Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips for your Minnesota Wedding
Wedding Planning Tips for a Beautiful Celebration Near Minneapolis
Wedding planning doesn’t usually fall apart because couples don’t care. It falls apart because they skip the early conversations and jump straight into decisions that carry emotional weight. Most stress shows up long before the wedding day — when expectations clash, opinions pile up, and priorities aren’t clearly defined.
After hosting hundreds of Minnesota weddings at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, one thing is consistent: the couples who enjoy the planning process aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets or trendiest ideas. They’re the ones who slow down early, talk things through, and make decisions as a unit. These five tips focus on that foundation — not décor, not timelines, but how you plan together.
Here are our top five wedding planning tips to help keep the process stress-free, fun, and focused on what really matters—celebrating your love!
Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips
Set priorities as a couple
1. Set Priorities as a Couple
Before you talk to venues, vendors, or family, you need to talk to each other.
What actually matters to you? Guest count? Privacy? A relaxed timeline? Being outside? Staying within a certain budget? There’s no “right” answer — but there is a right answer for you.
When couples skip this step, planning turns into a tug-of-war. Decisions feel heavier because they aren’t anchored to shared priorities. When couples get this right, everything else gets easier — including venue selection and guest expectations.
Once you’ve gathered input, sit down with your partner and decide what matters most to you. Maybe you’re all about the outdoor ceremony, or a completely private and secluded location, both which are spectacular at Adler Ranch! Or perhaps live music is a must-have. Identifying top priorities will help you stay on track when making choices. How to determine your priorities:
Start by making a list of the top three things that will define your wedding day. Some examples might include:
✅ A scenic outdoor ceremony
✅ A live band to keep the dance floor packed all night
✅ A farm-to-table local catering experience
✅ A small, intimate guest list vs. a large celebration
Once you know what matters most, use those priorities when making decisions. If a particular vendor or request doesn’t align with your priorities, it’s easier to say “no” with confidence.
Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips
Start with an Open Conversation
2. Start with an Open Conversation
This sounds obvious. It rarely happens thoroughly.
Open conversations mean talking about expectations before they turn into assumptions. How involved do you want family to be? How much flexibility are you comfortable with? What would feel overwhelming?
Couples often tell us later, “We didn’t realize we were picturing totally different days.” That realization is uncomfortable — but it’s far better early than halfway through planning.
Honest conversations now prevent resentment later.
Balancing Family Expectations
If family members have strong opinions, this is where your priorities come in handy. For example, if your top priority is having a laid-back, nature-inspired wedding, but your parents are pushing for a traditional ballroom reception, you can gently remind them of what’s most important to you as a couple.
Pro Tip: Having trouble making decisions? Rank your priorities separately, then compare lists. Seeing what overlaps will help you build a wedding that reflects both of you!
Brie & Hunter at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, Middle Sister Photography
What should you ask?
“Are there any family traditions you’d love to see included?”
“Are there specific cultural or religious elements that should be part of the ceremony?”
“Are there guests that are especially important to you?”
“What kind of atmosphere do you picture for the day?”
Pro Tip: If you know certain topics might be sensitive (like guest lists or finances), approach them with understanding and flexibility. This isn’t about giving up control of your wedding, but rather gathering information so you can make informed decisions.
3. Find the Right Venue Early
Your venue isn’t just a backdrop — it sets the tone for how your day unfolds.
The right venue aligns with your priorities, not just your Pinterest board. It supports the type of experience you want, whether that’s intimate, structured, relaxed, or somewhere in between.
Couples often ask how early they should look at venues. The answer isn’t about dates — it’s about clarity. Once you choose a venue that fits your values and expectations, planning stops feeling scattered and starts feeling intentional.
Why is it crucial to book early?
Popular venues book up fast—especially those with outdoor options and scenic locations.
Gray McCurdy Photography
Why is it crucial to book early?
