Wedding Photography at Whitewater State Park, Altura, MN
If you live in Minnesota and are looking for a state park in which to get married, you might be considering, like numerous couples, a state park in the southeast called Whitewater State Park. It’s a great park with a Park Group Center that offers not only miles of trails and limestone cliffs but also amazing photography options. But is it the perfect park for you to tie the knot?
Today, I will share Tanner and Garrett’s photoshoot at Whitewater State Park. We will see why they decided to use the park only for their group photos and their photos as a newlywed couple. Finally, we will discuss the limits and challenges of getting married in such a location and what to consider to plan a successful event.
Table of Contents
Quick Presentation of the Couple
Fun fact: I met one of the grooms online, and we had our first meeting during a video call. They hired me. A few weeks later, I was photographing another wedding (at the Mayowood Stone Barn in Rochester), and it turned out the groom from that event was a cousin of one of the grooms from this wedding!
The grooms are both medical students at the Mayo Clinic. One plans to become a nurse, and the other works as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. One grew up in Altura, and the other on the East Coast (Maryland). After falling in love and getting engaged, they decided to get married.
Given that they both love nature, they considered Whitewater State Park as a location for their photos.
Unfortunately, the couple skipped having an engagement session. Quarry Hill Park would have been the perfect place for that.
Quick Presentation of Whitewater State Park
Whitewater State Park is one of my favorite parks to visit with my kids all year round for various activities: cross-country skiing, camping, and hiking. The park has many creeks that are fun to cross and trails to go up and down the cliffs.
Five remarkable spots offer a scenic view of the valley:
- Chimney Rock (the most famous one)
- Coyote Point
- Inspiration Point
- Eagle Point
- Signal Point
The park also has a small beach located near the picnic area and the main parking lot.
Considerations from a Wedding Photography Perspective
If this park is definitely great for outdoor activities, is it as great for photos? Engagement photos? Wedding photos? What defines a good spot for a wedding photographer?
Several elements are considered in wedding photography: the background, the light, foreground elements, and the potential interaction with the environment.
The Background
In general, it’s best when the background is far away from the model. This means that taking pictures inside a dense forest is usually not the best option. Wedding photographers love open views of the valley and meadows. At Whitewater State Park, we have a handful of options: the flowers near the main parking lot and the meadow area near the Group Center.
The Quality of the Light
Good lighting is essential for good photos. Outside, the sun is our first source of light. Clouds can diffuse the light, and the angle at which it strikes the model is crucial. Good light is usually obtained when the sun is at 45° in the sky or lower. In summer, this happens early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
However, given that the park is full of high hills and cliffs, opportunities are limited to enjoy this beautiful light. That’s why photographers like parks with open views for photos. Hills are great, but the proximity of cliffs can be challenging. By comparison, let’s think of the Willow Creek Reservoir, which is perfect for engagement and family sessions and has just the right amount of hills and prairie area.
Another element to consider in such a state park is the color of the light. Indeed, the sun’s rays passing through green leaves can take on a green tint. Additionally, if the ground is covered with grass, sunlight tends to bounce off it, which can cast an unflattering green tint under a person’s face. This is why wedding photographers prefer light-colored ground surfaces, such as sand, dirt, or even asphalt.
The Quality of the Foreground
The foreground consists of elements the photographer places in front of the lens to create a color effect or increase the sense of depth in the photo.
That is why high grass and meadows work great. Trees with low branches (at the level of the model’s face) also work great.
I also like using cypress trees as foreground elements or sometimes as a background for portraits.
Potential Interaction with the Environment
Finally, wedding photographers like to have couples interact with their surroundings or engage in activities (rather than always maintaining static standing poses). The couple could be walking, sitting on stairs, leaning on a bridge, or sitting at a table.
For engagement photos, couples might play in a river with the water (like was done at Root River Park). However, on a wedding day, this is more complicated!
In sum, Whitewater State Park is a great park for photo sessions if you are ready to hike.
These factors mean that the park is amazing for hiking and perfect for enjoying nature and birdwatching, but it offers fewer easily accessible spots for couples’ photos than one might expect.
If you want good spots, you will have to hike! Accessing different spots will take energy and time.
