prel·ude noun "An introductory performance, action, or event preceding a more important one." The Prelude was dreamed up by a couple who craved a feeling they had only experienced in far off lands and story books - They knew there were others out there who dreamed of running away to places that gave them that whimsical feeling again but couldn't see themselves ever doing it - So they decided to create a place that brought that whimsy and feeling to them - The result is one of the best & most unique venues in Central Iowa, located just 30 minutes south of Des Moines. The Prelude is for authentic people who crave a romantic dream from a vanished age. The Prelude isn't only a place that should be seen - It should be experienced.

We at Bailey Farms Barn & Venue are very detailed oriented with a very casual atmosphere and our goal is that you can say “I truly enjoyed my wedding” not “it went so fast it was over before it started”.

Iris Aisle is a Victorian greenhouse that sits amongst our cedar grove in Madison County, Iowa. We built Iris Aisle ourselves, around the idea of creating a sanctuary where nature lovers could come to feel at home and be surrounded by medicinal plants and herbs and all of nature’s wonder, inside and out. Simplicity is our goal here, so we only host events of 75 or fewer people. We knew we wanted this place to be geared toward smaller weddings, because there is no other place in Iowa that does. So many venues want to go big or go home, but that’s not us. Instead, we want to shift the mindset of what this day is truly about, how true connection with those you love the most is deeply important.

About Us The Vineyard at St. Charles is where timeless romance meets the allure of nature in a perfect union. Memories that last a lifetime will be made at every turn. Nestled within the heart of a picturesque vineyard, our exclusive wedding venue offers an idyllic setting for couples seeking a celebration as unique as their love story. With sweeping vineyard views, lush landscapes, and elegant architecture, our enchanting venue provides the canvas for your dream wedding. ​ Immerse yourself in luxury. From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, let The Vineyard at St Charles be the backdrop to the beginning of your forever.

Whether you are looking for the perfect place to say “I do,” a location for your high school reunion, or a facility for hosting your next corporate event, Knotty Pine Venue is the perfect destination. Conveniently located in Winterset, Iowa we are a premier event venue with 5,760 square feet of space and room to seat up to 250 guests. Situated on 4.65 acres in the heart of Madison County. Our rustic facility is the perfect choice for barn weddings near Des Moines. Our property is also just 19 minutes away from Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines. Our venue features a large, welcoming fireplace, exposed knotty pine hardwood, rustic beams, corrugated steel, and incandescent lighting that casts a warm, inviting glow. We welcome our guests to bring in the vendors of their choice. A catering room, accommodations for a band/DJ, and a bride and groom lounge are all available. We also have tables and chairs for your convenience, and shuttle service to and from certain local hotels.

• The property is near Hwy 92 and I-35, 18 minutes to the Mills Civic Parkway exit in West Des Moines • Reclaimed wood on the inside from old barns in Iowa to create endless variation in color, grain and texture • Flawless blend of rustic, elegance, and beauty that provides the picture perfect backdrop • Authentic feel of a true Iowa barn • 2 acre vineyard • 5,632 square feet • Heating and Air • Use of indoor space and outdoor grounds • Inventory of available décor to use • Rental hours from 9 AM-midnight • Rehearsal/dinner rental • Bridal suite and groom’s lounge • Kitchen is available, BBQ/grill & roaster use allowed • Fully stocked bar with trained bar staff, non-alcoholic drinks may be brought in • Large loft space • Tables and chairs available – 4 76" farm tables, 35 60” rounds tables, 7 8' rectangle tables, 20 6’ rectangle tables, 10 cocktail tables, 350 chairs • Use of 60 benches, holding approximately 5 people each, for ceremony area • Accommodations for band/DJ/speaker

Carper Winery is a rural venue just minutes from the Metro! The property comprises of 40 acres, complete with not only the Venue but a lush Vineyard, Willow trees, two ponds and tall golden prairie grass. Outdoor ceremony lawn with Pergola. Ceremony site overlooks the large pond, vineyard and beautiful hillside to create a picturesque backdrop. Guests will enjoy the outdoor patio lounge space during your welcome hour, cocktail hour, and well into the evening when the sun sets and the bistro lights create the perfect outdoor space. The climate controlled indoor space can seat up to 300 of your friends and family members to enjoy a beautiful dinner in your honor. The space is set with an overlooking mezzanine and loft to create a very intimate feeling for your event. Complete with bistro lights and chandeliers for the perfect ambiance as you enjoy your first dance as Husband and Wife.

