Somerby Golf Club Wedding: Complete Venue Guide for Minnesota Couples

Planning your wedding at Somerby Golf Club in Byron? You’ve chosen a venue with English countryside charm and rolling Minnesota landscapes. After capturing weddings for over 20 years, I’ll give you the honest breakdown you need to plan your perfect day.

This guide covers everything from realistic budget planning to photography tips. You’ll know exactly what to expect at this classic golf club venue.

The Venue Overview

Somerby Golf Club spans 35,000 square feet of clubhouse space designed with English countryside inspiration. The venue sits on rolling hills with mature oak trees and creeks. It’s classic golf club style, common in Minnesota, rather than an ultra-modern luxury wedding venue.

The atmosphere feels sophisticated yet grounded in its golf club roots (people who used to go to the Rochester Golf Club won’t be changed). Think traditional chandeliers, warm lighting, and established charm. The landscape is genuinely beautiful with century-old trees and well-maintained grounds.

You can host up to 350 guests here. The venue works well for couples who appreciate classic settings and don’t need cutting-edge modern design.

The staff knows weddings inside and out. They’ve been hosting celebrations for years and understand how to make your day flow smoothly.

Somerby Wedding Venues: Indoor and Outdoor Options

Outdoor Wedding Arbor

The outdoor ceremony space overlooks the golf course with scenic rolling hills as your backdrop. It accommodates up to 350 guests with proper chair arrangements.
Facing the west, it’s perfect for an afternoon to sunset ceremony.

The arbor itself provides a lovely focal point for your vows. Your guests will enjoy views of the maintained golf course and natural Minnesota landscape. The only regret that we could find is that the ceremony space is located next to the swimming pool (might be noisy in summer) and just in front of the parking lot (we have seen better for the romantic aspect).

Weather backup is crucial here. Minnesota weather can change quickly, especially in spring and fall. The venue offers indoor ceremony options, but you’ll want this planned well in advance.

Summer ceremonies work beautifully. Late afternoon timing gives you the best light without harsh midday sun.

Manchester Ballroom

The main reception space seats 350 guests comfortably or divides into smaller sections. Manchester South holds 120 people, while East and West accommodate 140 each if you need more intimate spacing.

The ballroom features traditional golf club decor (ugly hotel-style carpet) with crystal chandeliers and warm artificial lighting. Large windows face south and west, though don’t expect bright, streaming natural light. The lighting stays warm and cozy rather than bright and airy.

Two built-in bars serve your guests efficiently. The wrap-around deck provides outdoor space for cocktail hour or after-dinner mingling, with a perfect view on the hills.

The carpeting and neutral color palette work well with most wedding color schemes. Just plan your florals and linens thoughtfully to complement the existing decor.

Photography Opportunities

Best Outdoor Spots

The golf course landscape offers multiple photo locations within walking distance. Century-old oak trees on the rolling hills create stunning natural backdrops for portraits and family photos.

The ivy-covered maintenance buildings, designed as “English cottages,” add charm and character to your images. These spots work beautifully for smaller group photos and romantic couple shots. Plus, in the fall, they turn red, orange, and it’s just a dream!

Don’t miss the signature “Lighted Tree” for evening photographs. This illuminated feature creates magical nighttime portraits that couples treasure.

The meandering creeks and grassy areas provide variety throughout your photo timeline. Each location offers different textures and natural framing.

Best timing: Golden hour works wonderfully here (check here what time would be golden hour on your wedding day). Plan outdoor portraits for the hour before sunset to capture warm, romantic lighting across the golf course.

Indoor Photography Tips

Plan your ceremony positioning wisely. If the weather forces you indoors, it will likely be rainy. Don’t request setup near the south and west-facing windows in the background (that would look like blue). Instead, choose a plan wall.

Choose your colors thoughtfully. The ballroom’s warm artificial lighting and traditional decor work best with romantic, soft color palettes. Avoid cool blues or stark whites that might clash with the golden lighting.

Avoid the mixed lighting zone. Stay away from areas where blue natural light from windows mixes with yellow artificial light from chandeliers. This creates unflattering color casts in photos.

Winter wedding timing matters. When the sun sits low, use natural daylight as long as possible for your ceremony and key photos. Only turn on artificial lights when absolutely necessary to avoid that ugly blue-yellow color mixing.

