Des Moines Wedding Venues & Iowa Wedding Venues

Tips, Frequently Asked Questions and Photos of Venues

questions to ask wedding venues that you are considering

Availability for popular venues can change quickly during peak season, so it’s important to have a few dates that you’re open to. Aligning dates can be made easier if you’re open to Friday or Sunday dates in addition to Saturdays.

When looking at venues, ask to see what table layouts could look like based on your number of guests.

Different venues include different accommodations in their rental fees. Linens, decor, food, and an opportunity to host a rehearsal are all things to ask about with their rental fee.

Some venues have several beautiful spaces to host both the ceremony and reception, making travel and coordination for your guests much easier.

For venues that host their own catering, make sure to schedule a tasting so you know all of your meal options for guests.

Alcohol pricing can vary widely between venues and also vary widely based on service. Some options for alcohol would include cash bar, fully hosted, and wine and beer.

Some venues have in-house decor and they’ll work with you to design your perfect aesthetic. Other venues are a blank slate and allow for rental companies to come in and transform the space. Make sure to understand what each venue allows you to do!

Venues are starting to include in-house coordinators who can help ensure that your day runs smoothly, which is a great benefit to you. Some in-house coordinators can handle vendor communication, others help with day of coordination.

A lot of venues are starting to have beautiful suites for couples to get ready on location; again, making the logistics of your wedding morning even more simple.

If you’re looking at an outdoor location, be sure to have a backup plan in place for the weather. Living in Iowa, we never know what the weather will do at any point during the year.

Parking, especially for large weddings, can be tough for guests. It’s much better to have a plan in place than to have guests scrambling day of.

Tips for finding your perfect venue

Iowa has SO MANY beautiful wedding venues all over the state. Wineries, Hotels, Gardens, Barns, the possibilities are truly endless. Everyone has different checklists when it comes to their perfect wedding venue whether it’s price, ease of access for guests, venue staff and of course, venue aesthetics. Below are some venues that I think are amazing options for the best wedding venues in Iowa. If you think I’ve missed a venue that should be listed OR if you love the images below and would like to see if I’m available for your date, be sure to contact me or check out more of my work!

Best Wedding venues in Des Moines

If you’re looking for a wedding in the heart of all the action in Des Moines, this part of the wedding venue list is perfect for you. These gorgeous venues are located in the Des Moines metro area specifically!

The Tea Room

One of my all-time favorite venues is The Tea Room in downtown Des Moines. Aside from literally being on the same block as my studio space (where we can meet to chat about your wedding and a space that you can utilize for photos!), this venue has a historic and classic vibe, amazing flow on the wedding day and beautiful balconies that are perfect for wedding portraits. Side note, I just walked around the block with Tabbi and Ethan recently who are getting married at the Tea room and we found all kinds of great photo locations within walking distance from the Tea Room on their engagement session! This venue can facilitate weddings of up to 300 guests!

The Tea Room
713 Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
website
tea room wedding reception details white willow events

hotel fort des moines

The Hotel Fort Des Moines is in the middle of a beautiful renovation and I cannot wait to share more information with you as soon as possible!

hotel fort des moines
1000 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50309
website
why I love this venue
bride and groom wedding portraits des moines iowa

The Monroe West Des Moines

A newly renovated venue on the west side of town, this beautiful spot is perfect if you’re looking for a place that you can transform into literally anything you could imagine. The reception space features a unique ceiling system that can let you hang anything across the entire space!

The Monroe West Des Moines
1805 90th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266
website
the monroe west des moines wedding venue

greater des moines botanical garden

Another stunning venue is the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. This beautiful venue is right along the Principal Riverwalk to add even more to it’s beautiful aesthetic. This venue lends itself to beautiful and colorful imagery and can hold up to 220 guests indoors and up to 500 guests outdoors.

greater des moines botanical garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr
Des Moines, IA 50309
website
Des Moines botanical garden wedding scaled

Surety Hotel

Surety Hotel is the newest hotel / wedding venue in downtown Des Moines and it looks as promising as any venue in the area. The attention to detail and focus on service with this venue will be sure to create a memorable experience for your wedding day!

