MN Wedding Venue Planning 101: Why Your Guest List Should Come First
How Adler Ranch MN Wedding Venue Helps Couples Plan Smarter
You’re newly engaged, still staring at that sparkly ring, and the next logical step? Find a wedding venue, right? It’s the first thing most couples do. They start Googling “Central MN wedding venue” or “MN wedding venue” and scrolling through Instagram for those picture-perfect ceremony backdrops.
But before you get swept away, here’s a reality check: weddings in Alexandria, MN, cost significantly less than weddings in Minneapolis. That’s a huge advantage for couples willing to step outside the city — but you only see the savings clearly if you start with your guest list first.
Because here’s the mistake we see over and over at Adler Ranch: Couples book their venue before they finalize their guest list.
It sounds harmless, but your guest count dictates everything — budget, space, and the overall vibe of your day. Get it wrong, and suddenly your “dream venue” feels crowded, or your catering bill balloons. Get it right, and you’ll actually enjoy the wedding you’ve been picturing. Learn more about Adler Ranch Wedding Venue located two hours from both Minneapolis MN and Fargo ND, near Alexandria MN and miles away from basic!
Daytime View of Adler Ranch MN Wedding Venue Banquet Hall
Sunlight pours into the Adler Ranch banquet hall, highlighting vintage neon signs, handcrafted tables, and a space designed for unforgettable Minnesota weddings.
Start With Your Guest Count, Not Pinterest
Pinterest boards are fun. But those sweeping floral installations and extra-long banquet tables only work if you know how many people you’re hosting.
Here’s the reality: almost every wedding expense is tied to the number of guests you invite. More guests mean more catering, more bar service, more chairs, more tables, more tables means more centerpieces! The difference between inviting 150 people and 250 people isn’t just a few more chicken dinners — it’s an entirely different budget category.
And that’s where your guest list becomes the backbone of your planning. At Adler Ranch, we’ve seen time and again that couples who keep their guest count closer to 150 create weddings that feel comfortable, smooth, and memorable — without breaking the bank.
Start With Your Guest Count, Not Pinterest
Draft a Guest List Before Venue Shopping
Here’s a common story: a couple comes in saying, “We think we’ll invite 250 people.” By the time catering quotes arrive, the bar service estimate is in, and RSVPs start rolling back, the list usually lands closer to 150.
That’s not a bad thing. In fact, it usually makes the day better. Guests have space to move, conversations flow more easily, and the couple actually gets to spend time with their people instead of feeling like they’re hosting a convention.
But the key is: make the list first. Even if it’s a rough draft, it gives you clarity. You’ll immediately know whether a venue like Adler Ranch fits your crowd, or whether you should be looking at larger ballrooms that can handle 300+.
Your guest list becomes your compass — without it, you’re planning blind.
The Viking Bar Vintage Neon Sign
The Viking Bar vintage neon sign at Adler Ranch Banquet Hall, originally from the Viking Bar in Minneapolis 1960s, now lights our wedding receptions and dances!
Kids at Weddings: The Unpopular but Important Talk
This one’s always tricky. At Adler Ranch, we’re a child-friendly venue. But if we’re being honest? We gently encourage couples to think twice about inviting kids.
Here’s why:
Weddings with kids come with surprises. (One sock down the toilet can flood a bathroom. True story.)
Parents don’t always supervise — and you don’t want to spend your wedding worrying about safety, and it’s not the venue’s responsibility to supervise the children.
Adult-only weddings almost always feel more relaxed, elegant, and stress-free for everyone.
That doesn’t mean you can’t include children. Some couples love having a few kids in the mix — flower girls twirling in the grass, little cousins running around before the ceremony. But it’s worth asking yourselves:
Do your guests supervise their kids well?
Do you want the vibe to be family-friendly or more adult-focused?
Many Adler Ranch couples choose to keep their day adults-only, or only immediate family’s children — and they’re always grateful for that decision.
The Grain Bin Bar at Adler Ranch
The Grain Bin Bar glowing after dark — a one-of-a-kind centerpiece at Adler Ranch where cocktails, conversation, and celebration come together under the lights.
Adler Ranch: A Central MN Wedding Venue with Style and Substance
One of the best things about Adler Ranch is that everything you need for a seamless wedding day is right on-site and already thought through. You’re not booking a blank box where you’ll spend weeks hauling in décor and rentals — you’re stepping into a space that feels styled, welcoming, and memorable the moment you arrive.
Here’s what that looks like:
Ceremony seating included, set up and taken down by our staff.
Reception space filled with tables and chairs and authentic vintage neon signs from the 1930s–1970s, antique pine tables, and our 32-foot handcrafted oak live-edge table.
The Grain Bin Bar, a guest favorite, with outdoor bar seating that makes cocktail hour feel like its own event.
The Something Borrowed Collection, featuring décor couples love: whiskey barrels, vintage mailboxes, German beer garden tables, and more.
