5.0
Verified reviews from real couples
Award-Winning + Stunning Wedding Reception Venue
Holds ceremonies and receptions
It was so special for my husband and I to celebrate our marriage in the very building where we first met as University students. Everyone was floored with the stunning architecture both inside and out. The service was OUTSTANDING from the very first inquiry to the day of. Hanna really went out of her way to make sure our day went perfectly.
Amanda B.
5.0
McNamara Alumni Center helped make the day of our dreams a reality.
They were right by our side from the first site visit to the end of the wedding night.
The team was helpful, responsive, collaborative and for such a dynamic space, it’s a value wedding venue.
Working with the exclusive caterer D’Amico was just as easy and it was delicious - and while it wasn’t what many would describe as affordable, it was delicious and our guests loved it.
We couldn’t be happier with having the most important day of our lives at the McNamara Alumni Center.
Shane K.
5.0
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AWARD WINNER (5X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
The architecturally-stunning McNamara Alumni Center is a modern and sophisticated setting for wedding celebrations. Designed to reflect the Minnesota landscape, the venue boasts interiors of wood, water, and copper. This popular special event venue has two zones for large and small wedding celebrations:
• Memorial Hall is a gorgeous backdrop for large wedding ceremonies and receptions — 150 to 400 guests. This unique room is lined with 7 miles of hemlock wood, ample natural light, and a atrium celling height of 90 feet.
• Our University Hall wedding package includes three rooms and a private patio. It is a lovely setting for small wedding receptions, with a full wall of windows to let in natural light. University Hall accommodates celebrations for up to 120 guests and can also accommodate wedding ceremonies.
Other benefits to choosing McNamara for your wedding celebration:
• Located on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus with very easy access off Interstates 35W and 94
• Adjacent 500-car parking ramp, connected by tunnel
• Twin Cities most awarded caterer D’Amico Hospitality is onsite
• Adjacent Graduate Minneapolis Hotel with 300 sleeping rooms and tunnel connection to McNamara
• Beautiful outdoor space for photo opportunities, including landscaped plaza and water features
We make pricing easy! Our bundled all-inclusive packages include:
• 7 hour rental with room access 3 hours prior
• 1 hour ceremony rehearsal (if held at McNamara)
• Built-in terrazzo dance floor
• Custom set-up of tables and chairs
• Microphones for readings, toasts; house music; audio connection for custom playlist
• Wedding party room
• 2 parking spaces at the building’s entrance
• Storage the day before
• On-site event staff
Contact our sales team to inquire about availability, put a date on hold, or to schedule a tour.
What You'll Love About McNamara Alumni Center
Couples praise the events team for their open communication and their ability to make them feel at ease from the first meeting to the end of the festivities. The on-site catering company provides delicious dining options that receive plenty of compliments from guests. Browse the photo gallery to view the beautiful celebration spaces.
26+ years in business
Speaks English
Small team (2-10 members)
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Industrial & Warehouse
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Food & Catering
Planning
Awards and Affiliations
5-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2022.2021.2018.+2 more.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.071 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
McNamara Alumni Center offers stunning, customizable architecture and beautiful photo backdrops that guests rave about. Staff and the required caterer were highly supportive and delivered excellent service and food, though catering is not inexpensive. The venue worked well for intimate receptions and long-distance planning, but limited in-person walkthroughs were a drawback.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Amanda B
5.0
1/07/2025
It was so special for my husband and I to celebrate our marriage in the very building where we first met as University students. Everyone was floored with the stunning architecture...
both inside and out. The service was OUTSTANDING from the very first inquiry to the day of. Hanna really went out of her way to make sure our day went perfectly.
Shane K
5.0
12/23/2024
McNamara Alumni Center helped make the day of our dreams a reality.
They were right by our side from the first site visit to the end of the wedding night.
The team was helpful, r...
esponsive, collaborative and for such a dynamic space, it’s a value wedding venue.
Working with the exclusive caterer D’Amico was just as easy and it was delicious - and while it wasn’t what many would describe as affordable, it was delicious and our guests loved it.
We couldn’t be happier with having the most important day of our lives at the McNamara Alumni Center.
Any questions?
Shauna R
5.0
10/21/2024
I used the smaller space for my wedding reception and it was perfect!! I ended up having about 75 guests and it made for the perfect amount of space for the dance floor. A huge rea...
son I picked this space was for the windows and it did not disappoint! Goldy also made a surprise appearance which was fun! I don’t have all my photos yet but definitely will be sharing when I do!
