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The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers is a once-in-a-lifetime wedding venue located in Minneapolis, MN. This award-winning destination is one of the stand-out venues in the Twin Cities, making it a must-see. Offering unmatched levels of service and a stylish, versatile event space, you and your loved ones will certainly enjoy celebrating your nuptials here!
Located near The Mississippi River within walking distance to the Historic Stone Arch Bridge, The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers is situated in a prime spot from which to explore the surrounding area. When it comes to your wedding day, from the moment you step inside, you will be wowed. The main event space features exposed brick walls, high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and even a custom-made fiber optic chandelier. If you would like for part of your day to be enjoyed outside, then the urban outdoor patio can offer some breathtaking views of the city. The venue can host up to 200 people, ensuring that all your loved ones can be in attendance. For the ultimate experience, you and your partner can take advantage of the elegant bridal and groom suites, where you can relax and prepare before your big day.
The Riverside’s team of talented wedding planners will be there every step of the way to expertly assist you in designing your dream day! Their goal is to ensure a simple, stress-free and most of all, an enjoyable planning process for you. With transparent and all-inclusive pricing as well as monthly promotions and bar specials there’s sure to be a perfect pricing fit for you!
Message now for more information and/or to schedule a tour today!
Civil Union, Commitment Ceremony, Elopement, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding, Vow Renewal Ceremony
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks, Bar Rental, Cakes & Desserts, Cupcakes, Other Desserts, Food & Catering, Planning, Se Habla Español, Wedding Design, Rentals & Equipment, Tents, Service Staff, Transportation, Shuttle Service
Settings
Ballroom, Garden, Historic Venue, Trees
Business Attributes
Pricing for The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers
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Affordable
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Couples Usually Spend
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Peak Season Cost
Peak Season Reception Cost
Peak Season Ceremony Cost
Peak Season Bar Service Cost
OffSeason Months
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Browse The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers pricing PDF below for sample services and estimates.
The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers Reviews
Hosted Hospitality(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We recently had the pleasure of working at The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers for day of coordination and event design. From the initial coordination meeting to the day of the event, the team at The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers went above and beyond in every aspect. Their meticulous attention to detail, proactive problem-solving on the event day, and seamless collaboration with vendors showcased a level of professionalism that surpassed my expectations. The venue's stunning ambiance combined with the team's unwavering commitment to excellence created an unforgettable experience for both the couple and myself. The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers truly stands out as a pinnacle of hospitality, making it a top recommendation for anyone in search of a venue that consistently exceeds expectations. Reviewed on 04-12-2023
Brittany Halloran(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Beautiful space with event staff that truly cares / goes above and beyond! Really nice to have that on the wedding coordination side! Reviewed on 29-11-2023
Laura G(other)5 out of 5 Rating
MEC provided everything we needed. With a very short timeline, 3 months, they were able to help us define details, plan and coordinate. The venue was fantastic! Amazing team and event management. Reviewed on 09-11-2023
Gillian R(other)4 out of 5 Rating
Loved the venue. Loved the people we worked with. Kim was very attentive to our needs. Everyone was super helpful and kind! Reviewed on 23-09-2023
Anya Lawabni(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Minneapolis Event Centers was the second wedding venue we visited. We fell in love with it as soon as we toured it. I love that they had three spaces available for our venue; we decided on The Riverside because we had a smaller number of guests and it fit better with our wedding vision.Everyone at MEC was a pleasure to work with, from the individual who helped give us a tour and talked pricing with us to the day-of-coordinator and planners. The Riverside was a gorgeous venue for both our reception and ceremony, and we were really excited that we got such a great deal on it as a package bundle. I would highly recommend using MEC to host your wedding, as it is a beautiful location in the city and everyone we worked with was on top of things! Reviewed on 03-09-2023
Claire Judeh(other)5 out of 5 Rating
MEC was the perfect choice for my husband and I. We planned our wedding from a different state and MEC was so amazing when it came to communication and accommodation. The wedding day could not have flowed more perfectly; whether it was the room flip or the service, the whole entire experience was incredible. We received so many compliments on the venue and staff, but one person we were incredibly grateful for and want to acknowledge is Letecia. She answered any and all of our questions at any time of day. She was a big part of the reason our experience was so amazing. Thank you, MEC! Reviewed on 11-08-2023
Anna Diaz(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We absolutely loved everything about our special day! The team was so helpful in making our day what it was 😊 Reviewed on 10-08-2023
Kalli Bergevain(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Minneapolis Event Center/Entourage Events Group were amazing to work with. The Riverside was such a beautiful venue and our guests loved the vibes. We had about 120 people and it never felt crowded, even during cocktail hour when they were flipping the room. All of their staff, during the planning period and on the day of the wedding, were professional and so helpful at every step of the way. Reviewed on 22-06-2023
Rachel Dickers(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-12-2022 The venue is so beautiful, intimate and classic. The staff too are so helpful that beyond our expectations. We were debating if we wanted the day of coordinator, but little to our knowledge Minneapolis Event Centers provided one! Our wedding turned out perfectly with Wendy's professional and responsive coordination and assistances. We feel lucky that we picked the great venue and very thankful to all the staff. Reviewed on 27-12-2022
Silvia Moore(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-11-2022 Working with the Minneapolis Event Center’s team was the BEST! They literally go above and beyond to make sure everything is how you want. We got married and had our reception at Riverside! It’s so beautiful and elegant with huge gorgeous chandelier!! My husband and I highly recommend this venue! Thanks for everything Minneapolis Event Centers! Reviewed on 22-12-2022
Mikki Bischoff(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-09-2022 I’d give 10 stars if I could! This venue was THE BEST to work with, they absolutely know what they’re doing! Extremely easy to work with, and fun to work with. We, and our guests, had the best day! I can’t wait to get married again :) Reviewed on 03-11-2022
Amanda Meyer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-09-2022 Katie was phenomenal from the very beginning. She is the most responsive and thoughtful, and she makes the entire wedding planning process so much better! We can’t thank her enough for a great wedding. Reviewed on 03-10-2022
Amanda Koehler(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-08-2022 The Riverside was a beautiful venue to get married in! The food was delicious and the getting ready suites were lovely, but super gendered so probably not the best fit for a same-sex couple. We had a package that overall felt like a good deal. They provided us with endless water bottles, which was nice. The bartender did a great job and the late night snack pizza was delicious. The food you must carter to the bride & groom suites was also really tasty, but overpriced. I would like an exception for guests in the suites to be able to bring their own food if they have medical reasons. I had a bridesmaid who was dealing with health issues last minute that didn't allow her to eat dairy or gluten and she had to leave the venue to eat lunch. My mother was also supposed to be eating prescribed energy bars to manage her chronic illness but we were too afraid we'd get fined for her needing to do this for her health. If I were to do it again, I'd try to make time to grab lunch with my bridal party between hair and make-up. Once other weddings in the building began having their dances, our getting-ready rooms were extremely loud (hard to have a quiet moment together). We couldn't hear other weddings from our venue room, I don't think, but it was really loud in all the hallways and in the bride & groom suites. There are no gender-neutral bathrooms for guests which wasn't inclusive for our non-binary guests. We had some trouble with communication with the staff, I believe due to staff turnover. Many of the meetings were redundant because of that. It all eventually worked out and was a smooth day, but it could've been smoother leading up to the event with improved communication. Reviewed on 14-08-2022
