Photography Considerations for a succesful wedding day at the Garten Marketplatz, Rochester, MN

As a wedding photographer, I have to confess, the Garten Marketplatz is one of my absolute favorite places to shoot. This real gemstone of a venue remains unknown to many in Rochester, discovered mostly through word of mouth among couples who’ve experienced its magic.

Just 15 minutes from the city of Rochester, MN, this 10-acre historic farm offers everything I dream of as a photographer: stunning natural light, endless creative backdrops, and that authentic charm you simply can’t find at corporate venues. In this guide, I’ll share all my insider secrets, including the exact spots where I capture the most breathtaking photos, and indirectly, try to convince you to hire me to cover the best day of your life.

Garten Marketplatz is a Historic Farm in Rochester, MN

For those whose German lessons are a distant memory, Garten Marketplatz means a place where you can buy things related to the garden. So, it’s not surprising that its full name became Garten Marketplatz Perennial Farms.

This historic 10-acre farm, established during the Civil War era, is located approximately six miles southwest of Rochester, Minnesota. For over 25 years, Pete Rupprecht, Randy, and Sue Lantz have owned and operated it, evolving from a perennial flower farm into a multifaceted venue.

While most farm venues offer only a barn (let’s think of this one in Pine Island), this farm features an 1800s vintage brick gift house that serves as a gift shop and an extension. In 2018, the heated and cooled Carriage House was added to host wedding events year-round.
This blend of historic charm and modern amenities has made Garten Marketplatz a sought-after location for weddings and special events.

Today, despite its rich history and offerings, many Rochester residents remain unaware of this serene destination.

A Venue That Reaches Its Full Potential During the Warm Season

As you can imagine, a venue that sells all kinds of flowers and backyard decorations (fountains, iron chairs, tables, benches, decorative statues) looks better during summer and fall. At least it’s warm enough to fully enjoy the outdoor views.

But, it’s a charming and warm venue for Minnesota winter too!

That being said, in winter, Garten Marketplatz is one of the rare venues in town that is open. Check this winter wedding.
And it’s one of the rare venues, big enough to welcome 100 guests for a winter wedding in Rochester! Indeed, in winter, couples tend to organize smaller events in smaller downtown venues, such as this one at Studio 324.

The Carriage House

The carriage house is the modern addition with plenty of windows on both the west and east sides. The quality of light in the space is pretty good. It’s one of the rare places where you enjoy the sunset light. The cream-painted wall and shiny, waxed cement floor help keep the space bright, which, as you may know, photographers love.

If it’s modern, it remains classic in the interior design. The exposed wooden beams and he large carriage wooden doors bring a touch of history. For evening events, the vintage-style Edison chandeliers offer a warm glow.
Another distinctive elements are their amazing wooden chairs, and the massive wedding party wood table.
The venue offers a valuable range of textures, from the antique brick pillars to the exposed ceiling beams, which add welcome depth and character to portraits

The Carriage House is connected on one side to the pergola-lit patio and on the other side to the landscaped gardens. It is also connected to the kitchen.

From the outside, the east side of the carriage is in red brick to blend with the shop house, and the west side is in a modern white siding for elegance.

From a photographer’s perspective, The Carriage House at Garten Marketplatz is a thoughtfully designed venue that provides an excellent canvas for capturing beautiful images. Modern and bright inside, historic matching style outside

The Rooms to Get Ready

One good aspect of this venue is that it offers a room for the bride and a room for the groom to get ready. Both have windows with natural light, which is essential for getting good images.

The Bridal Suite

The bridal suite is part of the brick house (the gift house), on the north side. It’s an elongated room with a lot of windows, a white ceiling, and white walls with a touch of bricks. The decoration is in the antic and white style, with room dividers, and different types of chairs. Of course, you have a makeup mirror and numerous lamps.

In some, it’s pretty appropriate for a bridal suite, very cozy and elegant at the same time.

The Groom’s Room

Located in a separate building, the groom’s room is a convenient space for the groom and groomsmen to get ready. It features a fridge to keep beverages cold, hangers, a table with chairs, and a mirror. The Tillas paints the wall, with a white ceiling, and the bright lighting works great for photos. The lighting is provided by a small window facing south, so during sunny days, I often recommend keeping the door open!

Having such a getting-ready room is a necessity for those who want their entire wedding day covered. These rooms help save a lot of time and make things easier on a wedding day.

The only criticism one could offer concerns their size. They are made for a maximum of 4 to 5 people (which worked very well for Amanda and Ahmed’s wedding). So, if you are planning to have a large wedding party of 20, then you might prefer to book a big suite in a hotel such as the Hilton or the Kahler.

More that 6 Options to Host Your Ceremony

Getting married in this venue truly shines when you take advantage of its sophisticated gardens. Due to their amazing landscaping work, you just turn your head and you see plenty of options everywhere.
The venue advertises six officiant ceremony spots. I’m pretty sure we can find more, depending on how many guests you have.

