This intimate dinner series was born out of the idea that events can be both creative and sustainable, balancing design and experience. While the past few years have been ridden with challenges, it’s also brought about the opportunity to reflect on the future of events. Particularly how we can all make changes to reduce our negative impact on the planet as we begin to gather again. 

Each design partner came together to collaborate on a shared vision where events are designed in harmony with nature. Together we are seeking to inspire and share how we can all play a role in creating a more sustainable and socially-responsible industry. From food to florals, venue to decor, each design partner showcased their company’s commitments to sustainability while letting their creativity and innovation shine.

Weddings can produce upwards of 400 pounds of waste. With 2.4 million weddings annually in the US, that adds up to about
1 billion pounds of single-use materials that end up in landfills. 

Much of which can be recycled, composted, or reduced with a little intention and planning.

 

FOOD & CATERING

 

The menu was curated by Chowgirls Catering with the summer season in mind, consisting mostly of local ingredients, from crisp kale to vibrant peaches, showcasing the bountiful array of fresh produce available at this time of year. The grazing was filled with Minnesota local cheeses, abundant local root vegetables, and mushrooms highlighting local farmers, expressing the unique flavors of our region. Dessert featured edible flowers from Chowgirl’s own garnish garden that they handpick fresh for each catering event, with a drizzle of honey sourced from a local apiary.

 

Sips included two classic, specialty cocktails and a selection of local craft beers and spirits from Du Nord Distillery and Indeed Brewery. Keeping the bar menu simple offers more personality and less waste. Each cocktail was designed to utilize fresh garnishes and herbs, as well as feature a housemade tonic to enhance flavor. Spirit-free options did not disappoint, providing inclusive options for all to enjoy.

​​We raised a toast at the table with a pour of Tilia Wine, the first Argentinian wine to carry the Bodegas de Argentina Certified Sustainable seal on its label. Tilia uses organic grapes grown by small family producers, prioritizing the health of people and the natural environment.

BAR & LIBATIONS

 

FLORAL & FOLIAGE

Brought to life by Apricot Floral Design, the floral was inspired by nature's structural design, texture, and unexpected patterns of growth as reflected by arrangements almost growing from the table. Blooms were seasonally selected and sourced locally from Northerly Flora, an urban organic farm in Minneapolis. Elements of foliage, moss, rocks, and edible florals were foraged wild. Bringing in beeswax candles to light the evening, not only set a beautiful mood but further represented the many ways to support local pollinators beyond native florals. 

Arrangements are designed without floral foam, which contains toxic chemicals and microplastics. All blooms will be donated to nursing homes and shelters through a local nonprofit.

This event was consciously designed by LUUM Collective, to prioritize foraged, sustainable, and organic materials highlighting nature’s vibrancy. Layers of textural elements such as rocks, linen, earthen tableware, and bees wax candles came together to set the scene featuring the beauty of each element in its most natural state.

RENTALS & DECOR

 

All decor elements are either rented or sourced from sustainable materials, as well as designed to be reused. Menus and paper items are were printed on hemp paper for it’s unique textural offering using 100% plant-based inks from a local union-print shop, Smart Set. Plates, flatware, and cake stands were sourced from The Fond Collective, an independent, woman-run business that reuses packaging and eco-friendly cleaning processes. Placecard holders are made from repurposed unstained wood, and napkins were handmade from deadstock natural fabrics to give them a second life. Tapers, sourced from Wacks Co, are hand poured with 100% beeswax sourced from a local apiary, providing height and pops of vibrant, natural color.

 
 

No special occasion is fit without a sweet treat to top off the celebration. Our dessert bar was designed by Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe who specializes in decadent vegan and gluten-free cakes and cupcakes. Vibrant macarons hosted pressed edible flowers and cupcakes were baked with elements of fresh fruits and jams to flavor. Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe utilizes natural flavors and powders, such as beetroot and spirulina, to color rather than traditional chemicals and dyes. Guests were offered a selection of mini-sized desserts to enjoy or take home, to manage portion sizing and reduce food waste.

DESSERT BAR

 

THE WINE TASTING

 

Zenska glava, a Minneapolis-based sommelier service, was a central gathering spot during the cocktail hour with a hosted wine tasting experience featuring Tablas Creek, the United States' first Regenerative Organic Certified™ vineyard.

Between sips, guests dove into the story behind the wine and learned the benefits of regenerative agriculture including pillars of soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness.

