19 Most Instagrammable Wedding Venues in Rochester, MN
If you are looking for gorgeous wedding venues around Rochester, Minnesota, you are in the right place. We have gathered the most photogenic and Instagrammable wedding venues in Olmsted County.
What we will speak about
From the timeless elegance of historic landmarks like The Plummer House and Mayowood Stone Barn to the sleek, modern aesthetics of the Rochester Art Center and J. Powers by Hilton, this guide unveils Rochester, MN’s most photogenic wedding venues. Discover charming rustic barns such as The Garten Marketplatz and Pond View Barn, sophisticated golf clubs like Somerby, and truly unique spots including Quarry Hill Nature Center and the scenic Steeple Chase Event Center. Get ready to explore the diverse backdrops that will make your wedding photos truly unforgettable.
Table of Contents
How did we select the most Instagrammable venues?
A venue’s “Instagrammable” status could be due to its intrinsic beauty or some other reason, such as its novelty, cuteness, historical dimension, or original concept.
Most importantly, the venue offers a breathtaking ceremony location, reception room, and scenery you and your guests will want to photograph and post on Instagram. It could be a venue with large capacities or a small event.
What should you consider when getting married at such a location?
If a perfect venue exists, it offers more than just an attractive scene for photography. It must also be convenient for preparation, reception, and cocktail hour, and have a backup location in case of rain.
Disclaimer: Best Instagrammable locations don’t necessarily mean they are the best options for your wedding day, but that people would share photos of you on their social media.
If you want more guidelines on how to get the perfect wedding in Rochester, check out our article.
Additional Outdoor locations for the bride and groom photos
Most venues will have exterior locations for your couple and group photos. But not all.
Luckily for you, Rochester has some spots that are great for photo sessions that I have gathered on this page: check this list of locations for a photo session for more choices! Some of those locations could be pretty Instagrammable as well!
The Historic venues
Historic venues are city landmarks. They have been built to last, in the best way possible, usually by rich people or institutions. They were traditionally gemstones of architecture and innovation at their time and still shine today.
Moreover, historic buildings are more than limestone buildings and antique furniture; they convey an entire imaginary world.
The Plummer House
The Plummer House is a dream for timeless, elegant wedding photography. Its historic stone architecture in Tudor-Style and grand staircases add a classic, romantic feel.
The lush gardens, fountains, and hidden pathways create perfect, intimate portraits in summer and fall. Its water tower and numerous inventions make it a lovely location.
With its impressive interior and breathtaking outdoor options, it’s one of the best options for small weddings (100 guests max) and one of the most famous places for family sessions in town.
The Mayowood Stone Barn
The Mayowood Stone Barn, probably the most famous venue in town, is a breathtaking mix of rustic charm and natural beauty.
The reception room’s arched ceiling and limestone walls create a warm, elegant atmosphere perfect for timeless wedding photos.
Ceremonies under the massive oak tree feel intimate and magical, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. The surrounding rolling fields and historical details add layers of texture and romance.
Nature and history frame every moment here, making it a photographer’s dream.
Kahler Grand Hotel
The hotel is the most famous with its century-old beige brick façace and iconic sign on the roof. However, its unique suites and Elizabethan ballroom make it great for weddings.
The Three Bedroom Luxury Suite at The Towers in the Kahler Grand Hotel is a dream preparation space for a wedding morning. With elegant furnishings, soft natural light, and plenty of room, it’s perfect for capturing candid moments and bridal details. The suite’s classic decor and city views add a touch of sophistication to getting-ready photos.
The Elizabethan Ballroom is a stunning, historic space with soaring ceilings, intricate woodwork, and grand chandeliers. The rich dark paneling and decorative beams create an atmosphere of timeless elegance. Soft, warm lighting enhances the ballroom’s classic charm, making every wedding moment feel regal and romantic.
The Castle
The Castle is a fascinating building in downtown Rochester. Built in 1915 as an armory for the Minnesota National Guard, it features a castle-inspired parapet along the roofline! Its grand entrance with stone details and large wooden doors gives it a regal, almost medieval feel.
Hilltop House Weddings & Events
Hilltop House Weddings & Events in Rochester, MN is a hidden gem with tons of charm and light. The elegant white tent fills with soft, natural light; perfect for bright, emotional photos during the ceremony or reception. Inside, the historic mansion feels like an aristocratic retreat, ideal for getting-ready moments and romantic portraits. And from the top of the hill, you get stunning views of Silver Lake and the city skyline—adding a beautiful, airy backdrop to your wedding day story.
The Modern Architectures
Now, let’s speak to modern architecture with glass walls.
Rochester Art Center
The Rochester Art Center is a sleek, modern wedding venue with a clean, minimalist aesthetic that makes every couple stand out. Its floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning natural light and breathtaking views of the Zumbro River.
The open gallery spaces, white walls, and contemporary architecture create a sophisticated, artistic backdrop, turning anything into a piece of art, even a wedding. That’s the power of the museum!
