Minneapolis. The Mini-Apple. City of Lakes. The largest city in Minnesota has as many personalities and quirks as it does nicknames, but that’s also what makes it such a wonderful place to have a wedding. Whether your guests are local or have never been to Minnesota before, there are a million things about Minneapolis that make it the center of the Twin Cities and couples want to show off their host city to their friends and families.
However, there are some things that are good to know about having a wedding in Minneapolis, particularly if you will be in or directly around the downtown area.
1. There’s an extra tax!
That’s right, if your reception is in the City of Minneapolis and you are having food and beverages, there’s a good chance you have to pay an extra 3% tax. You can refer to the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s website for more information and confirm with your venue or caterer if their location is subject to the tax.
2. Check the calendar!
In case you hadn’t noticed, three of our men’s major league sports teams play downtown which can cause extra congestion, higher prices, and fewer hotel rooms. Unfortunately, the sports teams’ calendars don’t typically come out early enough to determine if there is a game on your wedding day or not before you book your date, and there is at least one of the teams playing at any time of the year. For reference the seasons usually are:
Minnesota Twins – April to October
Minnesota Vikings – August to January
Minnesota Timberwolves – October to April (with a few summer games)
Please note these are just the date ranges for their regular seasons and not assuming any of them are in the playoffs because…well, you know…(cue the long-suffering sigh).
Oh, and don’t forget about the Gophers! While they may not be downtown they are close enough to wreak some havoc as they have lots of sports and the football team plays on Saturdays which can take up hotel rooms, transportation, and parking. We’ve all been stuck in that unfortunate situation where you decide to go downtown on that one awful Saturday in August every year when the Twins, Vikings (pre-season), and Gophers all have a game and then there’s also some random huge concert at Target Center. And don’t forget the conventions!
Long story short, do some research and check all the calendars, including the convention center and city websites.
3. Parking! Parking! Parking!
There are a ton of parking options, including ramps, lots, and meters. Do your research and figure out what the best option is for your guests and let them know. Mpls Parking is a helpful resource to make sure you are making informed decisions about your options. Be sure you decide if you will be paying for some or all of your guests’ parking (or if you will be offering alternate transportation) for your Minneapolis wedding and add it to your overall budget.
4. Permits!
There are many places in Minneapolis you need permits to take photos at or in, like the Stone Arch Bridge or Crystal Court at the IDS Center. And even more rules when it comes to drone footage. Be sure to chat with your photographer and videographer about these and get the needed permits in plenty of time for the big day!
We love working in Minneapolis and there are so many wonderful venues to choose from there. One of our recent couples, Tori and Kareem, definitely took advantage of the amazing views for photos on their wedding day. If you are feeling nervous about having your wedding in Minneapolis, get in touch with us and we will be happy to partner with you to make sure the day is a success!