Happy Apple Celebrations' goal is to provide you and your guests with memories to last a lifetime. We offer a rustic wedding venue with both beautiful outdoor landscapes and a large heated/air-conditioned indoor facility. Our farm is conveniently close to the Des Moines metro, while still being located among the beautiful rolling fields of central Iowa. We have wooded areas, scenic ponds, and a relaxing atmosphere. Happy Apple Celebrations is dedicated to providing you with a venue that removes the stress and anxiety from your event by giving you time to fully enjoy the weekend that is reserved just for YOU.

Nestled on a quiet gravel road, you’ll find our charming modern farmhouse barn. Built from scratch in 2020, the Magnolia Farms event venue features modern amenities and comforts. We ensure to take care of your day as if it was our own. We have gorgeous indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception options, beautiful furnishings, an outdoor patio area, a bridal suite and groom lounge rooms, and vendor relationships all across Iowa to help you bring your vision to life.

"Let our Dream Barn make your Dream a Reality!" We can accommodate all aspects of your day. We assist/handle in creating the vision of your day to ensure you, your family and your guest enjoy every second of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Barnes’ Place is a very practical venue that provides all the country charm, convenience to the city, is peaceful, beautiful, flexible, and reasonably priced. Add to all that, adorable entities are constantly being added --- you have just found the place of your dreams – Barnes’ Place, where memories can be made.

Celebrate your wedding in style at the Glen Oaks Country Club, a stunning timeless venue in West Des Moines, Iowa. This architectural gem offers a variety of beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces to help you create a wedding that’s as beautiful and unique as you are. From the planning stages all the way through the execution, the Glen Oaks Country Club staff are ready to assist you in cultivating the day of your dreams. Enjoy unparalleled customer service and breathtaking views as you celebrate this magical day alongside the ones you love.

Return to an era of style and sophistication - where a martini is always being shaken and the music never stops playing. We welcome you to The Rewind Hotel | Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, where iconic music of The Rat Pack and sixties icons set the tempo for a retro experience immersed with modern amenities. With over 5,000 square feet, including an intimate ballroom and boardroom, The Rewind Hotel and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse is the ideal place for a wedding and celebration. Johnny's Italian Steakhouse features handcrafted menus created by our Executive Chef Troy. The Rewind Hotel and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse can be your full wedding destination; our flexible event space can create your perfect Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, and following day Farewell Wedding Brunch and our stylish guestrooms are perfect for bridal suites. For the Bride and Groom's wedding night.

Make your stay memorable at West Des Moines Marriott, where you'll find a seamless blend of high-tech and high-touch service. Utilize our complimentary shuttles for effortless travel to and from Des Moines International Airport. Upon arrival, you'll discover a wealth of popular locales surrounding our hotel, including Wells Fargo Arena, the Jordan Creek Town Center, Smash Park, and many more!

Located in the heart of West Des Moines, an event at Decades will not only create memories but ones that last a lifetime. Our specially designed space blends the antiquated with the modern and offers over 5,000 square feet of space for up to 225 guests. If you decide to host your next event at Decades, your investment will give you two on-site suites that offer the perfect place to get ready, the option to rent additional in-house decor, a fully stocked bar with optional packages for your guests, an event lead for the day of your event, and so much more! Also included, for your convenience and ease when planning your event, is ample parking in our adjacent lot. While we take care of set up and tear down, we are also more than happy to assist with any other needs you may have while planning the perfect event. From the tour to the last dance, we want to ensure you have the least amount of stress, so you can also enjoy your event alongside your guests.

Salisbury House & Gardens is a wedding venue and museum situated in Des Moines, Iowa. The original owner, Carl Weeks, founded liquid foundation and hypoallergenic makeup, so it is fitting that his 42-room mansion has received a magnificent makeover as a wedding venue and event center. The mansion was built in the 1920s and was inspired by The King's House in Salisbury, England, blending Tudor, Carolean, and Gothic architectural details. Today, to-be-weds can celebrate their romantic nuptials in style at this sophisticated estate. From intimate elopements to large-scale receptions, Salisbury House & Gardens is suitable for events of all styles and sizes. You can say "I do" in front of several beautiful indoor backdrops or outdoors, where tall trees envelope a traditional arbor and manicured garden spaces. Couples can curate their dream reception indoors, outside, or in an elegant marquee.

The River Center venue is the perfect mix of rustic meets industrial, with unique elements sourced from local entities in Des Moines. With high ceilings, exposed brick, and beautiful natural light, the River Center creates the perfect backdrop for your special day! The River Center boasts over 16,000 square feet, with two bridal suites, two private patios, and plenty of amenities for large groups of guests.

