Wedding Reception Venues & Gateway Hotel

**jakecovo21** · 06-07-2012, 01:51 PM

Recently just got engaged and we are looking at different venues in Ames and Des Moines. Saturday were going to look at the Gateway Hotel in Ames to check it out.

Wanted to get your input if any of you have got married or had your reception at the Gateway. Or anywhere else you were happy about or had any info about.

Thanks in advance for your responses and info.

**isufan** · 06-07-2012, 01:57 PM

Having our's at Prarie Meadows soon, they have been good to work with so far. Only problem is our original event coordinator quitting and having to be replaced with a new one. We had to give them all the same information again. We liked it because they do the food, booze, setting up, cleaning up, and the hotel is right there. Their hotel room prices are also pretty reasonable compared to others in the area.

**Cyclone1985** · 06-07-2012, 02:34 PM

I will be getting married next weekend at Colby Park - Windsor Heights Event Center
Windsor Heights Online

We booked it last summer for half the price they are charging now. You can bring own alcohol, caterer, dj, etc.

We stayed away from hotels, although they are nice for guests to stumble to their rooms, they all have a pre-determined list of vendors you can "choose" from. $300 is not what a keg should cost...

**Cy Hard** · 06-07-2012, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclone1985

I will be getting married next weekend at Colby Park - Windsor Heights Event Center
Windsor Heights Online

We booked it last summer for half the price they are charging now. You can bring own alcohol, caterer, dj, etc.

We stayed away from hotels, although they are nice for guests to stumble to their rooms, they all have a pre-determined list of vendors you can "choose" from. $300 is not what a keg should cost...

Had my wedding reception there, very nice place for the cost.

**Cywineguy** · 06-07-2012, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by jakecovo21

Recently just got engaged and we are looking at different venues in Ames and Des Moines. Saturday were going to look at the Gateway Hotel in Ames to check it out.

Wanted to get your input if any of you have got married or had your reception at the Gateway. Or anywhere else you were happy about or had any info about.

Thanks in advance for your responses and info.

We do weddings out here at Prairie Moon Winery in Ames.

You can bring in anyone to cater and have the best coordinator to help you with your wedding.

Plus our family is a bunch of ISU alums and season ticket holders

.

For more info you can call here 232-2747 or email janet@prairiemoonwinery.com

Congrats on the engagement.

**Hawkeye11en1** · 06-07-2012, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclone1985

I will be getting married next weekend at Colby Park - Windsor Heights Event Center
Windsor Heights Online

We booked it last summer for half the price they are charging now. You can bring own alcohol, caterer, dj, etc.

We stayed away from hotels, although they are nice for guests to stumble to their rooms, they all have a pre-determined list of vendors you can "choose" from. $300 is not what a keg should cost...

If they are serving it, $300 IS what a keg should cost. If you have a place that allows you to bring your own, more power to you.

**heyguy85** · 06-07-2012, 02:40 PM

The Gateway was out of our budget so we had our reception at Scheman. Very happy with everything.

**Clonehomer** · 06-07-2012, 02:49 PM

Went to a wedding reception at hickory hall. It was nice inside and obviously the food was fantastic. Definitely on the casual side.

**06_CY** · 06-07-2012, 03:00 PM

Having ours at Blank Golf Course; pricing is reasonable.

**Mr Janny** · 06-07-2012, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Clonehomer

Went to a wedding reception at hickory hall. It was nice inside and obviously the food was fantastic. Definitely on the casual side.

yeah, we had ours there as well. Great venue. They run a deal where if you buy X amount of food from Hickory Park for the event, they throw in the hall for free. It's not all that much, either. I think we had to hit $1500 in food to get the hall for nothing. We did that easily.

**djcubby** · 06-07-2012, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Clonehomer

Went to a wedding reception at hickory hall. It was nice inside and obviously the food was fantastic. Definitely on the casual side.

This is where we had our reception. Great food, great prices, and great people to work with. They have a set 'deposit' to rent the place, but it's essentially free assuming you spend that much or more in food/drink as the deposit goes towards the food/drink bill.

**Cybirdy** · 06-07-2012, 03:22 PM

We had our reception at Scheman 15 years ago, very happy with it. Our first choice was the Great Hall at the Union, but it was booked already. If I were getting married now I would look into the Alumni Center as well. My sister had her reception at Hickory Hall, theirs was nice, too.

**JP4CY** · 06-07-2012, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Cybirdy

We had our reception at Scheman 15 years ago, very happy with it. Our first choice was the Great Hall at the Union, but it was booked already. If I were getting married now I would look into the Alumni Center as well. My sister had her reception at Hickory Hall, theirs was nice, too.

Went to one last year there and it was really nice. They had good weather so we were able to stand on that plaza that over looks the Iowa State Center and it was awesome.

**Mr Janny** · 06-07-2012, 03:38 PM

Another place to look is The Scottish Rite in Des Moines. It's downtown, so hotels are close. Very classy place with multiple rooms to choose from. Their grand ballroom is very nice.

**GMackey32** · 06-07-2012, 03:45 PM

Another vote for Hickory Hall. We are having ours there on Aug. 18th. Nice on the inside, can be as fancy or as casual as you want, and who doesn't love Hickory Park?!