Getting married is often a life long dream, but planning your big day can sound like a nightmare; this is especially true when there is so much advice, rumors, and “rules” floating around. At The Pines, we love helping couples navigate their big day with clarity and confidence – and today, we’re setting the record straight with some of the most common myths about Fargo, ND wedding venues.

Maybe these are things you have heard, or maybe they are things you even believe – so leave it to us to explain why you can throw these myths out the window. 

1. You Have to Have a Wedding Planner or Day-of Coordinator

While having a wedding planner can make your day run smoother, it’s not required! With budgets being tighter now days, it is getting more common to find couples cutting this expense from their budgets. Many couples have successfully planned their weddings themselves.

While there are major benefits to having a planner, it is likely that you will have a hired vendor with you each step of your day – from the makeup artist, the photographer, to the DJ – and these vendors can offer guidance during the timeframe they have you. 

At The Pines, you will also have a Venue Manager on-site during your wedding day, and our team can help you with guidance along the way as well. We’re not just selling you a venue, we are giving you an experience – so rest assured, you will be take care of! 

2. All Venues Have Hidden Fees

False!

At The Pines, we believe transparency is key. All fees, packages, and options are clearly outlined on our website up front and in our rental agreements. No surprises, No hidden Fees – just a clear understanding of what your wedding will include.

Venues often get a bad reputation for “hidden fees”, and often on tours we get asked, “so what are your hidden fees?” But most of the time it is less about sneakiness and more about the way costs are structured – to avoid confusion, we do one clear rental rate for transparent costs!

3. Rain Will Ruin My Wedding

Mother Nature can be unpredictable in North Dakota, but rain is never a disaster! At The Pines, we have options to accommodate outdoor ceremonies or photos, and curated indoor spaces to ensure your wedding is beautiful no matter the weather. Some couples even finds that rain adds a magical, romantic touch to their photos!

At Pines White, we aim for outdoor ceremonies, but our team will always have a backup plan in place for an indoor ceremony. On the day of the wedding, we leave the end decision in your hands, giving you the option of us accommodating an indoor ceremony with a 30 minute notice and our team takes care of all the adjustments.  

4. Weddings Have to be on Saturdays

Not at The Pines!

We host weddings any day of the week! Weekdays and Sundays are often more flexible for popular vendors, and couples can even enjoy reduced pricing or additional perks for off-peak dates. 

There are many benefits to having a wedding outside of a Saturday, such as – lower pricing, more date options, vendor availability, and even a unique guest experience. At the end of the day, your wedding should reflect you, not tradition. If a Saturday works, amazing, but if you’re open to other days, you might be surprised at what it could become. 

5. The Wedding Industry is Over Priced

Weddings can seem expensive, but your wedding day is a special day for you and your loved ones to celebrate your next steps in live. When creating your wedding budget, make sure to focus on what is most important to each out you, and structure your budget to fix those desires to ensure your special feature is included! 

Think about the vendors you are hiring and what they can bring to your day. You are hiring wedding experts, not just a service. Wedding vendors are professionals who specialize in creating seamless, unforgettable events. From your photographer who will capture your once-in-a-lifetime moments to your DJ who’s keeps the energy alive all the way throughout the night, you are paying for years of skill and experience – not just the hours they are present.

6. Your Wedding Has to be Big

Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate gathering or a large celebration, the day is all about you! At The Pines, we have spaces that accommodate weddings of all sizes ranging from 50 to 300+. Your wedding should reflect your vision and size shouldn’t matter. 

Your day, your vision, your wedding.  

7. Catering and Bar Services are Expensive

Since The Pines opened in 2018, our team has partnered with Chef’s Table Catering as our exclusive catering partner for weddings. Our teams together believe that offering exceptional food at an affordable cost is a critical part of a guest’s time at the Pines! To keep your food and beverage planning process smooth and easy, we have taken the steps to organize this partnership with Chef’s Table.  

What about the bubbles and the brews? The Pines is proud to own and operate the 120 Bar (Pines Black) and the Kennedy Bar (Pines White). Beverage and bar services are organized by clients through their consultations with our Client Relations Managers!

8. You Must Follow the Script or Traditional Ways

Traditions are always optional.

Your wedding can be as classic, modern, or as unique as you’d like. From ceremony structure to decor choices, we encourage you to create a day that feels true to you. For generations, weddings followed a set format, and the guests came expecting it – but times have changed and expectations have shifted, each wedding is unique and memorable, making it the couples own. Whether it is blending modern with tradition, or making something completely of your own, we’re here to help make that dream your reality. 

9. Winter Weddings Aren’t Feasible

Winter weddings are not only feasible – they can be absolutely stunning!

Think cozy décor, intimate lighting, and picturesque snowy photos. Our indoor spaces keep everyone warm and comfortable, while you embrace a magical winter wonderland theme. The warmer seasons are known for being more popular, and that often leaves many beautiful wedding venues in “hibernation”, but checking multiple months off of your calendar as non-options might just be a blockage of your blessings. 

Wedding myths many times form from common expectation, but your wedding deserves to be anything but common. Give your guests, and yourself, something out of the ordinary and unique!