ON THE BLOG
Caedyn and Josh’s wedding at Northern Oaks Events was one of those days where everything felt classic, intentional, and just SO beautifully put together.
The whole property was still incredibly lush, the hydrangeas were in full bloom, and all that natural greenery was perfection. Add Caedyn’s timeless gown, Josh’s elegant suit, bridesmaids in rich brown, and a celebration with everyone they love gathered around them and… yeah. This one was GOOD.
Northern Oaks is such a beautiful setting for a Minnesota wedding because you really get a little bit of everything in one place. The venue sits on 100 wooded acres in Sauk Rapids, with the log home, ponds, expansive lawn, multiple ceremony areas, getting-ready spaces, and a pavilion all available on the property.
Getting Ready at Northern Oaks Events
Caedyn got ready inside the log home, and the warm wood, huge windows, and that spiral staircase gave us SO much to work with. Her dress hanging from the staircase?! I mean, come on. Meanwhile, Josh was getting ready downstairs with the guys.
Northern Oaks actually has two getting-ready areas on the property, with the bridal suite getting plenty of natural light and a separate groom’s space on the lower level of the home.
First Looks Among the Hydrangeas
And THEN there were the hydrangeas. The landscaping at Northern Oaks was absolutely gorgeous, and the hydrangeas around the property were still full and fluffy, which made the prettiest backdrop for Caedyn’s first looks.
Josh’s reaction when he saw her was the sweetest. You can literally watch his whole face change in the photos.
Caedyn also did first looks with her dads, and those were such emotional little moments to build into the day before the ceremony. I will always be a fan of making room for these things because wedding days move FAST, and giving yourself ten quiet minutes with someone important can end up being one of the moments you remember most.
Plus, from a photography perspective, Northern Oaks has so many landscaped little pockets that we didn’t need to go anywhere far to make those moments feel private and beautiful.
A Classic Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at Northern Oaks Events
Their ceremony took place outside on the lawn with trees, water, and the property surrounding them. It was so dang pretty!!
A wooden arch with soft white draping framed the ceremony space, while everything else was allowed to stay really natural. The trees and pond already do so much visually that you honestly don’t NEED a ton of extra decor here. And Caedyn walking down the aisle with both of her dads?! Such a sweet moment.
Northern Oaks is set up for larger outdoor celebrations too. The venue says its backyard weddings and events can accommodate up to 300 guests, with the possibility of discussing additional arrangements for even larger groups.
What Happens if It Rains at Northern Oaks?
You know planning for the weather can be tricky! One really nice thing about this venue is that there’s already a backup plan built into the property. If rain is forecasted, Northern Oaks can move the ceremony beneath the pavilion, with cocktail hour moving there as well. Their 40-by-120-foot pavilion is also where dinner typically takes place for outdoor weddings.
That is SUCH a big deal when you’re planning an outdoor wedding. You can still choose the outdoor ceremony you really want without spending the entire week before your wedding refreshing six weather apps and wondering what on earth Plan B is supposed to be. And honestly, the pavilion is beautiful enough that it doesn’t feel like the sad backup option either.
Candlelight Wedding Reception at Northern Oaks Events
Caedyn and Josh’s reception design fit the property SO well. Long wooden farmhouse tables were covered with trailing greenery and candles in glass cylinders, paired with white chairs and little lace details. It felt elevated and romantic without covering up everything that already makes Northern Oaks beautiful.
The pavilion is open and bright during the day, with views back out toward the trees and lawn, and once evening starts setting in, all those candles and string lights make it feel completely different.
Northern Oaks includes farmhouse tables, white garden chairs, benches, a dance floor, a ceremony arch, a bar front, fire pits, and several other venue pieces with the property rental, which can make planning a large outdoor wedding a whole lot simpler.
And I LOVE that the reception still feels connected to the outdoors. You haven’t suddenly gone from this beautiful wooded property into a windowless ballroom for the rest of the night.
Fall Wedding Photos Around the Property
One of my favorite things about Caedyn and Josh’s gallery is how much variety we got without ever leaving Northern Oaks. We had the hydrangeas and manicured landscaping for their first look, shaded woods for portraits, the lawn and pond around the ceremony, the log home in the background, and then the pavilion once the reception began.
The bridesmaids’ brown dresses looked SO good against the green landscape too. It gave everything that little hint of fall without leaning into super-obvious orange-and-red autumn colors. That palette with white flowers, greenery, black suits, and Caedyn’s dress felt timeless while still fitting the season.
Why Northern Oaks Events Works So Well for a Minnesota Wedding
Northern Oaks was originally a home built for entertaining before being transformed into an event venue, and I think you can really feel that when you’re there. It doesn’t feel like a wedding venue where everything happens in one giant room.
Guests can move through the property, from the ceremony area to cocktail hour on the lawn, into the pavilion for dinner, then over to the fire pits when they want a break from dancing. The venue even has a walking path around the pond and three fire pits on the property.
For a wedding like Caedyn and Josh’s, that creates such a relaxed flow to the day. Everyone gets to actually enjoy the property instead of being shuffled from one scheduled room to the next.
And from my photographer brain? More variety without losing twenty minutes every time we need to change locations. YES PLEASE.
Planning Your Own Northern Oaks Events Wedding?
If you’re looking for an outdoor Minnesota wedding venue with gorgeous landscaping, wooded ceremony spaces, a beautiful pavilion, and enough room to actually spread out and enjoy the day, Northern Oaks Events is absolutely worth adding to your list.
Caedyn and Josh’s wedding was such a perfect example of how beautiful this property can be heading into fall. Full hydrangeas, lush greenery, a classic ceremony by the water, candlelight in the pavilion, and so many emotional moments tucked in between all of it.
Dreaming of your own Minnesota wedding at Northern Oaks or anywhere in Minnesota? Reach out here, and let’s make your wedding story unforgettable!
Vendor Spotlight
Venue: Northern Oaks Events
Photography: Me, Amelia Jo Photo
Wedding Coordinator: KP Events & Co
HMUA: Avedon Beauty
Florist: Flower Moxie
Catering: The Great Blue Heron
Dress: Vow’d Weddings
His & Hers Rings – @ridge / @jfkrusejewelers
