Other Resources

by Sharon Planer Pianist for Parties

Are you looking EXCEPTIONAL EVENT PROFESSIONALS?  Here are Sharon's top recommendations:

Audio Video Rental

• AV for You A one stop source to rent Audio Visual equipment, including LCD projectors, laptops, theatrical and decor led lighting equipment, screens, microphones, speakers, stage, pipe and drape, podiums and much, much more. The staff are very knowledgeable, professional and personable.

Beauty

• 139 Hair by Heidi On site talented hair stylist and make up artist. Heidi specializes in Up-Styles and Makeup for Weddings/Prom and other formal events. At your location Hair & Make up services for you and the entire Bridal Party!

Beverages

• Liquid Motion caters to their clients’ distinctive beverage tastes. Whether a small dinner party or a large event, they serve with class and style!

Bridal Wear

• Knit-N-Jules Custom designed hand knit wraps and garments that will make anyone feel special. Featured on the cover of Minnesota Bride magazine.

• Mestads Bridal and Formal Wear Visit Mestads for all your attire needs. They carry hundreds of Wedding Gowns, many exclusive to them. They have a wide selection of Bridesmaids Gowns, Flower Girl dresses, and Mothers Dresses. Don't forget the groom! Mestads has the best tuxedos in town at the lowest prices - guaranteed. Visit our website to see what we can offer you.

Cakes

• Kake Creations by Kathy You will be pleased with Kathy's delicious cakes and personal service. Sharon says, 'Kathy's cakes are as delicious as they are beautiful. You can't go wrong with Kathy!"

• Muddy Paws Cheesecake These cakes create beautiful centerpieces! Sharon says, 'Tami Cabrera's cheesecakes are gorgeous creations and taste heavenly!' Featured on the Food Network Show. 763-545-7161 Tami was invited to bring her cheesecake to the White House!

Catering and Food

• Chowgirls Klller Catering winner of 'Best Caterer for a Small Wedding' at Minnesota BRIDE Magazine 'Best Of' awards.

• D’Amico Catering is the Twin Cities Premier Caterer featuring exquisite cuisine presented with artistic flair!

• K&J Catering provides elegant catering or home style cooking at its best. Their delicious culinary creations are served with plenty of TLC!

• LaVita Espresso and Gelato Catering This company sets up their portable expresso machine and gelato station. They are in demand. I see them at so many of the events I play for .and, of course, I indulge!

Event Coordinators and Planners

• Keyed Up Events Dana puts her heart into understanding her client’s vision. She communicates throughout the planning process with everyone to make sure all details come together for a perfect event! Sharon says, “I enjoy working with Dana. Keyed Up Events gives everyone peace of mind!”

• Lasting Impressions will take your dream and make it come true. Sharon says, 'I enjoy working with Sarah and her team. Whether your event is on an island or in a fancy hotel, Sarah will create the perfect event that will exceed your expectations!'

• Mother of the Bride Nicolle and her team excel at organization and covering every detail thoroughly. Sharon says, 'I have had the pleasure of working a number of events with them and know they are committed to excellence in every detail.'

• Premier Planning Services Rita and her team are known for their exceptional quality in event planning. Sharon says, 'I have experienced their amazing organizational skills at events where I have performed. Their events are flawless.'

• Rosetree Events This team of planners are passionate and fun! I have worked many events with them and can readily testify that they provide exceptional services and are dedicated to fulfilling their clients' dreams.

• Simply Elegant Bridal Consulting Sharon says, 'I have experienced Simply Elegant's great communication skills prior to an event and have experienced their passion for perfection at day-of coordination of events. They treat their clients and everyone involved in an event with personal care and attention.'

• Style-Architects weave ideas into reality. Rachelle and her team care about every detail and work to ensure that events are excellent in every way!

Event Planning Directories

• Corporate Event Planning Help Wedding planning, DJ's, bands, entertainers, event planners, caterers nationwide.

• Minnesota Funeral Planning Articles on planning a funeral, writing a eulogy, finding Minnesota funeral vendors.

