Manhattan Beach Lodge wedding — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MN

Documentary & Editorial Wedding Photography

Manhattan Beach Lodge Wedding Photographer

A historic lodge and a wedding on Big Trout Lake. Documentary and editorial photography, with time for shoreline portraits and the people who came to celebrate.

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The Work

My Manhattan Beach Lodge Portfolio

Wedding photographs at Manhattan Beach Lodge.

Couple laughing walking down the dock at golden hour — white tux jacket and sweetheart gown — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple silhouette dancing on the dock at sunset — Big Trout Lake reflection — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple spinning on the dock with the lake stretching behind them — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple on the stone wall path through the gardens at Manhattan Beach Lodge — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNGroom laughing on the stone steps in a white tux jacket and bow tie — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple dip kiss on the dock — lace train and navy suit on Big Trout Lake — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNVintage water skis lined up against the lodge wall — Bali Hai detail — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNBride with white rose bouquet in warm window light — getting ready at the lodge — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple popping champagne on the dock — bride laughing as it sprays — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple silhouette kissing on the dock at sunset — Big Trout Lake — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple walking through the wedding party — sage and mauve dresses with white bouquets — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNBride and bridesmaids in burgundy robes with champagne — getting ready outside the lodge — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple silhouette on the dock at orange sunset — Big Trout Lake — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNReception table detail — taper candles, colorful flowers, and glassware in warm light — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNBridesmaids popping champagne and laughing in gray robes on the lodge lawn — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNDog lying on the grass during the outdoor ceremony — burgundy bow tie — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNKids jumping off the dock into Big Trout Lake during the reception — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple walking through the pine trees on the lodge grounds — navy suit and geometric lace gown — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple kissing at the reception under string lights — timber and glass lodge room — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNIntimate dock ceremony with pontoon boat and floral arch — Big Trout Lake — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple sitting on the dock with feet in the water — barefoot and relaxed — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNBeach ceremony with guests in chairs on the sand — Big Trout Lake — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNFirst look under the pine trees with the lodge roof behind them — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple in a boat on Big Trout Lake with ST MAR banner — spring wedding — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNAerial view of Manhattan Beach Lodge peninsula on Big Trout Lake at dusk — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple kissing through pine branches with golden backlight on the lodge grounds — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple raising hands after ceremony under wooden arbor with burgundy flowers — lakeside — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNBride from behind walking up stone steps to the lodge gazebo — lace gown and bouquet — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple laughing walking down the aisle — recessional on the lodge lawn — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple kissing in the lush garden at Manhattan Beach Lodge — soft light through the trees — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple kissing at the sweetheart table with The Big Door Prize banner and colorful flowers — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple laughing walking down the stone steps through the garden at the lodge — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple raising hands walking down the wooden deck stairs after ceremony — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple kissing against the stone chimney and log wall at Manhattan Beach Lodge — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNBride walking up stone steps toward the lodge gazebo — back of lace gown — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNWide outdoor ceremony on the lawn with tall pines and Big Trout Lake behind — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNLakeside ceremony between tall pines — intimate gathering on the lodge lawn — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNManhattan Beach Lodge from the water — dock, lawn chairs, and pine trees at golden hour — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNWedding dress hanging on the stone chimney with ivy at Manhattan Beach Lodge — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCeremony under wooden arbor at sunset with burgundy wedding party — pine trees and lake — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MNCouple in front of the ivy-covered lodge — bride with short hair and white bouquet — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MN
From the Journal

Real Manhattan Beach Lodge Weddings

Ashley & Tom — Manhattan Beach Lodge, a Boat Across Big Trout, and a Dusk on the Dock — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MN
Manhattan Beach Lodge · Fall

Ashley & Tom — Manhattan Beach Lodge, a Boat Across Big Trout, and a Dusk on the Dock

A Manhattan Beach Lodge wedding on the Whitefish Chain — vintage runabout across Big Trout Lake, a lakeside arch ceremony, burgundy and protea florals, and a silhouette on the dock as the light went.

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Lydia & Bradford — A Manhattan Beach Lodge Wedding with Fireworks on the Dock — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MN
Manhattan Beach Lodge · Spring

Lydia & Bradford — A Manhattan Beach Lodge Wedding with Fireworks on the Dock

An early-May Manhattan Beach Lodge wedding on the Whitefish Chain — a fur-stole bride, a lakeside ceremony arch, a heart-print dance dress, and fireworks above the dock at dusk.

