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

Venue Reviews - Weddings in Minnesota Mansions


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







Outside wedding at the St Paul College ClubThese Minneapolis and St. Paul sites are all gorgeous mansions that are available to rent for both wedding ceremonies and  receptions. The Saint Paul mansions are all on gorgeous Summit Avenue, and the Minneapolis mansions are in South Minneapolis, just south of downtown.
 
Like all the premier wedding ceremony and reception sites in the Twin Cities, you are either required to use their catering, or in some sites you are required to use one of their approved caterers. All these premier Twin Cities wedding venues have the pretty standard $8-10K food and beverage minimum if you are having your wedding on a Saturday in the summer (prices are much more flexible on other dates), plus their rental fee.

The wedding sites reviewed are as follows:

St. Paul mansions:

  • University Club on Summit Avenue
  • St. Paul College Club
  • Summit Manor

Minneapolis mansions:

  • Semple Mansion
  • Van Dusen Mansion
  • Gale Mansion
  • Blaisdell Manor
  • Harrington Mansion (now closed)

Semple Mansion in Minneapolis

100 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404 - (612) 290-4448


Entrance to the Semple Mansion in Minneapolis, MN
The award-winning Semple Mansion is located just south of downtown Minneapolis.
The Processional sometimes comes down this hallway
Main floor of the Semple Mansion, seen from where you walk in The grand staircase at the Semple Mansion.
The lobby of the Semple Mansion and the grand staircase, which leads up to the Grand Palladium Ballroom.
Main floor of the Semple Mansion
New! The Semple Mansion has newly restored their bar, called the Copper Lounge, with beautiful woodwork, a working fireplace & working kegs for Cocktail/Social hour.
The grand third-floor ballroom for wedding receptions at the Semple Mansion
Stunning Grand Palladium Ballroom at the Semple Mansion.

For wedding receptions at the Semple Mansion, the head table is usually placed by this marvelous stained glass, the centerpiece of the ballroom. The stained glass is in-between the two entrances, which are at the top of the grand staircase.

The main floor, set up for a wedding
The lobby of the main floor at the Semple Mansion (also pictured to the left) may either be set up for wedding ceremonies, or set up for your cocktail hour or even reception.

The Semple Mansion (the Grand Palladian Ballroom) is right next to downtown Minneapolis, close to the Uptown neighborhood. The mansion is also known by its largest and most famous room: the Grand Palladium Ballroom, which is the only original ballroom left in Minneapolis. Built in the style of the Second Renaissance Revival, the Semple Mansion has a classy old-world feel to it. The breathtaking lobby has a large, three-tiered Swarovski crystal chandelier encompassing 36 candle-shaped crystals. The amazing Grand Palladium Ballroom is on the third floor. While most other wedding reception halls are rather plain,because the reception hall is a latter-day addition to the mansion, the Semple Mansion is different from other Minneapolis and St. Paul mansions because its ballroom is period, too. Rather than the dark woodwork of most of the mansion rooms, the ballroom has large white columns with gold leaf and a Renaissance-style painted, curved ceiling. The terrace off the ballroom has a beautiful view of downtown Minneapolis. Built-in seating around the edge of the ballroom provides fun and cozy places for guests to sit.

You can choose from nine caterers at the Semple Mansion, which can bring down costs. Common Roots provides all alcohol services, and are happy to work with you to find a beverage service that fits your budget (no minimums).

Great place for a rehearsal dinner: The award-winning Rudolph's Ribs, about three blocks away, which offers private dining.  
Closest hotel: The 3.5-star downtown Minneapolis Convention Center's Millennium Hotel is six blocks away.  
 
Capacity: 250 guests
Location: 100 West Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
Site Rental: $4,400 for a Saturday
Food/Beverage minimum for a Saturday: No minimum.
Phone Number: 612-290-4448 (Ask for Katherine Hendrickson or Britty Glenn - both are very friendly and easy to work with - you'll love them!)
 
 

University Club on Summit Avenue in St. Paul

420 Summit Avenue, St Paul, MN 55105 - (651) 290-7135 University Club on Summit Avenue in St Paul, MN
Imagine having your wedding reception at the same place where the author F. Scott Fitzgerald hung out! The University Club on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, MN, is a gorgeous mansion/club at the top of Ramsey Hill with an amazing view of the Mississippi River Valley. Fitzgerald lived right down the street, partied at the University Club, and wrote of the 1920s flappers in one of the best American novels of all time - The Great Gatsby.
University Club, Summit Room
This is the University Club's main Summit Room, which is much bigger than this picture shows.
When you add Terrace Room (below right), it can hold 160 guests.
Bride and groom at the University Club in St Paul

The main lobby of the University Club on Summit Avenue, which has the longest stretch of Victorian homes in the world.
St Paul University Club on Summit Ave, overlooking the river

