Simple, Chic & Elegant Brunch Wedding at the Historic Plummer House in Rochester, MN

If you’re planning a brunch wedding in Rochester for around 100 guests, this article is for you. We will explore Liz and Kyle’s wedding at the Plummer House, detailing how they planned their special day to inspire your own brunch wedding planning.

First, let’s explain what a brunch wedding is.

What is a brunch wedding?

If this is the first time you’ve heard about a brunch wedding, that’s normal; it’s a new trend. It’s more budget-friendly than a traditional wedding because you can skip the cocktail hour and serve a simpler American Breakfast menu (eggs, sausages, potatoes).

Today, let’s focus on Liz and Kyle’s brunch wedding that took place at the Plummer House.

Choosing a beautiful venue: a quick introduction to the Plummer House

If you haven’t heard of the Plummer House, it’s an iconic landmark in Rochester, MN. The historic venue, built in the early 1900s, was originally the family’s manor for Dr. Henry S. Plummer, a key figure in the founding of the Mayo Clinic and a prolific inventor.

It’s built in the Tudor Revival style and features stunning gardens and estate grounds with a large fountain.

Today, the Rochester Parks and Recreation Department manages the estate. It’s usually open to the public (one of the most popular spots for engagement and family sessions) unless it’s rented for private events, which makes it one of the most beautiful, and surprisingly affordable, venues in town.

The house can accommodate up to 100 guests, providing an ideal backup plan in case of rain.

Now, let’s see how Liz and Kyle organized their brunch wedding.

Presentation of the Bride and Groom

They both live in Rochester, and neither works at the Mayo Clinic. The bride is a manager at Trader Joe’s, and as you’ll notice, the wedding features many DIY elements sourced from Trader Joe’s (food, flowers). The groom is a manager at the Thesis Beer Project.

Two managers for one wedding, things went pretty square 😀

Preparation at the Plummer House for their September wedding
Details pictures

As usual, I started coverage early (around 8 a.m.). When I arrived, family members were busy unpacking and setting up everything for the brunch wedding. Yes, one downside of brunch weddings is having less time in the morning for venue decorations.

While everyone was rushing, I began photographing the bride’s details: dress, shoes, and jewelry. That’s when I get a feel for the wedding’s style, and this one leaned towards tasteful elegance. I loved the delicate engagement ring with its small diamonds (I got a similar one for my wife, with an even smaller stone). I admired the simple bouquet of white roses and eucalyptus, the slender drop earrings, the nude strappy sandals, and the modern fit-and-flare gown with an open back and deep V-neckline.

I used the outdoor arch under the stairs to display the dress, and I also hung it on the wooden banister inside the grand foyer.

The bride’s getting ready in the Master Bedroom.

Nervous, she was supported by her sister and mother. I could feel their deep bond.

She got into the master bedroom, which was mostly white and faced east, making it bright (ideal for getting ready).

I can’t stress enough how a spacious, bright room, along with its aesthetic style, plays a decisive role in getting-ready photos. Here, both the bride’s and groom’s rooms worked amazingly well.

When that’s not the case, I recommend the bride and groom book a nice hotel suite in Rochester. The Kahler, Hilton, and Marriott all offer lovely suites to rent if your venue doesn’t have the charm of the Plummer House.

The groom’s getting ready in the Living Room.

The groom initially started in the room once occupied by Henry Plummer’s mother, which didn’t get much light. So, I asked him to move into the Living Room to continue getting ready.

The large windows let in natural light, giving me the chance to play with shadows. Plus, the room’s elaborate wood panels, red velvet accents (cushions and curtains), and upscale furniture create a refined, elegant setting.

His best friend arrived, and the groom surprised him with a personalized gift: a mock PlayStation game box featuring images of their past adventures. Pretty awesome!

It was a touching moment that really showed their strong friendship.

Blind First Look

Instead of a traditional first look, they opted for a first touch. They stood on either side of a door and read letters to each other.

It was so emotional! The bride’s sister, mother, and the best man watched as everyone shed a tear.

Morning Ceremony on the Lower Lawn by the fountain

The ceremony took place in front of the East Fountain, below the house’s terrace. This area was mostly shady, helping guests avoid sunburn.

An original Flower girl: grandma

To the question: “What is the limit of age to be a flower girl?”, the answer is none. On this wedding day, the groom’s grandmother, who had always wished to be a flower girl, finally got granted the opportunity. It’s on her wedding chair, pairing with her 5-year-old granddaughter (the one wearing bunny ears), that they walk down the aisle, throwing flower petals in the air.
That was a very smart way to include his grandmother in the wedding procession, and it was extremely touching.

Speeches and tears

After speeches from family members, the couple planted greenery together to symbolize new beginnings.

There were many emotions and tears!

When the ceremony ended, we gathered all the guests for large group photos. Thanks to a well-placed tree, we blocked the view of the nearby Apache Mall!

Bride and Groom’s Couple Photos

One major advantage of this historic location is that it’s perfect for portraits year-round. When it isn’t booked for private events, the Plummer House serves as the backdrop for many photo sessions.

Some couples even stop here with their bridal party, like the pair who wed at the DoubleTree, and others come in winter, snow and all, to use this charming backdrop!

So Liz and Kyle didn’t have to waste time traveling to other locations, allowing them more time for what they really cherish: spending time with family and friends.

For their portraits, they used the formal garden and west fountain in the sun, the stone pathways, and the Gothic arched front door.

Bridal Portraits Inside the House

This rare 20th-century mansion is not only a Rochester historical site and a piece of Mayo Clinic history but also a pure gem from an architectural and photographic standpoint.

So we shot portraits in the living room, using the fireplace mantel as a focal point.

We used the stairs and steel windows as creative backdrops.

Special access to the 3rd Floor Ballroom

Liz and Kyle were thrilled to have their portraits taken in this Rochester landmark, and they surprised me by leading me up to the third-floor ballroom, which was bright and lined with mirrors!

Shooting here was such a delight! Even the best men had a little dance with the groom.

Brunch at the Plummer house’s terrace

The couple got lucky with a sunny September day, and the brunch was served on the terrace.

For their brunch, they skipped a caterer, instead setting up a buffet in one of the dining rooms where guests could help themselves to bagels, quiche, cakes, fresh fruit, sausage, ham, and, of course, some alcoholic beverages.

Under the arch, they installed a table with candles and gifts (from the groom) for their guests. Nearby, I installed the photo booth.

Toast and First Dance

The toast featured speeches from the groom’s father, the bride’s mother, and the best men.

There were a lot of emotions and everyone cried, even I, the photographer!

Next, the newlyweds danced with their parents for the first dance. Those dances were also full of emotion!

Last photos with American cars

One of the groom’s family members owned a collection of vintage American cars.

The black one was a 1947 Chrysler New Yorker Coupe, and the blue one was a 1947 or 1948 DeSoto Custom Club Coupe.

Those beauties are real gems, so we had to capture a few shots of them.

Conclusion on this brunch wedding

One secret to a successful brunch wedding is choosing an elegant event space that works even if it rains.

Dr. Henry Plummer’s estate, with its Tudor Revival architecture, is one such gem. Surprisingly, it’s also a very affordable wedding venue, thanks to the Rochester Parks & Recreation Department. If it were privately owned, the price would surely be much higher.

Plus, having a great getting-ready room is a real advantage. They could have rented a downtown studio like Studio 324 to kick off the day, but then they’d need to secure a hotel room, find a ceremony spot, and shuttle to another location for photos.

Hosting your brunch wedding in a venue that offers all those options in one place makes planning so much easier!

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If you’re planning a wedding and love what you see, contact me today!