Royal Foundry Craft Spirits – TCWEP 10th Year Anniversary Gala & Diamonds-of-Dedication Award Show

It’s the Twin Cities Wedding & Event Professionals (TCWEP) biggest night of the year! And rightly so, tonight marks the ten year anniversary for the warm & friendly event-industry networking group. The gilded gala is being held at the brand-new venue/distillery Royal Foundry Crafts Spirits at 241 Fremont Ave N. Minneapolis, MN 55405.

TCWEP Founding Members* relax, sip champagne, and prepare for the gala in a private 4th floor suite at the hotel Delta by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast with a complete glam set-up of mirrors and make-up stations provided by Dream Day Dressing Rooms.

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Transportation to the event is in luxury. A 24 passenger Limo Coach provided by Renee’s Limousines. The roads aren’t wonderful with the snow-storm, but you wouldn’t know it inside the limo. Everyone is socializing and celebrating while the chauffeur navigates the streets and traffic.

Limo Perks:

• Perimeter Leather Seating
• Upgraded Sound System w/ 42″ LED TV, CD Player, DVD Player, iPod Hookup
• Wet Bar stocked w/ Crystal Glassware
• Chauffeur handles navigating the streets in bad/good weather so you cn enjoy yourself

Royal Foundry Craft Spirits (RFCS) is a 15,000 foot venue space. We’d describe it as “modern contemporary with iconic British design elements.”
There are three distinct spaces in the venue:

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• Barrel Room 29,000 sq. feet. Capacity up to 350 attendees.
• Crown Room 650 sq. feet. Capacity: up to 35 attendees.
• Gaming Area 1,100 sq. feet. Capacity up to 70 attendees.

Venue Perks:

• Close to downtown for transportation and accommodation needs
• Indoor facility guarantees protection from all types of weather

See RFCS venue website

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The event begins in earnest as the founding members of TCWEP descend from their limo.

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Studio Veil photographs all founding members on the red carpet, as well as arriving attendees. Step and Repeat background by Your Type Letters.

At 5pm a special invitation-only pre-party champagne reception is held in RFCS’ “Crown Room” for founding members, event sponsors, and the Diamond-of-Dedication award nominees to socialize. Refreshments included gourmet popcorn from Hip Pop.

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Stage 3D letters by Your-Type Event Letters, Lighting by Imagine Lights, Floral by Bellagala, Photo booth by 2 The Maxx Entertainment

Doors to the main event space open precisely at 6pm as the 150+ guests begin arriving. Complimentary valet by Cities Valet, who is providing spectacular service parking our guests cars with the snowy weather. Guests are welcomed at registration with personalized nametags designed by T. Aletta Event Stationery . Members receive special 2018-2019 Member Pins upon arrival..

Signature Cocktail by Royal Foundry Craft Spirits

Attendees walking into the Barrel Room are greeted by TCWEP’s official event signature cocktail. Aptly named Something Borrowed, Something Blue; composed in the classic Collins-style of Spirit/Citrus/Sugar/& Water element.
“We wanted the design of TCWEP’s signature cocktail to be refreshing. Something people could have a couple of,” says Marlon Hanson, assistant distiller at RFCS. “Crafting the cocktail was a team effort here. We used Gin, Ginger & Mint syrup, Lime juice & soda water to finish it off. Garnishing it with a sprig of mint.” When asked about the color, he explains, “There aren’t many ways to give cocktails a blue-tone, so that comes from some use of food coloring. We really wanted to give a knod to the 10 year anniversary color of blue.”

Dinner by Crave Catering

CRAVE catering is committed to providing catering services with unlimited resources for event planners, corporations, and individuals planning special events ranging from large-scale galas, weddings, small intimate in-home dinner parties, and everything in between. Preferred at over 30 Twin Cities venues.

