The Best Museum & Gallery Wedding Venues in Story City, IA

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5 Wedding Venues in Story City, IA

Museums, galleries
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La Belle Vie Venue 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Grimes, IA
  • Up to 400 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor

Welcome to Des Moines area’s newest event venue, located at 2900 SE Gateway Drive in Grimes, less than one mile from Highway 141 & I-80/35 interchange. Our venue is the perfect location for your next big event. With enough space for large parties of 300 or more guests. Included is a large ceremony space, 2,000 sq ft glass atrium, 2,400 sq ft full service bar, 1,000 sq ft Bridal Suite with private bathroom, and a private 30-car indoor parking garage with 100 additional parking spots on-site. We have availability in 2026.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Classic seating dinner
  • Has onsite accommodations
  • Provides event staff

Venue considerations

  • Not for you if you are looking for something nontraditional
  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • No all-inclusive dining options
“From the moment we inquired about hosting our wedding at La Belle Vie Venue, the staff was incredibly responsive, respectful, and polite in all of our communications. Their attention to detail and willingness to accommodate our needs, such as providing indoor parking to allow easy access for our elderly family members, made planning our special day a breeze. The venue itself is truly stunning and huge. It is unlike any other wedding space we have seen in Iowa. The family that owns La Belle Vie is flexible working with us to schedule multiple walkthroughs prior to the big day. Would recommend to everyone.”
Miranda R., a year ago
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Salisbury House & Gardens 
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
Des Moines, IA
  • Up to 250 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor

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.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Flexible event spaces
  • Provides a dedicated team on-site

Venue considerations

  • Limited cleanup and setup services
  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • Does not have a dance floor
“Unbeatable venue for a garden party style wedding. Beautiful, well-maintained, and a staff that was exceptionally helpful and easy to work with made this our dream location. Visit and you will fall in love.”
Josh H., 2 years ago
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Farm Boy Party and Events 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Des Moines, IA
  • Up to 550 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $2,000

We have 6 acres of land and 8000 square feet of space to rent out for your next social event/party. Our love for remodeling and restoring vintage cars and trucks goes far beyond our services. This literally is a lifestyle for us and we take great pride in our abilities to produce top-notch perfection! Plus, we LOVE showing off our amazing facilities and want others to be able to enjoy the hard work and dedication we've put into this place as well. If you're in need of a venue for your next event, be sure to give us a call to discuss your event options along with pricing!​

Why you'll love this venue

  • Rustic charm with elegance
  • Bridal suite on site
  • Multiple event spaces

Venue considerations

  • On-site parking not available
  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • Does not allow pets
“Farm Boy Party and Events was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the moment we reached out, their communication was prompt, kind, and efficient. The venue itself was truly unique, with top-notch decor and a wonderfully intimate feel. They went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, even helping us find an officiant and cake decorator since we weren't local. The owner was there on the day to ensure everything ran smoothly, and we were able to get into the venue early to decorate. Overall, Farm Boy Party and Events made our special day absolutely perfect, and we couldn't recommend them more highly.”
Mike T., 9 months ago
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Baqara 
Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)
Runnells, IA
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $1,000

Our rustic mansion hosts intimate gatherings to grand celebrations! We are dedicated to making your event extraordinary. Let us help turn your dream day into reality! Over 400 weddings in 10 years have called Baqara home for their day. Let us be your wedding and event partner. relax with us!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Private area for the wedding party
  • Caters to out-of-town guests
  • Provides a dedicated team on-site

Venue considerations

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not for you if you prefer a more modern aesthetic
  • No all-inclusive dining options
“Clint and Yvette are great to work with! They go above and beyond to ensure that everything is perfect! I highly recommend Baqara to anyone looking for a venue.”
Mike, 4 years ago
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The Big Room at Mainframe Studios 
Des Moines, IA
  • Up to 250 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $10,000

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.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides catering services
  • Offers full-service amenities
  • Private area for the wedding party

Venue considerations

  • Does not allow pets
  • No built-in audiovisual options
  • No on-premises lodging options

Location flexible? Discover venues near Story City, IA

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Carper Winery
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
Norwalk, IA
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The Tea Room
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Des Moines, IA
The Prelude
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
New Virginia, IA
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The Rewind Hotel
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
West Des Moines, IA
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Toast
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Ankeny, IA
Curate
Des Moines, IA
The District Venue
Rating: 4.0 (5 reviews)
Ankeny, IA
Copper Creek Ridge
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
Riverside, IA
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Salisbury House & Gardens
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
Des Moines, IA
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Summerset Winery
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Indianola, IA
GemHidden gem
The Exchange On Vine
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
Riverside, IA
The Port
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Panora, IA

Event types for wedding venues in Story City, IA

About wedding venues in Story City, 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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