Country Celebrations – The Siouxland Blog

Wanting a rustic themed wedding right out of Better Homes & Gardens magazine? Do you have colors and decorations that would look good with a farmhouse backdrop? Have you been gathering inspiration from Pinterest, but

Wanting a rustic themed wedding right out of Better Homes & Gardens magazine? Do you have colors and decorations that would look good with a farmhouse backdrop? Have you been gathering inspiration from Pinterest, but unsure where to find a nearby barn to decorate?

Right outside of town as Hamilton Boulevard turns into K22 highway is Country Celebrations. Construction began in 2015 and finished a year later. Built on land that has been family-owned since 1870, this event center has a rich history.

Sioux City originals

Owner, Todd Ellison, is the great-great-grandson of George D. Perkins, founder of the Sioux City Journal. Perkins purchased this land from the railroad around 1870 and began building their home and their lives just outside of Sioux City city limits. In fact, currently, the land has been passed down seven generations!

A change in scenery

With his wife, Kathy, Todd owned and operated Country Drive Driving Range and Mini Golf for twenty years. After closing their business, they opened a new and completely different business soon afterwards.

I specifically remember this was the talk of the town for months before and after their opening ceremony. If you were planning your wedding then, you probably heard at least once a day someone say “Have you been to Country Celebrations?” Other than driving miles to the next town, or even to the next state, just to find a rural ranch with amenities to host your next event, there really is nothing close to what Country Celebrations has to offer.

best of both worlds

Staying busy, Todd and Kathy are constantly showing their 13,500-square-foot events center. Many couples chose to have their ceremony outdoors on the patio, then move indoors for the reception. This is a plus for those who want to avoid the commute from one location to the next.

expecting a large turnout?

Built out of Black Hills pine trucked in from Sturgis, South Dakota, Country Celebrations Event Center can accommodate up to 500 guests! So, if you are planning a large wedding, or even a family reunion, this venue will provide you with enough room for everyone on your list.

a look around

When you first walk in you are greeted by a floor to ceiling stone fireplace, rocking chairs, and ladies’ restroom on the right, gentlemen’s on the left. Walking further into the large open space you’ll see a fully-functioning bar. There is no need for a large restaurant-quality kitchen, since Country Celebrations works closely with select caterers for your event. Sneak’s Chicken, Aggies, M’s on 4^th, and Sodexo are the four caterers to choose from. Plus, you won’t need plastic plates and cutlery, since you get the 5-star treatment with high-quality placement settings.

Walking out to the patio, you’ll find plenty of outdoor seating with a covered pergola ideal for your scenic ceremony. Strategically hung decorative lighting will create a seamless picture-worthy nightscape.

In addition, both the bride and groom have their own private changing rooms, perfect for those candid pictures of the wedding party and their excitement on your big day.

So, if your dream is to create a countryside vintage chic yet modern themed wedding, this is the place! With neutral tones throughout the property, your choice of colors will match flawlessly.

all in the family

Finally, by supporting Country Celebrations you are also supporting a family-owned local business. Owners, Todd and Kathy, entrust their daughter, Erica, to be their event coordinator, scheduling events and making appearances at local wedding expos. And their son, George, even offers horse-drawn carriage rides to complete your idyllic afternoon and evening.

Definitely worth your time

Pricing for this venue depends on the time of year, how many people, and which caterer you choose. Feel free to contact Country Celebrations, or even plan a visit to review your options in person. A friend and former coworker of mine is planning her wedding, and we did a walk-through about a year ago, and Kathy was incredibly inviting, obviously knowledgeable since she owns the property, and full of enthusiasm for her business. If you decide to host your event here, you will not be disappointed.