What you need to know before booking your Central MN Wedding Venue
The Venue is the heart of your wedding
Your wedding venue is the heart of your wedding! In this blog, Adler Ranch details what you need to know before booking your central MN Wedding Venue! You’re engaged, and dreaming about your wedding! You’ll be making many decisions in the next months, and at Adler Ranch, we believe your venue should tell your story, set the tone, and make every guest feel at home. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your wedding venue.
What to consider before choosing your wedding venue:
Availability – Get Ahead of the Crowd
Popular venues like Adler Ranch book up fast, sometimes years in advance. Once you have a shortlist of favorites, reach out to check their availability around your preferred date. You might need to be flexible with your date to get into your dream venue.
Heather Scott Photography
Your Budget
Start by considering your budget. Will you be self-funding your wedding, or will you have help from family for the wedding? It’s helpful to have a conversation about the budget to help determine what you can expect. If your dreams are larger than your budget, consider alternative options, such as a weekday wedding, a brunch wedding, an intimate wedding, and/or a smaller guest list.
Your venue and catering will be the largest pieces of your budget, so carefully review what is included in the venue. At Adler Ranch, we include so many things, the list is long! Tables, chairs, ceremony chairs, interesting outdoor seating areas for your guests, a Grain Bin Bar that is cute as can be, two buildings for the wedding party to prep in, a Something Borrowed collection of items that can be used for decorating at no additional cost, set up of the Banquet hall and ceremony, and full cleanup! (No resetting the building at the end of the night, no hauling garbage, no bussing tables! We do it all for you! )
“Best place to get married in Central Minnesota! It’s unique, affordable, and all the guests loved looking at all of the old signs around the venue. My wife is typically indecisive, but this was the only venue we toured and she knew after 5 minutes that it was the right place to get married at!”
Also included is our massive sign collection, ceiling drape, lighted outdoor signs, beautiful landscaping, vast parking area, unmatched privacy, onsite venue managers to assist with any issues and clean bathrooms!
Consider the payment options: Adler Ranch allows interest free monthly payments to be made towards your venue payment, which we’ve found is easier for people rather than two or three very large payments over a year.
Wedding Guest enjoying the Grain Bin Bar at Adler Ranch
Your Guest List
Your guest list plays a big role in your venue choice. Before you start touring potential venues, have a rough estimate of your headcount. This helps ensure your venue can comfortably host your celebration without feeling too cramped—or too empty. Then take some time to see if the guest count you’re wanting matches your budget. Give some consideration to children being in attendance, is the venue you’re considering a safe place for children to be at?
Venue Style – What’s Your Vibe?
Picture your dream wedding. Is it romantic and relaxed, elegant and modern, outdoors and basking in sunshine, or a hotel ballroom? Your venue should match your style and theme. Whether it’s a picturesque outdoor setting or a cozy indoor space, choose a venue that aligns with your vision.
Your venue is more than just a location; it’s where the atmosphere of your entire wedding comes to life. It should harmonize with the colors, textures, and overall vibe you’ve been dreaming of, creating a seamless experience that resonates with both you and your guests. Whether you’re drawn to the natural beauty of a vintage rustic ranch or the polished elegance of a more modern space, choose a venue that feels like the perfect fit for your love story. After all, your wedding day should feel as special and unique as the love you share.
Fall at Adler Ranch
Kristen Jyrkas Creative
Location, Location, Location
Think about where your guests are coming from. Is your venue easy to find and accessible for everyone? Are there nearby accommodations for out-of-town guests? The location can make a big difference in how many loved ones can join your celebration.
Adler Ranch is located five miles just north of Alexandria, nestled near the Chain of Lakes. Alexandria is home to multiple hotels, Airbnb’s, VRBO’s, luxury resorts and Lake Carlos State Park. There are numerous options for your guests to stay at based on their interests and the area has so much for your guests to do, from a thriving downtown area to several local wineries, distilleries and golf courses. The restaurant options are plentiful as well! Explore Alexandria and see why this area is so popular with tourists all year around.
