A Photographer’s Guide to Weddings at Vindauga Event Center (Stewartville, MN)
Golf courses can be a dream wedding venue… or a logistical headache.
Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the Vindauga Event Center (formerly Riverview Greens) in Stewartville. As a wedding photographer, I’ll explore the venue’s assets and limitations, giving you the inside scoop to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your wedding.
2025 Update: The Vindauga Event Center now offers catering via Adamson’s Tavern, has 2 bars, and has a new bridal suite.
Table of Contents
Presentation of Vindauga Event Center
The Stewartville Golf Club conveniently located 15 minutes from Rochester Downtown.
The Vindauga Event Center, also known as the Riverview Greens Golf Course, is located north of Stewartville, at 1800 Clubhouse Dr NE, Stewartville. It’s only 15 minutes from downtown Rochester, making it a relevant venue to consider for couples wanting to get married in the Rochester area.
The closest hotel is America’s Stay Inn in Stewartville, a 2-star hotel.
If you’re looking for a higher-end hotel, the closest options are The Kahler, the Marriott, and the Hilton in downtown Rochester. A shuttle service might be necessary for out-of-town guests.
The closest natural park is Willow Creek Reservoir, but you will likely take most of your photos on-site at the golf course.
The Vindauga Event Center and Adamson Tavern on the Greens
Originally built in 2004 by the Himmers family, the Stewartville Golf Club is a 17,000 sq ft building, located within the Riverview Greens Golf Course & Event Center. On December 31, 2024, the Adamson family acquired it for $2.5 million, according to the Postbulletin. The Adamson family then rebranded the venue, promoting the event side as the Vindauga Event Center and renaming the bar and restaurant “Adamson’s Tavern on the Greens”.
Our reception room, The Fairway, is situated on the second floor of the building. It boasts a modern lodge-style design, reminiscent of the futuristic googie style, with its triangular shape and windows. The room features white spruce beams and a soaring 30-foot vaulted ceiling, creating an open and airy ambiance.
With 2,000 square feet of hardwood flooring, it can accommodate up to 500 guests. In other words, this venue, almost a conference center, is ideal for medium to large weddings. Smaller weddings might consider renting a more intimate venue downtown.
Stewartville Golf Club’s Main Asset: Its Scenic View
The Fairway Room features large floor-to-ceiling windows (including triangular windows) that offer a 180° view of the golf course to the south. This romantic backdrop brings in plenty of natural light, which is highly valued by wedding photographers. The light also reflects beautifully off the light wood flooring, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
Hanging pendant lights enhance the rustic-modern style while providing soft, ambient lighting.
The Balcony
The Fairway Room has an indoor balcony, offering a unique perspective similar to a church loft view. It’s a nice bonus for capturing different angles during the ceremony or reception.
On-Site Bar and Grill
The first floor of the golf clubhouses, Adamson’s Tavern on the Greens, a bar and grill that provides a cozy atmosphere for rehearsal dinners or casual gatherings. That said, for a rehearsal dinner, you might prefer to go to a different place, such as the numerous restaurants in town.
When the night comes, the in-house lighting transforms the dance floor, creating a magical setting.
The Ceremony Options
Couples can hold their ceremony indoors in The Fairway Room or outdoors on the golf course.
The outdoor setting features:
- Multiple ponds and fountains add charm to the landscape.
- A majestic oak tree offers a striking focal point for photos.
The Catering Options
If you’re hosting a large wedding with 500 guests, Adamson’s Tavern on the Greens may not be able to accommodate the full meal service. While the venue does have a restaurant kitchen, it is better suited for smaller groups. For a large reception, you will likely need to hire an external catering company.
The Best Photographic Outdoor Options at Vindauga Event Center
Golf courses are carefully landscaped and often undergo extensive remodeling, making them ideal locations for wedding photography. The Vindauga Even Center at the Stewartville Golf Club offers several photogenic features, including:
An open view of the golf course
You get these amazing sweeping shots of the whole golf course, and the perfectly maintained grass makes everything look so clean and elegant.
A century-old majestic oak tree
This huge old tree is absolutely stunning and gives photos that timeless, romantic feel with beautiful natural lighting filtering through the branches. We will use it also for group photos!
Multiple ponds
The water creates perfect reflections and adds such a peaceful, serene vibe to photos – plus they’re great for those mirror-like shots.
Evergreen trees in the background
These stay green all year and make the perfect backdrop that’s never distracting, just clean and pretty.
Large decorative fountains
The flowing water catches the light beautifully and adds movement to photos, plus they’re just really elegant and classic looking.
Fountain lighting at night
When the sun goes down, these fountains light up and create the most magical, romantic atmosphere for evening photos.
Futurist triangular event center’s design
The unique shape of this building gives you some really cool architectural shots and interesting angles you won’t find anywhere else
Root River
The river adds natural beauty and movement. If you are ready to walk (or drive a mini golf cart) , there is a rustic bridge that we can use for a few shots.
Golf carts for fun photo prop
If you want to add a touch of fun, let’s include a Golf Cart. These add personality to your shots and are great for candid, playful moments. You can also use them for group photos.
The Bridal Room to Get Getting Ready
A few years ago, the Former Riverviews Green didn’t have a bridal suite.
