Minnetonka Yacht Club Wedding | Mariel + Geoff
As Minnesota wedding coordinators who specialize in tent weddings, we have a lot of experience supporting couples getting married on Lake Minnetonka. One of our favorite venues on the lake is the Minnetonka Yacht Club, where we love transforming Lighthouse Island into a stunning wedding venue!
After reviewing our extensive work at this venue, Mariel and Geoff knew that our team would have them covered while planning their Minnetonka Yacht Club wedding on Lighthouse Island from out of state.
Lead Planner and RE Owner Kellie had planning meetings with the bride via Zoom. The two had a lot of fun working together, as they are both detail-oriented!
There are plenty of logistics to work out when planning a wedding on the island, but our team is well versed in what it takes to pull off a seamless day.
Mariel and Geoff knew that they wanted everything covered so that they could fully enjoy the day with their 150 guests. Kellie worked closely with them to create a custom package that met all of their needs.
We began with our Backyard Package as the base. When booking this package, Kellie works directly with the couple and their rental company to determine the right tent size and location of every element (such as the bar, buffet, stage, and dance floor), while also optimizing for space and flow.
This package also includes Kellie taking a trip out to the island the day before the wedding to manage the tent delivery and setup with Apres. It was a windy day that made setup tough, but she made sure to stay all 12 hours until everything was set. During this time, every item for the tent and decor had to be transported to the island via pontoon/barge. The couple took this opportunity to bring their decor items over as well, which was a huge help as Kellie was able to organize these details prior to the wedding day.
In addition to the Backyard Package, they also opted to include a few add-ons to further customize their package. Our team was hired to take care of setting the tables with the chargers, napkins, silverware, and water glasses. This add-on included bringing four extra people onto our team to help out.
We were also hired to help manage the V angled chair setup. We brought team member Kevin in for this add-on!
Our typical timeline and master details information packet for the day is usually around 9-10 page long. Mariel and Geoff’s packet totaled 14 pages long! It held every detail we would need to manage the day, including where the Yacht Club’s pontoons needed to be to pick up each vendor (and when).
THE MORNING
Our team of seven arrived at the dock promptly at 8:45am! Todd from the Minnetonka Yacht Club team gave us a pontoon ride over to the island and we got right to work. We began setting the tables, arranging the chairs, and placing the decor items throughout the space. Our team also managed the Al & Alma boat rides and greeted vendors as they arrived on the island.
When doing an overview of the property, our team noticed a few things that were out of place. The large swing set had been moved closer to the tent for a previous event, so the RE team sprung into action and we moved it back to its designated location on the sand. There was also a very large flagpole that had fallen in the wind, so we took care of that as well. Our team will always go above and beyond to ensure that the grounds are looking their best! (What a bunch of strong ladies)!
Meanwhile, the wedding party was busy getting ready! The ladies gathered at Hotel Excelsior for hair and makeup. Mariel received glam from Sanctuary Salon while the bridesmaids were pampered by Athena Love Bridal Beauty. When they were all ready, they hopped on Al and Alma’s boat and took a lunch cruise over to the island.
When the guys arrived on the island via pontoon, we distributed their pocket flowers and helped the groom pin on his boutonniere. Then they hopped on the Al and Alma’s boat and took a quick ride and ate lunch.
After the guys returned, the couple shared their first look. The wind beautifully cast Mariel’s veil behind her as Geoff turned around for a first look at his stunning bride! Paired with her gown from A Little Something White, it was truly picture perfect.
The weather was a bit weird, but we all stayed hopeful! From warm sunshine to random spurts of dark clouds, it proved that Minnetonka Yacht Club weddings look glamorous no matter what.
While Lauren Cutshall Photography took the couple and their wedding party around the island for portraits, the RE team was hard at work! We finished placing the table settings, lit the candles, and Kevin laid out the seating using a protractor before staking out the lead lines so the rows were set perfectly. He nailed it! We then did a quick day of rehearsal before guests arrived.
THE CEREMONY
The transportation for guests to get to the island involves quite a few moving parts, so having an experienced coordinator is very beneficial. Guests park at a nearby Elementary school and take a shuttle over to the dock. Total Transportation was great to work with and stayed right on schedule! Once guests got to the dock, they hopped on the pontoon from Minnetonka Yacht Club to get to the island.
Just as guests began arriving on the island, it started to sprinkle. Luckily, it was just a quick shower, so our team sprang into action and dried off all of the chairs before the guests took their seats.