Combining historical elegance and contemporary design, Surety Hotel is the perfect backdrop for your celebration. Be among the first to host your event at the newest hotel in downtown Des Moines. Start your story at Surety For any event, the experience is high on the list for your event, from the cuisine to the ballroom ambiance, crafted cocktails and event service, every touch for your event should be an elevated experience for you and your guests. With that in mind, we personalize everything from the event minimum to the event menu and package and work with you one-on-one to ensure its truly YOUR wedding....not one that fits every bride...... but catered to YOU. The Surety event experience includes event minimums to suit your budget, event rentals only for those spaces that don’t include dinner and bar menus that can include signature cocktails, hosted, beer, wine and liquor or all cash options as well.

Welcome to Iowa’s most historic and iconic venue. Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, the restored elegance of The Tea Room is captivating and the perfect venue for your special occasion. Reserve your date at The Tea Room to create memories that will last a lifetime. Since reopening in 2017, The Tea Room has upheld its reputation of making hosts and guests feel welcome. The restored beauty of the space leaves brides and grooms with iconic wedding photos and memories that will last a lifetime.

Mainframe Studios is a creative community for artists of all types and disciplines. Hosting your event at Mainframe not only means supporting our local arts community, but also brings a sense of creativity to your gathering. Ask our staff about how you can incorporate the work or expertise of one of our resident artists into your next event.

Host your wedding in our 10,000 square foot ballroom with up to 500 of your very special guests. Experience downtown Des Moines with our ideal location within a mile of the Historic East Village and Court Avenue District. We offer complimentary shuttle service to the airport, which is six miles away. Dine-in with us at Park Street Kitchen & Bar for breakfast, lunch and dinner inside, or on our outdoor patio complete with string lights and a fireplace. Enjoy your morning with freshly brewed Starbucks Coffee and small bites from our cafe.

Curate provides award-winning catering and bar service through our sister company Taste! To Go Catering and Events. We work with many other local partners to provide end-to-end solutions for your event. Five hotels are within 800 yards of Curate, meaning less than a 1/2 mile walk from each of them. Two of the hotels in that radius also have free shuttles. Ample parking is nearby as well!

First off, congratulations! The Iowa Events Center is the ideal facility for rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, and receptions. Our venue provides the perfect setting for your big day and is conveniently located near downtown— just minutes away from local attractions. Let us take the stress out of the wedding planning process. We are a one-stop shop to ensure your day is the one you've always dreamt of. You will be partnered with one of our wedding professionals who will work with you throughout the planning process and even after your wedding. They will work closely with you to organize all aspects of your wedding. From booking to dinner menus, venue layout to the finishing touches, and so much more! We're excited to meet you!

A STATE DESTINATION and one-of-a-kind venue focused on bringing new concepts to the wedding experience. Relax - enjoy your big day with intention. Vows is dedicated to providing a fresh, effortless, alternative. We can accommodate your wedding months, weeks and in some cases days in advance. 1HR, 2HR, 3HR & 4 1/2 HR WEDDING //RECEPTION OPTIONS 6 DAYS A WEEK. UNIQUE PACKAGES /PROGRESSIVE WEDDINGS 2 - 65 GUESTS /$995 - $12,500+ Venue Only /BYOVendors - Planner or GET IT ALL Photographer/ Coordinator/ Officiant/ Flowers + Fare INCLUDED ++

Stoney Creek boasts a warm, cozy atmosphere that will leave your guests feeling like they just escaped to that family cabin on the lake. Our rustic wedding experience will add character to your event, from your rehearsal dinner to your reception! Our venue locations feature unique log home interiors and warm fireplaces, giving your family and friends a place to catch up and relax before the big event. We make sure to customize your wedding event to the size of your party, and our variety of upscale conference spaces will be transformed into your picturesque reception hall where memories are made.

If you are in search of a picturesque indoor/outdoor venue to create an unforgettable event, Deer Ridge is the venue you never thought you would find! We can match any type of theme or experience, and our venue's versatility makes it ideal for intimate or large weddings, casual or elegant celebrations, corporate functions, or premier hunting experiences. We offer exceptional, individualized service to create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. From winter wonderland weddings to summer nights on the patio, we’re here for any season…and your event is our priority.

Rustic mansion with all the necessary amenities you need for your day. A dedicated wedding venue that keeps you in mind! We do all the set up, clean up, decorating and more to keep our clients and their family having an enjoyable and stress free day!

The District Venue is an elegant wedding venue in Des Moines, IA. This modern-chic space has been designed with countless amenities in order to create the perfect selection that fits any budget or style. We're proud to bring our neighbors in the greater Des Moines Metro Area this fashionable two-story, all-inclusive banquet hall located in the heart of Ankeny's Prairie Trail District. We want you to be able to share your special moments with as many loved ones as you wish. Our beautifully structured venue hosts up to 350 guests for any wedding celebration, corporate party, or special event.