Every space is intentional, every detail has character, and you don’t have to overthink it, you don’t have to haul in a bunch of rentals. Adler Ranch is already a one-of-a-kind backdrop, so you can focus on celebrating instead of stressing about logistics.
Adler Ranch MN Wedding Venue Vintage Signs Lit at Night
When the sun sets, Adler Ranch comes alive. Our collection of original vintage signs transforms your wedding night into a glowing, unforgettable wedding experience.
What Adler Ranch Couples Get Right
After years of hosting weddings, we’ve noticed the smoothest, happiest weddings usually share three things in common:
They finalized their guest list early. No guesswork, no “we’ll figure it out later.”
They kept it close to 150 guests. That’s the sweet spot at Adler Ranch — plenty of energy without feeling crowded.
They valued personality over square footage. Adler Ranch isn’t just a space, it’s an experience! With glowing neon, vintage gas station signs, handcrafted tables, and outdoor gathering areas, couples don’t have to spend thousands transforming it. The atmosphere is already built in.
That’s why couples who choose Adler Ranch don’t walk away with just a wedding — they leave with memories their guests actually talk about years later.
Adler Ranch MN Wedding Venue Banquet Hall with Grain Bin Bar
The Adler Ranch banquet hall blends vintage neon and handcrafted details, with the Grain Bin Bar just steps away — making receptions seamless and unforgettable.
What Happens If You Skip the Guest List
So what if you go venue-first and guest-list-later? Here’s what we’ve seen:
Overcrowding. A guest list that doesn’t match the venue leads to stuffy, uncomfortable weddings.
Budget creep. Every additional guest multiplies catering, bar, and rental costs.
Stressful surprises. Parking, bar lines, and dance floor space all become problems when numbers balloon.
We’d rather you know your numbers first. It’s the difference between enjoying your wedding and just enduring it.
Final Thoughts: Guest List First, Venue Second
If you remember nothing else, remember this order:
Decide your budget range. Even without hard numbers, know what feels comfortable.
Draft your guest list. Overestimate if you must, but start with something.
Decide on kids or no kids. It changes your numbers and increases costs significantly.
Then — and only then — start touring venues.
The Studebaker Smore Truck
That’s right! It’s a S’more Bar on the side of the Studebaker Truck! ONLY at Adler Ranch!
At Adler Ranch, we’re more than just square footage. We’re a Central MN wedding venue near Alexandria that blends vintage neon magic with modern convenience which creates an incredible wedding experience!
Here’s what couples get when they book with us:
Ceremony seating (set up + teardown included)
Access to our incredible Studebaker Truck Smore Bar
Reception tables and chairs, (did you know some venues don’t provide tables and chairs?!)
Two wedding party suites: The Cabin and The Gas Station
The iconic Grain Bin Bar and outdoor bar seating
Our Something Borrowed décor collection at no extra cost
Complete cleanup (trash, dishes, table bussing, and breakdown — all handled by us)
Fireplace with seating area
Vintage Luggage Cart Seating area
Silo bar seating area
German Beer Garden Tables
The most incredible collection of lighted vintage signage you’ll find in this part of MN!
We’re not just here to host weddings. We’re here to give couples a one-of-a-kind experience that feels comfortable, beautiful, and totally personal.
Adler Ranch Wedding & Event Venue
Located two hours from both Minneapolis MN and Fargo ND near the Alexandria MN lakes area
👉 Ready to start planning your wedding? Schedule a tour or contact us to get our Packages and Amenities Guide.
Book your private tour today. Let’s talk about how your wedding can feel like your wedding.
At Adler Ranch, we’re proud to be an independently owned and operated wedding venue tucked in the scenic lakes region just outside Alexandria, MN. When you celebrate with us, you’ll experience the kind of care, hospitality, and attention to detail that only a family-run venue can deliver. We host a limited number of weddings each season so every couple receives our full focus—and every moment feels intentional, not rushed.
What truly sets Adler Ranch apart is our unmatched collection of original vintage signs—treasures we’ve been collecting for over 35 years. These authentic pieces add history, personality, and a glow you simply won’t find anywhere else. The result? A backdrop that elevates your entire wedding day and turns your photos into timeless keepsakes.
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 stopping by! ~Marlys
The Grain Bin Bar at Adler Ranch
Our wedding couples this Grain Bin Bar, it’s an experience!
Max Craven Photography
We are thrilled to support wedding venue owners from around the country with a weekly shout-out in our blog: Century Farms Blog, Rough & Ready Vineyards Blog, The Gathering Place Blog, The Ballroom at Parklane Gallery, Montague Meadow Blog, Rustic Grace Barn Blog, Izenstone Blog, The Bougainvilleas Blog,Evergreen Ranch Blog, Hidden Springs Venue Blog
MN Wedding Venue Planning 101:Why Your Guest List Should Come First
