The Madison

Minnesota's Luxury Barn Venue

Holds ceremonies and receptions

5.0

Praised by couples for:

Amenities

Unique aesthetic style

Guests comfort

This is a sentimental area for my husband and I and we couldn't be happier with how our day went!!! Brad and Louise are amazing and so reassuring, we got so many compliments about them and the barn! They are reassuring and genuinely happy to be part of every wedding! We can honestly say our day was exceptional!!!

Amanda G.

5.0

From our first visit to The Madison and meeting Brad, we were hooked—and for good reason! You both are, by far, the most organized, fun, and easygoing people we have ever worked with. To say we were thrilled with how the day went is an understatement. Numerous guests told us how stunning the venue was and how much they appreciated having the owners present and hands-on. Brad, you really know how to steal the show in the best way possible! We cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for us over the past year. It brings tears to my eyes just typing this. The entire day was seamless thanks to your incredible attention to detail. We truly couldn't have done it without you. We wish you nothing but success as you move forward with all your future plans for The Madison!

Tim M.

5.0

Louise Madison

CO-OWNER

Typically responds within 24h

AWARD WINNER

Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot

The Madison is a luxurious wedding venue located in Cottage Grove, MN. This gothic, arched-roof dairy barn was built in the 1940s and is an iconic fixture of the local community. A short distance from the Twin Cities, this expansive and scenic setting makes a wonderful backdrop for your remarkable celebration. The blend of sophisticated elegance and country charm of The Madison property has made it a favorite for weddings and other special events. The grounds include a field brightened by flowers, with the valley as a backdrop for your ceremony. Vivid and scenic green surrounds the white barn, while the ample interior is furnished with luxurious wooden decor. The climate-controlled barn has more than 8,000 square feet of space and an additional 3,000 square feet in an attached get-ready suite for you to prepare in. Up to 500 guests may share in your festivities on these premises, allowing scope for an intimate gathering or a gala extravaganza as you wish. The ethos of this venue's staff is that each wedding is an occasion worth celebrating and one that is truly unforgettable. They want to make your wedding a relaxing and seamless experience with their care and attention to detail. The Madison hosts single-faith, multi-faith, and non-religious wedding ceremonies, as well as elopements and receptions. These premises also accommodate civil unions, commitment ceremonies, second weddings, and vow renewal ceremonies. A variety of catering and beverage services are available from a list of trusted vendors. Event rental items are also provided to enhance your celebrations. Take a 360° Virtual Tour of The Madison and enjoy an exclusive sneak peek today.

Woman-owned Business

2+ years in business

Speaks English

2 team members

Amenities + details

Amenities

Ceremony Area

Dressing Room

Handicap Accessible

Indoor Event Space

Liability Insurance

Outdoor Event Space

Reception Area

Wireless Internet

Ceremony Types

Civil Union

Commitment Ceremony

Elopement

Interfaith Ceremony

Non-Religious Ceremony

Religious Ceremony

Second Wedding

Vow Renewal Ceremony

Settings

Barn

Awards and Affiliations

2026 'Best of Weddings'

Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding

Meet the team

Louise Madison

Co-owner

Louise is the co-owner of The Madison, along with her husband Brad. Both have worked in the wedding industry as photographers for more than a decade. This was after they met while working as actors on Broadway.

5.0

out of 5.0

26 reviews

Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

The Madison is a stunning, well-kept barn venue with beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces that need little extra décor. Reviewers praised roomy getting-ready suites, smooth flow for ~130 guests, and strong vendor coordination. Attentive, hands-on staff made the day run seamlessly and the venue is highly recommended.

Search reviews

Missy P

Highlighted review.

Wish I could give this venue an even higher rating!! The owners, Brad and Louise Madison, are truly two of the most kind and genuine people you will ever meet. They are extremely e...

asy to work with and will do anything to make your day go perfectly! Our wedding was Friday, June 20th and Brad and Louise made sure everything went smoothly and was stress-free. Plus the venue is absolutely gorgeous, which is a result of how much passion and hard work these two have put into it! If you are looking for a venue with owners that truly care about getting to know you and making your day special, then this is the place!

Response from The Madison

Thank you so much for your review Missy! Louise and I loved being able to serve you, Ben, ...

and your family. What an amazing wedding! We had so much fun!