Bri Hoefer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-02-2022 My HUSBAND and I recently got married in the Riverside room in February and had the absolute BEST experience! Our wedding guests STILL talk about how amazing the food was - it truly is some of the BEST wedding food I have ever had! Steve, the owner, was great to work with - he helped us stay within our budget and was available for any questions we had! The Riverside is the least expensive room, but THE MOST beautiful - especially for a winter wedding! We got so many compliments on how beautiful the space was! Overall, we had an amazing experience and would choose them over and over again! Everyone we worked with went above and beyond to make our day so special! THANK YOU ALL! Reviewed on 28-04-2022
Kylie Porter(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-02-2022 Everyone there was extremely helpful. I was 100% stress free as a bride on our wedding day. Do you realize how hard that is?? They made the process super easy and they added little touches like catering us food and champagne in our suites, so we had awesome food while getting ready! 1,000% would recommend this venue Reviewed on 31-03-2022
Matt Garner(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2021 My wife and I had our wedding reception at The Riverside in December '21 and it was the best decision. The venue is beautiful and in a great location. We had about 140 guests and there was plenty of space for everyone. Our guests loved all of the food options that we chose. The staff was incredibly helpful leading up to the event. Steve was always available to talk if we had questions as we were planning. Everything ran so smoothly on the day of the wedding. The staff went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied with everything. Overall, I would recommend Entourage to anyone planning a wedding because of the professionalism of the staff, quality of the food, and the timelessness of the venue. Reviewed on 16-02-2022
Katelyn Didley(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-01-2022 My daughter got married here this last weekend and it was spectacular. Steve was so professional and could not have been easier to work with. Everyone there was professional, courteous and so accommodating. The venue itself is stunning, we had the whole place to ourselves from Friday night until Sunday afternoon and we were all very comfortable. The food we had was so good and everyone loved it. Reviewed on 28-01-2022
Violet Henry(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-09-2021 We had the most dreamy wedding at Minneapolis Event Centers! Almost every guest at our wedding came in from out of town, and we wanted to give them a Minneapolis wedding to remember. This venue DEFINITELY delivered. The views from Minneapolis are absolutely breathtaking. The riverside is very easy to customize and make your own. I would absolutely recommend this venue if you want to wow your guests with Minneapolis as your backdrop! Reviewed on 13-01-2022
Raquel Mary(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-12-2021 This venue was absolutely amazing! It was our first venue visit and our last. We knew as soon as the doors opened that this was the place where our happily ever after would begin. Hiring Haute House as our coordinator only made it better. Bridgette’s attention to detail and how they accommodate not only the bride and groom, but the entire party is beyond amazing. She felt more like an amazing friend rather than a coordinator! We would do a party here every year if we could!! Reviewed on 28-12-2021
Rodney Michael(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-12-2021 The Minneapolis Event Centers staff are incredible. We just held are wedding and reception here, our guest keep telling us that this was the best wedding they ever attend. That is due mostly in part due to the professionalism, personal service, and attentive service provided by Kilea and her staff. I would highly recommend anyone wanting to hold a first class event to use this venue and group! Exceeded all our expectations and desires, thank you for making our wedding day so incredible and memorable! Reviewed on 23-12-2021
katie burkey(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-10-2021 Everything was perfect. Steve made our day amazing and I am so thankful we went with Minneapolis Event Centers. It was the first venue we looked at and nothing else topped it. Steve made our dream a reality. Reviewed on 06-12-2021
Erin Paulson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-11-2021 Our perfect day would not have been the same anywhere else! The entire team at the Entourage was so easy to work with and accommodating of all our requests. We got married in the Our Lady of Victory and had our reception in the Riverside Room, and it was beyond anything we could have imagined! I would highly recommend getting married here. Thank you again to the entire staff at the Entourage! Reviewed on 30-11-2021
Lucy Peters(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-10-2021 We cannot thank Minneapolis Event Centers enough for such a special event!!! Steve and all the staff at the Entourage went above and beyond from initial meetings to our tasting and most importantly the amazing wedding reception night!!! It was gorgeous from top to bottom and some of the best service I've had in my life. If you're thinking of using a downtown location with impeccable service, great food with a great value, and with some history - The Riverside is your venue!!! We searched dozens of venues and nothing compared to Minneapolis Event Centers. Our guests still rave about the food!! It's true! Even our videographer that eats wedding food ALL the time said it was extremely good - he was impressed! Happy wedding planning!! Enjoy every moment and partner with Niki. It will be a night you'll never forget. Reviewed on 16-11-2021
Lisa Kramer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-10-2021 We hosted our wedding Last Friday in the Riverside room and it was Amazing everyone had wonderful comments on how beautiful it was in there and with my decor and flowers. The whole Minneapolis Event Centers staff is amazing they are all so friendly and attentive to all of our needs. When thought we had to postpone out wedding due to covid the staff was by our side every step of the way. Thank you for everything Reviewed on 11-11-2021
Lisa Kroll(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-10-2021 We hosted our wedding Last Friday in the Riverside room and it was Amazing everyone had wonderful comments on how beautiful it was in there and with my decor and flowers. The whole Minneapolis Event Centers staff is amazing they are all so friendly and attentive to all of our needs. When thought we had to postpone out wedding due to covid the staff was by our side every step of the way. Thank you for everything Reviewed on 19-10-2021
Kimberly Geralty(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-09-2021 I had my wedding here about less than a week ago. I started planning this 2 years in advance and it has been the smoothest planning ever! Daniel took really good care of us. Every time we had to meet here, we were always offered water, hot or cold coffee, etc. Parking arrangements are awesome. We had to park across the street at a self-park garage & the tunnel leads to the venue. The place has SO MUCH to offer to make your wedding perfect! From decor, to floor plans, to what to offer your guests, etc. You guys should really check it out & take a tour. It is such a beautiful venue & Daniel is on top of it with scheduling your food tasting, final details, when each payment is due, etc. You won't regret it :) Reviewed on 07-10-2021
Jasmine Patron(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-03-2021 Magnificent venue, staff very professional and easy to work with especially Kilea and food and service were excellent. Wedding was a fairytale! Staff makes everything run so smoothly and really pampers the family. Reviewed on 08-09-2021
Madeleine B(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-06-2021 The whole team at Minneapolis Event Centers made our wedding weekend one to never forget! They were flexible to make our wedding vision a reality from getting us the right vendors to ensuring our group had all the food and drinks we need during hair and makeup. The property is beautiful and everyone working at Minneapolis Event Centers was responsive, flexible and professional. We had an incredible Wedding and I recommend it whole-heartedly! Reviewed on 30-08-2021
Haleigh Scheneider(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-06-2021 This place is such a hidden gem in the Minneapolis area! Upon first glance of the building, you would be pleasantly surprised to find the most beautiful space for any wedding! Minneapolis Event Centers are the absolute best and our wedding day was the best day of my life, thanks to all of them. All of our guests have been raving on and on about how much fun everything was, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone! Reviewed on 01-07-2021
Monet Thoomb(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-03-2021 The team was just amazing and attentive! Our wedding hit some road bumps along the way and they were more then willing to accommodate. All my emails and questions were answered within couple hours of sending. This place is just the most classiest, rustic, and magical place to be married. All the wood pillars and amazing chandelier, the area, are just gorgeous. MEC's team will take what you have in mind and exceed your expectations Reviewed on 18-06-2021