Planning for your fun guest experience creates an entertaining wedding experience for everyone!
Services and Amenities – What’s Included?
Carefully ask and research what is included in your venue package. Do they request you choose catering from a preferred list? (A preferred catering list is a great thing, as they’re referring you to the caterers who have already done a great job at their venue! This saves you from a potentially bad situation on your wedding day with a non-professional caterer!) Are tables, chairs and linens included? How much set up does the the venue provide or will I have to ask my relatives to set up my entire wedding and clean up at the end of the night? Adler Ranch provides all tables and chairs, AND will have them set in place when you arrive on the morning of the wedding. We also provide bussing service and clean up at the end of the night. (You won’t have to ask Aunt Betty to stack chairs and take out any garbage!)
Do they have any decor that can be used, or will you have to pay $$ PER ITEM to use a venues decor?
Check out the Adler Ranch ‘Something Borrowed Collection’ which is a collection of items that can be used at no additional cost to you! The collection includes whiskey barrels, small tables, galvanized bins, candles, centerpiece items, votives, mirrors, lanterns, yard games, even live plants with stands to decorate with! All at no additional cost!
Make a checklist of what each venue provides and carefully review what is included to avoid surprises later.
Services and Amenities – What’s Included?
Carefully ask and research what is included in your venue package. Do they offer in house catering? Do they request you choose catering from a preferred list? Are tables, chairs and linens included? How much set up does the the venue provide or will I have to ask my relatives to set up my entire wedding and clean up at the end of the night? Adler Ranch provides all tables and chairs, AND will have them set in place when you arrive on the morning of the wedding. We also provide bussing service and clean up at the end of the night. (You won’t have to ask Aunt Betty to stack chairs and sort or take out any garbage!)
Make a checklist of what each venue provides and carefully review what is included to avoid surprises later.
Restrictions – Know the Rules and Read the Contract
Every venue has its own set of guidelines. Some may have noise restrictions or limits on alcohol. Others might require you to use specific vendors, most venues require wedding insurance. Adler Ranch also suggests cancellation insurance to protect you from unfortunate events that may be out of your control. What is the timeline or your day, what time can you enter, what time must you exit, will the venue allow a rehearsal? What if you want extra time, is that a possibility? Adler Ranch does allow extra time to be purchased, if there is availability. Is there a refundable damage deposit? What happens if I need to cancel the wedding?
What does the venue offer throughout the planning process? Can you return for open houses to see the venue again? Is the venue responsive to your questions during the booking process? If they are responsive during booking, they’ll likely be responsive during planning. Understanding these rules upfront will save you from any unexpected hurdles later.
Making the Final Call
Booking the perfect venue is one of the most important steps in your wedding planning process. Start your search early, prioritize your needs, and choose a venue that not only meets your logistical requirements but also resonates with your personal style, your wedding vision, guest needs and your budget.
Once you’ve made your decision, you’ve read and signed the contract, you’ll be ready to dive into the rest of your planning with excitement and confidence!
For more wedding planning tips and advice, stay tuned to the Adler Ranch blog. We’re here to help make your special day everything you’ve dreamed of and more. Are you recently engaged and ready to start your venue search We’d love to show you around Adler Ranch! To learn more about Adler Ranch, contact us.
Adler Ranch is your dream destination for a truly unique wedding experience. As an independently owned and family-operated ranch wedding venue nestled in the heart of the Alexandria, MN lakes area; we pride ourselves on offering a limited number of weddings each season to ensure every couple receives the personalized attention they deserve. Embracing our roots, we support local businesses and create an inclusive, unconventional wedding venue that stands out from the rest. When you choose Adler Ranch, you're not just booking a venue; you're becoming part of our family and the vibrant Alexandria community. Fill out our contact form for more information about this most unconventional MN wedding venue! A shout out to the following Independently owned and operated wedding venues around the country that continue to inspire on a daily basis: Antler Ridge Weddings 5 Family Ranch Wedding Venue Owners La Joya Dulce Aqua Linda Farm