The only negative thing I have to say is it felt weird planning this for over a year and the only time I was in the space was for the tour. All planning after was done via email or zoom (even the 30 day out meeting, which I found odd. If I wasn’t a coordinator myself I probably would’ve asked to walk through the space myself again to make the vision come to life, I don’t know how people not in the industry would be able to plan something like this with only seeing the space for like 30 minutes a year ago)
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 10/22/2024
Shauna, we're sorry you were disappointed to not have another in person meeting with us. T...
hank you for sharing this feedback. We strive to provide excellent service and have discussed this as a team so that we continue to offer a variety of communication methods to best serve our clients. We are happy to hear that University Hall was the perfect space for your wedding! Your photos are stunning. Congratulations and thank you for choosing McNamara!
Andrew C
5.0
12/26/2023
This was the perfect place for our wedding reception! We hosted our party in the Memorial Room. Both of us loved the natural vibes and grandeur of the space--it was our top choice ...
of all venues in Minneapolis. Both the McNamara staff and the required caterer, D'Amico were phenomenal. We were planning the wedding over long distance, from California, without a full wedding planner, and they were so supportive and helpful. The biggest help was knowing that someone from the McNamara staff would be an effective event coordinator once the party got to the venue. That made life so much easier for us. Plus, you can't go wrong with D'Amico food--I promise you'll be spoiled! Not only was the food amazing, but they wonderfully navigated a number of food allergies (plus a special cake for the special man). This is such a unique space--the photos from our wedding look amazing from every angle. Guests wouldn't stop commenting about how wonderful it was. 10 out of 10--we'd recommend it for your wedding!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 01/02/2024
Andrew and Katie, thank you so much for your kind words. We loved working with you throug...
hout your planning process. We also feel very lucky to partner with D'Amico as they always do an incredible job!
Wishing you the best in marriage, the McNamara Team.
Carolyn L
5.0
11/15/2023
Our wedding (including the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception) at McNamara Alumni Center was absolutely spectacular! The architecture is so unique, and we especially appreciate...
d how McNamara's entire space was so customizable for our ideal wedding day setup. In addition, every staff member we worked with was extremely kind and communicative, and open to our wants, needs, and feedback. We would highly recommend having your wedding at McNamara!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 11/15/2023
Thank you so much Carolyn for your kind words! It was so wonderful to celebrate you and J...
im, your wedding was absolutely beautiful.
Leah S
5.0
6/25/2023
Our wedding day could not have gone any smoother thanks to the amazing staff at McNamara! They were so on top of every detail, and very quick to respond to questions from start to ...
finish. The space itself is absolutely beautiful, so it was great not having to worry about extra decor. We highly recommend this venue!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 07/05/2023
Thank you for your kind review, Leah! Our team was honored to celebrate your special day, ...
and are glad to hear that you had a great experience at McNamara. We enjoyed hosting you and your families and friends!
Maya S
5.0
3/07/2022
Highly recommend McNamara for the event center, staff, and catering partnership with D'amicos. Hosted an Indian wedding for 250 people.
Event Center (Central Atrium): We were loo...
king for a unique venue that didn't require a lot of decoration and McNamara did not disappoint. With our light decorations the atrium looked stunning. They also had zero issues with the open flame on the Mandap and worked with us to ensure we could execute all cultural aspects of the ceremony.
Staff: The staff at McNamara know how to run a flawless wedding from initial booking to the day of. We worked with Danielle and Courtney to reserve the space and prepare for the wedding and they were both very timely, thorough, and organized in their responses. The entire year leading up to the wedding they were very communicative and met with us several times so that we could see the space and plan our decorations. The day of our wedding though is where the staff truly shined in their execution. Despite our day-of-coordinator's shortcomings, the McNamara staff was able to pull off a great wedding for our guests. They stepped in where help was needed and kept things running efficiently and smoothly.
Damico's: We worked with Patrick at D'amicos and cannot recommend him enough. He custom planned our entire menu (which included Asian, Italian, Indian and Mexican food) and accepted family recipes for the Indian food. Further, he organized a separate food tasting for the Indian food and had our chef sit down with us and get feedback on each dish. For the day of, he worked alongside our decorator and venue staff to make sure dinner was organized and flowed with the event. He and his staff also went above and beyond when it came to COVID protocols and serving food.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 03/09/2022
Thank you for your thorough review and kind words, Maya! Our team was honored to celebrate...
your special day with you, and I'm glad you were impressed with the customer service provided by all of our teams. Congratulations to you and Vilas!
