Ash Rapids Lodge

At Ash Rapids Lodge, guests arrive at the wedding by boat, crossing Lake of the Woods to a lodge where the vows are said beside the water.

The lodge sits on an island well out on Lake of the Woods, reachable only by boat or by float plane. It began as a fishing and hunting lodge, and the Clinton family held their own weddings here before opening it to other couples. It still runs as a fishing lodge and restaurant, and only a few weddings are booked each year so every couple receives close attention.

Ceremonies take place at the restaurant pavilion overlooking Ash Bay or out on the dock, directly over the water. Boat shuttles carry guests and supplies to and from the island.

The lodge provides ceremony seating, tables, chairs, tableware and event staff. The licensed dining room has a fully stocked bar with bar staff, and couples can choose anything from drink tickets to an open bar.

Menus are built around each couple and their budget. Dishes such as prime rib, duck breast and Lake of the Woods walleye show the kitchen's style, and the patio looks out over the water.

Cabins on the island give guests a place to stay so the celebration can carry on into the night.

For couples who picture a boat ride, a dock over the lake and dinner beneath northern skies, Ash Rapids Lodge offers an intimate wedding that feels like a private island escape.