Amanda G

This is a sentimental area for my husband and I and we couldn't be happier with how our day went!!! Brad and Louise are amazing and so reassuring, we got so many compliments about ...

them and the barn! They are reassuring and genuinely happy to be part of every wedding! We can honestly say our day was exceptional!!!

Response from The Madison

Thank you Amanda. It was the best day!!! xxx

Any questions?

Tim M

From our first visit to The Madison and meeting Brad, we were hooked—and for good reason! You both are, by far, the most organized, fun, and easygoing people we have ever worked w...

ith. To say we were thrilled with how the day went is an understatement. Numerous guests told us how stunning the venue was and how much they appreciated having the owners present and hands-on. Brad, you really know how to steal the show in the best way possible! We cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for us over the past year. It brings tears to my eyes just typing this. The entire day was seamless thanks to your incredible attention to detail. We truly couldn't have done it without you. We wish you nothing but success as you move forward with all your future plans for The Madison!

Response from The Madison

Thank you Tim. Sending you and Lori so much love and happiness.

Jill A

Don't hesitate to book this venue! Hosted our daughter's wedding here in August of 2026 and it was STUNNING. The grounds and venue space are top notch. We had so many people com...

ment during the event what a magical location it was and those that only saw pictures were asking where we had the wedding. It feels peaceful and remote and romantic without being a long drive from the Twin Cities area. The spaces available for the bride and groom are pretty enough for pictures but also comfy enough to spend the day in getting ready. The chandeliers in the barn elevate the space and even though it's a large barn it felt intimate and cozy for an event of our size at around 130 people. Brad and Louise are fantastic to work with and made us all feel like part of their family - such positive energy from both of them while also keeping calm in case of trouble shooting any issues. Would recommend again and again.

Response from The Madison

Thanks for the kind words Jill it is truly appreciated. xx

Paige R

My husband and I chose The Madison for our wedding in August 2026, and we couldn’t have been happier with our decision! Brad and Louise were wonderful to work with. They answered a...

ll of our questions, guided us through the process, and made sure everything went as smoothly as possible on our wedding day. The venue was absolutely beautiful, both inside and out! We also had Brad as our DJ, and the dance floor was packed all night long! We highly recommend The Madison to anyone looking for a beautiful venue with an amazing team to help make their wedding day special!

Response from The Madison

Sending a ton of love to you and John xx

Mari M

Our daughter recently got married at The Madison, and it was truly the perfect day. The venue is beautiful and spacious enough to comfortably accommodate guests regardless of the ...

weather. The new owners, Brad and Louise, were fantastic to work with, highly accommodating, and ensured everything ran smoothly throughout the day. Their recommended vendors were exceptional, and Brad did a wonderful job as the emcee, getting everyone onto the dance floor right away. Additionally, they take immense pride in the property—the lawns and landscaping are immaculately kept, and the entire venue was spotless. We could not have been happier with our experience.

Response from The Madison

Mari! What a day! It was filled with such love. Come and visit us from time to time!

Jenna P

WE LOVE THE MADISON! Brad and Louise were absolutely amazing to work with and gave us the most special day ever. They are so kind and really care about giving couples a high qualit...

y venue to host their wedding at. We also booked Brad to be our DJ and he did an amazing job to create a super fun, engaging environment at the reception. They have an incredible venue and we couldn't be more grateful for all the work they put into our wedding day.

Response from The Madison

Thank you Jenna for such kind words. It truly does mean the world to Brad and I. xx

Dana N

My husband and I got married at The Madison and we cannot say enough great things about the venue and the owners, Brad and Louise! From being able to do the first tour of the venue...

virtually (we live outside of MN) to supplying so much hands on assistance the day of our wedding, they went above and beyond. The venue is absolutely gorgeous, both inside and the grounds. Both the getting ready rooms are spacious and very stylish which makes for great getting ready photos. The vendors that The Madison works with are also wonderful: our food was delicious, drinks were tasty and it was easy to coordinate with the bar, and the DJ played great music. Brad and Louise were really such a pleasure to work with. They were responsive and helpful when answering questions leading up to the event and on the day of our wedding they played a huge role in making sure everything went smoothly. We truly had the most incredible experience and the best day of our lives at The Madison. We’re so glad that is where we decided to start our next chapter <3

Response from The Madison

Thank you so much Dana. Sending you and Drew loads of love!