Jennifer S
5.0
1/13/2022
We had a great experience hosting our ceremony and reception at McNamara. The space is so beautiful in design that we didn’t need to add much in terms of decor to have a spectacula...
r setting. It was really an easy venue to plan with because the catering company, D’amico, works closely with the venue, so catering and set up planning was seamless. The staff was super knowledgeable and helpful in suggesting layout and flow for the day. Overall it was a beautiful event with good food and a gorgeous setting for an affordable price.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 01/13/2022
Thank you for the wonderful review, Jennifer. We are glad you had a great experience at Mc...
Namara, and enjoyed hosting you and your families and friends!
Haili R
5.0
1/12/2022
Absolutely perfect! They were so easy to work with along the planning journey and on the day of they were so friendly and excited for me and my husband. I had last minute changes a...
nd they were so accommodating . They do have an exclusive caterer which scared me at first but they were just amazing as the venue staff.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 01/13/2022
Thank you for the review, Haili! We are glad you had a positive experience at McNamara, an...
d our team was happy to accommodate your needs.
Kristen H
5.0
9/22/2021
McNamara was the perfect location for our wedding! You can't beat the stunning views both inside and outside of the venue. The staff was very flexible when working on COVID restric...
tions with us, including offering us additional space so our guests would feel more comfortable. We would definitely recommend McNamara!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 09/22/2021
Thank you for the kind review, Kristen! We enjoyed safely celebrating your special day wit...
h you and your guests!
Eric B
5.0
8/13/2021
McNamara University Hall was the perfect location for our wedding ceremony. The copper walls and numerous windows made for an absolutely beautiful venue. We really appreciate how d...
etailed oriented, organized, and responsive, Courtney was. She even went above and beyond to remind us that we could use the main hall to use for photos if there was no event scheduled during the same time. Also, excellent value, great service, and did I already mention it made for an elegant venue to get married? It was about 100 degrees the day of our wedding, but we still had the outdoor elements of the birch trees, shrubbery, and water fountain, while being nice and cool inside. Highly recommend!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 01/13/2022
Thank you for the review, Eric! We enjoyed hosting you and your families and friends for y...
our beautiful ceremony, and are glad you were able to maximize on the elements McNamara offers!
Sara F
5.0
7/14/2021
McNamara was the perfect venue for our reception! Courtney and the team were so welcoming, organized, and responsive. They were very helpful in navigating a date change (we postpon...
ed it due to the pandemic). Memorial Hall is stunning, everything was set up on time and looked beautiful, and everyone we worked with was professional, helpful, and kind. Can't say enough good things!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 07/15/2021
Thank you for the review, Sara! We loved celebrating you and John (finally :)), are so gla...
d that McNamara was a perfect venue for your reception. Courtney enjoyed working with you both, and we hope to see you again soon for a visit. Cheers to you two!
Michelle H
5.0
6/25/2021
If you want to stand out from other weddings than McNamara is the place for you! Uniquely beautiful, spacious, gorgeous high ceilings and a perfect metropolitan location.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 06/30/2021
Thank you so much, Michelle! Our entire team loved celebrating your and Tye's special day!...
Courtney M
5.0
5/26/2021
We had our ceremony and reception at this venue and it couldn’t have been more perfect! So much space for your entire wedding party. The wedding coordinator and catering staff were...
incredibly helpful and receptive to make it the best day possible. They made wedding planning easy. The venue is already so beautiful so minimal extra decor is needed, all we added was drapes! Would highly recommend them!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 06/30/2021
Thank you so much, Courtney! We are glad you had a perfect celebration and special day!
Heather W
5.0
10/29/2020
We were thrilled to be able to have our wedding reception at McNamara Alumni Center! Not only is it a stunning venue, but the whole McNamara event team was so helpful throughout ou...
r planning process. It was also such an unexpected value add to have our venue and caterer (D'Amico) work so closely together on details. They are truly experts in the event and reception industry and helped us think through every detail; providing recommendations on what works well, and were honest about what doesn't. This was especially helpful planning a wedding during COVID. We were thankful to have a team behind us as we navigated through the ever-changing protocols and supported us in creating an environment where our guests could celebrate safely with us.
