Wedding photography and videography in Rochester and Winona, Minnesota, from VIDART — a Madison, Wisconsin studio that works across Rochester, Winona and the bluff country of southeastern Minnesota with no travel fee anywhere in our service area. Half-day and full-day rates, digital delivery included, no hourly surprises.
Local knowledge. The 18 Rochester-area venues listed below are places we know well or have scouted; we plan your timeline around their light, not a generic one.
Simple pricing. $1,500 for a half day (up to 5 hours) or $3,000 for a full day (up to 10 hours), delivered as edited high-resolution JPGs in an online gallery and on a USB flash drive, with a print release. Albums, prints and archive drives are optional add-ons.
Photo and video from one team. Add videography at the same rate: one crew, one timeline, one contract.
Rochester wedding venues we photograph
These are the Rochester-area venues couples ask us about most. The notes are the things that matter when we plan a wedding day there — where the light is, whether the ceremony is indoors or out, what the room looks like once the dancing starts.
Downtown, hotels, historic and industrial spaces
- Plummer House (Rochester, MN – Historic Southwest / Pill Hill, up to 100 guests) — City-owned 1917-24 Tudor mansion on 11 landscaped acres with formal gardens, ponds, quarry and water tower; house plus grounds rental; grounds are shady and park closes at sunset so no late summer golden hour; only first floor accessible.
- Kahler Grand Hotel (Downtown Rochester, MN, up to 450 guests) — Historic hotel linked to Mayo Clinic by skyway and underground concourse; Elizabethan Ballroom (about 144) with original woodwork and fireplace; Heritage Hall up to 450 with chandeliers and 11-ft ceilings; dark interiors, plan for lighting.
- J. Powers at the Hilton Rochester (Downtown Rochester, MN, up to 400 guests) — Modern ballrooms with 19-ft ceilings, floor-to-ceiling city-view windows and chandeliers; fifth-floor rooftop terrace for ceremonies and skyline portraits; bridal and groom suites; on-site lodging.
- Rochester Art Center (with Mayo Civic Center) (Downtown Rochester, MN – Mayo Park, up to 250 guests) — Modern museum with wave-shaped glass wall and abundant natural light; riverfront south plaza and Mayo Park outside; skyway access; interior photo access depends on current exhibition.
- Crawford Hall and Floral Hall at Graham Park (Rochester, MN – Graham Park fairgrounds, up to 340 guests) — Crawford Hall: brick walls, glass-block windows, tall open ceilings and a landscaped courtyard for ceremonies; Floral Hall: 1938 two-story limestone building with open mezzanine and large upper windows (about 300).
- Blue Moon Ballroom (Rochester, MN, up to 268 guests) — Dedicated ballroom with large dance floor and low ambient lighting; no natural light to speak of, bring off-camera flash; outside catering.
- The Midway (Kasson / Mantorville, MN, up to 292 guests) — Modern open-concept venue built 2024 about 15 minutes west of Rochester; flexible layout; newest large venue in Dodge County.
- Oak on the Water Events (Pine Island, MN, up to 250 guests) — Recently renovated rural event space with both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception areas; outside catering.
- Visions Event Center at Signatures (Winona Golf and Dining) (Winona, MN – 22852 County Rd 17, up to 300 guests) — Seven event spaces including 7,500 sq ft Visions ballroom, Summer House and private dining room; large windows overlook bluffs and Bridges Golf Course; garden paths and fountains; reception ceiling lit like a night sky.
Barns, gardens, country clubs and wineries
- Mayowood Stone Barn (Rochester, MN – Mayowood estate, up to 300 guests) — Century-old stone barn under 6 mi from downtown; outdoor ceremony under a huge draping oak behind the barn; Carriageway reception hall and Blacksmith’s Shop cocktail room; climate-controlled year-round; bridal and groom suites.
- Rochester Golf and Country Club (Rochester, MN, up to 300 guests) — Private club near downtown; Winged Foot Ballroom with large windows over the course; seasonal patio ceremonies; one wedding per day; course photos need manager approval.
- Somerby Golf Club (Byron, MN, up to 330 guests) — English-manor style clubhouse just west of Rochester; the Great Hall, lighted signature tree and 18-hole course views; bridal suite.
- Garten Marketplatz Perennial Farms (Byron, MN, up to 150 guests) — Perennial flower farm; carriage house with dark beams, Edison bulbs and brick pillars; flower gardens and pergola patios for ceremonies; 100 guests in winter; bridal, groom and kids rooms.
- Vindauga Event Center at Stewartville Golf Club (Stewartville, MN, up to 500 guests) — Second-floor Fairway Room with 30-ft vaulted spruce-beam ceiling and golf-course views; outdoor ceremony on the course; bridal suite.
