Gale Mansion Wedding Photographer

Gale Mansion: The Venue Itself

What the space is actually like — the details couples ask me about before they ask about photography.

Address

2115 Stevens Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Capacity

The ballroom holds up to 190 guests for a seated meal, and the main floor of the mansion holds up to 100. Both floors combined hold up to 250 guests cocktail-style, with no seated meal.

Ceremony & reception spaces

Indoor spaces span multiple levels. The main level holds the Great Hall, which is the entry; the Heritage Room, with an optional dance floor and a library alcove; the Dining Room, at the Heritage Room's east end; the sun porch, which connects to the dining room and seats 12; and the Founder's Room. There are four fireplaces on the main level. The lower level holds the ballroom, which is completely above ground and has windows on both of its long sides, a stage, and a grand piano. The second floor holds the two dressing rooms: the Fellowship Room (Bride's Room) at the east end and the Minneapolis Room (Groom's Room) at the west end. Outdoors, double doors from the Heritage Room open to a veranda and the south lawn, which overlook Washburn Fair Oaks Park and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The dining room has a walk-out porch, and summer gardens line the circular drive and veranda. Exterior features include a columned portico leading to the front entrance, a columned terrace, and balustrade balconies.

Parking

The venue's pricing page lists "Parking Lot Access," with valet service available for an additional fee. Its about page separately notes free parking on the surrounding street blocks.

Catering

The venue's pricing page states, "The Gale Mansion provides full-service catering for all events," and that it "offers a full service bar offering beer, wine, and liquor," with beverages charged based on consumption and a cash bar available at no extra charge. On-site caterers and serving staff are included with the house rental.

• The Gale Mansion was built in 1912. Its original owners were Edward Chenery Gale, an attorney, and Sarah Belle Pillsbury Gale, the daughter of Governor and Mrs. John S. Pillsbury.
• The Gales developed a preference for the Italian Renaissance Revival style through their European travels and commissioned Ernest Kennedy, a Minnesota architect, to design their home.
• The Gale Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an example of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture.
• The Minneapolis Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) purchased 2115 Stevens Avenue in 1947, after Edward and Sarah Gale died in 1943 and their son Richard agreed to sell.
• The exterior features buff Bedford limestone, a columned portico leading to the front entrance, a columned terrace, balustrade balconies, and full-story arched windows and bay windows.
• The ballroom is on the lower level but is completely above ground, with windows on both of its long sides; it holds a stage usable for a head table, presentations, or musicians/DJs, and a grand piano, and seats as many as 190 guests for a seated dinner.
• An extensive renovation in 2010 gave the ballroom a new audio/visual system, stage, dance floor, and grand piano.
• The Heritage Room has hardwood floors, Oriental carpets, mahogany woodwork, molded ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, an optional dance floor, a fireplace, and an alcove containing a library lined with old books and sculptures; double doors open to a veranda and the south lawn with views of Washburn Fair Oaks Park and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
• The dining room, situated at the east end of the Heritage Room, has a marble fireplace, molded ceilings, and a walk-out porch, and holds the original antique table used by the Gale family, nestled in a full bay window.
• The sun porch is a sitting or dining area for 12 guests with five full-length arched windows; it connects to the dining room, opens onto the veranda on the south side of the house, and overlooks Washburn Fair Oaks Park and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Best Photo Spots at Gale Mansion

• Marble staircase first-look
• Grand ballroom chandeliers
• Mahogany library editorial
• Formal garden ceremony
• Stevens Avenue exterior
• Bridal suite window light
• Fireplace mantel portraits
• Off-camera flash dance floor

Frequently Asked Questions