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Weddings

Attributes highlighted by couples

Unique aesthetic style
Guests comfort
Amenities

About this vendor

Chris Lundeen
Chris Lundeen
Director of Facilities and Operations

51 years in business

We speak English and French

Small team (2-10 members)

The Bakken Museum is a wedding venue located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This Tudor-style West Winds mansion is nestled on the shores of Bde Maka Ska, in the heart of Minneapolis’ famed Chain of Lakes region. The property provides scenic views, unique indoor and outdoor event spaces, and a memorable experience for couples and their loved ones. It also features a range of carefully-curated exhibits that are fun and intriguing to explore. These collections include books, artifacts, and galleries dedicated to honoring inventions in plant medicine, bio-technology, and science. Every year, the 501(c)3 hosts over 45,000 visitors who come to learn about the world around them through STEM-driven events and lectures. This distinct and beautiful manor with its carefully manicured gardens is an ideal backdrop to celebrations of all styles and sizes.

Facilities and Capacity
Couples renting The Bakken Museum will find numerous spots to host their ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Out on the lawns, big leafy trees, a large stone fountain, and a well-maintained medicinal plant garden create an atmospheric setting to exchange vows. Tents can also be put up on the grounds to host dinners and dancing and protect from inclement weather. A courtyard and walkway that overlook the wetlands is also a tasteful spot to enjoy drinks with loved ones after the ceremony. Inside, parties can be held in the 2,000-square-foot gallery, where wooden paneling and hundreds of books give the space the feel of a library. A rooftop patio and lawn also make for a spectacular place to take in the views and celebrate the romantic day. From intimate soirees to grand affairs, the museum can be fully tailored to couples’ preferences and desires.

Services Offered
For the big day, The Bakken Museum offers comprehensive packages that come with tables and chairs, linens, and assistance with setup and cleanup. The venue comes fully equipped with lighting and sound, and parking is provided. The mansion, gardens, and green roof are also available for photo shoots ahead of the big day and can be coordinated with the rental team.

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FAQ

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?

8,600

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

6,000

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?

3,500

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

$2,500

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Clean Up
Lighting/Sound
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

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

10

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

2

Describe your venue:

Garden
Historic Building
Mansion
Museum
Rooftop
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Clean Up
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Decor
Furniture
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
November
December

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of The Bakken Museum

Weddingwire
5.0/5 10 reviews
Google
4.7/5 583 reviews
J B
J B Sent on 08/18/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Magical Event with Smooth Planning

Our Oct 2024 wedding at the Bakken was a magical occasion. Chris, the events team, and everyone at the Bakken Museum helped make the ceremony and reception so special. Chris has been at the museum for ages and is attentive to detail and responds quickly as needed. His experience shows and nothing phases him. He is familiar with many vendors and runs a tight operation with enough flexibility. (He's quite good with boutonniere as well!)

Our ceremony was outside in the garden followed by cocktails on the roof. We moved inside for dinner and dancing and our guests were able to explore the museum.
C
Claire Sent on 07/29/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful!

The Bakken was a spectacular host for my wedding. First, it's so beautiful both indoors and outdoors (as you can see from the pictures) (and the indoors has many interesting artifacts and exhibits!). Additionally, Maggie and Chris were amazingly helpful through all stages of the planning process (important for us because we were planning from out of state!)—very quick to respond, had fantastic recommendations for vendors they'd worked with before, gave good advice. The day of the wedding, they coordinated smoothly with our vendors, reacted to weather-related changes to plans with ease, made all of our guests feel welcomed, and were vital in making everything run smoothly. I couldn't be happier or more impressed with the work they did and I can't recommend the Bakken strongly enough.
M
Melanie Sent on 05/31/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful!

The Bakken was the ideal place to have our wedding. Maggie & Chris are incredibly responsive, flexible, and helpful. We felt so taken care of throughout the entire process and especially on the day of the wedding itself. The venue itself is beautiful, welcoming, and flexible for both indoor and outdoor events.
Hailey
Hailey Sent on 10/31/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible

We were so charmed by the Bakken when we found it in the spring of 2021, it was a no-brainer to use them for our wedding (10/1/2022)! Chris and Maggie were kind, funny, respectful, and always had answers to our questions! It was truly an experience we wouldn't have had with any other venue, I am sure of it. It was important for us to have flexibility with our vendors, and Chris and Maggie were extremely accommodating, working with us to bring the the best experience for our guests! We would recommend utilizing The Bakken for any event in the future, and we can't wait to come back and visit!
L
Lilli Sent on 09/14/2022
5 out of 5 rating

An amazing venue with amazing people!

My husband I got married at The Bakken Museum on 9/3/2022 and we couldn't have imagined our day being any different.


