Planning Tools, Ideas, & Advice
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For Wedding Pros
Planning a wedding is an exciting journey, but finding the perfect venue can often be one of the most challenging aspects, especially for intimate gatherings. If you're considering tying the knot in Minnesota, known for its many lakes and diverse venues, you're in luck! With a ton of great options designed specifically for weddings with 50 guests or less, there's a space that can cater to every couple's unique style and vision. From charming rustic settings to modern industrial spaces, Minnesota’s small wedding venues will ensure your special day is both memorable and magical.
Speaking from personal experience, I know how challenging it can be to find a small wedding venue which is why we spend time pulling together venues that are perfect for smaller events. If you don't find what you're looking for in this list, be sure to check out our other helpful blogs with our top tips for uncovering hidden gems in your area (including Airbnbs)—they're linked at the end of the blog.
Minneapolis is a vibrant city that perfectly blends urban sophistication with natural beauty, making it an appealing destination for those looking to celebrate a small wedding. Known for its rich cultural scene, the city is home to numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters that offer unique experiences for couples and their guests. The picturesque lakes and parks provide stunning backdrops for outdoor ceremonies and photo opportunities, making nature an integral part of the city's charm. Minneapolis has a robust culinary scene, with a wide range of restaurants and caterers ready to curate unforgettable dining experiences for weddings. Whether you’re drawn to the city’s artistic flair, its scenic parks, or its culinary delights, Minneapolis has something to offer every couple.
Nestled in the heart of Minnesota's countryside, The Lavender Barnyard is the perfect venue for your Minnesota micro wedding. Exchange vows amidst fields of blooming lavender, with the natural fragrance enhancing the atmosphere. Our outdoor ceremony space and rustic barn provide a beautiful backdrop for small, intimate weddings. The farm's serene surroundings ensure a memorable experience for you and your guests. Dedicated to exceptional service, our team ensures every detail is tailored for a seamless and stress-free wedding day. The Lavender Barnyard is where your special day can be both beautiful and unforgettable.
Looking for the intimacy of a small gathering with all the amenities of a large event space? Sitting on a sprawling 17-acres of idyllic farmland is Crooked Willow, a venue that boasts not only gorgeous natural scenery, but also an enormous reception barn with all of the amenities. Here, you’ll choose between a dreamy indoor ceremony or a scenic outdoor wedding under the boughs of beautiful trees. Offered also are multiple elopement packages, though keep in mind that these smaller events are only available Monday through Thursday - unless you’re able to find an open Friday, Saturday, or Sunday within 60 days from your big day.
Rustic and charming, Hope Glen Farm is home to multiple unique structures, such as a corn crib cottage and tree house, that will make your wedding memorable. This historical property dates back to the Civil War, and has been transformed into an elegant and picturesque venue. Outdoor ceremonies take place next to a stunning vineyard and view of a 700-acre ravine, with an indoor reception hall and open-air dining pavilion available for the reception. For a truly authentic farm experience, there are friendly chickens and goats corralled on the property. This venue can only be booked up to three months in advance, with micro-weddings and elopements offered any day of the week.
A carefully cultivated culture of celebration is The Neu Neu’s top priority, which is why this modernized yet historical, industrial yet chic, venue offers small wedding ceremonies and receptions for up to 30 guests. Available any day of the week, you may book this venue up to 2 months out. Provided by the venue is gorgeous decor, tables and chairs, and bridal suite, with the option to add-on those few extra touches to make your day truly special. Innovative and dedicated, you can be sure that the wonderful team at the Neu Neu will do everything they can to ensure your wedding day is as stunning and special as you are.
Unlike any venue you’ve ever seen, Adler Ranch cultivates a unique whimsy by displaying an impressive collection of metal and neon vintage signs. Offering two elopement/micro-wedding packages for between 20 and 50 guests, this venue has multiple ceremony locations to choose from and always includes the access to the entire property, their extensive collection of vintage decor, romantic lighting, and all the staff required to make sure your big day goes off without a hitch. If you’re looking to wow your guests and want a wedding venue that truly stands out from the rest, Adler Ranch’s manicured property and highly curated collection of vintage items may be perfect for your big day.
