Behind the Scenes at a Minnesota Wedding Venue: The Hard Work Behind a Ranch Wedding
How Adler Ranch Prepares for Every Wedding at Our Venue Near St. Cloud, MN
When couples and their guests arrive for a wedding at Adler Ranch, they step into a world of vintage charm and and affordable luxury, where we have prepared all season to be ready for your wedding! Adler Ranch, nestled in the heart of Minnesota, isn’t just a barn wedding venue—it’s a place where history and love stories intertwine. One of the most iconic features of our venue is our massive vintage lighted sign collection, which we’ve been curating for over 30 years. Each sign has a story, and many have taken over a decade to track down. Unlike mass-produced replicas, every sign at Adler Ranch is authentic—original pieces carefully matched with their correct poles and lights. We never settle for reproductions, ensuring that the atmosphere we create is genuinely historic. Our collection is always evolving, and our next project includes the installation of vintage parking lot signs, adding yet another layer of nostalgia to the experience.
But while guests enjoy the ambiance, most don’t realize the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to prepare for each wedding. A stunning wedding venue like Adler Ranch doesn’t maintain itself—it takes hours of dedication every single week, all season long. Contact us for more information!
Adler Ranch vintage lighted sign collection, a ‘no ball zone’ at Adler Ranch
The Never-Ending Wedding Prep
A wedding might last one day, but the preparation starts long before that. Unlike traditional event spaces, where setup might begin just a day or two in advance, we work year-round to ensure the property is in top condition, planning upgrades, repairs and finding new and interesting items for wedding guests to enjoy. Each week leading up to a wedding is filled with the fine details, completing landscaping, maintenance, cleaning, and last-minute finishing touches.
Landscaping: A Full-Time Commitment
Maintaining Adler Ranch wedding venue and surrounded by nature is an ongoing battle against the elements. Every week, we spend countless hours weeding, mowing, and caring for the plants,( and protecting them from deer and rabbits) that make Adler Ranch barn wedding venue look beautiful.
Spring Planting: As soon as the Minnesota winter gives way to warmer temperatures, we get to work planting flowers, tending to our potted greenery, and making sure our outdoor spaces are bursting with color and not weeds!
The Spring of 2024 was a big adventure for us! We were excited to plant 9000 trees on our property and we carved out two acres specifically for pollinator habitat and that has made the most beautiful wildflower field for family and wedding photos! See more of this spectacular wildflower field at a recent blog.
Overwintering the Ferns: We take special care to preserve our ferns so they can thrive year after year. This process requires careful planning and the right environment to protect them through the colder months.
Wildlife Control: Unfortunately, deer and rabbits love the lush greenery as much as we do! To keep them from snacking on our carefully planted flowers, we regularly try a number of holistic fixes, and then spray deterrents and take extra precautions to ensure our plants survive the season.
Gopher Trapping: These little diggers can wreak havoc on the lawn and create hazards for guests. Keeping them under control is a constant effort. (Isn’t this romantic?!)
Beautiful Bride at the Hydrangea hedge at Adler Ranch
A private corner outside The Cabin, one of two wedding party suites at Adler Ranch
The Adler Ranch Little blue truck on the venue grounds, vast space at Adler Ranch Minnesota Wedding Venue
Keeping the Property Picture-Perfect
Because Adler Ranch, Minnesota Wedding Venue is so unique, it requires a different level of upkeep compared to a traditional banquet hall. Our spaces aren’t just functional—they’re filled with character, from the Grain Bin Bar to the antique German tables and string-lit gathering areas. See more details about our MN Wedding spaces.
Before each wedding, we take the time to:
Power wash and deep clean high-traffic areas.
Arrange and inspect all furniture, ensuring tables, chairs, and décor are in perfect condition.
Check the lighting—whether it’s the romantic glow of string lights or the warm neon of our vintage signs, every bulb and fixture must be just right and clean!
Ensure our unique décor is in place—whether it’s our whiskey barrels, vintage mailbox for cards, or German beer garden tables for extra seating. We make our arrangements specific for each couple after our planning meeting, we like to have everything all ready for your arrival!
The Hunt for the Perfect Vintage Finds
One of the things that makes Adler Ranch truly special is our dedication to collecting and preserving vintage pieces. While most wedding venues buy mass-produced décor, we travel the country to find one-of-a-kind antiques that enhance our space. We’re the couple that has had to rent an extra long U-Haul trailer to get home from vacation because we found something that couldn’t be passed up!
The Search for Rare Neon, Beer and Gas & Oil Signs
Our sign collection is a passion project decades in the making. We don’t just stumble upon these treasures—we actively hunt for the right signs, poles, and fixtures to create a cohesive look. Some of the signs we’ve installed took over 10 years to track down.
