Hazeltine National Golf Club Wedding | Cheers to the Facklams
Hailey and Eric are officially husband and wife after this beautiful day for their Hazeltine National Golf Club wedding. May 8, 2021 was what dreams are made of. Timeless style choices. An extraordinary, versatile venue. A gorgeous bride in a dress that made her look like an angel. The kindest, happiest people who truly made me feel more like a guest than a vendor. What more could you possibly want in a wedding day?!
Let’s start with the wedding venue: Hazeltine National Golf Club
Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota is a gorgeous venue option for couples getting married in the Twin Cities Metro. But what makes it so great? It comes down to the space, how it looks and how it feels.
The Wedding Party Suite
One of my favorite spots was the wedding party suite inside the clubhouse. I saw this room a few weeks before and it was essentially empty, but it captured my heart right away.
Any guesses why?! That’s right, that LIGHT! This room is surrounded by nearly floor-to-ceiling windows which means so much light and so many options for incredibly flattering photos.
Dream Day Dressing Rooms transformed this space into a chic, comfortable lounge, and wow did they do a fantastic job. From Hailey’s soon-to-be mother-in-law helping her into her dress (and crying most of the way through!), to her first look with her mama, to a bridesmaid reveal for her girls – this room witnessed so many incredible moments on their wedding day.
The Clubhouse Exterior
The outdoor space spoke for itself. The gorgeous archway in front of the club was perfect for portraits of the bride, groom and their wedding party. The doors off of the event entrance are covered, creating a great spot for group photos even in the middle of the day with all the harsh light. The dark walls of the clubhouse also create a gorgeous contrast with wedding whites.
The greenspace at Hazeltine is what drew my eye originally, but honestly, the whole outside of the building is a photoshoot waiting to happen. That means lots of options for you as a couple and lots of variety in your final wedding photos. And one of the best parts? In all of the photos above, the roof completely covering the entire bridal party. That means no matter what the weather wants to do, Hazeltine will give you beautiful options for portraits and group photos.
This space is a win-win-win-win.
The Newly Renovated Ballroom, Lobby and Reception Spaces
The recently renovated ballroom and reception spaces kept everyone comfortable and served as the perfect backdrop for their day. Hailey and Eric said I do just outside the ballroom in front of their closest family and friends. Completely surrounded by giant windows, this space was incredibly well-let with natural light. It allowed me to capture some stunning photos of their vows and ring exchanges. During social hours, guests mingled in that same space, visiting the bar at the end and with easy access to the patio outside for anyone who wanted a little fresh air.
The ballroom was, well, roomy. With lots of space to customize your layout (and add a big *ss dance floor), Hazeltine has a great space to host your reception. Weddings that are filled with party animals or who want space to spread out can rest assured that this spot has it all.
These classic neutral spaces would serve as a perfect backdrop for any Hazeltine National Golf Club wedding.
The Patio and the Course
Just like the indoor spaces, the patio at Hazeltine also got some updates and upgrades. It’s a perfect, laid-back space for your social hour. They can set you up with a bar outside to keep guests happy and it’s a fantastic spot for hanging out with your favorite people when you need a little air.
And when it comes to time for couples photos at sunset, it’s hard to beat this course. The rolling hills, lake, trees and cute little bridge by the water are all incredible backdrops for those couples’ portraits. I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re getting married at Hazeltine, please take the time to get out on the course with your new spouse for portraits. I promise it’s worth it.
An incredibly intentional guest experience
Hailey and Eric were a COVID couple. They originally planned their wedding in Minneapolis in September 2020, but coronavirus restrictions forced them to postpone last fall. Their wedding this May more than made up for that missed day.
The pair invited just their closest family members to witness their ceremony in the early afternoon. Friends and extended family joined them for the social hour and reception. They could have left it at that. But Hailey and Eric don’t do things halfway. No, instead they welcomed all of their guests by greeting them at the door with a glass of champagne and long overdue hug.
It was the sweetest touch. Hazeltine National Golf Club has the perfect set up for this new wedding tradition. (Thanks Facklams, I’m totally stealing idea for my wedding!) The staff at Hazeltine were there with extra bottles, handing out glasses to all the guests and checking in to make sure Hailey and Eric were doing well the whole time. The attention to detail and care for their clients meant the newlyweds could focus on loving on their guests, not worrying about anything going wrong. I was so impressed by this team at this beautiful wedding venue.
Pure joy at this Hazeltine National Golf Club wedding
I’ve been saying this a lot lately, but there is something so special about these weddings in 2021. Weddings have always been about joy and love and celebration. But after what we all went through in 2020, this year weddings are like all of those emotions on steroids.
As Hailey and Eric visited with wedding guests there was a chorus of “Oh my gosh I haven’t seen you since (insert event here) two years ago” and “I’m just so happy for you two finally getting married.” But more than that, there were smiles taking over entire faces. Laughs lighting up all the rooms. There was joy in every little space you could fit it because people could be together. Because this wedding finally happened. It was a true honor to witness. I would relive day every week if I could. (Yep, one of those kinds of weddings.)
So cheers to you, Mr. and Mrs. Facklam.
To your marriage.
To your happiness.
And to this perfect Hazeltine National Golf Club Wedding.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for your upcoming wedding at Hazeltine (or any of the wonderful wedding venues here in Minnesota!), I’d love to help. Fill out my inquiry form and let’s see if we’re a good fit.