Catering Menu

1. Bavarian Bites Station soft pretzel knots with chipotle ranch or honey mustard dipping sauces.  
2. Grilled Sliced Flank Steak marinated in Tamari honey ginger sauce, served with rice noodle salad.
3. Glazed Side of Salmon honey garlic glaze, served over bed of Israeli cous cous studded with spinach and tomato.  
4. Grilled Peach & Arugula Salad Platter with white beans, basil, goat cheese, and basil vinaigrette.
5. Crostini Bar grilled breads served with various special spreads (8 spreads)

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Desserts by Cocoa & Fig

Cocoa & Fig, known for their stylishly decadent desserts, brought in their best-large-scale-event-selling menu items to the gala knowing it would be attended by many industry planners. “We wanted to show people some of our most-loved desserts” says Michael Taylor of Cocoa & Fig. He composed the dessert menu while keeping in mind that these are the best-selling items for large-scale events. Such as weddings and corporate gatherings.

Dessert Menu

1. Salted Caramel French Macaroons best sellingsignature item of Cocoa & Fig, the name says it all
2. Vanilla Cake Pops vanilla cake and buttercream dipped in white chocolate
3. Flourless Chocolate Cake simply a decadent flourless chocolate cake with a bit of ganache, chocolate frosting, and a little white chocolate twist
4. Lemon Raspberry Cupcake vanilla cake raspberry Italian meringue buttercream
5. Fresh Fruit Tartlets a tartlet shell filled with a lemon cream cheese filling, topped with raspberries and blueberries

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4 1/2 Tier Event Cake by Sugar & Spice Custom Cakery

Standing at 2 1/2 feet tall, with 3 1/2 tiers of cake along with a light-up midsection, this custom cake by Dawn Olson-Wallerus of Sugar & Spice Custom Cakery feeds about 85 people.
“I knew I wanted to do something big” says Dawn. “The design inspiration for this cake came from the vision board that event planner Lori Snyder sent over.” All of the cake components are covered with fondant, the bottom tier has hexagon fondant cutouts applied for design, and the “10 TCWEP” official icon was printed out by Dawn’s edible printer which she uses to print food coloring onto sugar sheets.

Cake Tier Flavors

1. Top Half-Sphere Cake Tier Chocolate cake layered with chocolate mousse filling, almond buttercream frosting piped to mimic a hydrangea flower effect
2. Top Cake Tier Chocolate cake layered with chocolate mousse filling, almond buttercream frosting, covered with fondant
3. Middle Light-Up Tier Edible Isomalt molded to mimic dripping diamonds and placed around the perimeter of a vase containing LED lights
4. Middle Cake Tier Spice cake layered with caramel filling, brandy buttercream frosting, covered with fondant
5. Bottom Cake Tier Lemon cake layered with lemon curd filling, with lemon buttercream frosting, covered with fondant

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Floral Decor

Table top floral centerpieces and stage floral arrangements by Bellagala’s own Jamie Spellerman. Composed of white hydrangea, white roses, asperagus fern, sprigs of Eucalyptus and various greens. “Jamie Spellerberg with Bellagala is spot on with this floral decor. She is incredibly wonderful to work with, even with short notice, she created three glorious surprise bouquets for me to give away as thank you’s during the gala event, which I am prouder than proud to give away. Thank you, Jamie!”
– Michelle T., Co-founder TCWEP

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Kicking off the Awards Gala, projected up on the white walls is the latest video covering interviews and footage about TCWEP created by Moving Tree Media. Includes conversations with members: Heather Hanson, Heather Hanson Photography; James Ehlenz, EMI Audio; Renee Aymar-Kosmatka, Renee’s Limousines; Lexie Albers, Availed Wedding & Event Planning; Rev. Susan Lee Wright, Perfect Day Ceremonies & Affordable I Do’s.

See video production details

Furniture & Linens by Ultimate Events; Big On-Stage Letters by Your-Type Lettering; Uplighting by Imagine Lights & EMI Audio

Thanking Gala Event Planners

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Honoring Founding Members

Two Lovely SURPRISES!

Surprise 1: Program Coordinator, Elizabeth Sherry, surprises everyone by announcing she inserted a fake award and time-slot into the event program.
People in the audience look quizzically to one another wondering what she is up to, Michelle Tverberg and Matthew Sherry both look just as stunned as the audience.

“I totally sabotaged this. Matt and Michelle think something else is happening right now… I want to let Michelle and Matt know that the course of my life changed because of this group.”

Elizabeth present both Matt and Michelle with their own Diamonds-of-Dedication awards for 10 years of service.