- Pond View Barn (Pine Island, MN, up to 250 guests) — Restored 1890s family-farm barn with timber-frame hall and mezzanine loft; pond, pine groves and rolling hills for portraits; stone-walled bridal suite; covered reception, outdoor ceremony.
- Spruce Hill Event Center (Zumbrota, MN – Minneola Township, up to 200 guests) — White-on-white barn with high ceilings and tall windows; secluded hilltop with views in every direction and strong sunsets; outdoor ceremony among spruce trees; bridal suite and groom’s quarters.
- Cedar Creek Barn (Winona, MN – Cedar Creek Valley, up to 300 guests) — Red barn with white interior plus 3,200 sq ft pavilion; hilltop ceremony site with wide valley views on 100+ acres; bonfire area; bluff-country backdrop.
- Round Barn Farm B&B and Event Center (Red Wing, MN, up to 300 guests) — 1914 National Register round barn on 35 acres along the Mississippi bluffs; two outdoor ceremony sites; open-sided pavilion with string-lit patio; 1861 brick manor B&B with five rooms and bridal suite for getting ready.
If your venue is not listed, it is almost certainly somewhere we can scout before your date — ask when you check availability.
Getting married in the Rochester area: licenses and civil ceremonies
Marriage licenses for Rochester weddings come from the county, not the city. In Olmsted County, MN the office is the Vital Records and Licensing, Olmsted County Government Center at 151 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. The license fee is $125 ($50 with signed and notarized premarital education statement). Waiting period: 5 days under MN law (district judge may waive). Courthouse ceremonies are available in Olmsted County, MN: court administrator performs civil ceremonies at the Government Center rotunda or on the Zumbro River bank behind the building, weekdays only, about $200, book by phone 2-4 weeks ahead; license appointments via county online booking system. Rules and fees change, so confirm on the official page before you book a date. If you are planning a courthouse or civil ceremony, our half-day coverage ($1,500) covers the ceremony, a celebration meal and portraits nearby.
| County | License fee | Waiting period | Courthouse / civil ceremony | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olmsted County, MN Vital Records and Licensing, Olmsted County Government Center | $125 ($50 with signed and notarized premarital education statement) | 5 days under MN law (district judge may waive) | yes – court administrator performs civil ceremonies at the Government Center rotunda or on the Zumbro River bank behind the building, weekdays only, about $200, book by phone 2-4 weeks ahead; license appointments via county online booking system | official page |
| Winona County, MN Winona County Vital Records (Recorder’s Office) | n/a on county page (MN statewide fee is $125, or $50 with premarital education) | 5 days under MN law | n/a – office open Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30, call 507-457-6395 or [email protected] to ask about court ceremonies | official page |
| Goodhue County, MN Goodhue County Recorder’s Office, Government Center | $125 ($50 with 12 hours of premarital counseling, proof required) | 5 days under MN law; license valid 6 months | yes – civil ceremonies at Goodhue County Justice Center, 454 W 6th St, Red Wing, or in the park across the street weather permitting; schedule through Court Administration 651-267-4815; two witnesses 16+ | official page |
Where Rochester couples take their portraits
Portrait and engagement-session locations we recommend around Rochester. Where a park or garden requires a photography permit, we arrange it as part of the day.
- Plummer House grounds (Rochester, MN – Historic Southwest) — Tudor stone-and-wood mansion, formal gardens, ponds, quarry and water tower; mostly shade so good at midday; closes at dusk so no summer sunset. Permit: Grounds public sunrise to sunset unless privately reserved; interior photos require arrangement with manager; no fee listed for grounds.
- Quarry Hill Park (Rochester, MN – northeast) — Limestone bluff face, Harry L. Buck pond, pine stands, meadows and a creek with wooden bridges; best fall color and winter pines; crowded on weekends.
- Silver Lake Park (Rochester, MN) — Lawn, stone bridge and lake with skyline behind; neighboring Thompson Mill Race Park on the Zumbro; the largest central-city park alongside Soldiers Field.
- Downtown Rochester and Peace Plaza (Downtown Rochester, MN) — Red-brick back streets and stairways off 3rd St SW, Peace Plaza fountain and the Chateau Theatre marquee lights, Plummer Building and the Gonda Building glass walls; works year-round and in bad weather; parking-ramp rooftops for skyline shots.
- Rochester Art Center south plaza and Mayo Park river walk (Downtown Rochester, MN) — Modern wave-shaped glass facade next to the Zumbro River walk and Mayo Park; covered Civic Center walkways are a rain backup. Permit: RAC interior by appointment, about $55 per hour for 12 or fewer; plaza and river walk free.
