The 15 Best Wedding Venues in Minneapolis & the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities have a specific kind of magic in wedding season: long golden evenings, water everywhere, and a mix of warm-industrial lofts and grand historic halls that photograph and film beautifully. As a Twin Cities wedding photographer and videographer, here are 15 venues I'd point any couple to across Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Riverside & island

That skyline-and-river light at golden hour is hard to beat.

• Nicollet Island Pavilion — the classic: an 1893 open-air pavilion with the Minneapolis skyline across the water.
• Nicollet Island Inn — its intimate, historic-stone neighbor for smaller celebrations.

Grand & historic (mostly St. Paul)

Architecture that does half the work for you.

• Landmark Center — a soaring, castle-like former courthouse in downtown St. Paul.
• Union Depot — a restored grand train station with dramatic scale and light.
• The Saint Paul Hotel — timeless, elegant ballrooms in a historic landmark hotel.
• American Swedish Institute — the Turnblad Mansion's carved wood and stone paired with a modern glass hall.

Modern & loft (Minneapolis)

Exposed brick, big windows, warm-industrial mood.

• Aria — a former theater in the Warehouse District with soaring ceilings and brick.
• The Machine Shop — restored industrial character right on the river.
• Muse Event Center — sleek rooftop-and-loft spaces downtown.
• Day Block Event Center — an intimate, light-filled brick loft.
• The Hewing Hotel — a boutique North Loop hotel with a rooftop for city-light receptions.

Mansions, gardens & greenhouses

For couples who want greenery and negative space.

• Van Dusen Mansion — a romantic 1890s stone mansion near Loring Park.
• A'BULAE — a modern St. Paul rooftop-and-ballroom space with skyline views.
• Marjorie McNeely Conservatory — glass-house greenery at Como Park, gorgeous in any season.
• Bavaria Downs — rolling hilltop views just west of the metro in Chaska.

Planning around Minnesota light

Summer sunsets here run late — sometimes past 9pm — which is a dream for coverage. Build in a short golden-hour break and you'll walk away with the frames (and film moments) couples remember most. Say hello and let's talk through your Twin Cities day.