Therefore, while you can find suitable locations for an engagement session (if willing to hike), I would advise some caution regarding wedding photos due to these limitations.
How Did This Couple Use Whitewater State Park for Their Wedding Day?
One of the grooms had a special relationship with this park. For him, it was not just any park, but a cherished place from his childhood. And when he contacted me, he initially mentioned wanting a wedding at Whitewater State Park, in Atlura, MN..
However, on the wedding day, the couple decided to use the family home in Altura to get ready and host both their ceremony and party.
The couple can thank one of the groom’s parents, who not only removed two trees to create a nice open view of the valley for the ceremony but also built a brand-new outbuilding for the party. Large storage buildings are not the first choice, but when well-decorated, they can certainly serve the purpose. (Check out this wedding in Blue Earth, MN, for more examples.)
Therefore, on their wedding day, they used the park only for their family photos and their photos as a couple.
However, as you can see, I managed to get some good portraits of Tanner and Garrett. We used the main picnic area, the little bridge, the pond, and the meadow with the yellow flowers.
And for their group pictures, I used flash to get rid of the unwanted green cast.
Is Planning a Wedding at the Group Center a Great Idea?
Let’s be clear: The Group Center, with its wood interior, is not a photogenic wedding venue. Does this mean it’s not a good idea? It depends on you and your expectations.
If you like a ceremony under the trees, a cocktail hour under the trees, and a reception around a fire pit, then it’s a good idea. Be ready to put on your hiking shoes to climb a hill and get some amazing photos at Chimney Rock or Inspiration Point.
Should You Use an Adjacent Venue?
If you want good preparation photos and a more traditional reception with a dancefloor, then you could book one of the other venues nearby. If not, then you are fine :D.
Consider The Barns of Glory in St Charles, Copperfield Terrace in Plainview, Joy Ridge Event Center in Chatfield, Serenity Hills, and Berwood Hill Inn in Preston, just to name a few. For instance, you could also consider driving from Rochester, MN, or booking a venue close to the Mississippi River in Winona.
Of course, if like our grooms you have a family home in Altura, MN, with a view of the Whitewater State Park, then you can use it!
What to know before getting married at the Whitewater State Park Group Center
If you want to get married at this Park, the location you will consider is the Whitewater State Park Group Center.
The Whitewater State Park Group Center provides a comprehensive and rustic venue for a memorable wedding weekend. The center can comfortably accommodate up to 132 overnight guests across eight heated cabins, with most cabins sleeping 18 people in bunk-style arrangements and a smaller cabin available for six. For your reception, the spacious dining hall seats up to 150 guests and features a charming fireplace, rustic tables, and benches, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
The full commercial kitchen is a significant asset, equipped with a commercial stove, walk-in cooler, freezer, dishwasher, and a complete set of plates, utensils, and cookware, making catering for your event seamless. The facility also includes a separate, modern restroom building with showers, an outdoor fire ring for evening gatherings, and picnic tables. With its blend of practical amenities and a beautiful natural setting, the Group Center is an ideal choice for a rustic and immersive wedding celebration.
What Should You Consider if You Get Married at This Park?
You have already made your decision and booked the Group Center. What should you consider for a successful celebration in the woods?
- Bug spray is your best friend
- Sunscreen for your guests
- Bottled water for your guests
- S’mores supplies for the firepits
- Be prepared to move indoors if it rains
- Invite your guests for a hike in the park
- For adventurous fun, consider a visit to the beach
- Bring some lawn games
- Prepare various group games
- Bring some music and perhaps a guitar for the evening
Conclusion
If you get married at this park, be aware that you won’t have the same kind of party (and
therefore, the same kind of photos) as couples typically have at traditional wedding venues.
It is also possible to stop at Whitewater State Park on your wedding day to take some good photos. However, you will need to be prepared to hike to the top of a hill to enjoy one of the many views.
Whitewater State Park
A 2,700-acre state park in southeastern Minnesota’s blufflands, known for its scenic overlooks, trout fishing, and hiking trails. It is a popular location for outdoor activities and events.
Phone: 507-312-2300
Website: Official DNR Page
Of course, if you want good pictures, you would need a good photographer (especially in such a location). Contact me today, I would be happy to disucss your wedding plans!