Maddie Vickers(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-12-2020 Minneapolis Event Centers and staff exceeded all of our expectations! It is a beautiful venue, and the area it's located in you have breathtaking views of the city and river! The coordinators were very helpful in the planning of our wedding and provided us with the referrals we needed. The staff was very accommodating and responsive. Everything was perfect despite COVID and our family and friends had a blast!! Reviewed on 12-01-2021
Brie Brown(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-07-2020 Of course every place has a couple things here and there, but over all the MEC was incredible to work with, especially during a pandemic. Food/drink = awesome (you HAVE to get the coconut curry shrimp app, the bacon, the walleye, drooling now), a lot of people who have been around the block said our wedding had the best food they've ever had - venue = awesome, the vendors that they work with and connections are awesome - Cayla from EDG went above and beyond to make sure the room was perfect and how we envisioned it. I know my mom - who is extremely detailed and knows what she is doing - caught some billing mistakes, etc - but like anywhere - you just have to go over every detail, multiple times. First world problems: it was a little annoying having to have the bridal/groom suite far away from the actual room in heels ha, having to walk a ways and go up and down two stories - but not awful! And you could hear everything in the other wedding upstairs when you were in the bridal suite. In our actual room though you'd have NO idea other weddings were going on. I think the only other thing is they don't have a great handicap entrance; so something to think about. Weddings are totally a group effort. From the family, to the venue, to all the vendors you work with - the MEC is beautiful and wonderful, and also Dough and Russ from Linen Effects, Cayla from Edg Productions, Adam Kennedy Photography, Anderson Videography with John and his buddy, Allie from Instant Request and with out a doubt Bridget from Haute House- flowers and she was also my coordinator; SHE MADE IT HAPPEN! - they ALL make it the 5 star I gave it. Team Effort. It is so nice that everyone we worked with knows the MEC well and it shows in their work/product. Trust the vendors that MEC recommends. We started with Tracy at the MEC who we loved and she left, then with Carly. There does seem to be some turn around, but at least people know what they are doing. I really appreciated Mary at the MEC. She was on top of it and to the point; need that personality to get things done. Okay that's probably long enough. Overall, 5 stars. It was the perfect day. Reviewed on 17-08-2020
Bridget Connell(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-09-2020 The team at the venue was a dream to work with - they listened to what we wanted and help us get exactly that! They were helpful and a joy to be around! Reviewed on 10-08-2020
Mandy J(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-11-2019 It was beautiful classy and the price was right. It has a GREAT vibe.;I recommend it to anyone with either a big or small wedding. Everyone there is so accommodating. Reviewed on 16-04-2020
Hannah C(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-12-2019 Wow. When my husband and I first saw this venue, we fell in love right away!! Not only was it the beauty of this venue, but also because of the coordinator, Carly. She was amazing from start to end!!! The day could not have gone any smoother and I thank her SO much for everything she did to make our day the best day of our lives! I love the ceremony space, which doubles as a cocktail area and the reception area is nothing short of perfect. Highly recommend this venue and the ladies who make the process so easy and flawless! Reviewed on 06-04-2020
Christine C(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-05-2019 Riverside was simply gorgeous and amazing! I've attended many weddings in many different venues and have not come across anything like this. Carly is very pleasant to work with and she go above and beyond what you request to make you happy. On the wedding day, Carly was there making sure everything was perfect. Our guests were astonished at the venue and the quality of their food. If I could get married all over again, I would do it again here!! Reviewed on 27-03-2020
Emily L(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-11-2019 What a gorgeous venue! We had both our ceremony and reception at Riverside and were absolutely stunned with how everything turned out! Needless to say, our guests were very pleased with the food and bar service they all received! Thank you to Carly for being such an awesome venue coordinator throughout the process; worked well with my coordinator and of course myself through all the changes! Highly recommend Riverside! Reviewed on 17-03-2020
Lilly B(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-06-2019 If you are looking for an all in one venue, look no further! Minneapolis Event Center has an in-house representative to help with all your on site needs and planning, on-site catering, bar services, and the option for additional decor (centerpieces, lighting, etc.) all from on representative. It makes planning a breeze, and really helps to calm nerves and stress. Not to mention all the services they offer are Top-tier quality. They have a large variety of photo location options; multiple venues to choose from for reception, cocktail hour, and even the ceremony; and a huge varied menu of delicious food far above your traditional \"wedding food\". Our wedding was amazing and the Minneapolis Event Center venue was a huge part of making it so perfect! Reviewed on 07-03-2020
Crystal N(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-10-2019 We got married October 2019. We had a blast and are still thrill With our wedding day at Riverside. We had our ceremony at the Minneapolis and reception for 160 people. The awesome views of the Minneapolis and place made it even more spectacular! Everyone was well accommodated. Our family and friends were so happy and pleased with the service the Minneapolis Event Center team provided that day, especially during cocktail and dinner time. Carly C., her assistant and the rest of the team did an awesome Job! So thankful to the coordinator~ Carly C. For all her hard work she did for us from the pre planning to the day of wedding. She answered all of our questions thoroughly and was very considerate of our requests. We can’t be more appreciative for how well all turned out, well organized, and especially, on reducing our anxiety for the great planning they did to bring about our wedding day. Reviewed on 25-02-2020
Jessica E(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-11-2019 We knew Riverside was our venue the moment we stepped on the property. It was so beautiful and resonated so much with us, not to mention the incredible staff! Our on site coordinator Melissa was wonderful! She was always very attentive and organized, and made the entire process stress free. Even when it was scheduled to rain on our wedding day, she helped to ease out worries and was very patient in hopes that we could continue outdoors, which happened without a hitch! Reviewed on 14-02-2020
Alice K(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-09-2019 Stopped by to see this place. It was last minute and they were going to have a wedding but the girl still gave tour and we saw the food on the table. Very nice place and it looked clean, professional and so much food. Reviewed on 05-02-2020
Irene A(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2019 We had our wedding last week at Riverside Ballroom. We worked with Melissa and she basically made sure we didn't stress over any detail. She is a rockstar. Food and service was amazing!! If you want your people to talk about your big day for years to come make sure you book Minneapolis Event Center!! Thank you!! Reviewed on 14-01-2020
Adam Dickman(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-10-2019 Our experience with MEC and the Riverside was incredible. Our coordinator Melissa was great. The venue was beautiful and the staff did a great job with everything. The bar staff also did a phenomenal job treating our family great and making our wedding day awesome. Overall we would definitely recommend MEC and the Riverside venue to anyone. Also being located on Saint Anthony main allowed our photographer so many options for wedding photos. Overall everything was amazing Reviewed on 10-10-2019
Lizzie Mikes(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-06-2019 We couldn't have been happier with our experience in the Riverside Room. Tremendous help from the on-site team, led by Ashley Nelson who was great to work with. The space was set up beautifully, and we received multiple comments on how great the space was from our guests. This site and the team that works for it made our wedding day extremely stress-free and fun for all that made the trip to celebrate with us. Oh, and the food is pretty tremendous too! Reviewed on 18-06-2019
