Skip to main content
Weddings

Pricing information

Price range: $4,000 - $7,000 Price range: $4,000 - $6,500
Reception
$5,000 starting price
Ceremony
$1,000 starting price
Bar service
$11 per person
Reception
$4,500 starting price
Ceremony
$1,000 starting price
Bar service
$11 per person
These prices are available for the months of April through October. These prices are available for the months of November through March.

About

On WeddingWire since 2016

The architecturally-stunning McNamara Alumni Center is a modern and sophisticated setting for wedding celebrations. Designed to reflect the Minnesota landscape, the venue boasts interiors of wood, water and copper. This popular special event venue has 2 zones for large and small wedding celebrations:

  • Memorial Hall is a gorgeous backdrop for large wedding receptions — 150 to 400 guests. This unique room is lined with 7 miles of hemlock wood and boasts a 150-foot long water feature, ample natural light and a height of 90 feet. It accommodates wedding ceremonies, too.
  • Our University Hall wedding package includes three rooms and a private patio. It is a lovely setting for small wedding receptions with a full wall of windows to let in natural light. University Hall accommodates celebrations for 100 to 150 guests and can also accommodate wedding ceremonies.

Other benefits to choosing McNamara for your wedding celebration:

  • Located on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus with very easy access off Interstates 35W and 94
  • Adjacent 500-car parking ramp, connected by tunnel
  • Twin Cities most awarded caterer D’Amico Catering is onsite
  • Adjacent Graduate Minneapolis Hotel with 300 sleeping rooms and tunnel connection to McNamara
  • Beautiful outdoor space for photo opportunities including landscaped plaza and water features

We make pricing easy! Our bundled all-inclusive packages include:

  • 7 hr rental with room access 3 hours prior
  • 1 hr ceremony rehearsal (if held at McNamara)
  • Built-in terrazzo dance floor
  • Custom set-up of tables and chairs
  • Microphones for readings, toasts; house music with 20 channels; audio connection for custom playlist
  • Wedding party room
  • 2 parking spaces at the building’s entrance
  • Storage the day before
  • On-site event staff

Contact our sales team at macevents@umn.edu or 612-624-9831 to inquire about availability, put a date on hold or to schedule a tour.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$5,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$4,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,000

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Lighting/Sound
Linens
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)
Wedding Cake

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$11

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

1

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

10

Describe your venue:

Art Gallery
Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Historic Building
Museum

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Plated
Stations

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Chairs
Dance Floor
Decor
Drapery
Furniture
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Shuttle
Valet
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
November
December
illustration notebook

Any other questions?

Reviews of McNamara Alumni Center

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9 out of 5 rating
21 reviews
98% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
Weddingwire
4.9/5 21 reviews
Google
4.7/5 368 reviews
Brooke
Brooke B. Sent on 05/12/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding Planner

I was the Wedding Planner for Jeff and Keiran’s wedding at McNamara Alumni Center on December 31, 2019. We were blown away by the overall experience and the venue itself met and exceeded all of our expectations. From day one with communication, to on site assistance with set up, the staff that helped to make Jeff and Keiran’s day run smoothly, couldn’t have been nicer and very professional. The catering staff was just as amazing and the food is something guests still talk about today. This venue played a huge part in the success of the wedding and I would highly recommend it to any of my future brides and clients.
H
Haili H. Sent on 01/12/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely perfect!

They were so easy to work with along the planning journey and on the day of they were so friendly and excited for me and my husband. I had last minute changes and they were so accommodating . They do have an exclusive caterer which scared me at first but they were just amazing as the venue staff.
Eric
Eric B. Sent on 08/13/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Outdoor Elements in Indoor Setting

McNamara University Hall was the perfect location for our wedding ceremony. The copper walls and numerous windows made for an absolutely beautiful venue. We really appreciate how detailed oriented, organized, and responsive, Courtney was. She even went above and beyond to remind us that we could use the main hall to use for photos if there was no event scheduled during the same time. Also, excellent value, great service, and did I already mention it made for an elegant venue to get married? It was about 100 degrees the day of our wedding, but we still had the outdoor elements of the birch trees, shrubbery, and water fountain, while being nice and cool inside. Highly recommend!
illustration message review

Are you interested?

Awards

21
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner

Real Weddings

Britta & Jonathan
19 photos · 08/31/2019

Map

illustration visit

Would you like to visit?

McNamara Alumni Center frequently asked questions

McNamara Alumni Center includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Linens
  • Set Up
  • Tables
McNamara Alumni Center includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Dessert
  • Server(s)
  • Wedding Cake
The bar service starting price at McNamara Alumni Center includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
The space offered by McNamara Alumni Center for wedding events is known for:
  • Art Gallery
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet Hall
  • Historic Building
  • Museum
McNamara Alumni Center offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
McNamara Alumni Center offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Rehearsal Dinner
McNamara Alumni Center offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
McNamara Alumni Center offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Centerpieces
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Decor
  • Drapery
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
McNamara Alumni Center is recommended by 98% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in quality of service, 5 in flexibility, 5 in professionalism, 4.8 in average response time and 4.8 in value.

Other vendors in Minneapolis for your wedding

Wedding Venues