• In front of a majestic Silver Maple tree
• Under the Pergola
• On the lawn, behind the carriage house
• On the lawn in front of the little brick house with beds of flowers
• On the newly expanded patio on the East side of the house
• Inside the Carriage House in case of bad weather

Best Spots to Take Your Couple Photos at Garten Marketplatz

Whether it’s for group photos, individual shots, or couples’ photos, the venue becomes the photographer’s playground! There are tons of elements to include in the first plan, a lot of open view, and different styles of buildings to include as the background!
Something to consider is the lighting and the sun’s position. After all, each spot looks different at different times of day, and one location might be more suitable in the morning, afternoon, or even on a cloudy day, depending on the conditions.

• The Front of the Shade Plant Shop
• The top of the Carriage House stairs with the cypress
• The fountains area
• In front of the Groom’s Room (with it’s textured wall)
• In front and around of the white barn
• Behind the white barn with the meadow area
• Using one of the numerous Gazebo arch
• The Front Patio
• The Back Patio
• The White Pine Trees area
• View from country rd 15 SW
• On the 52nd street SW white sand road
• Near the compost pile (yes…not glam, but you don’t notice them in the photos)
• In the corn Field

Additional Location and Nearby Photo Options

With all the options mentioned above, you really don’t need additional locations. But just in case you want to venture out, here’s a short list of nearby spots:

• 1 minute away from Salem Glen Winery, with its beautiful rolling hills covered by its vineyard.
• 9 minutes from the History Center of Olmsted County, which features charming red barns and other historic buildings perfect for photos
• 13 minutes from Willow Creek Reservoir Park, with its expansive lake that’s ideal for stunning water shots
• 15 minutes from downtown Rochester if you want to incorporate the city vibe, including historic buildings or rooftop settings

Group Photos

If family photos are important for you, be reassured, this venue is also ideal for that. The Venue offers tons of options for family or wedding party photos.

Two patios for Cocktail Hour

If a venue doesn’t have space for a cocktail hour, the Garten Marketplatz has two patios available for use. Also, if you’re not aware, the cocktail hour is the perfect time for your photographer to capture candid shots of your guests.
The East patio (recently renovated) offers a nice view of the garden and the brick house.
The West patio has two areas. One area features simple iron forge tables and chairs surrounded by flowers, and the other area has a giant pergola with string lights. During the summer, this area is mostly shaded by the maple tree, which is perfect for escaping the heat. Plus, you might notice that various vines, such as hops, climb the pergola, making for some great photo ops!

Plus, during the cocktail hour, your guests will likely stumble upon the property’s various options. With the Garten Marketplatz, you’ve got multiple outdoor spaces to choose from, each with its own unique style: gardens, terraces, lawns, and fountains. It’s a bit like being in a German (or even British) garden: little nooks that blend perfectly with the plants. This is a far cry from the formal, geometric gardens you’d find in France. Instead, you’ve got a range of different atmospheres to pick from.

An Ideal Venue for Night Creative Photos and Sparklers Grand Exit

If you check out my portfolio, you’ll see I love creating dramatic night photography. This venue is absolutely perfect for it. Whether it’s working with the warm glow of the patio’s yellow lighting, using buildings or trees as backdrops with colorful flash techniques, or capturing a spectacular sparkler exit – the creative possibilities are endless.

And if you’re really lucky to have a crystal-clear night sky without clouds, and your wedding photographer is still around (and you’re still coherent… yes, that’s a lot of “ifs”!), you might even hope for that once-in-a-lifetime shot with the Milky Way as your backdrop!

What could be your timeline of the day?

If you want to enjoy your day and have some good photos, a good timeline is a necessity.
At French-Touch-Photography, I help all my clients design their timeline, keeping in mind the photography considerations (sun positions, size of wedding party, special couple’s desire, etc).

• 11:00 AM – Hair & makeup begins (Bridal Suite)
• 12:00 PM – Groom gets ready (Groom’s Room)
• 1:00 PM – Bride gets dressed
• 2:00 PM – First Look (Under the Pergola)
• 2:15 PM – Bridal party photos (Near the Shade Plant Shop, Carriage House stairs or fountains area)
• 2:45 PM – Family photos (Same place)
• 3:30 PM – Couple portraits (Throughout the grounds)
• 4:30 PM – Hide before ceremony
• 5:00 PM – Ceremony (Under the Silver Maple Tree)
• 5:30 PM – Cocktail hour (West Side Pergola)
• 6:30 PM – Grand entrance (Carriage House)
• 6:45 PM – Dinner & speeches
• 7:30 PM – Cake cutting & toasts
• 8:00 PM – First dances
• 8:15 PM – Dancing & sunset photos (Around the grounds)
• 8:50 PM – Sparkler exit (Front patio)

Other Reasons For Booking this Venue

Here is a list of different good reasons to book these venues.

The Team

While the venue itself is crucial, the team you work with is equally important, if not more so. Too many couples have seen their wedding day (or preparations) ruined by incompetent or simply unpleasant venue managers and staff members. Remember, weddings are full of unexpected moments that require last-minute decisions. In those circumstances, you’ll be grateful to have a supportive team on your side.

