What’s Can Can Wonderland?

Can Can Wonderland is a game space and event venue located in an 1889 building that was originally home to a can manufacturer (hence the name). It contains an artist-designed 18-hole mini-golf course, as well as a lot of vintage pinball machines, video games, and other fun activities. Minnesota’s first arts-based public benefit corporation, Can Can Wonderland supports local artists as part of its mission.

So what kind of wedding reception is this?

Expect less of a traditional reception than a big party. There will be a few brief remarks shortly after 8:00 (don’t worry, we’ll give you a heads-up), but there won’t be a seated dinner (don’t worry, there will be lots of food) or some of the other elements of a traditional wedding reception. We love all weddings — we’ve been to many of yours! For our celebration, we’ve decided to keep the atmosphere very casual and prioritize creating a space for our beloved friends and family to gather, enjoy one another’s company, and have fun.

There will be a dance floor, and we’ll be on it often! We hope you join us as a series of awesome DJs take the virtual wheels of steel. Michelangelo Matos will spin from 5:00 to 6:30, then Andrea Swensson takes over from 6:30 to 8:00. Dave Blomquist will hold it down until 10 p.m., and then Michelangelo will take us home.

Also, all the games will be available all night, so we hope you take advantage. The entire space will be dedicated to our celebration: everyone you’ll meet on the mini-golf course is part of the party. Kids are welcome, and we hope they’ll have a blast too.

What should I wear?

Think new year’s party: fancy but fun. Please wear whatever puts you in a festive mood, and feel free to keep it comfy. Please note that there will be racks for hanging coats, but there will not be a secure coat check. So for safety’s sake, it’s best to plan to keep any valuables on you throughout the night; or leave them in a car or at home.

What time should I arrive?

Doors open at 5 p.m. — you’re welcome to arrive any time after that! Food and drinks will be available throughout the night, with appetizers served at 6:00 and dinner from 6:30 until 8:00, with brief remarks shortly after 8:00 and dance party to follow!

Where will the happy couple be?

All over! For the first hour or so we’ll probably be hanging out near the venue’s entrance…look for us by the giant doughnut. After 8 p.m., we’ll be spending a lot of time on the dance floor and we hope you join us!

What’s the food situation?

There will be a lot of food, so come hungry…and there’s no need to wait around for a plated dinner, because there won’t be one. Instead, we’ll be serving a series of appetizers and treats throughout the night. We’ll also be serving a range of non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic beverages.

Our food theme is Highway 61: stretching from the North Shore of Lake Superior all the way down to New Orleans, it’s a road that connects a lot of places that have been meaningful in our relationship. The general dinner theme, for those of you who know southern cooking, is “meat and three,” with a delicious entree and lots of mouth-watering sides. (There will also be lots of fun and delicious vegetarian options.)

Also expect a late-night pizza snack, for those who party hardy — and don’t miss the concession stand, with fair-themed treats including cotton candy and Sebastian Joe’s ice cream. Milkshakes? Of course! Make ’em boozy if that’s your pleasure. Then for dessert, we’ll have Bogart’s Doughnuts.

What’s the rain plan?

Can Can Wonderland is completely enclosed, so whatever the weather, the party will go on!

What about Covid?

Yeah, that. We are asking that all our guests who are eligible for vaccination — that is, all guests over the age of 5 — be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. If you’ve chosen not to be vaccinated, we honor your role in our lives, but we ask that you hang back from this particular party out of respect for the environment we’d like to welcome our guests into.

Can Can Wonderland has additional Covid precautions that are updated on their website as local regulations and best practices shift; please check their site for details. We are fervently hoping that we will be able to gather for this celebration, but we acknowledge that the pandemic is ongoing and it may prove necessary or advisable to cancel or postpone. If that’s the case, we’ll share that information here by May 1. As of now, the party’s on!