A Perfect Blend: Charming Timber-Built Covered Structure for Your Open-Air Outdoor Wedding
It all started with a tree—a towering heirloom Scotch pine that stood at the center of The Gardens for more than 80 years. It wasn’t just any tree; it became a symbol of the land, representing the nursery and landscape company that once thrived here. Over the years, it quietly witnessed countless transformations, including the biggest one of all—when the space evolved into a wedding venue. Naturally, the tree became a beloved backdrop for ceremonies, standing tall and proud in family photos and memories alike. To us, it wasn’t just part of the landscape—it was part of our story.
But as time passed, the tree began to show signs of decline. The question became: “How could we honor something that had meant so much to so many?” Glenn, with his deep love of timber framing and a new bandsaw added to The Workshop, saw potential in the tree’s final chapter. After examining every branch and curve, it became clear that no piece was straight enough for traditional framing. That’s when inspiration struck—the old-world elegance of a cruck frame, a style dating back to the 13th century that celebrates curved timbers. What followed was a blend of engineering, creativity, and reverence. Glenn and a team of skilled timber framers spent weeks sketching, measuring, and studying the tree’s natural form. The process required a hybrid French and English method of scribing the limbs and timber, laser precision, and the kind of problem-solving that only comes with experience—and a deep respect for the material.
In winter, the team gathered to cut and join the frame in The Workshop, a process that took 11 days of intense craftsmanship. While power tools helped shape the pieces, it was the hand tools—chisels, saws, and mallets—that brought out the frame’s soul. Each timber was a puzzle piece with its own personality. Then, in spring, the real magic happened. Footings were poured, dimensions double-checked, and the pre-assembled cruck bents were lifted into place, just 25 feet from where the tree had once grown. Somehow, through all the curves and challenges, everything fit—perfectly.
Today, the cruck frame stands as the ceremonial gateway to the Lath House wedding site. It’s more than a structure; it’s a tribute, a piece of living history made from a tree that had already touched so many lives. With delicate lights strung across its rafters and hand-carved details that only the keenest eyes notice, it adds whimsy and wonder to every wedding. For most guests, it’s simply beautiful. But for those who truly understand timber framing—the woodworkers, the builders, the cabinetmakers – it’s a quiet marvel. They see the complexity in the curves, the joinery, the choices made to preserve the tree’s natural form.
And that’s what makes it so special. The tree lives on—not just in the wood, but in every ceremony, every photo, and every memory created beneath it. What once stood as a symbol of a business now stands as a celebration of love, transformation, and timeless craftsmanship.
A romantic background for a romantic moment. Photo credit: Whims & Joy
For 80+ years, our beloved Scotch Pine stood tall on the property. First, when the property was a nursery and landscape design company, and later as a wedding venue. Photo credit: Jeannine Marie Photography
The cut Scotch Pine limbs are moved into The Workshop at The Gardens to begin the process of fitting them in as the blades of the Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Anthologie
Glenn, venue owner and lead designer, explains to the team his design idea for the Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Anthologie
The team lining up the tie beam on top of the blades to begin scribing the profile of each timber to each other. Photo credit: Anthologie
A wide variety of hand tools, including custom electric chainsaws, were used to shape each of the components on the Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Anthologie
Getting a glimpse of what the finished frame will look like…..all of the timber frame components are test fit to each other before they leave The Workshop. Photo credit: Anthologie
Although the whole project is not complete, there’s a sense of accomplishment as unconventional pieces of wood come together. Can you say gestalt?……Just like the team. Photo credit: Anthologie
Butterflied ornate knee braces are fit to the posts and wall plates creating a visual delight for the landscape. Photo credit: Anthologie
Precision chisel work on each of the wood joints assures a tight fit and an overall integrity of all the joinery of the Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Anthologie
After the bent is reassembled it is lifted into position on the steel brackets that are installed on the concrete footings. Photo credit: Anthologie
The first bent is installed and rigging the second bent is underway for the crane lift. Photo credit: Anthologie
Lining up the knee braces in preparation of setting the wall plate on the Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Anthologie
Moving timbers in to place with a crane lift. Photo credit: Anthologie
