Weddings

10 Unique Wedding Venues in Iowa

Wedding venues in Iowa are as diverse as the couples getting married in them. Whatever vibe you want for your wedding, there’s a place for you. Check out this list of ten incredible wedding venues in Iowa! Each allows couples to trust the details to the experts while they focus on celebrating their day with the people they love best.

 

A bride and groom lean against a wall of windows in an Iowa wedding venue.

 

10 Wedding Venues in Iowa

  1. The HarMac

    The HarMac is a gem among small wedding venues in Iowa. It bills itself as an industrial event space, and there’s no doubt that it has a minimalist, modern vibe. The historic building was, in fact, a hardware warehouse and shipping facility in the 1920s. Its mix of exposed brick, wood, and metal interior details make it an easy canvas for any decor. The bright natural light from the windows eliminate the need for much beyond some floral arrangements and seating. Because it was designed as a warehouse, the HarMac is bright and open. The staff and venue owners are so easy to work with too.

    Check out more from this wedding at The HarMac here.

 

The exterior of the HarMac is an old industrial brick building.

  

A couple gets married under a chuppah at one of the industrial wedding venues in Iowa.

 

2.The Carriage House Cedar Rapids

The Carriage House Cedar Rapids is among the newer wedding venues in Iowa. It opened in the spring of 2022, and it’s located right in downtown Cedar Rapids. The Carriage House includes an intimate garden ceremony space as well as an indoor area for dining and dancing. An arbor is all you need to set up a stunning ceremony space. The Carriage House’s vibes are elegant but still cozy. If you’re looking for a venue that feels a little more refined but still lets you be you, this is the place. 

3. Iris Aisle 

Iris Aisle is a one-of-a-kind experience among wedding venues in Iowa. It bills itself as an industrial event space, and there’s no doubt that it has a minimalist, modern vibe. The Victorian greenhouse is the real star of the show. It was meticulously hand built by owner, Raelyn Ramey and her family. It sits amongst their cedar grove where nature lovers can feel at home. The bright natural light from the windows eliminate the need for much beyond some floral arrangements and seating. While you’re there, fall in love with their resident cat, Leaf!

 

  

A bride pets a cat in a greenhouse wedding venue in Des Moines.

 

4.The Prelude 

The Prelude is the perfect wedding venue for couples who love a modern 1920’s vibe and a whimsical feel. Think European ambiance with a Gatsby flair! The Prelude has outdoor and indoor space, which is always prized in wedding venues in Iowa. You’ll be set to enjoy your wedding day rain or shine! The venue puts a lot of care into creating a cohesive experience between the rose garden, pergola, and mini mansion. The mini mansion is perfect for a getting ready space! The venue manages to strike a balance between classically cool and approachable. It’s the perfect space for an intimate celebration.

5.Cedar Ridge Winery 

Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery is an intimate wedding venue with all the charm you would expect from a vineyard. With a view of the vineyard, the outdoor ceremony space is sweet and requires minimal decoration to be wedding-ready. The venue offers multiple spaces that can accommodate anywhere from 40 to 200 guests. The warm wood details, big windows, and market lights make the reception spaces feel inviting. Cedar Ridge Winery is a great wedding venue to enjoy the finer things with the people you love most. Give your guests a really unforgettable experience, and set up a tasting for them!

 

  

Two grooms overlook the vineyard of an Iowa wedding venue at sunset.

 

You can see more from this Cedar Ridge Winery here.

6.The Heights Rooftop 

The Heights Rooftop, another of the newer wedding venues in Iowa, has a decidedly more modern feel than many area venues. With multiple rooms available, a wedding here could easily have a rooftop ceremony followed by dinner and dancing in the ballroom. The patio at The Heights Rooftop, with its city views, is a beautiful and unique spot for a smaller wedding ceremony. It’s also a great spot for cocktail hour.

7.Salisbury House and Gardens

The Salisbury House, another unique wedding venue in Iowa, has a decidedly more English feel than many area venues. Ivy-covered stone walls and cobblestone courtyards provide beautiful backdrops for portraits and meaningful moments with your loved ones. With a stunning outdoor garden, you could easily have an outdoor ceremony followed by dinner and dancing under the stars. The woods surrounding Salisbury House make you feel like you’re in a world all your own.

 

 

For inspiration for your Salisbury House wedding, check out this engagement session.

8.The Exchange

The Exchange might be one of the newest wedding venues in Iowa. It’s in a pretty remote area, about seven miles from the Riverside Casino. Even a big event has a sense of intimacy with the country views all around. The minimalist white barn has white walls and ceilings lit by sunlight streaming through a wall of windows. It feels airy, open, and inviting.

With a large interior and big patio, The Exchange was designed to accommodate big weddings comfortably. Up to 362 guests can be seated. Unlike a lot of bigger venues, though, they actually encourage you to bring the caterer of your choice. You don’t have to make compromises on your decadent wedding meal.

9.Walker Homestead

The founders of Walker Homestead wanted to create “a little bit of Napa in the Iowa countryside.” They’ve succeeded several times with their venue that’s also a working farm. Walker Homestead produces food and wine that they use for their in-house catering. They specialize in wood-fired pizzas that are always a favorite at weddings.

Of the wedding venues in Iowa, this has some of the most beautifully curated indoor and outdoor spaces. The barn is decorated in modern, minimalist black and white. The 85-acre farm has plenty of outdoor areas to explore too. Whether you want an outdoor ceremony or just a place for a quiet walk at cocktail hour, the rolling vineyards are perfect.

10.Little Lights on the Lane

If you’re looking for wedding venues in Iowa that balance modern architecture with beautiful outdoor spaces, check out Little Lights on the Lane. This venue is located in West Branch, just twenty minutes outside of Iowa City. Its surrounded by a golf course, which means you get the wide open views that make the countryside in Iowa so charming. 

 

 

As a venue, Little Lights on the Lane offers a great guest experience. The venue owners and team are great to work with. The building is full of natural light, and it’s obvious how much though was put into every detail of the space. The outdoor ceremony location is really beautiful too. A sprawling tree shades the wedding arch which you can adorn to match your decor.

 

A bride and groom stand beneath an arbor at Little Lights on the Lane, an Iowa wedding venue.

 

Was this article helpful for you? Once you have your dream wedding venue, you can start planning the other pieces of your wedding day. Check out these resources: Family Photo List for a Wedding Day and 7 Ways to Create Space on Your Wedding Day

 

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  1. Adeel says:

    This article gave me a fresh perspective on wedding planning. Looking forward to diving deeper into your other articles!

Husband + Wife, photographer, artists, cat parents, travelers,
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That's us on our wedding day. The part we loved the most? The big group hugs, the tears shed, the belly laughs, and getting to share all of it with our friends and family. 

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