10th Annual Minnesota Star Awards — Celebrating 10 Years
- ILEA MSP

- Jul 13
- 3 min read

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






















