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Venues for a wedding/reception in the DM-Ames area

JP4CY

JP4CY

I'm Mike Jones
Staff member
Dec 19, 2008
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Places you've been to, partied at, danced at, been to weddings at, cool unique places. Help me out here with some ideas.
I would like to stick to the DM and Ames area. Any suggestions help.
250-300 people probably.
 
Ours was Younkers Tea Room... no longer an option.

Our second choice (outdoors - kinda) was Jester Lodge up in Granger.

The old Masonic Temple (Temple for the Perfoming Arts) was also a top choice - but way too expensive.

Another place we looked at was Hoyt Sherman. Not sure why we didn't go that route....

My sister in law had their reception at Blank Park Zoo - but I don't think you'll get 250+ in there.

One of the more beautiful weddings I've been to was at the Salisbury House - they had the ceremony out back on the grounds, and the reception in the court out front. Not sure what inside could hold.

Only other larger facility I can think of that isn't a hotel ballroom is the Isaak Walton chapter on Flagg. We thought about doing an outdoor ceremony in the arboreteum in Water Works - but they were a pain to work with (6 yrs ago).

Went to another wedding/reception at the botanical center - but I don't think you'd have a prayer of getting 250 in there either.
 
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DaddyMac said:
One of the more beautiful weddings I've been to was at the Salisbury House - they had the ceremony out back on the grounds, and the reception in the court out front. Not sure what inside could hold.
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I remember looking at all of their options and prices. If you can afford it, it would be really amazing!
 
The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple was quite nice but as mentioned quite expensive...
 
Downtown DSM Marriott.

We had 250+ with a sit down dinner and DJ. They did an outstanding job with the food and taking care of us that night. Had several food options which we got to try and one great thing is they had Pizza Hut personal pizzas or hot dogs for the kids so we didn't have to pay full adult price for those meals. In addition they agreed to put a max on the charge for pop... kids are forever getting 2-3 cans going at once, but they agreed to cap it.
 
In Des Moines, check out the Scottish Rite Consistory. Beautiful old building. Very nice.

In Des Moines, you may want to try Hickory Hall. It used to be the old C&W club "Hunky Dory's." Good place for dancing, plus it's owned by Hickory Park. They have a good deal where if you get your food catered from Hickory Park, they give you the hall for free. My wife and I had our reception there and it was awesome.

Also, try ZaGaZig shrine in Ankeny.
 
My best friend, I was the best man in his wedding, had his wedding outside the Gateway Hotel and then had his reception in the hotel. It is nice because people can stay there, you don't have to leave and also it is nice south of Gateway by the water fall.

Edit: Also, I think that you can get a package deal which is nice. Trust me it sucks having to choose all the different items. i.e. Catering, DJ, etc.
 
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The Iowa FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny will be opening after January 1, 2010 and they have great areas for wedding/reception. They have seating at round table for 250.

Last I knew you would be able to select your own caterer (that should be a savings compared to using the hotel caterer).

PM me and I'll get a phone number for you.
 
I once went to a reception that was on the roof of the State of Iowa Historical Building. I'm not sure how many people it accommodates but 300 would be about max. Great view of the capital plus the ICubs had fireworks that night. Parking ramp nearby, hotels nearby...just about perfect. Especially because it didn't rain.
 
I went to a wedding that was on campus in the Lago courtyard (April wedding with the blossoms, looked amazing) with the reception at Scheman, and it worked out really well.

I also had a friend do their reception at the Gateway Center, also a nice place.
 
So, some people might think it's really tacky....and they are right...but we had our reception at Hickory Hall formerly Honky Dory's, and it was inexpensive, the food was good, and convenient as most of the guests stayed at the hotel that was right across the parking lot (I am blanking on the name right now.) If you and your significant other can look past the cheesy decor, it is really a nice venue. Just try to not get married any of the Iowa Games weekends--we didn't have a problem, but it was an added worry that all the hotels would be booked.
 
We had our reception in the Sunroom at the Memorial Union. We met at ISU and thought it would be nice to stay on campus for the event.

We had roughly 200 people. I know you can get the Great Hall also which will accomodate more.

I've been to weddings at the Hyperion in Johnston, Mariott downtown, Starlite Village in Ames (now a Quality Inn I believe), Moose (north of Ames)
 
Chipper said:
The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple was quite nice but as mentioned quite expensive...
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johnpkelly81 said:
I've heard that too. My friends (and I) love to drink a buttload of beer though. I didn't know if that would be frowned upon or not encouraged because of their business.
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I really liked the reception I went to at Scottish Rite... They had the ceremony and the reception there in two separate rooms and it was really cool...and we drank PLENTY o' beer.
 
johnpkelly81 said:
I've heard that too. My friends (and I) love to drink a buttload of beer though. I didn't know if that would be frowned upon or not encouraged because of their business.
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I've been to wedding receptions at all three of those places, and I can assure you that drinking a "buttload of beer" was perfectly cool. I, personally consumed two buttloads, six craploads, and half of an armload.
 
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