10th Annual Minnesota Star Awards — Celebrating 10 Years

Date: April 4, 2014

Venue: Orchestra Hall

Director: Susan Diamond

The 10th Anniversary Minnesota Star Awards will feature a look back at the first nine years of the awards, current trends and award winners, and predictions for future innovation in the industry. Plus, it’s one of the best parties of the year!

Images by XXX

2014 Winners

Best Menu Innovation, Best Off-Premise Catered Event

Around the World in Eight Courses

Elizabeth Hinke, Mintahoe Catering & Events

Best Use of Floral

Tubman Night in BloomPete Nelson, Event Lab

Best Photography – Wedding

Le Wedding

Katrina Hannemann, Studio Laguna Photography

Best Tabletop Design

Gatsby’s Greenhouse

Gretchen Culver, Rocket Science Weddings & Events, and Summer DeMers, Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry

Best Event Design & Decor (Under $25,000)

Hilton Renovation

Event Lab

Best Event Logistics

Randy to the Rescue

The Wedding Guys; Ryan Hanson CSEP, BeEvents

Best Event Design and Decor (Over $25,000); Best Nonprofit Event

Dawn of a Dream: Bringing Life to Dreams

Ryan Hanson CSEP, BeEvents, Chris Swarbrick, Ice Occasions; Summer DeMers, Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry; Emily Corson, Children’s Cancer Research Fund

Best Specialty Item

Beet This!

Dawn Dacut Crawford, Bon Appetit, and Justin Graddy, Graddy Photography

Best Photography – Non-Wedding

Unveiled: The Ultimate Wedding Planning Event

Katrina Hannemann, Studio Laguna Photography

Best Wedding (Under $50,000)

The Kiss!

Gretchen Culver, Rocket Science Weddings & Events

Best Social Event

20th Anniversary

Dawn Henriksen, Details Event Planning + Design; Jennifer Warner, Event Lab

Best Marketing/Graphic Design; Best ISES Team Event

Twin Cities Bridal Show – the Wedding Dream ExpoThe Wedding Guys; Matthew Trettel, the Wedding Guys; Laurie Falk, Lauren B Photography; Ryan Hanson, BeEvents; Sheree Bochenek, Apres Party Rental; Jane Klein, Big Ink; Joel Schetter, Green Spring Media; Ryan Daniel, Zandolee Media; Andrew Meyer, Midway Party Rental; David Baer, Level 11; Elizabeth Wright, Avant Decor

Best Event Filmmaking

Lake Superior Barn Wedding

Christopher Martin, Sky Focus Films

Best Event Rentals (Non-Tenting)

Eat Big Give Big Texas BBQ

Dawn Westermann, Ultimate Events; Michelle Veverka, Rudy’s Event Rentals

Best Tent Installation

Top-Notch Tenting

Tim Smith and Colin Ericson, Ultimate Events

Best Technical Production

Thrivent Financial Virtual National Sales Meeting

Steph Pfeilsticker, Thrivent Financial

Best Entertainment Production

Late Show 2013 Annual Dinner

Frank and Jane Steck, Spotlight Corporate Entertainment

Best Corporate Event

Vintage Carnival

Lauren Segelbaum, Event Lab

Best Public Event

Irish Music Fair

Colleen Healy, Irish Fair of Minnesota

Best Wedding (Over $50,000)

Modern Glamour

Gretchen Culver, Rocket Science Weddings & Events

Volunteer of the Year: Sheree Bochenek

Thank You to All of Our Generous Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors

• BeEvents

• CREATE Catering 

• Freestyle Productions

• Orchestra Hall

Gold Sponsors

• Apres Party & Tent Rental

• AV For Your

• Premier Catering

• Prom Catering

• The Wedding Guys 

• Three Sons Signature Cuisine

Silver Sponsors

• Cosgrove Presents

• Delaware North Catering – Target Field

• EMI Audio

• Ganache : Truffles for Every Occasion

• Imagine Lights

• Maple Lane Media

• ResQWater

• Social Point

• Ultimate Events

Media Partner

• Twin Cities Business

Bronze Sponsors

• A Milestone Paper Company

• Bert Jones Portrait & Design Studio

• Level 11

• Macy’s Design Cuisine

• Mannequins in Motion

• O’Shea Irish Dance

• Studio 2400

Copper Sponsors

• The Abbey Alpaca Farm

• Avant Décor

• AVEX

• B-Boy Jsun & Dancin’Dave with Bionik

• Becca Dilley Photography

• BIG INK

• Brett Dorrian Artistry Studios

• Class A Valet

• The Creepy Creature Feature

• GLENVOX

• Great Waters Brewing Company

• Ice Occasions

• Kinky Liqueur

• Lauren b. photography

• Little Star String Ensemble

• Nick Reitenour Live Painting

• Patisserie 46 Catering

• Phillips Distilling Company

• Red Austere & Mr. Riddle

• Red Carpet Burlesque Productions

• Savvi Formalwear

• Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry

Strategic Partners

• The After Bash brought to you by The Wedding Guys

• Co•va•lent for Entertainment

• Bars by Avant Décor and Reighsen Law, LLC

• BeEvents for the Nominee Reception

• Jigsaw for the Star Awards Gallery 

• And Perimeters Group for the Awards

2014 Minnesota Star Awards Committee Members

Alissa Bemis

Sheree Bochenek

Xander Castro

Gretchen Culver

Ryan Hanson

Colleen Healy

Leslie Larson

Pete Nelson

Matthew Trettel

Matthew Zimmerman

Christie Altendorf

Beth Plates 

Lori and Seth Leinard