Once all the guests arrived on the island and were seated, our team began prepping the wedding party to walk down the aisle. The group consisted of 18 groomsmen, 8 bridesmaids, and 2 flower girls, which the couple knew they wanted an experienced team to coordinate (that’s us)!
We lined everyone up in the building and began queuing the groups of three down the aisle. Mariel’s father was the officiant, so she walked herself down the aisle. We loved her unique wedding bouquet from The Cutting Garden! As she reached the end, she gave her groom a little kiss and they shared a panicked giggle with each other while the crowd chuckled. It was such a cute moment!
Halfway through the ceremony the sun came out while it began lightly sprinkling. It was a beautiful sun shower and the best sign of good luck for this sweet couple’s marriage!
The rain let up a bit later, and the sun came out as the couple said their I Do’s. As they made their grand exit as husband and wife, guests blew bubbles that the ushers had handed out as they arrived. It was such a beautiful moment!
THE RECEPTION
As guests made their way to cocktail hour, they enjoyed drinks from the sail boat bar and passed appetizers from Brown Chicken Brown Cow Catering. There was shrimp cocktail, salami skewers, truffled mushroom brie crostini and more! Bluewater Kings Band serenaded everyone with live jazz music.
Meanwhile, our team worked quickly to move the chairs from the ceremony to the dinner tent and ensured the correct number of chairs were at each table. Kevin from our team hopped on the pontoon to meet the baker at the dock and grabbed the cakes. It looked like rain was rolling in again, but luckily he made it back to the island just in time.
Our team checked in with catering and once they confirmed everything was running on time we began inviting guests to take their seats. Just as everyone made their way into the tent, it began to rain. It was a pretty cool experience with the clear-top tent! Guests were cheering with excitement as the rain poured as they were safe and dry inside.
The RE team was back in action again, shutting the side walls of the tent as quickly as possible. It rained for a few minutes and then the sun came back out. The day was filled with wild weather shifts!
Once the rain stopped, our team dismissed tables to grab dinner from the delicious buffet. They made their way to the Sun Room and loaded their plates with yummy food provided by Brown Chicken Brown Cow Catering.
While guests were eating, Amy from our team started cutting and plating the cake from Buttercream for dessert. Once the couple finished eating and listening to speeches from their loved ones, they popped over to cut their cake. They also had Kransekake, which is a beautiful Norwegian cake!
While the skies were sunny, the couple headed outside for sunset photos with the lake as their backdrop.
When the couple returned, they shared their first dance followed by the traditional parent dances. Bluewater Kings Band then got the party started with the most talented live music performance!
Our team set out the prepackaged items the couple provided as late night snacks. Guests were also able to grab their choice of wedding favor. Options included Turkish blankets, sunglasses, flipflops, and pine tree seedlings.
When the band was done and the party came to a close, guests hopped back on the pontoon and headed back to shore. Total Transportation had a shuttle waiting to take them to the after party at the Red Rabbit in the North Loop!
The RE team cleaned up all of the decor and made an organized pile for the couple to pick up the following day. Then we got on the pontoon and headed back to shore as well.
Mariel + Geoff, it was an absolute pleasure working with you two! We hope marriage has been filled with as much joy as this day was. Cheers to forever!
If you want help planning your Minnetonka Yacht Club wedding, we’d love to hear from you! Chat with our experienced team to see if we’re a fit for your big day.
Special Thank you to Lauren Cutshall Photography for sharing these beautiful images with us!
Minnetonka Yacht Club Wedding Vendors
Wedding Coordinator: Rustic Elegance - Kellie + Amy (special thanks to Kevin, Kristin, Carly, Gina and Sara)
Venue: Minnetonka Yacht Club / Lighthouse Island
Bridal Getting Ready Venue: Hotel Excelsior
Caterer: Brown Chicken Brown Cow Catering
Dessert: Buttercream Cakes & Desserts
Late Night Snack: Costco
Rentals: Apres
Band: Bluewater Kings Band
Florist: The Cutting Garden
Photographer: Lauren Cutshall Photography
Videographer: PodcastCrew
Transportation: Total Transportation / Al and Alma’s
Bridal Hair/Makeup: Sanctuary Salon
Bridesmaid Hair/Makeup: Athena Love Bridal Beauty
Bridal Gown: A Little Something White
Creatively written by: Hope Konkol