Melissa and Adam’s small Wedding at the Plummer House

Get ready to discover, through Melissa and Adam’s wedding day, one of the best wedding venues in Rochester, MN. First, let me introduce the venue and then share what they chose for their big day.

Presentation of the Bride and Groom

Today, Adam is a real estate agent in Rochester, MN. And Melissa works for a famous High School in Rochester. They both love to travel the world. Melissa even lives in China and speaks Mandarin! And, given I lived a bit in China as well and speak a bit of Mandarin, that made us closer!
We first met in a coffee shop and exchanged our first laughs. They wanted some nice pictures and some authentic moments captured.

They are easy, good, happy people. It’s the kind of friends everybody wants to have.

Two words on the Plummer House

If you don’t know the Plummer House, it’s a historic gem over 100 years old and one of the most photogenic places in Rochester, Minnesota. The Tudor-style estate includes a 49-room mansion built for Dr. Henry Plummer, complete with five fireplaces, nine bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a grand ballroom, a pipe organ, and even underground tunnels. All of this sits on 11 acres of landscaped gardens, stone terraces, and open lawns.

Managed by the city and open to the public, the grounds make the Plummer House one of the most popular spots for engagement sessions in Southeast Minnesota. And here’s the cherry on top: rental rates for private events are surprisingly affordable, making it not only a dreamy backdrop for photos but also one of the best-value wedding venues in Rochester. Check out our complete guide to learn more.

Joy, Goofy moments, and Silly faces

Let’s dive into Melissa and Adam’s wedding! It’s the kind of wedding that makes me come back home with a big smile. That’s the kind of wedding where I have fun all day, seeing a bunch of friends laughing all the time, being goofy, and playing tricks on each other. That’s the kind of wedding where you want to be friends with the bride and groom.

They both have a huge sense of humor, derision, and sarcasm that I love. The Bride is an expert in auto-derision and making silly faces (which create a funny situation when you are dressed in a white dress).

From the groomsmen’s playful antics to the bride’s silly faces and the mother-of-the-bride’s jokes, it was a day filled with joy and laughter.

Details pictures using the stunning Mansion!

Most couples like having nice detail pictures (the dress hanging, the shoes, the stationery, etc). For that, the best is to have a nice venue with photogenic furniture and natural light to play with. And guess what, it’s precisely what the Plummer House is!
So I used the stairs to hang the dress. And I just need the living room for the suite and other elements.

Preparation of the Bride in the Master Bedroom

The bride got ready in a second-floor room flooded with natural light:the perfect spot for detailed shots like stationery and rings. She already had the hair and makeup done at Serenity Couture.
We hung her dress against the beautiful wood stairs, the stained-glass windows, and in the dining room for variety.

Preparation of the Groom in the Living Room

Once the groom finally figured out how the iron worked, he was able to start getting ready with his friends.
The groom’s party prepped mostly in the living room, with its dark wood paneling, grand fireplace, decorative ceiling, chandelier, and red velvet seating—a perfectly photogenic space for the groomsmen’s antics.

Individuals photos

We use the gorgeous venue to take some individual shots of the bride and the groom before doing their first look.

Outdoor and Indoor photo sessions

The couple’s first look took place outside against the elegant limestone walls. From there, we explored the estate’s many nooks for striking portraits including:

• the vintage library in the wood and green tones
• the foyer and it’s chandelier
• the gorgeous living room in the wood and red tone
• The stairs and it’s stained glass windows
• The Dining room, its chandelier and nice table

Ceremony on the lower lawn near the east fountain

The couple exchanged vows on the lower lawn by the east fountain. During the ceremony, a bee invited itself (a moment that prompted a hilarious reaction from the bride).
During the ceremony, they were directly exposed to the sun. If that helps them to put them out of the dark background (thanks to the big tree above the fountain), that also makes them squint all the time.

My recommendation for a better photo (less squinting) would have been to choose the west lawn fountain. But, at the time of their wedding, it was in renovation.
For their grand exit,

Ceremony Exit with Bubbles

The ceremony’s exit can be a pretty photogenic moment. Melissa and Adam decided to use soap bubbles for that. Despite the wind it worked pretty well!

They signed the mariage certificate in the Sun Porch

In Olmsted County, you need your two witnesses to sign the marriage certificate to make it legal.
For that, they decided to use the Sun Porch (the Sun Room).
Right at that moment, the best man started to sign, but he received a call. And instead of turning it back, he decided to take it. The bride and groom made fun of him. That created a very funny moment!

Group and family photos in the Living Room

The living room, with its wooden elements, furniture, carpet, chimney, and decorated ceiling, is a very photogenic place, perfect for small to medium group photos.

Reception on the Patio

Despite the dining room being cozy, many couples opt for a patio reception. It works great with the string light and even offers a place to dance, if you desire.

The trade-off is weather dependency, though the living room can accommodate guests if needed. After dinner, the bridal party surprised everyone with DIY cupcakes.

And, as you can see, some kids enjoyed them!

Candid shots during the Reception and the rest of the day

As a wedding photographer, I wear many hats: capturing natural images of the couple, staging group photos, creating artistic shots, or capturing candid moments. One reason people often hire me is for my ability to capture real, organic candids. Here is a short selection from Adam and Melissa’s wedding: goofy moments of the groomsmen plotting to surprise the bride, groom and groomsmen struggling with shoelaces, tying ties, or doing silly things (like skating on a food cart!).

Those are definitely not the standard formal pictures, but are moments unique to this wedding, moments that they will cherish forever!

Sunset Pictures and family pictures

As a photographer, I love sunsets, and especially the golden hour. And, given that most of the day had been pretty cloudy, we were all delighted to finally see some sun rays!
I bring the bride and groom around the venue. We use the roundabout in front of the house’s main entrance door. With the sun setting in the east, it creates a fantastic light!

Also, because the day went too fast, we hadn’t had a chance to do family photos yet. So we use the opportunity to shoot a few formal photos before it’s too late!

Last creative image in the dinning room

Before leaving, I created a final artistic shot in the dining room using colored flash (to balance the orange lighting of the room). I included the beautiful chandelier and decorated ceiling! If you want to see more images like that, you can check my portfolio.

Conclusion on Melissa and Adam’s Special Day

At the entrance of the Plummer House, a sign reads “Plummer House of the Arts.” And honestly, that’s the perfect description. This venue is more than a historic mansion; it’s a place where artistry and emotion meet. Every corner, from the stained-glass stairway to the sunlit gardens, feels like a canvas waiting to be filled with memories.

Melissa and Adam’s wedding reminded me why I love photographing here so much. They trusted me to capture their laughter, their quirks, and their love against this timeless backdrop. At the end of the day, I left with a full heart and a memory card brimming with moments that felt both joyful and deeply personal.

The Plummer House is not just a setting, it’s a stage where couples can write their own story. And Melissa and Adam’s story here was one for the books.

If you’d like to see more from this incredible venue, check out our dedicated article on the Plummer House, or explore engagement sessions and intimate brunch weddings that also took place here.

Last Word: Nearby Locations for more photos

This venue offers an incredible variety, but if you want more options, consider these:

Lakes: Minnesota’s thousands of lakes, try Silver Lake or Chester Woods Park

Parks: Iconic Quarry Hill Park or Oxbow Park

Downtown Buildings: The Mayo Clinic and the iconic doors of the Plummer Building

River: You have the nearby Zumbro River, but for a wilder backdrop, check out Root River Park.

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