Minneapolis wedding officiant Rev Coleman, for a chapel with a Minnesota wedding
 

Venue Reviews - Comparison Matrix of Minnesota Wedding Locations


My recommendations for wedding sites in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area:

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Wedding at the Calhoun Beach Club in Minneapolis, MN Engaged couples in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, metro area have long needed a tool for comparing wedding reception sites. Finally, here's a complete matrix of the costs and capacities of all the wedding ceremony and reception sites in the Twin Cities. I haven't included chapels or outdoor sites, because they don't offer receptions. Hotels are also not included, because their pricing structure is so different (usually no rental fee, but about $50/person).

Here are the Minneapolis and St. Paul area wedding reception and wedding ceremony sites, with pictures, prices (for a Saturday in the summer, with ceremony), seating capacity, and contact info:


Ceremony/
reception
site

Phone Seating
capacity
Rental fee for a Saturday in warm weather  Type   Food and beverage minimum for a Saturday in warm weather Other
notes

Picture
(Click on picture to see larger version)

Padelford Riverboats (800)
593-
9308
710 $5,500 Mississippi paddleboat
$1,000 More often, instead of $5,500, it rents for $1,650 for 3 hours. wpeCF.gif (146366 bytes)
Semple Mansion (612)
290-
4448
250 $4,400 Mansion
 $3000 for food, $1,500 for beverage See reviews of weddings in mansions wpe68.gif (45216 bytes)
McNamara Center at the U of M (612)
624-
9831
110 and 400
$1,700-
$3,800
Museum

$7,500
See reviews of weddings at museums McNamara Center in Minneapolis, MN
James J. Hill Library (651)
265-
5447
175 $3,700 Historic site
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3,000 minimum* See reviews of weddings at historic sites wpe65.gif (48174 bytes)
FIVE Event Center (612) 827-
5555
$180 $3,600 Historic site
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3,000 minimum* No food/
beverage minimum. See review.
FIVE Event Center
University Club in downtown St. Paul (651)
291-
7135
330
$3,500
(Varies a lot, though)
Mansion

$9,000
(Varies a lot, though)
See reviews of historic sites University Club in downtown St Paul, MN
Cedars Hall (612)
379-
8989
450 $3,500 Banquet hall
No minimum.  Outside licensed caterers allowed* The banquet hall can be divided for much smaller weddings, too.
Weisman Art Museum (612)
 626-
5241
240 $3,400 Museum
Closed for renovations until October 2011 See reviews of weddings at museums wpe5F.gif (48951 bytes)
Van Dusen Mansion (612) 253-0255 250 Call for renting multiple spaces at the site. The Event Center is $3,000.
 
Mansion
$8,000 Event Center, mansion, carriage house, courtyard. See review. Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis
Minnesota Landcape Arboretum (952) 443-
1427
Several sites, from 10-300 Several sites. $500-$1,000 for ceremony.
$1,050-
$2,000 for reception.
Garden
No food and beverage minimum, must use their catering
See blog article Minnesota Arboretum
Landmark Center (651)
292-
3228
450 $2,750 Historic site
 
