Important moments in life call for memorable settings. Lauritzen Gardens offers a variety of stunning indoor facilities and ever-changing outdoor settings that celebrate the brilliance and elegance of nature and combine to create an incredibly vivid experience. Our beautiful gardens and rooms are available for weddings, receptions, cocktail hours, engagement/prenuptial dinners, rehearsal dinners, and bridal showers, ranging from the intimate to the elaborate. Choose the perfect space or combination of spaces for your utterly unforgettable event. Abraham Catering is our exclusive caterer and offers inspired menu selections for your food and beverage needs. Don't need a venue? Lush, romantic backdrops for engagement and wedding photography may be found throughout the garden. Sessions can be done during regular business hours, or private sessions may be booked after hours for $125.

Joslyn Castle & Gardens serves as a physical reminder of the immense philanthropic legacies of its original residents, George and Sarah Joslyn.The Joslyns believed, "the possession of great wealth is a great trust and obligation." As stewards of their home and their legacies, Joslyn Castle & Gardens provides opportunities for our modern community to connect with our founders through historical, educational, and cultural programming for the community. Our programming calendar offers unique engagements with theater, art, history, nature, music, architecture, literary arts, and more.

The former Elk’s building was built in the colonial-revival style of architecture. Wide porches, supported by large columns, extend along the entire front of the building, with the upper balcony extending over the entrance in artistic architectural detail. On October 21, 1900, the cornerstone was laid for Lodge No. 531, B.P.O.E. on the north side of Bayliss Park in the heart of Council Bluffs. The inside of the building is furnished in classic Victorian style with rich burgundy and green hues. The original cigar stand and bundle counter is located immediately to the right of the front entrance. The grand oak stairway curves to the right and to the left and draws you up to the second-floor reception area and a ballroom that features a hard maple floor and mahogany-paneled walls. The second floor balcony provides guests with a breathtaking view of Bayliss Park and its beautiful fountain.

We are one of a kind wedding and reception venue located near the Omaha metro. We have a passion for reclaimed materials, being stewards of the land, and offering our couples a setting for their wedding day that they will remember forever. A lush oasis in a sea of farmland, we offer jaw dropping views at every turn. Come escape to our country retreat!