JR’s Barn: Outdoor Wedding Venues in Minnesota
If you’re looking for Minnesota outdoor wedding venues, you’ve found the one! JR’s Barn is a relaxed, peaceful wedding venue in Southern Minnesota that offers multiple wedding locations to choose from.
Our barn was built in 1912 and has remained in the same family for over 100 years. Our beloved red barn once housed animals like cows and horses, but today it has been transformed into a lovely wedding venue for you and your loved ones to enjoy, just as we have enjoyed it all these years.
With several outdoor wedding venues to choose from, you’re sure to find one that fits your wedding day vision. We also have beautiful backup indoor locations for those rainy or extra-cold days.
Keep reading to learn more about what we offer at JR’s Barn and discover a few tips about outdoor weddings in Minnesota!
The Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Locations at JR’s Barn
At JR’s Barn, we have three outdoor wedding ceremony locations for couples to choose from. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but a few things make them each unique.
Learn more about our three Minnesota outdoor wedding ceremony venues at JR’s Barn below.
JR’s Barn Ceremony Locations
-
The Peaceful Garden
This picturesque wedding venue is tucked away just behind the barn. It features large barn doors that open for you to walk down the aisle, a big wooden cross for the ceremony backdrop, and rustic benches for your guests. This serene location feels secluded from the rest of the property and makes for an intimate wedding ceremony location.
-
The Meadow
In the Meadow, there’s a stunning pergola that serves as the focal point. It makes for an ideal background for saying your vows. Complete with a metal arch and large barn doors to enter the area, this space is one of our most popular venues. Like in the Peaceful Garden, we offer benches for guests and black armchairs for any honorable guests.
-
The North Woods
The North Woods is nestled in the forest and surrounded by lush greenery. As you approach, you’ll stroll down the tree-lined path and take in the fresh air and chirping birds. With permanent benches and a platform for you to stand on throughout the ceremony, your guests will have no trouble seeing you say “I do.” The North Woods is our newest outdoor wedding venue on the property, and it is quickly becoming a favorite among our couples.
Our Outdoor Wedding Receptions at JR’s Barn
Whether you envision a wedding celebration completely outdoors or a mix of outdoors and indoors, JR’s Barn has options for you.
The Peaceful Garden
The Peaceful Garden makes for a fabulous outdoor wedding reception venue! With a permanent dance floor and romantic string lights, imagine how dreamy your first dance as a married couple will be. The Peaceful Garden is equipped to host a wedding band or DJ to keep you and your guests celebrating all night long!
Most of our couples want outdoor dancing in the Peaceful Garden and a dinner reception held indoors in the historic barn, protected from the elements. It’s the best of both worlds!
Interested in seeing what else is on the property?
We can accommodate wedding locations elsewhere on the property, too!
Come to one of our upcoming venue open houses to see the property yourself. The options are endless at JR’s Barn!
Our Tips for Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Minnesota
There’s nothing like a gorgeous Twin Cities outdoor wedding! Having hosted hundreds of weddings at JR’s Barn, we’ve learned the ins and outs of planning an outdoor wedding in Minnesota. Here are a few things to consider as you plan.
Picking a Date:
Minnesota makes for a breathtaking wedding location, but each season brings something different. The best time to plan a Minnesota wedding is from May to October. This period brings the mildest weather and longest days of the year.
As you choose your wedding date, consider seasonal blooms and sunset times.
Have a look at our available wedding dates, too.
Weather back-up plan:
While we hope the weather is nice for your outdoor wedding in Minnesota, we can’t control it. At JR’s Barn, we have a backup option in the case of inclement weather. We know firsthand that Minnesota weather can sometimes be unpredictable, so we always work closely with our couples if any last-minute changes are needed.
In the case of inclement weather, our barn makes for a great wedding ceremony and reception venue. When hosting a wedding reception in the barn, we typically hold the dancing upstairs, overlooking the dinner tables.
The best part? We only book one wedding per day at JR’s Barn, so you have full access to the property on your wedding day. There aren’t any additional costs for using the barn venue.
Catering:
Another thing to consider as you explore outdoor wedding venues in Minnesota is whether your venue has limited catering options or minimums. JR’s Barn has no guest count minimums, food and beverage minimums, or hidden fees. We have an open vendor policy, except for our bar service. Our exclusive bar service provider is Infinity Catering.
Have a look at some of our favorite Southern Minnesota wedding vendors for inspiration.
Communicating to your guests:
When hosting an outdoor wedding in Minnesota, sharing a few key details with your guests is important.
First, remind your wedding guests to dress for the outdoors and the season. We offer heaters for the cooler months, and all of our doors and windows in the barn are operational for a nice breeze in the warmer months. However, it’s still very important that guests consider the weather when choosing their celebration attire. Don’t forget to make a recommendation on their shoe choices, too! Our most popular ceremony venues are on grass, so we wouldn’t recommend heels.
Also, don’t forget to let guests know what they can expect! JR’s Barn has lawn games and a playground for children. We’re sure that your guests will love their time on our property.
Some things that set JR’s Barn apart:
Amenities at Minnesota outdoor wedding venues can vary, so it’s important to research before booking.
Our restrooms are indoors and climate-controlled, so there won’t be a need to rent a portable restroom trailer.
Our illuminated parking lot is located just west of the barn. It’s hidden from all photos, and guests may leave their cars there overnight if needed.
Here at JR’s Barn, every venue is handicap accessible. We even have a handicap-accessible ramp to the upper level of the barn. Additionally, our bathrooms are handicap accessible.
We have several accommodation options for you and your guests in Albert Lea, Mankato, and Owatonna. We also have two exclusive lodging options on the property if you are interested.
Contact the Team at JR’s Barn
If you’re in the process of choosing a venue for your outdoor wedding in Minnesota, we’d love for you to book a tour so that you can see all that JR’s Barn has to offer. We are confident that JR’s Barn is your perfect outdoor wedding venue in Minnesota!
Other Minnesota Outdoor Wedding Venues
If JR’s Barn cannot meet your needs, here are a few other Minnesota outdoor wedding venues you might consider.
