Oak Ridge Conference Center

Overview:

From DJ Mike H:

Oak Ridge is a very upscale, nice location. There are many different ballrooms within the building, so be sure to ask in advance which one you'll be in. You can pull up to the door, but will likely have to walk quite a bit to get to your ballroom. They have carts you can use, but it's still not a bad idea to ask about that in the venue call.

If you're doing a ceremony, it will likely be downstairs and outside. They usually have the DJ set up on a metal table in a picnic area. It's not far from the ceremony, but it's much better to be closer. Ask the venue if they'll be able to provide you a table for the ceremony. It's a good idea to ask for the mini-system for this venue because the ceremony will be pretty far from whichever ballroom you're in. If you do end up setting up on the metal table, you'll have to put the speaker out by the ceremony and you'll be about 20 yards back. It's really not very difficult to manage, but it's not ideal. The wireless microphone will have to go on top of the speaker and you'll either plug that directly into the speaker or use a long XLR cord to put it into your system.

The ballrooms are pretty easy once you get there. Rectangle rooms with no quirks. Again, it's a very big building so having advance knowledge of where it is you need to go is good to have.

Oak Ridge is a great venue and once you're done with the load-in, it's smooth sailing! Have fun!

Load-In: 

Big load-in, give yourself extra time. You will need a cart and they will have them available for you. You park right in front of the door, but it's a decent walk to whichever ballroom you're at.

Challenges:

There are multiple weddings there every Saturday during the summer. Ask ahead of time which ballroom you'll be in and ask where that ballroom is or at least which floor it's on. Oak Ridge is HUGE. Your ballroom won't be particularly huge, but the building itself is. 

If you're doing a ceremony, it's a whole 'nother animal. You'll have to set up outside in the courtyard for the ceremony, but have everything else at your ballroom. The cocktail hour after a ceremony will usually take place outside by the ceremony. If there is no ceremony, your cocktail hour should take place in the ballroom, but I can't be sure. Ask ahead.

Extra Venue Call Questions:

Which ballroom will I be in?

Where is cocktail hour happening at?

Do you have a cart I can use?

Website: 

http://www.oakridgeminneapolis.com/weddings-en.html

The Knot:

https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/oak-ridge-hotel-and-conference-center-chaska-mn-378978