Skip to main content
Weddings
ARE YOU A VENDOR?
Living History Farms
Living History Farms
Church of the Land
Church of the Land
Church of the Land
Church of the Land
Church interior
Church interior
Couple at the Altar
Couple at the Altar
Church
Church
Church interior
Church interior
Wedding party in church
Wedding party in church
Fence in front of Church
Fence in front of Church
Flynn Barn - back
Flynn Barn - back
Flynn Barn
Flynn Barn
Flynn Barn
Flynn Barn
Flynn Barn beams
Flynn Barn beams
Flynn Barn beams
Flynn Barn beams
Visitor Center
Visitor Center
Visitor Center
Visitor Center
Visitor Center
Visitor Center
Flynn Mansion Porch
Flynn Mansion Porch
Walnut Hill Gazebo
Walnut Hill Gazebo

Interested in this vendor?

Flynn Barn interior

About

Choose a wedding venue full of character, historic charm, and gorgeous scenery at Living History Farms in Urbandale, IA. Set in the 1876 Town of Walnut Hill, the Prairie Gothic-style Church of the Land is perfect for an intimate ceremony, while the Flynn Barn, built in 1870 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, makes a lovely backdrop for a rustic wedding. The Great Hall of the Visitor Center offers a unique space with exposed beams, skylights, brick, inlaid wood, and French doors that open to a stone courtyard surrounded by evergreen trees. Or explore some of Living History Farms' available outdoor spaces, such as the Walnut Hill gazebo, the front porch of the Victorian Flynn Mansion, or scenic wooded areas located throughout the grounds of the museum. LHF can accommodate 130-160 seated guests, depending on the venue, and the rental fee includes complimentary set up and tear down of tables and chairs, and free parking for you and your guests.

Living History Farms is an outdoor history museum located at 11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322. There are nearby hotels and restaurants, and the museum is easily accessible off of the combined Interstate 35/80. (Exit 125 off of Interstate 80.)

illustration popular

Venues you may like

See other venues that are popular with couples right now

World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
Bridal portrait
The World Food Prize
The World Food Prize
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
4.6 (3) ·
Des Moines, IA
Up to 500
Blank Park Zoo
Giraffe Feeding Deck
Africa Pavilion Ceremony
Underwater Viewing
Blank Park Zoo
4.6 (8) ·
Des Moines, IA
$3,000 starting price
Up to 500
Pella Historical Museums
Inside Scholte Church
Scholte Church
Scholte Church
Pella Historical Museums
5.0 (3) ·
Pella, IA
$2,000 starting price
Up to 200
Glen Oaks Country Club
Wedding Party Out Front
Part of Ballroom Set
Stairs in Lobby
Glen Oaks Country Club
4.9 (23) ·
West Des Moines, IA
$5,000 starting price
Up to 300

Award winner

Noce - Jazz Cabaret
Noce - Jazz Cabaret
Welcome signs
Love, not germs
Noce - Jazz Cabaret
5.0 (6) ·
Des Moines, IA
$5,000
Up to 100

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$800

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$800

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$800

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$800

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
Clean Up
Lighting/Sound
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Describe your venue:

Banquet Hall
Barn
Farm/Ranch
Historic Building
Museum

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Clean Up

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

Reviews of Living History Farms

Write a review
Write a review
Living History Farms - 1
Living History Farms - 2
Living History Farms - 3
+5 User photos
Living History Farms - 4
A
April Sent on 10/16/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely Beautiful!!

Kara was absolutely awesome! She went over and above. The church was decorated absolutely beautifully by my now date-in-law. The Historic Barn was so beautiful! It is a little walk to the bathroom, but as long as you have a light, it’s not so bad. We came from Michigan and it was such a beautiful ceremony and reception.
  • Living History Farms - 5
  • Living History Farms - 6
  • +6 photos
    Living History Farms - 7
J
Jenifer Sent on 12/23/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Jenifer, Bride

