Want an intimate wedding in Iowa where you feel close to nature?
One of my favorite wedding and elopement venues in Iowa, the Midwest, and also the entire universe is Iris Aisle in Winterset, Iowa.
Iris Aisle is a Victorian-conservatory-style greenhouse venue, tucked away in an established cedar tree forest, just up the road from the Holliwell Bridge (one of the famous covered bridges of Madison County). But this venue is special to me for more than it’s interesting location!
It’s owned by my friends Raelyn and Earl Ramey, and I’ve been fortunate enough to witness the entire process of the venue being dreamed up and even built by Raelyn and Earl themselves. Since it opened to the public in 2021, I’ve also been so lucky as to photograph numerous weddings and sessions there.
Iris Aisle is a venue that quietly offers so much, and I happen to think it’s the perfect wedding venue, especially if you relate to any of these wedding planning priorities:
If you want your wedding to be close to nature.
For couples who feel at home in natural settings, Iris Aisle is so special in its scenery, both indoor and out. The main part of the venue, a light-filled Victorian Conservatory, is nestled cozily in a cedar forest and surrounded by wildflowers and the rolling hills of Iowa.
Whether you choose to have your ceremony in the woods, in the clearing, or inside the greenhouse (which is also home to many tropical plants year-round), nature is part of the experience. You can even book their whole weekend package called “The Iris” which includes camping for your loved ones and overnight stays in the beautiful cabins in the woods for you.
If you want an intimate celebration.
If you're envisioning a smaller gathering, this venue specializes in events with under 75 people. In fact, all of their events are under 75 people (it’s their max capacity). The smaller venue size, and therefore smaller guestlist, creates an intimate atmosphere where you can truly connect with each of your guests, and most importantly, with each other.
You'll find that with fewer distractions, the day becomes even more meaningful for everyone involved. You won't have to navigate the social overwhelm that often comes with larger weddings, where it's easy to feel lost in the crowd. Plus, you avoid that cavernous feeling of renting a large venue for a small wedding—it can make things feel empty and impersonal. At Iris Aisle, the space feels just right—intimate and inviting—so your day feels full and lively without being overwhelming.
If you’re short on time or working within a budget.
Whether you have a lot going on with work, school, or daily life and your busy schedules are making the thought of wedding planning feel stressful or overwhelming, Iris Aisle might be a breath of fresh air. One of my favorite things about this place is that it's naturally gorgeous any time of year—you could have your wedding without adding a single decoration anywhere on the property, and it would still feel complete. Between the Conservatory, the cabins, and the cedar forest, there's a simple beauty that's already there.
The surroundings provide such a lovely backdrop that you might find you don't need much more, which allows you to save on things like decorations. You can also skip the table and chair rentals for your reception, their beautiful handmade wooden farm tables and white chairs are included with all wedding bookings at Iris Aisle!
If any of this resonates with you, Iris Aisle could be worth considering for your own wedding or elopement. I would definitely recommend heading over to their website, reaching out to them and scheduling a tour of the venue!
