We are honored that you are considering the Briggs Woods Conference Center to celebrate the most important day of your life. From your arrival at the Briggs Woods Conference Center in preparation for your wedding to the last toast at your reception, we are committed to creating a once in a lifetime experience for you and your guests. The Briggs Woods Conference Center is an 11,250-square foot facility, with additional outdoor patio and gardens area. Couples are guaranteed exclusivity on the day of their Wedding and are guaranteed Event Coordinator Services from our on-site Event Planners. We are a full service venue, contact us to find out more!

The 1868 Farmhouse is a gorgeous wedding venue nestled in the Iowa countryside, just 15 minutes outside of Ames and 45 minutes from Des Moines. Our weekend rental is three days long and includes access to the space from Friday 1PM-Sunday 1PM. Enjoy plenty of setup time, a gorgeous space to host your rehearsal dinner, multiple ceremony locations, a gorgeous reception hall and finally, a place to host a farewell breakfast or brunch for your guests. All rentals include custom-built farmhouse tables, wooden cross back chairs, customized layout planning, setup and teardown, getting ready suites, overnight accommodations, two bartenders, tableware, linens, multiple ceremony locations, AV system, two bartenders, shuttle service rental and more!

Conveniently located at the intersection of I-35 and Highway 18 (Exit 194), guests at the Best Western Holiday Lodge have easy access to the area’s most popular attractions. Outdoor lovers are just one mile from sparkling Clear Lake, offering fishing, boating, jet skiing and tours aboard the two-tiered Lady of the Lake cruise ship. The surrounding area also offers ample opportunities for hiking, biking and golf. This Clear Lake hotel is within walking distance of downtown Main Street’s dining, shopping, antiquing and more. Take in a concert at the legendary Surf Ballroom, the site of Buddy Holly’s final performance, also just a few miles from the site of the musician’s fatal plane crash. Midway between Des Moines, IA and Minneapolis, MN, the Best Western Holiday Lodge is an ideal choice for business travelers who appreciate the hotel’s close proximity to businesses such as Stellar®, Titan Pro, CL Telephone, wind farms and the Winnebago factory in Forest City, IA.

Since our origin on October 12, 1894, the Waterloo Elks Lodge 290 has established itself as a charitable organization throughout our long and prestigious history. By incorporating the four stations of fidelity, brotherly love, charity and justice, the Waterloo Elks have played and will continue to play an active role in the community and Elkdom. As a nonprofit, all money we raise supports veterans, youth and community. The Elks purchased this property in 1917 from the Julian Richards estate. The building was one of the finest oil residences in the city, being well-constructed and large enough to accommodate the lodge temporarily. The building was remodeled to accommodate a ballroom; members bar and card room and billiard room. In the basement there were four bowling alleys, a gymnasium, grill, kitchen and serving pantry, along with showers, lockers and the boiler rooms. The building was dedicated with a cornerstone in 1924, the year the Elks started using it as their Lodge.