How to Start Wedding Planning in Minneapolis MN
Minimal Venues:
Top 5 Airy Design Ready Wedding Venues in Minneapolis and Saint Paul
THE TOP WEDDING VENUES IN MINNEAPOLIS AND SAINT PAUL FOR YOUR CREATIVE DESIGNS
Let’s be real here: picking a venue can be exhausting. I can’t tell you how often I hear couples lamenting about how difficult it is to choose the perfect wedding venue for their day - especially when there are so many fresh ideas they want to bring in! There’s such a huge variety, and though they’re all special, it becomes extra difficult when you already know you want to bring in a series of amazing decorations, or are at the very least looking for a clean slate.
Well, never fear! That’s exactly why I put together a list of my favorite minimal and customizable venues in the Twin Cities. Each of these is absolutely gorgeous on it’s own, but still allows you the opportunity to bring in all of your big dreams too! You’ll get the best of both worlds, and a venue that you can play with as much or as little as you want.
Required Caterers:
Food Gallery
Chowgirls
Brasa
Green Mangoes
(Note! Green Mangoes is also a preferred vendor of Adrian Steinbach Photography).
A brand new venue in Saint Paul! It’s got a gorgeous spiral staircase, as well as two levels of industrial empty space (and curved bars that would make anyone swoon).
Capacity:
250 guests for a seated ceremony and reception onsite
400 guests for a cocktail style event, using both levels
The outdoor terrace seats 140 guests ceremony-style
The Lowlands consists of two full levels, each with its own magical vibe. The upper level is whitewashed and airy, with plentiful windows, high ceilings, and steel beams (perfect for large floral installations or backdrops). It has a green-and-white curved marble bar, and two different dressing rooms — one of which has its own private restroom and absolutely huge getting-ready mirrors. Alongside one of the several entrances to the venue is a built-in coat check area — sure to keep guests feeling like VIP’s even in the middle of winter. Moving downstairs is a gorgeous spiral staircase, with thoughtfully chosen light fixtures hanging above to emphasize how soft this space is.
The basement level is a bit more earthy and rustic (not too rustic - this isn’t a barn, after all)! There’s a dark stone bar, a moody lounge area with an entire plant-room adjacent to it (note: at the time of this writing, venue owners are leaning away from letting anyone in this room. Consider the mini-plant room for show only). In line with the rest of the basement’s moody-yet-bright aesthetic is a pair of gorgeeous emerald green bathrooms. You’ll also find a full catering kitchen, and an elevator to the main floor. Please note — the elevator is not a freight elevator, so the vast majority of large decor will need to be stationed in the upper floor.
In addition, there are doors out to the lower level outdoor space, though projected end-date for the construction outdoors isn’t until end of summer 2023.
Strengths:
It’s bright without being overwhelming/glaring
There are plenty of architectural fixtures to aid in larger design concepts (steel beams, wall hooks, etc)
They have a full drive-up loading dock, perfect for event installations and custom backdrop delivery!
Thoughtful design touches in every corner really help elevate this space into more than just a “pretty white box” type of venue.
To Consider:
With only one small elevator, the basement is left with minimal design opportunities (only options are via elevator, steps via the outdoor patio space, or the spiral staircase).
A downtown Minneapolis blank-space venue with an urban twist. As a bonus, there’s an entire wall of windows overlooking the city!
Capacity:
Up to 450 guests for a seated ceremony and reception onsite
Indoor and outdoor options available
Unrestricted catering options
One of the most exciting parts about Mosaic is their outright joyful emphasis on multicultural weddings, experiences, and stories. One of the primary reasons there are no catering limitations is because of their passion for culinary choices and non-Western food options. Given the oversized kitchen onsite, you can even hire two catering companies if you choose! For those of you who have ever tried to plan a South Asian event in Minneapolis (or talked to someone who has), you' already know that this is an especially big deal.
The rest of the space offers two different guest suites, a coat room, an incredibly large main area, and a patio overlooking the city. This is one of those areas that is basically a big wide room, which means it’s sure to accommodate any big ideas you may be dreaming up. I’d especially recommend this one if you intend to work with a lighting designer (I like PHO’S lighting for things like this)!
Strengths:
Cultural awareness and support is a huge (and unfortunately rare) trait inside a wedding venue in MN.
Underground parking. In downtown Minneapolis. Need I say more?
Elliot Park Hotel is connected directly to the venue, which allows for the ultimate Safe Reception plan of action for your guests (no inebriated driving, here!)
To Consider:
In terms of open spaces, this one is so incredibly wide that it actually ends up a bit on the darker side once you stray from the windows. Not a big deal, but be aware that general brightness of photos could vary a bit.
A two-story industrial building right in the heart of Saint Anthony Main in Minneapolis. This structure was essentially built for ceiling installations and open spaces, so if you’re into massive florals sweeping over your dinner seating - this is the place for you!
