OT: Wedding locations?

My sister is getting married in September (yeah, short notice) and we've never had a wedding in the U.S., much less Minnesota. I am wondering if you all have any good spots to hold a wedding. I'm not looking for churches... but just fun locations... indoor or outdoor that may be a good location for a wedding. We have some ideas already but thought I'd get some feedback from you all too!

Thanks in advance!

try the headwaters of Mississippi....it's beautiful!! And, it's the beginning of a long journey to the Gulf of Mexico....the beginning of a long life together...contact Itasca State Park of MN

The Carlson Towers in Minnetonka rent out space for weddings, and they have some beautiful options!  They are a little pricey, but the space and grounds are beautiful.  I was in a wedding held there and it couldn't have turned out better. 

http://www.carlsonconservatory.com/index.asp

Also, look into local and parks, they can be a very pretty and cheap option, but you're screwed if the weather is bad.  One absolutely gorgeous option is the Conservatory at the Como zoo in St. Paul, but I think it's pretty pricey. 

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/cons/amenities/rentals.sh tml

I could give you a lot more suggestions if there is a certain area of the metro you were looking for.  Feel free to PM me if there is anything I can help you with.  Good luck and have fun!
-Sarah

I work at Carlson and live across the street from the towers and I have to tell you at first I thought it would be weird to have a wedding at the towers but if you see the location its absolutely beautiful with ponds and fountains surrounding the grounds plus indoor area is also stunning with marble and gold everywhere.  

I am a fan of Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis as well as Hidden Falls in St. Paul.  Many of the local parks have shelters you can rent (so you aren't as weather dependent). 
Good Luck on finding a location that will make everyone happy!!

Reenie

My sister got married at Stonebrook golf course in Shakopee. Really nice outdoor setting by a waterfall.  There is a flower garden in Eagan, I forget the name, but we considered that when we were looking to get married.  Have fun helping her plan.

My wedding is coming up in July ... and we're having the ceremony at the MOA Wedding Chapel.  We have some friends that got married there a couple of years ago and they did a really nice job.  And they do seem to be geared more to second marriages.  But they'll make it as personal as you want.  It is a small venue - I think the max is 70-80 people.  We also looked at the Japanese Gardens at Normandale Community College, the Arboretum is nice too.  Frankly, they were all a little more expensive, and we're on a budget.

 

LeAnne

I know some really great wedding photographers that would have some great ideas for spots. But I do know that the Carlson towers are beautiful and now your side of town:)

The Park District has quite a few wedding spots!  The most beautiful would be Noerenberg Gardens on Lake Minnetonka - with the smaller wedding your family is planning, the boathouse right on the water would be GORGEOUS!  And is partially sheltered if the weather isn't the greatest.

Here's a link to see some of the options available...

http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/reservations/weddings .cfm

The Marshview Group Camp out here at Baker is pretty cool, too - there's a barn in case of inclement weather, and all kinds of options for outdoor spots.

What about the rose garden over by Lake Harriet? I always thought that would be pretty!!!