The Detroit Lakes area has some of the best wedding venues around for outdoor and lake-loving couples. Being in the heart of lakes country in the state of 10,000 lakes means lots of options if you want to be near the water on your wedding day. There have also been a number of nearby barns renovated into wedding venues if the farming history of the area is something important to you.
We’ll start with a more traditional wedding venue if that is your style.
Holiday Inn on the Lake | Wedding Reception Venue
The Holiday Inn on the Lake is a great option for the couple who wants a traditional hotel wedding reception but with the lake right nearby. I love the option to drive just a minute down the frontage road and get some absolutely gorgeous sunset photos at the end of the night or quickly hop out behind the bar area and take some portraits on the dock. The Holiday Inn is also known for great meals and has the convenience of not having to leave to go home or to a nearby hotel at the end of the night.
Link: Holiday Inn Website
Featured Weddings:
Britt & Mitch’s Holiday Inn Reception
Megan & Nathan’s Holiday Inn Reception
Brooke & Greg’s Holiday Inn Reception
The Barn at Five Lakes Resort | Ceremony & Reception Venue
Don’t tell anyone else, but the Barn at Five Lakes Resort is my favorite lakes area barn venue. This location has the most stunning oak trees, a beautiful lawn, a lake, and a white barn. Yes white! I love the break away from the old-school red, it is a great way to incorporate a little bit of the rustic look without the ‘red barn’.
Not only is The Barn at Five Lakes Resort a great option for your reception, but they also have multiple, beautiful location options for an outdoor wedding ceremony. And call me biased, but I do love an outdoor wedding ceremony.
To top it off, they have some of the most beautiful cabins I have been in. It’s a great place to stay during your wedding and get ready at. Have your hair and makeup team come to the resort to help you get ready on the day of and you will not have to leave at all on your wedding day. No need for stressful travel arrangements!
Link: Barn at Five Lakes Resort Website
Featured Weddings:
Adrienne & Nick’s Barn at Five Lakes Wedding
Nicole & Eric’s Barn at Five Lakes Wedding
The Meadows on Lind | Ceremony & Reception Venue
The Meadows on Lind is a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony and reception venue on the lake. They have an awesome onsite house for staying at and getting ready and the perfect spot for an outdoor ceremony right next to their indoor reception area. There is also a great mix of portrait locations, from trees to the lake to gravel areas and even a cute bridge over a stream!
Link: Meadows On Lind Website
Featured Wedding: Ashley & Brett’s Meadows on Lind Wedding
Fair Hills Resort | Ceremony & Reception Venue
Want to get married at a lakeside resort? Fair Hills might just be the place for you. Located on Pelican Lake, Fair Hills Resort is a resort that feels like the childhood vacation of your dreams. They have cabins, rolling hills, trees, and of course the lake. The venue isn’t a barn venue but has a woodsy feel to the buildings and decor.
Like some other resort and rural venues, they also offer options for an onsite ceremony so you and your guests do not have to travel once they arrive for your wedding day.
Link: Fair Hills Resort Website
Featured Wedding: Kirsten & Cody’s Fair Hills Wedding
Detroit Lakes Pavilion | Wedding Reception Venue
Right on Detroit Lake and next to all the amenities of the park, city beach, and across the street from a new hotel make the Detroit Lakes Pavilion an attractive choice for your wedding reception. All you have to do is walk right outside and we have the perfect beach space for sunset portraits. Your wedding party can hang out over at Hub 41 while waiting for the grand entrance and I’ve even photographed a ceremony on the city beach once.
Link: Detroit Lakes Pavilion Website
Featured Wedding: Jena & Hunter’s DL Pavilion Wedding
The Barn at Dunvilla | Ceremony & Reception Venue
Love a barn with a craft fair feel to it and options for an indoor or outdoor ceremony and reception? You might fall in love with the Barn at Dunvilla and its beautiful bridal suite for getting ready. The Barn at Dunvilla is easy to find just a little way south of Detroit Lakes, MN right on highway 59 making it easy for your guests to find and no traveling on gravel roads.
Link: Barn at Dunvilla Website
Featured Weddings:
Andrea & Bradley’s Barn at Dunvilla Wedding
Katie & Jason’s Barn at Dunvilla Wedding
Danielle & Jake’s Barn at Dunvilla Wedding
Frazee Event Center | Wedding Reception Venue
The Frazee Event Center is a very popular local venue for those looking to have a traditional event center reception with options to bring in your favorite catering company. This is also a great venue for a large group!
Link: Frazee Event Center Website
Featured Weddings:
Whitney & Logan’s Frazee Event Center Reception
Brianna & Ethan’s Frazee Event Center Reception
Ellie & Erik’s Frazee Event Center Reception
Milt’s Barn | Ceremony & Reception Venue
A rustic location with a twist. Milt’s Barn is not your typical old school hip barn, but instead a steel roofed barn built into a hill, creating a unique no stairs entrance and a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony location. Milt’s Barn is also known for its beautiful oak trees on the property and has a great gravel road location for sunset portraits.
Link: Milt’s Barn Website
Featured Weddings:
Myla & Michael’s Milt’s Barn Wedding
Even & Brittany’s Milt’s Barn Wedding
Holbrook Farms Retreat | Elopement or Small Ceremony Venue
I was recently introduced to the Holbrook Farms Retreat as another wedding venue option if you are planning a small event. They do not have a traditional dance area, but instead a beautiful retreat-style home and great lake view! Perfect if you want to be on the lake and have a non-traditional wedding party.
Link: Holbrook Retreat Website
Featured Wedding: Jena & Casey’s Holbrook Wedding
Private Wedding Location
Want something no one else gets to experience? Consider a private location. This may be a family lake place or a friend’s country residence. Do not be afraid to think outside the box and ask close friends and family for their thoughts.
Featured Weddings:
Will & Kayla’s Private Location Wedding
Kandace & Robert’s Private Lakeside Wedding Ceremony
I currently take a very limited number of wedding bookings per year, feel free to reach out if you would like me to check and see if I have your date available. I am also happy to provide local wedding photographer recommendations!
