Why The Acres in Council Bluffs Should Be on Every Couple's Radar
A beautiful venue with the flexibility, pricing, and vibe that stress-free couples actually want.
By Zachary Ackerman · Council Bluffs, IA · Venue Highlights
If you've been searching for a wedding venue in the Omaha–Council Bluffs area that doesn't try to nickel-and-dime you, stress you out with rigid rules, or lock you into vendors you didn't choose — The Acres might be exactly what you've been looking for.
We at Ackerman Events have had the pleasure of working alongside some incredible venues across Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. The Acres in Council Bluffs is one that genuinely stands out, and we want to make sure couples in our area know about it.
Here's our full breakdown of why we love this spot and why it could be the perfect backdrop for your big day.
First, the Fast Facts
13 Acres of grounds
3,200 Sq. ft. event space
170 Guest capacity
15 Min. from Omaha
Located at 21264 Homestead Ave between Council Bluffs and Underwood, The Acres sits on 13 acres of open Iowa countryside. Close enough to the city that your guests aren't driving forever, but far enough away that it actually feels like a getaway. That's a combination most venues can't pull off.
The Thing We Love Most: Total Freedom
We talk a lot about stress-free weddings here at Ackerman Events, and the venue you choose is a huge part of whether your day feels relaxed or like a logistical nightmare.
The Acres gets this. They operate with a bring-your-own beverage policy, meaning you bring the drinks you actually want, and their bartenders handle the service responsibly. You also have full vendor freedom, bring your own caterer, your own DJ (hey, that's us! 👋), your own photographer. No forced upsells, no restricted vendor lists.
That kind of flexibility is rare, and it saves couples real money.
Pro Tip from Ackerman Events
When venues give you vendor freedom, you can build a team that already works well together. We've partnered with incredible caterers, photographers, and florists across the area, ask us for recommendations when you book!
The Space Itself? Genuinely Beautiful.
The Acres is a newly renovated space, formerly known as Cow Patty's Reception Hall, that got a serious glow-up. The result is a venue that feels fresh, intentional, and versatile enough to match just about any wedding aesthetic.
Here's what's waiting for you when you arrive:
Flexible indoor + outdoor spaces
Large stamped concrete patio
Spacious firepits for that golden-hour glow
White resin chairs for ceremony + reception
Round and rectangular tables
Full prep kitchen for caterers
Cocktail tables for patio mingling
Day-of coordination included
Bar setup + ice + bartender(s)
Setup and teardown of tables + chairs
Pre + post-event cleaning
Onsite parking + handicap accessibility
One thing we especially love as an entertainment company: the indoor-outdoor flow. Being able to use the grounds for a ceremony and move guests into the main space for dinner and dancing — all without anyone needing to shuttle anywhere — makes a huge difference in how smoothly the night goes.
🐾 Pets Welcome During Ceremony + Photos
Yes, your dog can be in the wedding. The Acres welcomes pets during the ceremony and photo time — because honestly, some of the best wedding photos happen when the pup steals the spotlight.
The Pricing Is Refreshingly Straightforward
No hidden fees. No added gratuity. No tax surprises. The Acres keeps it simple with flat-rate pricing — what you see is what you pay. They even offer payment plans so you don't have to front everything at once.
Create-Your-Own
Friday or Saturday
$5,500 / day
8 AM – Midnight. Full venue + day-of coordination included.
Create-Your-Own
Sunday – Thursday
$5,000 / day
8 AM – Midnight. Great option for weekday celebrations.
Micro Wedding
Sunday Mini Matrimony
$3,500
8 AM – 8 PM. Intimate ceremonies without the full-day price tag.
They also offer all-inclusive packages — the Knot Just a Day, Double the Celebration, and Sunday Mini Matrimony bundles — where everything is handled under one roof: photography, DJ, décor, coordination, bar service, and more. If you want to just show up and celebrate, those packages are worth a serious look.
Pro Tip from Ackerman Events
If you book The Acres on a Create-Your-Own package and want to bring your own entertainment team, reach out to us! We'd love to be your DJ and MC for the night — we know the Council Bluffs area well and work seamlessly with flexible venues like this one.
They've Even Got a Donkey Package. Yes, Really.
We'd be doing you a disservice if we didn't mention this. The Acres offers a Donkey Wedding Crasher Package as an optional add-on. Actual donkeys. At your wedding. For photos.
Is it unexpected? Absolutely. Is it the kind of thing your guests will be talking about for years? Without a doubt. It's that kind of playful, zero-pretension spirit that makes The Acres feel different from stuffy ballroom venues — and we're here for it.
Other add-ons include yard games, a s'mores package, in-house décor setup, sparklers, a photobooth, uplighting, and a patio rehearsal dinner setup. You can build the exact experience you want.
Family-Owned and It Shows
One of the things couples tell us again and again is that they want vendors who actually care — not just vendors going through the motions. The Acres is family-owned and operated, and that personal investment in every event is evident from the first tour to the last song of the night.
They hold a 100% recommendation rate on Facebook, and the reviews consistently mention how smooth everything ran, how responsive the team was, and how much the staff went above and beyond. That tracks with what we've seen firsthand.
When a venue truly cares about making your day great, it makes every other vendor's job easier — including ours. The energy in the room is different when things are running well and the couple is actually relaxed enough to enjoy themselves.
Should You Book The Acres?
If you're a couple who wants flexibility over rigid packages, a beautiful outdoor setting within easy reach of Omaha, transparent pricing, and a team that treats you like people instead of a transaction — yes. Absolutely book a tour.
It's the kind of venue that makes the rest of the planning feel manageable. And when your venue has its act together, you get to spend your wedding day actually enjoying it.
Visit theacresvenue.com or call (720) 822-6713 to check availability and book your tour.
Need a DJ for Your Wedding at The Acres?
We'd love to be part of your day. Reach out to check your date and let's start building your perfect wedding night soundtrack.
Zach@AckermanEvents.com | Text: (402) 704-4187