Jonathan Rzepka(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-05-2019 The Riverside Room at MEC was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT for our special day! The space is so classy, elegant, premium, and beautiful! If you like a warehouse type feel, high ceilings, wood, exposed pipe and beams, this space is for you! We worked closely with Ashley Nelson throughout our planning process. Ashley is an absolute sweetheart. She made us feel so at ease, we trusted her in every aspect, and she even provided us with game changing ideas (indoor sparklers for our grand entrance for example) that helped make our day so unforgettable. The MEC Staff is also top notch, so many times at weddings you will experience a line at the bar, plates clinking during speeches, etc. Not at MEC...Everyone at MEC strives to make your day as special and as worry free as possible. Again, major shout out to Ashley Nelson for her assistance with our special day. We will forever be grateful for Ashley, and the rest of MEC's crew for making our day the BEST EVER!!! Choose the Riverside room at MEC for your Wedding, you will not regret it! Reviewed on 11-06-2019
Anina Nielsen(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-05-2019 Our experience with Ashley Nelson of MEC was exceptional! From the start, we were well informed and our meetings kept us on track and helped the event go smoothly. Ashley and her entire staff helped us get through the day pretty much stress-free! We were able to enjoy our guests, dance, and have a great time ourselves. We have had many compliments on the room, the service, food, and the dessert (cannolis). We're so happy we went with MEC and the Riverside Room. It was gorgeous at night with the chandelier changing colors. We are recommending MEC to anyone who asks! Thanks for a great experience and a great day! Reviewed on 04-06-2019
Tora Crist(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-04-2019 Minneapolis Events Center was wonderful to work with. Ashley and our coordinator Melissa were professional, transparent, thoughtful, accommodating and truly cared about our needs. Both us as a couple, and each of our parents were treated so well. Communication was consistent, clear and timely and everything ran so smoothly the day of our wedding. We are SO HAPPY with our choice and would highly recommend to others!Additional Benefits and Positives:Day-of coordinator included to help with planning, day-of timeline, vendor communication, scheduling and setup (HUGE help!). This would cost a lot of money to hire out so the fact that this is included was hands down the most amazing benefit MEC offers. -Estimate/costs were clear and transparent -Large bar -Food was amazing and the tasting event was so fun!-Recommended vendor list given to us was very helpful-Riverside room had large dance floor, chandelier and overall gorgeous look/feel. We didn't feel like we had to over-decorate.Our only feedback regarding our experience was that over the course of a year we had three different day-of coordinators. While this was a little frustrating, our final matched coordinator Melissa was AMAZING! Reviewed on 28-04-2019
Leah Weipert(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-01-2019 We just had a winter wedding at the MEC and we cannot say enough great things about the venue, staff and food! First, Becca and Ashley were so helpful and so responsive to all of our requests they really made the process so easy. Things came up in our wedding planning, which they always do, and both of these women went above and beyond to make things work for us! On the day of everything went so smoothly, our guests LOVED the venue and the food. Our photographer said it was the best food she's ever had at a wedding. Not only is the space stunning but it is in just a great area for photos, even in the winter! Can't recommend the MEC enough, which ever space you choose you can't go wrong because the staff will do whatever they can to give you the wedding you are envisioning! Reviewed on 09-02-2019
Laurel Enselein(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-08-2018 We held our wedding at Grand 1858 at Minneapolis Event centers (ceremony in the garden, cocktail hour in the atrium, and reception dinner/dessert/dancing in the Grand space) and we could not have selected a better venue! We worked with Daniel and Ashley and couldn’t have been happier with the coordination, planning process, and execution of our wedding! They are both incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, professional, and we felt they truly cared about us and making our wedding day perfect for us and our guests (while staying within our budget)! We didn't experience any stress or worries during the planning process or the day of our wedding! The food was absolutely delicious (the group tasting event was a blast!) and the bartenders and serving staff were friendly and helpful. With 175 guests, the layout and flow of the space was perfect. The get-ready spaces for the bridal party and groomsmen were a dream; so relaxing, perfect for get-ready pictures and having a secure space to store personal items or have some private time during the wedding! (The bridal suite was picture perfect and had an abundance of mirrors, cozy seating, outlets for hair/makeup team, storage, and a space for food/drinks!) The location of MEC is also prime for photos - the St. Anthony Main area, nearby Stone Arch Bridge, and the mix of nature and industrial gave our photographers so many options! We highly recommend MEC! Reviewed on 29-11-2018
Bailey Lindgren(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-10-2018 Cannot recommend enough!! We got married in the Grand and we did everything there - the ceremony, cocktail hour & reception. I cannot say enough amazing things about the staff and the venue. We got endless compliments about the service during our wedding day and how great the food and space was.Having a coordinator with the space was by far the biggest perk for both of us. Daniel truly helped us pull off our dream wedding. Everything was absolutely perfect and stress-free, thanks to him. Every suggestion and piece of advice that Daniel had for us was so appreciated - he is a rockstar and we loved working with him so much. If you are looking for a beautiful space, with great service, great people, great food, and low stress, this is absolutely the place for you!! Reviewed on 23-10-2018
Taylor Perkins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-09-2018 When searching for venues, my mom & I had a big list to check out. MEC was our second stop, & we cancelled our next 8 tours because we knew The Grand was the perfect spot for Josh & I to get married. The space is so gorgeous, & guests were pleased that everything (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception) was in one location. Not to mention the beauty of St. Anthony Main! We were fortunate enough to work with Becca for 18 months (long engagement), & she was incredible throughout the whole process. Well organized, friendly, & was able to actualize our vision for the day perfectly. She was quick to reach out/respond if there were any questions, even more than a year in advance! On the morning of, there was a big storm & the power went out. As soon as the lights went off, Becca came to find us & assure us that she was communicating with both the city & the power company to get everything sorted out--& she did, so quickly! Becca was a total rockstar throughout the entire planning process & stayed on site the whole wedding day to make sure that everything went off without a hitch. I cannot recommend her or the MEC enough. Check them out, you won't be disappointed! Reviewed on 03-10-2018
wilson eugster(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-08-2018 We actually were at \"The View\" at Minneapolis event center. We were very grateful to have our wedding there. Outdoor patio was great for our ceremony. Everyone loved the space. We have 250 people and it did not feel cramped or empty. It was the perfect space. Food was good (came out hot and service was excellent). Planning wise, Becca made it a great experience. They are very organized and genuinely happy to work with you. Becca was fantastic, along with the rest of the staff.Plus, we love that part of town, there is a good parking ramp across the street. We very highly recommend this space as it really cuts down on outside vendor needs as they are the Bar, food and the wedding planner all in one. Thank you Becca for bringing fun, joy and expertise to all of our planning sessions. We cannot recommend the Minneapolis Event Centers enough.-WilsonP.S. We actually were a little under our bar tab and the venue cut me a refund check. I would have had no way to truly verify that with them, so I appreciated their honesty. Reviewed on 03-10-2018
Carissa Powell(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-07-2018 The Grand at Minneapolis Event Center is the PERFECT venue. We had our reception here in July and absolutely loved it. The venue had everything we were looking for, from an outdoor patio, to a cocktail hour area, to an intimate, beautiful space for dinner and dancing. It was gorgeous! When we were searching for reception venues, we met with Ashley at the MEC and she was marvelous to work with. She answered all our questions, was honest, personal, and professional. Then we got Hannah for our wedding coordinator, and she was phenomenal! She was so much fun to work with and we felt like we had known her forever. She knew exactly what kind of wedding reception we wanted, and made the whole planning process and big day seamless. We loved her! It was a stunning venue and we’re so glad we chose it for our wedding! Reviewed on 30-09-2018
Samantha Kerlin(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-08-2018 Working with the staff at the MEC was a complete joy. The whole process from getting a tour to planning meetings to the big day was so smooth. Every member of the staff there was friendly, knowledgable, and dependable. We absolutely loved our wedding planner, Daniel Holtz, who made our visions come to life on our big day. Great staff, great food, and a gorgeous space...we highly recommend. Reviewed on 10-09-2018
