Favorite Minnesota Wedding Venues 2017 | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

Aria - Venue Style: Urban | Address: 105 North 1st Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55401

I have wanted to shoot at the Aria for a LONG TIME and this year I finally was able too! The main space is high ceilings with chandeliers and a neon sign shines over your dance floor that says "The World Is Yours" in various colors. In the entry hall more chandeliers hanging everywhere and a giant American flag across the wall would make any patriotic heart flutter. There are unique touches all around the venue to give a variety of photos that you wouldn't find anywhere else. The space is big and can hold a large amount of guests but the chandelier lighting gives it a more intimate/ romantic vibe. (Can you tell I love chandeliers?!)

You can see the most recent wedding I shot there here:   http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/aria-wedding-photography-minneapolis-wedding-photographer-mw-photography

Minnesota History Center - Venue Style: Urban with a touch of adventure and history | Address: 345 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102

I have gone to the Minnesota History Center growing up and it was a dream to shoot there this year! Not only was the couple AMAZING but the venue was fun especially shooting a main hub in St. Paul. The outdoor space for the ceremony has the backdrop of both the St Paul City Skyline and on the right glows the Cathedral which had this St Paul Girl excitedly shooting the entire time. The inside has a front table that is underneath the hanging giant wooden airplane. And the dance floor in the upper space has the backdrop of the State Capital. I loved everything about this venue. This venue is a dream space for any true St Paul blooded girl for her wedding day!

You can see the most recent wedding I shot there here:     http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/minnesota-history-center-wedding-photography-holly-steve-minneapolis-wedding-photographer

Creekside Barn -Venue Style: Rural Barn | Address:  8555 Rushseba Trail, Rush City, MN 55069

After a bit of a drive from the cities, you start to make your way up a winding driveway with a creek on your right. Sun shining through the trees you will finally make your way to an open field with a large barn made of white pine. The venue is newer, has chandeliers and newer amenities. I loved the space and the feel of an updated barn for weddings. The owners enjoy showing off all the beautiful areas to do photos and to have the ceremony. It has several space options for outside ceremonies as well. Favorite part of the place are the rolling hills on the back side of the property. 

You can see the most recent wedding I shot there here:    http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/creekside-farm-amanda-scotty-second-shooted-wedding

Camrose Hill Flower Farm  - Venue Style: Rural Barn | Address: 14587 30th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082


Another barn venue that even offers flowers they grew on site! They have a barn option for the ceremony but also two other options outside spaces for an elegant woodsy ceremony. For the reception they have a tent and second barn for dinner and dancing with a twig chandelier that looks amazing running down the center of the top of the main tent . The property has a adorable cottage for the bride to get ready in! I have two cons for this venue that should be considered. 1) only place that has air conditioning is on site is the cottage. Not so great when it is so hot outside. 2) The barn is located in a residential area. They have noise regulations that music has to be done by 10pm. If you are a party group this may put a little damper on things.

You can see the most recent wedding I shot there here:    http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/camrose-hill-wedding-photography

Minneapolis Event Center  - Venue Style: urban | Address: 212 2nd St SE Suite 212, Minneapolis, MN 55414

This space felt intimate but also spacious at the same time. They have a fenced patio for the ceremony and on the inside a large room with the dance floor on the side. It has updates to feel modern. This building has 3 separate spaces for weddings so your wedding might not be the only one going on that day.
Loved the wedding on the patio; it gave it almost a garden feel! And those beams in the reception space?! I am there.

You can see the most recent wedding I shot there here:    http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/minneapolis-event-center-wedding-photography

Pinstripes - Venue Style: Festive Relaxed  | Address: 3849 Gallagher Dr, Edina, MN 55435

If you LOVE games and want your guests to have an awesome cocktail hour this venue is for YOU. The entire upstairs space has a bowling alley, outdoor fire pit, boccie ball area. The only thing missing was a trampoline room! Located on the other side of the second floor is a ball room space with large windows as the backdrop during the ceremony. This same room turns  over for the reception. During the turn over time all the guests have plenty to enjoy! It felt private but still was easily located in a busy area in Edina. 