Our wedding was three months ago, and we are still getting compliments from our guests about how beautiful the venue was, how incredible the food was, and how well done the entire event was. We are so thankful of the McNamara team for helping us plan our perfect day!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 11/04/2020
Wow! Thank you, Heather! Our team and D'Amico loved being about to work with you and Ethan...
on creating your special day. This sure has been a challenging year for couples, and we thank you for trusting us to guide you through the changes. Cheers to you both!
Katie K
5.0
10/22/2020
Our wedding day was a dream come true! This year and planning process has been a challenge for everyone; we sincerely appreciated the thoughtful balance from McNamara staff between...
covid precautions and making our wedding feel "normal". We received lots of positive feedback regarding how safe and fun the entire night was. We had a blast and our family and friends did too! The entire McNamara team was a pleasure to work with.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 11/04/2020
Thank you, Katie! We are so glad that your wedding day was a dream come true, even under t...
he current circumstances. We understand how challenging these times have been, so thank you for letting us celebrate with you and Sam!
Allie M
5.0
10/20/2020
My husband and I got married here in August 2019, and it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made! Getting married at McNamara was an absolute dream venue! If you’re looking t...
o impress your guests, THIS is the venue! Every single aspect regarding having our wedding here was handled smoothly and professionally from start to finish! I literally didn’t have to worry about a single thing the days leading up to or the day of our wedding! I even accidentally left plate chargers for almost a month at the venue and they were patient and kind with me in picking them up! Something that stood out that I’ll never forget was our lead server in charge of the reception was the most exceptional service I’ve ever experienced! It’s as if he knew at any moment I needed something, he was there! Just fantastic! And the food! Wow! Our guests continued to reach out to us after the wedding to tell us how fabulous it was was! That always makes you feel so good as a bride! My husband and I just can not say enough about every person we worked with and the venue itself! I would get married here 1000x’s over!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 11/04/2020
We are grateful to have been a part of one of your best decisions, Allie! Thank you for yo...
ur kind review about McNamara, and we are very glad your guests were impressed! You and Kiel are welcome to stop back to visit us anytime in the future. All our best to you both!
Laura S
5.0
10/20/2020
If you are looking for a spacious venue with beautiful views, professional staff, and an overall amazing experience you are looking at the right venue. Their detailed planning itin...
eraries and event coordinators really allow you enjoy your special day without having to worry about things flowing smoothly. They help you organize everything down to specific details, we even had food brought to us in a small room so we could enjoy eachother company and a few appetizers before our reception started. Our food from D'Amico was also amazing, and we got so many compliments!
Don't let the fact that this is on campus intimidate you! The Graduate Hotel is there for guests from out of town (and not to mention has AMAZING photo opportunities) and there are parking ramps attached to the building for those who live close. You definitely get more than you pay for with this venue!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 11/04/2020
Thank you, Laura! Your review is so appreciated by our entire staff and the D'Amico team. ...
We are very glad that you had such a wonderful celebration at McNamara and The Graduate Hotel - way to take advance of the surrounding offerings! All the best to you and Mike.
MEGAN M
5.0
10/20/2020
We chose McNamara for our August 2019 wedding. We were drawn to it because it was a beautiful, modern space, the perfect size for our 120 person wedding and an affordable choice. ...
We are so glad we had our wedding here! University Hall is perfect if you're looking for a unique, cozy and modern space for a small-ish group (120-150 people). D'Amico Catering was amazing and we received many compliments on the food. It's probably a bit pricier than other catering options, but it was 150% worth it. The planning process was smooth, easy and they made our unique needs happen seamlessly!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 11/04/2020
Thank you for your kind review, Megan! We enjoyed celebrating your special day in Universi...
ty Hall, and are very happy you and your guests had a great time at McNamara.
Erin L
5.0
6/29/2020
My fiance and I looked at McNamara last year because of the gorgeous architecture we saw in photos. Neither of us are U of MN alumni (I'm actually a UW-Madison grad), but we reall...
y loved the space. We chose McNamara, however, because of the amazing people we met along the way. From our first encounter with Sari, we felt like this was the right place for our wedding. We then met Courtney and she was so helpful with planning the little details throughout the day. We were SO excited to have our wedding there in May 2020.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our wedding due to COVID-19. Because of the uncertainties with COVID-19, we ended up getting hitched in a small ceremony at our home.