Surety Hotel
206 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
website
wedding exit surety hotel ceremony des moines iowa

Willow On Grand

One of the newest and most stunning wedding venues in Des Moines, Willow On Grand has an unbelievable getting ready suite as well as both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces.

Willow On Grand
6011 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
website
cocktail hour at willow on grand

salisbury house

One of the most classic and elegant wedding venues in Des Moines, Salisbury House has several beautiful outdoor areas for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

salisbury house
4025 Tonawanda Dr
Des Moines, IA 50312
website
Wedding ceremony at Salisbury House in Des Moines Iowa

glen oaks country club

Beautiful spaces inside and out, Glen Oaks Country Club allows for ceremonies to overlook the golf course for absolutely beautiful views!

glen oaks country club
1401 glen oaks drive
west des moines, ia 50266
website
glen oaks country club wedding ceremony

the river center

The River Center is one of my favorite venues. to photograph in Des Moines. They’ve recently renovated their space and it’s built perfectly to capture beautiful wedding photographs.

the river center
340 SW 3rd St
Des Moines, IA 50309
website
River Center Des Moines Wedding Photographer

Rollins Mansion

If you’re looking for a beautiful Tudor style wedding venue with a beautiful lawn and a classic and intimate vibe, then Rollins Mansion is the perfect venue for you. There are endless elegant spaces in this venue perfect for your wedding day!

rollins mansion
2801 fleur drive
Des Moines, IA 50321
website
sunset photos at rollins mansion des moines iowa

Des Moines Golf and Country Club

A beautiful golf course with rolling hills can be the perfect backdrop to your wedding ceremony. After your ceremony, head inside for a stunning, recently renovated reception space perfect for weddings of all sizes!

des moines golf and country club
1600 jordan creek pkwy
west des moines, ia 50266
website
Des Moines Golf and Country Club clock

The Loft DSM

The Loft DSM is a beautiful space with a unique ceiling that makes every wedding feel magical. In addition to the already beautiful space, The Loft DSM boasts an in house design team to make sure that your vision comes to life through their space!

The Loft DSM
100 Indiana Ave
Des Moines, IA 50314
website
first dance at the loft dsm

Des Moines Art Center

With a beautiful and spacious outdoor space in the center of the Art Center, you can literally be surrounded by beautiful artwork for your wedding ceremony. The art center provides an elevated, sophisticated wedding day experience!

Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Ave
des moines, ia 50312
website
stunning bridal portrait at des moines art center

st kilda

Wait, are you talking about our favorite brunch spot? Why yes, yes I am. St Kilda is available to host private events i.e. the perfect intimate wedding celebration with your closest friends and family.

st kilda
300 sw 5th st
des moines, ia 50309
website
wedding ceremony at st kilda in des moines

noce jazz club des moines

Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Noce Jazz Club is a beautiful alternative wedding event space that has unique lighting and stage aspects that elevate your wedding ceremony!

Noce Jazz club
1326 Walnut st
Des Moines, IA 50309
website
Noce Jazz Club wedding Des Moines

the iowa taproom

Looking for a beautiful yet casual vibe? The Iowa Taproom delivers. And by being able to rent the Marquette room for up to 200 guests for only $1,500, it’s an absolute steal!

the iowa taproom
215 East 3rd st
Des Moines, IA 50309
website
iowa taproom wedding ceremony

bash events and catering

Bash DSM has a personal favorite touch with their tin ceiling, (similar to the one in my studio). Another beautiful feature of this space is the rooftop access that you’ll have for portraits! This venue holds up to 300 guests!

bash events and catering
1312 locust st
des moines, ia 50309
website
Bash Events and Catering

des moines scottish rite consistory

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the beautiful ballroom of the Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory has incredible ceiling heights to take the elegant feeling of your wedding day to the next level. The venue can host both your ceremony and reception, making an easy day of transportation for your guests.

des moines scottish rite consistory
519 park street
des moines, ia 50309
website
Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory

Best Wedding venues in Iowa

Though not in Des Moines, these wedding venues are close by and are absolutely stunning! Don’t forget to contact me if you’ve been to another amazing venue that’s not on the list!

