Wedding Photography at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester, MN

In this article, I will share photos of a classic hotel wedding that took place a few years ago at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Rochester, MN. As for many hotel weddings, the couple used Rochester historic locations for their pictures: downtown and at the Plummer House.

Update: The DoubleTree hotel was purchased in 2023 and turned into the University of Minnesota Rochester Student Life Center. Today, it does not host events. That said, the basic look of the building and its reception room would apply to most of the hotel weddings.

A Classic Hotel Wedding in Rochester, MN

Hawjin and Esmir’s wedding day was a beautiful example of a hotel wedding in Rochester. If you’re planning a wedding at a downtown hotel (like Hotel Indigo, Hilton Garden Inn, Broadway Plaza, or Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area), the recommendations in this article will be useful. The same advice applies if you’re considering venues such as the Mayo Civic Center.

I love photographing hotel weddings with large guest lists. They are all unique, with countless ways to personalize the day, including the choice of photo locations! In this article, we’ll go over where this couple took their family pictures, wedding party portraits, and, of course, their reception celebration.

Overview of the DoubleTree Hotel in Rochester, MN

Located at 150 South Broadway, Rochester, the DoubleTree Hotel was a four-star hotel in the heart of the Med City. Like the nearby Marriott, this hotel featured a spacious three-story lobby with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, perfect for indoor portraits in case of bad weather (fortunately, that wasn’t an issue on this day).

The modern decor, grand staircase, and natural lighting made it a fantastic venue for wedding photography. Plus, an indoor space like this ensures that no wind will mess with the bride’s veil or carefully styled hair!

Like most modern hotels, the DoubleTree had large meeting rooms available for wedding receptions, accommodating 200 guests or more. The couple had booked one of these spacious conference rooms for their celebration.

An International and Multicultural Wedding Celebration

Esmir’s family is from the Balkans, while Hawjin is from Lebanon. They met and fell in love in Minnesota and ultimately decided to tie the knot here.

With multiple cultural backgrounds involved, they opted for a non-traditional wedding. There was no formal ceremony or ring exchange; just family, friends, love, and plenty of joyful celebration (as you’ll see in their reception!).

Wedding Preparation

The bride and groom chose not to have preparation photos taken, which was a missed opportunity since this hotel had beautiful suites perfect for getting-ready portraits. The bride even mentioned that she had a special Lebanese makeup style; the best kind in the world, according to her! And to be honest the result is pretty good.
Sadly, this secret Lebanese technique will remain a mystery as it went undocumented! I strated the coverage when the bride was ready.

Preparation photos are some of the most intimate and emotional moments of the day, capturing laughter, nerves, and love among the closest friends and family members. Plus, they often result in fun and unexpected candid shots!

When I arrived, I focused on capturing candid moments among the family and friends. Once I was allowed into the bride’s room, I took portraits of her final moments getting ready, dressed in a stunning mermaid-style wedding gown that fit her perfectly. I loved photographing the deep connection between her and her mother.

First Look in front of the Hotel

We did their first look right after, around 2 PM. The sun was pretty high, which is not good for a photo (creating the sun’s eyes effect). That’s why, for their first look, we chose a shaded outdoor location near the restaurant Pescara. With a mix of flowers and a clean glass wall backdrop, it was an ideal spot for soft, natural lighting.

The groom, looking sharp in a white tuxedo jacket and dark pants, anxiously waited for his bride. He was visibly nervous, and she was just as eager. But when they finally saw each other, their faces lit up with joy, making for a truly special moment.

Family Photos in Rochester Streets

For their family portraits, we used a quiet adjacent street behind the hotel. The red-brick buildings lining the street created a beautiful and timeless backdrop.

After finishing family portraits, it was time to board a big black party bus (Rent My Party Bus) for our next destination. While a party bus is a fun addition, at 2 PM, without air conditioning and no drinks in sight, I wasn’t quite in party mode yet! Thankfully, the driver and music set the right mood.

Wedding Party and Couple Photos at the Plummer House

Next, we headed to one of Rochester’s historic landmarks: the Plummer House.

We were fortunate that there was no other wedding scheduled that day, as this venue is one of the most sought-after wedding locations in town. If you visit the Plummer House on a weekend, chances are you’ll see at least one couple taking wedding photos!

For group portraits, we used the iconic Tudor-style facade of the house.

Bride and groom’s sophisticated portraits at the Historic Plummer House

Then, we explored different areas of the venue for the couple’s session, taking advantage of its scenic beauty.

On the wedding day, we will just fly, using the main area: the front of the house with its gothic door and archway. We will also use the evergreen area and the back lawn near the water tower.

Bride and Groom Elegant Session in Rochester Downtown

Our next stop was another historic building: the Plummer Building (yes, another Plummer; Rochester definitely owes him some royalties). The biggest advantage of the Plummer Building is that it’s empty on weekends when the Mayo Clinic is closed, making it a quiet and elegant backdrop for wedding photos.

We took advantage of the famous copper doors, arguably the most Instagram-worthy spot at the Mayo Clinic. Since it was a windy day, we had fun playing with the bride’s veil for some dynamic and artistic shots.

Another advantage of this location is that it’s downtown, so you don’t waste precious time wandering around. If you really want a more natural area, you can go to a park such as Willow Creek Reservoir, Woodside Park, or Quarry Hill, but it takes some time.

Finally, it was time to head back to the hotel for the reception!

Wedding Reception at the DoubleTree by Hilton

The couple’s wedding reception was held in one of the hotel’s large conference rooms, which had been beautifully transformed with soft white muslin draping. A grand stage (more like a royal throne) was set up for the bride and groom, where guests lined up to offer their congratulations.

Grand Entrance

The grand entrance lived up to its name, complete with music, lights, and dancing. As the couple entered, their bridal party and family members formed an aisle, cheering them on as they danced into the reception.

One funny tradition was to shower them with dollar bills when they walked in.

Dancing & Celebration

Right after their entrance, the guests formed a circle, and the real dancing began. The atmosphere was lively, filled with energy and joy. I especially enjoyed capturing candid shots of the kids (children always seem to have the best moves at big receptions!).

After documenting plenty of vibrant moments, I left the newlyweds to continue celebrating with their guests.

Great International Wedding Celebration

In Rochester Minnesota, thanks to the Mayo Clinic, there are people from all arround the world.
Photographing a multicultural wedding like Hawjin and Esmir’s is about more than just taking pictures; it’s about understanding and respecting unique traditions. Whether it’s a dollar dance, a tea ceremony, or specific family customs, my goal is to capture the energy and meaning behind every moment that makes each celebration unique, capturing its authenticity.

Final Thoughts

This was a short but wonderful wedding photography coverage. If I could change one thing, I wish I had been there from early morning for the full preparation coverage and stayed late into the night to capture even more candid moments.

If you’re getting married, trust me: having your preparation and late-night celebrations photographed is worth it! Those are the only moments when you’re not surrounded by 200 guests trying to get a minute of your time.

I’m so grateful that this bride trusted me to capture such an important day. Every wedding is different, with unique family dynamics, traditions, and energy, and that’s what I love about wedding photography. Being able to tell these stories through my lens is truly special.

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If you’re planning a wedding in Rochester or nearby, reach out to me today; I usually respond pretty quickly if I am not on the other side of the globe shooting a wedding!