BEST WEDDING VENUES IN MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL MN
According to a Wedding Planner with 15+ Years of Experience
After planning hundreds of weddings and events over the past 15 years, we know as much as you do, that not all weddings are the same. Not all client needs are the same. And not everyone’s style is the same.
There are 4 core differences in venue needs for modern brides and grooms:
- Capacity: The average wedding in Minneapolis has about 110 guests. However, some people are hosting weddings as small as 50, and some as large as 500+. To help you find venues that meet your capacity needs, we created a separate section for venues with a capacity over 200 below.
- Catering: While many venues require you to cater your food through them, this does not work for everyone. For multicultural weddings with specific meal items you’d want to serve, or simply wanting to choose your own (licensed) caterer who specializes in your favorite meal options, you may want a venue that gives more flexibility in the area. This is why we have a specific section below for venues that allow outside catering.
- Indoor/Outdoor: If you’re hosting a wedding in the middle of Summer or the middle of Winter then you may be seeking an indoor venue, but if your wedding is in more mild times, you may want part or all of your wedding to be outdoors. We’ve noted which venues below provide outdoor options for the ceremony or reception
- Style: Everyone’s style is unique, so we’ve provided a list of venues with different styles for you to choose from.
SECTION 1: VENUES THAT ARE CATERING HALLS
1. MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART
A world-class art museum with stunning galleries and grand spaces. The McKnight 3M Omnitheater and Period Rooms provide unique backdrops. Sophisticated, cultured atmosphere. Supporting the arts through your wedding.
Overview
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Max capacity: 500+ guests seated
- Provides in-house catering only
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- A world-class art museum with stunning galleries and grand spaces
- The McKnight 3M Omnitheater and Period Rooms provide unique backdrops
- Sophisticated, cultured atmosphere
- Supporting the arts through your wedding
- Perfect for art-loving couples who want museum elegance
2. ARIA
A stunning downtown Minneapolis venue with skyline views. Multiple event spaces including a rooftop terrace. Modern elegance with floor-to-ceiling windows. The team is professional, organized, and handles everything seamlessly.
Overview
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Max capacity: 400 guests seated
- Provides in-house catering only
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A stunning downtown Minneapolis venue with skyline views
- Multiple event spaces including a rooftop terrace
- Modern elegance with floor-to-ceiling windows
- The team is professional, organized, and handles everything seamlessly
- Perfect for contemporary urban sophistication
3. THE DEPOT RENAISSANCE
A historic train depot turned luxury hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Grand ballroom with soaring ceilings and original architectural details. Multiple event spaces for different wedding sizes. Full-service hotel convenience with exceptional catering.
Overview
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Max capacity: 500+ guests seated
- Provides in-house catering only
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- A historic train depot turned luxury hotel in downtown Minneapolis
- Grand ballroom with soaring ceilings and original architectural details
- Multiple event spaces for different wedding sizes
- Full-service hotel convenience with exceptional catering
- Perfect for grand, classic celebrations
4. COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY
A stunning glass conservatory with tropical plants and gardens. Unique ceremony sites surrounded by exotic plants. Natural beauty year-round regardless of Minnesota weather. Budget-friendly for the beauty and uniqueness you get.
Overview
- City: St. Paul, MN
- Max capacity: 250 guests seated
- Provides in-house catering only
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- A stunning glass conservatory with tropical plants and gardens
- Unique ceremony sites surrounded by exotic plants
- Natural beauty year-round regardless of Minnesota weather
- Budget-friendly for the beauty and uniqueness you get
- Perfect for nature-loving couples who want garden elegance
5. THE DEPOT MINNEAPOLIS
A historic train depot with industrial-chic charm. High ceilings, exposed brick, and original architectural details. Flexible event spaces that adapt to your vision. The team is creative and easy to work with.
Overview
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Max capacity: 300 guests seated
- Provides in-house catering only
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- A historic train depot with industrial-chic charm
- High ceilings, exposed brick, and original architectural details
- Flexible event spaces that adapt to your vision
- The team is creative and easy to work with
- Perfect for couples wanting historic Minneapolis character
SECTION 2: VENUES THAT ALLOW OUTSIDE CATERING
PERFECT FOR CLIENTS WITH PARTICULAR CATERING & CULTURAL NEEDS
1. A MACHINE SHOP
A restored industrial space in Northeast Minneapolis featuring exposed brick, high ceilings, and urban character. Blank canvas for creative couples. Perfect for industrial-chic weddings with total vendor control.
Overview
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Max capacity: 300 guests seated
- Allows outside catering
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- A restored industrial space in Northeast Minneapolis
- Outside catering allowed
- Exposed brick, high ceilings, and urban character
- Blank canvas for creative couples
- Perfect for industrial-chic weddings with total vendor control
2. ASTER CAFE
A riverfront venue on Nicollet Island. Beautiful outdoor patio and indoor dining spaces. Mississippi River views and island location. Great for couples wanting waterfront charm with some vendor flexibility.
Overview
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Max capacity: 250 guests seated
- Allows outside catering for certain packages
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A riverfront venue on Nicollet Island
- Outside catering allowed for certain packages
- Beautiful outdoor patio and indoor dining spaces
- Mississippi River views and island location
- Great for couples wanting waterfront charm with some vendor flexibility
3. WOOD FROM THE HOOD
A sustainable lumber company and event space. Reclaimed wood, industrial design, and eco-friendly ethos. Unique and meaningful. Perfect for environmentally conscious couples with total catering control.
Overview
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Max capacity: 200 guests seated
- Allows outside catering
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- A sustainable lumber company and event space
- Outside catering allowed
- Reclaimed wood, industrial design, and eco-friendly ethos
- Unique and meaningful
- Perfect for environmentally conscious couples with total catering control
4. SILVERWOOD PARK
A nature center and park in St. Anthony with lake views. Beautiful natural setting with indoor and outdoor spaces. Parks department venue – very affordable. Great for couples wanting nature with vendor freedom.
Overview
- City: St. Anthony, MN
- Max capacity: 250 guests seated
- Requires outside catering
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A nature center and park with lake views
- Outside catering required
- Beautiful natural setting with indoor and outdoor spaces
- Parks department venue – very affordable
- Great for couples wanting nature with vendor freedom
5. WABASHA STREET CAVES
Historic sandstone caves in St. Paul used during Prohibition. Unique, underground speakeasy atmosphere. Truly one-of-a-kind setting. Perfect for couples wanting quirky, historic St. Paul character with catering control.
Overview
- City: St. Paul, MN
- Max capacity: 300 guests seated
- Allows outside catering
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- Historic sandstone caves used during Prohibition
- Outside catering allowed
- Unique, underground speakeasy atmosphere
- Truly one-of-a-kind setting
- Perfect for couples wanting quirky, historic St. Paul character with catering control
This venue list only scratches the surface on amazing venues in the area.
We have access to dozens of venues in the area, and when you book the Wedded Details Full Wedding Planning package, we can send you a custom venue list to choose from that meets your specific wedding needs in as short as 5 business days!
BOOK FULL PLANNING NOW, AND GET YOUR CURATED VENUE RECOMMENDATIONS IN 5 BUSINESS DAYS OR LESS
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