Eagle’s Ledge Events

Eagle’s Ledge Events in Madrid, Iowa is a STUNNING new build wedding venue with a beautiful aesthetic that has the ability to be both and indoor and outdoor event venue (great for weather backup plans).

Eagle’s ledge events
1892 330th St
Madrid, IA 50156
website
eagles ledge events venue

Toast! Ankeny

Ankeny’s newest wedding venue boasts beautiful design on two levels, an unreal outdoor rooftop space and the most stunning bridal suite you’ll see in the area!

Toast! Ankeny
1345 SW Park Square Dr
Ankeny, ia 50023
website
toast ankeny photos

country lane lodge

Country Lane Lodge is a beautiful and very large wedding venue in Adel, IA that gives the perfect mix of a modern and rustic wedding space. Country Lane Lodge is able to hold up to 400 guests and has beautiful grounds for photo opportunities making this venue option a no-brainer!

country lane lodge
29300 prospect circle
adel, ia 50003
website
country lane lodge

carper winery

Carper Winery has both beautiful inside spaces as well as stunning outdoor spaces, perfect for an elevated wedding day!

carper winery
4603 dakota st
norwalk, ia 50211
website
recessional carper winery

celebration farm

Located in Iowa City, Celebration Farm is a wedding venue that has two indoor ceremony/reception spaces as well as a stunning outdoor ceremony space.

celebration farm
4696 robin woods ln ne
iowa city, ia 52240
website
celebration farm wedding ceremony iowa city
33 celebration farm wedding ceremony iowa city

little lights on the lane

If Little Lights on Main is a little too small for your dream day then you’re in luck! Their sister property, Little Lights on the Lane is an equally beautiful venue with space for everyone on your guest list. And this venue truly does have it all. Along with space for your guests, this venue features options for an indoor or outdoor ceremony (rain plan – check!) and a view overlooking Cedars Edge Golf Course.

little lights on the lane
2 ember lane
west branch, ia 52358
website
little lights on the lane west branch iowa wedding venue

hotel blackhawk

Davenport’s premier wedding space, Hotel Blackhawk has an absolutely stunning ballroom and is perfect for hosting a wedding and simultaneously accommodating out of town guests.

hotel blackhawk
200 e 3rd st
davenport, ia 52801
website
Hotel Blackhawk Wedding Venue

Koru Berry farm

Koru Berry Farm is a beautiful wedding venue in Homestead, IA that has several spaces to host your wedding day from getting ready to last dance!

KORU BERRY FARM
1681 U Ave
Homestead, ia 52236
website
Koru Berry Farm wedding ceremony tree

Millwork Ballroom and event center

In the heart of Dubuque, the Millwork Ballroom and Event Center is a perfect space to host large weddings with an industrial vibe.

millwork ballroom and event center
333 e 10th st
dubuque, ia 52001
website
millwork ballroom and event center

district venue ankeny

Looking for a clean, modern, large (350+ capacity) wedding space? Look no further. District Venue is bright, clean and full of great energy and an abundance of top-notch amenities such as chiavari chairs, chinaware, event coordinator and an in-house catering staff!

district venue ankeny
1350 SW Vintage Pkwy
ankeny, ia 50023
website
district venue ankeny wedding photographer

red acre barn

Red Acre Barn has beautiful indoor spaces, a great patio area and also a stunning ceremony space outside with a beautifully long aisle walk, making that moment even more special! The team at Red Acre Barn is super sweet and do a phenomenal job!

red acre barn
4053 kirkwood st
prole, ia 50229
website
beautiful red acre barn wedding ceremony

reiman gardens

Located on Iowa State University’s campus, Reiman Gardens is 17 acres of beautiful manicured indoor and outdoor space for weddings!

