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Attributes highlighted by couples

Quality catering
Unique aesthetic style
Guests comfort
Amenities

About

On WeddingWire since 2011

The Van Dusen Mansion and Event Center is a wedding venue located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that provides a breathtaking backdrop for elegant celebrations. This beacon of old-world prosperity is located in a modern metropolis and is a treasure that was built to impress, taking your guests’ breath away the minute they walk through the doors. Book this uncanny venue today to experience a celebration that you and your guests will never forget.


Facilities and Capacity
The ballroom at The Van Dusen Mansion has a lavish interior space that can accommodate guest for a seated dinner and for a cocktail reception. The interior space features hardwood floors, Victorian furniture, glistening chandeliers and rich woodwork throughout that will complement any elegant wedding theme. They have a ceremony space in their romantic courtyard as well as a front lawn area with a gazebo, fountain and garden furniture. The courtyard features an ivy covered wall with twinkle lights hanging above for a romantic and classic styled wedding.

Services Offered
This historic estate is a masterpiece that will offer a truly striking setting for your event. Their well-trained and professional staff employ precision when producing your event. They will make sure you get a customized wedding planning experience so that every one of your expectations is exceeded. Your event package includes:

The Historic Mansion

  • Bridal Suite
  • Makeup Room
  • Secure Gift Room
  • Groom's Club Room
  • Historic Antiques
  • Surround Sound Speakers

The Courtyard

  • Cafe String Lights
  • White Garden Chairs
  • Arbor

The Ballroom

  • Newly Renovated
  • Gold Chiavari Chairs
  • On-site Ctering Kitchen
  • Wireless Microphone
  • Gold Charges and Table Settings

The Carriage House

  • Wooden Dance Floor
  • Upstairs Perimiter Lounge
  • NY-Style Lounge Furniture
  • Uplighting - Choose Your Color!


History
Built in 1892, this “castle-like” mansion has rich history but also a progressive style. Mr. Van Dusen was an entrepreneur who founded the first and most prosperous grain firm in 1883, and the estate remained with his family for decades. After being abandoned around 1940, a heroic investor saved the mansion from being demolished and restored it back to its original splendor.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Yes

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

Yes

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

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

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

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

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

Bartender(s)

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

25

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Historic Building
Mansion

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Engagement Party
Elopements

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Liability Insurance
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

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

What event items are available?

Altar/Arch
Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Chairs
Dance Floor
Decor
Furniture
Lighting
Photo booth
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
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
4.8 out of 5 rating
43 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.9 out of 5 rating
95% Recommended by couples
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

The Van Dusen Mansion is a stunning wedding venue with a fairytale-like atmosphere that creates a magical experience. The staff, particularly Monica and Samantha, are highly praised for their professionalism and helpfulness throughout the planning process. Reviewers compliment the venue's beautiful decor and the attentive service provided by the team, making it a dream wedding destination. The exclusive partnership with Mintahoe catering is mentioned as a drawback for those seeking different catering options. Overall, the Van Dusen Mansion receives high recommendations from couples who had their weddings there.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

The Van Dusen Mansion is a stunning wedding venue with a fairytale-like atmosphere that creates a magical experience. The staff, particularly Monica and Samantha, are highly praised for their professionalism and helpfulness throughout the planning process. Reviewers compliment the venue's beautiful decor and the attentive service provided by the team, making it a dream wedding destination. The exclusive partnership with Mintahoe catering is mentioned as a drawback for those seeking different catering options. Overall, the Van Dusen Mansion receives high recommendations from couples who had their weddings there.

Emily
Emily S. Sent on 10/24/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing for us!

VDM was excellent and Monica was such a great contact for the year-plus we were planning along with the day-of. This venue stunned our ~115 guests (and our dog) from beginning to end.

Luckily, the weather cooperated for our 10/21 wedding so we had the ceremony in the courtyard, allowing for a slow but procession through the grounds as the night progressed.