The Terrace Room at the University Club, one of the rooms adjacent to the main Summit Room. Guests love this one because it overlooks the Mississippi River Valley.
Wedding ceremony at the University Club on Summit Ave

Sometimes wedding ceremonies at the University Club are held in front of the fireplace of the Summit Room, with the reception in the other rooms.
Outdoor weddings at Summit Outlook Park

Outdoor wedding ceremonies can be held across the street at the gorgeous Summit Lookout Park, which overlooks the Mississippi River valley.
The Fireplace Room at the University Club

In addition to the larger rooms at the University Club, the Fireplace Room is sometimes set up for receptions. Also, the Fireplace Room is used for (very) small wedding ceremonies.
The downstairs bar

This downstairs room of the University Club is sometimes used as an informal area for the Groom and his attendants to prepare before a wedding ceremony.

The University Club in St. Paul actually has two locations, and this review is for the Summit Avenue location on the top of Ramsey Hill (the other location is in downtown Saint Paul). The food is by the same people who run the award-winning W.A. Frost Restaurant on Cathedral Hill in St. Paul.

Wedding ceremonies at the University Club on Summit Avenue can be held in any of several rooms, depending on the size of the wedding (from 5 to 200). Most of the wedding receptions (dinner, dancing, etc.), though, are held in the large Summit Room, which has a gorgeous view over the Mississippi River Valley. Food tastings are complimentary, plus, you can get a wedding cake through them via the award-winning Buttercream Cakes.

Note -  usually there's no incentive for you to let a venue know that you found their venue through my website, so often a venue doesn't know that it's my site that recommended them. So, for a limited time:
  • If you contact the University Club in St. Paul, MN , please let them know Rev. Tomkin sent you (even if you don't use my services).  
  • If you do book the University Club for your wedding reception (again, even if you do not use my services), let me know and I will send you a FREE bottle of champagne--right to your home. You can use it to celebrate booking such a fabulous wedding reception venue!

Closest hotel: The 5-star Helmsley Saint Paul Hotel is about a mile-and-a-half away. 

Capacity: 160 guests. While the club doesn't offer valet parking, they can help coordinate this service with a vendor.
Note: Smaller weddings of 5-80 guests may use one of their other rooms - one has a fireplace, others have the amazing view of the river valley.
Site rental fees vary greatly depending on the day, the room, and the season. For instance, for a Saturday in the summer, the fee would be $2000, and food/beverage minimum $5,000, or $1500 on rental and $2100 food/beverage minimum on non-Saturdays...or even less, depending on season and day. The University Club asks that you please contact the management to get specific quote because the price varies so much, it really varies on the circumstances.
Phone number: (651) 222-1751 (Julia Struve). The fastest, easiest, and best way to contact her, though, is via e-mail at jstruve@universityclubofstpaul.com.

 
 

St. Paul College Club Mansion in St. Paul

990 Summit Avenue, St Paul, MN ?55105 - (651) 227-4477
Outside of the St Paul College Club on Summit Ave.
The Georgian Revival St. Paul College Club is on historic Summit Avenue, which has the longest stretch of Victorian mansions in the world.
Back yard of the St Paul College Club
The St. Paul College Club is one of the few sites that offers an outdoor wedding ceremony location as well as an indoor one. This is a small shot of the beautiful backyard. Here's another picture of one of the outdoor wedding ceremonies.
Ballroom of the St Paul College Club
The reception hall of the St. Paul College Club , called the Great Hall, can be set up ahead of time because the wedding ceremony is usually held in another room.

The St. Paul College Club offers a very reasonable price for such a large, gorgeous mansion. It's one of my favorite wedding spots in town. The club is located next to the Governor's Mansion on prestigious Summit Avenue. The St. Paul College Club has a lovely and spacious living room with soft light (perfect for photographs). They have several rooms for congregating and mingling and many fireplaces throughout, which can be lit for wedding guests to enjoy. There is also an adjoining reception hall, pictured above (on the left). The club offers both indoor and outdoor weddings, which makes this venue very versatile. Their lovely garden blooms throughout the spring and summer, adding to the enchantment of outdoor ceremonies here.

Wedding ceremony at the St Paul College ClubMost indoor wedding ceremonies at the St. Paul College Club are held in this Living Room in front of the fireplace (pictured to the right). The Living Room has changed quite a bit in the last few months, which you can't see in this picture, but it has new floor-to ceiling-curtains, two new chandeliers, new fireplace decor, wood flooring, new carpet for the staircase, and new curtains in the sun-room. 

Wedding receptions at the St. Paul College Club are held in the neighboring ballroom called the Great Hall, and two rooms upstairs are specifically designated for the bride and groom as dressing rooms, providing ideal private locations for wedding preparations and photo opportunities.

