How to Plan Your Alexandria MN Wedding in Six Months
Adler Ranch’s Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Minnesota Wedding in 6 Months
Planning a wedding in just six months? It’s totally doable—and honestly, it can even be fun. At Adler Ranch, we've helped dozens of couples pull off incredible celebrations on tight timelines. After years of hosting weddings in the Alexandria area, we’ve learned exactly what matters—and what doesn’t—when you’re planning on a tight timeline and without losing sight of what really matters: celebrating your story with the people you love.
Whether you're envisioning a cozy micro wedding or a full-blown party with all the extras, we've got the insight to help you make it happen. This guide breaks down your six-month wedding timeline with practical steps, expert advice, and a few sanity-saving tips from our team, like the Adler Ranch privacy, our location,(two hours from both Minneapolis MN and Fargo ND) and our service…all set up and tear down is included!
If you're planning an Alexandria MN wedding, you’re in the right place—let’s make the next six months count. Here’s how to plan your Alexandria MN wedding in six months.
Courtney & Karl share a kiss during Golden Hour at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue Eric Vest Photography
Step 1: Secure Your Minnesota Wedding Venue
The first and most critical step is locking in your wedding venue. At Adler Ranch, we make this decision easy with our stunning and unique location near Alexandria, MN. Our rustic wedding venue is full of character, featuring vintage lighted signs, the iconic Grain Bin Bar, and magical string lights that create an enchanting atmosphere for your special day. Our venue is already fully styled with vintage neon signs, string lighting, outdoor bars, and unique spaces—so you’re not starting with a blank box. Dates fill up quickly, so securing your spot early is key to staying on track. Contact Adler Ranch for more information.
Alyssa and Cordell have a dance in front of the Adler Ranch Gas Station surrounded by some of the vintage lighted sign collection. Madelyn B Photography
Step 2: Set Your Wedding Budget and Guest List
Once your venue is booked, it’s time to define your budget and guest count. Determining these early helps guide the rest of your decisions, from catering to decor. Hosting a smaller guest list, such as for an intimate wedding or micro wedding, can simplify planning and keep costs more manageable. At Adler Ranch, we make it easy to stay within your budget by offering an array of included amenities, such as our Something Borrowed Collection used for decorating. This treasure trove of decor items, including whiskey barrels, galvanized pieces, and vintage beer garden tables, eliminates the need for additional rentals. It’s also easy to spend less on decor with the environment Adler Ranch provides!
“Sitting down as a couple and making a list of your top three wedding priorities is highly recommended.”
Step 3: Find Your Key Wedding Vendors
When you're planning a wedding in six months, you don’t have time for vendor roulette — you need people who know exactly what they’re doing and exactly how your venue works. That’s why we share a curated list of trusted local wedding vendors who have worked at Adler Ranch multiple times. They understand our layout, lighting, flow of the day, and all the little quirks that make weddings run smoothly here.
Start with the essentials: photographer, caterer, and DJ. These three shape your entire wedding experience. Our recommended photographers know the best spots for golden hour under the vintage signs; our DJs know how to keep your dance floor alive; and our caterers are seasoned pros who serve guests efficiently in our space. Need an officiant, planner, or hair and makeup team? We’ve got vetted suggestions for those too.
Using experienced vendors removes guesswork, saves time, and makes your six-month timeline feel a whole lot easier.
Find your key Wedding Vendors from Adler Ranch Recommendations
Eric Vest Photography
Step 4: Simplify Your Decor
With Adler Ranch’s built-in aesthetic, you can save time and money on decorations. Our venue is filled with unique and Instagram-worthy touches, from the 32-foot handcrafted live oak edge table to vintage gas pumps that double as a photo op. Our Something Borrowed Collection includes centerpieces, whiskey barrels, and even a vintage mailbox for your card box. Our upcycled and interesting outdoor bar seating is always a hit and our massive collection of vintage lighting is just incredible! Did we mention our Wildflower field for photos? All these details are provided at no extra cost, leaving you free to focus on adding personal touches to make the space truly yours.
The Adler Ranch Banquet Barn with nearby Grain Bin Bar. Vintage Lighted neon Viking Bar Sign, always included in your rental! Located near Alexandria MN
Step 5: Make Your Wedding Weekend Special
Alexandria, MN, is a destination in its own right, offering plenty of accommodations and activities for your guests. From cozy Airbnbs and hotels to campgrounds like Lake Carlos State Park, there’s something for everyone. Encourage your friends and family to explore the area, whether it’s enjoying the lakes, visiting local breweries, antique stores and wineries, or simply soaking in the scenic beauty. Having a variety of lodging options ensures your guests will be comfortable and able to fully enjoy your wedding weekend. Find more suggestions for fun guest experiences at our recent blog.
