Maidenwood - One of the Best Forest Wedding Venues Wisconsin has to Offer
Maidenwood is one of the most unique nature-inspired wedding venue in Twin Cities area, we also have many features within our property that will help you create an unforgettable day and awe your guests. Dive into a few of our highlighted featured wedding locations below including 'The Pines' constantly rated one of the best forest weddings venues Wisconsin has or 'The Prairie' known for some of the most stunning golden hour photos in the Lake Pepin WI area, rated best fall foliage wedding venues in our area, or stroll through our native wildflower field for colorful summer weddings.
Want to watch videos of real forest weddings in the Twin Cities we've hosted? Check those out here
The Pines: An Ethereal Forest Wedding Sanctuary
Where nature provides the cathedral.
Experience the Magic of a True Forest Ceremony Nestled within our 40-acre private reserve in Stockholm, WI, The Pines is more than just an outdoor ceremony site; it is a secluded forest sanctuary designed for couples seeking a "quiet luxury" aesthetic. Imagine walking down a natural aisle shaded by a towering canopy of evergreens, where the only soundtrack is the whispering of pine needles and the distant breeze off the Lake Pepin bluffs.
The Prairie: A Radiant Wildflower Sanctuary
Where the sky meets the bluffs.
Exchange Vows Amidst the Sun-Drenched Beauty of the Driftless Area For couples who dream of an open-air celebration under an endless sky, The Prairie at Maidenwood offers a breathtaking, 360-degree immersion in nature. Situated on the highest point of our 40-acre reserve, this site overlooks the rolling landscapes of the Lake Pepin bluffs. It is a living landscape that changes with the seasons—from the vibrant blooms of midsummer wildflowers to the gilded, waving amber grasses of autumn.
The Prairie Logistics & FAQ:
How many guests can The Prairie accommodate? The Prairie can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests with handcrafted wooden benches with backs on them for comfort.
What is the best time of day for a ceremony at The Prairie? While beautiful at any time, we highly recommend late afternoon or early evening ceremonies to take full advantage of the "Golden Hour." The way the sun hits the tall grasses provides a natural, luminous filter for your ceremony photos.
What kind of flowers can we expect to see? Our prairie is a protected conservation area. Depending on your date, you’ll see a rotating palette of native Wisconsin flora, including Compass Plant, Rattlesnake Master, Black-Eyed Susans, Purple Coneflowers, and more.
White Barn & Glass Pavilion: A Bright & Airy Reception Experience
Modern sophistication meets effortless celebration.
A Pristine Canvas Bathed in Natural Light The White Barn at Maidenwood was designed for the couple who loves the outdoors but craves refined, modern comfort. Your social hour awaits in our stunning attached pavilion. Fully enclosed in glass, it offers panoramic views while keeping guests protected from the elements. This "outside-in" architecture ensures that even as you move indoors for your reception, the beauty of forest and gardens remains the backdrop to every toast and first dance.
White Barn Logistics & FAQ:
What is the guest capacity of the White Barn? The White Barn can accommodate up to 200 guests for a seated dinner and we prefer weddings of 150 and under to provide a wider aisles and usually does not require tables to be moved for the dance floor. We also specialize is intimate weddings of 100 and under.
Is the barn accessible for all guests? Yes. the White Barn and glass pavilion are all on one level.
What is included with the White Barn reception rental? Every reception includes the use of our modern White Barn and Glass Pavilion, built-in bar service, handmade wood reception tables, black Chiavari chairs, and pre-installed ceiling draping and cafe lighting.
The Getting Ready Experience: A Serene Start to Your Story
Mornings spent in the glow of the bluffs.
A Sun-Drenched Sanctuary for Your Wedding Morning Your wedding day at Maidenwood begins with a sense of peace. Our dedicated Sunroom is a masterclass in light and tranquility, designed specifically to host you and your wedding party in total comfort. Bathed in abundant natural light from expansive windows, this space offers a front-row seat to the 40-acre reserve, providing panoramic wildflower views that ground you in the beauty of the Wisconsin landscape
Getting Ready Logistics & FAQ:
What time can we arrive at Maidenwood to start getting ready? Our suites are designed for full-day comfort. We welcome you as early as 9:00 AM to ensure ample time for your hair and makeup teams.
Is the Sunroom suitable for photography? Yes. The Sunroom was intentionally designed with large windows and a neutral palette to provide the best possible natural light for professional wedding photography.
Are there separate spaces for both wedding parties? Absolutely. we also provide our 1800s Milk House so that both parties can relax and prepare simultaneously while maintaining total privacy before the first look or ceremony.
Golden Hour Glow: Sunset over the Lake Pepin
Where the day ends in a radiant glow.
Capture the Magic of the Driftless Sunset There is a specific moment at Maidenwood when the light softens, the shadows lengthen, and the entire 40-acre reserve is bathed in a warm, gilded hue. Known as Golden Hour, this is the time when our landscape truly shines. Whether you are celebrating your wedding day or visiting for a private portrait session, the transition from afternoon to evening on the Lake Pepin bluffs offers a luminous backdrop that is simply unrivaled in the Midwest.
