Calhoun Beach Club

Overview:

Calhoun Beach Club is a gorgeous wedding venue. Very high end and clients spend a lot of money to have their wedding there.

Set up is a pain. You'll have to park on the street, move your gear up through the side door and then walk it up the stairs to get to the ballrooms. You can use an elevator but it's locked and will need to talk ahead of time to see who can let you in. A cart will work wonders. Ask if they have one you can use.

There are two places you could be. There is a large ballroom, which most (~70%) weddings are at. There is another ballroom which has a sweeping staircase and it's a bit smaller. That's where all indoor ceremonies happen, but sometimes the reception will occur there as well.

Cocktail hour will either be in the ballroom you'll be playing in or upstairs in the 'library room'. It's above the sweeping stair case. If that's the case, you'll have to either set up a speaker upstairs or you can play music downstairs and the sound will be heard upstairs. According to a client I had, many DJs do that. Ask your client what they'd prefer and then talk to the venue on the phone to ensure that will be okay.

The ceilings are high in both ballrooms and it makes for a small problem acoustically. Keep the speakers low to the ground. If you're in the big ballroom, you'll be up on a stage, put the speakers on the stage for dinner, but on the floor (with a stand) for the dance. They have a venue microphone there, which you should definitely use for speeches. It's a big room and their venue microphone is great and makes things easier.

Load In:

Tough load-in. Give yourself a lot of time. Ask if they have a cart, ask where they want you to load in and ask who will be able to let you into the elevator.

Challenges:

It can be a challenging venue because the main ballroom is so large and both ballrooms are tall. Use the venue's microphone for everything except the dance and grand march.

Load in will be a challenge in itself.

We've had DJs have microphone feedback issues once people are in the ballroom. Be aware of this and use the tips to prevent feedback from being an issue.

Special Considerations:

We have a great relationship with this venue and want to keep it that way. The venue staff is nice and very helpful, respect them and they'll respect you.

Clients spend a lot of money to have their wedding here and have different expectations of all their vendors for that reason. Be on your A game and understand we're sending you to this venue because you will do a great job providing a great service for your client and will represent Bellagala positively.

Extra Venue Call Questions:

Where should I load in?

Do you have a cart I can use?

Can somebody let me into the elevator?

Which ballroom am I in for the reception?

Where is cocktail hour taking place?

Website:

http://www.damicocatering.com/cateringvenues/calhoun_beach_club.aspx

The Knot:

https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/calhoun-beach-club-minneapolis-mn-122785