 
 

PAIKKA was selected for it’s commitment to sustainability, worker well-being, and leadership in the industry, focused on creating an inclusive space that supports small-businesses and makers. PAIKKA’s natural design elements shine with it’s tall windows, walls of plants, and offers gorgeous wooden furniture as part of the rental, requiring minimal decor to be brought in.

THE VENUE

Waste and materials were considered from the design process and displayed for guests to see after the event to audit compost, recycling, and trash. All glassware, plates, and flatware were rented and reusable avoiding plastic and single-use items. Takeaway dessert boxes were compostable and hand-stamped instead of using stickers. Leftover food from plates or scraps, alongside floral cuts were composted, while high-quality foods that did not make it to the table were prepped for meals.

 
 
 

Photo by Sage E Imagery

  • PAIKKA is committed to reducing waste inside and out by providing composting and recycling on-site for all events and reducing water and energy consumption (i.e. harvesting rain water for plant care, faucet aerators, energy efficient HVAC settings, LED bulbs). Internally, PAIKKA uses environmentally friendly and/or reusable cleaning products, and prioritizes digital over printed materials. PAIKKA also strongly believes that small businesses have a responsibility to foster and encourage positive social engagement and shops local as much as possible for in-house supplies. As encouragement, they provide a 10% discount to clients who utilize their Sustainability Program.

  • Chowgirls was among the first “green” caterers in Minnesota and has been a leader in sustainable events ever since. Crafting quality food with respect for people and the planet, Chowgirls is inspired by the bounty offered by local producers season-by-season. Prioritizing organic and seasonal, ingredients are sourced from 51 main local farms and other purveyors, traveling an average of 37.5 miles from farm to kitchen. Chowgirls is always seeking innovative ways to reduce waste inside the kitchen and out, and have pioneered in composting, plastics-recycling and was a key leader in a food rescue program with Second Harvest Heartland.

  • Sustainability is a core belief and practice at Apricot Floral, prioritizing foraging, local-sourcing, and seasonal blooms to design vibrantly natural arrangements. Apricot Floral does not use floral foam in arrangements or installations, and the studio reuses decor items such as vases and candles. Apricot Floral enhances natures beauty in and out of the studio, including composting clippings and spent materials and packaging bouquets and arrangments in recyclable materials.

  • Luum Collective is an event and creative design agency on a mission to bring sustainability and social good into event planning. Offering planning, consulting and creative services, we support conscious brands and organizations in reaching their sustainability and inclusivity goals, matching their events with their values. We also cultivate conversations and community for newly engaged couples and event industry professionals, providing a welcoming space for peer-learning, education, and resources on designing events that can have a positive impact on people, communities and the planet.

  • Woman-run and owned, Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe, prioritizes community and nature in all they do. Recipes utilize the highest quality ingredients, using real fruit and elements from nature to flavor and color their desserts. Offering vegan and gluten-free options is not only inclusive but reduces overall impact carbon footprint. All their packaging, cupcake wrappers, and to-go boxes are plant-based, compostable, or recyclable when necessary. Amy’s also offers cake stands for rent and utilizes plastic-free, reusable materials for every delivery and set up.

  • ​​Ženska Glava is a Minneapolis-based sommelier service born from a desire to bring wine & spirits to the people, valuing accessibility, social responsibility and environmental impact. ​​Ženska Glava is committed to representing small scale producers who pay fair wages and use responsible environmental practices such as organic, biodynamic and regenerative agriculture. As a small Minneapolis based business that prioritizes the people of the immediate community and believe strongly in the power of mutual aid, they donate 10% from every wine class to a cause, group or individual.

  • Wacks Co. beeswax taper candles are hand poured with 100% beeswax sourced from a local apiary using all-natural fiber wicks. Wacks does not use harmful dyes or synthetic fragrances. Wacks Co. actively strives to keep its footprint low with mindful practices and sourcing locally.

  • Sage E Imagery is a woman-owned photography business that has been photographing people’s stories for a over five years. Some of the core values behind Sage E Imagery are: community, a clean earth and supporting small businesses. Jennifer is dedicated to capturing true authentic stories. Whether a business, family or couples - Sage E Imagery brings the story to shine; thoughtfully, artfully, geniunely.

  • Nylon Saddle is a Twin Cities-based portrait photographer who specializes in weddings and engagement.With a unique approach to photography that produces images that express mood, behavior, and truth. Nicole is a visual explorer of culture in the midwest and beyond.

 

Gathering matters because it is through each other that we figure out what we believe.

-Priya Parker