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The Venue

Wedding Photography on Big Trout Lake

Manhattan Beach Lodge dates to 1929 and sits on Big Trout Lake, part of the Whitefish Chain just north of Crosslake. The dock, shoreline, mature trees and lodge interiors give the day several settings within a compact property. Its 20 rooms and suites can accommodate part of your group.

For an exclusive wedding day, the lodge closes to the public. Additional nights and access hours depend on your agreement. The published 2027 package excludes exclusive weddings in July and August; ask the venue about other dates and ceremony-only options.

For a lodge reception in Crosslake, compare Whitefish Lodge. For garden and estate settings near Crosslake, see Pine Peaks Event Center. I photograph at all three.

Couple laughing together on the garden path at Manhattan Beach Lodge — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MN
The Photographer

From the Lodge Rooms to the Big Trout Shoreline

I'm Tim Larsen — a documentary and editorial wedding photographer based in the Brainerd Lakes area. At Manhattan Beach Lodge, I look for ways to include the water and historic building without making every photograph a lake portrait. The rooms, garden paths and reception give the gallery its rhythm.

If portraits make you nervous, I give you clear direction and explain what we are doing. We can make a few photographs on the dock or grounds, then return to the celebration. Documentary coverage fills in the rest: conversations, arrivals and the moments you could not see from across the room.

Couple watching fireworks over Big Trout Lake from the dock — Tim Larsen Photography, Brainerd Lakes MN
The Spaces

Wedding Spaces at Manhattan Beach Lodge

The dock, grounds and dining areas each serve a different part of the day. Confirm your ceremony and reception layout with the venue, along with the rooms and access hours included in your booking.

The Dock

Outdoor ceremony · Big Trout Lake

The dock gives ceremony and portrait photographs a lake setting, with the historic lodge on shore. Confirm your ceremony layout and access with the venue.

The Dining Room

Main dining area · Up to 150 guests

Lake-facing windows in the main dining room. A separate dining area can add seating; confirm the combined layout for your guest count.

The Lodge Grounds

Portraits · Getting ready · Cocktail hour

Lawn, shoreline, mature trees and the lodge exterior offer several settings within the property. Access follows your venue agreement.

Accommodations

20 lakeside rooms and suites

On-site rooms can house part of your group. Ask about room occupancy, additional nights and overflow lodging at Whitefish Lodge.

The Light

Portrait Light at Manhattan Beach Lodge

The lake gives us an open background for outdoor portraits, while the lodge windows provide another option for getting-ready photographs. I choose locations around the light, weather and the spaces available on your date.

For evening portraits, we plan around the actual sunset time on your wedding date. That window comes earlier in fall than in midsummer. I leave room to adjust if clouds or the reception schedule change the plan.

"A short stop by the water can be enough. We plan it around the light and give you time to get back to your guests."

From Past Couples

What They Said Afterwards

Some of my favorites were during the sunset at Manhattan Beach Lodge, and the beautiful backdrops he found in nature. Tim knows how to keep the family photos going quickly and professionally.

Danielle M.· Google Review

On the day of our wedding we had to move indoors about an hour and a half before the ceremony due to rain. Tim was unphased. He melted in with the guests and took wonderful photos that captured the intimacy and coziness of the ceremony.

Maura W.· Google Review

52 five-star Google reviews →

The Plan

Planning Your Wedding Photography

01

Tell Me What You've Been Picturing

Reach out with your date, your ceremony plan, and what matters most. I'll tell you what I know about the dock, the dining room, and the property.

02

On Your Wedding Day

I follow the ceremony and reception as they happen, and guide you through portraits on the dock and grounds during your chosen coverage window.

03

Your Finished Gallery

Within 2 weeks, you receive documentary photographs and editorial portraits from your celebration on Big Trout Lake in a finished online gallery.

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Sample Timeline

A Sample Manhattan Beach Lodge Wedding Timeline

This example spans 11½ hours and fits within 12-hour wedding-day coverage. It assumes a booked dock ceremony; we adjust portrait time to the sunset on your date and confirm each space with the venue.

10:00 AM

Getting Ready

Coverage begins in your lodge rooms, with window-light portraits and the people getting ready with you.

12:00 PM

Individual Portraits with Your Wedding Party

Portraits on the lodge grounds with the groups you have chosen, using the shoreline and trees as backgrounds.

