Riverside Park Wedding | Outdoor Ceremony Spot on the River in La Crosse, WI

/ La Crosse Weddings, Venue Spotlights / By

Set along the banks of the Mississippi River, Riverside Park is one of La Crosse’s most iconic public spaces — and a favorite for couples who want an outdoor ceremony that feels open, scenic, and close to the heart of downtown. With willow trees, river views, and a peaceful atmosphere, it’s ideal for elopements, micro-weddings, or ceremonies that pair with nearby venues.

As a La Crosse-based photographer, I’ve shot dozens of portraits and ceremonies here — and every time, the light, breeze, and backdrop make it feel like something special.

A Real-Feeling Wedding Story

Kelly and Sam didn’t want a church or a traditional venue. “We just wanted to get married by the water,” Kelly told me.

They held their ceremony under one of the willow trees, with 40 guests seated in a semicircle and acoustic guitar echoing across the river. After they said “I do,” we walked the riverwalk for portraits — hands linked, laughter echoing through the park.

Dinner followed at The Waterfront. The simplicity of the day, paired with the elegance of the setting, made it unforgettable.

Why Couples Choose Riverside Park

  • Scenic riverfront backdrop with trees, pathways, and wide-open light
  • Flexible layout — ideal for elopements, micro-weddings, or informal ceremonies
  • Walkable from downtown hotels and venues
  • Budget-friendly — low or no cost with a simple permit
  • Photographer favorite — golden hour over the water, clean lines, and beautiful light

It’s a perfect choice for couples who want something simple, heartfelt, and visually stunning.

What I Bring as a Photographer

  • Familiarity with sun angles, park layout, and crowd flow
  • Creative portrait ideas using bridges, trees, and pathways
  • Elopement photo and video coverage available — short or full-day
  • Calm presence to help you focus on what matters

Best Times of Year for a Riverside Park Wedding

Spring: Blossoming trees and early green
Summer: Evening ceremonies and open skies
Fall: Golden color and crisp air
Winter: Beautiful in snow — best for brave elopers and quick ceremonies

Great Pairings with Riverside Park

Let’s Photograph It with Ease and Intention

Whether you’re planning an elopement, a ceremony before dinner, or just want portraits in the park, I’d love to help document it — with focus, care, and story-first coverage.

Contact me here to get started.

Explore more:
La Crosse Wedding Venues
 Elopement-Friendly Spots

Where is it located?

On the riverfront in downtown La Crosse, across from the Radisson and The Charmant.

Is a permit required?

Yes — city approval and a special event permit are typically required.

Is it private?

No — it’s a public park, but you can reserve specific areas for short-term use.

What’s the best time of day?

Evening or morning — midday can be bright and busy with foot traffic.

Riverside Park Wedding

Link: Riverside Park Wedding Information

Check out their site here.

