Photography ideas for your Nicollet Island Pavilion Wedding
Nestled next to the Mississippi and with skyline views, its a spectacular space to show off to your guests!
If you are looking at the Nicollet Island Pavilion for your wedding location, chances are that the amazing views of downtown Minneapolis are a major reason you love it. It is also a major reason why I love photographing celebrations at the Pavilion. I’ve been honored to document many weddings there over the years.
Couples planning a wedding at Nicollet Pavilion sometimes wonder how photos will look in the large interior, how their guests will use the outdoor space for social hour, and what options there are for other spaces for formal photos on the island.
Even with those awesome views, it is worth thinking about how you want to use the space inside the pavilion and on the rest of Nicollet Island for your photography. The good news is that there are a huge variety of choices, even in bad weather.
HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR SKYLINE VIEWS IN PHOTOS AT NICOLLET ISLAND PAVILION AT NIGHT
Obviously, the views across the Mississippi river are stunning any time of day. It is a gorgeous back drop for a wedding ceremony. Don’t only think of it is a daytime friend, though!
Over cocktail hour, your guests can see the entire history of Minneapolis – St Anthony Falls which powered the old mill buildings; Hennepin Ave bridge and the old Grain Belt beer sign; and the modern Guthrie theater.
That same background becomes moody and magical in the evening when the city lights come up and reflect over the Mississippi river. Taking a moment away from your guests during the evening is definitely worth while: it is a gorgeous backdrop, but also a nice moment of reflection at the end of an amazing day.
THE REST OF NICOLLET ISLAND
Depending on your timing, it can be worth your while to take advantage of the rest of Nicollet Island. During spring, the lilacs bloom around the island. In the fall, the trees are vibrant yellows and golds. Even in winter, the combination of river and architecture means that spaces don’t feel sparse.
I definitely love the Merriam Street bridge that connects the island to St Anthony Main. The spaces under the Hennepin Ave bridge can be a little more modern and protected from the elements.
INSIDE THE NICOLLET ISLAND PAVILION
The inside of the Pavilion is quite large (it can almost be cavernous at times!). The wall lights and hanging café lights definitely work to make the space feel more intimate in the evening. The brickwork can also be a lovely backdrop for indoor family portraits in case of rain.
Having a plan for using lighting in this space is vital for photography that captures the feel, but also feels natural and a little elevated.
SEEING MORE PHOTOS OF NICOLLET ISLAND WEDDINGS
I don’t always recommend asking a photographer to see weddings at your specific venue. It can be just as useful to see images at similar spaces or under similar conditions.
That said, Nicollet Pavilion is such a specific interior space that seeing examples of photos inside will definitely help to narrow down a photographer.
You can see more examples of Nicollet Pavilion Weddings I’ve photographed here:
ISO 640, 1/200 at 2.8.
Planning a wedding at Nicollet Island Pavilion?
If you are looking at Nicollet Island and the Nicollet Pavilion for your wedding, I’d love to chat with you about photography and how to bring the outside space into all your images!