Six Amazing Downtown Saint Paul Wedding Photo Locations

Wedding Photo Locations in Downtown Saint Paul, MN | Rachel Lahlum Photography

|August 19, 2022


Downtown Minneapolis is a popular place for wedding photos but downtown St. Paul is just as amazing. While Minneapolis boasts of dramatic sky-scapes and industrial boom, St. Paul embraces its original historical elegance.

St. Paul requires photography permits for all commercial-use photography and videography—however, weddings are considered non-commercial, meaning no permit is necessary to take photos in public parks (the exception being Como Conservatory).

There are countless venues in the downtown St. Paul area — odds are, you’ll see your venue on this list:

  • A’BULAE
  • 413 on Wacouta
  • Lowertown Event Center
  • The Saint Paul Hotel
  • Landmark Center
  • Science Museum of Minnesota
  • The Intercontinental Hotel – St. Paul
  • Saint Paul Athletic Club
  • 317 on Rice Park
  • The Great Hall
  • Saint Paul Union Depot
  • Minnesota Boat Club
  • Harriet Island Pavilion
  • Earl and Wilson Event Center
  • CHS Field
  • Minnesota History Center
  • St. Paul Athletic Club
  • St. Paul Event Center

If you’re planning a wedding at any of the venues above, or you’re just looking for some beautiful architecture in St. Paul for wedding photos, you’ll absolutely want to check out the following nearby locations!

Six Amazing Downtown St. Paul, MN Photography Locations:

Saint Paul Union Depot

About: Neoclassical style designed by the noted American architect Charles Sumner Frost in 1913. This breathtaking space is one of the few public buildings in the Twin Cities allowing anyone to enter, explore, and take professional photos (provided the spaces aren’t already booked for a private event). My favorite features are the head house’s tall exterior pillars, the painted wrought iron, the pink marble foyer, and the green-glass chandelier (which looks completely different at night!).

Couple stands between large stone columns holding hands at Saint Paul Union Depot.
Couple in ceremonial South Asian wedding attire stands in front of St. Paul Union Depot.
Groom twirls bride under glass ceiling fixture inside the lobby of Saint Paul Union Depot.

Rice Park

A popular space for wedding photography, Rice Park is full of diverse backdrops within a city block. The exterior of the Landmark Center is castle-like with stately stone architecture. The marble of the James J. Hill building is enchanting and regal, sporting the highest standards in nineteenth-century taste. And if you’re staying at the St. Paul Hotel, their tiny little garden is available to newlyweds.

Bride and groom pose for a formal wedding portrait in Rice Park in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Bride and groom pose for a portrait under an archway made of foliage in Rice Park.
Bride and groom kiss in front of historic Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul, MN.
Newlywed couple hold hands in front of fountain at St. Paul’s Rice Park.

The Landmark Center

This is the castle-like building on the north end of Rice Park. Although the building is a public space, photographers hoping to use the indoor spaces must receive a photo pass in advance (unless you’ve already booked the building for your event).

The Landmark Center was completed in 1902 and was built to serve as federal purposes, operating as both a U.S. Customs House and Post Office for the Upper Midwest Region. The building, designed by Willoughby J. Edbrooke, took ten years to complete (Edbrooke passed away in 1896, never seeing the finished Landmark Center). After years of abuse from its tenants—including removal of marble, painting walls in only federally approved colors—the building was slated for demolition 1972. Minnesota citizens banded together and saved the Landmark Center by turning the building into a public space and gaining a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The most striking features of the Landmark Center are is steep red roof, turrets with conical green roofs, and daunting towers. Inside the building a luxurious marble malls, 20-foot ceilings, and generous sky-lighting.

Here’s more information on how to secure a photo pass, along with guidelines: https://www.landmarkcenter.org/photography-guidelines/.

Bride and groom pose for a portrait in archway on balcony inside the Landmark Center.
Bride and groom kiss under the bride’s veil in marble entryway of the Landmark Center.
Groom stands and laughs behind a chair with the bride seated during a wedding portrait in Lobby of St. Paul’s Landmark Center.
Newlyweds kiss in the middle of a foyer with high-vaulted skylights in the Landmark Center in Saint Paul, MN.
Bride and groom embrace and kiss on marble stairway inside the Landmark Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Irvine Park

This park occupying a single city block is a pocket of serenity in the heart of one of St. Paul’s most historic neighborhoods. Irvine park has served as a gathering place for St. Paul residents for over a century. Stone and marble mansions, many of which are still standing, were erected around the park, lending a feeling of prestige from one St. Paul’s eras of industrial boom. Hewn stone stairs lead you down to a multi-tiered fountain (a replica of the park’s original, which was torn down in the mid-twentieth century and sold for scrap) wrought with detail. Heritage oak trees provide ample shade throughout the park.

Links to irvine park info: https://www.historicirvinepark.org/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvine_Park_Historic_District

Groom kisses bride on forehead behind fountain in Irvine Park in St. Paul, MN.
Bride and groom walk arm in arm in Irvine Park.
Bride and groom hold hands and look at each other in St. Paul’s Irvine Park.
Newlyweds hold hands and look into each other’s eyes for wedding portrait at Irvine Park.
Groom takes bride’s hand by fountain in Irvine Park in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Mears Park

Located in the heart of downtown St. Paul’s Lowertown district, Mears Park is tranquil with seasonal flower gardens, a small stream, and trees. There are several wedding venues within walking distance, and it’s a frequented space for outdoor photos. If you explore carefully, there are some amazing little alleys and brick walls to juxtapose the park vibe!

Bridal party lock arms and walk forward in snowy winter wedding at Mears Park in St. Paul, MN.
Bride and groom pose in front of bridal party in Mears Park in Lowertown, St. Paul.
Bride and bridesmaids laugh under tree cover in Saint Paul’s Mears Park.
Groom walks in front of groomsmen at Mears Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Newlyweds pose for wedding portrait in brick alley by Mears Park.

Seventh Place Plaza

Seventh Place Plaza – Seventh Place is not a park, but a pedestrian-only street. Found between St. Peter and Wabasha, just north of W. 6th Street, this historic little stretch of road is surrounded by theaters and murals that lay testament to some of St. Paul’s most iconic places.

Bride and groom pose for wedding portrait in Seventh Place Plaza in St. Paul, MN.
Bride and maid-of-honor pose in Saint Paul’s Seventh Place Plaza
Groom and Best Man pose by mural at Seventh Place Plaza in St. Paul, MN.
Newly wed couple hold hands and smile at each other in alleyway by Seventh Place Plaza in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Bride and groom hold hands and laugh while walking away from historic theater by St. Paul’s Seventh Place Plaza.

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Rachel Lahlum is an award-winning Minneapolis wedding photographer with experience in hundreds of weddings and engagement sessions. She takes a guided approach towards working with couples, from helping with planning and scheduling, to guiding with poses and prompts during the session. Her photography is crisp, clean and bright, with true-to-life colors and a mix of traditional poses, an eye for details, and candid moments.

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