Nestled on the northwest side of Sioux Falls, Emerald Pines Barn is a dreamy venue choice for your wedding day. As a wedding photographer, I look forward to every wedding that I get to photograph at Emerald Pines. Not only are the owners, Kristi and Jason Shanks, some of the nicest people to work with, they also will do just about anything to bring your dream day to life. Here’s a few important things that I love about the Sioux Falls Wedding Venue, Emerald Pines Barn.

Large Bright Spaces

My number one recommendation when selecting your wedding venue is to make sure it’s BRIGHT. A bright venue with white walls and lots of natural light allows me to capture well-lit photos without the need for artificial light (such as a flash). In my opinion, natural light is one of the most important factors in creating a beautiful image. White is a natural reflector, so if your venue has white walls and lots of windows, your images will be more true to color. Emerald Pines Barn is full of white walls, large windows, and big open spaces, making it a photographer’s dream wedding day lighting setup.

Bridal & Groom’s Suite

Lots of venues have a bridal suite, but something unique about Emerald Pines is that they also have a groom’s suite. The two getting ready spaces are located on separate floors to avoid any unwanted encounters before the first looks. There’s also a separate entrance from outside to get to the opposite suites so you don’t risk running into each other coming inside from your vehicles.

The Bridal Suite is full of natural light and has plenty of mirrors and plugins for all of your bridesmaids to get ready on the morning of your wedding. It’s also attached to a women’s bathroom for added getting ready space.

The Groom’s Den is set up so that the guys can play a quick round of foosball or catch a game of Madden on the morning of your wedding. When it’s finally time to get the boys dressed, it’s conveniently located next to the main bathrooms and has plenty of space to get prepared for the ceremony.

Outdoor & Indoor Ceremony Options

The weather for a Sioux Falls wedding can be unpredictable. That’s why it’s so important to have an indoor option available in case your outdoor ceremony plans are ruined by weather changes. Emerald Pines is prepared for any ceremony situation.

The outdoor ceremony space is located very close to the actual venue with no stairs required for any elderly or handicapped guests. The space has a permanent arbor that can be decorated to fit your wedding day design. And the white chairs that Emerald Pines sets up for their outdoor ceremony won’t distract from any decor you might add but also are comfortable seating for you guests.

In the event that weather does not cooperate or you’re already dreaming of an indoor ceremony, the venue itself can be flipped from a reception space to a ceremony space. The wooden chairs and tables can be set up in a ceremony-like fashion facing the ship-lapped accent wall. The large chandeliers and wooden ceiling beams create a romantic feel to the indoor space that will have your ceremony looking like a Pinterest-worthy scene.

Location & Privacy

Maybe one of my favorite things about Emerald Pines is the location. It’s close enough to Sioux Falls to have all the added benefits of easy transportation and hotel accommodation for your guests, but far enough from the “city center” so that it feels like you are in nature. From prairie grass to pine trees to juicy sunsets, Emerald Pines Barn has a picturesque landscape for your wedding day portraits.

Choosing a wedding venue can be difficult, but when looking at Emerald Pines Barn it’s hard to find a reason not book there. Visit their website today to see if they have your wedding date available and then inquire with me so I can capture all of your special wedding day moments at Emerald Pines Barn!