While we didn't get to experience an actual wedding day there, I still wanted to leave a review for McNamara, because they really couldn't have been more amazing throughout the WHOLE process, even through canceling. I so appreciated their understanding and willingness to help through a really unfortunate time. I really think everyone should consider this venue, not only because of how beautiful it is, but really because the people are so great. Thank you to Sari and Courtney for being so amazing.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 06/30/2020
Erin - Thank you for your incredibly generous review! Although you weren't able to enjoy y...
our wedding celebrations at McNamara, we are so glad that you had positive experiences with our team during every phase. We wish you and Jared the absolutely best, and hope you stop by McNamara to visit and maybe take a few photos. :) Thanks, again!
Keiran V
5.0
2/15/2020
This venue is stunning and from the beginning they were so easy to work with. They were so personable and kind without being pretentious. It is such a unique venue and I love their...
incorporation of students into the event! Things went so smoothly and we kept getting compliments on the venue. Their staff was so supportive and kind.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 02/17/2020
Thank you for the very kind words, Keiran! We loved celebrating your NYE wedding, and are ...
so glad you had a positive experience with McNamara and our team. We wish the best to you and Jeff!
Samantha D
5.0
1/07/2020
Had such an amazing experience planning my wedding at McNamara Alumni Center! The architecture in this building is one for the books and makes for an intimate but also very open re...
ception space. They also have so many rooms to work with to make it an easy flow for your guests to not be stuck in one room for the entire day. The staff were also amazing and answered everyone of my questions, no matter how crazy they were! Also, it was great that D'Amico was the caterer there and you could tell they have a good relationship and were in sync. Was one less thing to worry about having to coordinate the caterer and the reception site. Would highly recommend this to anyone wants a more unique venue with a lot of space.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 01/07/2020
Thank you so much for the lovely review, Samantha! We loved celebrating your special day w...
ith you and Brandon, and wish you both so much happiness in your marriage! Thank you for choosing McNamara!
Britta M
5.0
12/14/2019
We were impressed with several aspects - the professionalism of the staff from the early planning stages to the day of the wedding, the flexibility of the staff when we realized we...
had to add some guests last minute, and how unique the space was. So many guests complimented on the architecture and the beauty of the space. I also loved our photos showcasing the outside of the building. Catering through D'Amico was amazing; their food is top notch. It was the perfect place for our wedding reception.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 12/17/2019
Thank you for the kind review, Britta! We are so glad that McNamara could be a part of you...
r special day!
Alison S
5.0
5/14/2019
Choosing the McNamara Alumni Center as our reception venue was an amazing choice! The space is unique and spacious, so it does not feel crowded and there is plenty of space for a d...
ance floor, cocktail hour/apps, bar, decor, and seating. Our guests raved about the space and talked about how beautiful it was all night. I chose this space based on the location (in the city, but not too far off the freeway and good parking options) and because I did not have to decorate the space much (aside from the tables). The water fountains, wood work, and metallic wall complimented our simple lace, gold, greenery, and floral decorations. Additionally, the staff is great to work with! They answered all of our questions promptly and helped us construct a timeline for our reception. I would highly recommend this space for a wedding reception!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 05/15/2019
Alison - Thank you so much for the incredible review! Paul's and your wedding was stunning...
, and we are so happy McNamara was able to be a part of your special day!
Elyssa J
5.0
4/06/2019
Wonderful staff, great & honest communication from the day we booked until the day of our wedding! Shannon was our coordinator and she is awesome. She did all of our set up because...
I didn’t hire a day of coordinator. I was really nervous because the ceremony was at a different location but she took care of everything - and made me feel at ease!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 04/19/2019
Thank you for the sweet review, Elyssa! Shannon really enjoyed working with you, and I'm s...
o glad your wedding day went so smoothly! We loved having your wedding at McNamara, and are looking forward to hopefully seeing you and Michael soon!
Cari S
5.0
1/14/2019
We got so many compliments on our venue and how unique it was. You pretty much don't need any decor because the structure itself is so beautiful! The staff were great and there if...
