The 44 Venue: A Modern North Dakota Wedding Venue
There are wedding venues that give couples a beautiful place to celebrate, and then there are venues with a story behind the space.
The 44 venue in colfax, North dakota, offers both.
Modern, bright and surrounded by the wide open landscape north dakota is known for, the 44 was designed with weddings and events in mind. couples have access to an outdoor ceremony space, spacious reception area, getting ready suites, a patio, built in av, a staffed bar and plenty of room to transform the venue into something that feels completely their own.
but one of the most meaningful things about the 44 has nothing to do with how the venue looks.
A North Dakota Wedding Venue With a Bigger Purpose
the 44 is owned by the richland #44 foundation, which means weddings and events held at the venue help support scholarships and opportunities for local students.
as the team at the 44 puts it:
“it’s pretty special that one of the biggest days of your life can also give back to the next generation".”
that connection to the local community is part of what makes this venue different. while the 44 is still relatively new, it was intentionally designed as an event space from the beginning.
the result is a venue that combines a modern aesthetic with many of the practical things couples actually need on a wedding day.
What’s Included When You Get Married at The 44?
One thing couples don’t always realize when comparing wedding venues is just how different the rental inclusions can be.
at the 44, quite a bit is already included.
wedding rentals include indoor and outdoor event spaces, tables and chairs, standard linens, high top cocktail tables, two getting ready suites, outdoor games, built in audio with a wireless microphone, projectors and screens, wi-fi, and a fully staffed bar with no bar minimum.
the venue team also takes care of setting up everything belonging to the 44 before the couple arrives.
couples can also choose additional upgrades as well, including the vip suite, dance floor, decor pieces and other extras.
having those basics already available can mean fewer separate rentals, deliveries and logistical details to coordinate leading up to the wedding.
Photo on the right taken by livbygrace photography.
wEBSITE:https://livbygracephotography.com/
A Wedding Venue You Can Actually Make Your Own
if your wedding pinterest board doesn’t exactly scream traditional wedding, this might be one of my favorite things about the 44.
the venue was intentionally kept modern and fairly neutral, giving couples room to completely change its personality.
the team has already seen weddings ranging from minimal and classic to colorful, romantic, western, moody and completely over the top.
“one of my favorite things is seeing how completely different the venue looks from one wedding to the next.”
there are some restrictions for decorations that could damage the building or create safety concerns, but otherwise couples are encouraged to make the space feel like them.
and i love that.
your wedding doesn’t need to look like the wedding that happened at the venue the weekend before yours. a flexible space gives you the freedom to bring in the colors, florals, decor and details that actually reflect the two of you.
The Best Photo Locations at The 44 Venue
of course i had to ask about the photos.
the outdoor ceremony space and pond are obvious portrait locations, especially as the sun starts getting lower, but the 44 has several less obvious spots worth exploring with your photographer.
inside, the floor to ceiling windows in legacy hall provide beautiful natural light. Around the property, you get something completely different: the wide open north dakota landscape.
fields, grain bins, changing crops and huge skies can create an incredible backdrop depending on the season. greens in one part of the year can turn into golden crops later on, meaning the property can photograph completely differently from one wedding to another.
even the hallways and architectural areas inside the venue have been used to create beautiful portraits.
but the 44 team gave one piece of photography advice that i fully support:
“if you get one of those dramatic north dakota sunsets on your wedding night, run outside with your photographer. it is always worth it.”
yes!!
if your photographer comes up to your during dinner or the reception and says, “the sky looks insane. we need five minutes,” trust them. you can go right back to the party afterward.
Can You Choose Your Own Wedding Vendors?
yes! the 44 has preferred vendors they enjoy working with and are happy to recommend, but couples aren’t required to choose their photographer, dj, florist, planner or other wedding professionals from a specific list.
that means you have the freedom to build a wedding team around the people whose work and personalities feel right for you.
there are guidelines and requirements surrounding outside caterers, so that is something couples should discuss with the venue while planning.
otherwise, the 44 says they genuinely enjoy meeting and working with new vendors.
