Nicollet Island Pavilion Wedding | Elegant Summer Celebration in Minneapolis

Bride leaning way back with a massive smile on there face as she holds her groom's hands during their wedding ceremony

There are few venues in Minneapolis that capture the city’s charm quite like Nicollet Island Pavilion. Overlooking the Mississippi River with panoramic skyline views, this wedding venue delivers the perfect mix of urban sophistication and natural beauty, and Addie & Chris’ summer wedding there was truly unforgettable.

As a Minneapolis wedding photographer, I’ve photographed many incredible celebrations across the Twin Cities, but this one stood out for its joy, heart, and effortless style. Addie and Chris were the kind of couple who remind you why this job is so meaningful, down-to-earth, fun-loving, and fully present in every moment.

Getting Ready & First Look

The morning began at Addie’s childhood home, where she and Chris shared a private first look and an emotional gift exchange that set the tone for the day. From there, we headed to one of Minneapolis’ most iconic landmarks, the Stone Arch Bridge, for portraits. Between the sunshine, the city skyline, and the calm before the celebration, it was the perfect prelude to the main event.

The Ceremony at Nicollet Island Pavilion

Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi, Nicollet Island Pavilion offers a one-of-a-kind wedding experience. With options for both outdoor and covered ceremonies, it’s ideal for Minnesota’s ever-changing weather. Addie & Chris chose an outdoor ceremony framed by skyline views, surrounded by family, friends, and incredible live music, performed by Addie’s own aunts and uncle, accomplished Broadway performers.

It was one of those ceremonies that radiated joy, full of laughter, tears, and heartfelt moments that reminded everyone what weddings are truly about.

Reception & Celebration

After the vows came dinner, heartfelt toasts, and one of the most high-energy dance parties of the season. Between the twinkling lights, riverfront breeze, and the downtown glow beyond the pavilion, this Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding captured everything people love about summer in Minneapolis.

About the Venue

Located at 40 Power Street on Nicollet Island, this downtown Minneapolis wedding venue is part of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and managed by Mintahoe Catering & Events. It can host up to 500 seated guests (and thousands in a mingling setup). Couples love the flexibility of having both indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, all while being steps away from the Nicollet Island Inn, Stone Arch Bridge, and Saint Anthony Main, offering endless photo opportunities.

Learn more about the venue here: Nicollet Island Pavilion Website

Nicollet Island Pavilion Wedding Photo Highlights:

 

Bride and groom embrace in front of their hotel at the Nicollet Island Inn with its signature blue awnings and all the green ivy climbing along the brick

Groom kisses his bride, while he dips her, in the middle of the Stone Arch Bridge during their Nicollet Island Pavilion Wedding

Bride and groom near the ivy and green fences in the back of the Nicollet Island Pavilion on their wedding day

Bride laughing while she holds her beautiful flowers during her wedding ceremony at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Groom laughing loudly

Bride and groom's first kiss during their outdoor wedding ceremony at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis

Bride and groom are announced as a married couple as they walk back out the aisle, with their arms high in the air, and with their golden retriever ring bearer, during their wedding ceremony at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Close up of bride while her groom snuggles up on her face

Low angle view of all the lights at the head table

Many arms raised to cheers showing the large area inside of the Nicollet Island Pavilion during a summer wedding reception

Bride and groom laughing out loud as they twirl each other around during their first dance at Nicollet Island Pavilion

Groom bent all the way back and his bride raises her hands high as they dazzle their wedding guests on the dance floor

Bride shows of hug smile towards her new husband on the dance floor during their wedding

Wide view showing the indoor space of the Nicollet Island Pavilion with a packed dance floor all the wedding guests hands in the air

Wedding Vendor Team

The talented team who helped make Addie & Chris’ wedding day unforgettable:

Every vendor brought their A-game to create a seamless, joy-filled celebration that perfectly reflected Addie & Chris.

Minnesota Wedding Photography

If you’re planning your own Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding or another celebration in the Twin Cities, I’d love to help you capture it in a timeless, vibrant, and meaningful way.

I’m Jackson Tyler Eddy of A Frame Forward Photography, an award-winning Minneapolis wedding photographer passionate about documenting real connection and joy.

Reach out here to learn more about my approach and availability for your upcoming wedding.