Britany Grotjohn(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-07-2018 Becca, Wendy and the entire MEC family were absolutely amazing to work with! Through every step of the process, they went above and beyond to make our day special and run smoothly! Our day turned out better than we ever imagined and it wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and support of Becca and Wendy! We cannot express enough, how thankful we are for choosing MEC! Your thorough planning, guidance and most importantly, friendship during the planning process and beyond mean the world to us! See you soon! Reviewed on 10-08-2018
Amy Carroll(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-05-2018 We had our ceremony in the Riverside room and our reception in the Grand room and WOW. We cannot say enough good things about MEC. From the beautiful venue, the great food and their wonderful staff, this venue far exceeded our expectations. Wendy Schallock, the Chief Operations Officer is AMAZING. She made us feel like we were family and she truly cared about our experience leading up to our wedding day and the day of. Our wedding Coordinator was Hannah Hendricks and she was FANTASTIC! Hannah helped us feel calm and organized throughout the planning process and the day of our wedding. We know that she without a doubt made our wedding day so special. She is so organized and truly cares about what you want for your wedding day. We highly recommend MEC. The venue is absolutely breathtaking and you will not find better staff anywhere else. Reviewed on 27-06-2018
Maria Vaughan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-05-2018 WOW! If you are looking for a wedding venue or even just a space to hold an event, MEC's is the place. We held our wedding in the Grand space this May. First, Hannah and Daniel are amazing. They were so easy to work with, and took care of everything vendors/details wise before and day of the wedding. I can honestly say I didn't have one worry that day. Most brides have told me how stressful that day was and all the things that came up. This was not the case at MEC. Their staff is so professional and helpful. Thank you, Hannah and Daniel! The food was also a big concern for me when picking a venue. We did the chicken, beef short rib and butternut squash ravioli. We had so many guests tell us it was the best wedding food they have ever had. I personally had the beef short rib, and it came out steaming hot. Great work by the kitchen staff! The bartenders were also amazing, and quick! The space is gorgeous, and we had no rain, so we were lucky enough to get married in the garden, which was beautiful. I honestly can't think of one thing that made me second guess going with MEC's. They were worth every penny ! Reviewed on 30-05-2018
Meggan Shustarich(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-03-2018 The Grand 1858 at Minneapolis event center was the PERFECT space to celebrate our March 2018 wedding with over 270 guests. First, our coordinator quit about a month before our wedding and we were so nervous. Becca was assigned as our coordinator and we were beyond impressed with her. At our first meeting with Becca she knew all the details we had planned with our previous coordinator. She was so energetic and genuinely excited for us and our day. From start to finish Becca made things run smoothly. She was so kind to our family and friends and was quick to offer a helping hand with everything. MEC truly made the process from start to finish so easy! Minneapolis Event Centers was so easy to work with. Their planning tools and guidelines are so helpful and the staff is very flexible and will go out of their way to accommodate any requests you have. We brought in cupcakes from an outside vendor (close family friend) and not only did they accept it, they went out of their way to make sure the vendor had everything they needed and the appropriate set up. We truly felt the entire staff just wanted our day to be special. The food was incredible! We served: pork tenderloin, butternut squash ravioli and beef medallions at our wedding. The majority of our guests have made a point to contact us after the wedding and tell us it was the best wedding food they have had. The serving staff, bartenders, security, every staff member was so kind to our guests. Our family and friends kept commenting on how great the service was, especially considering how many guests we had. The bridal suite is so gorgeous and spacious. I had a very large group of women getting ready (15+) in the morning and the bridal suite easily accommodated everyone plus the hair and makeup artists. The ONLY negative we experienced with this venue was with the staff at the end of the night (when the coordinators were no longer there, otherwise I know this would never have happened). My parents asked to get into the locked room to gather our presents and the staff working told them no (it eventually got figured out). Overall, the end of the night staff was pretty rude to my family (who were just trying to clean up and get out of there timely) and not helpful. That was disappointing, but we shared this with the venue after our wedding and they assured us it would be addressed. We do trust that they will do something about it. We can't say enough positive things about this venue or our experience - especially with Becca. If we planned our wedding all over again, we would hands down choose MEC again. Reviewed on 15-05-2018
Brenna Kjellberg(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-04-2018 We had an incredible experience with MEC. From the very beginning Ashley made sure we were taken care of. During the process of planning our wedding, they hired two incredible coordinators in Becca and Hannah. Becca took over our planning process and was professional, accommodating, and extremely helpful throughout the entire process. All 230 guests raved about the Riverside and the View rooms and the entire staff at MEC made sure that our big day was nothing short of a dream come true for my wife and I. In a business that in my opinion can get out of control with markups, MEC was fair and upfront and more competitive than a lot of venues we looked at in terms of getting the most bang for our buck. We loved our experience with MEC! Reviewed on 09-05-2018
Laura Lee(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-04-2018 We loved every bit of working with MEC for our ceremony and reception in the Riverside Room. The space has tons of natural light and natural elements. It is absolutely gorgeous! The event team is so friendly and helpful. We worked with Becca. She has such a warm personality and strong attention to detail. Her recommendations were great and she really helped us get the most out of our budget. She executed our day perfectly! We got so many compliments from our guests about the staff and the venue. I’m so glad that we chose MEC! Reviewed on 07-05-2018
Miranda Eastham(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-01-2018 Minneapolis Event Center - The Grand was such a beautiful space to celebrate our wedding day with family and friends. It had the romantic and somewhat rustic look we wanted and also provided various spaces that guests could move through during the night, or a sense of progression. We had around 150 guests that night and they were all comfortably seated around the dinner space. The dance floor was also the perfect size for many of our guests to get their dance moves flowing without having to disturb the dinner tables. Overall, we received SO many compliments on how beautiful the day was and how amazing our venue space was from guests all over the country! Furthermore, the staff at Minneapolis Event Center are dedicated to making your vision come true in terms of food, drinks, decor, and so many other details. Our guests raved about the food (we chose Salmon, Pork Tenderloin, and Butternut Squash Ravioli) and the chefs at Minneapolis Event Center are more than capable of accommodating for any food allergies or special needs. Our planning meetings with Becca were so helpful to ensure that the day went exactly as planned and the serving staff were wonderful the evening of our reception. We honestly could not have asked for anything to be better! Reviewed on 03-02-2018
Janet Heettner(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-03-2018 My daughter had her New Year's Eve wedding in the Riverside room and to spout a cliche, \"it exceeded expectations.\" Everything was handled well, the space was attractive and so workable for every part of the wedding. The staff was very helpful and made it feel seamless. The food was very tasty and plentiful and I appreciated how they went out of their way to work with us to put together a satisfying menu for a non-meat wedding on NYE. Most of our guests were from out of town and it was -15 that night but what everyone left talking about was how \"warm\" it was inside. Thank you to everyone at MEC especially Jamie who was our planner. Reviewed on 31-01-2018
Matt Linse(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-02-2019 The staff was great and the space was beautiful! Reviewed on 26-12-2017