Popular venues book up fast—especially those with outdoor options and scenic locations. If you’re planning a wedding near Minneapolis, MN, your ideal venue may need to be reserved a year or more in advance.
Once you have your venue, everything else (like catering, décor, and guest accommodations) will fall into place.
Choosing the Perfect Venue in Minnesota
If you’re dreaming of a rustic, elegant, nature-filled wedding, Adler Ranch offers the perfect setting in the Alexandria Lakes area. When touring venues, consider:
✔️ The Scenery: Does it match your vision? Think rolling meadows, lake views, or a stunning barn backdrop.
✔️ Guest Experience: Is there nearby lodging or accommodations? What are the parking and transportation options?
✔️ Weather Plan: If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, does the venue have a solid backup plan in case of rain?
Booking early ensures you get the space you love and allows you to start planning the details stress-free.
Ways to Include Family Without Overwhelm:
Assign roles that fit their strengths! A detail-oriented parent might love helping with logistics, while a creative sibling could help with flowers or music selection.
4. Keep Family Involved Without Losing Your Vision
Family involvement is not the enemy. Unclear boundaries are.
Most families mean well. Problems arise when roles aren’t defined. Who’s advising? Who’s deciding? Who gets input, and where does it stop?
Couples who handle this well include family in meaningful ways without handing over control. They communicate appreciation and boundaries at the same time — which is a skill that matters far beyond the wedding.
Pro Tip: If family opinions start to get overwhelming, remind them, “We love hearing your ideas, but we want the day to feel like ‘us.’”
The Adler Ranch Banquet Barn, Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips for your Minnesota Wedding
5. Communicate Clearly (and Set Boundaries When Needed)
Planning a wedding is often the first time couples practice joint decision-making under pressure.
Clear communication isn’t about being harsh. It’s about being consistent. When expectations are communicated calmly and early, fewer issues escalate.
This includes vendors, family, and each other. Boundaries aren’t walls — they’re guardrails that keep the process from tipping into stress.
Best Practices for Wedding Communication:
Keep a shared wedding planning document (Google Docs or a wedding planning app) so everyone stays on the same page.
Have a family group chat for quick updates (but don’t feel pressured to respond immediately!).
If conflicts arise, acknowledge concerns but stand your ground. For example:
“We totally understand why you’d love a big wedding, but we’ve decided on an intimate celebration that feels more like ‘us.’” Read more suggestions for boundary setting at our recent blog: 3 Simple Ways to Manage Wedding Stress at Holiday Gatherings
Enjoy the Process!
Planning your wedding should be an exciting, joyful experience. Remember to:
💛 Take breaks and do things unrelated to wedding planning.
💛 Enjoy the special moments, like cake tastings and dress shopping.
💛 Stay focused on what really matters—celebrating love with the people who mean the most to you.
At Adler Ranch, we’re here to make your wedding a reality in the stunning Alexandria Lakes area, just two hours from Minneapolis. If you’re still searching for the perfect venue, come visit us and see why couples love getting married here! Contact us for more information!
Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, The Cabin and The Gas Station Heidi Strauss Photo
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
Marlys & Kurt, the smiling faces you’ll see at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue
Adler Ranch is a privately owned wedding venue where you work directly with the owners—from your initial inquiry to your wedding day—ensuring a personalized and seamless experience.
Did you know…when you choose a locally owned wedding venue you are helping to develop and improve the local economy? It’s true, your locally owned wedding venues are small business owners who not only create hundreds of jobs for the local wedding industry every year, we actively support our local economy. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.We enjoy using our platform to support other independently owned wedding venues scattered across the country. A shout out today goes to: Bluestone Estate, Eden Farms Weddings, El Tango Reception Hall, Dream Ranch Events, Livingstone Event Space Make It Jamaica, Thistledome House, La Bella Luna, Berkshire Ridge of Blackwell, Kinsey Events, The Barn at Ballard Creek