Accessibility at The 44 Venue
Accessibility is another detail couples may not immediately think about when touring venues, but it can have a huge impact on the guest experience.
the 44 is located entirely on one level and is wheelchair accessible, including both the indoor spaces and outdoor ceremony area.
the venue also offers accessible restrooms, parking and seating options.
their goal is for grandparents, young children, guests with mobility needs and everyone in between to be able to comfortably participate in the day.
Who Helps on Your Wedding Day?
the 44 has a venue manager on site throughout the wedding day- the very own janna koble.
Their team handles the venue side of the event, including setup, helping arriving vendors get where they need to go, managing the bar, assisting with transitions throughout the day and answering the inevitable venue questions that pop up.
there is an important distinction, though: a venue manager isn’t the same thing as hiring a full service wedding planner or day of coordinator.
the 44 team will help where they can, but their primary responsibility is taking care of the venue and making sure everything on their side runs smoothly.
that’s something worth asking about at any venue you tour. “coordinator included” can mean very different things depending on the venue.
Janna koble- general manager of the 44 venue
photo Taken by Dynamic Studios
website: https://dynamicstudioscreate.com/
The 44’s Advice Before You Book ANY Wedding Venue
when i asked what they wish every couple knew before choosing a venue, their answer wasn’t about aesthetics.
it was about everything happening behind the scenes.
"pay attention to more than just how the venue looks.”
yes, you should walk into your wedding venue and love what you can see. but you should also be asking: What’s actually included in the rental? who will be there on the wedding day? when can you get into the venue? when does everything need to be removed? what happens if your outdoor ceremony gets rained out? what will you need to rent separately? how do the bar and catering policies work?
and perhaps most importantly: how do you feel around the people running the venue?
the team at the 44 explained it perfectly:
“you’re trusting these people with one of the biggest days of your life. you should feel comfortable asking questions, feel like they’re excited for you and know they’re going to take care of you.”
a beautiful space matters. but so do the people behind it.
The Wedding-Day Moment That Never Gets Old.
i also asked the team to choose their favorite wedding memory at the 44.
turns out, choosing just one is pretty difficult.
instead, there’s a particular part of every wedding day that stands out to them.
it’s those few minutes right before the ceremony begins.
everything is finally ready. the couple is tucked away. guests start arriving. music begins playing. the venue team gets into position.
and suddenly, all those months of planning become real.
the the ceremony happens, and the couple walks back inside married, surrounded by the people they love most.
the team admitted they’ve cried at far more weddings than someone working at a wedding venue probably should.
personally, i think that’s a pretty good problem for a wedding venue to have.
Want to Tour The 44 Venue?
photos can show you what a wedding venue looks like, but there’s nothing quite like actually walking through it and imagining your people filling the space.
the 44 offers venue tours where couples can explore the property, talk through what they’re envisioning and start picturing what their wedding could look like there.
the 44 venue
15 main ave.
colfax, nd 58018
website: the44venue.com
email: info@the44venue.com
call or text: 701-428-1264
you can also find the 44 venue on instagram, facebook, and tiktok for real weddings, behind the scenes content, upcoming events and wedding inspiration.
“at the 44 venue, memories are made and celebrated- and we would absolutely love to be apart of yours".”
photos above Taken by Dynamic Studios
website: https://dynamicstudioscreate.com/
Who Should I Interview Next?
i have to give the 44 credit for their answer to my final question.
i’ve been ending these vendor interviews by asking each business which local wedding professional i should interview next.
their answer?
me.
they pointed out that photographers have a unique perspective because we’re alongside couples for almost the entire wedding day- from the getting ready nerves and family dynamics to the ceremony, portraits, reception and all those tiny moments happening between the scheduled ones.
so…maybe they’re onto something.
stayed tuned <3