About The Magnolia
A modern industrial wedding venue in Dubuque's Historic Millwork District, built for couples who care about the details.
The Magnolia blends clean architectural lines, natural light, and the brick-and-timber character of the Millwork District into a space that feels striking and welcoming at the same time. We built it as a versatile, light-filled canvas — so every wedding, celebration, or private event can feel entirely its own while still holding together from the first tour to the last song.
From small gatherings to full weddings, our approach comes down to exceptional service, an evening that runs without seams, and understated luxury. Outside catering is welcome, the bar packages are ours, and the team's job is to make the planning feel as easy as the day itself.
Alaina Gansemer
Alaina fell in love with The Magnolia the first time she toured it — when she was buying the building. The history and charm won her over, and so did its setting in the Historic Millwork District. Her favorite part is the Champagne Loft upstairs, where brides get ready on the wedding day. It's private and intimate, the lighting is great, and it's where the building's Millwork character comes through most. With the Loft right upstairs, the bride can get ready in the same building as the ceremony and reception, which completes the whole package.
Before The Magnolia, Alaina spent 15 years as a corporate retail consultant, managing and leading teams, and she has opened five businesses of her own. That background in customer service shapes how she works with couples today. She's with them from the first tour through booking and planning, and she believes couples should always know exactly where things stand. She wants every couple to feel welcome, confident, and comfortable working with her team.
Every couple is different, and hearing their stories is one of her favorite parts of the job. Helping plan one of the biggest days of someone's life is something she takes seriously, and she's grateful to be trusted with it. One of her favorite events here wasn't a wedding at all — it was a princess party she threw with her own daughter, a mom-and-daughter moment in the same room where so many couples begin their married lives.
Outside the venue, her family is her life. You'll find her with her kids at the parks, at the Dubuque Farmers' Market just down the street, hiking at Mines of Spain, or out at local events supporting the community. And if she's at the bar, it's a Malibu and Fresca with a twist of lime.
The team
Pat Berryman
Venue Operations Manager
Pat has spent 20 years in the business at Eagle Ridge, Ashton Hill, and the Grand River Center, and he came to The Magnolia because events are his wheelhouse. On your day he keeps the bar fully staffed and running from setup to teardown, following the rule he's worked by for two decades: be kind and give people what they want. He makes a great Old Fashioned, follows just about every Iowa and Chicago team, and grabs a Busch Light when he's off the clock.
Brynn Solt
Wedding & Event Coordinator
Brynn grew up in Pearl City, Illinois, and started behind the bar at The Magnolia before quickly moving up to wedding and event coordinator. She wants every guest to feel seen and taken care of, with the calm sense that everything is handled, and her favorite part of any event is seeing people happy. She's finishing her biology degree at UW–Platteville, coaches volleyball, and orders an espresso martini when she's off the clock.