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3,000 minimum*
 
See reviews of weddings at historic sites wpe5D.gif (45502 bytes)
The Great Hall (651)
228-
9456
300, or up to 500 $2,450 Historic site
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3,000 minimum* See reviews of weddings at historic sites wpe5B.gif (58625 bytes)
Blaisdell Manor (612)
 870-
7875
400 $2,350 plus other variable fees Mansion
$6,500 See reviews of weddings in mansions wpe2D.gif (56177 bytes)
Camrose Hill Flower Farm (651) 351-
9631
200 $2,200 for Sat. wedding & Fri. rehearsal Flower farm
Catering open to anyone In Stillwater. See review on my blog Camrose Hill Flower Farm in Stillwater, MN
Walker Art Center's Galleries or Rooftops (612)
375-
7553
150 $2,200 Museum
$10,000 See reviews of weddings at museums wpe8B.gif (31552 bytes)
Minneapolis Central Library (612) 253-
0255
400 $2,050 Library
$6,000 Fabulous atrium. See review. Minneapolis Central Library
Harriet Island Pavilion (651)
292-
7010
275 $2,000 Historic site in a park
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3,000 minimum* In a huge park, right on the river, across from downtown
St. Paul.
wpeAE.gif (65322 bytes)
Minneapolis City Hall (612)
596-
9518
300 $2,000 Historic site
You must use one of their four  caterers (most caterers have about a $3,000 food and beverage minimum) This is about the only wedding ceremony site in the Twin Cities at which I've not performed a wedding ceremony. I'm eager to see it. wpe98.gif (129735 bytes)
Edinborough Park (952)
832-
6790
350 $2,000 Indoor park
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3,000 minimum* Unique indoor-park environment with more than 6,000 trees, plants, and flowers.
Hotel, too.
wpe53.gif (28466 bytes)
Nicollet Island Pavilion (612) 253-
0255
400+ $1,985, plus $500 ceremony fee, plus chair rental Historic Site
$13,000 Both indoor and outdoor weddings. See review. Nicollet Island Pavilion
Mill City Museum (612)
238-
4012
250 $1,750 Museum
$4,500-
$7,000
See reviews of weddings at museums wpe4E.gif (57966 bytes)
Gale Mansion (612)
870-
1662
220 $1,700 Mansion
$4500 See reviews of weddings in mansions wpe50.gif (53185 bytes)
University Club on Summit
(651)
291-
7135
160
$1,500
(Varies a lot, though)
Mansion

$4,000
(Varies a lot, though)
See reviews of weddings in mansion University Club on Summit Avenue
Dakota Lodge (651)
437-
3191
160 for a sit-down meal $1,450 Thompson Park
If no alcohol, you can self-cater.  If alcohol, you must use a licensed caterer. First building in the county to incorporate sustainable building features. Virtual tour here. wpe4A.gif (19956 bytes)
Hillcrest (651)
774-
6088
200 $1,500 Upscale country club/golf course
$2500  Incredible view from the balcony.  wpeB1.gif (66794 bytes)
Black Bear Crossings at Como Lake (651)
488-
4920
200 $1,400 Park pavilion

See reviews of historic wedding sites wpe89.gif (42661 bytes)
Woodbury Central Indoor Park (651)
714-
3500
320 $1,400 Indoor park
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3000 minimum* An indoor park with banquet rooms.  Here's a virtual tour.
Richardson Nature Center (763)
694-
7676
150 for ampitheater, 300 for inside $1,400 for the largest space Nature center
Outside catering, or your own catering The building incorporates sustainable design principles. wpe40.gif (44920 bytes)
Lady Of The Lake (952)
929-
1209
150 $1,200 Boat
Their own caterer, or outside catering, or your own catering Ceremonies are usually held on the boat before the launch. Lady of the Lake
Elm Creek Park's Chalet (763)
559-
6700
200 $1,200 Park pavilion
Outside catering, or your own catering Huge fieldstone fireplace,  cathedral style ceiling, overlooks a park.
Lake Harriet Spiritual Community (612)
922-
4272
200 $1,000-
$2,000
Church, for wedding or wedding and reception
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3000 minimum Beer and wine only. Limited dancing. See review. wpeCC.gif (57362 bytes)
Columbia Manor (612)
789-
2627 option 5
250 $1,050, plus $250 ceremony fee Country club/golf course
Bar minimum of $800. Must use one of their 4  caterers Outdoor wedding ceremony location available. wpe90.gif (33801 bytes)
Minnesota Boat Club (612) 253-
0255
168 $1,035 Historic site
$3,000 Right on the Mississippi, next to downtown St Paul
Minnesota Boat Club
Oak Ridge Conference Center (952) 368-
3100
300 About $1,000, depending on venue Conference Center
$9,500 In Chaska. Also has hotel rooms. Oak Ridge Conference Center
317 on Rice Park (651)
726-
8800
220 $1,000 Historic site
$11,250 for the full site for a Saturday in the summer Historic building wpeED.gif (42725 bytes)
Bridgewood Cafe (612) 436-
0289
250 $1,000 Office building
No food or beverage minimum Office center Bridgewood Cafe in Minneapolis, MN
Cowles Conservatory at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (612)
370-
4929
75 $850 for ceremony, but may also rent for receptions ($1,800 to $3,000, depending on the room) Historic site
For receptions, $4,200 or $5,500, depending on the room See reviews of weddings at historic sites
The Braemar Room (952)
826-
6791
250 $1,000 Country club/golf course
Awaiting return phone call
Rated one of the top 75 public golf courses in the nation. wpe98.gif (71260 bytes)
St. Paul College Club (651)
227-
4477
250-325 $1,000 Mansion
$3,500 See reviews of weddings in mansions wpe31.gif (122803 bytes)
Château at Medicine Lake (612) 253-
0255
230 $995 Park pavilion
$3,000 In Plymouth, a NW suburb Chateau at Medicine Lake
Centennial Lakes Park & the Park Centrum Building (952)
832-
6789
120 $950 Park pavilion
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3,000 minimum* Modern building, plus an outside wedding site location on a small lake. wpe2A.gif (44085 bytes)
Riedel Mansion (763)
757-
3920
50-100 $60-70
per hour
Mansion
 
