Can I setup my mac mini with my macbook

I don't have a monitor or keyboard outside of my macbook at this time, is there any way to connect a ethernet cable between the two, or maybe use airport. I can't use VNCs because I haven't actually set up the mini, it's just out of the box and for another week or so I won't have the monitor (depends on how long it takes to get here). This fact does not change my want to play with my new toy so, there's my question; does the initial setup have to be done plugged into a monitor or can you do it through a macbook? Secondly, if I cannot do it through a my 'book' is the best thing to set it up somewhere else and bring it back home with a vnc client installed or simple screen sharing, remote viewing, etc as there are so many different directions to go from there, which way is best to use my laptop as a remote shell for the mini?