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Ask The Expert: Most Stylish Places To Get Married In Minnesota

Picking a venue for your wedding is an important choice. Considerations of style, tradition and meaningfulness all come into play. Luckily in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," there are plenty of places, both big and small, to choose from depending on your date, budget and personal style. In this feature, local wedding planner and owner of Fab Event Design, Kirsten Fischer, offers her thoughts on the most stylish places to celebrate your nuptials. 

Kirsten Fischer
Fab Event Design
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 224-0897
www.fabeventdesign.com

Fab Event Design has earned a stellar reputation in the Minnesota bridal community, garnering rave reviews through Minnesota Bride, The Knot and ever-popular online wedding resource blog Style Me Pretty. The company's success is a testament to Kirsten's considerable talents in helping craft the perfect wedding. With an innate drive to "make things pretty" and the kind of people skills that instantly put you at ease, she's the organized friend you wish you had helping. Fab Event Design offers a range of services from simple coordination all the way up to full on "Grand Planning" for those brides who want a skilled hand involved in all aspects. Kirstin's services are available in the Twin Cities, southeast Minnesota (including Rochester) and anywhere else in the state, dependent on her schedule.

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Aria 
105 N. 1st St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 342-2742
www.ariampls.com

Formerly the Theatre de Jeune Lune, Aria is a great wedding venue option located in the historic Warehouse District of downtown Minneapolis. Fischer cites the time and effort that's been put into renovating the space since its theatre days as part of its appeal.  With a stage that can be used for the ceremony and a main floor available for the reception, along with lounge spaces sprinkled throughout, Aria is a great empty space that offers a blank page for brides looking to really customize their wedding venue. Fantastic furniture and chandeliers, as well as the lighting opportunities afforded by the balcony, make this a top choice.

Related: Best Shellac Manicures In Minnesota

Mayowood Stone Barn
3385 Mayowood Road S.W.
Rochester, MN 55902
(507) 529-2900
www.mayowoodstonebarn.com

A getaway destination for Twin Cities brides, as well as a local favorite, the Mayowood Stone Barn is a wonderful wedding venue option. Located in Rochester, the venue boasts a beautiful setting with plenty of amenities. The barn itself can be used for both ceremony and reception spaces, with the barn loft featuring church pews and lighting perfect for an unforgettable ceremony. Rental includes chairs and tables, and Fischer loves that brides can concentrate on decorations with rental worries out of the way. This venue also offers a bridal suite and use of the blacksmith shop for a cocktail hour. Nice weather allows for both indoor and outdoor space for your party, but rain won't stop your party either.

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Camrose Hill Farm
233 S. 2nd St.
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 351-9631
www.camrosehillflowers.com/farm

For a setting that practically takes care of itself, and a beautiful outdoor wedding, Fischer recommends Camrose Hill Farm. Located just outside picturesque Stillwater (about a half hour from St. Paul), the farm offers a variety of options. Get married in the charming gardens or utilize the pavilion on less-than-sunny days. The farm also boasts a charming cottage for the bridal party to get ready in and a paddock area for an informal cocktail hour after the ceremony. Planning a wedding at this venue includes the services of Camrose Hill Flowers, renowned for its bridal arrangements cultivated at the farm itself. Visit the shop in downtown Stillwater for more details.

Day Block
1103 Washington Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 333-2606
www.receptionhallminneapolis.com

For smaller parties and more intimate weddings, consider the hidden gem that is Day Block. Kirsten keeps this place on her list for those brides looking for a low rental minimal, flexibility in decor and a wide range of approved caterers. She loves the urban feel this Warehouse District venue provides, without the stuffiness of a country club-type venue. She's seen brides decorate using hanging candle-filled globes from the ceiling, mounting custom art on the walls and much more. Space options are flexible, depending on the day of your wedding and the size of your party.

Calhoun Beach Club
2925 Dean Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(612) 238-4444
www.damicocatering.com

Located on Lake Calhoun, one of Minneapolis' landmark lakes, the Calhoun Beach Club is a versatile and swanky venue option. Fischer loves that this venue can handle a lush, formal event or be easily styled into a more relaxed and lounge friendly event, with a club atmosphere great for expressing your personal style. Consider the library space for a cocktail hour or the ceremony itself. The great staircase and natural light add great design elements to your event. The venue also boasts a solarium with a terrace, as well as catering by D'Amico & Sons.

Related: Best Places For Facials In The Twin Cities

Sassy professional by day, men's style expert by night, Bethany Rein is a twenty-something living in Minneapolis. She loves baseball, coffee and the well-dressed male. An avid runner, Bethany also plays recreational sports with more enthusiasm than skill. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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