A high level of precision is required for all of the timber pieces to fit together perfectly…..measure four times, cut once. Photo credit: Anthologie
All the measuring and attention to details pays off when the ridge beam is placed and everything lines up plumb and level. Photo credit: Anthologie
An age old tradition of honoring the trees and a safe raising of the structural timbers is the placing of an evergreen branch on top referred to as the “whetting branch.” Photo credit: Anthologie
All of the rafters are in place and it’s time to fit the curved rafter extension on the Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Anthologie
Oak ceiling boards sawmilled and dried in The Workshop are ready for installation on the Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Anthologie
Just referred to as a cold roof, OSB sheathing is installed on furring stripes then onto of the oak ceiling boards. Photo credit: Anthologie
One of things we love to do at The Gardens is repurpose materials…..salvaged vintage roofing steel is installed on the Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Anthologie
The Cruck Frame and the team that made it all happen. Photo credit: Anthologie
Life long friendships that are gained working on such an individual project is a perfect precursor to the amazing events that will enfold in the Cruck Frame’s presence. Photo credit: Anthologie
The reason for all the hard work……creating a beautiful structure to enhance a beautiful wedding day. Photo credit: Anthologie
So why is it called a Cruck Frame? Because curved timbers (called crucks) are used as the primary structural support, forming an A-frame shape from the ground to the roof peak. Photo credit: RKH Images
The A-frame shape of the Cruck creates an impressive frame on each side of a photo. Photo credit: Anthologie
The Cruck Frame and Lath House Covered Pergola create an impressive duo over the 144 foot aisle that spans from the Cruck Frame to the front of the Lath House. Photo credit: RKH Images
No squinting on a sunny day for photos when you’re standing under the towering Cruck Frame. Photo credit: Erika Rose Photography
The Cruck Frame will never over shadow you and your new spouse on your wedding day. Instead, it’s happy to remain in the background enhancing everything beautiful about your day. Photo credit: Eileen Ferguson Photography
The Gardens is always growing! Not only in flowers, plants, trees and bushes, but in structures and garden features. The Cruck Frame is one of the most recent and there are more exciting additions in the near future. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography
Café lights outline the steep roof of the Cruck Frame (and most of the other buildings at The Gardens) adding to the magic at night. Photo credit: Ellen Gustafson Photography
The unique design of the Cruck Frame makes it popular for couples wanting a magical storybook themed wedding day. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography
Standing underneath the Cruck Frame and looking up is just as impressive as admiring it from a distance. Photo credit: Anthologie
Strike a pose under the Cruck Frame with your new spouse and make it your own. Photo credit: Nik Linde Photos
The Lath House aisle looks as if it goes on forever. Passing under The Gardens one-of-a-kind structures, including the Cruck Frame, gives you time to soak it all in. Photo credit: RKH Images
The destination through the Cruck Frame…..the most unique ceremony site in Minnesota, the Lath House. Photo credit: Nik Linde Photos
The colors of autumn and the Cruck Frame perfectly compliment one another. Photo credit: Anthologie
That “just married” feeling as you exit the ceremony site through the Cruck Frame at The Gardens. Photo credit: Ellen Gustafson Photography
The Cruck Frame is still awe-inspiring in black-and-white. Photo credit: Anthologie
We encourage couples to make The Gardens their own. Photo credit: Anthologie
The roof covering of the Cruck Frame is repurposed galvanized metal. The Gardens uses repurposed building materials whenever possible. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography
Here comes the bride (under the Cruck Frame)……all dressed in white…..sweetly serene in the soft glowing light….Lovely to see, marching to thee…sweet love united for eternity. Photo credit: Anthologie
The Cruck Frame is the perfect spot to document the last kiss of your wedding day, but don’t worry, there will be many more kisses. Photo credit: Bellagala
Through the Cruck Frame and onto the patio, the ceremony is over and the party’s about to begin. Photo credit: Anthologie
Guests too will enjoy passing under the Cruck Frame as they wait to hug the happy couple. Photo credit: Always Karlie Photography
Don’t be distracted by Gandalf…..he’s the officiant. Instead, look behind him at the stately Cruck Frame. The couple getting married on this day, chose The Gardens because it was the perfect setting for their Hobbit-themed wedding celebration. Photo credit: Captured Blossoms
Jumping for joy is an understatement on the day you marry your best friend. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography
