Leah & Josh wedding at Steeplechase Event Center, in Mazeppa, MN
After their engagement session in Quarry Hills (not to be confused with Lebanon Hills in the Twin Cities area), they drive 70 miles from Minneapolis, to a stunning venue in the Steeplechase event center. So on an early morning, your favorite photographer, left Rochester, MN and headed to cover this unique wedding. Let me introduce the Steeplechase venue and dive in this unforgettable wedding reception!
Table of Contents
Presentation of the Steeplechase Event Center for Your Wedding
First, let’s admit that I don’t fully understand its name (if someone knows the meaning, please explain it to me). When the bride and groom told me they would get married at this event center, I initially thought about horses jumping over water. But that’s not it! The main thing to remember from the name here is the “Steeple” part, because it definitely has a nice steeple with an illuminated clock.
In reality, the venue is perched on top of a hill in the southeastern part of the state, on what used to be a ski resort. They offer 172 acres of fields for taking pictures. It’s the same kind of rolling hills you see all over Wisconsin. It’s located about half an hour from the Med City, between Pine Island, Oronoco, Zumbrota, the Zumbro River, and Red Wing, MN. The wedding center would attract people from Rochester (it’s close to the Mayo Clinic) and also visitors from Saint Paul who want to celebrate their wedding in a stunning location.
The Panoramic view
This place offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding hills. To use this exceptional scenery as a backdrop for your ceremony, the SteepleChase has a spacious wooden deck! You can comfortably fit your wedding officiant and entire wedding party while tying the knot. Your guests will enjoy the charm of the rural landscape, the wildlife, oak woods, and prairie behind you. During ceremonies, birds will provide live music. Isn’t that romantic and idyllic?
For your photography session, unless you want to, you don’t need to hike every trail to find a stunning backdrop. There are multiple options close to the Chapel with an overlooking view.
The Chapel
That’s the other big piece for your dream wedding: the venue itself. It’s a 1900s chapel, with its woodwork, arched windows, and steeple. They moved it from Oronoco, MN, and nestled it on top of the hill. They renovated it and added a large adjacent extension to host your banquet. For your dinner, the venue has a kitchen space that caterers can use. The chapel itself is elegant and large enough to accommodate a medium-sized ceremony. After the dinner, the chapel turns into a ballroom, with its wood floor and high ceiling.
The Wedding Day at Steeplechase Event Center
When Leah and Josh looked to hire a wedding photographer in Minneapolis to capture their mutual engagement near the twin cities, they were seduced by my candid shot. They value true and authentic emotion immortalize by stolen moments. Also, that’s what I did most of the day.
The event was quite traditional in its schedule, so I also added some fun and creative images.
Getting ready inside the bridal suite
The bride and bridesmaids arrived early to get ready while some family members helped with the venue decorations. The girls used the bridal suite to have their hair and makeup done. During this time, I went outside and looked for a place to hang the dress. I finally found what I was looking for: a pine tree. Then the girls changed into their getting-ready outfits. It’s a new trend where the bride offers her bridesmaids matching outfits. After that, they opened a bottle of champagne and started to relax, even spilling some on their wedding photographer. That was a funny moment!
Then the Groom Came With His Groomsmen
For the groom, the preparation took 10 minutes. His relatives and friends enjoyed teasing him, and he was rather relaxed. I placed him near a window to get natural light and asked his brother to help him with his suit.
First Look and Photo Session Outside
For their first look, they chose a shadowy spot to get soft light, since the sun was high in the sky. The groom was excited and nervous until he saw his bride-to-be. As a wedding photographer, I always feel privileged to witness this beautiful moment, which is usually full of emotion! Afterwards, we took some time for the bride and groom photo session. It was the end of spring, but the temperature was already quite high. I appreciated the connection between them and how the groom was caring for the bride. For the photos, we used the stunning landscape with its meadow and nature reserve.
Wedding Groups pictures
After the couple’s session, we returned to the Steeple to take the group photos. The AC was appreciated! For the group shots, I used the balcony, the pillars, and the piano to set my background. We arranged the group on chairs and aimed to create dynamic photos that resemble paintings.
Ceremony on the deck and its panoramic view
They were gathering all their guests on the hill. When everyone was seated—half exposed to the sun and half in the shade—the bridal party began walking down the aisle. The officiant was quite relaxed and allowed me to move around the wooden deck. Covering this ceremony was a real pleasure for me! At one point, the pastor let the groom’s father say a few words and announce their union. It’s definitely more meaningful when your father marries you! Before kissing, they exchanged vows and wedding rings.
