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This week’s topics: how to build a smooth wedding day timeline, ceremony-to-reception flip tips, how long cocktail hour should be, DJ vs. band for a wedding, DJ + live instrument fusion, how to keep a wedding dance floor packed, plated dinner catering pros and cons, dessert alternatives to wedding cake, how many speeches to include, honeymoon timing and planning tips
In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, sits down with Ava and Devan, a real couple featured in Minnesota Bride’s Spring/Summer 2025 issue. From venue selection to wedding-day flow, the newlyweds share the behind-the-scenes choices that made their celebration feel both highly personal and guest-friendly. Couples planning a Minnesota wedding (or simply looking for design and timeline inspiration) will love the practical planning tips woven into their story.
Ava and Devan tied the knot at The Whim, and their reasons for choosing the venue hit on two things so many couples search for: a space that feels like a blank canvas and a team that genuinely makes planning easier. Ava shares that once they started envisioning their design direction—lush greenery paired with bold bright pinks—the venue’s clean, versatile look felt like the perfect backdrop. Add in the intimate-but-spacious layout and a bridal suite they couldn’t stop raving about, and The Whim quickly became the clear choice.
When it came to wedding flowers and décor, Ava and Devan leaned all the way into color (in the best way). Their vibrant pink palette came to life through florals designed by Hot House Studio—owned by Devan’s mom—who was thrilled to “turn it up to 11” for the big day. With a bold color story, abundant blooms and a venue that allowed the design to shine without competing, their wedding proves that couples don’t have to play it safe to create a timeless look. If anything, this episode makes a strong case for confidently choosing a statement palette that feels like you.
Asked to name their favorite moment, Ava says the ceremony ended up being even more meaningful than she expected—especially the moment of looking out and seeing everyone they love gathered in one place. But for the couple as a whole, the dance floor was a close second (and a top priority from the beginning). They wanted their reception to feel like a real party, not just a formal dinner with background music, and their planning decisions reflected that from start to finish.
One of the most helpful wedding planning takeaways in the episode is their approach to entertainment: Ava and Devan booked Rock With You, a DJ experience paired with live instruments like horns and drums. They loved that it delivered the energy of a live band while still keeping the familiarity of radio hits—something many couples struggle to choose between when comparing a DJ vs. band. They also offer reassurance around one of the biggest wedding-day anxieties: the ceremony-to-reception flip. They hosted everything on-site, with a 4:30 p.m. ceremony and a 90-minute cocktail hour while the venue handled the behind-the-scenes transition smoothly.
For food, they partnered with Deco Catering and chose plated dinners—an option Ava highly recommends, especially for larger guest counts. They added a fun twist with dessert by serving tres leches cake from Café Latte, a memorable alternative to traditional wedding cake. The couple also shares smart insight on how many speeches is “too many” (they kept it to a perfect three rounds), plus their honeymoon strategy: instead of leaving immediately, they waited a day or two and then escaped to Playa Mujeres, Mexico for a low-stakes, truly relaxing beach honeymoon. Between their venue choice, bold design, thoughtful timeline and guest experience focus, Ava and Devan’s episode is packed with ideas couples can actually use while planning their own wedding day.
This episode is powered by Dan Riggs Films and the Minnesota Wedding Show.
Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