Regal and historic, The Blaisdell is a recently renovated mansion originally constructed in 1915. Beautifully and elegantly adorned inside and out, this venue offers elopement celebrations for up to 40 Sunday through Thursday. Elopement ceremonies are held in the Parlor, a modern yet romantically intimate space, and access to a luxury bridal suite, the stunning entryway, and bathrooms is also included. No food is allowed at these events, and only two strictly adhered-to 3-hour time slots are available. If this fits with your vision for your big day, or you don’t mind holding the reception at a secondary location, the Blaisdell is a truly majestic place to marry the person of your dreams.
Luxurious, expansive, customizable - these three adjectives very succinctly summarize what you can expect from Royal Cliff Weddings when you book them for your micro-wedding of 50 guests or fewer. With the choice of an indoor or outdoor ceremony, personalized decor, a buffet-style dinner, and wedding cake included in the base package price, here you are guaranteed an elegant and memorable experience. High-end audio and lighting equipment helps create the perfect atmosphere for your big day, and there are options to add-on a prepaid bar, flowers, and an officiant, among other things. If control over the finer details is important to you, Royal Cliff Weddings is the venue you’ve been looking for.
Endowed with the natural beauty of the countryside, Rice Creek Weddings offers multiple elopement and micro-wedding packages ranging from 2 hour access to the venue for 25 guests to 4 hour access to the venue for 50 guests, with an array of add-ons to make your day perfect. These smaller events are offered Tuesday through Thursday at the base price, with the option to be held on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for additional cost. With several picturesque locations available for the ceremony and luxurious lodging on-site, Rice Creek Weddings is equipped with everything needed to make your dream wedding come true.
Amenable and expansive, Goodtree Farmstead is home to multiple gorgeous outdoor ceremony locations, friendly farm animals, and a helpful team of event coordinators. With the option to wed under a majestic willow, beside a quaint pond, amidst a grove of trees, or in a charming barn, this venue is committed to giving you the wedding you’ve always imagined. Prioritizing your vision, Goodtree Farmstead boasts their flexibility in accommodating your specific desires for your big day and goes above and beyond, even offering to help book any additional services or amenities for the big day. For micro-weddings of 50 people or less, Goodtree Farmstead offers cost effective rates without compromising the quality of the event.
Providing a combination of serene farmland and friendly, helpful event coordinators, Pleasant Pastures Events boasts a stress-free wedding planning experience for the couples that book with them. Offered in their smallest wedding package is space at the outdoor ceremony and tented reception for 50 guests, with access to the Bridal Suite tent, all set-up and clean-up, and rustic decor. With gorgeous fields, majestic trees, and antique items on the property, Pleasant Pastures is a picture-perfect venue with plenty of stunning photo ops. For those that don’t want to rush the morning of, this venue allows campers and fish houses on the property for the wedding party and family.
If you desire an intimate wedding filled with dreamy details and whimsical moments, look no further - the Hayloft does all of this while promising a stress-free experience for the happy couple. Located on an impressive 40-acre horse ranch, this venue offers to take care of all of the finer details, from a magical butterfly garden to elegant decor to the friendly animals on-site that would love to celebrate with you and those you love the most. With options to add-on the cake, flowers, caterer, and liquor service, the Hayloft can be all-inclusive and tailored to your vision for the wedding.
At the St. James Hotel, simple elegance and charm combine with a historical grace to create a beautiful, classy space in which to marry. Here, you’ll have a choice between multiple areas of the hotel for the ceremony and reception. You can expect plenty of food and alcohol for you and up to 40 guests to enjoy. Also included are dreamy candle centerpieces, and a custom cake for after the nuptials. To top it all off, booking your wedding at the St. James Hotel entitles you to a classy, comfortable, and complimentary hotel suite for your wedding night. If you appreciate the finer things without the extravagance, this venue may be perfect for you.