The staff at Garten Marketplatz is always available with a smile, responding thoughtfully to every request. As a photographer, I’ve worked there quite often, and it’s always the same familiar faces—unlike other popular venues with high staff turnover (we won’t mention names). Haylee, the day-of coordinator, responds to emails incredibly quickly (even from demanding wedding photographers like myself), which makes the planning process so much smoother.

If I had to capture the vibe in one sentence, I’d say it feels like a family business where people genuinely care and want to help make your day special.

Old Fashioned way of running business

Their family spirit is reflected in the way they run their business and you can see it in lot of tiny details.

• No hidden fees – the price you see is what you pay
• Dedicated day-of site coordinator to answer all your questions and ensure everything runs smoothly
• Overnight parking available for guests who need it (because safety comes first; no one wants friends driving home after celebrating!)
• Fully wheelchair accessible venue
• Lawn games available to keep adults entertained
• Playground area to keep the little ones busy and happy
• A fire pit to roast marshmallows during the fresh season

No Minimums or Imposed Cater or Bar service

You can bring your own, or hire the licensed caterer or bar service of your choice. And, that, on a budget, makes a huge difference!

You can pick your local restaurant caterer, your great uncle to roast the pigglets, or your favorite food truck.
What’s more, the kitchen (even if not a commercial-grade one) would allow you to do most of the basic necessities.

Built-in Décor That Saves Your Budget

You’ll quickly notice that everywhere you stroll through the gardens, there are benches, chairs, tables, wrought iron planters, statues, decorative elements, and tons of flower pots and plants of every variety. And if you look closely, you’ll notice they’re all for sale (yes, it’s a Garden Marketplatz, and part of their “real” business is landscaping). In itself, this isn’t necessarily a special advantage.

But where it becomes truly delightful is that the team actually moves and arranges these flowers to incorporate them into your ceremony and cocktail locations. This saves you from having to spend a colossal budget on plants for just one day.

The Venue Limitations

Weather-Dependent

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room, this venue’s Achilles heel. Like all outdoor venues, Garten Marketplatz is weather-dependent.

Of course, if there’s just light rain, you can always adjust your ceremony timing. But if it’s pouring all day, you’ll need to move your ceremony into the Carriage House. While the indoor space is lovely with its chandeliers and rustic wooden tables and chairs, you do lose all the magic of those century-old trees, abundant flowers, and vibrant colors that make the outdoor setting so special.

If you’re set on having a covered ceremony space that still offers natural light and lush greenery, you’d need to look further afield at significantly more expensive venues, like the glass conservatories at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum or Como Park Conservatory.

Size of the Getting Ready Rooms

As we mentioned earlier, the dressing rooms for the bride and groom are pretty cramped. I’d suggest having no more than 4 to 5 bridesmaids and groomsmen on each side, even in the best-case scenario where the room is tidy and free of empty boxes and bags.
That would be enough to accommodate most couples’ needs. However, if you’re having a large wedding party, you might have to either split up the bridesmaids (getting ready in a separate room) or find another location for everyone to get ready.

Not a Commercial Grade Kitchen

On a technical note, the kitchen is suitable for storing the wedding cake in the fridge, warming up dishes, and finishing the prep work, but it’s not a commercial-grade kitchen that a chef or caterer would typically use.
For most caterers, that’s not a problem, since they usually have their own fully equipped truck.

Venue Pricing: How much does it cost to get married in such a location…

Capacity: 150 guests (warm months), 100 guests (winter)

• Saturday: $6,000
• Friday: $5,500
• Sunday-Thursday: $4,000

I invite you to check their pricing on their website. While most venue would secretly hide their price, here, it’s transparent on their website.

While not a cheap venue, Garten Marketplatz is surprisingly affordable for such a high-end European-style location. Your rental includes a heated/cooled vintage Carriage House, beautiful gardens and pergola on a 10-acre property, bride’s room and groom’s room, tables, and chairs.

Regarding the price mentioned, please note that there are no catering or bar service fees, no minimum, and no additional charges.

Conclusion: Who should get married there?

Don’t come here if you’re looking for a brand-new, high-tech venue with glass walls and a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. But if you’re a fan of nature, flowers, and the nostalgic appeal of heritage properties, this could be your perfect match. Garten Marketplatz stands out as one of Rochester’s hidden gems, offering couples an ideal blend of rustic character, natural beauty, and modern convenience.

Featuring century-old trees, lush flower gardens, and a thoughtfully designed Carriage House, this outdoor-focused venue offers plenty of chances for amazing photos. Let’s remember that part of their job is landscaping, which means they handle not just flowers, but everything that makes a backyard look great.

What makes Garten Marketplatz exceptional is its ability to compete easily with high-end venues like Mayowood Stone Barn, delivering the same level of elegance and sophistication (at a more accessible price point). The European-inspired gardens and the lush flowers make it a unique experience for your guests.

While weather dependency remains its only significant drawback, the venue’s flexibility, transparent pricing, and exceptional team more than compensate for this limitation.

---

---

As a photographer who has worked extensively at this venue, I know every angle, lighting condition, and hidden spot that will make your photos extraordinary. Contact me today to discuss how we can create timeless images that showcase both your love story and this remarkable venue’s beauty. Let’s schedule a consultation and start planning your dream wedding photography experience.