The St. Paul College Club is unique among St Paul and Minneapolis venues in that it charges an hourly rental fee instead of a pre-set fee, which makes it one of the most reasonable prices for these large, grand Minnesota wedding sites. The hourly rate is from $220-$275, and as far as I can tell, the St. Paul College Club is the only Minnesota wedding venue that works this way. The club includes table linens, linen napkins, and rose centerpieces for every one of your guests' tables. Their personal French chef caters all of their weddings, lending variety to their menu choices. Their staff is very professional, experienced, and friendly - they ensure that your guests' needs are always taken care of. You can bring your own liquor for the bar, which is amazing and basically unheard of at reception halls - stocking the bar on your own can save you thousands of dollars at your reception.

The St. Paul College Club is on Summit Avenue, a block from the parallel-running Grand Avenue, which has many great restaurants for a rehearsal dinner, including the Lexington restaurant (old-school American). Or you could venture downtown to Meritage (a French Brasserie), which is located on St. Peter street.

Closest hotel: The 5-star Helmsley Saint Paul Hotel and the is about a mile-and-a-half away. 

Capacity: 250- 325 guests
Location:
990 Summit Avenue, St. Paul 
Site Rental Fee:
Hourly rate, which is from $220-$275
Food and beverage minimum May-December: $3,500
Phone Number: 
651-227-4477 (Ask for Katie Hanafin or  Beata Vanderzee.)


Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis

1900 LaSalle, Minneapolis, MN 55403 - (612) 253-0255.
Van Dusen Mansion for weddings in Minneapolis, MN

Looking almost like a castle, the Richardson Romanesque Van Dusen Mansion is one of the most beautiful sites for weddings in Minneapolis.  
Inside the Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis

This elegant room on the main floor of the Van Dusen Mansion is sometimes used for the receiving line after the wedding ceremony.
Outside the Van Dusen Manor

Top picture - Van Dusen Mansion on left, carriage house on right.
Bottom picture - The courtyard between the two buildings (perfect for outdoor weddings).
Inside the Van Dusen Mansion's carriage house

Interior of the Van Dusen Mansion's carriage house. Used for wedding ceremonies or small receptions (or great for dancing!)
One of 3 hotel rooms in Van Dusen Mansion

One of the 3 upstairs overnight suites you can rent for the night after your wedding, or you may use it as a posh dressing room.

Van Dusen Mansion annex

The Van Dusen annex (Event Center) is used for large wedding ceremonies, and for large receptions.
The Van Dusen Mansion was closed for a couple years, but has now been remodeled and is once again open for weddings. The intricate woodwork and warm light of the chandeliers creates a cozy feel, even though the adjoining reception hall is quite large. The Van Dusen Mansion has several small rooms for congregating or for small wedding ceremonies, the large reception hall next door, a carriage house in back for small weddings, plus an outdoor courtyard. Located right next to downtown Minneapolis, the Van Dusen Mansion is close to the Uptown neighborhood, as well. Mintahoe provides the catering.

Great place for a rehearsal dinner: The award-winning Rudolph's Ribs, about four blocks away, which offers private dining.
Closest hotel: The 4-star Hyatt Regency is about six blocks away.

  • Rental fees and capacity (for a Saturday afternoon/evening):
  • Mansion, both floors - $2,000. Seated - 75, cocktail reception - 150.
  • Event Center - $3,000. Seated - 200, cocktail reception - 200.
  • Carriage House - $2,000. Ceremony - 100, cocktail reception - 150.
  • Courtyard - $500. Ceremony - 150.
  • Overnight suites - $325, must be rented with an event space.
  • Food and beverage minimum for a Saturday: $8,000
  • Phone Number: 612-253-0255, ask for Lisa Brenna.

   

Gale Mansion in Minneapolis

2115 Stevens Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN ?55404 - (612) 870-1662?

When wedding ceremonies are held outside at the Gale Mansion, the wedding is usually set up on this south-side porch (with the one-story columns on the right side). Guests are seated in rows of chairs facing the mansion.

This is the main room set up for a wedding reception inside the Gale Mansion. If the wedding is indoors, it is usually held here, with the bride and groom standing in front of that far window.

Here is the bride's dressing room at the Gale Mansion. The groom and his attendants get a more masculine room.


The Gale Mansion faces the beautiful Washburn Fair Oaks Park, where kids can run and play (if supervised).
The Gale Mansion, which hosts both indoor and outdoor weddings, is located close to downtown Minneapolis. Built in the style of the Italian Renaissance Revival, the mansion - a favorite spot for Minnesota weddings - overlooks the beautiful Fair Oaks Park and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (a fun and convenient place for guests to visit). Gale Mansion has many indoor rooms for congregating, all of which have hardwood floors, Oriental carpets, and fireplaces (eight fireplaces in all). Upstairs there are changing rooms for men and women, which are designed to look like living rooms. The Gale Mansion is smaller than other wedding reception sites listed on this page, but the location (right next to downtown Minneapolis) makes it ideal.  

