Weddings at FIVE Event Center in Minneapolis

You know what will never go out of style when it comes to weddings? Historic wedding venues! And FIVE Event Center is a perfect historical venue with updates that make it a very cozy and comfortable place to host your wedding.

FIVE Event Center has everything you need to run your whole day without having to change locations, giving you the time to accomplish all you need from early morning hair and makeup to dancing away at the end of the night.

I’ll tell you all about FIVE with the help of Ashly and Max’s wedding in November 2024. As always, stay till the end of the post to check out the photos of this awesome couple and venue. 🙂

FIVE Event Center Wedding Venue Amenities

First, let’s talk about what you get when you rent FIVE Event Center for your wedding — details about the space are important to consider for your unique event and style!

You’ll have access to:

• Two hospitality suites (getting-ready rooms)
• Lower level with a lounge, bar, and modern restrooms
• Upper level, including a second bar, chairs, tables, and additional furniture
• Parking lot access for you and your guests 
• Small outdoor patio
• Self-serve or staffed coat check for your guests
• Stair and elevator access
• Security to ensure that your private event remains a private event
• Central and beautiful Minneapolis location
• Other amenities like high speed internet, unique wall lighting

FIVE also provides planning services to help make your day a success, as well as a professional event coordinator and event staff. They do have recommended caterers if you’re still deciding, but you are allowed to bring in your own with the help of Host A Toast, which is what Ashly and Max did!

Getting Ready and Photos at FIVE Event Center

There are two getting ready suites at FIVE Event Center with keypad locks so you know your items will be safe throughout the day. 

One suite is larger with beautiful natural light, perfect for getting hair and makeup done for the whole crew, plus getting dressed in. The other is a little smaller and leans masculine. It’s still a great space to get ready in with your friends, but I wouldn’t recommend planning on hair and makeup for more than a couple people.

I’ve been to FIVE Event Center for two weddings, and both couples had their first look in the front lounge area. Again, there is great natural light here, but also privacy, which can be hard to find in the city (typically if you find one, you won’t have the other)! Ashly and Max were able to enjoy a moment together, just the two of them, and then we headed out for their couple’s portraits in the general uptown area. We also were lucky enough this particular November to be able to do their wedding party photos outside as well. 

If the weather is bad, all couples and group portraits are 100% doable in the indoor spaces at FIVE Event Center. There is interest all around from the grand staircase to all the exposed brick and beautiful hardwood floors. Plus, you can get a little creative with the bar space too! Check out their family photos (see bottom of the post!) in the upstairs area to get an idea of what your indoor pictures could look like. 

Ceremony and Reception at FIVE Event Center

There are multiple directions you can orient your ceremony at FIVE Event Center, but my favorite by far is toward the hanging lights! These are beautiful additions to your ceremony, a great focal point, and best of all, the lighting will be great on both of you for stunning photos!

Another option is to be in front of a set of windows. This would be my second choice, as backlighting you can cause some color distortion or super bright highlights in your photos that will make you harder to see. However, if this orientation works best for you, it can totally be done!

After your ceremony, guests will be invited to go downstairs for cocktail hour while the upstairs area is being set up for dinner. FIVE does provide an event coordinator for the day, but this does not include setting up or flipping for decor or managing people flow. I’d highly recommend a day-of coordinator, wedding day management, or wedding planner to help with this so you can have a beautiful space and all your guests can enjoy themselves downstairs with you!

The downstairs lounge area is perfect for passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks with your guests, and to greet each other while you await your dinner! It’s also a great spot for a photo booth like Mirror Me Perfect, which I have to say was a HUGE HIT at Ashly and Max’s wedding!

Once the upstairs is ready for dinner, your guests will file up the stairs and elevator to find their seats. If you want to do a grand entrance, there is a back stairwell (you would use this for your ceremony too, actually), so you can go up a separate way than your guests. 

After you and your guests have enjoyed your dinner, toasts, your cake cutting, and dancing can all be accomplished upstairs, so no more moving is necessary! FIVE will provide security for your event, so your guests can step outside for some air and come back in to join the party when they are ready!

Who can help you with your day?

Here are the lovely vendors that helped with Ashly and Max’s day!

Venue: FIVE Event Center
Photography: me, Jessica Knighton Photography
Hair: 139 Hair by Heidi
Makeup: First Looks, LLC
Ashly’s Dress: Effie’s Bridal Trunk
Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse
Jeweler: Landmark Jewelers
Photo Booth: Mirror Me Perfect
Catering: Revival with Host A Toast
Bakery: Lily Bean Bakery
Entertainment: Harmon Entertainment

If you dig the vibe of the photos below, please reach out! I’d love to connect. Bonus points if I get to shoot at FIVE Event Center again sometime soon!