“Planning a wedding in six months may sound intimidating, but it’s absolutely possible with focus and determination! Quite honestly, if you are a procrastinator this can be a blessing in disguise, as it pushes you to make quick decisions and move forward with momentum! ”
Step 6: Let Adler Ranch Handle the Details
The best part of hosting your wedding at Adler Ranch? We take care of the hard stuff. Our dedicated team handles all the setup, tear-down, and clean-up so you can focus on celebrating with your loved ones. From coordinating with vendors to ensuring every detail is perfect, our on-site staff and venue manager are there to support you every step of the way. Plus, we offer a complimentary engagement photo shoot on the property, giving you a chance to create stunning images to use for your invitations or save-the-dates! Did we mention we do all the clean-up! (No, Aunt Helen won’t be sweeping the floor and sorting the garbage at the end of your wedding!)
Let Adler Ranch Handle the Details
Your hosts, Marlys & Kurt: We handle all the heavy lifting, the set-up, clean-up, garbage, sweeping, and furniture stacking! Our goal is simple: to make sure you feel like a guest at your own wedding.
How to Plan Your Alexandria MN Wedding in Six Months
Why Choose Adler Ranch for Your Wedding?
Planning a wedding in under six months doesn’t have to be complicated. At Adler Ranch, an independently owned wedding venue Central MN, you work directly with the owners, we provide:
A breathtaking Alexandria MN Wedding Venue full of history and character.
All-inclusive services, including setup, tear-down, and clean-up.
An extensive vendor list of trusted professionals, including photographers, DJs, caterers, and florists along with planning guidance
Unique decor and spaces that eliminate the need for expensive rentals or elaborate decorations.
Vast space, overnight parking and the most private venue you can find in the area!
Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, vintage lighted signs, unique MN Farm Wedding Venue and the most private venue in the Alexandria area! How to Plan Your Alexandria MN Wedding in Six Months
Start Planning Your Wedding Today
Your perfect wedding celebration is closer than you think. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate wedding, a micro wedding, or something a bit bigger, Adler Ranch is here to help you every step of the way. Reach out today to book a tour and experience firsthand why Adler Ranch is the top choice for an Alexandria MN Wedding Venue. Let’s make your wedding day magical, stress-free, and unforgettable! If you want a private, fully managed venue with no cleanup and no surprises, reach out, we can’t wait to meet you!
Bride & Groom walking into the sunset at Adler Ranch, located two hours from both Minneapolis MN and Fargo ND, near Alexandria
Adler Ranch: Your Love, Our Legacy
At Adler Ranch, we take pride in being an independently owned and operated wedding venue, nestled in the picturesque lakes area of Alexandria, MN. When you celebrate your wedding with us, you’ll experience the care, dedication, and attention to detail that only a family-run venue can offer. Every detail of your day is handled with intention to make it as extraordinary as your love story. Hosting only a limited number of weddings each season allows us to provide the personalized attention and intentional moments that make your celebration unforgettable.
What truly sets Adler Ranch apart is our unparalleled collection of vintage signs—treasures we’ve lovingly gathered over 35 years. This carefully curated collection adds a unique charm, character and history to your wedding day, offering a backdrop like no other venue in the area. The signs tell their own story, creating the perfect setting for capturing memories that will last a lifetime and offering a setting for wedding photography like none other.
For more wedding inspiration, planning tips, and engagement advice, be sure to follow Adler Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Let’s make your dream day a reality! 💕Thanks for visiting! ~Marlys
Thank you to Nicki from The Venue 112 and Richelle from Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue for today’s quote.
Adler Ranch, Rustic Wedding Venue How to Plan Your Alexandria MN Wedding in Six Months
We’re proud to be part of a nationwide community of independently owned wedding venues—small businesses built by families, farmers, dreamers, and doers who pour their lives into creating unforgettable celebrations. When you choose a locally owned venue, you’re supporting real people, real craftsmanship, and real communities.
Here are a few of the incredible locally owned venues across the U.S. that inspire us and share the same dedication to service and hospitality: Wedding Venue Owners The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms, The Bella Rosa, Notting Hill Farm, Events by Bliss Barn, Green Clover Farm, The Venue at Murphy Lane, Burlap & Lace, Talula Mesa, Oaks of Devonaire, Bluestone Estate, Eden Farms Weddings Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast Thank you to every venue owner out there working hard to elevate the wedding industry—we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re grateful to share this space with you.