Extended Gallery of Nicollet Island Pavilion Wedding Photos:

 

Groom and Best Man helping each other getting ready for the wedding

Bride & Groom's first look outside of the bride's parents home in Minneapolis

Bride and groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day on a lush green lawn, in front of a large tree and tree swing

Bride and groom kiss by tree swing

Bride and groom smiling for the camera along with their golden retriever

Bride and groom walking on a red wooden bridge with their reflection rippling over the calm lake water

Bride and groom hold hands on a red wooden bridge

Groom gives his wife a special gift on their wedding day

two loons in the shape of a heart engraved on a Bending Branches wooden canoe paddle

Bride is crying from the sweetness of her groom's gift to her

bride and groom laughing and crying at the same time

Groom reads his bride's card

Groom laughs out loud at his awesome wedding gift from his bride

Couple poses in front of their parents home in Minneapolis on their wedding day

Bride and groom walking down the center of the Stone Arch Bridge with the stunning Minneapolis skyline in the background, one their wedding day at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Bride and Groom wave to the Guthrie Theater from the Stone Arch Bridge on their wedding day

Groom twirls his bride to be in the middle of the Stone Arch Bridge

Couple holds hands and walks along the Stone Arch Bridge on their wedding day

Groom dips his bride on the Stone Arch Bridge

Bride and groom laughing loudly and holding hands on the Stone Arch Bride with the Minneapolis skyline in the background

Guests settle in to their seats outside for a summer Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding

Nicollet Island Pavilion signage and guests arriving prior to an outdoor summer wedding ceremony

Welcome sign for an awesome summer Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding

Wedding ceremony programs

Groom and his mother walk down the aisle during an outdoor wedding at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Groom kisses his mother on the temple while she walks him down the aisle with a giant smile on her face

Best man walks the ring bearer, the couple's golden retriever, down the aisle for a Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding

Golden Retriever as a ring bearer in a wedding at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, while adorned in flowers from Haute House Studio

Close up portrait of the ring bearer, a golden retriever, wearing flowers and watching his mom and dad get married during a Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding in Minneapolis

Emotional groom watches his bride walk towards him down the aisle

Bride walks down the aisle with her parents

Bride with a gigantic smile as she walks down the aisle with her parents on her wedding day at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis

Father of the bride hugs his daughter as he hands her off to be married

Wide angle view of the entire wedding ceremony at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Wide view of the outdoor wedding ceremony at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Bride and groom laugh during their wedding ceremony

Bride's aunt signs during the wedding ceremony

Couple watches at their aunt signs to them

Bride waives to her wedding guests

groom with massive smile while looking at his bride to be, surrounded by their wedding party

Close up of bride smiling with her wedding flowers

Bride busts a gut laughing during her wedding

Giant smile from the bride

Close up of bride with huge smile

Bride laughing as seen over the heads of her wedding guests during and outdoor summer wedding at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis

Bride saying her wedding vows

Groom saying his wedding vows

Close up of groom saying his wedding vows

Close up of bride saying her wedding vows

Bride and groom holding each other closely during their wedding ceremony outside at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Bride and groom laughing right before their first kiss

Bride and groom's first kiss during their outdoor wedding ceremony at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis

A sweet moment right after the first kiss

Bride and groom raise their hands during their wedding

Bride, groom, and their golden retriever walking up the aisle with giant smiles on their faces

Real life "Parmesan Cheese Boy" at their wedding throws Parmesan cheese as the bride and groom were announced husband and wife and walked back up the aisle

Real life "parmesan cheese boy at your wedding" throws cheese at the newlyweds

Bride and her "Parmesan Boy" on her wedding day

Bride and groom looking at each other during a sweet moment outside in the lush green at Nicollet Island Pavilion

Bride and her sisters pose in front the brick wall of the Nicollet Island Pavilion with flowers surrounding them

Ring bearer golden retriever poses for a photo while wearing his wedding flowers

Bride, groom, and their golden retriever posing in front of the brick wall at the Nicollet Island Pavilion on their wedding day

Golden retriever ring bearer enjoys being pet by his dad the groom

Bride and groom posing while looking at each other in front of the signature green wood and brick background at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis on their wedding day

Bride and groom laughing out loud on the wooden deck at their Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding, with the Mississippi River and the Central Avenue Bridge behind them

Groom whispers in his bride's ear as they overlook the Mississippi River with the Central Avenue Bridge and Minneapolis in the background on their wedding day

Bridesmaid with a beautiful smile while holding her flowers

Giant family singalong at the wedding

Bride and groom join their family for a massive singalong at their wedding

Family celebrates after a giant wedding day singalong

Couple kisses as their giant Dartmouth College crew cheers them on during their wedding

