The Best Small Wedding Venues in Saint Donatus, IA

The Best Small Wedding Venues in Saint Donatus, IA

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7 Wedding Venues in Saint Donatus, IA

Ballrooms, banquet halls
Up to 50 guests
Available on September 13, 2026
Hotel Julien Dubuque 

5.0

Dubuque, IA
  • Up to 320 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $3,500

Hotel Julien Dubuque, a destination for beautiful wedding celebrations. Our hotel is an elegant boutique hotel that marries modern amenities with historic charm in the heart of Old Main Street Dubuque, and has been the choice venue for celebrations for over 150 years.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Offers convenient lodging options
  • Multiple event spaces
  • Dressing room available

Venue considerations

  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • Does not allow pets
  • Not for you if you are drawn to more unconventional venues
We had an amazing weekend at The Hotel Julien Dubuque! Our guests talked about the food, the ease of everything, and the room turn over as well. The whole day was flawless and very easy for our family to help decorate, due to the staffing at the hotel. Thank you! We would recommend this venue to any couple due to the ease and how pretty everything was all weekend. From the hotel rooms, to the Ballroom. Everything was beautiful!
Eric & A., a year ago
Quick responder
The Wagner House 

5.0

Freeport, IL
  • Up to 200 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $3,000

The Wagner House, located in the historic Wagner Print Building, is a three-story industrial warehouse in downtown Freeport, Illinois. The building was built in 1903 and was one of the first buildings that had electricity in Freeport. Established in 1853 and incorporated on March 9, 1912, the Wagner Building was home to the German-born Wagner Family who, like Freeport, has a long and interesting history. The Wagner House also served as an industrial manufacturing spot for textiles and fashion. For four generations, the business did not change hands, and the present Wagner company pledged to continue their record of quality printing and letterpress and are still in business today. In 2013, The Wagner building was sold to Bill Green to redevelop and re-imagine it, creating a wine bar, business incubator, and beautiful event space.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Pets can join the celebration
  • Accommodates more than 200 guests
  • Full catering menu to choose from

Venue considerations

  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • Not for you if you are drawn to more unconventional venues
Savanna and The Wagner House were incredible to work with. From the first venue visit through wedding day, they were responsive, professional, helpful, and honestly, an absolute joy to work with. Everyone loved the space, food, and staff. I would work with them a million times over.
Michele, 2 months ago
Quick responder
Ludlow Mansion Events 

5.0

Monroe, WI
  • Up to 350 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $4,200
  • Offer

Ludlow Mansion Events is an historic venue located in the Madison area. The estate's grounds feature manicured lawns and beautiful trees that lead to the front of the mansion which serves as a stunning backdrop for saying 'I do' surrounded by your loved ones. An expansive pergola is also included to host your ceremony, cocktail hour or reception. Inside, the expertly decorated Carriage Hall and Parlor Room offer plenty of space for hosting your indoor ceremony, reception and after party. The cozy Saddle Room Bar gives guests a perfect place to lounge between the ceremony and reception. Get-ready rooms for the wedding party, decor and planning assistance are all included. Event management remains on-site during weddings to aid in its smooth execution. Upon booking, we will help you plan your beverage offerings, provided by our in-house bartenders, and connect you with the best vendors to complete your day. Schedule a tour soon!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Private area for the wedding party
  • Offers full flexibility in setup and decor
  • Space for a large guest list

Venue considerations

  • No venue-provided food services
  • Not for you if you are looking for something nontraditional
  • No built-in audiovisual options
We had our wedding at Ludlow Mansion in Monroe WI and it was fantastic. Penny and Greg are great and easy to work with throughout the entire process. Our guests continued to comment throughout the night how the venue was beautiful. Our wedding was in April and they were so accommodating to moving the ceremony to be inside instead of outside the morning of the wedding. I highly recommend going with the three day package as it made everything less stressful. I cannot say enough how happy we were to have our wedding at Ludlow and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for that all in one place for their weddings!
Jordan W., a year ago
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium 
Dubuque, IA
  • Up to 250 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor

The Museum & Aquarium can help you create all the details for the perfect event, from beautiful tables to a delicious menu served by our exclusive caterer. The Museum & Aquarium includes ideal settings for indoor or outdoor ceremonies, mingling over cocktails, or dancing the night away. Located on the Mississippi River in charming Dubuque, Iowa, the Museum & Aquarium is also ideal for wedding showers, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, anniversary parties, and corporate events.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Bridal suite on site
  • Provides event staff

Venue considerations

  • No built-in audiovisual options
  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
Quick responder
Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center 
Dubuque, IA
  • Up to 300 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $1,500

Congratulations and thank you for thinking of us. I would love to give you more information on us. First let me tell you about all our different spaces. We have space for 2 get ready rooms, honeymoon suites, ceremony space, reception, rehearsal dinner, and gift opening space. Our Mississippi Ballroom- This ballroom can cater any size group up to 300 guests. We offer buffet style or plating for you and your guests. I have attached a menu for your reference on packages, pricing, and menu choices. At Best Western Plus, we will do all the day of for you. Teamed up with our professional catering team, set up staff, and your personal marketing/sales team, we will make sure your day is as magical as it should be. The Best Western Plus marketing/sales team will help you design your perfect day with personal meetings and planning hand in hand with you. Please note, if you meet the food & beverage minimum, there is no room charge.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides event staff
  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away

Venue considerations

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
  • Not for you if you are looking for something nontraditional
Mineral Point Opera House 
Mineral Point, WI
  • Up to 380 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $1,500