Outside licensed caterers allowed, usually they run about $3,000 minimum*
1880s mansion in a park. wpe1E.gif (41716 bytes)
Harrington Mansion (612)
253-
0255
600 $595 plus must rent a reception room, or a  ballroom in  Zuhrah Shrine Center for reception Mansion
$2,000 See reviews of weddings in mansions wpe19.gif (34604 bytes)
Profile Event Cetter (612)
378-
2200
300 or 500, depending on which hall you use $350 for a wedding ceremony Event Center
$14,000 The best  sound and light system in the Twin Cities Profile Event Center
W.A. Frost Restaurant (651)
224-
5715
As small as 2, and up to 48 $100 or $150, depending on which rooms are rented Restaurant
$500 or $1000, depending on which rooms are rented Beautiful 1800s restaurant. No dancing.
See review.
wpe7.gif (71325 bytes)
Forepaugh's Restaurant (651) 224-
5606
As small as 2, and up to 200, if you used multiple floors $150 Restaurant
$1,500, unless it's really small Victorian restaurant in St. Paul. Restrictions on time. No dancing. See review. wpe7A.gif (85746 bytes)


My goal is to have information about every single reception site in the Twin Cities, with pictures, contact information, capacity, prices, and pictures.  Feel free to email me if you have pricing info, notes, or pictures of any upscale wedding ceremony/reception sites I've missed, and I'll put it up. Other wedding guides, such as the Knot.com, etc., don't list every Twin Cities site because they only accept sites that pay them a monthly or yearly fee. In addition, this is the only guide available in Minnesota, either online or in print, that shows prices for wedding reception sites. Every other site either shows $-$$$$, or doesn't list prices at all.

Note: If you want to sort the list by seating capacity, city, or anything else, feel free to copy and paste the above into an Excel document. The pictures don't copy/paste well, but the text and links do.

I've assumed a 10-hour rental on a Saturday in June: 2:00-4:00 pm pictures, 4:30 pm wedding, 5:00-6:00 pm cocktail hour, 6:00-7:30 pm dinner, 7:30-midnight dancing.

