Why Plummer House is Rochester’s Best Spot for Snow Wedding Photos

When you plan a winter wedding, you often hope for snow in your photos. As always, one of the key elements of a successful photo session is the location. However, on your wedding day you might not have time to drive far for the best spots, so you make the most of the photo stops you have nearby.

In this article, I’ll share Alyssa and Andrew’s wedding photos from January at the Plummer House in Rochester, MN. You’ll see what’s possible and decide if you’d like to include a snow photo stop on your own wedding day.

Alyssa and Andrew’s winter wedding, in a few words

Alyssa and Andrew initially planned a September wedding for 200 guests, but for personal reasons, they postponed it to winter. For their celebration, they rented a large Airbnb home in northeast Rochester to get ready.

Given their larger guest list, booking the Plummer House wasn’t an option, since it accommodates up to 100 guests. Therefore, they chose another fantastic Rochester venue, Garten Marketplatz Perennial Farms, for both the ceremony and reception.

They woke up to 12 inches of fresh snow. Temperatures dropped below zero Fahrenheit, but winds stayed mild. Perfect conditions for snow photos, if you’re prepared.

It helped that they’d done their engagement session here. They already knew how to pose, so we captured several strong images in a very short time.

What Makes Plummer House Work for Winter Wedding Photos

The Tudor Revival architecture does the heavy lifting. Steeply pitched roofs, half-timbering with stucco and stonework, ornate chimneys, tall leaded-glass windows. Against fresh snow, it feels like a fairy tale. A formal wedding gown belongs here.

The limestone walls echo the snow’s white tones with warmer hues. The evergreen plantings (even if we wished more of the), add life and contrast.

And unlike parks where snow means trudging through drifts, here you get stunning backdrops steps from cleared paths. Essential when the bride is in white.

If, like the bride, are wearing a white dress, you don’t want to ruin it with mud, so we stayed close to the historic venue to make the most of it quickly.

But, if you use the Plummer House for an engagement session, you’ll be in snow boots and pants, so you can access all the usual spots.

Three Photo Spots to Use

Should you use the Plummer House for photos when there is snow?

If you book the Plummer House for a winter wedding, all the vendors will recommend it for every photo opportunity. It’s stunning both outside and in. Ask any makeup artist: the large first-floor room offers ideal lighting, and the woodwork interior makes for gorgeous portraits!

If you have another wedding downtown,for instance, at a small restaurant or venue, like this couple’s winter celebration at Studio 324. In that case, you might still want to stop by the Plummer House for a few photos.

Other locations in Rochester for snow days?

Your choice depends on your wedding venue’s location. I recommend several parks, like Oxbow Park, which is, from far the best location with a lot of white pine tree, but it’s located 20 min away from downtown; so except if you get married at the Bearwood Event Barn in Byron, it might not the ideal choice from a timeline point of view).
Other great locations for winter photos to consider in Rochester : Quarry Hill Park or Chester Woods Park. You can even have portraits taken on a frozen lake, such as Silver Lake.

Finally, remember that architectural features work beautifully with snow, especially red-brick buildings. Downtown Rochester, with its restaurants, plazas, and historic structures, offers several great photo options (check out the Engagement Session Downtown).

The secret to enjoying a snow photo session on your wedding day

Did you notice how the bride and groom dressed?

While the groom embraced his rugged Minnesota spirit without a wool coat, the bride chose a faux fur bolero to stay warm.
Under her gown, she wore white snow boots and cozy tights.
I can’t stress enough: dressing warmly is the key to a successful snow session.

If you’re planning a winter wedding in Rochester or anywhere in Minnesota, I’d love to be your photographer. Send me an email, and we can start planning your big day and schedule our first meeting.

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