25 Best Iowa Wedding Venues & Best Iowa Wedding Vendors

February 24, 2023

Table of Contents:

We’ve been publishing a lot of blog posts related to Hawaii and some of our other favorite travel destinations, but today we’re bringing it back to our home state: Iowa! We’re bringing you a giant list of the 25 best Iowa wedding venues in Iowa City, Des Moines, & Cedar Rapidsplus a collection of our favorite Iowa wedding vendors. This list of the top wedding venues in Iowa has it all, from outdoor farm venues to industrial indoor venues & everything in between. Ready to find the perfect venue for your Iowa wedding?

Best Wedding Venues in Iowa City, Iowa

Let’s start off with the best wedding venues in the Iowa City area!

What are the best wedding venues in Iowa City, Iowa?

1. Wilson’s Orchard

Starting Price: $9,000 for a Sunday wedding

Guest Capacity: 300 

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Farmhouse table & chairs
  • Kitchen 
  • Restrooms
  • Bar & lounge
  • Private suites
  • Covered porch in case of rain
  • Multiple ceremony locations
  • Weekday rehearsal
  • Free decor rental
  • On-site team

Check out Lexi + Josh’s wedding highlight film below for a glimpse of what your wedding could look like at Wilson’s Orchard!

2. Hancher Auditorium

Starting Price: $3,000 for the auditorium only Sun–Wed

Guest Capacity: Varies by space

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Exclusive catering
  • Variety of spaces to rent 

3. The Merrill Hotel

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 250-400

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Multiple spaces available to use
  • Exclusive catering
  • Guest accommodations + hotel amenities
  • Free parking

Check out Gina + Tara’s wedding highlight film below for a glimpse of what your wedding could look like at The Merrill Hotel!

4. The Celebration Farm

Starting Price: $2,000 for a Sunday wedding Jan–April

Guest Capacity: 450

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Multiple spaces available to use
  • Full catering kitchen
  • Covered patio, amphitheater, & barn
  • Tables & chairs
  • ADA-accessible
  • Paved parking
  • Free decor available
  • Planning assistance

Check out Molly + Zak’s wedding highlight film below for a glimpse of what your wedding could look like at The Celebration Farm!

5. Bella Sala Event Center

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 50-650

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Linens, table cloths, & chairs
  • Waterfall terrace, lawn & patio
  • Indoor space in case of rain

6. Copper Creek Ridge

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: Unknown

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Bride’s room with private bathroom
  • Full kitchen & bar
  • 3,800 feet of event space
  • Linens

Check out Sam + Josh’s wedding highlight film below for a glimpse of what your wedding could look like at Copper Creek Ridge!

7. Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 20-2500

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Renovated ballroom spaces
  • 10,000 square foot terrace
  • Room blocks for guests
  • Getting ready rooms

Best Wedding Venues in Des Moines, Iowa

Next up is a list of the best venues in the Des Moines area!

What are the best wedding venues in Des Moines Iowa?

8. Glen Oaks Country Club

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 90-300

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Culinary & service teams
  • Private dressing rooms
  • Intimate dining rooms
  • Chair covers
  • Barware
  • China
  • Linens

9. Des Moines Botanical Garden

Starting Price: $1,800 for a weekend wedding in the east & west spaces

Guest Capacity: Unknown

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • White linens 
  • Complimentary admission to garden for guests
  • Setup & breakdown of tables and chairs
  • Free parking
  • AV equipment
  • On-site event staff

10. The Tea Room

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 100-300

Outdoor/Indoor? Indoor

Amenities Included:

  • Multiple spaces to use
  • Setup & teardown
  • Dance floor
  • Tables, chairs, linens, napkins, & chair covers
  • Bartenders
  • Security staff
  • On-site event manager
  • Valet parking

11. Surety Hotel

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: Varies by space

Outdoor/Indoor? Indoor

Amenities Included:

  • Menu tasting
  • Linen for banquet tables
  • Cake-cutting service
  • Suite accommodations for the couple
  • Special room rates for guests

12. Harpors

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: Varies by space

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Unlimited alcohol
  • On-site staff & wedding services
  • Open bar
  • Coordination team
  • Bridal courtyard
  • Custom lighting

13. River Center

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 300-450

Outdoor/Indoor? Indoor

Amenities Included:

  • Two bridal suites
  • Two private patios
  • Four bars
  • ADA accessible
  • Over 250 parking spots
  • In-house catering

14. The Prelude

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 165

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Rehearsal
  • Tables, table covers, chairs, & chair covers
  • Setup & tear down
  • AC & heating

15. The Iowa Taproom

Starting Price: $2,000 plus food & drink minimums for a full day in the Marquette Room

Guest Capacity: 50-300

Outdoor/Indoor? Indoor

Amenities Included:

  • In-house catering
  • Tables & table decor
  • Chairs
  • Flatware
  • Setup & teardown
  • Linens

16. Iris Aisle

Starting Price: $2,250 for a micro wedding with 40 guests

Guest Capacity: 75 

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Private hammock area
  • Dry camping spots
  • Farm tables & resin chairs
  • Setup & cleanup

Best Wedding Venues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

And last but not least, we’re heading to the Cedar Rapids area!