• Twin Cities Wedding & Event Professionals discover some of the best event-industry professionals in the Twin Cities!

Events Venues and Reception Facilities

• 413 on Wacouta This historic and elegant event venue is in St. Paul's trendy Lowertown. The rough hewn stone walls creates an intimate setting with excellent acoustics for live music. Everything under one roof with lovely spaces for wedding ceremonies, cocktails and dinner/dancing. The customer/client service is excellent!

• Chapel of Love at Mall of America A unique setting with consultants that can provide everything you need to make your wedding dreams come true!

• Classic Hall Event Center The Hollywood movie and 'Old Town' setting is unique as is the classic car showroom! Their friendly event coordinators will take care of everything.

• The Crown Room Banquet Center can accommodate up to 375 guests. This venue is know for excellent customer service. The ballroom as a vaulted timber interior including beautiful stone fireplace and waterfalls entrance. Lovely outdoor gazebo for wedding ceremonies. In-house caterer provides delicious entrees.

• Grand View Lodge is a beautiful historic lodge in Nisswa, MN, perfect for destination events with many indoor and outdoor options for weddings and events. Their professional staff will take care of all the details. The lodging is wonderful - historic to contemporary, you decide!

• Saint Paul Hotel is a classy and sophisticated venue with exceptional attention to customer experience located on historic Rice Park and steps away from the Mississippi River.

• Semple Mansion is an exquisite Minneapolis venue with breathtaking beauty and the ultimate in excellent service!

Favors and Gifts

• Knit-N-Jules Hand knit treasures.

• Tell Your Story Every story deserves a story book. Start yours today! Heritage Makers is a unique online publishing process useful in preserving your stories and memories in a custom hardbound books.

Floral

• Silks and Images captures the essence of your vision with beautiful silk floral arrangements.

• Spruce Flowers and Home Imaginative floral arrangements.

• Studio B Floral and Design goes the extra mile to make sure your floral and design needs are wonderful beyond your expectations!

Honeymoon and Travel

• Destination Vacation Nichole Winter's knowledge, excellent service and experience makes her an award winning travel planner! She will take the stress and worry out of your vacation plans and is there to help you every step of the way.

• Pineapple Travel Find the vacation of your dreams! With the touch of a button use the 'Custom Trip Search' online. Specializing in Weddings & Honeymoon Destinations, Tropical Destinations, Group Travel, Family Travel, Disney Destinations and Cruises

Insurance

• WedSafe.com Worried about extreme weather, no-show vendors, alcohol-related accidents? It is easy and affordable to protect your special event.

Musicians and DJ's

• Complete Music DJ & Video Services These DJ's are experienced, professional, and fun!

• Impressions Mobile Music You will definitely have 'A Night to Remember' with the DJ's from this Award Winning Team! When I heard how DJ Larry Rowe saved the wedding day, I had to share his story HERE.

• Loring String Quartet Absolutely the finest string ensemble in the Twin Cities!

• Mary Pat Nydahl Professional Wedding Vocalist. Sharon says, 'I have accompanied Mary Pat at many events. Her music creates a unique emotional beauty for weddings and memorial services'

• O'Meara Music Harpist Serena O'Meara is a master of the strings. Her music is heavenly!

• Phil Thompson offers wonderful professional Entertainment and DJ / Emcee Services.

• Prime Time DJ Adam Welz has a fun personality. He will immediately 'connect' and engage with you and your guests. A good time will be had by all!

• Royal Event Musicians Harp & Piano duo for Victorian era and 'Downton Abbey' themed events.

Music Enjoyment

• Minnesota Orchestra is a world class orchestra!

• St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra innovative and exciting concerts performed by seasoned professionals.

• St. Paul Chamber Orchestra brilliant orchestral and chamber performances.

• St. Paul Music in the Parks musical variety and enjoyment.

Officiants

• Affordable I Do's and Perfect Day Ceremonies is a team of experienced wedding officiants offering customized ceremonies designed to the specifications of the Bride and Groom. Rev. Susan Lee-Wright employs a number of ministers, so you never have to worry that your ceremony will be disrupted by unforeseen events. Bilingual officiants are on staff. I have performed with Rev. Susan and a number of her officiants. They all possess high standards of customer service and excel at connecting with brides and grooms on a personal level.

