Alexandria, MN Retro Market 2026: Two Days of Antiques & Vintage Finds

A Weekend of Antiques, Vintage Treasures & Good Food at Adler Ranch

If you love vintage signs, authentic antiques, and the thrill of finding something old that still makes your heart race—mark your calendar for July 24–25, 2026. The Adler Ranch Retro Market is back, and it’s the most anticipated antique and vintage event of the summer in Alexandria, Minnesota.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, you can shop your way through an incredible lineup of vendors offering everything from industrial and farmhouse décor to mid-century modern furniture, vintage signage, retro fashion, and quirky Americana. Every piece has history—and you’ll feel it the moment you step onto the property.

After seeing how quickly 2026 Saturdays filled, couples are already turning their attention to 2027 — and for good reason. This is the season where planning early pays off. Our 2027 calendar is now open for bookings, with a limited number of Saturday dates available from May through October.

At Adler Ranch, we host just one wedding per weekend, giving each couple the entire property and our full focus. That level of attention means our calendar fills faster than larger “wedding factory” venues, even when inquiries begin years in advance. Below you’ll find our 2027 availability, organized by month, along with some of the memorable weekends and symmetry dates that tend to book first. Contact us for current availability information.

2026 is already shaping up to be one of the busiest wedding years we’ve seen. Between once-in-a-decade number-pattern dates, long weekends, and Minnesota’s short but beautiful outdoor season, Saturday availability is already getting tight. Here at Adler Ranch, we host weddings from May through mid-October, focusing on just one wedding per weekend. That’s intentional. This isn’t a “wedding factory” that cycles through events back-to-back — it’s our home. We live here, and each celebration takes days of setup, care, and cleanup to do it right. Limiting ourselves to one wedding per weekend means couples get our full attention, but it also means our calendar fills faster than most venues.

If your plans include a 2026 wedding, now’s the time to reach out. Some symmetry dates like 08/08 have already been booked, but 06/06/26 — one of the most sought-after number dates of the decade — is still available as of today. Below you’ll find our current 2026 availability, month by month, along with the most popular weekends and the open Saturdays still waiting for a great match.

Boots, barns, and big skies — oh my. Thinking about a western wedding? From cowboy boots at the altar to barn receptions that keep the dance floor full, Minnesota is the perfect backdrop for a celebration with style. We rounded up ideas, décor inspo, and why Adler Ranch is built for a western wedding that feels authentic (not cheesy).

When to Send Your Save the Dates for Your Minnesota Wedding

When to Send Save the Dates: Advice from a Minnesota Wedding Venue

There’s something thrilling about the moment you drop those first little envelopes into the mailbox. Save the dates are basically your wedding’s first mic drop—your way of saying yes, it’s happening, clear your calendars, and get ready for a good time.

At Adler Ranch, a privately owned wedding venue just outside Alexandria, MN, we’ve hosted hundreds of weddings over the past six years. We see couples stress over timing, we hear the questions from their families, and we watch the ripple effects of sending save the dates too soon—or too late. Our recommendations aren’t copy-pasted from a wedding magazine; they’re rooted in real Minnesota weddings we’ve lived through, complete with lake season traffic jams, packed resort weekends, and blizzards in April.

Wedding Venue Costs Explained: What’s Included, and Why It Matters

What You Get with a Wedding at Adler Ranch in Minnesota

When couples—or their parents—first start planning a wedding, one of the biggest and most common questions is: Why do wedding venues cost so much? It's a fair and honest question, especially for anyone who hasn’t planned a wedding in decades. If you’re comparing today’s pricing to the cost of a community center rental in the '90s, it’s easy to feel surprised. And for newly engaged couples, this might be the first time they’re seeing just how many decisions and moving parts go into a modern wedding day.

But here’s the truth: wedding venues today are expected to do a lot more than simply provide a space. Couples are looking for a seamless experience, not just a place to gather. They want a beautiful, functional location with a team behind the scenes who can help bring the day to life. And that’s exactly what your venue cost helps support.

