Minnesota can be a frustrating area in the winter. While we get to enjoy the beauty and majesty of fresh snowfall, the subzero temperatures, potentially dangerous driving, and salty, slushy roads and sidewalks can make winter days difficult to say the least.

And when you are looking for venues for a winter wedding, there are different factors you need to consider as opposed to a ceremony in another season. So what should you look for? And what is the best way to contact a venue and organize a tour?

Why Winter Weddings Work in Minneapolis

Despite the risk of inclement weather, a Minnesota winter wedding is actually a pretty great idea for several reasons. Before we go into more specifics about reserving your venue, let’s take a look at some of the best aspects of winter nuptials.

Lighting and Timing Advantages

One of the most important things that any couple does on their wedding day is get photos taken to commemorate the occasion forever. So when you look at the best winter wedding venues Minneapolis has to offer, thinking about photo locations is a big consideration.

Because the sun sets much earlier in the winter than in the summer months, golden hour for photos — the brief time of day when natural lighting is the most perfect for photography — comes before you would have a dinner service. That means you can get amazing pictures taken after the nerves of the ceremony are gone and before you enjoy your amazing wedding feast.

You also get full control of your indoor lighting to create interesting shadows and textures against the backdrop of a great room. And if your venue has interesting features like a grand stairway or water feature, those locations paired with cool lighting will give you portraits you’ll want to display on every wall for the rest of your life.

Date Flexibility and Value Packages

When you start looking at great venues, you may notice that Fridays and Sundays are tough to book. Winter wedding Minneapolis venues give you much better odds for reserving a space on those prime time slots because there isn’t as much demand as you might find in the spring or summer.

And because there are fewer wedding reservations, generally speaking, you are also more likely to secure a great sale price, reduced minimum cost, or value package from your prospective venues. For example, you may get a discount on the kind of bar packages Minneapolis weddings thrive on.

Guest Comfort Done Right

The way your guests are accommodated by a venue is very important to their enjoyment of your special day. Winter weather demands extra layers like coats, gloves, and scarves when going outside, so having a staffed coat check allows your guests to drop their outer wear in a safe spot so that they don’t have to carry it around everywhere during your reception.

A good winter venue will also ensure that sidewalks and stairs are clear of ice, entries are ADA compliant, and that your guests will walk out of the cold into a warm vestibule that gives off a welcoming feeling to all.

How to Reach Out to Venues for a Winter Wedding

The key to getting quick and informative feedback from potential downtown Minneapolis wedding venues is to include as much key information as possible. Make a template that you can copy and paste to send out to your potential venues that includes the following:

• Date window
• Headcount range
• Preferred style
• Budget range
• Specific accommodations for you or guests that you know will be present
• Whether your ceremony will be offsite or if a ceremony to reception flip will be needed
• Required cultural elements
• Whether or not you will need access to wedding planning assistance
• Preference for seated dining, cocktail hour style service, or both
• Wedding AV package requirements such as microphones or screens
• Dance area needs
• Parking access, rideshare, or shuttle services
• Timing constraints

By giving your potential venues clear information in your initial correspondence, you make it easier for them to let you know exactly how they can meet your needs and you can move on to scheduling your tours immediately.

If you haven’t heard back from a venue you have reached out to within one business day, it’s a good idea to send a quick follow up with suggested tour dates. If you haven’t heard back within two days, giving the venue a quick phone call to confirm that they got your email and to check on availability and holds is advisable. If you don’t hear from anyone within three days, move on to another venue.

Touring Checklist for Cold Weather Venues

When you go in for your tour, there are several items you should look for. These apply to large rooms, intimate winter wedding venues, venues that offer a mix of outdoor and indoor spaces, or anything in between.

Indoor Photo Spots

Depending on the weather, you may not be able to take pictures outdoors. That’s why it is important to scout out indoor locations in your venue that will make for great photo opportunities.

Look for interesting textures, spaces for off-camera lights, and access to outlets nearby. Exposed brick, large windows, beautiful staircases, and unique architectural or design elements are all great spots for wedding photos.

Warmth Logistics

You want your guests to be comfortable, so look into any potential venue’s tools and policies surrounding warmth in winter. Any December wedding Minneapolis hosts should take the warmth and comfort of guests into account.