For those that love the outdoors and the charm of rustic spaces, the Horse and Hunt Club is a great option to consider for your wedding. Surrounded by natural beauty, this venue offers use of their quaint and cozy cottage for micro-weddings of up to 30 guests. Here, you can choose to hold your ceremony in or out of doors, followed by a full 3-course dinner service and champagne toast. If having your pet or pets involved in your wedding celebration is a must, then the Horse and Hunt Club may be the perfect venue, as they allow all sorts of pets onto the property.
If confining your wedding celebrations to a single day feels wrong to you, then look no further - the Barn at Stoney Hills is an intimate and unique venue that offers an all-inclusive, multi-day wedding experience for the happy couple and 25 of their favorite people. Spanning from Friday to Sunday, this slowed-down, more relaxed version of the traditional wedding allows you to bask in the joy and euphoria of uniting with the person you love the most. Rustic, elegant, and dreamlike, the Barn at Stoney Hills’ three-day wedding experience is certain to create many happy, unforgettable memories for you and your loved ones.
Dreamy and romantic, Camrose Hill Flower Studio and Farm is well-versed in creating a whimsical and charming atmosphere for your wedding. With a choice of three lovely ceremony locations - a chapel garden, a woodland fairy glen, and an impressive and historic barn from the 1880’s - this venue will fully immerse you and up to 50 guests in the loving beauty of the moment. Also included are on-site amenities such as the bridal suite and lush gardens to stroll through. For expertise in all things floral, romantic, and elegant, Camrose Hill Flower Studio and Farm is a wonderful place to hold your dream wedding.
Duluth is a picturesque city located along the shores of Lake Superior, offering a stunning backdrop for couples seeking a charming destination for their small wedding. Renowned for its natural beauty, Duluth features breathtaking views of the lake, rugged shores, and lush landscapes that provide an idyllic setting for outdoor ceremonies and memorable photographs. The city’s rich maritime history and vibrant arts scene add character and charm, making it a unique location for weddings. Couples can explore local attractions, such as the historic Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, the Great Lakes Aquarium, and the many trails that wind through the surrounding forests. Duluth also has a variety of venues, from rustic barns and elegant waterfront spaces to cozy inns, ensuring that each celebration can reflect the couple's personal style. With its welcoming community, delightful local cuisine, and countless recreational opportunities, Duluth not only promises a beautiful wedding day but also offers guests an enjoyable and enriching experience during their stay. Whether you're drawn to its natural wonders or its rich cultural offerings, Duluth provides an enchanting setting for couples at the beginning of their new chapter together.
Offering multiple stunning indoor and outdoor ceremony locations is Gunflint Lodge, a small venue specializing in weddings with 50 or fewer guests in attendance. No matter where you envision yourself getting married - in the woods with a gorgeous view, on the lakeside, on the beach, or in a cozy lodge - this venue has the resources to make your dreams come true. Included in the base price is a full dinner service, chairs, tables, linens, and access to the venue’s curated collection of decor. For couples desiring a truly intimate experience, Gunflint Lodge offers elopements for just the two lovers (and two witnesses), complete with a three night stay in their luxurious Romantic Cabin and access to guided nature activities in the surrounding area.
Airbnbs and VRBOs are an excellent choice for a wedding venue. We find that it’s easier to find suitable properties for your wedding on VRBO, but if you’re eloping or having a super tiny wedding you might have some luck on Airbnb. Here are a few homes that could be a great fit:
Worthington Lakefront Cabin — Worthington
Victorian Modern on the Mississippi — Minneapolis
Four Seasons Treehouse — Burtrum
Didn't see anything that fits in our list? Check out our blogs with our top tips for finding unique small wedding venues and finding Airbnb wedding venues.
As you embark on your wedding planning adventure, remember that the right venue sets the tone for your celebration. Whether you envision an elegant indoor affair, a whimsical outdoor ceremony, or a rustic farm experience, Minnesota's variety of small wedding venues offers something for everyone. Take the time to explore these unique locations, each with its own charm and personality, and find the one that resonates with your love story!