Cocktails and Receptions
After the outdoor ceremony, everyone headed inside the chapel for the cocktail hour. It’s usually when your professional photographer gets the most candid shots of your guests. Indeed, when families share drinks and talk together, they don’t pay attention to the camera, allowing me to capture genuine emotions. Then, the dinner begins, lively with toasts and speeches.
Ballroom
Before the opening dance on the Chapel dance floor, I managed to “steal” the newly married couple for some minutes to shoot some sunset pictures.
Then, they gather their guests in the ballroom and start the dance. The DJ played a few games to encourage people to come dancing. Finally, before leaving the party, I took a last picture outside the Steeplechase event center. For me, it’s a chance to create an artistic photograph, offer the bride and groom some time together, and wish them all the best. I can’t say enough how lucky I am that they chose me to cover their big day!
The pro and cons of the steeplechase for a wedding
Let’s start with a few cons, and summarizes the good reasons to keep in mind. You will see that, from a photography consideration, excepted the bridal suite, I haven’t found anything.
Not plenty of hotels around
Mazeppa, MN, is the country side of Minnesota. There is no nice hotel, such as the Renaissance Minneapolis Depot. And, precisely, if you have some family traveling from far away (I believe there was some guys from Virginia and Wisconsin), you want them to be at their ease in a comfortable Hotel room with a great service (and not in a creepy hotel).
Nothing much to do the day after
Check Zumbrota, MN, except the Minnesota Zumbro River, there is nothing to do: no Guthrie Theater to see a good play, no concert hall, no stadium to enjoy a good game, no museum, not even a mall.
The point is, when you become husband and wife, you usually invite a lot of relatives and friends from far away. They will reserve their weekend for you and might want to enjoy the area.
For that they would need to go to the city.
A New Kitchen Facility
The kitchen is usually the Achilles heel of historical venue. Thus they can limit you in the catering service. Surprisingly, this is not the case of this venue which features a bright new kitchen.
It’s pretty rare, so I thought it was worth mentioning.
Price to rent the Steeplechase Event Center for your wedding
2026 rates:
- Saturday: $5,950
- Friday: $5,450
- Sunday: $5,950
For couples planning their 2026 wedding, Steeplechase Event Center offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprises. The rental rate is $5,450 for Friday celebrations and $5,950 for Saturday or Sunday weddings, with flexible payment options available to make your dream wedding more accessible.
This investment covers the complete rental of their stunning facility, giving you exclusive access to everything that makes this venue special. Your wedding package includes the historic chapel (which doubles as your dance floor), the main dining room, spare dining room for additional seating or activities, and full caterer access to their bright, modern kitchen. You’ll also have the bridal suite and groom’s suite for getting ready, plus the comfortable lounge spaces for your guests to relax.
The outdoor elements are equally impressive – you get access to the scenic walking paths and grounds, the cozy outdoor fire pit for intimate moments, and of course, that breathtaking outdoor ceremony space with panoramic views. All tables and chairs are included with your rental, and perhaps most importantly for busy couples, Steeplechase handles all the cleanup after your celebration ends.
With 172 acres of rolling hills as your backdrop and a venue that seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern amenities, this pricing reflects exceptional value for couples seeking a truly memorable wedding experience in southeastern Minnesota.
Conclusion: A Charming Place in Mazeppa for a Perfect Wedding
After photographing dozens of weddings throughout Minnesota, Steeplechase Event Center ranks among my absolute favorites around Rochester. This venue isn’t about luxury but rather authentic charm, blending rich historical character with thoughtful modern touches.
The 1900s chapel offers abundant natural light and gleaming wood floors that create a photographer’s dream, while that spectacular deck with sweeping panoramic views transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. Even when Minnesota weather turns unpredictable, the chapel’s generous interior ensures your celebration remains beautiful.
Having witnessed Leah and Josh’s magical day unfold here, I can confidently say Steeplechase Event Center is the perfect canvas for medium-sized or intimate weddings in southeastern Minnesota. It’s where genuine emotions flourish and couples can focus on what truly matters: celebrating their love surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
If you like The Steeple Chase, you should also check out nearby venues that take advantage of nature. Let’s think of the Pond View Barn and the Spruce Hill Event Center.
Ready to have your wedding day in this gorgeous venue? If you like my photos, I invite you to contact me today to check the availability for your date!