Great place for a rehearsal dinner: The award-winning Rudolph's Ribs, about a mile away, which offers private dining.  
Closest hotel: The 3.5-star downtown Minneapolis Convention Center's Millennium Hotel is six blocks away. 

Location: 2115 Stevens Ave.Minneapolis
Capacity: 120 guests for an indoor ceremony; 220 guests for an outdoor ceremony
Site Rental Fee: $1,700. They provide the catering, and the food minimum varies depending on the time of year.
Food and beverage minimum for a Saturday: $4,500
Phone Number: 612-870-1662 (Ask for Angela.)

New: More notes on the Gale Mansion

 

 

Blaisdell Manor in Minneapolis

2322 Blaisdell Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404  - (612) 874-0880.
Blaisdell Manor in Minneapolis, MN Blaisdell wedding in Minneapolis, MN Wedding reception at Blaisdell Manor

Blaisdell mansion in MinnesotaBlaisdell Manor is a beautiful mansion in South Minneapolis that is warm, inviting, and full of old world charm.  The Georgian-style manor was built in 1915 by railroad tycoons.  For over 80 years, brides have been sashaying down the grand staircase in the foyer to greet on looking loved ones. 

Blaisdell Manor can be rented as a whole or by the room, accommodating a variety of budgets and wedding designs.  The Manor boasts a 2-story Grand Ballroom, complete with a ceiling fresco and tiered lighting to set the mood for any event.  Blaisdell Manor is the only mansion in the Twin Cities with an attached ballroom that accommodates more than 300 guests.  The Bovey and Windus Rooms are named for the original owners.  Both rooms are wonderful options for bridal showers, grooms dinners, intimate receptions, and smaller ceremonies.  They are both furnished with wood-burning fireplaces, bay windows, and offer plenty of mingling space. If your wedding is smaller (less than 50 guests), they have outdoor space, as well.

Three Sons Signature Cuisine is the exclusive caterer at Blaisdell Manor. 

Great place for a rehearsal dinner:  You can have your rehearsal dinner at Blaisdell Manor, or at St. Anthony Main Event Center catered by Three Sons Signature Cuisine (about 5 miles away), or at Buca di Beppo, an informal Italian restaurant that serves Italian meals family-style and can accommodate large groups of people (about 1 mile away).

Closest hotel: The 3.5-star downtown Minneapolis Convention Center's Millennium Hotel is about a three miles away.

Capacity: 10 to 400 guests
Location: 2322 Blaisdell Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Site Rental Fee: Room rental fee for the Ballroom, Bovey, and Windus for a Saturday is $2,000, plus a $350 ceremony fee  and other variable fees, such as bartender, security guard, servers, and cleaning. Aaron at Blaisdell asked me to point out that like all site rentals, Blaisdell's fee does not include food for the reception ($7,500 is the Saturday/holiday food/beverage minimum, plus 18% service charge and 7.775% sales tax). Blaisdell Manor can be rented as a whole or by the individual room.  A link to their pricing sheet may be found on this page. Please contact the team via this link at Blaisdell Manor directly for detailed pricing information. 
Phone Number: 612-874-0880.


   

Summit Manor Mansion in St. Paul

275 Summit Avenue, St Paul, MN 55102 - (651) 387-3283.

Summit Manor is perfect for smaller weddings. Many other sites will not accommodate
30 to 100 guests very well.

Outdoor weddings at the Summit Manor are held on this front lawn, with the bride and groom standing on the porch, and the guests seated on rows of chairs in the yard.  The processional comes up this walkway.

Wedding ceremonies at Summit Manor are often held indoors, too. The rich woodwork makes an intimate, cozy setting.

Either the bride, or the whole wedding party, can process down these stairs

For an indoor wedding ceremony at Summit Manor, the bride usually gets ready upstairs, then comes down this grand staircase for the processional.

Summit Manor (Summit Mansion) on beautiful Summit Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, is one of the smaller mansions in town, making it perfect for more intimate weddings. There are very few sites that are good for 30 to 100 guests, which makes Summit Manor even more special. I am very fond of this this little gem. You can have your wedding outside on the beautiful grounds or inside in the big room in front of a fireplace. The stairway pictured above (to the right) works well for the bride's grand entrance.

Summit Manor asks that visitors call the manager directly at 651-387-3283 to inquire about rental fees. Basically, on a Saturday in the summer, the rental fee is $275/hour with a 4-hour minimum (totaling $1100), and $20-$35/person for food with 100 person minimum, (about $2,000-$3,500) but rates are much more flexible when it's a Friday or Sunday, or in cooler weather. 
Capacity: 150 guests
Location: 275 Summit Ave., St. Paul
Phone Number: 651-387-3283

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