• Minnesota Officiants Lead Officiant Jim Albani and his team are dedicated to performing weddings unique to each couple. They have a variety of talents and I enjoy working with them all.

• Positively Charmed Rev, Leslie Johnson excels at highlighting a couple's love story into the wedding ceremony. Her words are kind and thoughtful. She knows how to keep the focus on the bride and groom. She has a gift of leadership while at the same time allowing for spontaneity. It is always a pleasure performing ceremonies with Rev. Leslie!

• Rev. Frank Nelson is comfortable in any situation. I have interacted with him in a variety of settings for an outdoor vineyard wedding, a park, as well as many classy venues. His weddings are thoughtful and heartfelt.

• Rev. Tom Armstrong Sharon says, 'Tom Armstrong's smile and gracious personality puts everyone at ease during a wedding. I have performed at weddings with Tom in a variety of settings and every ceremony has flowed smoothly. His message is always heartfelt with a personal touch. Couples hiring Tom will experience a friendly, experienced officiant.

• Ceremonies by Starr Tairie Starr's friendly style puts everyone at ease. She takes care of every detail for a STRESS FREE ceremony. Sharon says, "I have personally worked with Rev. Starr does a great job officiating!."

• Celebrations by Jul create custom ceremonies designed to the wishes of each couple. Jul's lovely personality and presentation makes the ceremony experience one of joy and happiness. Licensed in Douglas County (serving Alexandria, Arrowwood Resort, Carlos Creek Winery, etc.) and beyond.

Party Rental

• Festivities Party Rental, great planning services and rentals for any size event.

• Ultimate Events When you visit their showroom, your imagination will come alive with fun creative colors and ideas for your event. This company offers the best customer service you can find in the Twin Cities.

Photographers

• Coppersmith Photography Amy and Matt Coppersmith's philosophy is 'to make the world a more beautiful place through amazing art from everything and everyone' . . . and their photography does just that!

• Delight Photography Michelle's passion and enthusiasm are evident in her photography as well as her personality. Her creative insights make each photo unique and wonderful. I truly enjoy her photography and her beautiful personality!

• Jeannine Marie Photography is one of the Twin Cities most outstanding wedding and event photographers. When I am playing for a wedding or event, I love it when Jeannine is the photographer for the day. I see her at work as she gracefully captures the essence of each event with spectacular photography. I have noticed that she pays attention to things that often get overlooked by other photographers. Jeannine has a beautiful personality that makes people want to smile! Check out her web site and you will be smiling too!

• Lucas Botz Photography and Wildbooth Check out his web links and see for yourself...Lucas is a FUN loving photographer who makes the participants have the time of their lives during the photo shoot. He has an eye for capturing unique moments. The main photos of my web site were the work of Lucas Botz taken during wedding cocktails that I performed at in the Semple Mansion. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Lucas!

Piano Rental

• Carlson's Piano World You can rent a grand piano for your event! The experienced staff at Carlson's will deliver, set up and tune the piano. When your event is done, they will remove the piano. I performed on a grand piano that Carlson's delivered for a wedding reception at the Minnesota History Center. It was a beautiful grand piano and perfectly tuned. The staff was prompt and courteous.

• Schmitt Music Piano Rental has many great rental options. When I performed for a Welcome Reception at Loring Social, Schmitt Music set up a beautiful and perfectly tuned grand piano for my performance.

Transportation

• Renee's Limousines The ultimate in limousine experience. Weddings, tours, special events. A high level of standard in quality, service and professionalism.

Videography

• Northern Lights Video Sharon says, "They are in high demand and I know why...their work is impressive! Jeff Fuchs and his team are at many of the classy venues where I play so I get to see them in action. They have extensive equipment strategically positioned to capture the magic of the moment. Their true creativity shows in the finished videos they create. Their work is beautiful!" HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!