Capacity:
300 guests for a seated ceremony
No required caterers listed
Machine Shop is what I would consider a staple of the community. It’s got soaring ceilings, daylight for days, and a built-in trussing system above the center of the room for extra-special custom backdrops, floral installations, and lighting techniques. The upper level has a side bar that’s perfect for cocktail hour while the in-house team flips the main room from ceremony to reception. The majority of upper level overlooks the main level, which helps it feel all that much more open inside (and it means your guests have a small place to retreat, but still can see and hear what’s going on).
Additional spaces include two getting-ready suites, full bathrooms on both floors, a large catering kitchen, small green-room for vendors, and a lounge/main level bar with a surprisingly earthy and masculine feel to it (bonus! The lounge is even open to the public on occasion as a regular bar). There is one main staircase between the floors, a fairly quick-moving elevator, and a back-up staircase in case of emergency.
Strengths:
One of the most easily customizable and design-ready spaces in the cities.
Dog-friendly
Great for both a ceremony and reception, even with a large guest count
Curtains can all be drawn if you decide to focus on bringing in exterior lighting, as opposed to daylight
To Consider:
The parking lot isn’t the biggest, so your guests will likely rely on street parking and/or the nearby ramp. Not a huge deal, but worth taking note.
An extremely elegant take on a design-ready venue, The Whim is almost entirely white with delicate and thoughtful architectural details, such as black trim around the giant windows, and a half level just overlooking the main event area.
Capacity:
300+ guests for a seated ceremony
No required caterers listed
If any of these could be considered a “bright and airy” venue, it is certainly The Whim. This one is truly a vibrant white, which means any colorful installations or florals will glow in here. The black trim around the windows gives a nice bit of contrast, but otherwise it’s a completely moldable space. The timber-beam ceilings lend themselves especially well to lightweight installations. There are also indoor and outdoor areas, and an empty wall of bookshelves for you to decorate to the style of your event.
The Whim has it’s own dedicated parking lot, plenty of nearby street parking, and easily accessible loading docks (that’s right - multiple! Which means you can incorporate installations and larger designs from multiple vendors with greater ease). Furthermore, the Whim has several multi-use spaces, from an elevated room to overlook the main floor, to a coat check, to getting ready suites, and finally a super cool hidden speak-easy style lounge in the basement.
To Consider:
The expansive space mostly caters to mid-to-large size weddings. This is great if you’re planning a full celebration, but may not work quite as well for those who want a more intimate affair.
Strengths:
Caters especially to design-minded clients via the empty space and large loading area
Absolutely sun-soaked in every room on the main floor
Extremely tall ceilings with windows just as high! Perfect for a clean and airy look.
If you want an open space and extremely beautiful details… this is it! Glass House has an obscene amount of natural light, an abundance of hand-made lighting fixtures from the in-house glass blowing studio, Hennepin Made, and a dreamy cocktail/bar area with welcoming seating and locally sourced wall tiles.
No required food caterers listed
Required in-house bar/liquor services
Capacity:
Holden Room
225 seated / 400 cocktail style
Glenwood Lounge
150 cocktail style
Outdoor Courtyard
350 cocktail style
Formerly a conglomeration of separate spaces, Glass House has become one large intentionally crafted event space. The former café is now a built-in lounge area and cocktail bar for your event’s social hour, complete with small tables and gorgeous booths. There is also an adjoining, even smaller room, curated as a showroom for Hennepin Made (the glass-blowing studio), where you can take a moment to find a bit of solitude on your wedding day.
The main wedding event space is essentially one big room (with garage doors you can open!), featuring lighting by the in-house studio, rentable additional lighting, and plenty of beams on the ceiling for your installations and backdrops. There is also an adjoining expansive outdoor courtyard with an abundance of room for activities, games, or event overflow (sauna? Lemonade stand? A fake poolside complete with beach chairs? The world is your oyster!) What the cafe and light studio have in thoughtful design elements, the main area and courtyard have in wide open design-ready spaces.
Strengths:
This place is huge. I mean massive. You can rent one area or the whole place, which is perfect for extra large events that require a room flip!
Given that it’s all essentially on the same floor, with a short ramp up to the main entrance, it’s easily one of the most accessible options available.
That garage door on the side is perfect for vendor load-in — but they also have a secret back area where vendors can load in and stage from!
To Consider:
The cafe is so well decorated that it’s not quite “design ready” - the same goes for the lighting studio. Of course they’re beautiful, but if the aesthetics don’t match what you’re looking to create, you’ll have a hard time reshaping them.
All-Time Favorite Venue:
MACHINE SHOP
Whenever couples need recommendations for a space that can accommodate big ideas, I always recommend Machine Shop. The staff is delightful and welcoming, the space is dog-friendly, and it’s one of those venues that somehow always feels like the perfect size - whether your guest count is 25 or 250.