You can see the most recent wedding I shot there here:    http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/hailey-jared-pinstripes-second-shooter

 McNamara Alumni Center -Venue Style: Industral /artistic  | Address: 200 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Show your school spirit! The McNamara is located at the University of Minnesota and was by far one of most architecturally unique places I have shot a wedding. Filled to the brim with high ceilings and interesting wall structures and space,  This venue is a beauty and has the space to hold a larger group of guests. 

You can see the most recent wedding I shot there here:    http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/mcnara-alumni-center-rachel-alex-second-shooter-wedding

 

Hartley Nature Center Engagement Photography | Christian and Emily| Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

It happened while Christian was eno-ing with a friend on Furman campus, a couple friend stopped and talked to Chris for 5-10 minutes. Thanks to that talk christian and Emily's life would never be the same. As they walked away they said they thought Christian would be perfect for Emily. That was when the pestering texts started coming in on Christians phone all encouraging him to meet Emily! Christian finally gave in and went to the same church service at Hampton park to meet her. As he was super self-conscious of his clammy hands as he extended a handshake to Emily for the first time. 
Emily had seen his photos online like anyone would do before a setup. She thought he was pretty good looking but his smile was a little too preppy for her own personal tastes.   When they finally together it was a little awkward at first but they soon came to realize how easy it was to talk to one another. That was just the start, they enjoyed adventures exploring South Carolina's mountains and parks, Before they knew they were dating! 
Fast forward to Christian telling me that he was going to propose and wanted me to capture it. As any older sister would be I was STINKIN EXCITED! He planned it on his birthday to start off the new year right! 
They made their way to have dinner at one of Christian's favorite spots downtown. As they arrived to Cossettas they came to find it was closed for new year.  With a little disappointment he made his way to get some "awesome photos" at Rice Park. Being negative 5 degrees they got their photos and quickly ran back to the car.  They then made their way to Raspberry Island, which unknown to Emily, Marcus and I were waiting camera ready. 
They started to walk to the arch and when they got their it had a heart of rose petals. Christian got down on one knee and asked Emily to be his wife! As you can probably tell from the title she said YES! 

Now fast forward to their engagement session, we made our way up to Hartley nature Center to get some amazing photos in the woods. To top it off it was snowing all day and it just was Minnesota's way of adding that extra touch of magic to make these photos they way they are. 
I can't wait for their wedding in just a couple of months! 

Bringing Your Pet To Your Engagement Session | Minneapolis Wedding Photography | Tips for Brides

I LOVE animals and I know I am not the only one! I love cuddling with my two cats who I swear have two goals everyday : one- must eat the moment their humans wake up and two- keep their humans lap warm! No complaints from me!(said human)  

Pets are part of the family! So I understand when you want to have them in your engagement photos; I have a couple of tips to make your fur babies photography experience great!

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Bring a third party to look after your animal once they are done with photos! Majority of the time  your animal will only be in 1/3 of your totally engagment session. The other 2/3 of the time you want to focus on just you too and nothing with take up more time and attention then a cute distracted bored animal! To keep your focus on you having a third person their will keep everything running smoothly! 

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It doesnt just have to be your dog in the photos. Dogs are the most common for sessions but you are welcome to bring any pet that you want to incorporate into your photos ! For bigger animals like horses it may be easiest to plan on going where they are housed over bringing them to your engagement spot ! 

Have treats at the ready. A photo session is exciting for even the most well behaved of animals. Having their favorite treat will help keep them motivated and help me to get their attention when he is the star of the photo!  

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Bring a leash for all animals! Nothing would be more horrifying than losing an animal during the session! When we are out shooting in public, it is new territory for your pet and that can be intense for any animal. To make sure their fears and uncertainties don't cause them to flee , play on the safe side and put them on a leash or a harness to grab them at a moments notice if they get too overwhelmed.  If your pet is new to the harness definitely have them wear it a couple of times around the house to get used to it before the shoot! It is one less thing to trigger stress on the day of the shoot!

Same Tips Apply for the Wedding Day! <3

Do you have any helpful tips to add? Please leave a comment below to fill us in on things I over looked!  

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