 

Important note:  Pricing can be difficult to compare, but here is how it's done:

  • Rental Fee:
    • If there is a rental fee, it's listed.
    • Some reception sites waive their room rental fee if you use their catering and you make the minimum     food/beverage charge, which is usually $5,000-$10,000,
  • Food and beverages:
    • Food and beverages are extra, usually with a minimum charge.
    • If outside catering is allowed, that means you can bring in your own licensed caterer. Caterers usually have a food beverage minimum, often $3,000.
  • Whether you're serving dinner or just heavy appetizers, the price per person is usually about the same. This fact usually surprises people, but appetizers are expensive to make.
  • Meals are usually $20-$50/person, and often the following charges per person are added (totaling another $28/person):
    • $5 for linens
    • $5 for tables and silverware
    • $5 for salad 
    • $3.50 for cake
    • 20% more for security, bartenders, and servers (Sometimes this is a flat fee.)
    • 7% sales tax 
  • So, a $20 entree would then total $48/person.
  • In addition, an open bar costs approximately $30/person. Some couples choose to have a cash bar, where guests pay for their own drinks.

So, while this matrix is helpful, the final price varies greatly. $50/person is a good rule of thumb to start with (and as you'll see, $100/person is the rule of thumb for the final price). Less than that is a really good deal, more than that is high-end. With open bar, of course, that's immediately upped to $80/person, and then another $25/person for once the salad, dessert, linens, tables and silverware, servers, gratuity and taxes are factored in.  So, as stated above, in the long run $100/person is the real rule of thumb. Again, less than that is a good deal, more than that is high-end...but $100/person is a good way to estimate the cost of your wedding. 100 guests =$10,000, 200 guests = $20,000 (less than this is a good deal, more than this is high-end). Looking at the budget this way emphasizes how the number of guests you have is the biggest factor in how much your wedding will cost. 

These Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, wedding reception and ceremony sites are sorted by rental fee - fancier places naturally charge higher rental fees. The exceptions are restaurants and hotels: Upscale restaurants charge a low fee because they don't allow dancing and, thus, weddings there don't take up much space. Upscale hotels charge a low fee because they also make money from renting hotel rooms.

Tip: Once you visit a site for your wedding ceremony and/or reception, if you decide that you really like it, book it immediately. There are a limited number of event spaces in the Twin Cities area, and they book up quickly. If you're insterested in a Saturday in warm weather, that's a scarce resource, and like my services, wedding venues often booked 12-18 months ahead of time.

   

*If the entree price has a star next to it, the star means that outside caterers must be licensed. Outside caterers vary greatly in price. As detailed above, catering prices usually end up costing another $25/person more, once the salad, dessert, linens, tables and silverware, servers, gratuity, and taxes are factored in:    

Large-Capacity Wedding Reception Sites in Minnesota:

Hi, Rev. Coleman - you have a wonderful blog and your chart on reception venues in the Twin Cities is incredibly helpful. However, I am looking for a site in Minneapolis or St. Paul, MN, that can handle 400 people for a sit-down dinner. Any ideas? Thanks so much!

Answer:

Good question! Most reception sites can't accomodate that large a goup. Here are the largest-capacity wedding reception venues in the Twin Cities, with their seating capacities:

Minneapolis - Seating Capacity of Large Reception Sites

Graves / 601 Hotel - 400
Hilton Garden Inn - reviewed here - 400
The Westin Minneapolis- 400
Ukrainian Event Center- 400
Marriott City Center Hotel- reviewed here - 400
Solera Restaurant- 450
Museum of Russian Art - 500
St. Anthony Banquet Center - 500
Atlas Grill - 500
Nicollet Island Pavilion - reviewed here - 600
Blaisdell Manor - reviewed here - 650
Mill City Museum - reviewed here - 700
Hilton Hotel - reviewed here - 800
Hyatt Regency Hotel - 800
International Market Square - 800
McNamara Alumni Center - reviewed here - 800

My recommendations for wedding sites in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area:

Chapels      Parks      Gardens      Mansions      Museums      Hotels      Farms
Historic Sites     Libraries      Amphitheatres      Restaurants     Comparison Matrix

© 1998-2011 by Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Voted 2007's "Best MN Wedding Planner" by CitySearch
Voted 2010's "Best MN Wedding Officiant" by Minnesota Bride Magazine