I’ve been a Nebraska wedding photographer for over six years now. Six whole years! Besides getting to work with some of the coolest couples out there, I’ve also gotten to work with some incredible wedding venues in the area. And one of my absolute favorite venues to work with is Moonlight Ridge Vineyard in Grand Island. So if you’re still looking for your wedding venue, keep reading to see if Moonlight Ridge Vineyard is what you’ve been looking for! 

Always a Personal Experience  

The thing that always strikes me about weddings at Moonlight Ridge Vineyard is how personal everything feels. The owners, a lovely married couple, started the vineyard after visiting Napa Valley on their honeymoon. They fell in love with the miles of vineyards in California and wanted to bring that same feeling back home to Nebraska! 

Every wedding I’ve shot here has felt intentional. Each couple has the staff’s full attention, and you can feel it in the way they communicate and how clean, detailed, and organized every event is. 

A Destination Wedding Location Without Leaving Home 

With its European-inspired architecture, six acres of vineyards, and secluded ceremony and reception locations, you’d never guess that this venue is only seven miles north of Grand Island. It has easy access to hotels and restaurants, and its location right off of 281 makes it easy to access for any traveling guests. 

And don’t even get me started on how pretty it is! 

The Bridal Suite 

One of the things I absolutely love about Moonlight Ridge is the bridal suite. They recently updated the suite to provide a large, spacious, and perfectly lit getting-ready space. Now, it has enough room for your whole bridal party and your hair and makeup team! Not to mention that it photographs beautifully and looks out over the vineyards. 

Ceremony Space 

The crowning jewel of this venue is the ceremony location. Overlooking the acres of vineyards, this outdoor ceremony feels like an escape to the Italian countryside. There’s a permanent pergola overgrown with grapevines and framed by cypress trees, which provides a perfect focal point. You don’t have to worry about your heels sinking into the ground, since a smooth stone walkway acts as your aisle. The venue even provides up to 300 folding white chairs for the ceremony! 

The beauty of this space really is in its simplicity. You don’t have to do anything to decorate since it is naturally stunning, but you can always add floral aisle pieces and decorate the pergola to match your wedding theme! 

Reception Space 

After the ceremony, your guests can easily transition into the reception space, a large, partially-enclosed timber frame pavilion. The exposed beams, low stone walls, intricate iron chandeliers, and string lights makes the pavilion feel both intimate and elegant. Moonlight Ridge provides tables and chairs and leaves a perfect space for a dance floor. As daylight fades, the chandeliers and string lights provide a warm, cozy glow, and you can make a fire in the stone fireplace on cold nights! 

If you’re worried about rain—don’t be. The pavilion includes clear drop curtains to protect you and your guests from the elements without ruining the view. The pavilion also has large overhead fans for long summer days, and heaters for chilly evenings. And you can even transition your ceremony here if rain rolls in earlier in the day.

The Vineyards 

Lastly, I can’t talk about Moonlight Ridge Vineyards without dedicating a space to the vineyards themselves. Because they are stunning. Six acres of vineyards spread into the distance, providing not only the perfect backdrop for your ceremony and reception, but also the perfect place for golden hour portraits! I love nothing more than sneaking the couple away from the reception for a few minutes and snapping some photos in the rich greenery of the vineyards. Plus, it gives you and your new spouse a few minutes of uninterrupted stillness. Take the time to soak in the beauty around you and the fact that you are finally married! 

Things to Consider When Getting Married at Moonlight Ridge Vineyards 

If you’re considering tying the knot at Moonlight Ridge Vineyards (which I wholeheartedly recommend, in case that wasn’t obvious) there are a few things to keep in mind! First, the max capacity for this venue is 300 guests. If your wedding is larger than 300 people, you may have to look elsewhere. But if your wedding is well under that number, don’t worry. This is still a great venue for intimate weddings! 

Second, the vineyards are open from early April to early October. I recommend booking sooner than later, since this is one of the most beautiful venues in the area and tends to fill up quickly. But at the same time, consider what you want your wedding to look like. The grapevines really start blooming in early June, so keep that in mind when planning your date! But even if you plan an early spring wedding, the grounds are always beautiful and the staff is always amazing. 

Nebraska Wedding Photographer 

Over my six years shooting weddings in and around Nebraska, I’ve had the honor of shooting two beautiful weddings at Moonlight Ridge Vineyards. I’m always excited to return, too, since I can bring my knowledge of the venue, the lighting, and any hidden photo spots to each new wedding! If you’re thinking of getting married here, and want to work with a photographer who has hands-on experience with your venue, I would love to work with you. Check out my wedding photography packages to learn more and inquire to secure your date! 

Vendors: 

Photography: Sav’s Photo

Venue: Moonlight Ridge Vineyards

Wedding 1: Hailey and Marcus 

Hair: Olivia Fagan 

Dress: Blush Bridal Boutique 

Tux: Mens Warehouse 

Rings: Borsheims 

Catering: Country Kitchen

Wedding 2: Brianna and Tanner

Florals: The Old Homestead Floral 

Makeup: Kenzie Nuttelman Makeup

Rings: Nebraska Diamond 

Catering and Dessert: Meg’s Catering

Hair: Keslea Christ

Videographer: Grant Blodgett Photo and Video

Bridal Gown: Bridal Isle

Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey

Tux: Men’s Warehouse