The Average Cost of a Wedding in Minnesota

Planning a wedding involves making countless decisions, from choosing the perfect venue to selecting the right vendors. Among these decisions, one crucial aspect is budgeting! According to The Knot, the average cost of a wedding in Minnesota is $31,000. However, this number can vary significantly based on individual preferences and priorities. Let’s dive deeper into breaking down the average cost of a wedding in Minnesota and identifying your top priorities when it comes to vendors!

Prioritizing Your Top Three Wedding Vendors

It’s important to outline your top three priorities for your big day. These priorities will guide your budget and help you focus on what matters most to you. Here are some common priorities for a wedding!

Photography/Videography

Capturing every moment of your special day is a top priority for many couples. Investing in professional photography and videography ensures that you have high-quality memories to cherish for years to come! 

Catering

Good food can make or break a wedding reception. Choosing the right caterer who can create a delicious menu that suits your taste is the key to happy guests!

Venue

The venue sets the tone for your entire wedding day. Whether you envision an elegant ballroom, a rustic barn, or a beautiful outdoor location, finding the perfect venue that aligns with your vision is important!

Identifying your top priorities early on will help you set your budget accordingly and avoid overspending on less essential aspects of your wedding.

Average Cost of a Wedding Vendors in Minnesota

Let’s take a closer look at the average costs of various wedding vendors based on a guest count of 150 people!

Photography/Videography

On average, expect to spend around $3,000 to $5,000 for professional photography and a similar amount for videography. Remember, we professionals will capture the priceless moments of your wedding day, so investing in quality services is so worth it! Make sure you hire an experienced media team! You can ask them for their portfolio to see their work! You can check out my wedding photography portfolio here! And for videographers I recommend Courtney Rae Films, and Coalition Wedding Films!


As a passionate and dedicated photographer, I specialize in capturing the raw and candid moments that make your wedding day truly unforgettable! With a documentary style approach, I focus on preserving the genuine emotions and authentic moments that unfold naturally. I offer three different packages for my wedding services!

Firstly, ‘The Perfect In-Betweener’ package offers 8 hours of coverage, including an engagement session, online gallery, digital print release, and additional perks to enhance your experience, all priced at $4200. This option is ideal for couples planning mid-to-large-sized weddings seeking comprehensive coverage.

For those desiring an all-inclusive experience, ‘The All-Inclusive Wedding’ package offers 10 hours of coverage, an engagement shoot, a second shooter, and other inclusions like a gift box, and outfits guides! This package is $5200!  This package is perfect for couples planning larger weddings or those who wish to capture every exquisite detail of their special day.

Additionally, for the adventurous souls planning a destination wedding, I offer a specialized package designed to capture the magic of your epic elopement. Prices starting at $6500 and inclusive of full-day coverage, a second shooter, engagement session, and all travel expenses are included! This package ensures that no moment of your destination celebration goes uncaptured.

Make sure to check out more of my work here and fill out a contact form!

Caterer

Catering costs can vary depending on the menu selections and service style. For a guest count of 150 people, budgeting approximately $5,000 to $10,000 for catering is reasonable for a mid range option! This would include cocktail hour food, drinks, dinner and desserts! I recommend Mintahoe Catering, Chef Jeff, and Fork and Flair!

Wedding Planner/Decor

Hiring a wedding planner can help with stress and ensure that every detail of your day is perfect! Wedding planner fees can range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the level of service you are needing. I recommend Events by Melody  and Piece of Cake Wedding Planning for your wedding!  Additionally, the budget for decor items such as flowers, linens, and lighting, can be about $2,000 to $5,000. 

Hair and Makeup

For bridal hair and makeup services for the bride and bridal party, budget around $500 to $1,000. This number depends on how many people will be getting their hair and makeup done! I recommend Hope Cardinal and Beauty by betsy for hair and Tracy Jo Beauty and Emma Johnson for makeup artists! 

Florals

Floral arrangements, bouquets, and centerpieces can contribute to the overall atmosphere and vibe of your wedding. A budget of about $2,000 to $5,000 is the average for floral expenses. Working with an experienced florist will help you put together the florals of your dreams! Reach out to any of these florists for your wedding! Malana Sophia Floral, Sweet Peas Floral and Studio B floral. 

DJ

A skilled DJ can keep the party going and ensure that your guests have a great time. Budget around $2,000 to $3000 for DJ services, including equipment and lighting. I recommend Day One DJ  and Mark Haugen

Venue

Venue costs can vary widely depending on factors such as location, amenities, and time of year. On average, expect to spend $5,000 to $10,000 on a venue. If you’re needing ideas on what venue to book, check out my blog on The Top 10 Modern Venues in Minnesota!

Dress

The cost of a wedding dress can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the designer and style. Fortunately enough, there are a ton of dresses and no matter what your budget is, you’ll be able to find a dress! Brides usually budget around $1,000 to $3,000 for their dress! If you’re looking for a shop to try on dresses, read my blog on the Top 8 Wedding Dress Shops in Minneapolis! 

Stationery

Invitations, save-the-dates, and other stationery items are essential for communicating details to your guests! Budget about $500 to $1,000 for stationery expenses. I recommend Bergen Lauren and Truly Engaging for all your stationery needs!

Planning a wedding involves careful consideration of your priorities and budget. By identifying your top three priorities and setting your budget accordingly, you can create the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. Remember that these costs are average cost of a wedding in Minnesota and can vary based on factors such as location, vendor experience, and personal preferences! With thoughtful planning and smart budgeting, you can create a memorable and magical wedding day!

Looking for a Wedding Photographer for your Minnesota Wedding?

If you’re searching for a Minnesota wedding photographer, look no further! I specialize in capturing those genuine, candid moments that make your big day truly unforgettable. Want to see more of my work? Click here or contact me here! I can’t wait to hear from you!

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