Planning a wedding can get complicated fast. If you want a laidback wedding day that gives you space to focus on your community, finding the right venue can make a huge difference. As a wedding photographer, I’ve documented family-centered weddings across Iowa, and there are some venues that are especially great for this sort of wedding. I’ve rounded up my favorite Eastern Iowa wedding venues to help you pick the perfect spot for your heartfelt celebration.
In this blog post:
- What to Look for in Eastern Iowa Wedding Venue
- 10 Beautiful Eastern Iowa Wedding Venues
- Your Heartfelt Iowa Wedding Photography
What to Look for in Eastern Iowa Wedding Venues
When you’re shopping around for Eastern Iowa wedding venues, there are a few things you should consider.
What kind of setting suits your personality and vision?
Your wedding day is about you and your people. Think of how you like to spend your time. Maybe you love a long walk in the park or a night out at the newest restaurant.
Now take that lens to your wedding venue. Do you want a romantic afternoon ceremony in a rolling field? Or are you picturing an elegant floral arch in a historic home? Pick the one that feels like you and gives you the opportunity for the flow and photos you want.
Do you want to do everything in one place?
If you’re looking for a relaxed wedding experience, your best bet is to pick a wedding venue that has getting ready suites and spaces for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Otherwise, it’s worth booking a hotel or short-term rental near your venue. The less running around you have to do on your wedding day, the better.
How much do you want the venue to include?
Some people want to bring a carefully curated collection of vendors together to create a one-of-a-kind experience for their wedding. On the other hand, some people prefer to let the venue take care of as much as possible. Always check what your venue includes in the way of
- Bar and catering
- Chairs and tables
- Linens and tableware
- Decor
10 Beautiful Eastern Iowa Wedding Venues
1. Ashton Hill Farm Galena
Starting Cost: $6,000
Location: Galena, IL
Capacity: 300 guests
Highlights:
- You get the aesthetics of a modern winery in a stunning landscape.
- The hydrangeas and gardens are so lush in the summer.
- The venue provides two getting ready suites and all the furniture you need.
Learn more: Ashton Hill Farm
To see a full wedding at Ashton Hill Farm Galena, check out this blog post!
2. Miss Murphy’s
Starting Cost: Contact the venue for more information.
Location: Galena, IL
Capacity: 30 guests
Highlights:
- Miss Murphy’s is a bed and breakfast with nineteenth-century European charm.
- The inn has five rooms, and you can book them all for you and your closest guests to enjoy your wedding weekend.
- In addition to a beautiful dining room for receptions, Miss Murphy’s has a sweet garden with a gazebo that’s perfect for a spring or summer wedding.
Learn more: Miss Murphy’s
3. The HarMac
Starting Cost: $7,000 for Saturdays
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Capacity: 400 guests
Highlights:
- The neutral open space and tall windows make the venue feel really airy.
- You can bring just about any vision to life with the HarMac as your canvas.
- Take golden hour photos on the rooftop with the skyline in the background.
Learn more: The HarMac
The HarMac is one of my favorite Eastern Iowa wedding venues! See a full blog post with more photos from this colorful wedding here.
4. Figge Art Museum
Starting Cost: $7,700
Location: Davenport, IA
Capacity: 400 guests
Highlights:
- The Figge is the ultimate wedding venue for people who love a creative, modern aesthetic.
- You can take portraits in the incredible galleries! If you do a full museum rental, your guests can explore the exhibits too.
- The terrace has a great view of the Mississippi River.
Learn more: Figge Art Museum
5. The Outing Club QC
Starting Cost: $8,000
Location: Davenport, IA
Capacity: 500 guests
Highlights:
- This private club is housed in a Colonial Revival mansion. It’s got all the beautiful architectural details that make a historic space feel charming.
- The Outing Club gives you a dreamy combination of indoor and outdoor space. I love the gorgeous porch with its tall columns and views of the garden.
- As an active club, this venue can host all kinds of events for your wedding weekend. Take advantage of their amazing facilities to have a little fun with your friends and family.
Learn more: The Outing Club QC
6. Little Lights on the Lane
Starting Cost: $12,000 for Fridays
Location: West Branch, IA
Capacity: 300 guests
Highlights:
- This venue has two beautiful getting ready spaces.
- Since Little Lights on the Lane is located on the edge of a golf course, you get incredible views of the surrounding countryside. It’s great for romantic, cinematic moments and candid just-married moments.
- If it rains, you have multiple backup plans for your ceremony – the porch and the main hall.
Learn more: Little Lights on the Lane
You can see a full wedding at this Eastern Iowa wedding venue at this blog post!
7. Walnut Ridge
Starting Cost: $9,000
Location: Shellsburg, IA
Capacity: 300 guests
Highlights:
- Calling Walnut Ridge a barn venue feels like an understatement. It’s bright and modern with plenty of space indoors and outdoors.
- You can have your ceremony beside a beautiful pond complete with a fountain.
- The patio gives your wedding a seamless flow from outdoor ceremony to the patio cocktail hour to the hall for your reception.
Learn more: Walnut Ridge Venue
8. Eastbank Venue and Lounge
Starting Cost: $3,300
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Capacity: 400 guests
Highlights:
- The main hall is spacious and allows for a lot of different floor plans.
- This venue is located right on the Cedar River by the 3rd Ave Bridge.
- Eastbank provides a huge amount of flexibility for decor. Their extensive inventory of vases, candlesticks, signage, and furniture is available on their website.
Learn more: Eastbank Venue and Lodge
9. Hotel Blackhawk
Hotel Blackhawk is one of the most elegant Eastern Iowa wedding venues.
Starting Cost: $9,600
Location: Davenport, IA
Capacity: 300 guests
Highlights:
- This beautiful hotel is complete with luxurious Art Deco details. Think marble staircases and gold moulding in the ballroom.
- Hotel Blackhawk has multiple areas that you can incorporate into your wedding day, including a lobby, ballroom, and restaurant.
- As a hotel, this venue can host all of your out of town guests and provide plenty of rooms for you to get ready for your wedding.
Learn more: Hotel Blackhawk
I photographed a sweet winter elopement at Hotel Blackhawk. Read about it here!
10. Steeple Square
Starting Cost: $2,250
Location: Dubuque, IA
Capacity: 300 guests
Highlights:
- The restored church has endless details that make you feel like you’re in an Italian cathedral.
- Because this venue is run by a non-profit, you get a luxury look for a lower price than you’d pay at a typical wedding venue.
- This space really is incomparable in Iowa. Your guests won’t forget it any time soon!
Learn more: Steeple Square
Your Heartfelt Iowa Wedding Photography
Was this list of Eastern Iowa wedding venues helpful? I’m Olivia, an Iowa wedding photographer. My husband and I document heartfelt weddings with video and photos that feel lived in. Would you like us to document your wedding? Reach out to us!
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