Watch Elizabeth’s Sabotage

Click play, the video is set to the moment of her sabotage, if you need to find the moment go to 44:36 in the timeline.

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Surprise 2: Matthew Sherry wins “Potty-Bank” award. (Finally!) For months and months Tom O’Brien with On-site Companies has been giving away mini “Potty-Banks” at TCWEP’s monthly events. And each and every time TCWEP co-founder Matthew Sherry’s name is never picked for the prize giveaway. Well, Tom O’Brien has a special surprise for Matthew, he awards him a golden “Potty Bank.”

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Diamonds-of-Dedication Awards Show Winners

Thunderous applause erupts around me moments after each winner is announced.

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See full list of 2019 diamonds-of-dedication nominees and award winners

Watch Full Awards Show Webcam

After Show Dance Party

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DJ Greg Ellis with Neckwerk Entertainment was chosen special for this event. Greg brings such energy and life to all he does; his energy brings nearly everyone out to dance on the epic LED light up dance floor that is one-of-a-kind by Imagine Lights.

Modern & Sleek Photobooth Fun

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Modern, contemporary photo-booth provided by 2 The Maxx Entertainment

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Event Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor – Majestic Oaks Golf Club / Hailey Fenton
Diamond Sponsor – Muddy Paws Cheesecake / Tami Cabrera
Catering & Bar Service – Crave Catering & Events / Kelsey Knudsen
Centerpieces – Mani Mela / Hana April Inc. / Hana April Chughtai
Co-Event Planning – Availed Events / Lexi Albers
Dance Floor & Lighting – Imagine Lights / Kirk Hoslin; EMI Audio / James Ehlenz
Desserts & Truffles – Cocoa & Fig / Michael Taylor
DJ – Neckwerk Entertainment / Greg Ellis Event
Event Planning – Rock Your Dermis Rock Your Life – Rodan + Fields / Lori Snyder
Event Media – Slingshot Branding & PR, LLC / Paul M.
Floral – Bellagala / Jamie Spellerberg
Furniture & Linens – Ultimate Events / Allison Munsell
Hotel Sponsor – Delta Hotels by Marriott / Claire Holder
Invitation, Programs & Posters – Epitome Papers / Evelyn Miller
Large Letters – Your Type Letters / Todd Hoffman
Name Tag Design – T. Aletta Event Stationery / Tricia Aletta Heagle
Photographer – Heather Hanson Photography / Heather Hanson
Event Pics Here
Photo Station – 2 The Maxx Entertainment & DJ Service
Photo Station Pics Here
Specialty Cake – Sugar & Spice Custom Cakery / Dawn Olson- Wallerus
Step & Repeat Photographer – Studio Veil / Ryan Veil
Red Carpet Photo Images Here
Valet Service: Cities Valet / Sam Anderson & Nick Alexander
Venue & Signature Cocktail – Royal Foundry Craft Spirits / Nikki McLain
Videography – Moving Tree Media, LLC / Luke Porter
VIP Experience Sponsor – Day Dream Dressing Rooms / Heidi Mathson
VIP Room Decor – Festivities / Amber Thorson
VIP Refreshments – Hip Pop Gourmet Popcorn
VIP Champagne Pour – Crave Catering & Events / Kelsey Knudsen
VIP Transport Sponsor – Renee’s Limousines / Renee Aymar- Kosmatka
Volunteer Jes B Jewelry Designs / Jessica Betzold
Volunteer – Minnesota Chamber of Commerce / Sandy Nichols
Volunteer– Onyx Event Planning / Danielle Saima
Volunteer– Geneva 338 Personal Chef Services / Leonardo Boone
Volunteer – Uy Lennon Floral & Events / Terri Uy Lennon

TCWEP Gala Leadership Team

Co-Founders
Complete Weddings + Events / Matthew Sherry
Delight Photography / Michelle Tverberg
Event Logistics Coordinator
Rock Your Dermis – Rock Your Life / Lori Snyder
Program Coordinator
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce / Elizabeth Sherry
Media & Website
Slingshot Branding & PR, LLC / Paul M.

*Founding members joined in 2015 when TCWEP launched new online membership and have been members ever since.