We carefully match each sign with the correct pole and lighting, ensuring authenticity.
Every sign is original—we refuse to buy reproductions or fake or fantasy pieces.
We’re always expanding the collection, and there is always a next project on the list!
Among our collection are highly collectible lighted plastic beer signs—fragile pieces that have become very collectible. Because of their delicate nature, we take extra precautions to protect them. This is why we have a strict "no balls in the yard" rule—no footballs, soccer balls, baseballs, or anything else that could accidentally damage these irreplaceable signs. Each piece in our collection has been carefully preserved, and we intend to keep them glowing for years to come.
Adler Ranch, MN Wedding Venue, Sign Collection near St Cloud MN
Antiques and Vintage Decor and now the Adler Ranch Retro Market! July 25 & 26, 2025
Beyond neon signs, we’re constantly searching for antiques that will add character to Adler Ranch. From handcrafted furniture to repurposed architectural pieces, every item has a history.
Estate sales, auctions, and flea markets are gold mines for rare finds that can enhance our space. We’re also excited to host our first annual Retro Market this July! Follow our social media for more details!
When we bring a new piece to the venue, we don’t just place it randomly—we carefully integrate it into the existing aesthetic. When we see photographers instantly posing their couple in front of our new find, we know we’ve made good placement choices!
Our "Something Borrowed Collection" of décor items is made up of hand-selected vintage treasures that couples can use to personalize their wedding.
Unique Wedding Décor
Estate sales, auctions, flea markets, and antique shows across the U.S. are treasure troves of rare finds. Every piece is handpicked with care, thoughtfully placed to enhance Adler Ranch's unique character.
The Final Countdown: Wedding Week Prep
As the wedding day approaches, all the behind-the-scenes work kicks into high gear.
Seating & Ceremony Setup: The white ceremony chairs are set up and arranged with a clear view of the ceremony and all chairs are cleaned.
Reception Tables & Décor: The floor is cleaned, along with windows and walls. Round tables and chairs are positioned, décor is arranged. Everything is cleaned!
The Bar & Outdoor Spaces: The Grain Bin Bar and outdoor seating areas are prepped and stocked, ensuring guests have a perfect place to relax. Everything is cleaned again!
Final Inspections: From lighting adjustments to last-minute landscaping touch-ups, everything is double-checked and cleaned!
Spraying for Mosquitoes: We can’t forget this task! We have the property sprayed on a regular basis all season long!
See our behind the scenes video on social media!
Watch the Magic Happen: Behind-the-Scenes Videos
Want to see what goes into transforming Adler Ranch for each wedding? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. where we share behind-the-scenes, embarrassing and ridiculous clips of:
Sign installations—watch as we add new neon pieces to our collection.
Landscaping and venue prep—from mowing to flower planting. It’s so glamourous!
Treasure hunting adventures—get a peek at how we find our vintage gems.
A wedding may only last one day, but the work behind the scenes is a year-long labor of love. Every detail, from the glowing signs to the manicured lawns, is a testament to the care and dedication that makes Adler Ranch the unforgettable venue it is today.
Adler Ranch, Minnesota Wedding Venue and its massive lighted sign collection!
At Adler Ranch, MN Wedding Venue, we take pride in being an independently owned and operated Minnesota wedding venue, nestled in the picturesque lakes area of Alexandria, MN. When you celebrate your wedding with us, you’ll experience the care, dedication, and attention to detail that only a family-run venue can offer. Every detail of your day is handled with intention to make it as extraordinary as your love story. Hosting only a limited number of weddings each season allows us to provide the personalized attention and intentional moments that make your celebration unforgettable.
What truly sets Adler Ranch apart is our unparalleled collection of vintage signs—treasures we’ve lovingly gathered over 30 years. This carefully curated collection adds a unique charm, character and history to your wedding day, offering a backdrop like no other venue in the area. The signs tell their own story, creating the perfect setting for capturing memories that will last a lifetime and offering a setting for wedding photography like none other.
For more wedding inspiration, planning tips, and engagement advice, be sure to follow Adler Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Let’s make your dream day a reality! 💕Thanks for visiting! ~Marlys
Marlys & Kurt, the smiling faces waiting to greet you at Adler Ranch~
A shout out to these wonderful wedding venue owners around the country who offer their support each day: Within Sodo, Legacy Lakes Venue, Laurel Haven Estate, New Park Event Venue, Barn at Bradstreet, Evermore Ridge Black River Lodge, Legacy at Serenity Farm, The Hidden Gem of Gruene, Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast, SC Southern Charm Events
