If there’s a more beautiful indoor wedding location in Minnesota than the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park, I haven’t found it.

A Victorian glass greenhouse built in 1913, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and filled year-round with blooms, tropical plants, and a quality of light that is genuinely unlike anything else in the state. The arched glass ceilings. The seasonal flowers. The botanical richness in every direction. Walking into the Sunken Garden for a ceremony is stepping into a completely different world from the parking lot outside — intimate, warm, fragrant, and beautiful.

I’ve photographed at Como Park Conservatory and it consistently produces some of my favorite images. Here’s everything you need to know about getting married here.

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About the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

The Conservatory at Como Regional Park in St. Paul is one of the Twin Cities’ most beloved institutions — free and open to the public every day of the year, spanning multiple distinct garden spaces across the historic glass buildings and outdoor grounds.

Built in 1913 and designed by architect Frederick Nussbaumer, the Conservatory has been hosting weddings and celebrations for over a century. It’s owned by the City of Saint Paul, which makes it more accessible and affordable than many private venue options.

The larger Como Regional Park spans 384 acres and includes Como Lake with two miles of trails, a golf course, Japanese garden, outdoor fountains, and historic architectural details — making it one of the most varied portrait locations in the Twin Cities.

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Ceremony and Reception Spaces

The Sunken Garden — The Crown Jewel

The Sunken Garden is the most beloved ceremony space in the Conservatory — a long, arched greenhouse with glass walls and ceiling, a central black fountain (adorned with the Play Days statue at one end), and seasonal blooms that change throughout the year. Guests stand in the aisle and the couple marries at the far end, framed by the fountain and the botanical backdrop.

It is genuinely the best smelling wedding location in Minnesota.

Capacity: Up to around 100 guests for a ceremony Season: Year-round — the seasonal floral shows change the palette throughout the year, from spring tulips and daffodils to summer tropicals to fall arrangements to holiday poinsettias

The North Garden

The North Garden is the Sunken Garden’s quieter sibling — a lovely space filled with plants that are useful rather than purely ornamental (cinnamon, banana, tropical herbs and spices). It has a more intimate, enclosed feeling and is wonderful for very small ceremonies and portrait sessions.

The Japanese Garden

Open during warm months (typically May through October), the Japanese Garden is one of the most photographically beautiful outdoor spaces in all of Como Park — formal garden design with koi ponds, stone lanterns, a traditional tea house, and meticulous ornamental plantings. It’s stunning for portraits and intimate outdoor ceremonies for very small groups.

The Palm Dome

The Palm Dome is the iconic domed glass greenhouse filled with mature tropical trees and palms — it creates an extraordinary backdrop for portraits and has a jungle canopy quality that photographs beautifully.

The Covered Porch

The Covered Porch is Como’s most versatile reception space — floor-to-ceiling windows framing fabulous views of the glass dome, beautiful for both daytime and evening events when the Conservatory illuminates from inside.

Capacity: 240 seated, 400 standing Rental fee: $1,500–2,000 Food & beverage minimum: $3,000–5,500

The Bullard Rainforest Auditorium

An unexpected and genuinely unique reception option — an auditorium space overlooking the Zoo’s bird exhibit. It’s theatrical, surprising, and completely unlike any other event space in Minnesota.

Capacity: 200 seated, 300 standing Rental fee: $500–1,800 F&B minimum: $1,000–4,200

The Berglund Wright Room

A more intimate event space studded with skylights — beautiful for smaller receptions, rehearsal dinners, or intimate wedding celebrations.

Capacity: 60 seated, 100 standing Rental fee: $400–750 F&B minimum: $350–1,100

The Enchanted Garden (Outdoor)

For outdoor ceremonies, the Enchanted Garden accommodates up to 250 guests. A beautiful outdoor option during the warmer months.

Note: Como Park works exclusively with Lancer Hospitality for catering. For current pricing and availability, contact Como Park directly at comozooconservatory.org — pricing can vary seasonally.

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What Makes Como Conservatory Special for Photography

As a photographer, Como is one of my favorite venues in the Twin Cities — and here’s why.

The light. The glass walls and ceiling create the most beautiful natural light — soft, diffused, and flattering in a way that most indoor venues simply can’t replicate. Even on cloudy days, the Conservatory glows warmly.

The variety. Within a single venue, you have the Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Palm Dome, the outdoor grounds, Como Lake, and the park’s wider landscape. A full Como Conservatory wedding day can produce images that look like five different locations.

The backdrop. Botanical beauty is endlessly photogenic. Flowers, lush greenery, glass architecture — it creates a backdrop that is simultaneously elegant and natural.

Year-round beauty. Unlike outdoor-only venues, Como works in every season. A January Como wedding with the Conservatory warm and blooming while snow falls outside the glass is one of my favorite kinds of sessions to photograph.

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Elopements at Como Conservatory

Como Park is genuinely one of the best elopement locations in the Twin Cities for one specific reason: it’s free and open to the public, which means you can use the public outdoor spaces for portraits without a rental reservation.

For a legal ceremony in the Sunken Garden or other reserved spaces, you’ll need to book through Como Park’s events team.

This makes Como one of the most accessible beautiful locations in the Twin Cities for elopement couples.

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Is Como Conservatory Right for You?

Como is right for you if:

• You want an intimate, botanical, naturally beautiful ceremony space
• You love the idea of a Victorian glass greenhouse
• You’re planning a smaller wedding (under 100 for the Sunken Garden ceremony)
• Year-round availability and indoor beauty matter to you
• You want a venue that photographs beautifully without requiring a lot of additional decoration

Como may not be right for you if:

• You need to accommodate more than 100 guests for the ceremony
• You prefer a fully outdoor setting
• You want complete privacy (Como is a public space and other visitors may be present in non-reserved areas outside)

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Ready to Get Married at Como Conservatory?

I’d love to be your Como Conservatory wedding or elopement photographer. It’s one of my favorite venues in Minnesota and I know every corner of it.

Fill out my contact form → and let’s start planning your Como Park wedding or elopement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you elope at Como Conservatory without booking a private event?

Yes — the public outdoor areas of Como Park, including the Japanese Garden and the outdoor grounds, are open to the public during park hours with no reservation required. For a reserved ceremony in the Sunken Garden or other indoor spaces, you’ll need to book through Como Park’s events team. I help couples figure out the right approach for their vision and group size.

How many guests can get married in Como Conservatory’s Sunken Garden?

The Sunken Garden accommodates up to around 100 guests for a ceremony. For very intimate elopements, the smaller North Garden or the Japanese Garden (open seasonally) work beautifully without requiring a full venue rental.

Is Como Conservatory open for weddings year-round?

The indoor spaces — the Sunken Garden, Palm Dome, and North Garden — are open and beautiful year-round. The Japanese Garden is open during warmer months, typically May through October. This makes Como one of the only truly year-round stunning elopement locations in the Twin Cities.

What does it cost to get married at Como Conservatory?

Como Park is city-owned and free for public access. Reserved event spaces like the Covered Porch have rental fees starting around $1,500, with food and beverage minimums through their exclusive caterer, Lancer Hospitality. For smaller ceremonies using the reserved Sunken Garden space, contact Como Park’s events team directly for current pricing — it changes seasonally.

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