Mayowood Stone Barn in Rochester, MN | Wedding Venue Feature

Welcome to Mayowood!

In my 16 years as a wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of shooting at Mayowood Stone Barn in Rochester, MN dozens of times. It truly never gets old and is my favorite SE Minnesota wedding venue for a reason! And as a Rochester native, there’s no one better to virtually walk you through the venue, show you the best places for portraits, and share why this place is such a stunner. If you haven’t booked your date here already, you’re gonna want to after this.

Mayowood exterior as you enter from the parking lot

Mayowood Stone Barn Wedding Venue Overview

Located 90 minutes south of the Twin Cities, historic Mayowood Stone Barn in Rochester is situated on the edge of town, along a quiet road leading out to the countryside of southeast Minnesota. It’s easily accessible yet the grounds feel tranquil and private—one of Mayowood’s best features. Set on multiple acres with tree lined views to the south and west, sit two main structures: the main barn featuring the Loft and Carriage Way for ceremony and reception, and the sister building opposite, featuring the 2 getting ready suites and the Blacksmith Shop where cocktail hours are often held. Outside sits the centerpiece of the yard: the sprawling oak tree, 300 years old, that’s witnessed just as many wedding ceremonies beneath its boughs.

Charlie Mayo (yes, one of the brothers of the iconic Mayo Clinic) is responsible for the building of this beautiful place. It dates back to the early 1900’s when it was used as an actual barn for their horses. The current owners, Powers Ventures, have retained and highlighted pieces of it’s historic character while modernizing the facilities—climate control, elevators, on-site kitchen for Pinnacle Catering—to accommodate up to 300 guests.

The iconic Mayowood oak tree

Another wonderful feature of Mayowood—both fair weather and indoor options are equally as beautiful. You can choose from the Loft, showcasing strings of of twinkle lights and old church pews in a cozy atmosphere, or outdoors at the old oak tree where you’ll get an extra long aisle for your ceremony.

Loft ceremony

Oak tree ceremony

Receptions at Mayowood Stone Barn take place in the Carriage Way, downstairs from the Loft. There’s no room flipping required from ceremony to reception, allowing for an uninterrupted guest experience. In the summer months, it’s a special treat when cocktail hour is able to spill outdoors and into the Blacksmith Shop where another bar is stationed. Having so much dedicated space for every event of the day helps timelines run smoothly which is always a huge bonus. It also lets your photographer capture empty room shots, like the one below!

Reception ready! Atmospheric & beautiful in the Carriage Way

What is the best season for a Mayowood Stone Barn wedding?

I’ve shot weddings at Mayowood in all seasons and in every kind of weather. The good news: it’s always glorious. There’s enough indoor spaces to work with so that even if it is cold or rainy, we always get beautiful portraits. It’s a versatile enough venue to really accommodate everything. Although if I had to pick, I’d vote September & October.

The barn has a capacity for 300 guests, making it a great place for a large wedding. I’ve also shot more intimate weddings where the guest list was closer to 50. I’ve seen ultra formal fêtes with a black tie dress code, and couples who have opted for a more rustic approach when piecing together their vision. Mayowood isn’t your typical barn space and already brings so much character itself, so whether you take a more minimal approach or you drape it in flowers and added decor, it’s always gonna look good. So the short answer to which style is best: any!

The most elegant head table, compliments of Fox & Fern Floral!