The Barn of Chapeau Shores is a climate-controlled historic barn, beautiful indoor and outdoor ceremony options, space for up to 260 guests, on-site accommodations, and a convenient in-town location. The Barn of Chapeau Shores offers the charm of a true barn wedding without giving up the comforts you and your guests will appreciate.

Located in Albert Lea, Minnesota, our lovingly restored 1930 barn combines authentic rustic character with modern conveniences, including air conditioning and heat, indoor restrooms, beautiful attached getting-ready suites, a paved parking lot, and an ADA-accessible venue and ceremony area.

Step inside and one of the first things you'll notice is the stunning 42-foot cathedral ceiling. The loft mezzanine overlooks the main level so you and your guests are all in one room. It features beautiful wood flooring and chandeliers, while our window-filled patio includes a floor-to-ceiling glass wall and French doors. The entire indoor venue, including the patio, is air conditioned and heated so you can celebrate comfortably in any season.

The Barn comfortably seats up to 260 guests indoors and is open year-round. Couples can choose from beautiful outdoor ceremony settings or indoor ceremony options, giving you flexibility for your vision and Minnesota weather.

Our spacious Bride and Groom Suites are located right inside The Barn, giving the wedding party comfortable spaces to get ready, relax and enjoy the hours leading up to the ceremony. Each suite has convenient access to the main venue and restrooms.

Outside, our beautifully landscaped property offers numerous settings for ceremonies, photos and time with your guests. You'll find our unique grain-bin gazebo, fire pit, outdoor benches, cornhole boards, two corn cribs, including our Love Locks Corn Crib and plenty of beautiful photo opportunities throughout the property.

What's Included & Available

• Venue Coordinator included
• Complimentary wedding highlight video
• On-site rental home for up to 15 guests
• Approximately 400 décor items available for couples to use at no additional charge
• An extensive collection of additional décor available to rent
• Shuttle service available
• Love Locks Corn Crib
• Year-round wedding options
• One-, two- and three-day rentals
• 5,200-square-foot climate-controlled venue
• Indoor tables and chairs
• Indoor and outdoor ceremony options
• Ceremony chairs and church pews
• Beautiful Bride and Groom Suites
• Indoor restrooms, including an accessible family restroom
• ADA-accessible venue, parking and outdoor ceremony area
• Paved parking lot
• Beautifully landscaped venue property
• Linen rentals available
• Owner or manager on-site during your wedding
• Grain-bin gazebo with seating
• Fire pit
• Cornhole boards
• Outdoor benches
• Numerous indoor and outdoor photo locations

Stay Close to Your Celebration

One of the things couples and guests appreciate most about The Barn is our convenient in-town location. Several hotel options are only about 4–6 miles away, so guests don't have a long drive at the end of the night.

Couples or family can also reserve our on-site Cottage, located right next to The Barn on its own spacious 1.2-acre property. The Cottage sleeps up to 15 guests and offers a convenient place for family or members of the wedding party to stay close to the celebration.

Our Location

The Barn of Chapeau Shores is located in Albert Lea in southern Minnesota, making it convenient for couples and guests traveling from across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.
We are approximately 28 miles from Austin, 45 miles from Mason City, Iowa, 58 miles from Rochester and Mankato, and 77 miles from Lakeville.
Whether you're planning a wedding close to home or bringing family and friends together from different areas, our location provides the beautiful setting of a destination-style barn wedding while keeping hotels and other conveniences just minutes away.

Our History

The Barn's story began long before our first wedding. Originally located on a farm, the 1930 barn was moved to Lake Chapeau Drive in 1966 and served as a student center for Lea College. In 1978, it became home to the Sons of Norway Lodge, where it was used for lodge functions and private gatherings.
When Chad and Jayne Iverson took ownership, they began transforming the historic barn into the wedding venue you see today. The Barn of Chapeau Shores welcomed its first wedding in June 2019 and have helped hundreds of couples create beautiful wedding days that feel personal, welcoming and as stress-free as possible. From the first initial meeting to the final moments of your celebration, Chad and Jayne are there to help bring each couple's vision together, keep the day flowing smoothly, and create a wedding experience that couples, their families and guests can truly enjoy and remember.

We are proud to have been named Best Southern Minnesota Wedding Venue by Wedding Rule from 2022 through 2026, and we continue to feel honored every time a couple chooses The Barn of Chapeau Shores as the place where they celebrate their love, gather with the people who matter most, and begin the next chapter of their live together.

We would be happy to show you around The Barn and help you picture the wedding day you have been dreaming of.