Adler Ranch, near Alexandria, MN, is located two hours from both Minneapolis and Fargo—and we are miles away from basic. Alexandria itself is a hidden gem for couples looking for a memorable wedding setting.

👉 Want to explore the area? Read more about wedding locations near Alexandria, MN.

Weddings are supposed to be about joy, love, and celebration. But let’s be real—between vendor coordination, timeline micromanagement, and a guest list that somehow keeps growing, a lot of weddings feel like high-stakes project management. If you’ve been scrolling through “private wedding venues near me” or Googling “secluded wedding venues MN,” it’s probably because you’re craving space. Space to breathe. To focus. To just be.

This blog—Why Private Wedding Venues in Minnesota Make All the Difference—dives into the very real reasons why keeping your day private and peaceful can completely change the vibe of your wedding. And spoiler: Adler Ranch was built for exactly that.

10 Creative Ways to Reuse Extra Fabric from Your Wedding Dress Alterations

Keepsake Ideas Inspired by Real Adler Ranch Weddings

At Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, we’ve seen a lot of wedding gowns—and we mean a lot. From vintage lace showstoppers to sleek satin modern gowns, they all come in with a dream and leave a little trail of fabric scraps behind after alterations. But here’s the thing: that leftover fabric? It’s not just debris from your seamstress’s scissors—it’s memory-laced material waiting to become something meaningful.

Over the years, many of our Adler Ranch brides have surprised us with what they’ve done with their dress scraps. We’re talking baptism gowns, custom boutonnières, handmade ornaments. One even wrapped her bouquet in lace from her mom’s old wedding dress and her own altered train—cue the ugly cry. These ideas aren’t just adorable; they’re deeply personal, practical, and rooted in real-life love stories that unfolded right here at the Ranch.

So before you toss those trimmings in the trash, read this list of creative, heartfelt ways to repurpose your wedding dress alteration fabric. You might just find the perfect keepsake idea to carry your wedding memories into the future.

10 Smart Questions to Ask Before Booking a Wedding Venue in Minnesota

The Real Questions You Should Ask-And How Adler Ranch Answers Them

So, you’re in deep. The group texts are chaos, your Pinterest is an emotional rollercoaster, and your search history reads like “best barn wedding venue near me” is a full-time job. You’ve seen the photos, skimmed the reviews, maybe toured a few spots—and now you’re ready to book.

Hold up. Put the phone down. Step away from the deposit button.

Before you commit to a venue, there are a few non-negotiable questions that every couple should be asking—and no, we’re not talking about whether the DJ can plug in his fog machine. We’re talking real, sanity-saving, budget-protecting questions that will make the difference between “Best Day Ever” and “Why didn’t anyone tell me this?!”

At Adler Ranch, we don’t flinch at questions. We welcome them. We encourage them. Because you’re not just renting a space. You’re trusting a team. Let’s dig into the top wedding venue questions you need to ask—plus the real, unfiltered way we handle them here at Adler Ranch.

Outdoor Wedding Venues in Minnesota: Pros, Cons, and What We Offer

What Makes Adler Ranch One of the Top Outdoor Wedding Venues in Minnesota

If you're here, chances are you're already dreaming of a wedding surrounded by fresh air, golden light, and zero carpeted ballrooms in sight. You want to hear birds chirping, not HVAC hums. You want a venue that doesn't feel like everyone else's. And you're probably asking yourself the smart questions: What if it rains? What if it’s 85 and humid? What if the bugs decide they’re on the guest list?

We get it. Outdoor weddings are breathtaking—but they come with real considerations. This blog—Outdoor Wedding Venues in Minnesota: Pros, Cons, and What We Offer—is your honest, experience-backed guide to the gorgeous side of open-air weddings, the potential headaches, and how Adler Ranch helps you navigate it all without the meltdown. Ready to fall in love with an outdoor venue that knows what it's doing? Keep reading—or better yet, schedule a tour. You’ll see exactly why we’re not your average patch of grass.