What are the best wedding venues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?

17. The HarMac

Starting Price: $3,500

Guest Capacity: 40-400

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • On-site getting ready suites
  • On-site parking spots
  • Catering kitchen
  • Tables, chairs, linens, & glassware

18. The Hotel at Kirkwood

Starting Price: $1,000

Guest Capacity: 20-400

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • On-site catering
  • Dressing rooms for the couple
  • Setup 
  • Ceremony rehearsal
  • Service staff
  • Group menu tasting
  • Plenty of decor available for free or for rent

19. Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 200

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • On-site catering & full catering menu
  • Outdoor terrace
  • Large selection of wines

20. Sister Hill Inn

Starting Price: $595

Guest Capacity: 80-150

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Tables, chairs, & linens
  • Simple decor
  • Stylish courtyard
  • Outdoor tent for lawn

21. Epic Event Center

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 400

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Large dance floor
  • Fountains & gazebo area
  • Firepits
  • Patio
  • Full-service bar
  • Bridal suite & groom’s lounge

22. Cedar Rapids Public Library

Starting Price: $1,200

Guest Capacity: 200

Outdoor/Indoor? 

Amenities Included:

  • Free, non-metered parking
  • Basic AV equipment

23. Koru Berry Farm

Starting Price: $4,000 for a Sunday wedding

Guest Capacity: 300

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • Bridal suite & groom’s den
  • 4 bar areas
  • Full kitchen
  • Buffet style room
  • Fireplace, deck, patio
  • Tables, chairs
  • Setup & cleanup
  • Courtyard with dance floor

24. Hotel Millwright

Starting Price: N/A, inquire with venue for info

Guest Capacity: 225

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • 65 guest rooms
  • AV equipment
  • On-site catering services
  • Free on-site parking
  • Experienced property support team
  • Rehearsal dinner
  • Signature cocktails

Check out Celina + Aaron’s Intimate Hotel Millwright Wedding for a real-life peek into this stunning venue! 

25. Ashton Hill Farm

Starting Price: $5,000 for a Sunday wedding from April–November

Guest Capacity: 300

Outdoor/Indoor? Both

Amenities Included:

  • On-site team of experts
  • Getting ready rooms
  • Chairs, tables, & linens
  • Prep kitchen
  • Parking
  • Bartender

Top Iowa-Based Wedding Vendors

Whewww that was a LOT of venues – we hope that one of those top 25 Iowa wedding venues fits the vibe you’re envisioning for your Iowa wedding!

And because planning a wedding is a ton of work, we wanted to also include some of our favorite Iowa-based wedding vendors that can help you bring your dream day to life. Below are a few awesome Iowa-based DJ’s, hair stylists, makeup artists, florists, rental companies, planners + coordinators, jewelers, bridal shops, and cake shops.

Best Iowa Wedding DJ’s

Best Iowa Wedding Hair Stylists + Makeup Artists

Best Iowa Wedding Florists

Best Iowa Wedding Rentals

Best Iowa Wedding Planners + Coordinators

Best Iowa Wedding Jewelers

Best Iowa Bridal Shops

Best Iowa Wedding Cake Shops

Iowa Wedding Photography & Videography

And if you were wondering why photographers & videographers were missing from that list, here’s why 😉 We’re T & Corey, an Iowa wedding photography & videography team that freaking loves photographing weddings at any/all of these amazing venues! 

You can learn more about us & what it’s like to work with us here, take a look at our Iowa wedding photography & videography packages here, and contact us here so we can start planning your dream Iowa wedding together. We’d be hella honored to be a part of your special day! 


For more helpful wedding & elopement resources, be sure to check out our blog – or take a look at a few of our recent faves below!

How to Plan an Epic Post-Elopement Party Celebration

12 Best Luxury Resort Elopement Packages in the U.S.

Our Top 20 Elopement Planning Tips + What Not to Forget

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