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Weddings

About this vendor

Bethany Ballew
Bethany Ballew
Rentals Coordinator

91 years in business

We speak English

Medium team (11-20 members)

Offering European charm from the Midwest, Pella Historical Museums is a unique wedding venue located in Pella, Iowa. About an hour’s drive from Des Moines, Pella was settled by Dutch immigrants in 1847. There, a replica of a Dutch square, a canal, and the country’s largest working grain windmill combine to make this town its own Little Holland.

Facilities and Capacity

This locale offers complete flexibility. Not only are there a number of beautiful spaces to celebrate your love across the Pella Historical Village and Scholte Gardens but there is also space to accommodate groups of five to several hundred individuals. You and your partner can exchange vows inside the beautiful Scholte Church, which features stunning woodwork, large windows, and high ceilings to create an airy space filled with natural light. Intimate receptions can also be held inside this space, with room for 64 individuals seated around dinner tables and 100 chairs for ceremonies. Alternatively, garden weddings of up to 200 individuals can be arranged in the Scholte Gardens among vibrant tulips and birdsong in the summer months. Grand celebrations can be held out on the The Historical Village’s lawn, which has a capacity for 250-300 individuals surrounded by the charming, 22-building complex. The Scholte Garden Room provides yet another space for your celebrations; ideal for intimate gatherings, this location can accommodate 48 people seated around six round tables.

Services Offered

There are several additional locations around Pella Historical Museums for hosting your event, providing you with many options for bringing your dream wedding to life. For your guests’ enjoyment, the team is happy to accommodate special requests, including tours of the Vermeer Windmill, Historical Village, or Scholte House. Whether you’re hosting your wedding shower, rehearsal dinner, or the big day at this beautiful venue, rest assured that the Pella Historical Museums team will help you throw the celebration of a lifetime.

Be sure to check out the gallery for an exclusive 360° Virtual Tour!

FAQ

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?

$2,000

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

$2,000

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

No Yes

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

$2,000

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

$2,000

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

Chairs
Clean Up
Lighting/Sound
Linens
Tables

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

1

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

9

Describe your venue:

Garden
Historic Building
Mansion
Museum

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
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
Get Ready Rooms
Wifi

What bar services do you provide?

Outside Alcohol

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
October
November
December

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of Pella Historical Museums

Weddingwire
5.0/5 3 reviews
Google
4.7/5 695 reviews
J
Jonathan Sent on 06/22/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Pella Historical Museums: Perfect for Intimate Weddings (and Larger Ones Too!)

Our planned wedding of 100+ guests in May 2020 had to take a beautiful turn due to unforeseen circumstances. With only a couple of months notice, we needed a venue that could accommodate a much smaller, more intimate ceremony. Thankfully, the Pella Historical Museums came to the rescue!

Scholte Church: Perfect for Our Small Ceremony

We exchanged vows in the stunning Scholte Church, and it was absolutely ideal for our close gathering of under 10 guests. The space felt elegant and intimate, but it also boasts the flexibility to host a much larger celebration.

Stress-Free Preparations with Separate Rooms

The museum provided separate rooms for the wedding party to prepare, which was a fantastic detail. It allowed for a calm and organized atmosphere before the ceremony.

Springtime Garden Photos: A Dream Come True

One of the biggest highlights was access to the museum's breathtaking garden. The vibrant spring tulips were in full bloom, creating a magical backdrop for our wedding photos. We captured the essence of Pella's charm right there in the garden, saving us time from venturing out for additional photos.

Amazing Staff Went Above and Beyond

The staff at Pella Historical Museums truly deserves a standing ovation. They were incredibly flexible and supportive throughout our compressed planning process. Despite the last-minute changes, they worked tirelessly to ensure our special day unfolded flawlessly.

Highly Recommend for Intimate Weddings

While our original wedding plans changed, the Pella Historical Museums turned an unexpected situation into a beautiful and unforgettable ceremony. We wholeheartedly recommend this venue to couples seeking a charming and versatile space for their wedding, especially for those planning a more intimate gathering.
Victoria
Victoria Sent on 08/17/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful!

The Pella Historical Society is a wonderful organization, and their museum as a wedding venue is nothing less! Bethany was fabulous: super communicative, kind, and accommodating to all of our many questions and needs. She was also super flexible when things didn't go as planned and made sure we felt supported and comfortable with everything to do with our wedding at the site. You also get rooms for both the bride AND the groom, which a lot of venues don't have, as well as tables and chairs (we rented ours, but they do have them!). Last but not least, I have to mention just how gorgeous this place is; just stunning. You really don't need many decorations, as the venue speaks for itself. I can't recommend them enough!
M
Michell Sent on 08/02/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Our daughter's wedding

Our daughter chose Pella Historical Village for her wedding and reception. The wedding was held in the Scholte Church which was intimate and beautiful. The reception was on the lawn in the middle of the village. For an additional donation all of the buildings were open during the reception for our guests to enjoy. I was pleasantly surprised when the bridal party was able to use the rooms of the museum to get ready. Bethany was extremely flexible, available and professional, accommodating all of our needs and requests. With the many buildings there was ample room for our caterer, bar service and hors d'oeuvres. We were also able to use the Garden Room at the Scholte House for the bridal shower. Lastly, it goes without saying how beautiful the flowers were providing a beautiful background for phots.
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Awards

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Team

Bethany Ballew
Bethany Ballew
Rentals Coordinator

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Pella Historical Museums frequently asked questions

Pella Historical Museums includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Linens
  • Tables
The space offered by Pella Historical Museums for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Mansion
  • Museum
Pella Historical Museums offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Pella Historical Museums offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Pella Historical Museums offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Clean Up
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Wifi
Pella Historical Museums offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Tables
Pella Historical Museums is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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