The Best Wedding Venues in Alexandria, MN — A Local Wedding Filmmaker's Guide

Wyatt Harrom
2 days ago
3 min read

We're Wyatt and Sydney, and as a husband-and-wife team, we've had the joy of filming weddings all over the Alexandria lakes area. Along the way, we've gotten to know the venues that make this region so special — the ones with the best light, the prettiest settings, and the kind of character that makes a wedding feel like you.

So this isn't a copy-paste list. It's an honest, heartfelt look at the venues we love most around Alexandria, from a couple who spends their weekends capturing weddings in this area. We hope it makes choosing your place a little easier.

Carlos Creek Winery

If you've ever pictured rolling vineyard rows and warm golden light, Carlos Creek is hard to beat. It's an all-inclusive, award-winning venue tucked into the heart of the Alexandria lakes community, set on 160 sprawling acres. They only host one wedding a day, so the whole property feels like it's truly yours.

The newly remodeled main space seats up to 350 guests, with a stone fireplace, reclaimed wood, and wine-barrel chandeliers, while the smaller Creekside Room is perfect for an intimate group of 10 to 75. When we filmed here, the vineyard at sunset was the moment we waited for all day — and those few minutes in the rows turned into some of the most beautiful footage of the entire film.

Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center

Arrowwood sits right on Lake Darling, making it a natural fit for couples who want the water woven into their story. It's a full country retreat, so your guests can stay on-site and the whole weekend becomes part of the celebration.

The waterfront is the real draw here — soft lakeside light, dock and shoreline backdrops, and that wide, golden Minnesota-evening glow. If a sunset by the lake is on your heart, this is the place for it.

Adler Ranch

Adler Ranch is for the couple who wants something a little different from the usual barn. Just outside Alexandria and close to the Chain of Lakes, it leans into warm Americana charm — a grain-bin bar, vintage lighted signs, and character in every corner. Those details give your day so much texture.

It's wonderful for getting ready, too, with separate spaces for both of you, which makes for a calm, unhurried morning before everything begins.

Crooked Willow Event Center

Crooked Willow gives you room to breathe: 7,000 square feet of indoor space and 17 acres outside, so a little Minnesota weather never means giving up the look you love. The barn anchors the reception, and tables, chairs, and a catering area come with it.

You can hold the ceremony outdoors and move inside without the day ever feeling boxed in, and the open acreage leaves plenty of room to spread out and breathe.

Gathered Oaks

Gathered Oaks has become one of the most sought-after venues in the area, and it's easy to see why — everything about it feels intentional and unhurried. It tends to book up early, so if it's caught your eye, we'd reach out sooner rather than later.

Long Lake Lodge (Brandon)

A short drive from Alexandria in Brandon, Long Lake Lodge offers 20 acres and both indoor and outdoor options right near the water. It's a lovely choice if you want that lakes-area feeling with a little more quiet and privacy from town.

Holiday Inn Alexandria — The Barn

If you're planning a bigger celebration — up to around 400 guests — The Barn at the Holiday Inn keeps lodging, reception, and guests all in one place. It's the easy, low-stress option, with steady indoor lighting and a warm, consistent feel throughout the reception.

A Few Gentle Things to Look For on Your Tour

Beautiful comes easy in Alexandria. Here's what quietly makes the biggest difference in how your day comes together.

Natural light is everything. Big windows and an outdoor ceremony option give your photos and video a warmth that's hard to recreate any other way. It's always worth asking where the sun sets in relation to your ceremony.

Leave a little room for a sunset moment. Some of the most tender minutes of the whole day happen in those few quiet minutes the two of you steal away near golden hour.

Harrom Weddings creates cinematic wedding films as personal and real as the day itself, all across the Alexandria lakes area. Take a look at the films we've created, explore our wedding packages, and when you're ready, reach out / let's chat. We'd love to hear your story.

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