Built in 1914 as a Vaudeville theater, the Mineral Point Opera House was restored in 2009. It is both a movie theater and a live stage with music and theater events throughout the year. It is available to rent for wedding ceremonies with up to 380 guests. We can customize our stage lighting to set the perfect scene, pull out our 1930s Steinway piano to play the wedding march, and open our concession stand to serve popcorn and drinks!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Historic touches
  • Accommodates more than 200 guests

Venue considerations

  • No all-inclusive dining options
  • No on-premises lodging options
  • Does not have a dance floor

Location flexible? Discover venues near Saint Donatus, IA

About wedding venues in Saint Donatus, IA

Iowa offers some truly exceptional wedding settings that you'll fall in love with, from historic mansions with character to beautifully converted barns that blend rustic charm with modern amenities. You'll find specialized venues across the state that cater to specific needs; places like River Center in Des Moines provides outstanding accessibility features while The Chateau in Cambridge delivers a culinary experience that your guests will talk about for years.

What Makes Iowa Wedding Venues Special?

Iowa's rich architectural heritage creates wedding backdrops you simply can't find elsewhere. Rollins Mansion showcases historic detailing that photographs beautifully while The Temple for Performing Arts features stunning stained glass skylights that create magical lighting throughout your ceremony. Des Moines is home to premier venues like Northbridge Event Center with excellent food partnerships that will impress even your foodie friends. If you're looking eastward, The Harmac in Eastern Iowa offers an industrial atmosphere with handcrafted cocktails your guests will love. You'll typically spend between $7,100-$8,700 for Iowa venues, which falls nicely below the national average of $6,500-$12,000; giving you more flexibility with your overall budget.

How Much Does an Iowa Wedding Cost?

For a more intimate celebration with 50 guests, you're looking at roughly $18,338 total. Your costs will scale up naturally with your guest count. A 100-guest wedding typically runs about $30,382 while 150 guests pushes that to $41,708. Larger celebrations with 200 guests average $51,835 and if you're planning a big gathering with 250 guests expect around $61,962. The largest weddings with 300 guests typically reach $72,089. These figures help you set realistic expectations as you begin your venue search.

Which Venue Types Can You Find in Iowa?

Iowa gives you diverse venue options from elegant mansions to charming rustic barns that suit any wedding style you're dreaming of. Bella Sala Event Center can accommodate anywhere from 50 to 650 guests and offers beautiful outdoor spaces including a waterfall terrace and patio that creates perfect photo opportunities. The Exchange On Vine hosts up to 320 guests with flexible configurations that adapt to your vision, while VOWS DSM specializes in creating magical intimate celebrations for up to 65 guests; perfect if you're planning a more personal gathering.

How Do Iowa Wedding Venue Costs Break Down?

Venue costs make up about 19% of your total wedding budget with the average Iowa venue running $7,910. This gives you good perspective as you allocate funds across different services. Catering typically runs $6,328 (15%) while bar services average $5,062 (12%). Photography investments average $3,982 (10%) with videography close behind at $3,555 (9%). Your floral arrangements will likely cost around $3,342 (8%) and planning assistance averages $2,133 (5%). Entertainment costs about $1,350 (3%) with cake and desserts running $692 (2%). Hair and makeup services are relatively affordable at approximately $518 (1%).

ServiceAverage Cost% of Total (150 guests)
Venue$7,91019%
Catering$6,32815%
Bar Services$5,06212%
Photography$3,98210%
Videography$3,5559%
Florists$3,3428%
Planning$2,1335%
Entertainment$1,3503%
Cake/Desserts$6922%
Hair & Makeup$5181%

Where Are Iowa's Most Accessible Wedding Venues?

The River Center in Des Moines stands out with excellent ADA accessibility throughout plus two spacious bridal suites, private patios and convenient in-house catering that simplifies your planning. Wilson's Orchard in Iowa City offers accessible pathways with paved parking that ensures all your guests can navigate comfortably. You'll appreciate Bella Sala Event Center's comprehensive ADA accessibility throughout the facility, while The Temple for Performing Arts combines necessary accessibility features with modern amenities that don't compromise on style or atmosphere.

Which Iowa Venues Offer Outstanding Culinary Experiences?

The Chateau connects directly to a winery and features exceptional in-house catering that will impress even your most discerning guests. Northbridge Event Center partners with best-in-class food vendors while also supporting college scholarships in Kenya; so your celebration contributes to something meaningful. Glen Oaks Country Club delivers all-inclusive packages with exceptional culinary service that removes the stress of coordinating multiple vendors, letting you focus on enjoying your day.

When Should You Book Your Iowa Wedding Venue?

Most couples secure their venue about 15 months before their wedding date; giving you plenty of time to plan other details once your location is confirmed. October ranks as Iowa's most popular month for venue inquiries, so start looking earlier if you're considering a fall wedding. Popular destinations like The Celebration Farm and Glen Oaks Country Club often book well in advance, especially for peak season dates between May and October. Starting your venue search early gives you the best chance at securing your first choice.

How Can Iowa Venues Accommodate Remote Participants?

The Celebration Farm offers highly customizable spaces that work beautifully for integrating digital elements to include loved ones who can't attend in person. The Heights Rooftop can provide impressive Jumbotron displays that create an immersive experience for remote interaction. Venues like Northbridge Event Center and Bella Sala can accommodate technical installations for virtual engagement through augmented reality features or interactive experiences that bridge the gap between in-person and remote guests, ensuring everyone feels part of your special day.

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