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CLIENT EDUCATION
Planning an event and preparing for a photo shoot can feel overwhelming. I have photographed hundreds of weddings and hundreds and hundreds of sessions, so I’m here to help! I’m happy to share any knowledge I’ve gained over the years to make your journey easier.
Best Wedding Venues in Omaha Nebraska
I am often asked what venues are the best to choose from in Omaha, Nebraska. Here is a list of my top wedding venues in the Omaha area and what I love about each one. I chose a mix of downtown, industrial, and outdoor venues, so there is plenty of variety to choose from. These venues offer ample photography opportunities as well to create a cohesive wedding day style. Here are my favorites in no particular order, as well as images I’ve photographed at each location. Choosing a wedding venue can often feel overwhelming, so my hope is this will help give you an overall feel of each space and if it’s the right fit for you.
LAURITZEN GARDENS
event capacity - up to 275 guests
Lauritzen Gardens is hands down one of my favorite venues to shoot at. From the tropical-filled arboretum to the multiple gardens on site, the photography opportunities are endless! Victoria Gardens is my favorite! They offer multiple opportunities for both indoor and outdoor ceremony locations. An outdoor cocktail hour just sounds lovely to me. If you’ve ever dreamt of an island wedding but want to stay in Nebraska, this is your place to create all those vibes! There is so much natural beauty here that is unmatched. This is an absolute gem in Omaha!
The Hotel Deco
event capacity - up to 170 guests
The Hotel Deco is a wonderful modern hotel and event space to host your wedding. It is an all-inclusive space where you can get ready, have a pre-wedding drink at their upscale bar, host your wedding ceremony, and also reception all in one location. Their culinary team will create an amazing wedding cuisine that is absolutely delicious (seriously the best chicken I’ve ever had at a wedding). The Park Room reception space hosts modern industrial elements and is a dream to photograph (it’s so nice and bright!). Highly recommend this location if you are going for a classy, modern, city vibe.
ELMWOOD PARK PAVILION AND GROTTO
event capacity - up to 120 guests
Elmwood Park is the perfect location for an outdoor wedding. It truly looks different during every season of the year. You could choose it for a lush green summer wedding, or for a warm earthy vibe in the fall. There’s plenty of shade during the day as the park is covered with trees of all kinds. The pavilion on site could be a wonderful option for a reception in the same space and is reminiscent of a California wedding venue with Spanish architecture. I picture a beautiful wedding dance outside the pavilion under the stars with food trucks where guests can choose dinner of their choice. This venue is wonderful for a laid back atmosphere and casual vibe.
joslyn art museum
event capacity - up to 400 guests
Art lovers, this one’s for you. The Joslyn Art Museum is a wonderful wedding venue offering many options. There are both indoor and outdoor opportunities for a wedding ceremony and reception. You could host your entire wedding outside, which is a huge advantage in Omaha. The museum alone speaks for itself in terms of design and architecture. Guests can enjoy artwork from world renowned artists during cocktail hour. How cool is it to get married at a location you can one day visit with your children to reminisce all the special moments.
The MAGNOLIA HOTEL
event capacity - up to 200 guests
The Magnolia Hotel is one of the most beautiful, charming locations in Omaha for an outdoor wedding. It was originally built in 1924 with the motivation of mimicking a palace in Florence, Italy. It is also a part of the National Register of Historic Places - how cool! The bridal suite is lovely as well with two levels, so there is plenty of room for your crew! Your out of town guests will be able to experience the hospitality on site, and won’t need to drive to a separate hotel once the dancing is over. This boutique hotel offers a few different wedding options, depending on the size of your ceremony. The natural beauty combined with modern elements make it a wonderful place to wed.
THE PELLA AT BLACKSTONE
event capacity - up to 250 guests
The Pella at Blackstone is a truly unique space. Originally a church in the Blackstone District, the charming blend of modern and historic architecture is hard to beat. My favorite space is the Landing - a bright white lower level of the building that is perfect for either a wedding ceremony and reception, or simply a cocktail hour space. The upper level gives a more moody, dramatic vibe with an open floor plan. It’s high ceilings provide room to breathe and enjoy the space.
THE Omar
event capacity - up to 320 guests
Originally the Omar Bakery Building built in 1923, the Omar is a historic industrial space full of opportunity. Host both your wedding ceremony and reception all in one open space, with an opportunity for cocktail hour off the back upstairs patio. Industrial exposed brick + art deco style never looked so good together.
THE LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING
event capacity - up to 350 guests
Sitting in South Omaha is The Livestock Exchange Building. What I love about this venue is the bright, ivory blank space. You can create a bohemian inspired wedding, or go full on classic modern here. It is as versatile as it is spacious. They offer two large ballrooms on the tenth floor to choose from, depending upon your event size. They also have plenty of on site parking for your convenience as well.
FOUNDERS ONE NINE
event capacity - outdoor green space up to 120 guests // indoor space up to 400 guests
Founders One Nine in downtown Omaha is the perfect urban mix of bright white walls and ceilings + industrial exposed brick. It is one of the larger urban locations in downtown Omaha, which is a huge plus if you can’t cut down your guest list! I love the option of hosting a more intimate ceremony on the green space outside (or cocktail hour) and having a larger reception indoors. They also offer an award-winning exclusive culinary team who’s excited to offer you many meal options. The staff is so wonderful to work with here also! Founders One Nine was built in 1920 and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. I’d highly recommend checking it out.
ONE THOUSAND DODGE
event capacity - up to 250 guests
Originally built as a warehouse in 1928, One Thousand Dodge is perfect for those who love a little Omaha history incorporated into their wedding story. Renovated as a unique creative space, this venue is the perfect location to host a wedding reception in Omaha’s newer Capitol District just north of the historic Old Market. It offers an open floor plan with rooms for a dance floor and catering area just off to the side of the main space. Hotels are literally located right across the street with a huge parking lot nearby, making this very convenient for your guests as well.
COTTONWOOD HOTEL
coming in summer 2020 // event capacity - up to 250 guests
rendered images from the Cottonwood Hotel website
This is an upcoming new venue that I am majorly crushing on. As if a rooftop pool area for cocktail hour isn’t enough, the Cottonwood Hotel’s dreamy hallways leave so many options for creative photography on your wedding day. “An elegant retreat in the heart of Omaha”, this hotel is a renovation of the historic Blackstone Hotel. The boutique hotel rooms are absolutely stunning, and will be a stunning backdrop for when you slip your wedding dress on to start the day. This venue breathes “classic and modern sophistication”. Guests will be so impressed with the soulful design of this space. Absolutely check this place out when it opens in the summer.
The living room
event capacity - up to 225 guests
An urban oasis north of downtown Omaha, The Living Room is definitely worth considering in Omaha. This venue offers industrial brick, exposed ceiling timbers, and clerestory windows. As a photographer, I love the natural light it offers too! They have a private parking lot that can host 400 cars, which is rare in downtown Omaha. One major gem of this location is the ability to host an outdoor ceremony overlooking the downtown Omaha cityscape on the Terrace. Talk about dreamy! An indoor ceremony is also available, and just as cool. It’s definitely a perk to have this option in the case of inclement weather.
Falconwood park
event capacity - up to 0 guests
With 26 acres of shaded green space, Falconwood Park is the perfect outdoor location to host your woodsy wedding. They offer indoor and outdoor options, which is even better. There are photo opportunities GALORE. Their rustic lodge reception space is perfect for hosting your guests, and they even have the opportunity to host your dance outside under the stars! The opportunity to camp or “glamp” on site offers a really cool experience for your guests as well.
