How to Plan Your Alexandria MN Wedding in Six Months
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Wedding in Minnesota in Six Months
Planning a wedding in under six months might sound like a whirlwind, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. After hosting weddings for six years, at Adler Ranch, we specialize in creating unforgettable, stress-free celebrations that highlight what’s truly important: love, family, and good times! Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding, a micro wedding, or a larger celebration, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a step-by-step guide to planning your wedding in six months or less, with tips to keep things simple and stress-free.
Courtney & Karl share a kiss during Golden Hour at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue Eric Vest Photography
Step 1: Secure Your Alexandria MN Wedding Venue
The first and most critical step is locking in your wedding venue. At Adler Ranch, we make this decision easy with our stunning and unique location near Alexandria, MN. Our venue is full of character, featuring vintage lighted signs, the iconic Grain Bin Bar, and magical string lights that create an enchanting atmosphere for your special day. With so much charm already built into the venue, you can keep your decorations minimal and still have a breathtaking wedding. Dates fill up quickly, so securing your spot early is key to staying on track.
Alyssa and Cordell have a dance in front of the Adler Ranch Gas Station surrounded by some of the vintage lighted sign collection. Madelyn B Photography
Step 2: Set Your Wedding Budget and Guest List
Once your venue is booked, it’s time to define your budget and guest count. Determining these early helps guide the rest of your decisions, from catering to decor. Hosting a smaller guest list, such as for an intimate wedding or micro wedding, can simplify planning and keep costs more manageable. At Adler Ranch, we make it easy to stay within your budget by offering an array of included amenities, such as our Something Borrowed Collection used for decorating. This treasure trove of decor items, including whiskey barrels, galvanized pieces, and vintage beer garden tables, eliminates the need for additional rentals. It’s also easy to spend less on decor with the environment Adler Ranch provides!
“Sitting down as a couple and making a list of your top three wedding priorities is highly recommended.”
Step 3: Find Your Key Wedding Vendors
The right wedding vendors can make all the difference. Start by prioritizing the essentials: a photographer to capture your memories, a caterer to wow your guests, and a DJ or live band to keep the party going. Adler Ranch has built strong relationships with some of the best local vendors in Alexandria, MN. We provide a curated vendor list featuring professionals who know our venue inside and out, ensuring seamless service on your big day. Whether you’re looking for a photographer with a knack for capturing romantic moments, a DJ who knows how to read the room, or a caterer who can craft a mouthwatering menu, we’ve got you covered. Looking for an officiant, wedding coordinator and hair and makeup artists? We’ve got you covered there too!
Find your key Wedding Vendors from Adler Ranch Recommendations
Eric Vest Photography
Step 4: Simplify Your Decor
With Adler Ranch’s built-in charm, you can save time and money on decorations. Our venue is filled with unique and Instagram-worthy touches, from the 32-foot handcrafted live oak edge table to vintage gas pumps that double as a photo op. Our Something Borrowed Collection includes centerpieces, whiskey barrels, and even a vintage mailbox for your card box. Our upcycled and interesting outdoor bar seating is always a hit and our massive collection of vintage lighting is just incredible! Did we mention our Wildflower field for photos? All these details are provided at no extra cost, leaving you free to focus on adding personal touches to make the space truly yours.
The Adler Ranch Banquet Barn with nearby Grain Bin Bar. Vintage Lighted neon Viking Bar Sign, always included in your rental! Located near Alexandria MN
Step 5: Make Your Wedding Weekend Special
Alexandria, MN, is a destination in its own right, offering plenty of accommodations and activities for your guests. From cozy Airbnbs and hotels to campgrounds like Lake Carlos State Park, there’s something for everyone. Encourage your friends and family to explore the area, whether it’s enjoying the lakes, visiting local breweries, antique stores and wineries, or simply soaking in the scenic beauty. Having a variety of lodging options ensures your guests will be comfortable and able to fully enjoy your wedding weekend. Find more suggestions for fun guest experiences at our recent blog.
“Planning a wedding in six months may sound intimidating, but it’s absolutely possible with focus and determination! Quite honestly, if you are a procrastinator this can be a blessing in disguise, as it pushes you to make quick decisions and move forward with momentum! ”
Step 6: Let Adler Ranch Handle the Details
The best part of hosting your wedding at Adler Ranch? We take care of the hard stuff. Our dedicated team handles all the setup, tear-down, and clean-up so you can focus on celebrating with your loved ones. From coordinating with vendors to ensuring every detail is perfect, our on-site staff and venue manager are there to support you every step of the way. Plus, we offer a complimentary engagement photo shoot on the property, giving you a chance to create stunning images to use for your invitations or save-the-dates! Did we mention we do all the clean-up! (No, Aunt Helen won’t be sweeping the floor and sorting the garbage at the end of your wedding!)
Let Adler Ranch Handle the Details
Your hosts, Marlys & Kurt: We handle all the heavy lifting, the set-up, clean-up, garbage, sweeping, and furniture stacking! Our goal is simple: to make sure you feel like a guest at your own wedding.
Why Choose Adler Ranch for Your Wedding?
Planning a wedding in under six months doesn’t have to be complicated. At Adler Ranch, an independently owned wedding venue, you work directly with the owners, we provide:
A breathtaking Alexandria MN Wedding Venue full of charm and character.
All-inclusive services, including setup, tear-down, and clean-up.
An extensive vendor list of trusted professionals, including photographers, DJs, caterers, and florists along with planning guidance
Unique decor and spaces that eliminate the need for expensive rentals or elaborate decorations.
Vast space, overnight parking and the most private venue you can find in the area!
Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, vintage lighted signs, unique MN Farm Wedding Venue and the most private venue in the Alexandria area!
Start Planning Your Wedding Today
Your perfect wedding celebration is closer than you think. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate wedding, a micro wedding, or something a bit bigger, Adler Ranch is here to help you every step of the way. Reach out today to book a tour and experience firsthand why Adler Ranch is the top choice for an Alexandria MN Wedding Venue. Let’s make your wedding day magical, stress-free, and unforgettable!
Brie & Hunter in the wildflower field at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, Middle Sister Photography
Adler Ranch: Your Love, Our Legacy
At Adler Ranch, we take pride in being an independently owned and operated 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 35 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
Thank you to Nicki from The Venue 112 and Richelle from Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue for today’s quote.
Did you know…when you choose a locally owned wedding venue you are helping to develop and improve the local economy? It’s true, your locally owned wedding venues are small business owners who not only create hundreds of jobs for the local wedding industry every year, we actively support our local economy. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map. A shout out to these locally owned wedding venues around the country:
A shoutout to other locally owned wedding venues around the US that offer their support and encouragement on a daily basis: Wedding Venue Owners The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms, The Bella Rosa, Notting Hill Farm, Events by Bliss Barn, Green Clover Farm, The Venue at Murphy Lane, Burlap & Lace, Talula Mesa, Oaks of Devonaire, Bluestone Estate, Eden Farms Weddings Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast
