Nicollet Island Pavilion

arm, and the river flowing just steps away. It created such a peaceful, picturesque backdrop for our day. But the inside of the pavilion is equally magical. The space is naturally beautiful, warm, and inviting, and we were amazed at how little decorating we actually needed to do. The venue truly speaks for itself. A huge part of our wonderful experience was thanks to our event manager, Morgan. She was hands down the easiest person to work with throughout the entire wedding process. Organized, calm, and endlessly patient, she made us feel like none of our ideas were too big or too much. We had a very large guest count (over 400 people) but Morgan never made us feel like this was an overwhelming task – she handled it with ease! Every meeting with her left us feeling more relaxed (something every stressed-out couple can appreciate!) She also handled all communication with our vendors directly, which took such a huge weight off our shoulders. By the end of the entire planning journey, it honestly felt like Morgan had become a close friend. The venue staff was equally impressive. On the wedding day, they handled all of our added table decor with so much care and precision—when we walked into the room, it looked exactly how we pictured it. Throughout the night, the staff was professional, attentive, and thoughtful. One moment that stood out was when they offered to keep our plates warm while we were busy greeting guests. It’s small gestures like that that make the night feel extra special. We’ve had countless guests rave not only about how beautiful the venue was but also how smoothly everything ran. Nicollet Island Pavilion gave us a wedding day even better than we imagined, and we’re so grateful for the unforgettable experience. Highly, highly recommended.

ed in making our day perfect. She consistently made herself available, listened to our ideas, and ensured every detail came together seamlessly. The Mintahoe staff was equally wonderful. The food was outstanding and we received compliments from our guests throughout the event, and the team on-site was warm, attentive, and professional throughout the evening. The venue itself was absolutely beautiful and created the perfect atmosphere for our celebration. We received so many kind words from friends and family about how amazing the event was, and we truly owe that to Morgan and the team. We are incredibly grateful and would highly recommend Nicollet Island Pavilion to any couple planning their special day!

day. We truly couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful celebration. Our guests also loved the venue, the food, and the overall flow of the day--we are incredibly grateful to the entire team.

answers for all of our questions. The day of the wedding she was so helpful getting everything in order just the way we wanted, and the day ran so smoothly thanks to her. All of the spaces at NIP are absolutely beautiful - the trees in the ceremony space are dreamy, the tent was perfect for cocktail hour, and the inside speaks for itself - it’s gorgeous. The food and service were great as well! We can’t say enough good things about our experience with NIP!!

nd provided excellent guidance and support throughout the planning process. On the day of our wedding, the venue was beautiful. The setup was perfect and spacious for our guests. The team's attention to detail ensured that our day went seamlessly. We were able to enjoy the day without worrying at all, thanks to the work of Morgan and her team. We also heard rave reviews from our guests on the location, space and experience. We cannot recommend Nicollet Island Pavilion enough!

mfortably for 340 guests. The space is beautiful, and the river-side ceremony with a view of the city skyline was exactly what we were looking for for our ceremony. The staff at Mintahoe was extremely helpful, flexible, and willing to work with us to make our day exactly what we hoped it would be. The food was great, and we appreciate the various options for service and meals that were provided. The coordination staff was also very supportive and accommodating, we worked with Morgan primarily, and had a superb experience - she made sure our planning process and all the events the day of went smoothly and without incident. Our guests had a great time at the wedding as well, and we got many comments about how amazing the venue was and how great the staff were. I would absolutely recommend Nicollet Island Pavilion, and the Mintahoe team to anyone who is in the process of planning their wedding. Our day was everything that we'd hoped it would be, in large part due to the team at NIP!

pace and so many stunning ceremony opportunities! The old mill style brick made our indoor ceremony stunning, they allowed our pups to play their roles inside or out as part of the wedding party, and the coordination could not have been easier. I need to give a gigantic shout out to the legend that is Morgan Brady. Morgan is beautiful, so very kind, and could not be more perfect at her job. If everyone had a venue coordinator like Morgan, every bride would have her perfect wedding day. She genuinely made us feel like her only clients when in reality, she is constantly supporting couples and events! She comforted us when the weather did not cooperate and ensured we didn’t compromise one bit on beauty OR guest comfort. Morgan is made for this industry and is an absolute dime of a person. Mintahoe was perfect to work with from start-to-finish and we couldn’t be more grateful! Please invest in NIP- rain or shine, You will NOT regret it! Thank you Morgan and Mintahoe Team so very much!!!

hich the event team executed flawlessly. They even made sure my husband and I had plates of all apps and main course food so we didn’t miss out amid all of the madness! The space is gorgeous - both inside, in the tent, and outside. It was just the welcoming, moody vibe we were looking for! Can’t recommend it enough!

was where I wanted. It fits both of our styles of a gorgeous outside and industrial inside. Working with Cyndi beforehand was great. She was very organized and on top of everything. On the day of, she was not very friendly and was extremely bossy and not very helpful to my friends that were setting everything up. We moved everything to the tent because "November in MN." That was totally fine and everything was beautiful. However, we paid for the heater and it wasn't turned on until a half hour before the ceremony. Everyone was still wearing their coats during the ceremony because the tent was not even close to warm. Luckily I provided blankets. My mom wanted to see if people could come into the reception area while waiting for the ceremony to start because it was so cold in the tent but Cyndi wasn't having it. My mom was almost in tears with how Cyndi talked to her. Our officiant had to calm my mom down on her daughters wedding day (which is not ok). As for the bar. Be very careful that your ceremony timeframe is accurate. We paid for an open bar (not cheap) but in the contract it has a timeframe which they don't budge even a minute. Our ceremony was 15 minutes shorter so they closed our bar for 15 minutes right before dinner. One of the bartenders was very rude and Cyndi said we would have to pay even more for just 15 minutes. People just wanted a drink with dinner and we said we had an open bar... Finally back to the good. The food was delicious. One person said that it was the best wedding food they've ever had. We also got late night pizza which I heard was good but never got to have any because they brought it out and didn't even let the bride or groom know it was out. The desserts I also heard were delicious. So all in all, the venue is stunning, the food is fantastic. But there are a lot of hidden fees that really sneak up after you agree to sign up with them. Cyndi was really on top of it beforehand. But she's kind of a B to deal with (if you're not the bride) and if you ask for anything on the day of. Even though we had some hiccups, we still had an amazing day and loved our venue.

the same location as the reception was a key element in our decision to use them. Even with a change in venue coordinators within two months of the wedding, they came through on every detail. A last minute rain storm brought the wedding ceremony under the tent, but NIP moved quickly to set up for us and even more quickly re-set to all cocktails to take place. The food was delicious, the lighting looked amazing, and they worked well with our other vendors, They worked with us through many changes due to pandemic restrictions and we were probably one of the first large weddings after those restrictions lifted. Several staff members were new but were very responsive to our needs.

eded. The planners were very helpful, especially for an out of town bride. They even allowed us to pick up forgotten items a couple of weeks later. The Mintahoe staff went above and beyond to ensure that our guests were comfortable. They even provided an extra plate full of mashed potatoes for a guest that had a unique pregnancy craving.

ng dates. My husband and I decided late July/early August that we were going downsize our wedding, change venues, and get married in September so it could be outdoors. Gabby helped with countless tasks and was incredibly pleasant, professional, organized, and always very responsive, replying quickly to e-mails. She made planning easier, less stressful, and less of a burden. She helped us pick out a menu since it was too short of notice for a tasting, helped with tent decorations, schedule/flow for the day, setting everything up day of, and much more. Our wedding day was beautiful, the food was great, and everything went smoothly. Nicollet Island Pavilion is a wonderful location and provides many opportunities for awesome pictures. It was as perfect of a day as it could be and we are so incredibly thankful!

hoe was so great to work with, and so incredibly helpful with helping us figure our all of our options. She was always so quick to respond to my many many emails with questions, so flexible with changing seating layouts, and other things due to my pandemic concerns. The venue was absolutely gorgeous, the food was good, and the day of our wedding I couldn't have asked for it to go any more smoothly (except the little cold weather snap!) Gabriella helped everything go perfectly and with smooth transitions and keeping with our timeline. I cannot recommend this venue enough!

e food is incredible- we seriously still have people texting us about it! Most importantly, Gabriella and her staff are absolutely wonderful. COVID had made an already stressful planning process incredibly difficult leaving us feeling defeated at times. However, every single time we met with Gabby we'd walk away feeling hopeful. She is everything and more you could ask for in a planner. Whether it was making changes to our proposal, deciding on draping with twinkle lights versus bare ceilings (go twinkle lights), or navigating the governor's orders, Gabby was there with a positive attitude every step of the way. Not only is she extremely kind, she showed us so much empathy which I find to be rare and I'll forever be grateful. Also, as a day of planner, she made sure that if anything went wrong they'd fix it and we would never have to hear about it (still haven't heard anything) which is HUGE on your wedding day that you just want to enjoy and soak everything in. With that being said, 11/10 recommend Nicollet Island for your wedding or event! It is seriously a dream and I'm so sad it's over!

ot, provide options, and make us feel at ease that our day would be perfect, no matter what. We truly couldn't have asked for more out of a venue/venue coordinator. The breathtaking views, super friendly and accommodating staff/service, and absolutely delicious food and drinks. We are forever grateful for NIP and the Mintahoe staff for giving us the wedding day of our dreams!

by's and the staff's help. Gabby is professional, easy to work with, and provided great ideas when it came to trying to plan a social-distanced wedding. Our guests felt very safe and we were able to social distance while still feeling like we had a "normal" wedding. If you are wondering if this is the venue for you, do not hesitate!

g process and she was so patient and kind with all the complexities due to COVID. The day of the wedding all of the staff from the set up crew to the wait staff and bartenders were so friendly and catered to all of our needs. Last but not least-the food was delicious-from the passed appetizers to the meals served. We received many compliments from our guests on the venue and food! Such a wonderful experience from beginning to end!!

ards - and Gabby went above and beyond at every opportunity. We had a large wedding in Covid times which is difficult, but Mintahoe had excellent guidelines for us to follow and everyone worked together to insure that safety was first, and that the bride and groom had a wonderful day. I can't recommend them enough.

anning process (to include the wedding itself), but Gabriella and Emily made sure to prevent our distance planning from adding an extra layer of stress. The entire staff was so helpful and flexible, including the switch we had to make from an outdoor ceremony to an indoor ceremony at the last minute (thanks for that snow in October, Minneapolis!). A bit of advice: we had a live band and food stations at this venue and our guests are STILL raving about the music and the food. We were definitely nervous about straying from the traditional plated dinner and all of the logistics involved with live music, but those might've been the two best decisions we made! Gabriella was so kind, extremely patient, and a genuine pleasure to work with. We'll cherish the memories of our special day at this beautiful venue for years to come!

all, and loads of carnival games inside. Gabby and the rest of the Mintahoe team were great to work with and did everything they could to make sure our night was perfect!

mer wedding! The staff was very professional and helped to ensure everything went smoothly. The food was delicious and guests enjoyed the bar and large dance floor! Our wedding happened to fall on the city’s Aquatennial firework show and NIP had the BEST location for the firework show! We were worried about logistics however everything went as planned and the free parking was an added bonus for our guests! Definitely would recommend Nicollet Island Pavilion!! Beautiful venue and location!!

is skyline and the Mississippi River. The day was perfect! Nicollet Island Pavilion allowed for a cozy, spectacular wedding that easily fit our 250 person wedding. The event staff were so helpful and made sure the day went by seamlessly. We loved the combination of industrial, warm, and outdoorsy vibes and the surrounding area (St. Anthony Main) allows for beautiful wedding photos. One thing to note - with NIP, you don't have a choice on catering (Mintahoe is the sole vendor), which inherently means the price is on the higher end. Overall, we would highly recommend to anyone looking for their special day to be in the heart of Minneapolis.

experience. But the new consultant Gabriella was awesome. I loved working with her. She was responsive, professional, and organized. If you can work with Gabriella, she will take care of you and it will be perfect! Our day was flawless and she went above and beyond to help us achieve our vision. Thank you Gabriella!

o the new years pricing, which I would assume is added every year. The tasting is fun, but you won't have the opportunity to try many of the items that you might want to add to your menu. We took a risk on appetizers that we didn't sample and I was not impressed. However, the main course was good. The venue coordinator had no knowledge of the menu or the venue in general. She could not answer any of my questions regarding the appetizers or dessert options. So overall, if you have an unlimited budget and can hire someone else to do the planning for you (rather than the onsite venue coordinator) then this is the venue for you!

(all of which combined lowered the quality of the venue). The positive - the staff were very friendly and approachable. The event flow from outdoor to indoor was seamless. The day of team seemed to keep things moving smoothly Some points of improvement- 1) catering was average, not stellar and something that we will talk about for months to come. My understanding is that you are restricted to the venues caterer, which is convenient for the planning but leaves something to be desired for the food 2) the indoor hanging lights combined with the exposed green pipes on the inside are outdated and make the venue look cheaper than it is. The more elegant venues we've seen have gorgeous chandeliers or the ceilings are taller and more elegant. The cafe lights with the hunter green color of the pipes and doors made the decor look cheap. Seems like a darker paint, or replacing the lights would be a worthwhile investment... 3) the grounds outside needed a clean up. The Minneapolis skyline in the background and the river are stunning, unfortunately the ground/concrete/stone outside needed a serious power washing and the decking outside could use a sand and stain...(or could be Trex material) All in all guests had a great time as we did! But if you're looking for a place every bride- and groom-to-be at your wedding wants to book after you, id look elsewhere.

