Minnesota's gorgeous landscape features more than 70 state-managed parks and countless other local parks, gardens, lakes and zoos. With a huge range of prices to accommodate any budget and party size, these locations offer plenty of options for those seeking an outdoor Minnesota wedding.
Lakes and Beaches
Minnesota's overabundance of natural lakes offer ample opportunities for waterfront weddings. Many Minnesota parks are centered around lakes, and come already equipped with shelters, tables and even mess halls perfect for receptions. These parks can be rented by the day or the hour, and are often used as gathering grounds for family reunions, picnics and birthdays. If your wedding party can handle the informal setting and you don't mind a little sand on your dress, a lakefront park may be the option for you.
Gardens
Large garden parks such as Munsigner in St. Cloud provide the perfect setting for an outdoor spring wedding. Trilliums, morning glory, lilies, lady's slippers and other Minnesota flowers are in full bloom from late March until early August. Flower gardens are popular wedding locations in Minnesota and most offer wedding packages for potential customers that include seating, lighting and buffet tables for outdoor receptions. Butterfly gardens are another option to consider, although they are oftentimes enclosed within a tent and, as such, work best with smaller wedding parties.
Zoos
Minnesota contains several small, outdoor zoos, such as Como Zoo in St. Paul, that can offer a dream wedding for both animal lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Wedding ceremonies taking place within a zoo will be limited to specific, outdoor exhibits that offer enough space for the bridal party and guests, so make sure your wedding size can be accommodated by your favorite animal display before booking. Also keep in mind that many zoos offer little in the way of cleanliness, and be prepared for a large dry-cleaning bill after your special day.
Golf Courses and Country Clubs
Those with a bigger wedding budget than average have the option of renting out sections of local golf courses or country clubs. These locations offer acres of perfectly manicured grass and large dining halls for on-site receptions. Country Clubs, although expensive to rent, offer some of the most elegant wedding options available when tying the knot in an outdoor park ceremony.
Weather
There are several things to keep in mind when planning an outdoor wedding in Minnesota, one of the biggest being weather conditions. Minnesota is known for it's long and exceptionally cold winters, but the warmer months come with their own set of inconveniences as well as potential perks. Summers in Minnesota are accompanied by fair temperatures but extreme humidity the majority of the time, making extended periods of time outside uncomfortable, especially in formal attire. Springtime temperates are generally very tame, with the occasional early spring snowfall, frequent thunderstorms, and the seldom tornado. Make sure you have tents on hand the day of your wedding as rain showers can be unpredictable.