Courtney Talmadge(bride)3 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-10-2017 We had an incredible wedding in The Grand 1858. However, there were both pros and cons to working with them throughout the planning process.PROS- DAY-OF COORDINATION: MEC genuinely does a fabulous job pulling things together day-of. They were very organized and coordinated seamlessly with all of the vendors. - CONTINGENCIES: They have a ton of experience, multiple wedding venues under their management and a big staff such that if something goes horribly wrong they are well suited to fix it. I wasn't aware of anything that went wrong for our wedding, but as they said, if something did go awry, they'd fix it and no one would ever know. - VENUE: The venue itself is beautiful and particularly great for those who want to do that ceremony and reception in one place with seamless transitions. Because the space itself has so much character (e.g., brick and accent walls, wooden beams and pillars), you really don't need to add much to the space to make it feel decorated or special.- FOOD: The food was very good. We didn't end up trying any of the appetizers ourselves, but the entrees were great and we heard nothing but positive things from guests.CONS- PLANNING SERVICE: MEC told us before we signed on that the venue came with wedding planning services, to the point where you could consider the cost of a wedding planner baked into the venue fee. However, they really don't offer that. You are assigned a wedding coordinator, but that person just engages on the things that directly impact MEC (e.g., food selection). I asked our coordinator if she had any planning resources and she simply referred me to The Knot. While our coordinator did do a lot of work as there were many things that the venue had to be looped into, the service they provided was very far from what you'd get from an actual wedding planner. - COST TRANSPARENCY: As is common with a lot of venues, we were nickel and dimed over many things. While perhaps that's to be expected, what made things really frustrating was the lack of transparency we had into what constituted an extra free and how much it cost. It created an enormous amount of stress for me throughout the whole process feeling like I was constantly waiting for them to spring on additional charges or to change the pricing of something we had already decided upon. Some specific examples:-- They changed the cost on us for our corkage fee and late night pizzas.-- They miscommunicated the way in which alcohol gets charged, which if left uncaught would have left us on the hook for more than we wanted-- They tried to charge us a significantly higher price for drapery even though they had previously quoted a much lower price-- They told us we could bring in our own catering for lunch and then surprised us weeks later with two $50 charges for bringing in an outside vendor-- I had to ask them to break out the service charges and taxes in the event order to figure out that they were charging 2% more on the service fee than was in the contract and they were erroneously charging alcohol tax on corkage fees, which resulted in a $1,300 overcharge. They changed it, but I got no apology for the mistakes.If you do decide to go with MEC, I recommend you ask a ton of questions upfront and get everything you can in writing. It is truly a fantastic venue, and MEC runs a world-class operation on the day-of the event, but it is important to understand what exactly they are providing and stay on top of the charges. Reviewed on 03-12-2017
Bill Quinn(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-11-2017 Wow!! This venue is amazing. We just had our ceremony and wedding reception here on Saturday and we are still on cloud nine!! The space is absolutely beautiful, we were in The Riverside. The staff was amazing, friendly, and accommodating. Our guests have raved about the food and how intimate our space was with still having 200 guests. Our day had the perfect flow with a huge thank you to Becca Jarson!!! Becca was so great through the whole planning process and she was amazing on our wedding day. She made us feel at ease the whole day and she was so organized and helpful. We truly can’t thank her and MEC enough for helping to make our wedding day so perfect and memorable!! Reviewed on 16-11-2017
Caryn Thor Lesser(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-09-2017 We have no regrets about our decision to have our wedding at The Grand 1858 Room at MEC. The space was beautiful and spacious, with a rustic yet modern feel. We didn't even need to do much decorating because the space really speaks for itself. We especially loved the flow of going from an outdoor ceremony in the patio garden to the cocktail hour in the atrium to the reception in the ballroom. The food was very good, and we appreciated that the chef was receptive to the comments we had after the tasting. Niki, our coordinator, was extremely helpful and receptive throughout the whole process, but she was even more exceptional when it came down to the actual day of. She did an amazing job making sure that everything went smoothly. And she even got the cost estimate almost exactly on the money. We would definitely recommend an MEC wedding. Reviewed on 08-11-2017
Katie Hassemer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-10-2017 The Grand 1858 at the Minneapolis Event Center was the perfect venue for hosting our wedding reception in October! From the first time I looked at the Grand I knew it was exactly what I was looking for, from the rustic beams and string lights, the grand draping, to the amazing conservatory and outdoor garden space. We worked with Jamie throughout our wedding planning process and she was so helpful whenever we had any questions or wanted to make changes to our menu/floor plan. She was super easy to communicate with and she always responded to me very promptly when I contacted her. She made us feel really comfortable and was flexible with the changes we wanted made. The day of our wedding went flawlessly (as far as I knew) and if there were any issues that came up she took care of them without having to ask us. We also got soooo many compliments from our guests on how great the food was, many people told us it was the best wedding food they had ever had and we were equally impressed with our own meals. Overall, I cannot recommend the MEC staff and the Grand 1858 enough for doing such a great job at making our wedding day exactly what we had hoped it would be! Reviewed on 01-11-2017
Laura Marrinan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-09-2017 Our September wedding at The Grand at the Minneapolis Event Centers was everything my husband and I hoped for! The food was amazing, Ionly wish I had eaten more! I loved the butternut squash ravioli, and we heard from guests that it was the best pork loin they'd ever eaten. And if you're picking appetizers go for the bacon wrapped figs! I loved that the space requires so little decoration to make it wonderful. The exposed brick, wood beams and cafe lights are just stunning and the bridal suite is such a beautiful place to get ready. I loved having our ceremony in the Garden and the flow of indoor/outdoor spaces worked wonderfully. It's so nice to have a venue that mixes the city with beautiful outdoor spaces so well. There are so many great photo opportunities around the area without anything being overdone. The staff was just wonderful. Jamie was so accommodating and responsive as we planned our big day. The bartenders brought me the last of my favorite beers right out to me (so thoughtful!), our head table server (I think his name was Paul) was checking on us just the perfect amount and my parents were so thankful for the friendly security guard who helped during the load out time at the end of the evening. Jamie, the bartenders, the serving staff and the doorman/security guard were all so wonderful and kind! Reviewed on 23-10-2017
Justine Bailey(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-10-2017 I was very happy I chose the Grand for my wedding because the atmosphere, food, and staff were amazing. The location alone is so beautiful you barley need to decorate, and the size is perfect for keeping an intimate but spacious setting. I worked with Jamie, and she was always dependable and fun to work with. I loved that she walked me through each step and was always patient. For such a high stress and emotional industry she really keeps her cool, and I was lucky to work with her. I recommend this location for its beauty and personality. You really get quality in all aspects, and the bridal suites are the best! This place keeps it easy so you aren't running around looking for food vendors or place settings. All in one very gorgeous spot. Plus parking for guests is a breeze and cheap by downtown standards! Thank you Jamie and MEC for all you did for me! Reviewed on 19-10-2017
Amanda W(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-12-2018 Four stars for being a little slower than we would have liked when trying to communicate at the very beginning re: pricing and details. Once we got a particular coordinator assigned it was better.Five stars and above for day of. Jamie, our coordinator did EVERYTHING and was all over any questions or outside vendors and anything else we needed. Other staff we interacted with at the end of the night were also exceptionally nice and helpful. Guests had a good time and so did we. Reviewed on 11-10-2017
Erin Selzer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-10-2017 My husband and I had our ceremony and reception in their Riverside Room - and WOW! Stunning! The coordinators were amazing! They were so helpful with set up, and they always had a smile on their face! They were ready at any time to help in any way - amazing! Also, we received so many compliments on the space from our guests! Many said it is the prettiest venue they'd seen! Having a locked bridal suite and grooms suite was extremely helpful, and made the day even more special. The food is delicious, and the service is great! Also, they have security watching the doors at all times during your wedding day, and they were really nice. Do be careful with anyone that needs the elevator - you need to make sure you can let them in through the back door that is always locked, just a good thing to know ahead of time! We are so happy we chose MEC! Reviewed on 11-10-2017
