Wedding Photography at the Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic Area

Today, I will show you photos from Gillian and Cole’s wedding, which took place at one of the largest hotels in downtown Rochester, the Marriott Mayo Clinic Area. It was one of the most fun-filled weddings I have ever attended. Everyone laughed from morning until night, and I have excellent memories of this day.

Here, you will see how their wedding day unfolded and which rooms they used. I will also share details that might give you ideas for your own wedding planning. This can help you decide if the Marriott is the right venue for you.

Let’s jump in.

Quick Presentation of the Marriott Mayo Clinic Area

Located in the heart of downtown Rochester, the Marriott Mayo Clinic Area is a hotel with six different event rooms available for weddings and celebrations. Our couple had about 130 guests and got married in Ballroom No. 1.

Surprisingly, they did not get ready or hold their ceremony directly at the Marriott. Instead, they used a meeting room for their preparations and a stunning historic room for their ceremony (both located at the adjacent Kahler Grand Hotel).

Although the Marriott and the Kahler Grand operate under different brands, they are not only connected via skyway but also through their parent company, the Kahler Hospitality Group.

Quick Presentation of the Couple

She is an administrative assistant who counsels students; he is a teacher. They both love people, traveling, and hiking. They are high school sweethearts who met in Minnesota.

At the time of the wedding, they were living in Seattle, so we first met over Zoom. They chose to get married in Minnesota because they grew up in Mankato. A few months later, I photographed their engagement session and then their wedding.

Bride & Groom Preparations in a Hotel Meeting Room

I started the day by capturing detail shots: the rings, shoes, jewelry, and dress.

The Bride Preparation

Gillian was surrounded by her bridesmaids, and the room was filled with fun and bursts of laughter.

For better lighting, I asked them to turn off the artificial lights, and I used the natural light coming in from the window.

Cole’s room did not have any windows. So, I took him to the skyway. The skyway is bright, clean, and, on weekends, almost empty (except for hotel guests).

The Groom’s Preparation

The groomsmen had a tie lesson from the bride’s father. Afterward, they played beer pong in the hotel lobby. It was not a typical pre-wedding activity, but definitely a fun one.

Before their first look, both Gillian and Cole decided to exchange letters and read them separately. These moments always bring out strong emotions, and this time was no exception.

First Look with Parents

The bride and her father had their first look. The father was clearly emotional but adopted a very comedic manner to avoid crying. I loved how he pretended to use the bride’s veil as a tissue to wipe his eyes. It’s a moment that had everyone laughing.

Groom and Groomsmen Photos

We took the groom and groomsmen portraits in the hotel lobby. The large glass walls allowed in plenty of natural light, which was perfect for the photos.

I really liked how happy and goofy everyone was. It made for some fun and relaxed portraits.

Bride and Groom First Look

They decided to do their first look in a unique way: standing on opposite sides of a wall and touching fingers. After exchanging a few words, they finally saw each other.

Just as this emotional moment was unfolding, the groom’s grandmother walked right past them and struck up a conversation with the bride! It was an unexpected but hilarious interruption that made their first look even more memorable.

Bride and Groom Photo Session

From the start of the day, preparations ran late. This put the couple a bit behind schedule. As a result, we did not have much time for their bride and groom portraits.

We started with a few portraits in the Marriott hotel lobby, then quickly moved outside onto the streets. I would have loved to take them to a different outdoor location, like the Plummer House, for more variety, but we needed to stay near the hotel.

Instead, we used Peace Plaza, the Mayo Clinic Gonda Building, and the Plummer Building before heading to a parking rooftop. There, we had fun using smoke bombs for a dramatic effect.

How Their Engagement Session Paid Off

If Gillian and Cole’s wedding photos turned out so well, even with a time crunch, it was largely because they had done an engagement session with me in the winter.

During their engagement session, they not only learned how I work and what kind of instructions I give, but they also learned:

• How to move naturally in front of the camera
• How to walk together smoothly
• How to hold hands in a relaxed way
• How to kiss in a photogenic way

For reference, many clients in Rochester request their engagement session at Quarry Hill in the fall, as illustrated by this couple.

Because Gillian and Cole had already practiced during their engagement session, they were comfortable and confident on their wedding day. This allowed us to capture great images despite the time constraints.

Bride and Bridesmaids Group photos at the Marriott

And then, we took a few more group photos with the bridesmaids, thanks to the natural light from the Marriott’s large glass walls.

Ceremony at the Elizabethan Grand Ballroom at the Kahler Grand Hotel

For their ceremony, they used the Elizabethan Grand Ballroom. This is a massive hall with high ceilings, large chandeliers, dark wood-paneled walls, and… well, an unfortunate carpet. Additionally, there are huge support columns right in the middle of the room, which can be a challenge for photography.

The ceremony was short but beautiful, filled with emotional moments, with many family members and friends in tears.

Funny Family Photos

We took family portraits after the ceremony.

I usually recommend an outdoor location (such as Willow Creek Reservoir Park, where I photograph many family sessions) for better lighting and scenery. However, for a hotel wedding, traveling elsewhere would not make sense.

One of the most memorable moments was when the groom asked to recreate a silly photo from his parents’ wedding, wearing a rubber duck as a mask. I thought it was hilarious and showed just how much the couple enjoyed lighthearted humor.

