small shop decided to help me. She reached out to all her resources and finally found the dress!"

I enjoyed hearing everything the brides had to say but was hoping to hear about their music. As a pianist, I especially wanted to learn their impressions of their wedding music. So I submitted a question asking if they had hired live music for their ceremony or reception.

Most had live music for their ceremonies and DJ's for their receptions. One bride had a whole family of professional musicians and her music was outstanding. Some of the others found their musicians by word-of-mouth through friends or family. It made me realize just how important the advice of family and friends can be. If someone has had a good experience with a musician, they are usually happy to share their advice. From my point of view, it is a great honor when a couple recommends my piano music to someone they know. Very often the couple that recommended me will be in the wedding party or will be guests at the coming wedding and I have the joy of reconnecting with them!

When the newlyweds were asked, 'What top tip would you give to couples planning their weddings?', their answer was unanimous ...

"On the day of your wedding, ENJOY the day, it goes by so quickly!"

A word about the Central Minnesota Wedding Association.

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association has been a valuable part of my life as a wedding pianist.  The members live by a professional Code of Ethics. We are always striving to learn more about providing the best wedding services possible to couples engaged to be married. Last night's 'Bride Panel' was just such an example. Who better to tell us than the newlyweds themselves!

Let's hear from YOU!  If you are recently married, do you have a story to share or advice to give about planning your wedding?  Just click on the 'comment' link below and we will all benefit from your experiences!

by Sharon Planer, Pianist for Parties

From the moment this couple walked into my office, their enthusiasm and excitement was contagious. As we talked about their vision for their wedding day and as I played samples of piano wedding music, certain songs and artists surfaced that they really loved. We came up with a great play list for the pre ceremony, ceremony and post ceremony music. It was an elegant mix of some older romantic standards with contemporary songs. I was glad they wanted a wedding pianist for their ceremony music. They were a delightful couple to get to know!

Rev. Leslie Johnson gave a heartfelt and intimate message which brought tears and laughter. 

From my place at the grand piano I was not able to view the Handfasting Ceremony. The photo below shows the brides' mothers and Rev. Leslie as they braided the three strands of ribbon. The brides clasped their hands together and Rev. Leslie fastened their hands with the braided ribbon symbolizing their unity and oneness.

The Semple Mansion was a magical setting for this beautiful wedding. This couple wanted to find the perfect venue for their wedding day. It was fun to hear Rev. Leslie's story on how they knew the moment they entered the mansion that this was where they wanted to be married! Intimate, classy and beautiful...just like the brides!

I loved the song they requested for their recessional...'Walking on Sunshine". It was great fun to perform and it was obvious they had fun recessing!

Their wedding was one of the most joyous ceremonies I have experienced. I was glad I arrived early at the mansion so I could experience the exuberant joy that was taking place.  There were happy voices and much laughter as the brides and their wedding party traversed through the mansion and outdoors for photos. It was not uncommon for cheering to break out!  Even though they had to endure the chilly outdoors temps, you could tell by their smiles, that this was a joyous wedding indeed!

by Sharon Planer, Pianist for Parties

You spend months and likely more than a year planning your dream wedding and it can be ruined by a government shutdown! 

"The National Mall and Memorial Parks have issued 24 permits for October weddings at the Lincoln Memorial, George Mason Memorial and the D.C. War Memorial,  spokeswoman Carol Johnson says. An e-mail was sent out Monday telling prospective brides and grooms, who often apply for the permits up to a year in advance, that if the government shuts down, all events are canceled, she said. "  --by Donna Leinwand Leger, USA TODAY, 9-30-13

Does the government shutdown affect weddings here in Minnesota?

If you planned your wedding at the Historic Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel, you may be wondering if their doors will be open for your wedding. Fort Snelling is a National Historic Landmark and both the State Park and Fort are part of the federally operated Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. So even though it is a State Park, there is some federal jurisdiction. I just spoke with the staff in Chapel Reservations and was told all weddings were still happening. But I was also told that if someone is having a wedding there in the near future, it is wise to call. So, if you have a wedding planned at the chapel, give them a call to put your mind at ease, 612-725-2390.

There are some lovely places along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway for weddings which is part of the National Parks Service. Unfortunately, when I go to their web site, I am redirected to the US Dept of Interior site and numerous fact sheets about the government shutdown. So I do not know specifics.

I know first hand the complications and stress that occurs when weddings are threatened by a government shutdown.

I was hired as a pianist to provide wedding piano music for two weddings that were supposed to take place the month of July 2011 at Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel. That spring and early summer of 2011 there were rumors of a Minnesota State shutdown. Couples getting married at the chapel were mailed letters ahead of time warning them if there was a shutdown, the chapel would be closed if their wedding landed on the dates of the shutdown. Both couples were at their wits end trying to find alternative sites for their ceremonies in case there was a government shutdown on July 1. Do you know how hard it is to find a wedding venue in July in Minnesota? Everything is taken! 

Here's what happened with my first couple whose wedding was planned for Friday, July 1, 2011, at the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel.

Bad news . . .The governor and legislators couldn't agree on a budget, so the shutdown occurred July 1...the day of my first couple's wedding!  In the news the week leading up to their wedding, it was sounding like the shutdown was going to happen. The bride contacted me saying that they were going to turn the night of the rehearsal into their actual wedding! She had to contact ALL her guests and tell them of the change. She had to check with myself, the officiant and other wedding vendors involved see if we could make this happen as well. Unfortunately, some of the guests were not able to make it on such short notice, but they had a pretty good turnout. So on June 30 just hours before the shutdown occurred the couple spoke their vows at the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel and were married! 

Normally, the last few weeks of a wedding are extremely stressful to couples because they are handling so many last minute details, but throwing in the possibility of the venue canceling...and not knowing until the last minute if this was going to happen, was unbelievably difficult for this couple and also everyone else involved.

The second couple's wedding was scheduled for July 30, 2011, at the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel.

This couple was sitting on pins and needles wondering if the shutdown was going to force them to find another wedding venue.  The shutdown ended on July 20 after a budget was passed. There was a huge sigh of relief! Even though they were fortunate to have their wedding remain at the chapel, the stress of not knowing created a lot of unnecessary anxiety for the couple.

My heart goes out to those couples who are going through the frustration of canceled wedding plans due to our legislators not completing the job they were hired to do! 

Has a prior government shutdown or a current shutdown affected you or someone you know who was planning a wedding or other event?  Share your story and post your comment!