Weddings

One resort. One wedding. Everybody you love, right here.

Get married on 72 acres between Hoot Owl Lake and Pickerel Lake in northwest Minnesota — say your vows on the lawn, celebrate in the lodge, and send your guests to bed in one of our 12 lakeside cabins, steps from the party. No shuttles, no strangers, no five-hour rental clock. The whole weekend is yours.

We're a family-owned resort — Heather and Christian Davis, your hosts — in Waubun, Minnesota: 45 min NE of Detroit Lakes, 45 min NW of Park Rapids, and about 30 minutes from Itasca State Park.

Why weddings work here

  • A ceremony anywhere you like — anywhere suitable across our 72 acres. The lawn by Cabin 13, overlooking Pickerel Lake, is the favorite.
  • A real rain backup, not a tent prayer — the lodge is your built-in Plan B, and we make the weather call together no less than 24 hours before the ceremony.
  • Everyone sleeps on site — 12 housekeeping cabins for your wedding party and guests, so the celebration doesn't end with a drive in the dark.
  • Get ready in your cabin — the wedding party can get ready in any booked cabin.
  • Food from our kitchen — our restaurant caters your event, and your guests stay fed without a single outside vendor to coordinate.
  • Room for your whole list — weddings and receptions for up to 125 guests.

Your spaces

  • The ceremony grounds — lawns, lake views, and woods across 72 acres; the Cabin 13 lawn is the featured site, but you're not limited to it.
  • The Lodge restaurant (2nd floor) — seats 50 comfortably, with the resort's kitchen and bar.
  • The 3rd-floor multipurpose space — 2,000 sq ft with room for a band or DJ; up to 150 standing or 100 seated. It's also your weather backup.
  • The cabins — getting-ready space, guest lodging, and a quiet place to land at the end of the night.

Food & drink

All food and beverage for your wedding comes through our kitchen — burgers, pizza, southern fare, hors d'oeuvres, and full meals, served by the people who cook for our restaurant all season. Two carve-outs: cakes and desserts are yours to bring from your favorite baker, and your rehearsal dinner doesn't have to be ours (though we're happy to feed it). Beer and wine are served to your guests from our bar.

Browse dishes we've served at events on our Events Menu board. There's no formal tasting — instead, come have dinner at the restaurant during the season and try the dishes the way your guests will get them.

What's on site for you

  • 200 chairs and rectangular tables — ceremony and reception seating for up to 125 are on site
  • A Bluetooth speaker for your music (couples wanting a bigger setup bring their own; outside photographers, DJs, florists, and rental vendors are all welcome)
  • Two TV monitors with HDMI hookups for slideshows and presentations
  • Heather as your day-of resort host
  • Parking on site for guests who aren't staying over

Staying over

Your guests book the cabins and stay steps from the celebration — each cabin is a housekeeping cabin with a full kitchen, bed linens and kitchen towels provided (guests bring bath towels). Most couples' guests reserve their own cabins, so nobody has to collect money from the guest list.

Planning something else — a reunion, retreat, or party? See our Private Events page.

Good to know — wedding FAQ

How many guests can we have?
Up to 125 — that's our comfortable cap for ceremonies and receptions.

What if it rains?
The lodge — restaurant floor and the 2,000 sq ft third floor — is your built-in backup, reserved for you either way. We make the rain-plan call together no less than 24 hours before your ceremony, so there's no morning-of scramble.

Can we book a July wedding?
July is our busiest month, so July weddings are reserved for couples who stay the week with us, and dates depend on cabin availability. Other months are more flexible — ask about your date.

Can we bring our own caterer?
No — all event food and beverage comes through our kitchen, with two exceptions: your cake and desserts, and your rehearsal dinner. Beer and wine are served from our bar; we don't offer a full bar.

Can we hire our own photographer, DJ, or florist?
Absolutely — outside vendors are welcome for everything except food and beverage.

How do we hold our date?
Start with the inquiry form below (or a call). When you're ready, your date is secured with a signed agreement and a booking deposit; final payment for food and venue is due 14 days before the wedding. We'll walk you through the details — including the modest facility fee, which is waived when your group books six or more cabins.

Can our dog be part of the day?
Dogs are welcome in the cabins — up to 2 per cabin, with a refundable pet deposit.

What about the end of the night?
We ask that you bag trash in the cans provided, take your decorations with you, and leave the spaces as you found them — our crew handles the floors and restrooms from there. An optional tear-down service is available if you'd rather hand the whole job to us; details come with your enquiry. Late checkout for cabin guests is available by the hour with advance approval.

Start planning

Tell us about your wedding with the inquiry form below, or call Heather or Christian at 218-204-0219. Dates for the coming seasons are open — tell us your date, your guest count, and how you picture the day, and we'll take it from there.

Hoot Owl Resort · 10449 Hoot Owl Lake Rd, Waubun, MN 56589 · hootowlresort@gmail.com