Lori N

e recently had our daughter’s wedding at this incredible venue. The indoor space, as well as the patio and outdoor lawn were all so beautiful and we received endless compliments f...

rom our guests. However, the icing on the cake was the unbelievable involvement and attention we received before, during, and after from the owners, Brad and Louise. Even though we were the third wedding of a busy weekend for them, they made us feel like we were the only wedding of the year. They were so attentive and were accessible all day. They engaged with many guests making everyone feel welcome and appreciated. Thank you Brad and Louise for making this day so special!

Response from The Madison

Thank you Lori! What a pleasure it was to host you all on Dana and Drew's big day. Thank y...

ou for the kind words, it really does mean so much to us xx

Chloe E

We had our wedding here! And it was amazing! Brad and Louise definitely go the extra mile to make sure everything is perfect! I wanted to do a slideshow for my dad and daughter dan...

ce and they installed two big projector screens so everyone can see. They are very accommodating, they made sure everything was to our liking. There are three beautiful areas where you can have your ceremony! I highly recommend this place! The grass is green, everything inside and out is kept up! And it was so easy to communicate with Brad and Louise!! They made us feel like family!

Jenny E

This was the most amazing place to have a wedding. Brad and Louise were wonderful and so accommodating and present.

Kaelyn Nicole K

We got married in November at The Madison. We loved the venue from the moment we toured! We had an indoor wedding and it fit our 130 guests perfectly. The venue itself has so much ...

space and having guests go upstairs for cocktail hour while the first floor was being flipped for the reception worked out perfectly. The bridal and grooms suite are big and perfect for getting ready in. The new owners are also part of the reason we decided to go with The Madison- we knew they would do everything to make sure everything went smoothly and they were so great to work with. We definitely recommend this venue and can’t thank Brad and Louise enough!

Response from The Madison

Thank you Kaelyn! Yours and Ben's wedding was just like stepping out of a fairy tale! A dr...

eam team of vendors too!! Sending love to you all.

Kristina S

The Madison in Cottage Grove, MN exceeded all of our expectations as a wedding venue. The space is stunning, well-organized, and thoughtfully designed for both the ceremony and rec...

eption. We hosted 130 guests, and everything flowed seamlessly with both the ceremony and reception held indoors. Tinucci’s catering was excellent, and the coordination between the venue and caterer made the entire experience stress-free. Owners, Brad + Louise Madison, are professional, attentive, and incredibly supportive throughout the planning process and on the day of our wedding. Everything ran smoothly, allowing us to truly enjoy our day. We received countless compliments from our guests and would highly recommend The Madison to any couple looking for an exceptional wedding venue!! Thanks Again Brad + Louise!

Response from The Madison

Thank you for your kind words Kristina. You and Kyle rock!!

Ashley H

We could not have asked for a more perfect wedding venue or experience. The venue itself was absolutely stunning - intimate, beautiful, and the perfect setting for both our celebra...

tion and our photos. Brad and Louise were with us every step of the way, thoughtfully walking us through each part of the day, keeping everything running smoothly and on schedule, and making us feel completely supported throughout the entire process. Brad also served as our MC and did an incredible job keeping the energy high and the party going all night. The photos they captured are truly breathtaking and are memories we will cherish forever. Our wedding day was one of the best days of our lives, and we genuinely could not have imagined a better venue or a better team to be part of it.

Response from The Madison

Thank you Ashley! You and Brycen will always be very close to our hearts in being one of o...

ur very first couples to sign with us and trust us with "all the things!" on your wedding day!

Emma T

We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding venue than The Madison. From the very beginning, Brad & Louise (the Madisons) were professional, kind, organized, and invested in us as ...

a couple, which made the entire planning process feel smooth, stress-free, and highly personal! Brad and Louise took the extra time to learn about our story, meet our people (parents, siblings, wedding party, etc.), and share in our excitement of getting married, which meant the world to us. They made us feel like family! :) On the wedding day itself, everything ran seamlessly, allowing us to be present and enjoy every moment!! Brad and Louise were very involved in each aspect of our day, and their supporting teams worked so well together to make things happen. The space is absolutely beautiful and required very little extra décor, and our guests couldn’t stop commenting on how stunning the venue was. From the beautiful front lawn, cozy patio, double-decker barn, and getting ready suites, we were so impressed by the spaces available to us and how well everything was maintained. The team went above and beyond to make sure every detail was handled with care, and we felt genuinely supported the entire time. We are SO grateful to have celebrated such an important day here and would recommend The Madison to any couple without hesitation!