Golf Course Fun

If you and your partner love golf, embrace it! Golf cart photos add personality and fun to your wedding album. Bring your own clubs for playful shots that reflect your shared interests.

Golf carts also serve a practical purpose during photography. We can use them to move safely between distant photo locations across the course without exhausting your wedding party.

Small wedding party photos work great with golf carts as props. Your groomsmen or bridesmaids can pose casually around the cart for relaxed group shots.

You can also make fun of the situations and take silly photos. These photos capture your personalities while taking advantage of Somerby’s unique golf club setting.

Your Wedding Day Timeline

Here’s a realistic timeline that works well at Somerby, keeping in mind their 1:00 AM closure:

• 11:00 AM – Bride arrives at venue for getting ready photos in bride’s room
• 2:00 PM – First look and couple portraits on golf course
• 3:00 PM – Wedding party and family photos at oak trees and English cottages
• 4:30 PM – Ceremony begins at outdoor arbor
• 5:00 PM – Cocktail hour on deck while couple takes additional photos
• 6:30 PM – Dinner service begins in Manchester Ballroom
• 7:30 PM – First dance, parent dances, and open dancing
• 11:30 AM – Last call announced
• 1:00 AM – Venue closes

To learn more about the timeline, check our resource for the needed time for a wedding day, the timeline builder, and another example of a 10-hour wedding coverage.

Weather contingency: If outdoor ceremony moves inside, add 30 minutes between ceremony and cocktail hour for room flip. The ballroom transforms beautifully but needs time for setup changes.

Winter weddings work differently here. Start ceremony at 3:30 PM to maximize limited daylight for outdoor photos afterward.

What You’ll Really Pay

Ceremony Packages: Classic package runs $1,850, while Premium costs $2,450 and includes dance floor plus champagne toast.

Reception Costs: Room rental ranges from $1,500 (Sunday), $2,000 (Friday), to $2,500 (Saturday) . Food and beverage minimums hit $5,500-$7,500 depending on your day. And, on top, you will have to add about 20-30%for service charges and taxes.

Saturday weddings typically cost $12,000-$18,000 total for venue and catering. This pricing works best for larger guest counts since you’ll hit minimums regardless of party size.
This is not surprising given it’s one of the high-end venues in Rochester, MN.

If that seems a lot of money, you could check on the average price of a venue in Minnesota, or look for an alternative type of venue.

What to Expect

Somerby’s Strengths

The experienced staff know weddings and help your day flow smoothly. They’ve hosted countless celebrations and anticipate potential issues before they happen.

Flexible indoor and outdoor options mean weather won’t ruin your plans. The main reception room can be flipped for indoor ceremonies when needed.

The on-site catering team receives consistently great reviews. Guests often comment on the food quality years later, and the culinary team creates custom menus for each celebration.

The natural landscape provides gorgeous photo opportunities. Those century-old oak trees and rolling hills create timeless backdrops for your memories.

Important Considerations

This is definitely a golf club atmosphere with traditional decor rather than modern luxury. The carpeting, chandeliers, and overall aesthetic reflect classic golf club style.

On the club side, we regret not having a Woody library that we could use to take pictures with.

Strict policies govern everything from decorations to payment schedules. Deposits are non-refundable, and you can’t use glitter or put holes in walls for decorations.

Indoor lighting relies heavily on warm artificial sources rather than bright natural light. Plan your color palette and photography accordingly.

The 1:00 AM closure comes quickly, especially with earlier ceremony times. Factor this into your celebration timeline from the start.

Making Your Day Perfect at Somerby

Work with the venue’s traditional style by choosing romantic color palettes. Soft florals and elegant linens enhance the existing warm decor.

Plan your decoration timeline carefully. No glitter or wall alterations means focusing on centerpieces and lighting enhancements that complement their guidelines.

Have weather backup conversations early in planning. The indoor ceremony setup works well, but knowing your options reduces wedding day stress.

The 1:00 AM closure, which is later than most venues, is perfect for large, energetic crowds.

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Ready to explore Somerby for your celebration? Check our complete guide to getting married in Rochester for more venue options and planning tips. Discover other high-end venues in our area guides.

Let’s capture your perfect day together. Book your photography consultation to discuss your vision and timeline. Schedule your engagement session to get comfortable with us before your wedding day.