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This week’s topics: historic wedding venues, choosing a historic wedding venue, Minnesota destination weddings, industrial wedding venues, large-scale wedding venues, intimate weddings at historic properties, wedding venue guest experience, in-house wedding catering benefits, plated wedding dinner trends, late-night wedding food ideas, wedding venue planning tips, venue tour wedding podcast
In this venue tour episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich and her co-host Brooke Beise, Publisher of Minnesota Bride, have a conversation with Grace Eberhardt, VP of Operations, and Sydney Young, Catering & Events Director, of Northern Pacific Center. The episode explores what makes the historic Brainerd venue a standout destination for modern couples seeking a setting that balances architectural character with creative flexibility. Sonja shares her fond familiarity with the property, noting that after years of driving past it, finally stepping inside confirmed its reputation as one of Minnesota’s most visually compelling wedding venues.
Grace walks listeners through the scope of the 47-acre former railroad estate, which features multiple restored buildings that can host ceremonies, receptions, and celebrations of varying sizes. From the ever-popular Blacksmith Main to the more intimate Luminary, Northern Pacific Center offers a range of environments unified by exposed brick, industrial textures, chandeliers and thoughtful restoration. While the spaces are rich with character, the ladies emphasize that each venue functions as a blank slate, allowing couples to fully transform the setting to reflect their personal style and wedding vision.
Guest experience is a recurring theme throughout the conversation, particularly when it comes to scale and flow. Northern Pacific Center regularly hosts weddings in the 250–300 guest range, while also expanding offerings for more intimate celebrations. The team highlights one of the venue’s strongest assets: photography. With historic doors, murals, open fields and striking architectural backdrops throughout the property, couples are able to capture a wide range of editorial-worthy moments without ever leaving the grounds.
The episode also offers insight into the venue’s planning process, which Grace describes as hands-on and highly collaborative. From the initial inquiry through wedding day execution, couples receive ongoing support, including guided walkthroughs, a curated rental collection and a dedicated 30-day pre-wedding meeting to finalize layout and design selections. With in-house furniture, tabletop upgrades and draping options available, the venue streamlines decision-making while still allowing for deep personalization.
The conversation then moves on to the culinary experience, outlining Northern Pacific Center’s exclusive in-house catering program. Couples are introduced to the food and beverage team through chef-led tastings and seasonal samplings, typically six to nine months before the wedding. She notes a strong return to plated dinners, reflecting a renewed appreciation for elegance and guest comfort, while cocktail hours and late-night offerings provide opportunities for creativity and surprise. Current favorites include espresso martini moments and elevated comfort-food stations that keep energy high late into the evening.
Closing out the episode, the group reflects on the importance of service and consistency. With an on-site team that knows the property intimately, Northern Pacific Center is able to deliver a seamless experience that feels both polished and personal. The location stays current through styled shoots, strong vendor partnerships and a willingness to evolve with trends, all while maintaining the integrity of the historic space. For couples seeking a destination wedding experience in Minnesota that prioritizes design and flexibility, Northern Pacific Center continues to set the standard.
This episode is powered by Dan Riggs Films and Northern Pacific Center. Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
