Photo by Depict Photography

As wedding planners, we travel to you on your wedding day, wherever that may be. Because we travel, we have worked at many different venues over the years and we want to talk about it. If you’re at the very beginning stages of your wedding planning, congratulations! You’re in the right spot. In this post we’re going to list our favorite wedding venues in Minnesota and why we love them so much!

How do you choose wedding venues in Minnesota?

What a loaded question! How do you choose a wedding venue? Well, the simple answer is, you can either research a bunch, or enlist help from a wedding planner. But that answer doesn’t really give you anything. Let’s get into it.

First things first, consider the season you want to get married. Minnesota has four distinct seasons. So, wedding venues in Minnesota with outdoor options might be out in winter (unless you’re going for winter wonderland – then go for it!). Outdoor options are also going to look different in the fall (are there going to be pretty fall leaves or browned and dead?)

Second, how many guests are you expecting to accommodate? Create at least a ballpark number before you start your venue search. This helps so you can immediately eliminate venue options that are too small, or WAY too big. For example, if you’re going to have about 100 people attend, you wouldn’t want a venue that holds over 400 people. Why? Well, if it’s too big, the cost will be more than needed and the design won’t really work. You want the right size.

Third, location, location, location. Are there hotel accommodations nearby? If you’re having the ceremony and reception in separate places, are they within 15 minutes of each other? What’s the parking situation like? Can you provide a shuttle service? While these questions aren’t always at the top of your mind, they should definitely be considered in your research so you can start to understand how your event is going to flow and what the guest experience will be like. We have a list can can help!

Finally, is the venue available for your date? This should definitely be one of the first things you find out. Nothing is worse than falling in love with a venue just to find out it isn’t available for your wedding date. Do this at the beginning of your search to avoid unnecessary heartbreak. 

Now that you know how to choose, let us share our favorites as promised.

Photo by Sara’s Captured Moments

Our Favorite Wedding Venues in Minnesota

Below are some of our favorite places to work! This is not a full list, but these wedding venues in Minnesota have some great attributes and have amazing staff that will work hard to make your wedding day the best day. There is nothing better than having a rockstar team of vendors taking care of you on your special day!

#1 Ahavah Cottage, Elysian, MN

Check out Ahavah Cottage here!

We LOVE Ahavah! The team is absolutely amazing, the space is gorgeous, and the flow of your event will be really enjoyable for your guests. Below, we will highlight some of our favorite things about this venue.

Ceremony Location

This venue has two possible ceremony locations, but our favorite is the outdoor space. A nice paved path leading your guests to their seats, white double doors for a dramatic reveal during the processional, and gorgeous foliage make this space like a dream. The space is so beautiful on its own you don’t need to have a ton of decorations for your ceremony.

Photo by Blue Earth Creative

Bar & Patio

The bar area leading to the patio is a great space for cocktail hour before the reception area is open to your guests. The venue has a bartending service, so you can feel comfortable knowing that your bartenders know the space, and are comfortable handling all your guests. The large garage doors connect the patio and bar area so on good weather days your guests can mingle comfortably. The best part? Have your dance on the patio to enjoy the beautiful weather all night long!

Photo by Blue Earth Creative

#2 Pinewood Weddings & Events, Cambridge, MN

Check out Pinewood Weddings & Events here!

Pinewood is such a unique space that we can’t leave it off our list! Wonderful staff, amazing backdrop for your outdoor ceremony, and beautifully updated getting ready spaces make this venue an amazing option for your wedding day.

Outdoor Ceremony

This location does offer an indoor ceremony space should there be any inclement weather. But the real showstopper is the outdoor ceremony space backdrop of trees. VERY TALL trees. It’s guaranteed to be a topic of conversation with your guests. I mean, just look at it!

Photo by Holly Shuldheisz Photography

Getting Ready Suites

These updated spaces are perfect for gathering your bridal party as you prepare for your day. The upstairs suite is spacious to hold a lot of people, and has ample vanity space for all your hair & makeup needs. A balcony overlooks the ceremony area so you can get some great shots of your ceremony from a “bird’s eye view”. The downstairs space includes shuffleboard and lounging furniture so you can relax before the ceremony and photos. Each of these spaces are made for function and for great photographs.

Photo by Holly Shuldheisz Photography

#3 Mosaic Venue, Minneapolis, MN

Check out Mosaic Venue here!