reiman gardens
1407 university blvd
ames, ia 50011
website
reiman gardens wedding photos scaled

summerset winery

One of the most beautiful wineries in all of Iowa, Summerset Winery can hold up to 250 guests in their Grand Banquet Room. Their wedding collections even include dedicated event coordinators to make sure that your day is smooth and enjoyable for all!

summerset winery
15101 fairfax st
indianola, ia 50125
website
28 Summerset Winery Wedding 042 1

irishman acres clover barn

Irishman Acres’ Clover barn is an absolutely gorgeous wedding venue in Bondurant that includes both indoor and outdoor spaces as well as a beautiful bridal suite to get ready in.

irishman acres’ clover barn
8382 Ne 88th st
bondurant, ia 50035
website
16 irishman acres wedding venue

historic park inn

If you’re a fan of architecture and design, this beautiful hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright will be the perfect backdrop to your wedding day.

Historic park inn
7 w state st
mason city, ia 50401
website
wedding reception details historic park inn mason city

keller brick barn

Keller Brick Barn is a beautiful rustic barn wedding venue in Dallas Center, Iowa that includes both indoor and outdoor spaces featuring a gorgeous tree as an outdoor ceremony backdrop.

keller brick barn
25967 t ave
dallas center, ia 50063
website
Keller Brick Barn wedding photos

Eagle Point Lodge

Woods, water, a stunning interior, and nearby CASTLE, Eagle Point Lodge has all of the elements to make a perfect and unique wedding day.

Eagle point lodge
4101 N 3rd st
clinton, ia 52732
website
Eagle Point Lodge wedding first dance

Fireside Winery

Beautiful rolling hills on private land, this winery is ready to be transformed into the perfect wedding day, however you may want that to look!

Fireside winery
1755 P ave
marengo, ia 52301
website
tented wedding reception fireside winery marengo iowa

harpor’s vineyard

Harpor’s Vineyard is truly a dream venue, particularly for couples looking for a plethora of options. From a vineyard style ceremony to a peaceful Bridal Courtyard you’ll be saying “I do” to more than just your future spouse. If you don’t think you’ll be able to get enough of this gorgeous space during the day of your wedding then you’re in luck – Harpor’s Vineyard even has an option to rent luxury accommodations on the grounds so you can stay a little longer.

harpor’s vineyard
3014 scott st
new virginia, ia 50210
website
bride and groom walking down the aisle at Harpors Vineyard

barnes place

Rustic charm is truly the best way to describe this incredible venue! With so many unique spots throughout – including a ceremony spot overlooking a beautiful pond – you’ll have plenty of amazing memories of your wedding day at Barnes Place.

barnes place
20932 350th st
adel, ia 50003
website
barnes place outdoor wedding ceremony

bluebird hill

Bluebird Hill is an affordable, beautiful and modern barn capable of hosting 200+ guests in Atlantic, Iowa.

bluebird hill
56741 655th St
Atlantic, IA 50022
website
bluebird hill atlantic iowa reception photos

the hidden acre

Located in Waverly, Iowa, The Hidden Acre is a beautiful modern property perfect for large weddings and has both indoor and outdoor spaces.

The hidden acre
1406 250th st
Waverly, ia 50677
website
the hidden acre wedding photos

ashton hill farm

A modern barn, Ashton Hill Farm is seriously putting barn weddings back in the spotlight – the clean black and white accents throughout are the perfect backdrop for your big day and with 7,000 square feet to play with, this spot is perfect for any time of the year.

ashton hill farm
803 Vernon Valley Dr
cedar rapids, ia 52403
website
Ashton Hill Farm

the chateau at white oak

When you think of the Chateau at White Oak, think quaint backyard wedding…but way better. This venue is incredibly welcoming and combines an outdoor ceremony space with a beautiful reception spot ready to be transformed into your dream iowa wedding venue.

the chateau at white oak
15065 ne white oak dr
cambridge, ia 50046
website
the Chateau at White Oak
Complimentary Engagement Session
Engaged? I’d love to gift you a complimentary engagement session! Submit your email and I will send you more information!
Thank you!