I'd like to start out by saying that Chris and Maggie are some of the nicest people I've met since living in the Twin Cities, and they truly went above and beyond to make my husband and I's vision for our wedding come to life. Chris and Maggie, along with their colleagues at The Bakken, are experienced and detail oriented professionals who know what it takes to make an unforgettable wedding experience. They responded quickly to my millions of questions. Their confidence in their ability to manage the big and little details alongside our day-of coordinator eased my anxiety enough that I was able to actually enjoy our wedding day. Even when we had a guest unexpectedly injure themselves while dancing, Chris and his team were right there and ready to handle it. We truly could not have expected any better people to work with for our wedding day.


Aside from the phenomenal team at The Bakken Museum, I should also comment on the venue itself. The museum is definitely off the beaten path as far as wedding venues go, but that's what makes it a unique experience. The space checked every box on my husband and I's list, as we wanted an outdoor ceremony and reception, beautiful and unique locations to take photos, and details that impressed ourselves and our guests. The beauty and elegance of the Medicinal Gardens, West Winds Mansion, and Green Roof all greatly impressed our in-town and out-of-town guests. We were receiving compliments all night about how beautiful and magical the space is. Kids and adults alike had a great time wandering around the koi pond, socializing in the Great Hall, and admiring the glass tower. What's more is that we can continue to visit for years to come!

If you've read this far, and you're thinking about booking The Bakken Museum for your wedding, go for it!
S
Stacie Sent on 08/22/2022
5 out of 5 rating

August Wedding

We got married at The Bakken Museum and had an amazing experience. We wanted a large yet intimate space to impress our out of town friends and family, and it was everything we wanted! The whole Bakken team was also amazing to work with leading up to the day and during our event.
K
Kate Sent on 07/07/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing venue for an incredible day!!

We cannot say enough great things about our wedding at the Bakken! Chris and Maggie were so supportive, helpful, and patient with our many questions. They were easy to work with, made excellent recommendations, and helped us feel much less stressed as we figured out all the little details to make the day come to life. And so many of our guests have told us how much they enjoyed the venue! The day was even more magical and beautiful than we imagined, and everyone we worked with was a total pro. Highly recommend working with the Bakken team!
B
Beth Sent on 06/18/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Dream wedding come true

Absolutely amazing. The Bakken staff really made us feel special and helped plan our dream wedding with everything from providing help coordinating the different vendors arriving, setting up tables and chairs, providing AV and sound equipment, they have it all. Could not recommend a more perfect venue for a small wedding.
M
Mark Sent on 11/21/2021
5 out of 5 rating

The Perfect Venue!

If there is one word we would use to describe our wedding venue, it would be "magical!" Thank you to Chris, Maggie, and the entire team at The Bakken Museum for making our wedding day something that will be remembered forever. The Bakken staff were a pleasure to work with. They were flexible in accommodating our vision, and they are experienced planners who had great ideas about the look, feel, and flow of our celebration. And the venue itself in unmatched in its beauty and charm! With its unique majestic gardens, gorgeous architecture and estate-like feel, and hands-on scientific experiments and displays, The Bakken Museum is a wedding venue that is so unique that after a few months our guests are still talking about how amazing our wedding was. We wanted to create an experience for our guests that would make a lasting impression, and The Bakken Museum was that perfect place.
J
Jenna Sent on 10/24/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Picture perfect wedding day!

What an amazing place!
I had my wedding ceremony and reception at The Bakken. It was the perfect place for our intimate 30 guest wedding.
Our hosts Chris and Angela were very helpful and caring, they made sure every detail of the day was exactly how I imagined it. Even when last minute we had to move inside due to snow!
This building is stunning and the people in it are amazing. I highly suggest the Bakken for hosting an event.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

10
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
illustration message review

Are you interested?

Team

Chris Lundeen
Chris Lundeen
Director of Facilities and Operations
Alice McGee
Alice McGee
Rental Events Coordinator

Professional Network & Endorsements

Katie Thering Photography & Design Katie Thering Photography & Design Wedding Photographers

Hands down one of my favorite venues to photograph! This hidden gem is the perfect location for your wedding or event. The Bakken has plenty of options for customizing your day. The garden is gorgeous for a ceremony and the terraces provide the best backdrops for social hour. Your guests will love the convenience of being near Uptown and the lakes, too. Angela & Chris and the rest of the team at the Bakken are there all day to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. If you are looking for a unique, classy, and convenient location for your wedding the Bakken will not disappoint!

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The Bakken Museum frequently asked questions

The Bakken Museum includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Linens
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The space offered by The Bakken Museum for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Mansion
  • Museum
  • Rooftop
  • Waterfront
The Bakken Museum offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Bakken Museum offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Bakken Museum offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Clean Up
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
The Bakken Museum offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Decor
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
The Bakken Museum is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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