Rachel Williams(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-09-2017 We had the most BEAUTIFUL September wedding at The Grand 1858! Fell in love with the venue instantly. Couldn't have done it without our wedding coordinator, Jamie!! Such an amazing person, unbelievably organized and on top of things we never would have thought of! We're so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Jamie and have our wedding at MEC! Reviewed on 29-09-2017
Margaret T(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-11-2018 Lovely space for a wedding. My daughter and her new husband had 150 guests which fit very comfortably into the space. The ceremony was outside and flowed nicely into the atrium for cocktails. Dinner was served promptly and was very tasty. Nicki was a delight to work with during the wedding and very responsive throughout the whole wedding planning process. Hats off to Nicki and the staff at the MEC for helping the wedding come off without a hitch! Reviewed on 05-09-2017
Ashley Rodriguez(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-04-2012 We loved working with MEC and having our wedding in The Grand! The process was easy from start to finish, which was a direct result of the staff being very organized. Jamie was our coordinator and did a fantastic job! She was very detail-oriented, yet flexible to make our day perfect. The space itself is so naturally beautiful that it took a lot of pressure off of us to decorate the space (which was one of my favorite things about it!). Our guests also loved it and have continued to comment on it being the perfect size, in a good location with a great ambience. We highly recommend MEC and The Grand! Reviewed on 17-08-2017
Mike Hektner(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-07-2018 These guys know how to throw a party. Everyone was so helpful! During the ceremony and reception they were on top of everything and worked with us to make sure the event was organized and without interruptions. They even predicted our bar budget within $100 so listen to their planning and scheduling. If there's something you want or need they will go above and beyond to make it happen. Reviewed on 16-08-2017
Adrienne Green(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-07-2017 Headline: We loved everything about our wedding, venue included. The space is beautiful (we got married in the Riverside), and the venue was open to any idea I had about how to use the space. We also had a large guest list of about 250, but the room still felt very intimate and special during the ceremony and reception. It was nice to have a venue that took care of catering and provides a coordinator for the process, as well. Guests loved the food! The thing that keeps this from being 5 stars was just some short-comings in terms of our coordinating team on the day-of. During the wedding and reception, there were a few times when I, as the bride, should have been just along for the ride. But I felt like my wedding party or I had to take on giving people direction or making things happen - ushers not knowing where to go, family not knowing about the processional, bartenders not being ready or having enough of them, keeping bathrooms tidy during the reception. I was honestly happy to keep things moving and to an extent, that's what your bridesmaids are there to help with! Overall, I think this is an excellent venue and we're so happy we ended up here. Just be ready to take charge a bit in the process. Reviewed on 13-08-2017
Kristina Tutewohl(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-05-2017 Best venue, best staff! We can't imagine our day any where else! Reviewed on 06-08-2017
Andrea Binder(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-06-2017 I could not have asked for a better wedding ceremony and reception venue. First of all, the space is absolutely beautiful and provided everything my husband and I could have asked for. Second, we received compliment after compliment from our guests on the space and how it fit so many people so comfortably and how great the food was. And last, but the absolute best, was Niki, the wedding coordinator. SHE WAS SPECTACULAR! Not only is she the most organized person I met throughout the wedding process, but extremely helpful and so accommodating. She made sure our day flowed perfectly from beginning to end and ensured our wedding day was exactly what we had planned. I could not recommend this venue any more; it was by far one of the best decisions we made for our wedding day! Hope you enjoy just as much as we did! Reviewed on 01-08-2017
Jennifer Miller(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-06-2017 Minneapolis Event Centers was everything we could have wanted in a reception Venue. The food was exceptional, the staff was helpful and professional, the space was beautiful! We have had tons of compliments from our guests! Niki our wedding coordinator was incredibly helpful every step of the way! The communication leading up to the wedding day was always very timely and well organized! We are so happy we chose Minneapolis Event Centers for our wedding day and would highly recommend it to others! Reviewed on 24-07-2017
Jenna Higgins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-07-2017 Loved working with MEC for our big day! They were super helpful and responsive and did most of the leg work for us (catering, set up, etc)! They also had some great recommendations for other vendors they have worked with and everything worked out perfectly! They made our day a dream come true! Reviewed on 21-07-2017
Erin McFarland(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-07-2018 Staff knows what they are doing, they are organized and really great to work with. I would highly reccomend this venue. My day was absolutely perfect. Reviewed on 09-05-2017
Dena Stauffenecker(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-04-2017 We had an amazing event and support throughout the entire process. Our guests had an outstanding time. We always felt we had the perfect balance of support and freedom with the venue and staff. I would highly recommend this venue to any couples. Reviewed on 17-04-2017
Mandi Kleindl(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-08-2016 Everything about our experience with the MEC was perfect. From our first visit we knew this was the place we were going to be married! We held our entire day there - getting ready, ceremony on the terrace, cocktail hour in the atrium and reception in the ballroom, which was convenient for us and our guests. The planning process was smooth (and I asked a ton of questions!), we received great advice and pricing was clear every step of the way. Every inch of the venue is beautiful and I could not say enough about the staff ... everyone we worked with along the way: Sheila, Niki, Kastina, to the day of staff like our security guard, etc, helped make our wedding day perfect! On top of our experience being fantastic, we received so many compliments from our guests, family and wedding party about the food, the staff and the venue. MEC is the whole package and I'd highly recommend this venue for your big day! Reviewed on 05-03-2017
Kathryn Evans(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-01-2017 We loved our experience working with the Minneapolis Event Center group. We had multiple planning sessions with experienced wedding professionals. We were kept up to date and received updated cost estimates and details once our meetings were concluded--helpful for any budgeted event! We both really enjoyed the bride and groom suites for getting ready, so nice to bring everything there, lock it up and not have to worry! The day of our event went so smoothly and Niki and her team were so lovely to work with. We received many complements on how beautiful the space was, how organized everything was and specifically how hot the food was when it was brought out! Perhaps not the norm when preparing a meal for 175 people! We would recommend the MEC to anyone who asks and if I would have to do it all over again....we would still choose the MEC Grand Ballroom! Reviewed on 15-02-2017
David Stickney(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-12-2016 We cannot say enough about how wonderfully awesome Minneapolis Event Center is including the exceptional staff! Our wedding vision was brought to life (inducing a customized menu, indoor yard games, and anything else we asked for) working with Niki and Sheila and their referrals for other services such as decor, flowers, DJ, hotel, and transportation. They are true professionals and the best at what they do! We had high confidence that we were in good hands the entire process and our wedding day could not have run more smoothly. Working with Niki and Sheila was so much fun, they are wonderful people, and they brought joy and laughter to the process. Our ceremony was downstairs in the boardroom and our reception was upstairs in the Riverside room. We continue to get complements on how \"stunning\" the location was and how fun the wedding was for our guests. On our honeymoon, we asked each other if we would've changed anything, and it's a great feeling to feel we had the exact wedding we would've wanted and to not wish we could've changed something. It truly was the best day ever:) THANK YOU! Kenzie & David, December 2016 wedding Reviewed on 01-01-2017