Response from The Madison

Emma! From our first meeting I knew you, Bryce and your whole family were very special peo...

ple. It was our pleasure to host your big day at The Madison. Don't be strangers & come visit us xxx

Jill S

11/10 RECOMMEND. We had the absolute best experience we could have imagined for our August wedding at the Madison. From the very start, our interactions with Brad and Louise felt s...

o special and different. They wanted to know us as people, shared in our excitement and we felt completely taken care of from day one. Brad and Louise were always responsive, open to new ideas and helped us to curate the absolute best experience we could have imagined for our day. I truly cannot recommend this venue/these people enough. As for the venue, the natural and historic beauty of the space speaks for itself. We loved all of the natural wood and the historic feel of the barn while also enjoying upgraded spaces including the Bride and Groom suites. These spaces were full of natural light for photos, all of the amenities we needed and were such a perfect way to start out our day. I will always have precious memories inside of that bridal suite with my favorite people surrounding me. We chose to get married on the back patio which is an absolutely incredible space that we fell in love with immediately. The flowers and greenery outdoors were blooming and made for absolutely stunning photos without us adding additional florals. Brad & Louise’s meticulous care of the property was apparent at every turn from landscaping to décor and more. Brad even built a sweetheart table for two made from historic wood that we were able to use as our head table. Who does that?! They do. Brad and Louise were both present on the day of the wedding and helped to us to make sure everything went smoothly. August in MN can get hot and our day was no exception but the barn stayed plenty cool and was comfortable for our guests to enjoy dancing all night. We didn’t make use of the second story for dinner but we did set up a photo booth and second bar upstairs which allowed guests to step away from the busy dance floor and take in precious moments from above. I could go on and on about the day and the space and just how happy we were with how it all came together. If you are considering this venue—book it. You'll be glad you did.

Response from The Madison

Beautiful Jill inside and out, Thank you so much for your lovely words. Your wedding was t...

ruly one of a kind, Brad and I feel so honored to have met you and Dave and to have hosted your gorgeous wedding at The Madison. Let us know when you are back in town and we would certainly love to get together. xxx

Mike T

The Madison was a beautiful and awesome place to have a wedding. My son had his wedding there in August. The grounds were beautifully kept which made for some wonderful pictures....

The bridal and grooms suites were perfect for the wedding party to get ready and to just hang out and relax. Louise and Brad, the owners of the Madison were so helpful and easy to work with. They truly cared about each of us and how the wedding went. They were always available if we had any questions or needed help during our event. I would recommend The Madison to every person I know that is planning a wedding.

Response from The Madison

Thank you so much for the kind words Mike, it really does mean the world to Brad and I. xx

Sara F

The Madison is absolutely by far the most beautiful venue around the cities for wedding! They made my daughter’s day the most wonderful day! Brad and Louise are amazing to work wit...

h and we miss them!!! It’s a must to have your wedding there!💕

Response from The Madison

Sara! You guys were such fun to have at the barn. We loved hosting Sidney and Nicks weddin...

g there, thank you for your very kind words. Happy Holidays to you all!

Alyssa S

We got married on 10/04/25 at the Madison and we cannot recommend this venue enough! We had the absolute BEST day! We locked in our date with the old owners, but once Brad and Loui...

se bought the property, they made us feel SO confident we chose the right venue! They answered all of our questions and were so amazing to work with! Venue is so beautiful as is! Had amazing preferred vendors we worked with as well!

Response from The Madison

Thank you for your kind words Alyssa. What a perfect day!! sending much love to all xxx

Neyda M

What a beautiful experience!!! The professional staff went above and beyond in every detail. The owners felt like family , concerned about our well-being and happiness. Our daug...

hter had her dream wedding come true. We highly recommend this venue "The Madison "

Response from The Madison

Thank you so much for your kind words, we certainly love what we do and are glad we could ...

serve you & your family on your daughter's wedding day.

Jeffrey P

The moment I met Brad and Louise, I knew this was going to be our wedding venue. They were our one and only venue that we toured. When I say this couple is a dynamic duo, it doesn’...

t even begin to explain their love for what they do. They made us feel like family and created an experience for us like non-other. Our wedding was the most precious day, and it was all thanks to them and their help. The venue is absolutely stunning, and was perfect for what we were looking for.