- Chester Woods Park (Eyota / east Rochester, MN) — Large lake, meadows, forested bluff and wooden bridges; bluff faces west for afternoon and sunset light; expect walking. Permit: No entrance fee since 2022 per local guide; county park.
- Oxbow Park (Byron, MN) — Pine-covered hills, forested trails and the Zumbro River; strongest in winter with snow on the pines; dogs on leash; busy weekends.
- Oronoco City Park and Oronoco Prairie SNA (Oronoco, MN) — Historic bridge over the Middle Fork Zumbro, old chimney and oaks at the park; 80 acres of tall prairie grass with a west-facing trail at the SNA for sunrise or sunset; no dogs at the SNA.
- Woodside Park (Rochester, MN – former IBM campus) — Lawns, trails, pines, prairie, rolling hills and Lake Maroo; best in fall color; disc golf course on site.
Good to know. Rochester had 121,395 residents in the 2020 census, making it Minnesota’s third-largest city and the Olmsted County seat. Rochester International Airport (RST) sits about seven miles south of downtown, is served by Delta and American, and is roughly 15 minutes from Mayo Clinic. Rochester’s July mean daily high is 80.3 F and its January mean daily high is 22.5 F, so outdoor ceremonies cluster in late spring through early fall.
Wedding videography in Rochester
Our video coverage is filmed by a second shooter working alongside the photographer, so neither one is in the other’s frame. You receive an edited highlight film plus the full ceremony and toasts, with clean audio from wireless lavaliers and the DJ board.
Looking for film only? See Rochester wedding videography, or watch recent work in the video portfolio.
Pricing
Same rates for photography and videography. Book one, or add the second for the same price.
| Coverage | Photography | Videography | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half day — up to 5 hours | $1,500 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Full day — up to 10 hours | $3,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
Every booking includes professional editing, an online gallery, a USB flash drive with the edited high-resolution JPGs (or the finished films), and a print release so you can print anywhere. Videography includes an edited highlight film plus the full ceremony and toasts.
Albums, parent albums, prints, canvases, archive drives with the RAW files and discs are available as add-ons — see the pricing page for the full list. A $300 non-refundable deposit holds your date; the balance is due on the day. Destination weddings are the full-day rate plus travel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wedding photographer cost in Rochester?
Wedding photography in the Rochester area typically runs from about $1,500 to $4,500 for a full day. VIDART charges $1,500 for a half day or $3,000 for a full day, and videography is available at the same rates on its own or as an add-on.
Do you charge travel fees to Rochester?
No. Rochester is inside our service area, which covers Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan with no travel fees. Destination weddings outside the Midwest are the full-day rate plus travel.
Can you photograph a courthouse or elopement wedding in Rochester?
Yes. Our $1,500 half day covers a civil ceremony, a celebration meal and portraits nearby. Courthouse ceremonies are available in Olmsted County, MN: court administrator performs civil ceremonies at the Government Center rotunda or on the Zumbro River bank behind the building, weekdays only, about $200, book by phone 2-4 weeks ahead; license appointments via county online booking system. Check the county page for current rules.
How far in advance should we book?
Popular Saturdays from May through October in the Rochester area book 9-12 months ahead. Off-season and weekday dates are often available on shorter notice.
How long until we get our photos and video?
Finished files take 2-12 weeks depending on the season and our editing backlog: edited photos usually arrive in 2-6 weeks and finished films in 4-12 weeks. If you need something right away, we can deliver the unedited JPGs – or raw footage on request – within 72 hours of the wedding.
Do we need a permit for photos at Plummer House grounds?
Grounds public sunrise to sunset unless privately reserved; interior photos require arrangement with manager; no fee listed for grounds. We arrange permits as part of the day wherever they are required.
Do we get the raw files?
You receive every edited high-resolution JPG in your gallery and on a USB drive with a print release. An archive hard drive with all the RAW files is available as a $250 add-on.
Beyond Rochester
We photograph weddings across the Midwest with no travel fee inside our service area: Milwaukee, Chicago, Green Bay, Rockford, Dubuque, Davenport and the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Appleton and Oshkosh, Iowa City, La Crosse, Minneapolis and St. Paul, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Des Moines and Omaha, Wausau, the Driftless Area (Dodgeville–Platteville), Madison, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo, Door County, Galena, Kenosha and Racine, Janesville and Beloit, Waukesha County and Lake Country, Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, Sheboygan, Kohler and Fond du Lac, Peoria and Bloomington-Normal, Grand Rapids and Holland, South Bend and Elkhart. We also produce corporate video and film production.
Check your date
Peak Saturdays in the Rochester area book 9–12 months out. Send your date and venue and we will confirm availability within a day.