Real Weddings: Brie & Hunter’s Minnesota Fall Wedding

Real Weddings: Brie & Hunter’s Minnesota Fall Wedding at Adler Ranch, Alexandria MN

Brie & Hunter’s wedding day was everything you’d want in a perfect MN fall wedding celebration—crisp air, golden leaves, and a sunset straight out of a dream. From their heartfelt vows to a packed dance floor, every moment was full of joy, love, and a little bit of autumn magic.

Huge thanks to Middle Sister Photo for capturing it all so beautifully, The Depot Smokehouse & Tavern for the incredible food, Two 10 Cakes for the incredible desserts, and Horizon Lights Entertainment for keeping the party going late into the night. Scroll through to see the moments that made their day unforgettable! We wish them all the best and are thrilled they chose Adler Ranch for their wedding!

Real Weddings: Courtney & Karl’s Fall Wedding

Real Weddings: Courtney & Karl Fall Wedding at Adler Ranch, Alexandria MN

Courtney and Karl’s October wedding at Adler Ranch was nothing short of amazing—a day full of love, laughter, and all the good vibes! They tied the knot surrounded by the beauty of our outdoor space, even planting blueberry bushes as a sweet unity ritual.

With the magic of our vintage signs and antiques setting the scene, Courtney was absolutely stunning in her Luxe Bridal dress, with hair by MelBelle’s Hair Gallery and makeup by Rowan Beauty Co. Karl kept it cool and stylish in a navy and grey ensemble, topped off with a custom baseball hat that was so him.

The celebration continued in our cozy Banquet Barn, featuring delicious food from Raapers The Catering Company, a gorgeous cake from Nadia Cakes, and a dance floor that DJ Jukebox Jon kept packed all night. Of course, our Grain Bin Bar and Something Borrowed Collection added those special touches that made the day totally unique. It was such a blast being part of their big day—Courtney and Karl, you’re truly one-of-a-kind! ❤️Thank you to Eric Vest Photography and Summit Hills Studios for videography!

Real Weddings: Josh & Jenny’s Fall Wedding at Adler Ranch near Alexandria MN

Jenny and Josh’s wedding day at Adler Ranch was nothing short of magical. The autumn air created an idyllic backdrop for their celebration. From heartfelt moments under a brilliant fall sky to a jaw-dropping golden hour, the day unfolded like a dream. As the festivities drew to a close, the couple bid farewell with a dazzling sparkler exit, their radiant smiles framed by the ranch’s charming vintage lights. It was a day brimming with love, beauty, and unforgettable memories. Thank you Josh & Jenny for choosing Adler Ranch for your wedding day! Thank you to Gray McCurdy Photography

Real Weddings: Alyssa & Cordel’s Summer Wedding at Adler Ranch

Alyssa and Cordel’s wedding day at Adler Ranch near Alexandria, MN, was nothing short of magical! Captured beautifully by Madelyn B Photography, their summer wedding was all about sunshine, laughter, and love. From their heartfelt “I dos” under the open sky to dancing the night away with family and friends, every moment was picture-perfect.

The vintage charm of Adler Ranch set the stage for stunning photos and unforgettable memories. This blog is all about the little details and big emotions that made their day one to remember—so dive into the photos and relive the joy!

Luke and Lindsay's wedding at Adler Ranch was a beautiful celebration of love, perseverance, and a little humor. After years of maintaining a long-distance relationship, with Luke living in Williston ND and Lindsay in Fargo ND, the couple was overjoyed to finally tie the knot at Adler Ranch, near Alexandria MN, in front of family and friends. Read more about Luke and Lindsay's real wedding at Adler Ranch, near Alexandria MN.

Halloween is just around the corner, and it's time for engaged couples to start thinking about their perfect costumes. If you're looking for some spooky fun at this year's Halloween party, finding the right couple’s costume is important! Whether you want something spooky, funny, or downright adorable, we've got you covered with 15 creative couples costume ideas for Halloween 2024.