Kyle and Kelly hired me pretty early on in the wedding planning process, which meant I got to go venue touring with them! We went and toured a few different wedding venues in Eastern Iowa, but The Celebration Farms stuck out to this couple, and eventually was booked for their date! You know a wedding day is going to be great, when the couple is awesome to work with; and that’s EXACTLY how I felt working with Kyle and Kelly for their wedding! They were so sweet throughout the planning process, and they were even sweeter on the wedding day!

Kyle and Kelly had a color scheme of black, white, and sage, with a main focus on black and white. When you look back on their detail photos of the day, you can see that the only color they really wanted to add in, was through greenery. All other decor elements were strictly b&w, which in the end came together beautifully!

bride and groom outside at ceremony ampitheater at celebration farm in iowa — Photo By: Lex Owens

The Celebration Farm in Iowa City, Iowa is such a fun space to host a wedding! It’s a healthy mix between rustic and elegant, and is perfect for any couple looking to host a wedding with stunning outdoor views. The Celebration Farm has two different venues onsite; their double round barn, and their timber frame barn. With two different venues onsite, you can pick which one best suites your needs, or you can rent out both spaces for your big day!

The Double Round Barn at Celebration Farm in Iowa City is the space that most of my couple book for their wedding. The double round can host 300 guests **if you don’t book out timber frame, but if you rent out the whole property (both the timber frame barn and the double round barn) than the double round can fit up to 400 guests! The venue requires you book out the whole space for more than 300 guests, due to parking spaces, because if another couple books out the timberframe on your big day, then there won’t be enough parking for your guests.

The Double Round is a gorgeous space with a large dome ceiling, floor to ceiling limestone fireplace, stunning chandeliers, and even a covered outdoor patio! This space offers plenty of room for any guest count, and even has a built in dancefloor! There are even large barn doors on the side of the building that can be opened up during cocktail hour and the reception, for guests to flow freely from the apitheater and patio, into the reception hall throughout the evening.

The Timber Frame Barn at Celebration Farm hosts up to 150 guests, and is perfect for any smaller and more intimate event. This space connects to the Ampitheater ceremony area, and offers a wrap around deck overlooking the venues wooded acerage. With its own parking space and median seperating it from the double round barn, both spaces offer you enough space away from each other, that you really don’t even notice the other venue, or even wedding going on next to you (if both spaces are rented out on the same day).

No matter which venue you book for your big day, the Celebration Farm team does all your table and chair setup, provides the linens, and they even offer some decor in house you can use for free!

outdoor ceremony ampitheater at celebration farm in iowa city iowa — An Outdoor Ceremony at The Celebration Farm

Kyle and Kelly’s ceremony took place in one of the most recognizable outdoor spaces at The Celebration Farm, surrounded by lush Iowa greenery and the venue’s incredible stone arches. The dramatic arches created a naturally beautiful backdrop for their vows, allowing the couple to keep their ceremony decor simple while still creating a setting that felt romantic, elevated, and completely unforgettable.
White ceremony chairs lined the outdoor space, while the aisle was accented with small arrangements of greenery and white florals. The understated decor tied perfectly into the black, white, and greenery color palette used throughout the rest of their Celebration Farm wedding. Rather than covering the space with elaborate floral installations, the couple allowed the architecture and surrounding landscape to become part of the design.
The stone arches are also one of the reasons we love an outdoor wedding ceremony at The Celebration Farm in Iowa City. They create such a unique focal point and provide an incredible setting not only for the ceremony itself, but also for wedding portraits afterward. Kyle and Kelly took full advantage of the space, and their portraits beneath the arches beautifully showcased Kelly’s lace gown and train alongside Kyle’s white tuxedo jacket.
Everything about their ceremony felt timeless and intentional. From the natural setting and neutral florals to the striking architecture surrounding them, Kyle and Kelly created an elegant Iowa outdoor wedding ceremony that felt true to their style while embracing everything that makes The Celebration Farm such a special place to get married.

floating candles and floral table decor at celebration farm in iowa — The Celebration Farms Decor

Kyle and Kelly carried their classic black-and-white wedding color palette into every detail of their reception at The Celebration Farm. Black linens covered the guest tables, creating a dramatic foundation that looked especially beautiful against the venue’s warm wood walls and natural surroundings. White dinnerware and napkins provided a crisp contrast, while gold flatware added just enough warmth and elegance to elevate the overall design.
For the centerpieces, they kept things organic and romantic with lush greenery, eucalyptus, ferns, and simple white florals. White roses and textured blooms softened the darker linens, while floating candles in clear glass cylinders added height and a warm glow to each table. The combination felt elegant without being overly formal, which was the perfect balance for a Celebration Farm wedding in Iowa City.
We especially loved how the reception design complemented the venue rather than competing with it. The black linens made the natural wood tones throughout The Celebration Farm stand out, while the greenery helped bring some of the surrounding Iowa landscape indoors. It created a cohesive transition from their outdoor wedding portraits and ceremony into the reception space.
Kyle and Kelly’s wedding decor is also a great example of how a simple color palette can still make a major statement. By sticking primarily to black, white, greenery, and touches of gold, every element felt intentional and connected—from their all-black wedding party attire to the reception tables themselves. For couples looking for timeless Iowa wedding decor inspiration, this combination proves you don’t need an abundance of colors or elaborate details to create a reception that feels polished, romantic, and memorable.