Anything over our guest count would’ve been tight for the ceremony space AND dining hall, so keep that in mind. We chose to add two hours in the morning for $200/hour, very much worth it and the perfect amount of time for a 10-person wedding party (plus parents) to get ready and take pictures before a 4PM ceremony. Otherwise your standard event time is 12PM-12AM.

I’m still in shock from how gorgeous every space looked. The carriage house was recently renovated and new flooring was cute and thankfully not slippery with spilled drinks towards the end of the night.

Of note: clarify everything you can think of with your venue contact ahead of time. There are no stupid questions. We saved a lot of trouble by asking a lot of questions and Monica was so responsive and helpful, even if the answer was no.

Also: they might recommend a Bellagala DJ but our DJ (DJ Hampsterdance) had no trouble with their sound system. There is a ~$500 fee for outside DJ because they also staff an in-house AV technician to guide in case your DJ is unfamiliar with the venue or needing help.

Additionally: They exclusively partner with Mintahoe for catering. If you want a different catering vendor or are dead-set on bringing your own booze to “get ready with” and hate the idea of paying corkage for that (or paying per-person fees for outside cake and/or late-night snack), this might not be the venue for you. We had a fine experience with Mintahoe.
A
Adam G. Sent on 11/06/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible wedding venue!

We recently celebrated our wedding at the beautiful Van Dusen Mansion, and we are still floating on cloud nine! It was the night of our lives, a dream come true, and it would not have been possible without the Van Dusen team, especially Monica, who made every moment perfect.
Monica, the wedding coordinator at Van Dusen, deserves all the praise in the world. She went above and beyond to ensure that every detail of our special day was perfect. Her dedication, passion, and warm-hearted approach made us feel like we were her only priority. She listened to our ideas, offered creative suggestions, and executed everything flawlessly. With Monica by our side, we felt like we had a trusted friend guiding us through the entire wedding planning process.
The Van Dusen Mansion's team demonstrated an unmatched level of professionalism and attention to detail. From the delicious menu choices to the seamless flow of the evening, everything was executed to perfection. Our guests raved about the food, the service, and the overall experience. It was a night filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable memories.
If you're considering the Van Dusen Mansion for your wedding, we wholeheartedly recommend it. We are extremely grateful to the Van Dusen Mansion and its wonderful team for making our wedding day the most special and memorable event of our lives.
Thank you, Monica, and thank you, Van Dusen Mansion, for making our wedding the night of our dreams. We couldn't be happier, and we'll cherish the memories made in this beautiful venue forever. It truly was a fairytale come to life.
K
Kristina G. Sent on 09/17/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Venue - Exceptional Event Coordinating

The Van Dusen Mansion is a one of a kind venue with rich history and a fairytale-like atmosphere. We held our wedding reception here is August of 2023 and have only good things to say about the venue itself and the staff! Monica was our main event coordinator, she did an amazing job and our event went on without a hitch. She was so friendly and fun to work with throughout the planning process, she made sure we felt informed, prepare and confident in the decisions made for the event and we completely trusted her to carry those plans out! The staff is very professional and friendly all around, Samantha also helped us in the planning process and figuring out pricing and availability for booking our event, another exceptional lady! Mintahoe catering is currently the only option but there is no loss in that, they do an amazing job and have SO many options and flexibility in choices to find something that fits your budget! We worked with Morgan at Mintahoe and were very impressed with her attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile to make our day and experience special!
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Awards

43
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner

Real Weddings

Jill & Nat
73 photos · 06/08/2018

Deals

Team

Monica Sanger
Monica Sanger
Event Site Director

When it comes to planning, picking out the fine details and ensuring nothing gets overlooked excites and motivates me. When the big day comes around, it is my goal for you and your love to have the most effortless day from start to finish! Your wedding day should be about soaking in the best moments with all of your favorite people. It is my job (and pleasure) to take away any other worries or stresses to make that happen. Connecting with clients (aka you and the love of your life) in meaningful ways brings me the most joy! Let's be friends!