is was it. The beautiful water landscape and rustic pavilion are truly one of a kind in Minneapolis. Tracy and her staff were the best - we sent a lot of emails finalizing the food, decor details, and schedule. She was always responsive, professional, and organized. Many of our guests said the location was the most incredible. Her staff (including the bartenders, security, and banquet staff) were friendly and accommodating - even making sure we had cocktails, appetizers, and dessert since we were having so much fun enjoying our day.

was perfectly set for our guests and everything was just as we pictured it would be.

prices go up in May for "Summer" season. We got married the end of April, had great weather, and saved half the costs! Thank you again, NIP!

ittle additional decor. It's the perfect place for having an outdoor ceremony as it is beautiful against the river & the falls. The other thing about the ceremony is that if it rains, there is a perfect back up for the ceremony as it can take place under the canopied patio as well. The canopied patio is also perfect for cocktail hour. Mintahoe is simply the best. We had an event planner (Tracy McCarthy) who handled everything beautifully. She gave great advice ,follow up to every phone calls. (We made a lot of them) and solved any little hiccups that needed attention on the day of the ceremony. The food was really excellent and the variety you are able to offer your guests is unmatched. You can have as many entree choices as you want and you can pair them with many different sides. We wanted appetizers that were unique and they accommodated our requests. The staff for the event were very polite, professional and pleasant. The meals were delivered quickly, the bar staff really made it happen, the cake cutting and coffee as well as the late night snacks were all just perfect. The other great things about the venue include convenient parking and nice hotels close to the pavilion . The park and river are absolutely gorgeous places for photos, the lights from the city and the stone arch bridge are wonderful back drops for the sunset and night photos. All of our friends commented on the beauty of the venue and the quality of food & service. Honestly, I am quite particular & I am unable to come up with any "cons". The only con would be that the venue books up very quickly., which of course, happens when the news gets out about how perfect the staff and venue are at NIP. We feel so lucky to have had this special event at this very special venue.

!

were very involved and relieved us of any stress the day of the wedding, which was obviously very much appreciated. The food and drinks were also very good and I would highly recommend NIP to anyone seeking a fabulous wedding venue in Mpls.

(with Mintahoe) were amazing to work with - they were very quick to respond to questions and so pleasant! They really went above and beyond to make our day even more perfect than what we had envisioned. If you are looking for a one-stop-shop that provides a low-stress, excellent planning experience we highly recommend Nicollet Island Pavilion and Mintahoe! It is such a gorgeous venue and our guests are still raving about the food :) Special thanks again to Tracy for being there with us on the big day and making sure everything went off without a hitch! Such an overwhelmingly great experience!

and beverage prices are high but everything tasted great. Tracy was wonderful to work with and helped with all of my questions and concerns. Our wedding was over the Aquatennial firework show and that was such a treat for our guests to have a front row seat. Highly recommend!

hour, and inside the pavilion was beautiful, spacious, and perfect for dinner and dancing. We really enjoyed working with the Mintahoe team. Kalie and Ally do an amazing job! We would recommend Nicollet Island Pavilion to anyone looking for a wedding venue in the Twin Cities.

It is walking distance from the Nicollet Island Inn which made it really easy to coordinate logistics of getting ready with photographer and videographer, if you choose to get ready there. The grounds around Nicollet Island are gorgeous. Endless photo/video opportunities with green space/river/bridges/exterior of Pavilion. A big factor for us was that we wanted an outdoor ceremony, and NIP provided a great back up option for bad weather with the permanent tent that has great views of the river. We had nice weather, which meant cock tail hour was underneath the tent and decking around the river - easily our favorite space for cocktail hour that we saw. Inside the venue is beautiful as you can see with pictures. Lots of options for decoration/lighting/ table set up, etc. I do believe that some of the 'extras' were unfairly priced, but balanced out with the option to split a few 'extra' costs with other wedding same weekend if you agree to same items. The entire staff was fantastic to work with. Two main shoutouts for the staff. First, to the event planner, Kalie, who is great at her job, super helpful, responsive, and very easy/pleasant person to work with. Second, the event captain (Tyler) we had during the wedding was very attentive, personal, and kind. Example: He noticed the maid of honor was so nervous for her speech that she did not touch any of her food. He offered to box it up, reheat it and serve again after her speech, and then encouraged her right before...That is service. Everything went off without a hitch, and I felt like we were in excellent hands in case anything did go wrong. We heard excellent reviews about the food, venue, service, and beauty of the location.