Today, the new remodeled Vindauga Event Center has a new getting-ready room, which is a big convenience for the timeline of the day.
And since the preparation period lasts 3 to 4 hours, having a comfortable and well-lit space was important for both convenience and photography.
What’s more, the nice getting-ready room eliminates the need to rent a downtown hotel suite at one of Rochester’s five-star hotels or book a spacious Airbnb, which can quickly become expensive.
Cocktail hour Options: Adamsons Tavern on the Greens, Patio, or Main Room.
If you have plenty of guests, it is easier to stay in the Main Room. If you have fewer than 150 guests, you could use the first-floor club restaurant: the Adamson Tavern, for your cocktail hour. The Adamson’s Tavern on the Greens features a pool table, which is always great for photo opportunities.
What really works well is having people stand outside the Adamsons Tavern on the patio. However, this spot is directly under the sun and can get warm during summer days!
Wedding Day Timeline
Here is a 10 wedding day coverage that could work at the Vindauga Event Center. Of Course, it has to be polished regarding your preparation location, the season (and golden hour time).
- 11:00am – Bride and bridesmaids start getting ready at Vindauga Bridal Suite
- 12:00pm – Groom’s party begins preparations
- 1:00pm – Bridesmaids pop champagne photos in dresses
- 1:30pm – Bride gets into wedding dress
- 2:00pm – First look with parents
- 2:30pm – Bride and groom first look
- 2:45pm – Wedding party photos in front of the oak tree
- 3:10pm – Family photos
- 3:40pm – Bride and groom portrait session
- 4:10pm – Wedding party hides before ceremony
- 4:30pm – Ceremony begins
- 5:00pm – Cocktail hour starts
- 6:30pm – Dinner service begins
- 7:00pm – Bride and groom sneak away for golden hour photos (golf cart transportation)
- 7:30pm – Toasts
- 7:50pm – First dance
- 8:00pm – Dance floor opens for all guests
The Vindauga Event Center Limitations
Now, let’s look at some aspects to consider when choosing this venue.
Lack of a Traditional Men’s Club Area
Some golf courses offer private men’s clubs, where members can relax on leather couches, sip aged whiskey, and enjoy rooms decorated with vintage black-and-white photographs.
Riverview Greens keeps things more casual and down-to-earth, so if you’re looking for a venue with a classic country club aesthetic, this may not be the best fit.
Lack of High Grass Areas
Photographers (and clients) often love high grass areas because they add depth and texture to photos.
Some golf courses intentionally keep sections of high grass for aesthetic appeal, but Riverview Greens does not have these areas.
Lack of a Second Room, for a Backup Ceremony Place or a dedicated Cocktail Hour area
The Vindauga doesn’t offer a distinctive backup room for the ceremony. That means if it’s rainy and you have to get married inside with 500 guests (which works perfectly, see the photos), people would sit at their tables during the ceremony. Note that most wedding sizes are well below the maximum of 500 guests.
Actually, the average number of guests in MN is 150, making the room spacious enough to be divided by a curtain and to have two setups side by side. One setup with chairs for the ceremony, and another setup waiting with tables for the dinner.
Lack of Good Shady Spots
Although the large oak tree provides some shade, it may be difficult to find shaded areas during a bright, sunny day.
Shady spots are important for both photography (to avoid harsh sunlight) and for outdoor ceremonies, where guests will appreciate some relief from the sun.
Final Thoughts: Is Vindauga Event Center Right for Your Wedding?
The Vindauga Event Center is a solid and beautiful wedding venue that works great in photography with its scenic golf course views, diverse outdoor photo opportunities, and modern facilities.
With its futuristic Googie architecture from the 1960s, The Fairway Room combines energy and elegance. The stunning floor-to-ceiling windows offer a direct view of the golf course, century-old oak tree, ponds, and fountain, all of which are breathtaking. And let’s not forget the wood floor.
The Fairway Room, with its high hauteur sous les plafond, competes more with venues like the Castle than with more modest golf clubs such as the Summit Golf Course or Willow Creek. It’s hard to assess the service since it’s a new venue. Will it match the Rochester Golf & Country Club and the Somerby?
My assumption is that it’s a nice building. If you hire the good vendors, nothing can go wrong.
However, this venue isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It works best for medium to large weddings (150+ guests) who appreciate a more casual, down-to-earth atmosphere rather than a traditional country club vibe. The addition of the new bridal suite and Adamson’s Tavern catering has definitely improved the overall experience, making it more convenient for couples and their photographers.
If you’re planning a smaller, intimate wedding or hoping for that classic men’s club aesthetic, you might want to explore other options. But if you love the idea of sweeping fairway views, want plenty of outdoor photo opportunities, and need a venue that can handle your guest list comfortably, Vindauga Event Center could be exactly what you’re looking for.
The key is knowing what you want from your wedding day, and now you have a real-world look at what this venue can deliver.
See a Real Wedding at Vindauga Event Center
The best way to envision your own day is to see how another couple used the space. Follow along with Tabitha and Austin on their special day, to see the grounds, the Fairway Room, and the stunning oak tree in action.
Address: 1800 Clubhouse Dr NE, Stewartville, MN 55976
Phone: (507) 533-0025
Ready to plan photos at Vindauga? Check my availability and get a custom timeline that fits your day.