Golden Hour Logistics & FAQ:
When is the best time for Golden Hour photos at Maidenwood? Golden Hour typically begins roughly one hour before sunset. Because of our elevation on the bluffs, our light is particularly vibrant. We recommend checking local sunset charts for Stockholm, WI, to time your session perfectly or check with your photographer.
What makes the Lake Pepin views unique for photography? The combination of high-altitude prairie and the nearby water of Lake Pepin creates a unique atmospheric quality, often resulting in more vivid pink and orange hues during the sunset transition.
Maidenwood Estate: 40 Acres of Untamed Elegance
A landscape with depth, soul, and endless horizons.
Beyond the Typical: A Dynamic Wisconsin Masterpiece Maidenwood is not your typical flat-land farm. Spread across a sprawling 40-acre private nature reserve, our estate offers a rhythmic, rolling landscape that feels more like a scenic national park than a standard venue. From the high-altitude bluffs overlooking Lake Pepin to the hidden sanctuary of our deep-woods forest, Maidenwood provides a diverse collection of ecosystems that serve as a breathtaking backdrop for your celebration.
Nature Reserve Logistics & FAQ:
Is Maidenwood a working farm? No. Maidenwood is a dedicated 40-acre nature reserve (although we do have a few chickens). Unlike flat-land agricultural farms, our property is curated specifically for scenic beauty, conservation, and nature-focused events.
How do we get around 40 acres on a wedding day? While the estate is expansive, the property is connected by miles of scenic grass paths.
What makes the topography at Maidenwood different? Located near the Lake Pepin bluffs, Maidenwood features the unique "coulees" and ridges of the Driftless Area. This provides dramatic elevation changes, valley views, and a variety of micro-climates—from sunny prairies to cool, shaded timber—all on one property.
Maidenwood's Story
Private 40-acre nature reserve in the secluded wooded bluffs of Maiden Rock, Stockholm, & Pepin, Wisconsin, Maidenwood (formerly Maidenwood Lodge & Pine Creek Lodge) was built in 1992 as a bed and breakfast. Over the next 30 years the property was transformed from open farm fields to the heavily wooded and beautifully landscaped gardens that you see today. With hopes of preserving the Pine Creek, a Class I trout stream, the property and multiple other additional properties were put into a conservation easement in 2001. We are allowed four acres for permanent structures and the other 36 is to be left as natural as possible. With nature always being a focus, in 2009 Maidenwood was converted into a nature-inspired wedding venue. Originally taking advantage of the beautiful gardens and stunning wild flower prairie ceremony site with views of Lake Pepin, Maidenwood started hosting its first prairie weddings.
In 2020, Steve & Kristen Macke purchased the property from the Kirchners, who took wonderful care of the property for five years. On the first day we toured the full property, we were in awe of this majestic grove of trees and we went to work to create what turned into both our forest wedding locations to showcase the woodsy vibe of the property. In 2021, 'The Pines' was introduced as our couple's favorite forest wedding in Wisconsin and vendors and guests alike are constantly calling us one of the best outdoor wedding location in the Twin Cities. One day while waking the property, Kristen discovered another truly amazing spot for forest weddings and 'The Forest' (a great spot for intimate forest weddings) was born.
Our modern White Barn, which replaced the original dairy barn on the property is setup to create a beautiful and simple backdrop to host your family & friends. With lots of natural light and surrounded by the beautiful gardens, it stays true to the nature-inspired wedding vibe with small touches of decor that will help you do less on your wedding day such as white draping and cafe lighting throughout the wedding venue. Real handmade wood tables minimize the need to pay for linens and heavy-duty black Chiavari chairs flow so well against the white walls.
Owner, Steve Macke, has been involved in the wedding industry since 2003 after starting a DJ company, Trustworthy Music, with a friend and in 2014 decided to take the leap to run the business full-time. He now has an amazing team of Twin Cities Wedding DJs and typically does 100-125 events per year in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In September of 2018, he was the DJ at a wedding at the Maidenwood Lodge and then a short two years later, he and Kristen made the decision to move their family of five to this property in October of 2020.
As you will see, our secluded nature-inspired wedding venue is filled with the beauty of nature and thoughtful touches whether you're looking for a garden party or a forest wedding in the Twin Cities.
"Maidenwood Weddings & Events is a premier nature-inspired wedding venue located on a secluded 40-acre estate in Stockholm, Wisconsin. Designed for couples seeking a high-end forest wedding venue near the Lake Pepin bluffs, Maidenwood offers a unique blend of wild natural beauty and modern luxury. Whether you are planning an ethereal ceremony in The Pines or a sunset celebration in our Glass Pavilion, our estate provides a sustainable and private backdrop for unforgettable Wisconsin destination weddings."