Creative image in the Elizabethan Ballroom

For a more artistic touch, I also captured a dramatic portrait of the couple in the Elizabethan Grand Ballroom. I used flash to dim the artificial lighting and direct the focus onto them.

Wedding Reception at Ballroom No. 1 at the Marriott Mayo Clinic Area

After the ceremony, it was already time for the wedding reception.

The wedding party’s grand entrance set the tone for the night: silly and full of fun. Just take a look at the groom doing the worm on the floor!

During dinner, I focused on capturing candid moments of their guests. They had a large group of friends, many of whom shared the couple’s sense of humor. This made for some great reactions and lighthearted interactions.

You might notice a special piece of fabric on the bride and groom’s table. This was actually a family scarf from Ukraine, representing the bride’s heritage. They wanted to personalize the decor by incorporating a meaningful touch of their culture.

The reception included some heartfelt speeches from friends and family, filled with lots of laughter, funny expressions, and a few emotional moments.

An Alternative to the Glass-Tapping Kiss

Instead of kissing every time guests tapped their glasses with silverware, Gillian and Cole decided to switch things up.

Each time the guests clinked their glasses, the couple chose another pair of guests to perform a dramatic kiss instead. This unexpected twist had everyone laughing and kept the dinner lively.

First Dance and Party

Their first dance was exactly what you would expect from them, full of genuine energy, happiness, and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor. They did not take themselves too seriously, making it an authentic and fun moment.

Next came the mother-son and father-daughter dances. The mother-son dance was filled with emotion, while the father-daughter dance was full of laughter, illustrating their personalities.

Last Image: Sunset Photos

As my coverage was coming to an end, I wanted to capture a few sunset photos with the bride and groom.

We first went to the Plummer Building doors, but the sun had already set. Look at the bride; she was barefoot!

So, we made our way to Second Street, between the Mayo Clinic Guggenheim Building, the Hilton Building, and the Mitchell Student Center. The lighting was perfect. The entire image was flooded with golden sunlight, making for a stunning final portrait.

On our way back, we saw the bride’s father waiting for her. I captured one last, beautiful family moment, a perfect way to end the day.

Pricing

The Kahler Grand Hotel offers à la carte rental options. We recommend you do like our couple, Gina and Cole, and choose the Elizabethan Ballroom for the ceremony and a larger reception room for the wedding (they picked the Marriott Ballroom).
For the preparation part, they went with the included meeting room. If you want better getting-ready photos, you should consider staying in one of the nice suites at the Towers at Kahler Grand Hotel. So that would mean:

• Luxury Suite Options: $500 for a simple suite (enough if the groom gets ready alone), $1,500 for a Two Bedroom Grand Suite to $2,500 for a Two Bedroom Luxury Suite
• Ceremony Space: Elizabethan Room – $1,000
• Reception Venue: Marriott Ballroom (one of their largest spaces) – $1,500
• Total Investment: Approximately $5,000-$6,500, depending on suite selection for bride and groom

While positioned in the premium category, the Kahler Grand offers exceptional value through its all-in-one luxury hotel experience. Your wedding party enjoys the convenience of getting ready, celebrating, and staying under one historic roof, while guests appreciate the seamless location in downtown.
The top of the notch suite at the Tower can easily double the wedding budget, but they worth it? If you just look at the price of the venue, their price, considering the area and the service, is really competitive.

Friday and Sunday Price

Unfortunately, don’t expect a cheaper price on Friday or Sunday. That’s often the case with venues already pricing aggressively.

Should You Get Married at the Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic Area?

The biggest advantage of a downtown hotel wedding is the convenience it offers to both the couple and their guests.

• Everything is in one place – You do not need to travel between venues for the ceremony, reception, and accommodations.
• The hotel can handle large groups of up to 300 seated guests.
• You’re in the heart of Rochester – You can take advantage of downtown photography locations, including Peace Plaza, the Plummer Building, and modern glass buildings.
• No need for transportation – Once guests arrive, nobody needs to drive. This means you can enjoy the party without worrying about taxis, shuttles, or designated drivers.
• A post-wedding brunch – The morning after, you can gather for a casual brunch with the guests who stayed overnight.

Another key advantage of the Marriott Mayo Clinic Area is that it is part of the same hospitality group as the Kahler Grand Hotel. This gives you access to additional rooms for your ceremony and provides more flexibility in planning.

A Few Limitations to Consider

Of course, as you can see in the photos, neither the ceremony nor the reception rooms have windows. That is one of the trade-offs of a hotel wedding. You will not (always) get natural light or outdoor scenery inside the venue.

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Conclusion

If, like Gillian and Cole, you believe that a wedding is all about gathering your friends and family for an unforgettable party, and if you want to celebrate without worrying about alcohol limits or transportation, then the Marriott is a fantastic choice.

However, if your dream wedding involves a historic mansion, an outdoor ceremony, or a cocktail hour at sunset, you might want to consider other venues, such as:

• The Plummer House
• The Mayowood Stone Barn (Corrected from Mayowood Barn for likely intended name consistency if it’s the same as often referred to in Rochester)
• The Garten Marketplatz Perennial Farm

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No matter where you choose to celebrate, if you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Rochester, MN, contact me! I would love to help capture your day.