/when we needed anything.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 04/19/2019
We're so glad you enjoyed your wedding day at McNamara, and thank you for letting us be ap...
art of it! We take pride in the beauty and uniqueness of our venue, and are so happy to hear your guests enjoyed it as well! Thank you for the great review, Cari!
Kelly T
5.0
11/13/2018
We had the most beautiful wedding at McNamara Alumni Center!! The staff were amazing to work with and had all of our details covered. We felt so confident going into the day that e...
verything would be taken care of - and it was! The space was GORGEOUS and we got so many compliments on how beautiful it was. Large bathrooms, windows and amazing architecture. I would highly recommend booking McNamara Alumni Center for your wedding venue!
anonymous u
5.0
10/26/2018
This was the first place that we checked out during one of their open houses and we instantly knew this is where we wanted our reception. We had a small wedding so we went with the...
University hall. Our guests had a great time, nothing but super positive feedback. The staff for both the venue and the caterer (D'Amico) were so helpful with everything, from booking to planning and all the day-of details. We rented our center pieces from McNamara and the caterer. They did all the set up and take down, we just had to provide anything we needed set up the day before. We highly recommend this venue.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 10/26/2018
Thank you for your nice comments. Alaina and the rest of our team enjoyed working with you...
, too!
Marie M
4.0
9/30/2018
Hosting our reception at the McNamara Alumni Center was by far one of the best decisions we made regarding our July 2018 wedding. The staff was incredibly responsive and helpful wh...
en we had questions or concerns before the wedding. The venue itself is stunning and required only minimal additions to add our touches as a couple. The only reason why we can't give the McNamara 5 stars is that we didn't have much contact from the day-of event staff. Our incredible event coordinator wasn't able to be at the venue on the day of our wedding. We had names but staff for that day but we never met them. It would have been nice to put a name to a face just in case we needed them.
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 10/26/2018
Thank you, Marie, for your review. We're pleased that you were happy with your choice of M...
cNamara Alumni Center. I'm sorry you did not meet our staff who were there that night. It can be a delicate balance between making ourselves visible and letting the bride and groom enjoy their celebration with friends and family.
Leah M
5.0
8/30/2018
We loved working with McNamara Alumni Center! They were very professional and the event space was gorgeous! We are Gopher Alumni and we met in college so it meant a lot to be able ...
to have our wedding here. We loved the communication between the caterer D'amico and the alumni center it made things a lot easier for us! They were as attentive or hands off as you wanted them to be and were very helpful and professional! The only thing that was unfortunate for us was we ended up going through three different McNamara wedding coordinators by the time we ended up getting married. They all found other great job opportunities somewhere else which was great and I doubt this happens to all the couples. But it was a little bit challenging for us to meet someone then get passed along to another person especially because we were from out of town so we weren't able to meet with them very often. They all ended up taking good notes and when they passed us off, the new coordinator knew for the most part where to pick up from. But otherwise everything else worked out well!
Response from McNamara Alumni Center on 08/30/2018
Leah:
We enjoyed having you back on campus. We love having alumni choose McNamara for the...
ir wedding celebration and thank you for the 5-star rating! We are sorry you had 3 different coordinators but yes, we did have some turnover in staff. We try to maintain our high customer service standards despite unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for understanding. Our best to you and Ben.
The McNamara events team
John S
5.0
3/22/2018
This was the last place we went to see before we made our decision. I had been to events here before and knew it was gorgeous. My wife fell in love with it instantly because of the...
unique characteristics of the venue, the meaning behind the materials used and the history that was so prominently displayed throughout. It also meant something to us that the McNamara would always be there and we could always go back and reminisce on our big day!
Everything from the planning and coordination of the event, all the way to the wedding day, was perfect. We worked with Bekah and we could not have asked for a better person to get us through the madness of planning a wedding! She was personable, knowledgeable and incredibly professional. She was also really responsive every time we had a question or wanted advice on a decision we needed to make.
The venue was beautiful, D'Amico catering was phenomenal and EVERYTHING turned out just as we had hoped. Everything about the McNamara is top notch and we are so glad that we chose it for our wedding!
Teréz I
5.0
9/30/2017
Everything was wonderful! We've heard wonderful things from all our guests, and we have to say that we agree--our wedding day was pretty much better than we ever could've hoped for...
. Our coordinator, Rebekah Nelson, and her staff helped it go so smoothly. A wedding is a pretty stressful thing to plan, obviously, so having the staff at McNamara to help guide us through the process was such a huge benefit. Just awesome!
