Question 1

Does Generations Weddings and Events have a bridal suite or getting-ready space?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the on-site guest house sleeps up to 16 people and can be added to your booking for an additional nightly fee. It gives your bridal party a real, private getting-ready space on the same property as the ceremony and reception. For us as photographers, having the getting-ready coverage on-site rather than at an off-site hotel means less transition time and more usable images in the preparation phase of your day.

Question 2

What is the music curfew at Generations?

Accepted Answer

Music must stop by 11 PM per Rapid City's local quiet-hour ordinance. This applies to both live bands and DJs. Most couples we work with plan their coverage through 9 or 10 PM, which aligns well with the 11 PM cutoff and allows for a full evening reception without rushing the final hours. If you are planning a late send-off or sparkler exit, build it into your timeline before 10:30 PM to stay comfortably inside the window.

Question 3

How far in advance do we need to book Generations?

Accepted Answer

Generations stays in demand, and peak-season Saturdays (May through September) tend to book 12 to 18 months out. We see the most last-minute availability on Fridays and Sundays, which can also reduce your venue rental cost. If you have flexibility on day of the week, ask the venue what is open before locking to a Saturday.

Question 4

Is Generations an indoor or outdoor venue?

Accepted Answer

Both. The venue has a 3,200-square-foot event hall with a wraparound mezzanine for indoor receptions, plus multiple outdoor ceremony sites across 13 acres. Most couples hold their ceremony outside and reception inside, but the hall is large enough to hold both if weather or preference calls for it. The covered patio connects the two spaces and functions well as a cocktail hour area.

Question 5

Can we do a first look at Generations before the ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and the property size makes it easy to stage a first look well away from the ceremony site so guests do not see it happen. The garden area near the guest house or the tree-line edge of the eastern acreage both work well as first look locations — far enough from the main ceremony clearing that you maintain the reveal moment while still having a visually interesting backdrop. We plan this into every Generations timeline we build.

Question 6

What is the capacity for an outdoor ceremony at Generations?

Accepted Answer

The outdoor ceremony sites can accommodate up to 400 guests standing or approximately 260 seated with formal chair setup. The venue team coordinates chair and equipment rental as part of the booking process. For intimate weddings below 100 guests, ask about the secondary garden site — it is scaled better for smaller ceremonies and tends to photograph more proportionally with the couple than the primary clearing, which reads wide when it is only partially filled.

Generations Weddings & Events Wedding Photographer