If you’re looking for a blank canvas in downtown Minneapolis, then this is the place for you! The large open concept space, centralized location, and amazing staff make this a great place for those that want to build their vision from a blank canvas.

Downtown Location

This downtown space is a great option. Right off 35W, this venue is easy to get to so your guests won’t have to navigate too far from the interstate. With multiple parking options nearby, and an underground parking ramp available, this venue’s access in a downtown location makes your guest experience great.

Use of Space

This venue has everything you need all in the same place. There are separate rooms for each side of the bridal party with ample space to accommodate a larger group. The kitchen and bar are in the center of the space, so they are easy for your guests and vendors to access throughout your day. The openness of the grand room makes it easy to host a larger wedding without feeling overwhelmed by a small space. They even have a patio area on the first floor so your guests are nowhere near the room flip.

#4 Next Chapter Winery, New Prague, MN

Check out Next Chapter Winery here!

Next Chapter Winery is such a beautiful place and has so much character! You get a location for each event of the day, confirmed rehearsal on-site, and great staff to make your wedding day the best day!

Location versatility

This venue has some great versatility when it comes to where you will host each part of the day. There is a permanent outdoor ceremony space set up, a tent for your meal service, and the barrel room that can do it all. Whether you host all your events in separate locations, or you want the entire event to be in the barrel room, the versatility of this venue is magical!

Photo by Depict Photography

Rehearsal On-site

Rehearsal is usually forgotten about until the last minute (well, not when you have us!). Sometimes your venue will get booked on the day you would normally want to do your ceremony rehearsal. Not at Next Chapter Winery! They have a designated rehearsal spot that has a similar setup to the outdoor ceremony location. We always love rehearsing in the space the ceremony will be in (or a similar space), which makes Next Chapter Winery one of our favorites.

Photo by Depict Photography

#5 Abrazar Events, St. Paul, MN

Check out Abrazar Events here!

Located in downtown St. Paul, Abrazar Events is one we recommend not only for your wedding day, but also for the other wedding events you’ll have during your engagement. The staff is wonderful, and the versatility of the space is a huge benefit!

Wedding Day Versatility

Are you planning a smaller guest count for your wedding? Then this is the space for you! With an open concept, you’re able to have your ceremony and dinner tables set up at the same time. No room flip? Amazing! The bar is able to move where you need it to, and the prep space in the kitchen is very large so your caterer can be comfortable all throughout the evening. Decorating the space is a dream because of the blank canvas available to you!

Photo by Scherer Photo Co

Engagements, Showers, and Rehearsals

When you’re planning your engagement party, or a family member is planning your bridal shower, this venue is great for the events you may not have thought you needed a venue for. The open space works well for having a great flow to your event – mingling space, tables set for a meal, and more. This space is perfect for a rehearsal when you can’t have the rehearsal at your wedding venue. Similar to a smaller wedding, you could have your ceremony space and dinner tables set up at the same time!

Photo by Complete Weddings & Events

BONUS: Cady Acres, Wilson, WI

Check out Cady Acres here!

We know this blog is about our favorite wedding venues in Minnesota, but we couldn’t post about our favorite venues to work at without including one just over the border in Western Wisconsin. Cady Acres is a such a lovely space and a great barn venue if that’s what you’re looking for. You get a full weekend rental, multiple locations on-site for different events, and the staff is always there for you whenever you need them.

Full Weekend Rental

This venue offers one flat price for the whole weekend. You have access to the venue on Friday afternoon for set-up and rehearsal, Saturday for your wedding festivities, and Sunday morning to pack your things. The convenience of having the space for the entire weekend is one of our favorite features of this space. It really takes away some of the overwhelm of finding multiple locations for rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and Sunday morning breakfast/brunch because it all happens at the same place. Talk about a relaxed weekend!

Photo by Sara’s Captured Moments

Location Versatility

Want to have an outdoor ceremony and indoor dinner? What about an indoor ceremony and indoor dinner, but no room flip? Both are options for you at this venue! There is a gorgeous outdoor ceremony space with lots of lush green trees, or an open air ceremony space overlooking the scenic backdrop of fields. The barn serves as the main hub for cocktail hour, dinner and dancing, with enough space for everyone to feel comfortable. With so many options, this space is perfect for small and large groups.

Photo by Sara’s Captured Moments

When you’re ready to check out any of these places, let us know here! Our full planning clients have venue visits included in their service package. We can’t wait to show you our favorite wedding venues in Minnesota to be at.