Elly & Erik’s wedding at J Powers Hilton Rochester MW: Discover one of the best venues in Town

You might be considering J.Powers for your wedding in Rochester, MN. But is it the right venue for you? What are its unique assets and limitations? Is it a photogenic place? Should you get married in this modern hotel or choose a historic location?

To help you decide, I will share photos of Elly and Erik’s special day at J.Powers at the Hilton. You’ll learn how they planned their wedding celebration, which might give you some ideas!

Let’s dive in.

Presentation of J.Powers at the Hilton: a high-end, chic venue with the best view of the city

A New Hotel with a Great Location

J.Powers is located at the corner of South Broadway and East Center Street in downtown Rochester, Minnesota, inside the Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area. It’s a modern glass-walled hotel, built in 2019, within walking distance of downtown and connected to the city’s skyway system.

On weekends, the venue hosts wedding receptions, while during the week, it stays busy with corporate events, including those for major companies like the Mayo Clinic.

The venue features two large meeting rooms with 19-foot ceilings: Dr. John Noseworthy Hall, which can accommodate up to 800 guests, and Doctors Mayo Hall, which has a capacity of 690 guests. There is also a smaller meeting room, the Franciscan Sisters Room.

Elly and Erik’s Big Day

Presentation of the Couple

Elly is a physical therapist in Rochester, and Erik is a procurement manager for a food company. After meeting online, we scheduled their engagement session in two locations: a charming house in the south of Rochester and downtown.

They brought their two dogs along for photos, which was great. I’ve noticed that people who love dogs often have a lot of dedication and empathy, which usually makes them warm and friendly. And since photography is a relationship between the couple and the photographer, that connection helps everyone feel at ease. It’s a virtuous cycle.

On top of that, this couple is deeply in love and incredibly photogenic—definitely a winning combination!

Preparation of the Bride and Bridesmaid at the Hilton Suite : 2 King Presidential Suite

On the wedding day, Elly got ready with her eight bridesmaids and her mother in one of the hotel’s luxury suites: the Two King Presidential Suite.

Having a suite like this is a huge, HUGE advantage for photography. There’s enough space for bridesmaids to get ready, for the photographer to move around and capture details, and for everyone to feel comfortable. Plus, these suites are on the upper floors, offering a stunning view of the city.

At one point, the bridesmaids decided to pop a bottle of champagne. We went outside so they could spray it. It’s a classic shot that always works well.

Then, back in the suite, Elly put on her wedding gown with the help of her mother. She looked stunning, and emotions ran high in the room. We followed up with a first look between the bride and her bridesmaids.

The Groom’s Preparation in the Franciscan Sisters’ Room

Unlike the bride, the groom didn’t have the luxury of a suite. Instead, he got ready in one of the hotel’s meeting rooms.

These rooms are spacious enough that I could position him on one side for photos while capturing moments of him getting dressed, surrounded by his father and groomsmen (in jerseys).

First Look in the stairs

For their first look, the bride and groom chose the grand spiral staircase in the hotel lobby. After that, we took a few photos with their dogs. I love how much this couple cares for their pets!

Once we finished, the groom stepped aside, and it was time for the bride’s first look with her father.

Afterward, we continued with their dogs and a few portraits of the bride and groom inside the hotel.

Wedding Party and Family Portraits

Next, we headed to the terrace for wedding party portraits with the groomsmen and bridesmaids.

The backlighting was strong, so I had to use a flash to balance the sunlight.

Buffer Time

During the buffer time, I went into the reception room to capture details of the décor before the guests were seated.

I loved how the main table was decorated with hanging greenery and Edison bulbs—it created a refined and inviting atmosphere. The wedding cake was also beautifully designed.

I also had the chance to take some candid shots of the groom playing with his nephews. Moments like these will be precious for the little ones when they grow up.

Ceremony on Mother Alfred Moes’ Outdoor Terrace and its view on Rochester

The ceremony took place outside on the Mother Alfred Moes Outdoor Terrace, with guests facing the city skyline. Many of them wore sunglasses to shield their eyes from the bright sunlight.

It was one of those hot, cloudy days with swirling wind—one where you’re never quite sure if a storm is coming or if the weather will hold.

The ceremony was filled with emotion, with plenty of tears, especially when the bride walked down the aisle. The groom’s face said it all.

The wind played with the bride’s veil and teased the long-haired guests. The ring bearers had their fun.

