Community› Local Wedding Boards› Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul
Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul
New Discussion

Outdoorsy, simple wedding venue

kdcorkdcor member
First Comment
in Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul
I posted this on the Minnesota board before seeing there was a Twin Cities specific board.

We are looking for a "rustic" but simple reception venue within a 45 minute drive of St. Paul, MN. We have found many things we like, but we are on a tight budget with a big family, so we need the biggest bang for our buck.

I like the barn/farm wedding feel, but I also like the MN lodge/cabin feel, especially since we were engaged at my family cabin up north. Unfortunately, returning to the scene of the crime near the cabin is not an option.

Does anyone have any ideas? We are looking for August, so while park shelters are possibilities, we are trying to think of our older guests and provide an actual building.

Thank you in advance!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Outdoorsy, simple wedding venue

  • SSaltzman87SSaltzman87 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    Elm Creek Reserve Chalet in Maple Grove, Gale Woods Farm in Orono, and Riley Jacques Barn in Chanhassen would all be worth looking at.
    <a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Money Saving Tips"><img src="http://global.thenest.com/tickers/tt17ce82.aspx" alt="Anniversary" border="0"  /></a>

    White Knot

    Planning Bio-Added FOR SALE page, will be adding more stuff to it soon! 
    Report Reply
  • eas1223eas1223 member
    Name Dropper 5 Love Its First Comment Combo Breaker
    I'm not sure how much it is, but the Earle Brown Heritage Center looks like a barn but is a air-conditioned building.
    Report Reply
  • SSaltzman87SSaltzman87 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    Oh yeah I completely forgot about Earle Brown!
    <a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Money Saving Tips"><img src="http://global.thenest.com/tickers/tt17ce82.aspx" alt="Anniversary" border="0"  /></a>

    White Knot

    Planning Bio-Added FOR SALE page, will be adding more stuff to it soon! 
    Report Reply
  • kdcorkdcor member
    First Comment

    Thanks for your ideas!

    Unfortunately the Earle Brown Heritage is out of our price range with everything considered. Gale woods was perfect, but his best friend just got married there, so we are looking around for other choices.


    It was my understanding that the Riley Jacques Barn was only available for residents. Is that not correct?


    I'm definitely looking into the Elm Creek Chalet.

    Thanks again! If you come up with any more ideas, I'd love to hear them!

    Report Reply
  • goatlady12goatlady12 member
    First Comment
    I don't know if this is the feel you were looking for but I know this place is affordable.  http://www.trellisevents.com/Welcome.html
    Anniversary wedding-1 my read shelf:
    Heidi's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
    Report Reply
  • SSaltzman87SSaltzman87 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_outdoorsy-simple-wedding-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:81Discussion:4480dfb8-0a99-4700-967c-176f3477519dPost:175ebe1e-3926-403f-8b00-138af74769c1">Re: Outdoorsy, simple wedding venue</a>:
    [QUOTE]It was my understanding that the Riley Jacques Barn was only available for residents. Is that not correct? I'm definitely looking into the Elm Creek Chalet. Thanks again! If you come up with any more ideas, I'd love to hear them!
    Posted by kdcor[/QUOTE]
    I don't think the Riley Jacques Barn is only available to residents, probably the only thing is that if you're not a Chanhassen resident you might have to pay a slightly higher rental rate.
    <a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Money Saving Tips"><img src="http://global.thenest.com/tickers/tt17ce82.aspx" alt="Anniversary" border="0"  /></a>

    White Knot

    Planning Bio-Added FOR SALE page, will be adding more stuff to it soon! 
    Report Reply
  • flower_loverflower_lover member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited August 2012
    Try checking out the Dakota Lodge:

    http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecreation/CountyParks/Locations/Thompson/DakotaLodge.htm

    Gibbs Farm Museum:

    http://www.rchs.com/Gibbs%20Museum%20Events%20site%20rental.htm

    and Muriel Sahlin Arboretum in Roseville:

    http://www.cityofroseville.com/index.aspx?nid=191

    They are all reasonably priced and in/near St. Paul.
    Report Reply
  • kdcorkdcor member
    First Comment
    Wow! More beautiful suggestions!

    The Jacques Riley Barn is in Eden Prairie, and it is only available for residents. Is there another barn in Chanhassen?

    The Trellis center is beautiful, but it looks like they do only ceremonies. Because our families live in the same town and attend the same church, we are getting a lot of pressure to have the ceremony in the church we grew up with. This means there probably won't be an outdoor ceremony, which is why I really would like a unique, relaxed, and "us" feel to the reception.

    The place in Roseville is interesting. I'll have to call and chat with them.

    Thanks!
    Report Reply
  • TamiJJTamiJJ member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    Have you checked out the Rosemount Steeple Center?  It's a lovely decomissioned church.  It's not a barn but you could definitely pull of a rustic style with the right decorations.

    Report Reply
  • pregoinmnpregoinmn
    First Comment
    I'm getting married at the Carpenter Nature Center in hastings. It has a nice, HUGE, new outdoor space.   Its up on a bluff next to the St. Croix. check out the website. Its reasonable priced and you can do use your own vendors.
    Report Reply
  • QMac73QMac73
    First Comment
    If you are willing to do a no alchohol wedding, Wood Lake Nature Center is an inexpensive option with a beautiful indoor and outdoor view.
    Report Reply
  • LauraJean317LauraJean317 member
    First Comment
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_outdoorsy-simple-wedding-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:81Discussion:4480dfb8-0a99-4700-967c-176f3477519dPost:649635d6-d388-4fe9-91ab-105d283dbb15">Re: Outdoorsy, simple wedding venue</a>:
    [QUOTE]Have you checked out the Rosemount Steeple Center?  It's a lovely decomissioned church.  It's not a barn but you could definitely pull of a rustic style with the right decorations. <a href="http://ci.rosemount.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=218" rel="nofollow">http://ci.rosemount.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=218</a>
    Posted by TamiJJ[/QUOTE]

    They're starting a big construction project and will have orange netting up until next year :( I contacted them about a wedding next year and they told me that for the next year or more they will be a construction zone :(
    Report Reply
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    First Comment
    How about the Wirth Chalet, in Theodore Wirth park? Pretty cheap to rent, just gotta go with their caterers and exclusive alcohol service through Prom. This is the venue we decided on!
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards