Congratulations!! You have worked up all your bravery to pop the question, WILL YOU MARRY ME? She said YES! I would love to marry you! You give her the most beautiful proposal, with the most incredible engagement ring from local jewelry store in Mankato such as Williams Diamonds, Exclusively Diamonds, Kay Jewelers, Rogers and Hollands or Riddle’s Jewelry, then you celebrate with friends and family. You might celebrate at some of the top Mankato restaurants like Number 4, Pub 500, Boulder Tap House, Tav on the Ave or Blue Bricks! So what’s next?

Now you have to find your dream location to take beautiful engagement photos in Mankato! It can be a challenge to find a prime location to take gorgeous photos, find the best photographer and pick out engagement outfits! Let’s tackle each of these decisions one at a time so you can find how to take beautiful engagement photos in Mankato!

Top Locations for Engagement Photos in Mankato

1. Local Parks: Local parks are a great option for taking beautiful engagement photos in Mankato. They offer lots of lush green lawns, beautiful trees and cost nothing! Some of the best local parks in Mankato to take photos are Rasmussen Woods, famous for it’s beautiful floating brides, lush woods and gorgeous trails. Sibley Park is another go to option for great engagement photos. It is known for its stunning gardens, gazebo, pergola, oak trees and the farm of course!
2. State Parks: Minneopa State Park is another option that won’t disappoint you and your Mankato Photographer! The falls are absolutely stunning, the bridge is so classic and picturesque and the never ending trees give you the most beautiful backdrop! Seppmann Mill is SO beautiful and often overlooked at a option for Mankato Engagement photos! It looks over the entire bison range and is absolutely PERFECT for your engagement photos! The Mill is so classic and beautiful, the hills are stunning and the overlook is just too good to be true.
3. Local Wedding Venues: If you are lucky, some wedding venues, like the Barn at Ballard Creek, will open up hours for you and your fiance to snap some gorgeous photos! The Barn at Ballard Creek has endless engagement opportunities. Some of couple’s and photographer’s favorites are the Long Horn Cows, the pasture, the woods, the oak trees, the flower fields, the old brick wall with beautiful ivy, the historic silo, the stone chimney and of course the barn!

Top Minnesota Engagement Photographers

1. Sarah Marschall Williams Photography – Sarah took these GORGEOUS photos for Meg and Jordan’s engagement session! Based out of Shakopee and she will travel the world to take your perfect engagement and wedding photos! She is SO fun and kind and will make you and your fiance’s experience the absolute best and deliver you with the most incredible photo gallery!
2. Tiffany Chesley Aristry – Tiffany is based out of Lakeville Minnesota. What are her clients saying? “I loved working with Tiffany!  She was very accommodating and really invested time in preparation for our wedding. But above all else, the quality of the photos we received were absolutely wonderful. I would recommend her in a heartbeat!” – Jina
3. Crystel Becker Photography – “Timeless & Emotive Storytelling for the Modern Romantic”. Crystel will capture both your engagement photos and wedding photos seamlessly! She is so kind and accommodating and captures every detail!
4. Always Karlie Photography – Based out of Minnesota, Karlie will capture both your engagement session and wedding day perfectly! Her client Hailey says, “Karlie is sooooo talented!!!!! I cant recommend her enough!! She took our engagement photos and we are so in love with them. she is so fun, creative and the ultimate hype women! We cant wait to have her capture our wedding next year”
5. Hailey Nelson Photography – Hailey will make you feel so comfortable, laugh and smile during your engagement session! She knows just the right way to make you feel comfortable and the most creative and perfect angles! It was a pleasure watching her work at an engagement session right here, she made the couple feel so comfortable and we could tell everyone was having such a great time and the photos were breathtaking! (We will share that soon!).

How to Choose an Engagement Photo Outfit

1. Neutrals. You cannot go wrong with a good set of neutrals outfits for your Mankato engagement session. Tans, whites, creams, jean and khaki are classic and will look good wherever you take your engagement photos!
2. Black and White. Black and white is a classic look that will also never fail you and your engagement session inside or out doors. Considering something with a more subtle pattern or solids. Black and white accessories can be super cute, too – think of a straw hat with black banding or super cute heals or boots depending on your location!
3. GO BOLD – If you are shooting your engagement photo inside, consider going a little bolder with your colors or outfits. A wild fun dress or super modern button up. Because out door engagement photos have more in the backdrop, simpler is best but if you have a calmer, more solid backdrop of an interior space or studio, feel free to have fun with color and patterns!
4. Something you love – Make sure you feel great in whatever you pick! You’ll shine and look fantastic in whatever you choose as long as it makes you feel good!

We hope you’ll consider having your Mankato engagement photos and your dream wedding here at The Barn at Ballard Creek. The Barn at Ballard Creek is a picturesque Minnesota Wedding Venue and will make your wedding dreams come true! Not only is the Barn at Ballard Creek a gorgeous barn venue with modern amenities and the most serene country setting, but it also is so conveniently located so close to Mankato, less than 2 hours from Minneapolis and St. Paul and is worth any drive truly for both your wedding and engagement photos! Take a minute to look at our packages for more info and fill out our contact form so we can visit here soon! We can’t wait to hear from you!

XOXO

Lindsey

Photography For Meg and Jordan: Sarah Marschall Williams Photography

It’s never too early to start dreaming and planning your wedding! If you have been dating for a while, recently engaged or just wanting to explore options and give your loved one a little nudge, please visit our website to see all we have to offer at our beautiful Mankato, Minnesota Barn Wedding Venue. The Barn at Ballard Creek will not only give you and your partner a wedding of a lifetime, but will also give your guests an experience they will never forget!

Thanks so much for reading our blog and reading about how to take beautiful engagement photos in Mankato. We’re so excited about using our blog to highlight locally owned wedding venues. These venues often bring a more personal touch and dedication to your wedding day. As you plan your wedding, we hope you’ll consider a locally owned venue like ours! Check out this wedding venue map to discover many wonderful locally owned venues across the country. Sending a big shout out to all the amazing locally owned wedding venues out there!

Lizton Lodge, Homestead 32, The Postmark, Hightower Falls, The Venue At Springfield Estates, The Venue at Springfield Estate Contact, Heart D Farm, Brandt 1910, The Haycraft, Cherry Barc Farm