Our Five Favorite Venues of 2018
Let’s do this, our five favorite venues of 2018! Come explore some of the best venues that Minnesota has to offer that we were so lucky to photograph at in 2018. With outdoor farms, cottages, big curated spaces, and event centers, Minnesota has a whole lot to show off. So it was tough to narrow down to five and we want to give a shout out to our honorable mentions. Though these venues didn’t make the list, they rock! Creekside Farm, The Capitol Room, Terra Nue Farm, Bloom Lake Barn, we loved yah!
Fun fact: in 2019, we will only shoot at one venue that we’ve shot at before. Coincidentally, that venue is The Hutton House that we get to photograph at twice in 2019. And (spoiler alert!) The Hutton House made this list! We also get to photograph three weddings at The Capitol Room in 2019, where we coordinated a styled shoot at in 2018, but we’re not counting that in this tally since it wasn’t a full wedding. Nonetheless, 2019, we’re ready for all the stunning venues you’ve got in store for us, but in the meantime, let’s look back on our favorite venues of 2018.
Larsmont Cottages
The two of us have been going to Larsmont Cottages yearly for the last few years for Fourth of July or just a spring excursion. Thus, it was extra special to us when Danika and Blake decided to divert from their big wedding plan and elope on the North Shore at Larsmont. The cozy cabin was perfect for getting ready. In addition, the lodge was perfect for their intimate eight guest ceremony. Lastly, the cabin touches made it feel warm and personal.
But what we loved the most was the access to the North Shore. We drove through the snow in their huge truck and even hiked out right by the water in the frigid temps. But because these two are the ultimate troopers (and we think blinded by love) you can’t even tell the freezing temperature and instead are flooding with the gorgeous sunset and immensely present love.
Legacy Hill Farm
We counted down the days until we got to photograph at Legacy Hill Farm. In fact, if we were to do our wedding all over again, we knew before even seeing it that Legacy Hill would be on a short list for our own venue. Luckily, the day came and we got to photograph there on a Saturday and then the immediate Friday following.
The venue is nothing short of our super high expectations. It’s full of gorgeous little spaces from a stunning bridal suite to an open air reception pavillion. We love the feel of the guests sprawled out during cocktail hour and the breeze blowing through the reception area during speeches. We didn’t get to photograph at the outdoor ceremony site because it rained both times we were there (which was a theme of almost all the outdoor ceremonies that we were scheduled to shoot this year), so we hope that we’ll be invited back so soon! Check out this stunning venue.
View our first wedding’s blog post here
View our second wedding’s blog post here
Private Lakeside Residence
Sarah and Ted got married at Ted’s parents’ home on Lake Bavaria. The backyard was transformed into a magical ceremony and reception site where guests could mingle on the patio, down the hill at the bar, or underneath the gorgeous tent to dance. With a hand built ceremony backdrop framing the lake, their ceremony was nothing short of amazing. We love the sentiment of getting ready at home, the relaxed feel that accompanies it and all of the memories contained within leading up to your big day. We’re looking forward to more personal venues in 2019 including a family cabin wedding.
Gathered Oaks
Gathered Oaks was another one of those venues that we were counting down to. It’s an absolutely amazing barn. It also has a quaint and adorable bridal cottage. Don’t forget about the farmhouse for the groom to get ready in and bridal party to stay in that night. Nestled up in Alexandria right on a lake, it’s ridiculously beautiful.
But beyond all of that, it is a fantastic venue for logistics, guests, and vendors. It’s made for weddings, temperature controlled and an excellent flow for the day. The owners are amazing and the light in the getting ready spaces is gorgeous. They’ve literally thought of everything at this venue. Know that if you book it for your wedding you will be in the best hands! But for now, let’s take a look at the amazingness!
Fun fact: Jacey and Marshal’s florals by Beezie’s Blooms made our Top Five Favorite Florals of 2018
The Hutton House
The Hutton House entered the Minneapolis wedding scene and dominated some of the most jaw-dropping weddings of 2018. We are so excited to be back there twice in 2019 and once, so far, in 2020. The space is a blank canvas, which allows it to host other events like its wildly successful holiday market.
But don’t get us wrong, it’s a inspiring, curated blank canvas full of beauty. We love every set up that we see there. Chelsea and Leib’s wedding was no exception. We were lucky enough to photograph it in August. Take a peek at the beauty!