The celebration farms welcome table

Kyle and Kelly’s welcome table was filled with personal touches that immediately gave guests a glimpse into their story as a couple. Framed engagement photos in a mix of black and white frames were layered throughout the display, along with greenery, white florals, wood accents, and simple signage. The natural textures complemented the rustic atmosphere of The Celebration Farm beautifully while still tying into the timeless black-and-white details seen throughout their Iowa wedding.
One of our favorite details was their unique wedding guest book. Instead of having guests sign a traditional book, Kyle and Kelly used a personalized wine barrel top featuring their last name and the year they were established. Guests were able to leave their names and little messages directly on the wood, turning the piece into a keepsake that can actually be displayed in their home after the wedding. We love wedding guest book alternatives like this because they become so much more than something that gets tucked away on a shelf!
The wine barrel guest book was also such a natural fit for a wedding at The Celebration Farm. With the venue’s warm wood tones and rustic-meets-elegant atmosphere, the barrel top felt like it belonged within the space rather than simply being another piece of wedding décor. Details like this are a great example of how couples can embrace their Iowa wedding venue while still choosing elements that feel completely personal to them.
The combination of their photos, greenery, personalized details, and wine barrel guest book made the entire welcome area feel warm and intentional. For couples planning a wedding at The Celebration Farm in Iowa City, incorporating meaningful pieces into your welcome table is such an easy way to personalize the venue and create a beautiful first impression as guests arrive.

The Bridal Party styles at Celebration Farm

Kelly and Kyle’s wedding party brought a timeless, sophisticated look to their Celebration Farm wedding with a classic black-and-white color palette. The entire bridal party wore black, allowing Kelly and Kyle to stand out as the only two dressed in white. Against the lush greenery surrounding The Celebration Farm, the contrast photographed beautifully and gave their wedding portraits an elegant, polished feel.
Kelly’s bridesmaids each wore floor-length black dresses, but the different necklines and silhouettes gave the group a little variety while still keeping everything cohesive. Paired with bouquets of soft white and ivory blooms with plenty of greenery, the overall look felt romantic and timeless. We love the idea of allowing bridesmaids to wear different styles within the same color because everyone can choose something they feel comfortable and confident in without sacrificing the overall wedding aesthetic.
The groomsmen continued the all-black look with black suits, white shirts, and black ties. Kyle immediately stood apart from the group in a white tuxedo jacket with contrasting black lapels, black pants, and a black bow tie. With Kelly beside him in her white lace gown, the couple became the focal point of every bridal party photo without needing to introduce another color into the palette.

Kyle and Kelly’s wedding at The Celebration Farm was the perfect blend of timeless elegance, natural beauty, and meaningful personal details. From their classic black-and-white wedding party attire to the greenery-filled reception decor and outdoor ceremony surrounded by trees, every part of the day felt cohesive and intentional. Their neutral color palette allowed the beauty of The Celebration Farm to shine while still giving the entire wedding a polished, sophisticated look.

We especially loved how many personal touches Kyle and Kelly incorporated throughout their day. Their wine barrel guest book, framed engagement photos, personalized welcome table, and thoughtfully designed reception details made the celebration feel completely their own. These are the kinds of details that transform a beautiful wedding into one that truly tells a couple’s story.

The Celebration Farm in Iowa City provided such a gorgeous backdrop for every part of their wedding day. From the warm, rustic reception space to the outdoor ceremony area and iconic stone arches, there were beautiful settings around every corner. Kyle and Kelly’s portraits beneath the arches are the perfect example of why we love weddings at The Celebration Farm—the venue offers a unique combination of architecture and natural Iowa scenery that photographs beautifully.

It was such a joy bringing Kyle and Kelly’s vision to life and watching them celebrate surrounded by the people they love most. Their day was elegant without feeling overly formal, romantic without losing its personality, and filled with so many moments worth remembering. For couples searching for an Iowa City wedding venue or planning a wedding at The Celebration Farm, Kyle and Kelly’s celebration is beautiful inspiration for creating a timeless wedding day that still feels uniquely yours.

Kyle and Kelly’s Testimonial

“Lauren did an amazing job coordinating our wedding! She made our wedding day stress free so we could enjoy every moment. Definitely would recommend to others!”

Kyle and Kelly, June 3rd, 2023

Vendor Team

Venue: The Celebration Farms @celebrationfarm
Photographer: Lex Owens Photography @lexowensphotography
Planner & Designer: Elizabeth Bliss Events @elizabeth_bliss_events
Décor: Celebration Farms‍ ‍@celebrationfarm
Florist: Ellabank Blossoms @ellabankblossoms
Desserts: Molly’s Cupcakes, Iowa City @mollyscupcakesic
DJ: DSM Dance Party DJ’s @dsmdancepartydjs.co , @xtiankeys
CATERER: Pop’s BBQ @popsbbqic
Dress: Adagio Bridal Boutique @adagiobridalboutique
Hair: Nova Salon @novasalonic
MAKEUP: Oasis Aveda @oasissalonaveda

The Celebration Farm Wedding Venue

Address: 4696 Robin Woods Lane NE. Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Phone: (319) 800-9212
Email: events@thecelebrationfarm.com
The Celebration Farm Website
Investment starts at $2,000 - $6,500
Capacity of 150 guests for the Timberframe, or 300 guests for the Double Round Barn
Amenities included: Tables & chairs, linens, indoor and outdoor ceremony space, in house decor.