Wedding Photography at the 10 Talents Art Center, Blue Earth, MN: A lovely Family & Friend Oriented Wedding

If you are looking for a wedding venue in southern Minnesota, the 10 Talents Art Center might be the right choice.

In this article, I will show you, through Jennifer and Jeffrey’s lovely wedding, what you can expect from such a location and what they did. Finally, we will explore other nearby options for photography.

Presentation of 10 Talents Art Center, a nice venue in Blue Earth, MN

Location

The venue is located at 710 E 14th St, Blue Earth, MN 56013, south of the city, next to the railway (more on that later), Wilson Field—Football and Track, and Putnam Park.

If, like me, you’re not sure where it sits in Blue Earth, you’ll find it near the intersection of Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 169. Nearby cities include Mankato to the north, Elmore in the south (or even into Wisconsin), and Fairmont and Albert Lea.

History and Art Center

This venue opened in 2019, founded by Jenna Johnson with support from her husband, Dr. Aaron Johnson. It occupies the former Central Graphics Printing facility, and if you’ve ever been in a printing plant, you know how spacious it can be.

While the space makes a picturesque wedding reception setting, its main purpose is as an Art Center. Here, you can immerse yourself in classes from music and painting to stained glass and indoor plant care. The possibilities are as diverse as your imagination!

What makes it an honorable wedding venue?

The rooms

The location features two rooms to rent, plus a kitchen and a lobby:

• The large activity room
• The huge ballroom
• The fully equipped, spacious kitchen
• The entrance lobby
• The private bedroom

The activity room holds up to 95 guests. It has a brown floor, pistachio-green walls, and a standard ceiling height. It also features a fireplace with a couch. A few windows let in light, but most illumination comes from neon tubes.

The ballroom is the largest, accommodating up to 400 guests. It has a sandy-beige floor and white walls, contrasting with the high black ceiling decked with string lights and chandeliers. Since there are no windows, all the light is artificial.

The kitchen is quite spacious, with two long countertops, and is fully equipped. Check with your caterer if they’d like to use it.

Finally, the lobby welcomes guests with some stylish couches, textured walls, and interesting floor patterns.

Adjacent locations for photography

For Jennifer and Jeffrey’s wedding photos, we focused on the venue’s surroundings, but if you need a nearby spot, consider these options:

• Green Giant Statue Park: This iconic spot brings a playful touch to your images.
• Putnam Park: the closest green space, perfect for small shoots like Senior Pictures.
• Unity Trail: a trail that winds through woods and meadows.
• Faribault County Woods Lake Park: This park features areas of woods and meadows (somewhat similar to White Water State Park).
• Faribault County Courthouse: probably the town’s most beautiful building.

Jennifer and Jeffrey’s wedding at the 10 Talents Art Center

The couple

She works with people with disabilities, and he runs a seed company. They have kids from a few years ago, which is already a pretty solid bond! They could have gone to the courthouse to sign the papers or had an intimate backyard celebration, but they wanted to do it right. So they rented a lovely venue, reserved a charming church, and invited plenty of family and friends.

Preparation

I arrived early to photograph the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready in the activity room.

Given the wall colors and artificial light, I decided to hang the dress outside and photograph the robes there too.

I shot most of the details outdoors and some by the entrance. It was at the entrance that we agreed the bride should get dressed there, to stand against a nice background color and catch some natural light.

Meanwhile, the groom prepared at Holy Family Catholic Church in Fairmont with his son and groomsmen.

First look and photo session

With two kids involved, we added a twist to the traditional first look by having the parents share one with their children.

Then we used the church grounds for bride-and-groom portraits and even ventured to East Chain Lake for a few shots.

Religious Ceremony at Holy Family Catholic Church in Fairmont

The Catholic ceremony was short (about 30 minutes) and sweet. I enjoyed capturing candid moments of restless kids making silly faces, those unexpected moments that kids are so good at. Long catholic ceremonies are usually pretty photogenic, given they often include kids who get bored, which is perfect for me ! If you want to see more authentic, candid, and funny photos, you can check out this other ceremony with kids.

At the end, they had a grand bubble exit.

After that, we shot the traditional family portraits.

In the parking lot, seeing how relieved the newly married couple and their friends were, I captured some lovely candid shots. We even improvised a quick silly group photo. Those unplanned moments truly reflect the authenticity of the day.

Parents and kids’ photos by the railway track in front of the

Back at the venue, we used the adjacent abandoned rail track for more family portraits. Although it might sound like an odd backdrop, it was our best option. Plus, since French Touch Photography is based right above Quarry Hill Park, which also has tracks, I’m no stranger to that setting.

I had them walk along the track, sing songs, and ask questions to spark genuine interaction.

Wedding Reception at the 10 Talents Art Center

The reception was classic: family and friends arrived, mingled, laughed, ate, and drank. After a bit, guests relaxed and let me snap away, so I captured plenty of candid moments.

There were plenty of kids, so naturally they got excited (if not a bit out of control) and had a blast, making them fantastic subjects.

I especially loved seeing how the groom, the bride, and their family and friends took care of the kids. It felt like a real family reunion.

Outside, in the small green area reserved for smokers, friends relaxed and conversations flowed, which also made for lovely photos.

Once the buffet ended, toasts began. The bride and groom opened the first dance, each with a parent. Then they cut the cake and tossed the bouquet.

Finally, it was time for me to pack my gear and hit the road on I-90 back to Rochester, MN. On the 90-minute drive through Albert Lea and Austin, I reflected on how much I love family-oriented weddings.

Conclusion: Is this place right for you?

If you’re looking for a clean, efficient venue to host a wedding like Jennifer and Jeffrey did, then the 10 Talents Art Center could be a good fit. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Can welcome up to 400 guests
• Very affordable (less that $1000 for the day)
• A clean, simple space with an artistic vibe
• A fully equipped kitchen
• Several rooms, so you can hold the ceremony in the activity room
• A large parking lot

Cons:

• The building itself lacks charm (it’s not a historic mansion or a rustic barn in a valley)
• No natural light in the main reception room
• The prep room is lacking (you might consider an Airbnb)
• You’ll need to drive to find a nice spot for photos

So, if you’re looking for a fabulous, Instagram-worthy venue, this might not be the right choice for you. But if you prioritize family and friends and want a clean, welcoming space, well-designed, with numerous rooms, it’s definitely worth considering. And as mentioned, it’s really affordable!

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Of course, this location would require a talented photographer to capture good images. So, if you do book this venue and would like some great photos, feel free to contact me now to schedule a consultation.