by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Hundreds attended the open houses held Oct. 9 and 10 at the Rolling Ridge Wedding and Event Center, located at 31101 CR 133, St. Joseph.
Owner Randy Schmitz hosted the open house to show off the new lounge and restored timber-framed barn.
Some people came because they were curious to see how things had shaped up after the 120-year-old barn had been turned and relocated to a new area about 75 feet away. Others wanted to check things out before their upcoming scheduled event and still others were interested in possibly scheduling an event there.
Schmitz and his wife, Nancy, were busy answering questions.
Other people were busy exploring the grounds as Randy explained the various options available to visitors, including the relocated and restored barn, an outdoor bar area, bridal suite, Rooster’s Roost men’s lounge and much more.
Friday’s open house hosted a stylized photo shoot that showed visitors what the indoor and outdoor spaces could look like if they were decorated.
Rolling Ridge partnered with two photographers and other industry professionals who arranged the different styles.
“Our guests were able to clearly see how the different spaces could be used during an event, along with getting some good decorating ideas,” Schmitz said.
Vendors such as Rustic Elegance, Geyer Rental, Paper Thick Ink, St. Cloud Floral, Minah’s Cakes, Tip Top Tux, Carrie Johnson Bridal and JF Kruse helped with staging an outdoor area located by the barn’s old foundation, the interior of the barn and more.
“The original stone-foundation walls still stand as a permanent tribute to the original barn location,” Schmitz said.
Leah Welch of 99 Perspectives Photography was busy photographing a Perfectly Plaid-themed wedding shoot. Her vendors included Rustic Elegance, Geyer Rental, Paper Thick Ink, St. Cloud Floral, Minah’s Cakes, Tip Top Tux, Carrie Johnson Bridal and JF Kruse, who helped with staging an outdoor area located by the barn’s old foundation.
Welch commented on the wonderful job Rustic Elegance did with setting the various displays up and how the plaid theme had a cozy feel.
Kelly Kuboy of Rustic Elegance said they set up a lot of tent and barn weddings and rent out a lot of rustic decor. This was their first experience at the event center, and she said it was fun to stage the barn and such well-maintained grounds.
Other vendors who worked inside the barn for the second photo setup for the bohemian shoot included Mandy and Jonathan Rotella, Rotella Photography, Hadley Road, The Outer Envelope, Blue Egg Bakery, Heartwritten, Geyer Rental, Tip Top Tux, Carrie Johnson Bridal and JF Kruse.
Mandy Rotella commented on how organic and colorful the floral arrangements were.
As a flock of geese flew overhead, visitors meandered on the grounds and explored the historical buildings, gardens and more that are available for use when reserving the event center.
The barn and lounge were insulated and the spaces are now climate-controlled with heating and air conditioning. Schmitz said the interior of the barn maintains its rustic integrity but features color-changing LED lighting, crystal chandeliers, two lofts and hardwood floors with wood harvested from trees from his childhood home.
Shari and Al Hoffman, husband and wife who previously lived in St. Joseph for 35 years, came to see the finished barn project.
“We have watched it evolve and it’s beautiful and amazing,” Shari said.
They and other visitors were busy sampling Short Stop’s Custom Catering hors d’oeuvres served by executive chef Luke Robinson and Ben Gaetz.
As the exclusive caterer for Rolling Ridge, Robinson said they offer both food and bar services.
“We are excited to be partner vendors with Rolling Ridge,” Robinson said. “Short Stop has been open for 41 years and has been offering catering services for 28 years. We specialize in various types of wedding fair, high-end hors d’oeuvres, action stations and more. We work very hard to customize the catering to what the bride and groom or person putting on the event wants.”
Future bride Angie Stanger from Sauk Rapids attended the open house with her personal attendant, Jami Kreifels of Royalton, and her maid of honor, Jessica Karsch-Strassburg and son Colin, 7 months, also from Sauk Rapids.
Stanger, who grew up in Rice, plans to marry Nick Joki at Rolling Ridge in June 2016.
“We wanted a barn and this was close to home,” Stanger said. “It has a very modern, rustic feeling. We checked out some other older barns, but they weren’t as nice and were more dirty. We plan to have the ceremony and reception here. We also reserved the Rooster’s Roost for the guys to hang out at.”
The Rooster’s Roost is an old chicken coop which has been converted into a lounge with a mini bar, foosball table, sofas and more.
“I think it’s going to be beautiful,” Stanger said. “Our photographer told me this is a photographer’s dream.”
“It’s very beautiful and nice,” Karsch-Strassburg said.
St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz and his wife, Tami, also explored the barn and grounds.
“I think this is outstanding,” Rick said. “This has been quite the transformation. Randy really worked with the city to make this work and to meet his and our needs. I am overwhelmed how it all came together.”
Schultz said Rolling Ridge offers a unique experience you don’t see anywhere else in the six-city area.
“It is not like a normal event center you would see in central Minnesota,” he added.
Schultz believes the location of Rolling Ridge will help bring additional business to downtown St. Joseph.
“St. Joseph is a unique city in the six-cities area because we still have a downtown that attracts people,” Schultz said. “It’s a unique destination spot, and Rolling Ridge just adds to that.
Schmitz’s event center venture began about three years ago, but he says it was worth the wait.
His mission with Rolling Ridge is to provide a dreamlike location to host events in an environment that embraces rustic charm, modern elegance and the great outdoors.
With most of the restoration work completed, the barn is ready to accommodate up to 300 guests.
“Many of the brides who have already booked rentals at Rolling Ridge came to see the place,” Schmitz said. “It was fun to get their feedback on how they think it turned out and to hear how they plan to celebrate their day here. We have more than 25 private weddings and events already booked for Rolling Ridge.”
“Saturdays book rapidly and we only have a few open yet next year,” Nancy said.
“It was fun to see friends and family and enjoy the beautiful weekend weather,” Randy said.
For more information, visit the website RollingRidgeEvents.com or call 320-257-7750.
Mayor Rick Schultz and his wife, Tami, view an outdoor table located by the barn’s old foundation wall.
Hundreds toured the Rolling Ridge Wedding and Event Center during the open house held Oct. 9 and 10. Owner Randy Schmitz (center) answers visitors’ questions on Friday evening.
A view from one of two upper barn lofts shows attendees sampling various wedding foods and checking out some of the staging done in the relocated barn.
Husband and wife Al and Shari Hoffman sample hors d’oeuvres, served by Short Stop’s Custom Catering executive chef Luke Robinson (second from right) and Ben Gaetz.
A view from one of the two upper barn lofts shows a staged set table.
Wedding party (left to right) maid of honor Jessica Karsch-Strassburg, her son Colin, personal attendant Jami Kreifels, and bride-to-be Angie Stanger visit the Rolling Ridge grounds. Stanger, who lives in Sauk Rapids, and her fiancée Nick Joki, have scheduled their June 2016 wedding at the event center.
Mandy Rotella of Rotella Photography shoots a beautifully Bohemian-themed-staged wedding table.
