Union Depot Will Get Your Wedding On Track

When you think of the Union Depot in St. Paul, your first thought may not be “wedding venue,” but for over 10 years, they have been working to change that.

There is far more to be considered about a train station’s relationship to marriage than some antsy lovers hopping on a romantic ride to Vegas looking to elope.

For over 10 years, the Union Depot has been hosting weddings in its restored halls. The depot hosts other standard events for companies and other parties, but they also host yoga classes, trivia nights and even a pop-up canine carnival.

If you’ve ever sat in the towering halls of the Union Depot waiting for the arrival of your Amtrak, you know how easy it is to lose yourself in the imposing architecture surrounding you. Since its restoration in 2012, the Union Depot has shifted its goals as a channel to facilitate transportation to a destination of its own.

In the vast renovations, 38,000 square feet of ceiling plaster was restored, 10,000 square feet of pink marble was cleaned, carriageways were redesigned to accommodate emergency vehicles while maintaining their classic antiquity, and so much more.

All of this is in service of crafting the depot into a center for community, rather than just a locomotive landing station. None of it would have been possible without transformative renovations.

Valerie Condon, event sales and coordination supervisor at Union Depot, said one of its greatest strengths as a venue is the architecture.

“It kind of speaks for itself,” Condon said. “It doesn’t warrant a need for a lot of extra decor because it’s just architecture and that makes it a really budget-friendly destination.”

How does a destination commended for its architectural artistry remain affordable?

The average U.S. wedding in 2024 costs around $33,000, according to Zola, a wedding planning site. The average cost of a venue on its own is $6,500 to $12,000.

In comparison, Union Depot is much more affordable.

Condon said that Saturdays during their peak season — May through October — cost $4,500, Saturdays in the offseason cost $4,000, and all Fridays and Sundays are $3,500. That fee comes with 16 hours of access, from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Past those financial stressors, planning out the supposed happiest day of your life can be a nightmare. However, with the Union Depot, some of that pressure can be relieved.

Coordinators with Union Depot will work with you to plan just about every aspect of your wedding, from vendor selection to security scheduling, according to Condon.

Union Depot has a wide variety of preferred vendors including 11 unique catering options. While these are preferred vendors, Union Depot is open to exceptions to meet particular ethnic and religious dietary restrictions. You can also bring in your own wedding cake.

You might be wondering about how foot traffic from trains could affect your matrimony, a reasonable concern to have.

According to Condon, large drapes are used to separate the area between weddings and general passenger foot traffic, so overlaps are unlikely. She added that they are prepared to find alternative waiting areas for passengers, so you should not have to worry about unexpected interruptions.

Another reality of pedestrian traffic is security needs. There is already plenty of security present at the Union Depot, but there is an added cost for additional officers for all events, Condon said. This extra fee does not go to Union Depot, rather, it goes to their security company Allied Universal Security.

Another type of traffic you will not have to worry about is, well, regular traffic.

One of the most underrated features of the Union Depot is the parking, Condon said. She remarked that, while many may be concerned about parking ability in other venues in an urban setting, the Union Depot is different as it has four large parking lots with over 1,000 spaces.

Past the pull of a parking paradise, one cannot forget the architectural beauty of the space. An excellent place for pictures, Condon mentioned a few favorite destinations for wedding photos.

The North Plaza, complete with imposing pillars behind a well-kempt lawn, is a classic photo spot, Condon said. The East Plaza has the added benefit of the St. Paul skyline, for those with an affinity for the city. If you want to stay inside, Condon said a shot under the clock is always a popular choice.

Condon mentioned that, for those who want more of a neighborhood vibe, Mears Park is only a block away.

When it comes to weddings, the Union Depot has a little bit of everything. There is little you can do to avoid matrimonial financial distress, but Union Depot puts the process on rails and allows for an efficient, relatively inexpensive, experience.

The Union Depot has hosted over 50 weddings over the last two years and has around 20 more planned for this year, Condon said. If you want a unique venue with plenty of experience, the Union Depot might be the destination for you.

Union Depot
214 4^th St. E., Saint Paul
www.uniondepot.org/plan-your-event/weddings