J. Powers by Hilton
J. Powers at the Hilton is a sleek and elegant wedding venue with a modern, upscale atmosphere, with several assets for weddings.
The major one is its terrace, which offers a direct view of Rochester’s Downtown buildings: the Plummer Building and the Kahler Hotel, which has an iconic sign. It’s perfect for a ceremony and a cocktail hour.
The other assets are:
- It’s luxury hotel suites to get ready
- Its reception room has a high ceiling with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light
- Its lobby has turning stairs, a fireplace, and a room for group pictures during winter.
Spruce Hill Event Center
Spruce Hill Event Center is a bright, open space with soaring cathedral ceilings and clean white walls that feel like a natural-light photo studio. It’s one of the brighter venues around Rochester!
Huge windows flood the venue with light and offer sweeping views of Minnesota’s rolling hills. The covered pine tree path adds a touch of forest magic, and the spacious getting-ready areas make it perfect for capturing both quiet moments and big emotions.
The Farms and Barns
Farms and their barn are also on the historic side. They can be rustic or sophisticated, but all of them have a special relationship with their outdoor locations for ceremonies.
The Garten Marketplatz
Garten Marketplatz is a hidden gem with European-inspired charm and lush garden beauty. Its 1865 red brick house is the perfect backdrop for pictures. The property is covered in flowers and antique furniture, which reminds me of English gardens.
The courtyard’s ivy-covered walls, stone pathways, and blooming flowers create a romantic setting for wedding photos.
This is a dream venue for couples who love a touch of whimsy and old-world romance. The cherry on the top of the cake is also one of the most adorable locations, regarding the quality it offers.
Pond View Barn
With its red barn, the Pond View Barn is a charming, rustic wedding venue on Pine Island’s picturesque rolling hills. During twilight, the string lights create warm, cozy light, contrasting with the dark blue sky.
You have several options for the ceremony with a view of the pond.
In winter, smaller events, such as vows renewals, would enjoy the warm atmosphere of the wooden barn.
Bearwood Event Barn
Although the original barn was built in 1917, it has undergone extensive renovations and was reopened in 2019 in a red barn style. This venue is located on the rolling hills of Byron, with one branch of the Zumbro River crossing in front of it.
Indoor, the barn’s high wooden beams, grand chandeliers, waxed floor, and warm string lights create a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere for reception.
However, the principal asset is the surrounding meadows and trees, which provide a dreamy natural backdrop, especially during the golden hour. Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo are nearby (for those who want to play with animals or enjoy high red pine trees).
Four Daughter Vineyard
Located in Spring Valley, this winery-type venue has several photogenic options.
Its grape fields are ideal for ceremonies and golden hour photos.
It has some giant oak trees with string lights, perfect for twilight photos.
Last but not least, its modern architecture, with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows paired with walls of wood barrels and a waxed concrete floor, makes the Four Daughters Winery an excellent choice for photos.
The Chic and Golf Clubs
Golf clubs convey the charm of an aristocratic life. Most of them, at least in the southeast of Minnesota, are pretty new, with modern architecture, which means high ceilings and stunning landscape views.
Rochester Golf and Country Club
While the indoor option matches a golf club’s classic expectations, it’s not its main asset.
You will like the golf course with its hills, views, and majestic trees.
Somerby Golf Club
This Golf Club in Byron is on the fancy side. A Tuscan-style clubhouse inspires its modern architecture with stone accents and grand archways.
The rolling fairways, manicured greens, and peaceful water ponds create stunning outdoor portrait opportunities.
Vindauga Event Center at Stewartville Golf Course
It is located in Stewartville and features modern wood architecture and an impressive glass wall, offering a panoramic view of the golf course and its water features. It’s a great venue for ceremonies and receptions.
The Original Venues
I have included venues that don’t fit in another case or that you would not accept. Those venues have something original that makes them different from traditional wedding venues. I wish there were more science-related places, but Minnesotan people seem pretty classic in their tastes!
Quarry Hill Nature Center
This one is probably my favorite. Quarry Hill Nature Center offers classrooms for rent for events. While those events are usually birthday parties, I have also covered some weddings!
With stuffed animals on the walls, it’s a unique experience for wedding ceremonies that cherish nature and science.
Steeple Chase Event Center
Located on the top of the Hill in Mazeppa, this venue serves as a Ski Hill during winter. Don’t be surprised to see a chairlift!
Another surprising element is the historic chapel, which is part of the present building and was relocated from Oronoco to the top of the hill.
Finally, the breathtaking view of the ceremony on the rolling hills guarantees to impress all your guests!
History Center of Olmsted County
Here is another site that might surprise your guests: the history center.
While you won’t get married inside the museum, you will enjoy the well-conserved houses and farm.
Closing:
I have tried to gather the places with the most interesting and photogenic elements here. Therefore, I have to skip some more traditional (not to say boring) places.
That being said, in wedding photography, the background is not everything.
Great candid shots require emotional moments, which can happen anywhere!
Remember that weddings are about family, not hashtags, followers, or the number of likes you will receive on social media.
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