Samantha  Maroney
Samantha Maroney
Sales Consultant

I cannot wait to share in this process as you are considering one of the most premier venues in the Twin Cities! After helping thousands of couples achieve their dream wedding, I can't wait to build that relationship with you helping every step of the process as you “Say YES!” to one of our spaces!

I’m sure what attracted you to our venues was the aesthetic and design our property uniquely offers… but as we chat, I know you will also love the all-inclusive nature of our venue packages. We offer the simplest planning experience, with the best team!

A look into who I am as a person - I’m very big into the dance community. Growing up in Minnetonka, and graduating from the University of St. Thomas, I worked hard to lead my teams as captain and achieved the first four consecutive national titles with St. Thomas Dance Team along my college journey. I knew the moment I graduated, I would go after my dreams of becoming a wedding planner and coaching my Alma Mater team, Minnetonka. When I am not attached at the hip with my work laptop… I love spending time on my paddle board, supporting my boyfriend, Tyson, while he coaches hockey from the stands with a coffee, spending time with family on the lake, and giving a warm hello to every dog in sight -- (your dog is very much welcomed in our virtual tour session!)

A small glimpse into how my couples perceive their planning experience: "Samantha you were an absolute delight to talk to! Thank you so much for all the love and for bearing with my anxiety over dates! You were flexible and deeply understanding and that was very much appreciated!"

Jenna Zamjahn
Jenna Zamjahn
Event Consultant

Jenna Zamjahn is a Senior Sales Consultant for Bavaria Downs, A’BULAE, The Van Dusen Mansion and our sister company Bellagala. She has been on our team since 2010 and has since partnered with over 2000 couples to achieve their wedding vision.
With over 11 years of industry experience, Jenna knows that wedding planning doesn’t have to be stressful. She has a passion for delivering superior service and ensuring the planning process is convenient and fun for every couple she supports. Establishing meaningful relationships is the heart of her purpose; She truly cares about those she serves. Over the years, many of her client relationships have turned into friendships. She has a love for people, creativity, organization, design, and details.
She is a Minnesota native, graduating from Totino-Grace High School in 2005 and from the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University in 2009, where she met her husband, Adam. They currently reside in Richfield with their 3.5 year old son (Gavin) 1.5 year old twins (Audrey & Griffin) and their chocolate lab, Emma. She loves spending time with family, interior design, hosting holidays/parties/events at their home, trying new restaurants, ample amounts of coffee, vacations to Mexico, the Real Housewives (guess which cast members she’s met while working a wedding?) and has recently traded her favorite Zumba classes for a Peloton - send any ride recommendations her way! Working with Jenna will guarantee a seamless planning experience. She can’t wait to meet you!
Jenna’s Top 5 Strengths: Achiever - Maximizer - Positivity - Empathy - Developer

Professional Network & Endorsements

11 Endorsements
Zandolee Media Zandolee Media Wedding Videographers

The mansion is one of our favorite venues in Minnesota!

Class Act DJ's & Officiants Class Act DJ's & Officiants Wedding DJs

Here at Class Act, we have been entertaining wedding guests for over 30 years. As you would guess we get everywhere. We particularly enjoy the beautiful facility and the professional staff. They know it is all about the total experience guests have and we help create those great memories by working hand in hand for a memorable experience.

Liesl B Floral Design Liesl B Floral Design Wedding Florists

Jennifer and her staff at the Van Dusen Mansion are an absolute joy to work with. I've done many events in many spaces and the Van Dusen is by far one of the most pleasant to service. Beautiful spaces and the staff is on top of every little detail from start to finish of the event. While there are many beautiful event spaces in the Twin Cities, the event staff can make or break your special day. Rest assured you'll be well taken care of if you should choose to host your event at the Van Dusen!

Preferred Vendors

Bellagala Photography
4.7 out of 5 rating , 427 Reviews
· Wedding Photographers

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