Ask about heater placement for outdoor areas that you intend to utilize, draft control at doors and any cold traffic zones you and your guests may have to navigate. Also, be sure that any coat check services have labeled bins for winter accessories or outdoor shoes for those guests that don’t want to wear their nice heels or dress shoes out in the snow.

Staffing Plans

Be sure that your venue has the staffing to flip your venue from ceremony to reception if needed as quickly and efficiently as possible as well as enough people to prepare and serve your winter wedding menu while accurately addressing any dietary restrictions and allergies that you or your guests have.

It is also wise to inquire about vendor load-in contingencies for bad weather and where any decor will be stored before and after your venue is flipped from ceremony to reception (if you require that service).

Accessibility, Rideshare, and Parking

Check your venue options’ shuttle services, parking access and/or valet services, and rideshare options as well as their snow emergency plans. Also, look at their ADA compliant entrances and elevator access to be sure that any guests with special needs can get to your wedding easily and safely.

Ask Comparison Questions

On every venue tour, be sure to get answers about the following topics:

• Capacity, Layout, and Flow: How are the sightlines? What are the dance floor dimensions? What are the traffic patterns for a seated meal service vs a cocktail hour?
• Pricing Clarity: Find out minimums, overtime fees, taxes, deposits, cancellation fees, and service charges
• Catering and Tasting: Is there an in-house catering service? When can you schedule a tasting? How do they handle allergies and dietary restrictions? What is their desert policy?
• Decor and Rentals: Is there an open flame policy? What size linens do they have? How much time will you have for setup and teardown?
• AV and Speeches: What gear is included? Is there on-site tech assistance? Will you be able to come in for a rehearsal? Are there sound limitation requirements?

Cozy Winter Touches Your Guests Will Remember

Whether you want a holiday themed winter wedding or simply want to make the most of winter themes, the key to a cold weather wedding is to make your guests feel cozy, warm, and welcome.

Some winter weather decor ideas include heavier, velvet linens give a tactile impression of comfy blankets. Silver and gold accents on jewel tones or muted blues and pinks keep the majesty of the season in mind without reminding your guests of the drawbacks of the season.

If your venue allows open flames, an entirely candlelit ceremony can be unforgettable. It is visually stunning while providing some extra heat sources for anyone that is still shaking off the cold of the outdoors.

Another great winter wedding touch is serving warm drinks to your guests as they arrive. Hot cider, cocoa, and coffee are lovely non-alcoholic options while mulled wine, Irish coffee, and hot toddies make for great adult beverage options.

To add to the cozy feel, a small quartet of musicians providing the entertainment during dinner service is a great idea. They can be classical musicians or light jazz players. Either way, their contribution to the ambience of your event will be incredible.

Winter Weddings at LXMPLS

When you reach out to The Lumber Exchange Event Center for venue information and a tour, you will get a thorough and professional experience that will help make your decision as simple as possible.

You will receive a sample wedding schedule that includes a 30-minute ceremony, a 45-minute cocktail hour, an indoor portrait loop, dinner, toasts and the first dance. You will also get information about all of the accessible parking Minneapolis has to offer near LXMPLS and how travel to your wedding from hotels can be made simple for your guests.

Information on wedding planner assistance will also be presented to you as well as a tour of the indoor photo locations each venue in the building has to offer. You can also see the outdoor locations you can use for winter weather photography if the weather permits it.

Finally, you will get a breakdown of hold lengths for your preferred dates, contract and deposit information, a preferred vendor list, and more. Whether you are looking for a prime weekend spot or want weekday wedding dates, Minneapolis does better than anywhere else. Your tour at LXMPLS will answer all of your questions.

Get the Winter Wonderland Wedding of Your Dreams

The charms of a winter wedding in beautiful downtown Minneapolis cannot be understated. And when you reach out to LXMPLS, you can be sure that you are working with a venue that has plans and contingencies in place to eliminate every potential pitfall that may drag down other venues for a winter wedding.

So contact us today with all of your key details, get a hold of your preferred date range, and schedule a tour. You will see just how incredible The Lumber Exchange Event Center can make your winter wedding.