Erin L
5.0
9/25/2017
We recently had our ceremony and reception at McNamara, and we were beyond impressed with our entire experience. Alex, our wedding coordinator, was amazing from the beginning and h...
elped us ensure every detail was taken care of before and during our wedding day. She also worked seamlessly with all of our vendors, and Damico, the caterer, was fantastic as well. We are still hearing about how great the food was! Overall, this was a beautiful venue with unmatched service, and we couldn't have imagined a more perfect experience. I would highly recommend McNamara to anyone!
Rachel R
5.0
9/01/2017
We had our wedding ceremony and reception at McNamara Alumni Center and it was beautiful. Alaina, our wedding coordinator from the venue, was awesome and with D'Amico, the caterer,...
they did an amazing job! McNamara is such a beautiful and unique venue, I heard great things about the food (especially the cake), and it was so easy and smooth to plan with the great partnership. Highly recommended!!!
Christiane J
5.0
6/25/2017
We had our wedding reception at Mc Namara Alumni Center - at the University Hall Room - and we can't say enough of how amazing it was!!! Alex Vekich- our wedding coordinator from t...
he venue- was extremely helpful and with Damico - the caterer- they did a phenomenal job! The place itself is beautiful, the food was very complimented, and it was so easy to do all the wedding planning with their group! Highly recommended!!!
Heather H
5.0
6/20/2017
I truly can't say enough positive remarks about McNamara. It was the perfect place for our wedding. We wanted something unique for our day and also for our guests to enjoy. We rece...
ived so many compliments on the beauty of the space.
The entire planning process and communication was superb. The staff are experts in events and it was very clear. We worked with Alex V. and she was amazing to work with every step of the way. Timely responses, answers to all of our questions that we likely asked a thousand times before, and just a joy to work with. We were lucky to have her!
If you're looking for a different venue aside from the standard ballroom, I highly recommend McNamara!
Rachel K
5.0
6/07/2017
This was the first venue we toured and we didn't have to look anywhere else! We met while we were both in undergrad at the U of M, so this was a perfect choice for our wedding cere...
mony and reception. Having the reception in Memorial Hall was just beautiful, and the Johnson Great Room served as the perfect, intimate ceremony space. The staff was wonderful to work with and very responsive through the whole process. We enjoyed everything about our planning process and the day of the wedding! We are just getting some pictures back now and this venue makes the most beautiful backdrop (inside and out). Our guests were amazed with the space as well! Overall just a fantastic experience with the MAC.
Rachelle G
5.0
1/09/2017
I had my Wedding Ceremony in the Johnson Great Room and my Reception in the Memorial Hall! Absolutely Beautiful for both and the staff was so accommodating and helpful all the way ...
up until the wedding day itself. The pictures turned out amazing and so unique. The building is gorgeous for a wedding no matter the size. My guests still talk about how open and beautiful it was! When my (now) Husband and I toured the McNamara Alumni Center, we knew we didn't have to go anywhere else and we wanted our wedding there. We fell in the love the moment we stepped into the building. If you're debating on seeing this venue in person, WE recommend you do it. You wont be disappointed!!!
Sydnie E
5.0
1/07/2017
McNamara Alumni Center was a beautiful event space. The natural light there is amazing. The food is great. The staff are responsive, friendly, and professional. I'd recommend McNam...
ara to anyone I know.
Sarah M
5.0
1/06/2017
McNamara was a beautiful venue for my wedding - I really couldn't have imagined it any better. The staff was so friendly and helpful. There's nothing I would do differently if I di...
d it all over again. So happy!
Gillian S
5.0
1/04/2017
McNamara went above and beyond to make our wedding the night of our lives! The food with D'Amico was perfect. McNamara will email or call you back within a couple hours of you cont...
acting them. They always answer your questions and make you feel special. Guests are still talking about how BEAUTIFUL our venue and wedding was. The photos at McNamara are AMAZING!
Christina C
5.0
1/04/2017
Everything went very smoothly at McNamara! We loved the beautiful space, top notch food, and excellent service. Would highly recommend, we were so glad we chose McNamara for our ...
winter wedding.
Kelsey F
5.0
1/04/2017
We used this venue for our ceremony and it was beautiful! They were so friendly and worked with us on every level. I appreciate everything they did to make our day so perfect. I wo...
uld highly recommend off price, location, building and staff!