The groom and his Dartmouth College buddies hang out in front of the brick wall

Groom and his friends sharing a big laugh

Big group of friends pose in front of the river

Fancy pose from the "Parmesan Boy" while he is laying in the grass at peoples feet

Bride signs her wedding certificate at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Groom signs his wedding certificate

Bride laughs hysterically as her sister filled out the wrong section on their wedding license

More laughing during the marriage license signing

Newlyweds kiss with the neatly lit indoor area of the Nicollet Island Pavilion behind them just after they signed their marriage license

Bride and groom smiling for the camera inside the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Beautiful bride smiles brightly with her flowers inside of the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Beautiful smells her flowers inside of the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Haute House Studio flowers for a Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding

Gorgeous table setting during a wedding inside of the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Wide shot of the Nicollet Island Pavilion all set up for a wedding reception before the guests have been seated

Name cards for table seating at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

The head table with bright and modern hanging lights at a Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding

Unique table setting with table number centerpiece with photos of the bride when she was a little kid

Table setting and view of the space inside the Nicollet Island Pavilion during a wedding reception

Different wedding reception table settings

Tall view of the head table and the inside of the Nicollet Island Pavilion during a summer wedding reception

Bride and groom legos hold the wedding rings

Northern themed wedding cake with camping and a canoe

Close up of the lego camping setup on top of the wedding cake

Dessert display during a Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding

Minnesota shaped pop tarts on a stick

Bride holds her Minnesota shaped pop tart on a stick up to her grooms which is shape like Wisconsin, where they are both from respectively

Bride and groom enter the Nicollet Island Pavilion for their grand entrance on their wedding day

Bride and groom toast their guests with arms raised

Cheers to the bride's mother

Newlyweds watching the bride's parents give their speeches

Sisters give their speech

The brides sisters laughing during their speeches

Bride laughing and pointing during wedding speech

Maid of honor gives her speech

Bride and groom react hysterically laughing at a wedding speech

Best man gives his speech inside of the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Best man laughing during his speech

Wide shot of the best man speech showing the large reception area at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Mother of the groom laughing during the speeches

Bride looks at groom with tear filled eyes during their wedding reception inside the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Bride and groom group hug the best man after his speech

Close up of couple smiling in front of their hotel at the Nicollet Island Inn

View of the couple walk from the Nicollet Island Inn back to their wedding reception at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Bride and groom kissing in perfect symmetry on the Merriam Street Bridge in Minneapolis

Bride and groom eskimo kissing shot thru some cool looking pink and green flowers in front of the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Exterior shot of the Nicollet Island Pavilion during a summer wedding with the bride and groom walking along the path

Bride and her sisters show off their dancing tennis shoes

Bride and grooms first dance inside of the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Bride and groom kiss on the dance floor during their first dance

Fancy dance moves from the bride and groom

Groom swings his bride around on the dance floor

Best man and his date dancing

Groom dancing with his mom

Bride dancing with her father

Bride's dress fanned out during the father daughter dance

Bride and groom do the "Gangnam Style" dance surrounded by their wedding guests at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Bride laughing as she dance in the circle

Bride and groom tear up the dance floor at their wedding

Wide view of the full dance floor during a Nicollet Island Pavilion Wedding

Wedding guest dips way back in the dance circle

Mother of the groom dances in the dance circle

Bride looks intently at her groom on the dance floor with pink DJ lights shining brightly

Bride squeezes her grooms face as they dance during their wedding

Jam packed dance floor with all of the wedding guests with their hands in the air during a Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding

Mother and daughter laughing with a flare of light popping in between them on the dance floor

Mother and daughter dance during the wedding

Ladies having a blast and getting wild on the dance floor

3 unique looking wedding guests playing air guitar and rocklng out at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

New pose from the 3 unique looking wedding guests playing air guitar and rocking out on the dance floor

Happy and sweaty wedding guest dances and poses for a wide open smile on the middle of the dance floor

 

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Minneapolis wedding photographer Jackson Tyler Eddy

Jackson Tyler Eddy is a Minneapolis wedding photographer with 17+ years behind the camera, hundreds of weddings photographed, and a place in The Knot Hall of Fame. His landscape work has been featured by National Geographic in its Daily Dozen, and that same artist's eye carries into every wedding he photographs. Available for weddings throughout Minnesota and destinations worldwide.

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