There’s something about fall weddings in Minnesota that always feels a little extra special, and this day at Crooked Tree Acres was the perfect example of that.

Crooked Tree Acres is a secluded wedding venue near Alexandria, Minnesota, known for its peaceful setting, open land, and beautiful lakeside ceremony space.

From the quiet drive down a long dirt road into the property, to a ceremony by the lake and a calm, golden evening to end the night, the entire day felt tucked away in its own little world. Even with a mix of wind and rain earlier on, everything came together in such a genuine, beautiful way.

A Secluded Wedding Venue Near Alexandria, Minnesota

One of the first things you notice when arriving at Crooked Tree Acres is how private and peaceful it feels. The property is surrounded by open land, trees, and water, with no nearby distractions. It’s the kind of place where you can fully settle into the day and just be present.

When I first arrived, the bride and groom were still getting ready, so I spent some time capturing the beauty around the venue and outside on the property. I also brought some of their wedding day details to outdoors, so I could get some detail shots of their invite, rings, etc, sitting in a patch of clovers. This is always one of my favorite parts of the day. It gives everyone space to ease into things without feeling rushed, and it allows me to document the atmosphere as it naturally unfolds.

Inside, everything was already coming together beautifully, from the reception setup to the florals and small details that made the space feel personal to them.

Getting Ready Moments and a Windy Fall First Look

Once the bride was ready, we captured a few quiet moments with her mom helping zip up her dress, along with some soft mirror shots that felt really true to the moment.

On the groom’s side, I photographed him getting ready with his dad, including those final touches like tying his tie, which always end up being some of the most meaningful images.

The coordinator, Sota Weddings & Events, was incredible throughout this part of the day and truly helped everything run smoothly, even stepping in to help carry the bride’s dress when needed.

Because of the wind, we chose a wooded area on the property for their first look, which ended up being perfect. The trees gave us some shelter, and the fall colors made the whole setting feel even more special. The bride’s dress moving in the wind added such a natural, emotional element to the moment.

After the first look, we did a few family photos before everyone headed to the ceremony site.

A Lakeside Wedding Ceremony at Crooked Tree Acres

After family photos, everyone made their way to the ceremony site by the lake. The setting was simple and beautiful, and the guests were fully present and enjoying every moment.

One of my favorite details was that some guests brought their dogs, who sat so calmly throughout the ceremony. As someone who loves when couples include their pets, it always adds something extra special to the day.

Right as the ceremony came to a close, it started to lightly sprinkle, almost perfectly timed with their first kiss and walk back down the aisle. It felt like one of those moments you couldn’t plan if you tried, and everyone was still able to transition inside comfortably.

A Barn Reception at Crooked Tree Acres

The reception took place inside the main building, where everything felt warm and inviting after the outdoor ceremony.

After the ceremony, everyone moved inside for the reception, which is one of the things that makes Crooked Tree Acres such a flexible wedding venue near Alexandria, Minnesota.

The team at Crooked Tree Acres was incredibly kind and helpful throughout the evening, and everything from dinner to the overall flow of the night felt seamless.

Dinner was catered by Prairie Event Center Food Experience Catering, and desserts were provided by Cold Spring Bakery.

Hair and makeup were done by Destination Beauty by Carrie, and the dance floor stayed full all night thanks to Decades Mobile DJ, who kept the energy up with a great mix of music that everyone enjoyed.

Why Crooked Tree Acres is a Top Wedding Venue Near Alexandria, Minnesota

If you’re planning a wedding near Alexandria, Crooked Tree Acres is such a beautiful and versatile option. Between the private setting, variety of photo locations, and flexibility for both indoor and outdoor moments, it works well in all kinds of weather.

This day was a perfect reminder that even with changing conditions, the most meaningful moments still shine through.

If you’re planning a wedding at Crooked Tree Acres or another Alexandria, Minnesota wedding venue, you can learn more about working together here:

👉 Minnesota Wedding Photographer