Evan was very easy to work with and always would make sure my questions got answered. They were very helpful and the location was beautiful. Highly recommend this location for a wedding.
G
Giselle Sent on 05/07/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Everyone I came in contact with was very helpful. Evan was great at answering questions. We rented the church only for an April wedding. There was a mixup with our officiant during rehearsal and the staff member provided an alternate rehearsal time to help us. She went above and beyond. The pictures were fantastic and the prices were very reasonable.
L
Linda Sent on 04/30/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We got married in the Flynn Barn, location was gorgeous!!!! They set up the tables and chairs for us. The girl that was there to assist was just a doll!!
U
User2116134 Sent on 05/01/2015
4.9 out of 5 rating
They were easy to work with and even though our contact changed they kept us up to date on this. I love that I was able to book a museum for our wedding.
U
User1935668 Sent on 11/22/2014
4.9 out of 5 rating
We had our wedding reception at the visitor center at Living History Farms and it was simply beautiful. When it came time to reserve the venue the coordinator at Living History Farms was extremely helpful and responded in a very timely manner. They made our wedding day easy and stress free due to having the tables set up in advance to our request. My husband and our families we able to decorate the morning of and when I got to the venue it was wonderful and everything I imagined it would be. It had a rustic charm but with modern accommodations for guests.
U
User951192 Sent on 09/28/2012
4.6 out of 5 rating
A little too ridgid wanting to shut down a party,but the place was beautiful!
U
User1955180 Sent on 11/24/2014
4.5 out of 5 rating
Living History Farms is an excellent place to get married at and I can't recommend it enough!! We got married at the church and used the barn for our reception and it turned out so beautiful! However, Living History Farms is not for everyone. You can't set up until after they close at 4:30 and keep in mind that the barn has no heat or air. Buuuut, if you over look those things, you won't be disappointed :)
U
User1502234 Sent on 01/09/2014
3.8 out of 5 rating
We had our wedding reception at Flynn Barn at Living History Farms. The event coordinator responded within a reasonable amount of time to any questions we had. The price is very cheap compared to other venues we looked at. Only problem that occurred was, after signing our contract in January 2013, we paid extra to set up the Thursday before our wedding in September, we found out while decorating that the barn had been booked for the Friday night before our wedding and they said we weren't going to be able to finish setting up. Luckily, the lady who had the barn rented for Friday was okay with leaving our lights up. We weren't very happy to find that after paying that extra $$ months in advance, that they weren't going to let us fulfill our contract. But it all worked out and we had a beautiful reception!
Tess
Tess Sent on 03/29/2015
2.5 out of 5 rating
We booked this venue for both our ceremony and reception, and have had some issues. It was difficult at times to contact the event planner and we had issues with not getting a response all of the time. There are a lot of strict rules with this venue because it is a museum, so we have had to be very careful when planning to make sure we are following their rules and able to execute our ideas with the amount of time they are providing us. The original event planner we booked with was much easier to work with and much more accomodating. Once he left, the rules seemed to change and a number of things we were promised are no longer happening. I was also upset to find out one of the event planners who took over shared information and made some plans regarding my wedding with a family member who called in but was not on the contract. No one asked for my permission before sharing the information, and I found out about it after the fact.

Despite the issues, this is a unique venue and the price is very reasonable.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Read all reviews

Awards

11

Explore other wedding venues in your area

Find your ideal space among popular ones and Couples' Choice Award winners.

See venues

Professional Network & Endorsements

Preferred Vendors
The Machine Shed Restaurant - Iowa
The Machine Shed Restaurant - Iowa
5.0 out of 5 rating , 4 reviews
· Wedding Caterers
Sunflower Chef Catering
Sunflower Chef Catering
4.9 out of 5 rating , 1 review
· Wedding Caterers

Map

Addresses map Open Map
Wedding Venues Des Moines Museums Des Moines
Wedding Venues Urbandale Museums Urbandale

Living History Farms frequently asked questions

Living History Farms includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The space offered by Living History Farms for wedding events is known for:
  • Banquet Hall
  • Barn
  • Farm/Ranch
  • Historic Building
  • Museum
Living History Farms offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Living History Farms offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Living History Farms offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Clean Up
Living History Farms is recommended by 85% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.3 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.5 in professionalism, 4.4 in value, 4.3 in quality of service, 4.3 in average response time and 3.8 in flexibility.
Next Museum Weddings: Iowa Arboretum

Other vendors in Des Moines for your wedding

Wedding Venues