1:30 PM

First Look

A first look near the dock or lodge, followed by a few portraits together.

2:30 PM

Wedding Party Portraits

Group photographs on the grounds, leaving time to return before the ceremony.

4:00 PM

Ceremony — The Dock

A dock ceremony in the setup you have booked, with Big Trout Lake as the backdrop.

5:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

Guests gather while I photograph conversations, the room and reception details.

6:30 PM

Couple Portraits — Big Trout Lake

A short shoreline portrait break. For sunset photographs, we move this time to match your wedding date and the weather.

7:00 PM

Reception Begins

Dinner, toasts and the first dance in the dining room, in the order you have planned.

8:30 PM

Dance Floor

Coverage continues through the evening, following your guests and what happens on the dance floor.

9:30 PM

Final Photographs

A last portrait or a planned send-off, if part of your day and permitted by the venue.

Why It Matters

A Record of Your Day on Big Trout Lake

The lake and the lodge establish the setting. Your gallery also needs the people around the dinner tables, the conversations along the paths and the moments between the planned events. I photograph both.

Compare Venues

Still comparing wedding venues across the Brainerd Lakes? See all 10 venues side-by-side — capacity, season, photography style, and who each is right for — in the complete Brainerd Lakes wedding venues guide.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Check your venue date and photography availability together. For 2027, Manhattan Beach Lodge's published package excludes exclusive weddings in July and August. Ask the venue about available dates and ceremony-only options before planning an exclusive wedding day.

For an exclusive wedding day, the lodge closes to the public, and its 20 rooms must be booked for the wedding night. That does not automatically include private use for a whole weekend. Confirm access hours, additional nights and the spaces included in your agreement. The published 2027 package excludes exclusive weddings in July and August.

Documentary coverage follows your day as it happens, from getting ready through the reception. Editorial portraits are photographs we make together with clear direction. At Manhattan Beach Lodge, that might mean a short walk along the shoreline or a portrait using the lodge as the background, followed by time back with your guests.

You do not need to arrive knowing how to stand or where to look. I give you clear direction during portraits and keep the plan manageable. A short session on the dock or grounds can give us time together without taking over the day.

No. Manhattan Beach Lodge is within my included travel area in the Brainerd Lakes region.

Manhattan Beach Lodge is at 39051 County Road 66, Manhattan Beach, MN 56442, on Big Trout Lake. It is part of the Whitefish Chain just north of Crosslake, about 30 miles north of Brainerd. The lodge dates to 1929. Allow roughly 2.75 hours from the Twin Cities, depending on your starting point and traffic.

My wedding-day collections run $2,995–$5,895 depending on coverage hours. Collection Three is $3,895 for 8 hours; Collection Two is $4,695 for 10 hours. We choose a window around getting ready, your ceremony and the reception events you want photographed. The Wedding Weekend is $11,500 and includes 3 hours of rehearsal-dinner coverage, 12 hours on the wedding day and 2 hours at brunch. Venue access and lodging for those events are arranged separately. Every collection includes design consultation, a private online gallery and full-resolution image files within 2 weeks. There are no travel fees for Manhattan Beach Lodge.

The main dining area seats up to 150 guests, with a separate garden dining area providing up to 75 additional seats. The venue can confirm how those spaces work together for your guest count, catering and dance floor. The 20 rooms and suites house part of the group, with overflow lodging at Whitefish Lodge subject to availability. A separate option can pair a Manhattan Beach ceremony with a Whitefish Lodge reception; confirm dates and arrangements with the venues.

Both. Manhattan's restaurant is inside the historic lodge on Big Trout Lake. The lodge also offers exclusive wedding days when it closes to the public, subject to its available dates and package. Confirm your event's dining spaces, rooms and access hours with the venue.

Choose your date around the event format as well as the scenery. The published 2027 package excludes exclusive weddings in July and August; ask about ceremony-only options if those months are important to you. Fall brings earlier sunsets and color around the lodge. Confirm seasonal availability and the indoor weather plan with the venue before finalizing your celebration.

Comparing photographers for a Whitefish Chain wedding? See how much a wedding photographer costs in Minnesota before you shortlist.

Start Here

Getting Married at Manhattan Beach Lodge? Let's Talk About Your Day.

I want to hear about it. Tell me your date, your venue, and what you're picturing. I'll be in touch within 24 hours.

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Choose coverage around your ceremony and reception plans. Galleries delivered within 2 weeks.