Why choose the Guthrie Theater for your wedding?
Many couples choose the Guthrie Theater for their wedding because of its ultra-designed modern interior and unbeatable views. This space is perfect for couples looking to show off the best of Minneapolis to their guests while enjoying a world-class event venue.
Unique features of the Guthrie Theater
I have loved photographing events and weddings at the Guthrie – from couple portraits and engagement photos to large events over multiple floors.
• Modern, striking architecture and color, from deep blues to bold yellows.
• Multiple spaces and floors for a variety of events.
• Panoramic views of the Mississippi river and St Anthony Main riverfront, as well as the stone arch bridge.
Using the professional theater lighting in the black box theater to enhance your wedding
The most unique aspect of having a wedding in a theater is using the professional know-how of the theater experts. In the 9th floor black box, that can include the lighting and scene-setting for your reception space, even sometimes changing over the course of the evening.
Ceremony locations at the Guthrie
Two spaces commonly used for ceremonies at the Guthrie include outside on the endless bridge overlooking the Mississippi river and inside in the Amber Box room with floor to ceiling yellow windows overlooking the river. These are two amazing spaces to celebrate the start of your married life while showing off downtown Minneapolis.
Showing off Minneapolis to out of town guests is easy at the Guthrie.
But more important than any of the actual amenities, a wedding at the Guthrie Theater tells your out-of-town-guests that Minneapolis holds a place in the modern world of theater and architecture. It tells your family that they are in for an elegant adventure of color and light and space.
More than most wedding venues, this is a space designed to showcase the stories being told there.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHING AT THE GUTHRIE THEATER:
Q: Can we take engagement/family/personal photos in the Guthrie?
A: So far, the Guthrie has been amazing at keeping their common spaces open to the public, including for photography.
Because they are so generous with their spaces, there are a few responsibilities for people who use the space for family or personal photos. Generally, I check the theater schedule to make sure that we won’t conflict with showtimes or special events. Also, because it is open to the public, we can’t use tripods or lightstands without a formal rental. So, yes, if we stay respectful, it will stay available!
Q: How do you keep things from being so yellow?
A: The Amber Box space is yellow, the photos should show that as well. I do however use a variety of lighting techniques to make sure that people don’t look too yellow even as they are part of the space.
Q: Is it hard to plan a wedding around the theater schedule?
A: It can be complicated and it seems to vary by the year. In the past, the Guthrie has reserved certain times of year for events, but most planning can’t be finalized until the final theater schedule is announced.
Q: Isn’t it really dark in places? How do you show off the space with all those shadows?
A: Yep! The Guthrie is an operating theater, so the lighting is professional in all spaces, and that feeling needs to be preserved in your photographs.
That moody and shadowy quality is part of what makes it such an amazing space for your guests – seeing the skyline in the evening, letting spaces go into total shadow. Keeping the dark moodiness of the space is vital for things like a candle-lit ceremony, or dancing against all the theater lights! Again, this is a reason for nuanced use of light and space to bring the right clarity to people while making sure the space feels right in photos.
Portraits at the Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater has been generous enough to encourage and allow the use of the space by the public. This includes for portrait photography as long as it does not interfere with the performances or the enjoyment of the rest of the public. This is a space perfect for adding a little drama to other portrait sessions, or including a more modern take on Minneapolis in engagement, family, or wedding portraits.
A moment of indulgence
This image took 20 minutes to make and I want to highlight it as a favorite. I ran 1/4 mile across the stone arch bridge and triggered my flash by calling my second photographer and syncing our efforts. It was worth it to showcase the couple on the 9th floor during their reception, where they had been married just hours before.
Planning a Guthrie Theater Wedding?
If you are looking for a photographer for your Guthrie Theater wedding in Minneapolis, I’d love to connect with you! You deserve to relive all the energy and excitement of your event through the images!