Emily D
5.0
12/31/2016
As a fiance of an Architect, I knew I needed to find a venue that spoke for itself. The architecture of McNamara is stunning! We did our first look in the Heritage Gallery against ...
the backdrop of thesis books. We held a romantic ceremony in Johnson Hall with flowers and candles against the copper wall. And threw an unforgettable reception in Memorial Hall. One of the main reasons why McNamara made the perfect venue for our December wedding is because of it's location and amenities. Both Commons Hotel and the University Parking ramp are connected to McNamara through a tunnel meaning our guests did not have to go outside which is comforting because you never know what the weather would be like in Minnesota in December.
I cannot thank Rebekah and the team at McNamara enough for helping us create a wedding that surpassed all of our dreams. I highly recommend McNamara Alumni Center to anyone looking for an unforgettable venue in the twin cities!
Andrea P
5.0
11/14/2016
Beautiful venue, our guests raved about it! Perfect for U of M alumni too :)
Lisa R
5.0
9/21/2016
The venue is beautiful, and they work well with you to make it unique to your needs. The staff is flexible, cheerful and accommodating. They were a joy to work with and made this p...
ortion of planning extremely smooth. They were on top of our details, and made sure we thought of everything. From our first contract signing to end of the night cleanup, we had absolutely no complaints, only praises.
Glendon H
5.0
10/24/2014
Our wedding at the McNamara Alumni Center was phenomenal. The food was amazing, the service was wonderful, and for $14,000 and 150 guests, I'd say that's a pretty good deal.
Meghan K
5.0
8/01/2014
McNamara Alumni Center was a TRUE lifesaver in throwing our wedding! Our original venue flooded just weeks before our wedding and we had to find an alternative. We were so lucky th...
at McNamara just happened to have availability when they usually book years in advance! We worked with both Kim and Alaina and they were beyond amazing while helping us throw together a new wedding in just weeks! Everything was so incredible and the day was more perfect that we could have ever dreamed! Thank you McNamara!!
Megs M
5.0
7/07/2014
We recently had our wedding in the Johnson room at the McNamara and our reception was in Memorial Hall. We absolutely love this place! We fell in love with the architecture and kne...
w we had to have our wedding here.
In the Johnson room we had candles on all the ledges with yellow flowers accenting the aisle-way. It was a beautiful ceremony. We also had a reader, a vocalist/guitarist, the DJ, a wine box ceremony and a wedding party of 12 (counting us). It was the perfect size and felt intimate even though we had about 165 people.
Then we had the cocktail hour/dinner/dance in Memorial hall. Heritage gallery was also open to the wedding party during cocktail hour and we also had a kids room which they absolutely loved!
In Memorial hall we had cafe lighting as well as some uplighting by the cake/presents/bar area. We also had some fun gobo lighting on the walls of the Mcnamara for the dance to make it more fun. There were also candles in the water feature. We had yellow centerpiece flowers of two different heights which looked great in the room and we had a rock theme too (rock table #'s, stacked rocks for table decorations in addition to the flowers and rocks that held peoples name cards, rocks people signed as a guestbook). The rock theme worked perfectly with the venue.
The people at the McNamara were also great to work with. They walk you through every stage and you always get updated seating charts and timelines so you are all on the same page. They also met with my lighting group and DJ to help answer questions. They are very friendly and receptive to helping you. In fact when our pastor bailed on the rehearsal the day before, they stepped in and ran through the rehearsal with the wedding party so we still got to practice. It was much appreciated and helped relieve some stress!
I highly recommend this place. It is a bit spendy with the catering from D'Amico but people keep talking about how great it was and how beautiful it was. In addition, our photos are great and we are getting a 40 x 60 canvas of us outside the venue at night with a little rain on us. We couldn't have had such great photos without the great setting. Also, the commons hotel is good to book if you pick this place (more great photo opportunities).
You will feel very special if you have your wedding here. Ours truly felt magical!
Kelsey M
5.0
7/01/2014
McNamara was simply amazing! Their staff was friendly and helpful and really knew their stuff. The service was out of this world. Truly for what you pay, you get so much. I am a...
n event coordinator for a living and they knocked my socks off and made for a stress free wedding, that people just raved about. I would reccomd McNamara to anyone looking for a stunning wedding venue.
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McNamara Alumni Center
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