"Wild and Artfully Elegant" Celebration at Minneapolis Institute of Art

After dating in secret and working together on a number of high-profile projects, Erin Furey and Brandon Cotton went public with their love story. “We got married at the Hennepin County courthouse during the pandemic and had tacos with a tiny group at Centro outside,” Erin says. But that wasn’t enough for the bride, a former editor at Martha Stewart Weddings, so a grander celebration was in order at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

To design the perfect affair, Erin brought together an ace team of her wedding industry friends, all dedicated to crafting the perfect day for their bestie. Says Erin, “I will be forever in debt to this team of incredibly talented women. In awe of them!”

Erin’s fashion choice was both bold and personal—a short black sequined Saint Laurent gown that not only looked stunning but also elegantly showcased her blossoming baby bump. Brandon, with his own creative flair, designed the stationery suite and signage, a cherished detail (especially the save-the-dates!) that held a special place in his bride’s heart. “In all my years of seeing hundreds of incredible real weddings and creating invitation suites for the magazine, it’s my favorite print piece of all time,” Erin says.

The “wild and artfully elegant” design at MIA was inspired by the couple’s creative backgrounds and incorporated details that complemented the museum setting and reflected their style. As a nod to their Minnesota upbringings and love story, the couple’s signature drink was Minnesota’s classic “grape ape” cocktail. The space featured giant paper flowers lovingly handcrafted by Erin, each mirroring the unstructured arrangements of brightly toned flowers scattered throughout the artistic scene. Friends and family boogied the night away in the elegant setting, marking a new chapter in the creative couple’s lives.