Finally, they exchanged rings and shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

Cocktail Hour on the Outdoor Terrace

The cocktail hour was also held on the terrace, where guests were served wine, beer, and other drinks. I liked the glass holders the caterer used—they were practical and stylish.

I always find cigar-smoking moments to be particularly photogenic, and this wedding was no exception.

We also gathered everyone for a giant group photo (shoutout to the wedding coordinator for getting me a stool to climb on!).

Cocktail hour is one of the best times for candid photography, so I always recommend couples allow plenty of time for it.

Finally, the storm arrived, pushing everyone inside toward the reception area.

A Reception at Doctors Mayo Hall

After a quick makeup touch-up, the newly married couple made their grand entrance.

The reception took place in Doctors Mayo Hall, where guests enjoyed dinner, toasts, and dancing.

For the party, the couple set the bar high with a live band performing on stage—proving once again that nothing gets wedding guests on the dance floor like hearing Sweet Caroline for the 87th time.

It was a fantastic celebration!

The Last Creative Images

If you’ve checked my portfolio, you know I love taking creative shots during the reception.

For the bride and groom’s wedding portraits, I captured them in a few different locations:

• The Hilton lobby, using the gas fireplace as a backdrop.
• The lobby again, playing with reflections and available lighting.
• The terrace at night, with the Kahler Grand Hotel’s neon sign in the background.

Conclusion on the Wedding

This was one of my favorite weddings to photograph. It was deeply family-oriented (with the nephews being adorably silly), filled with candid moments, set in a stunning location, and decorated beautifully. There was plenty of action to capture, making it a truly dynamic and memorable event.

The Venue’s Limitations

The biggest downside of J.Powers comes from its nature: it’s a hotel venue with an outdoor terrace.

The Outdoor Terrace

As we saw on this wedding day, sunny weather can bring swirling winds, which can be an annoyance.
If it rains, guests have to move inside to the reception room.

While the reception space has large windows, they are tinted to filter out UV light, making the room appear darker.

If your ceremony gets moved indoors, you’ll be lit by artificial lighting (which has a yellow tint) while the windows in the background take on a cooler, bluish tone.
If you do so, I suggest that you host the ceremony as close to the windows as possible.

Not a Natural Setting

Like most hotel venues, this one is downtown, meaning it’s far from wild natural areas.

Of course, there’s Silver Lake Park and Mayo Park nearby, but they are still urban parks. If you want a more natural setting with prairie meadows and tall grass, you might prefer Quarry Hill, Chester Woods Park, or Oxbow Park.

Note that Quarry Hill is only about 10 minutes away by car.

If you want both an open view of nature and a covered space, consider a brighter venue, such as Riverview Greens Golf Course.

Price to Get Married at the J.Powers

The J Powers by Hilton starts at $4,000 for their main reception room and adjacent getting-ready space, though the latter isn’t particularly photogenic.

For a more complete wedding experience, we strongly recommend adding the two King suites (starting around $3,500) and the Mother Alfred Moes’ Outdoor Terrace for your ceremony (an additional $1,500), bringing the total to approximately $9,000. While this positions J Powers at the higher end of the market, you’re paying for luxury hotel amenities where your wedding party can stay on-site, and guests won’t need to worry about transportation home. Like most hotels, booking multiple rooms for family members often comes with discounts. Yes, the entry price isn’t budget-friendly, but it reflects the venue’s upscale positioning and comprehensive service: you’re investing in both convenience and prestige.

Friday Estimated: $9000
Sunday Estimated: $9000

Note: Always inquire directly to the venue for updated price.

Conclusion: Should You Get Married, J.Powers at the Hilton

If you’re looking for a modern hotel wedding with all the convenience and luxury that comes with it, this could be the right place for you.

Let’s sum up the advantages:

• Guests can stay at the hotel (and enjoy the open bar without worrying about driving drunk).
• You can host your rehearsal dinner at the hotel restaurant.
• You can get ready in a spacious hotel suite.
• A post-wedding brunch is easy to arrange.
• Kids can enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool.
• No need for a shuttle or taxi service.
• Breakfast can be delivered to your hotel room.
• The venue is connected to the Rochester skyway system.
• On-site parking is available.

The main downside is the unpredictability of the weather. If it rains, you can still get great family and group portraits indoors, but the ceremony setting may not be as photogenic.

That said, most of Minnesota’s best wedding venues are weather-dependent, except for a few historic locations like The Landmark Center.

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If you’re looking for a wedding photographer, I invite you to contact me today!