Wedding Photo Tour: Mayowood Stone Barn in Rochester
The Mayowood Stone Barn sits less than six miles from downtown Rochester, Minnesota, but it feels like a different world. The century-old stone buildings, the giant bur oaks that arch over the, outdoor ceremony lawn, the property’s history as part of the original Mayo family estate there’s nowhere else in Southern Minnesota quite like it.
For Rochester couples planning a wedding, it’s the most photographed venue in the region. For good reason.
Venue History
If you’re from the Rochester area, you’re definitely familiar with the Mayo Clinic, a medical center employing thousands in the area, which ranks as the best hospital in the nation for 2019-2020 by U.S. News and World Report. The Mayo brothers, Charles and William, founded the Mayo Clinic, and the grounds Mayowood Stone Barn sits is a portion of the 3,000 acres of the original Mayo family farm. Charles initiated the expansion of the property the Mayowood Stone Barn sits on today, and he and his wife designed the space events that are held in still today. Their inspiration was pulled from the equestrian-style barns in Europe, with stables hosting the many horses and ponies the mayo family-owned.
Along with dances and carnivals, the mayo family hosted a few weddings on the property, and we know the family would be please to know many lucky couples are able to host their wedding on the property still today!
The Mayowood Stone Barn Photos
The main barn fits up to 300 guests, and the first floor (The Carriageway) is the perfect spot for a wedding dinner and dance. The second floor of the Main Barn, The Loft, has an intimate setting, compared to the open concept first floor.
The Ceremony Spaces
The outdoor ceremony space under the ancient bur oak tree is Mayowood’s signature setting. White chairs are set up on the manicured lawn, the tree canopy creates natural shade and framing, and the stone walls of the surrounding buildings close in the scene without boxing it in. Couples who have gotten married here consistently describe the ceremony photos as unlike anything from any other Minnesota venue.
For rain plans or winter weddings, the venue includes a covered wooden loft above the reception space, another visually strong alternative that photographs well even without natural light.
The Reception Space
The main reception barn features stone arches, string lights, and natural light from the surrounding windows. The space accommodates up to 300 seated guests for both ceremony and dinner, with 250 included in standard rentals. The reception hall transitions naturally from dinner to dancing without a venue flip — the layout is built for it.
Groom’s Room and Bridal Suite
Having separate spots for the groom and groomsmen and the bride and her bridesmaids is sometimes underrated. This perk is amazing, and helps for a smooth transition from getting ready, to first look, and wedding parties with no transportation needed! The Mayowood Barn has both a Grooms Room and the Bridle Room. The Bridle Room was originally where bridles, horses’ headgear, reins, and straps, were stored.
The Maywood Barn Property
From the 300-year-old Oak Tree to the firepit and spacious lawns, this historic property is stunning!
Planning Your Mayowood Stone Barn Wedding
Mayowood books on a rolling basis, and peak summer Saturdays fill well in advance. Couples driving from the Twin Cities, which represents a significant portion of Mayowood bookings, often book 12 to 18 months out.
If you’re planning a wedding at Mayowood Stone Barn and need a photographer, videographer, DJ, photo booth, or day-of coordinator, Complete Weddings + Events covers all five services in the Rochester area. Our team has worked at Mayowood and knows the venue’s load-in access, noise cutoff (guests depart by 11:30 PM), and the specific lighting conditions across ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Bundle any two or more services and the savings are immediate.
Complete Weddings + Events in Rochester, MN
Ready to get your Rochester wedding planning going? Contact Complete Weddings + Events to learn more about our services at Rochester area venues like the Mayowood Stone Barn! Complete Weddings + Events, Rochester’s leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, lighting, DJ services & photo booth rental.