Hannah Graffunder(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-09-2016 We had our wedding at Minneapolis Event Center this past September in the Riverside room. We have nothing but fabulous things to say about the venue, it's staff, and the amazing food! Niki, our coordinator, was a blast to work with, and we felt as if she put forth so much time and effort to help the day go perfectly. Thank you MEC for a fabulous day--we had so many compliments about the venue!! Reviewed on 21-11-2016
Amy Conradi(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-06-2016 We could not have been happier with our selection of Minneapolis Event Center for our reception venue! It was truly a stunning venue and the outdoor patio area added a special touch on our beautiful June wedding day. The MEC staff was also great and made the whole process as stress-free as possible! I would highly recommend this venue, especially for someone that is looking for a venue that will take care of a lot of the details for them. Reviewed on 20-11-2016
Jessie McCourt(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-08-2016 Great space, staff, value-awesome venue! Reviewed on 20-11-2016
Allison Smith(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2017 We had our wedding on 7/23/16 at MEC and I truly can't speak any more highly of the team and space. We were in the Grand Space and it was flawless - the staff was kind, respectful and really went above and beyond to make sure everyone had an unforgettable night. We ended up having to move the ceremony inside vs. the courtyard but our coordinator, Kastina, was super patient in letting us wait until later in the day to give the final decision. Even though the rain kept us inside, it did not put a damper on our day at all! Kastina and the team moved quickly to get everything set up and it looked so beautiful! Instant tears, I tell ya. :) In the evening the weather cleared and we even got to enjoy the annual Aquatennial fireworks in the area - how magical is that!? I am so so over-the-moon pleased with our day and couldn't be happier that we chose to have our big day at MEC! Wendy, Kastina and the rest of the team: Thank you, thank you for everything!!! Reviewed on 31-10-2016
Monique Romane(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-10-2016 I am not sure where to even begin. The Minneapolis event center was the only place that my now husband and I walked into and felt like we could get married there. Then we met the event team and we were sold! The service, the attention to detail and the team's ability to make us feel like we were the only clients they were supporting was amazing! And I haven't even started talking about the space. We had our entire wedding in the Grand-- ceremony on the patio, cocktails in the atrium and dinner/dancing in the main room. The event center is a gorgeous mix of modern and historic-- yet you can make it your own and it looks superb in photos! If you were thinking about getting married or planning your next big event be sure to plan it with amazing team at the Minneapolis Event Center!! Reviewed on 27-10-2016
Sally Hopper(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-11-2017 I got married 9/3/16 at the MEC. Everything was perfect. We reserved the date last year with Wendy, one of the managers. She is knowledgeable, patient, and very well organized. Niki was our direct event planner. I cannot say enough about her professionalism in the months before our wedding and her sheet awesomeness the day of. Our 300-guest ceremony was held on their beautiful patio at 5 and it was gorgeous. Beautiful landscaping, tons of greenery, and lights around every tree... all provided by the venue. Though we had to get an outside caterer to make 300 Chinese meals, we were lucky enough to have the MEC make our appetizers for cocktail hour. Ridiculously good! The venue is beautiful with a ton of great photo locations nearby, the food is amazing, and the staff is the best of the best. Reviewed on 09-09-2016
Brad Hanson(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-11-2017 We just had the best experience possible as our daughter just got married at the Minneapolis Event Center with the reception at The Riverside. The location and the venue are outstanding. Open area, windows all around with vaulted ceiling in the middle of the dance floor with LED lighting, amazing. The bar views overlook the river and the lights of downtown Minneapolis. Great opportunities for wedding pictures with the backdrop of the Stone Arch Bridge, the downtown skyline and the renovated buildings of St Anthony Main.. But the key to any event are the people who do all the work to make everything go smoothly. Sheila Cachuela was our planner and it couldn't have gone better. She listened to what we envisioned and made all the right suggestions to make it a perfect day. The event staff were excellent, responsive, smiling, and I think they were having as much fun as we were. We had our wedding below the Riverside room in one of their banquet areas. Initially we were going elsewhere but the hassle of transporting everybody(especially the grandparents) to different venues didn't make sense. The bride and groom changing rooms are very good. Having the wedding there just made everybody relax and not worry about trying to hurry to get to the next venue. Good idea. We had a private dinner for family and close friends after the ceremony. Food was great, the service was better. Afterwards, walked upstairs to the reception and the party began. This is a must see venue. Reviewed on 05-09-2016
Kasey Noll(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-11-2014 As a wedding photographer I have to say WOW. Just WOW. This venue is just a joy to work at every single time. I LOVE the atmosphere, the staff, and the guests just genuinely love the environment as well. I cannot recommend this place enough!!! (Oh and it is stunning in photographs). Reviewed on 29-08-2016
Laura Follett(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-05-2016 Absolutely wonderful! Niki was fantastic as was all of the staff. Would highly recommend. Reviewed on 15-08-2016
Anonymous (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-09-2017 A beautiful wedding venue! We had an Asian banquet style reception in the Riverside Room and everything was more than I could ask for. Wendy and Kastina were integral in making sure our reception of 350 people and 8 dinner courses with open bar was run smoothly through great communication and talent. We had people from here, California, Louisiana and Texas tell us how beautiful the room was and how wonderful the servers and bartenders were throughout the night. Jeff, our personal server, was amazing and made sure our drinks were always full. We can't forget about the great security guys either! So if you're looking for a reception that accepts outside asian food catering (we using Events by Michael Wong), requires minimal decor to look great (has a beautiful chandelier, chiavari chairs, and colored lighting), is in a great Minneapolis location, and has full service venue coordination- I would say book this place. Worth every penny! Reviewed on 19-07-2016
Annie Matthews(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-06-2016 My lovely husband and I recently had our wedding reception at MEC Riverside, and it was an absolute dream! In the planning phases we worked directly with Niki, who was incredible. She was able to make our dreams happen by way of the attentive staff at MEC. We received complements from our guests throughout the evening and the following days; they remarked on the the efficient bar set up, the delicious food, and the atmosphere (which was seriously magic, we had the prettiest and most romantic cocktail hour, dinner and speeches, but once the dancing started it turned into party central!) Our wedding day was legitimately our BEST DAY EVER and a big part of it was Minneapolis Event Centers! Reviewed on 21-06-2016
Jennifer Garske(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-04-2016 MEC has far exceeded our expectations. We booked our wedding and reception with the venue while in the midst of the construction with little seen of what was to come of the space. The venue turned out absolutely gorgeous with a mix of modern and historical esthetic. The bridal and groom's suits turned out so beautiful and not to mention the restrooms even! The staff and especially Niki (our event planner) went above and beyond to ensure our whole day went smoothly. We had about 340 guests and there was no doubt in our minds that Niki was going to manage it to the end. We still get comments on how amazing the food was, how beautiful the venue was, and especially how impressed guests were with the details of the staff. Every door was opened and every guest was greeted with a friendly face. We could not be any happier than we are with MEC! Reviewed on 21-06-2016
100 Reviews, with a Rating of 4.9 out of 5.0
Contact Info for The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers
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Meet the The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Centers Team
Minneapolis Event Centers Wedding Team (Coordinator)
Hello beautiful couple!We are the Wedding Team here at Minneapolis Event Centers. Our goal is to assist you throughout your Wedding Planning Timeline from start to finish. From your Venue Tour to your Kick-off Meeting, your Tasting Event, your Planning Meeting to your Final Planning Meeting and Walk-through. We will be with you through it all to ensure you have the most enjoyable, seamless and superior Wedding Planning experience. Reach out now and let us know how we can support you!We are here for you :)