Response from The Madison

It was our pleasure to host your wedding at The Madison. It was perfect in every way. We'r...

e so happy for you both!

Theresa m

My daughter and son in laws wedding was an incredibly wonderful celebration with the owners, Brad & Louise, contributing a great deal to the success of the celebration. From the mo...

ment my daughter and son in law met Brad & Louise, they knew they wanted to get married at this beautiful venue with the support and kindness of the owners. It is obvious that Brad and Louise take pride in their facility and the services they provide. From the early planning to the actual day the support and follow through was amazing. They are extremely professional and kind individuals that want your wedding to be perfect for you. Brad was a DJ at one time so he got the party started with the grand march and did an outstanding job! Carmen from "The Cutting Garden” provided the flowers and decorated the venue for us which was stunning. Carmen was amazing to work with and all the vendors we worked with spoke highly of the owners which made it much easier for my daughter and son in law to plan their special day. If you are looking for a gorgeous venue and want to work with owners that are professional and caring people, this is the venue for you! Huge thank you to Brad and Louise for making my daughter and son in laws wedding so special!

Response from The Madison

Thank you for your kind words Theresa, it was our pleasure to serve you and your family he...

re at The Madison .

Nikki B

We had our wedding at The Madison on September 27, 2025, and it was an absolute dream. From the very beginning, Brad and Louise went above and beyond to make the entire process sea...

mless and stress-free. They are truly amazing to work with, so professional, yet warm and welcoming. On our wedding day, they made us feel completely comfortable and relaxed, which allowed us to be fully present and enjoy every moment. The venue itself is stunning. It really speaks for itself and requires very little additional décor because of its natural beauty. Our guests could not stop talking about how gorgeous the space was, and we couldn’t agree more. If you’re looking for a venue that combines breathtaking beauty with incredible people who genuinely care about their couples, The Madison is it. We are forever grateful to Brad and Louise for helping us create the most perfect day.

Response from The Madison

Wow! We love you guys! It was such and amazing day and we couldn't have been more pleased ...

to host your day at The Madison xxxxx

Tracy A

Our wedding was the beginning of September and the day could not have been more perfect! From the spacious getting ready rooms that we had access to all day, to the gorgeous venue ...

itself--we couldn't have asked for better. The grounds are beautiful for pictures and there is a large parking lot for guests. Now onto the new owners--Brad & Louise. They will stop at nothing to make sure your big day is as perfect and smooth as it can be. These two truly care about their couples and are in the industry for the special moments--not the money like some venues. If I could book with them again and do they day all over again, I would in a heart beat!

Response from The Madison

Tracy (& Will), WOW! This review makes me tear up! Your words mean so much to us, thank yo...

u for choosing The Madison to host your wedding. xxx

Nancy K

The Madison is a beautiful venue, for so many exquisite reasons! The outdoor grounds and patio are gorgeous, it's so nice to have both outdoor and indoor spaces for your guests and...

The Madison delivers. The beautiful barn building is a perfect blend of rustic and modern sensibilities...so welcoming, so warm and all the amazing lighting, sound system and more are available. The spaces for the bridal party to get ready are perfect! And what ties all this beauty together are the owners. Our daughter's wedding was hosted by The Madison's owners as if it was their daughter's wedding. They over deliver and attend to every detail and then some. We're so happy our memories were created at The Madison.

Response from The Madison

Nancy! Thank you so much of all your support over the last year. It's reviews like yours t...

hat make us feel so glad we fought for our dream!! xxx

Brian K

My son and his fiancée recently got married at this venue in Cottage Grove. It is a beautiful setting and lots of room inside and outside for the ceremony, dinner and dance. Brad a...

nd Louise are excellent hosts and went out of their way to make sure our day was exquisite!! Totally recommended for anyone looking for a venue that will make your memories come true!!!

Response from The Madison

Thank you so much for your kind words Brian! Missy & Ben’s wedding was truly a special day...

xxx

Service area & Contact info

7310 Lamar Avenue South, Cottage Grove, MN

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(165) 133-64421

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The Madison

Louise Madison

Co-owner

Typically responds within 24h

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The Madison

About this venue

Review Summary

Service area & Contact info

Wedding vendors in Cottage Grove

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