Click here for more La Crosse Wedding Venues

Bride in a white dress rests her head on the groom’s shoulder during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with seated guests visible in the background.
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A bride and groom share a first dance in the center of a dimly lit, elegant ballroom with round, candlelit tables surrounding them.
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A bride and groom share a kiss while dancing at their wedding reception in a warmly lit venue with guests in the background.
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Silhouetted couple standing close together outdoors at dusk, framed by trees, with a faint light illuminating their outlines.
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A couple dressed in wedding attire stands embracing on a grassy hilltop against a plain white sky.
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Two men dressed in tuxedos embrace outdoors; one wears a white jacket and hugs the other from behind against a dark, leafy backdrop.
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A bride and groom stand embracing outdoors at sunset with a dramatic, cloud-filled sky in the background.
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A person in formal attire is seen through a partially open door, while another person in a white garment holds the doorknob in the foreground.
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A couple in wedding attire stands close together by a riverside at sunset, with a bridge and bare trees in the background.
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Two men in white dress shirts and suspenders stand in a room; one is smiling with hands over his mouth while the other looks down, holding a bag.
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A man and a woman in formal attire float on their backs in a shallow rocky stream surrounded by large boulders and greenery.
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A bride in a lace dress holding a bouquet stands next to a groom in a blue suit and floral tie; they look at each other and smile in natural light.
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A woman in a strapless dress stands against a patterned wall, facing a bearded man in glasses and a vest. Both look serious. The image is in black and white.
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A bride in a white lace dress walks with a groom in a formal military uniform on a dirt road at sunset.
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A woman in a white wedding dress and floral crown stands behind partially open glass doors in a softly lit room.
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A man and a woman, both fully clothed, sit in a shallow rocky river, holding each other closely and touching foreheads.
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A woman in a white hooded cloak and a man in a suit stand on a snowy overlook with railings, with a wintry landscape in the background.
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A bride with curly hair sits on a couch, wearing an off-the-shoulder lace wedding dress and a necklace.
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Overhead view of a couple embracing on a wooden floor next to a long, decorated table set with greenery and floral arrangements.
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A newlywed couple shares their first dance as guests watch, with the bride’s dress swirling and the groom lifting her in a formal, dimly lit reception room.
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A groom in a dark suit dips and kisses his bride in a white dress on a dance floor during their wedding reception, with guests seated in the background.
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A person in a lace wedding dress walks down a hallway, photographed from behind in black and white.
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A bride and groom face each other across a stair landing, with a bright window between them in a black-and-white setting.
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Two men in dress shirts and suspenders stand indoors; one is smiling with hands over his mouth, while the other looks down and holds a bag.
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A bride in a white wedding dress sits indoors reading a note, while a small dog sits on the wooden floor in front of her.
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A bride feeds a groom cheese curds in front of a food truck at night; both are dressed in wedding attire and smiling.
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A bride in a white dress stands on a wooden bridge, looking back, while a man in a blue suit stands in the foreground out of focus. Lush trees surround the bridge.
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A man in a vest and tie and a woman in a lace dress lie side by side in shallow water, holding hands and looking up.
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A bride and groom stand outdoors holding hands, surrounded by green trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage.
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A bride and groom stand holding hands in front of a large window set in a brick wall, looking at each other.
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A bride and groom share a kiss at their wedding ceremony in a rustic hall, with guests seated and watching in the background.
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A woman in a lace wedding dress sits and smiles with her eyes closed, resting her chin on her hand.
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A bride in a white wedding dress and a groom in a military uniform sit closely together on a rustic rope swing in an outdoor grassy area.
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A bride in a strapless gown wipes her eye during an outdoor wedding ceremony, surrounded by guests, in black and white.
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A couple in wedding attire stands outdoors holding large coconuts in front of their faces, with palm trees in the background.
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A bride in a lace dress and an older man in a suit wipe their eyes while standing outside near a staircase.
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A woman and an upside-down man reach toward each other outdoors, framed by trees, with water and mountains in the background.
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A bride and groom stand outdoors, holding hands and smiling, with rocky mountains and trees in the background.
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A bride and groom stand together under a large tree in an open grassy field at sunset.
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A bride and groom sit on a rustic wooden fence overlooking a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks and autumn foliage.
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A bride and groom stand outdoors, facing each other and smiling, with green and yellow autumn trees and a distant hill in the background.
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A person styles another person's hair in a dimly lit bedroom with a large bed and framed pictures on the wall.
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A couple stands on a sandy beach at night, illuminated by bright backlighting as raindrops or snow fall around them.
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A bride and groom share their first dance in a wooden barn while wedding guests watch in the background.
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Two men in tuxedos dance closely together at an outdoor event under a tent, with seated guests and string lights in the background.
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A bride and groom walk along a snowy path in a grassy landscape at sunset, with the sun shining between distant hills.
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A couple embraces on a grassy hill at sunset, with dramatic orange clouds filling the sky behind them.
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A bride and groom walk hand in hand down a wet alley at night, surrounded by guests holding sparklers, with brick buildings and shadows visible on both sides.
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A bride and groom kiss while dancing closely at their wedding reception, surrounded by seated guests in a large, decorated banquet hall.
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A bride and groom stand side by side outdoors on patchy snow and grass, with the bride holding a colorful bouquet. Their faces are not visible.
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Two people walk on a wooden path through a field with pine trees and misty mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
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Bride and groom walk through a crowd of people holding sparklers at night, with smoke and lights creating a festive atmosphere.
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A couple stands facing each other near a waterfall at dusk, silhouetted against the water and twilight sky.
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A bride and groom laugh joyfully while holding each other, surrounded by cheering guests, with mountains and cloudy skies in the background.
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A bride and groom stand hand in hand facing a calm lake under a cloudy, overcast sky, surrounded by mountains.
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A couple stands on rocky terrain atop a mountain, with the man leaning in to kiss the woman in a flowing red dress as wind blows her hair. Mountains and sky are in the background.
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A bride and groom stand in the center of a path at night, surrounded by guests holding lit sparklers as smoke drifts through the air.
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A couple in formal attire kisses under a wooden pergola at night, surrounded by falling snow illuminated by warm lights.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors, holding a bouquet, with autumn trees and cloudy skies in the background.
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A bride and groom stand together inside a bar decorated with vintage beer signs and brick walls, with a counter and barstools in the background.
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