Planning a wedding is more than a financial investment--it's an emotional one, built on trust and…read moreclear communication. We chose Harpor's not just for its beautiful setting, but because of the specific assurances made directly to us by the owner, Chelsie, who also served as our assigned coordinator. Unfortunately, our experience did not reflect those expectations. We held our wedding at Harpor's on June 28, 2025, and purchased their premium coordination package anticipating consistent support, timely communication, and professional service throughout the planning process. However, we often had to follow up on messages, reschedule missed meetings, and take on many coordination responsibilities ourselves. Several services listed in our package such as custom venue layouts, detailed timelines, and a final confirmation meeting, were not provided. On the day of the wedding, multiple services were either mismanaged or not delivered. For example, our five-hour open bar was initially restricted, and some guests were charged for drinks during what we understood to be the prepaid period. We also paid for the venue's late-night pizza service, which was not served. When we inquired, we were told by Chelsie, "I didn't know you wanted that," though this add-on service was included in our proposal and signed agreement. Our families had to step in and help coordinate the event, including assistance in setting up tables and transporting florals from ceremony to reception, due to a lack of available staff support. After the wedding, we contacted the venue to request a partial refund for services we believe were not rendered. Our initial message went unanswered for over a week. After several follow-ups, we heard back from a different coordinator, Justice Parker, who acknowledged the issues and said they would follow up within 48 hours. That was a week ago, and we still haven't heard anything further. It has now been nearly a month since our wedding, and we are still seeking resolution for the services we believe were not delivered. We are continuing to pursue this matter privately, but wanted to share our experience so that other couples can make informed decisions.

The place looks nice but upon closer look... Arrived the day…read morebefore to find a dirty venue, not staffed, dirty house and lots of excuses. Trash was outside the front door from a wedding three days earlier. In fact the same trash was there after we left. Very disappointed for my daughter on what was to be her special day.

I was married by Carol and she did an amazing job. I was having a hard time finding a location I…read moreliked and she took the time to make some really great suggestions. Day of the wedding she was just as kind as could be and the vows were beautiful. I highly recommend her services!

From the owner: We marry awesome couples. Whether you want to Elope or are having a full formal ceremony at a…read morebeautiful venue, we are here to make your day extra special and all about you! We offer pre-marital classes to all couples. Wedding Planning and Coordination offered at all venues

White Willow Events truly made our wedding day more magical and perfect then we ever dreamed it…read morecould be! I was able to work with Molly Farrell as my planner and she CRUSHED it! Molly is so good at her job and I really didn't have any worries on my wedding day. She made my day a dream. The whole team is absolutely fantastic to work with. Unfortunately, we had a crazy time planning the wedding during COVID-19, but working with White Willow saved my day. I cannot thank them enough for all that they did to help us make it the best day ever!

My overall experience when dealing with white willow was disappointing and unsatisfactory. For…read morecouples with large wedding budgets, I am sure white willow events does a sufficient job. For couples with a smaller budget, I would strongly recommend talking to a different decorators/planners. Since I was paying for the entire wedding out of my own pocket without help from either of our parents, I would say I had a much smaller budget that other brides who hire white willow. When looking back through the emails and reflecting on my wedding day, I feel like I was never made a priority because of my smaller wedding budget. In the days prior to my wedding, I felt that my opinion and concerns became looked over or "pushed under the rug". Taylor's responses to my emails were very curt and short. I tried to set up a meeting to discuss my concerns in the week prior to my wedding, and she said she was too busy. Being told that she was "too busy" in the week prior to the wedding showed that I was not a priority to her. To conclude it all, there was extensive confusion about the tear down of the venue afterwards. Some of her staff was incredibly rude to the wedding party, who was only trying to help because there was no one in the wedding party knew we did not need to tear down the decorations (would have been nice to have that meeting the week prior to discuss details like this...). My sister-in-law found one of the white willow workers throwing decorations we had provided into the trash and then pouring the water and wax over them from floating candles.

This is not something that I normally do, place a review; Let alone a negative one. I have thought…read moreabout this long and hard, since my daughter and I encountered this company; last Saturday at a birthday party. We were guests to the party and the bounce house company had shown up very late to set the equiptment up. The part had already started and they looked to of just started setting it up. I watched from close by as one of the parent's concerns didnt seam to both them. A few parents of children there had voiced to the parent doing the party concerns of the large hooked shaped steaks in the ground. The stakes very much as I could see still sticking out of the ground. As a huge safety and tripping factor many parents and i had. They seamed bothered with the fact anyone was even mentioning it. They were having issues with a blower and well into the party half the bounce house was still not up. Kids were getting hyped and asking adults when they could go on it. I felt as if they were having such issues someone should of left and brought back a replacement or someone else in the company bring it out. Well into an hour of the party they gave up taking half of it down saying they would be back. So for the remained of the party they only had half the structure to play on. Which for a 3 year old birthday made it hard for the younger ones to even do anything. Major disappointment for the birthday boy and others.The party was from 2-5pm and had been over by the time everyone from the company came back. We stayed to try and help whe. I could hear the party throwing parent talking with the bounce house people. They thought by offer her another day would make it fine. The party was today, the guest drove in for today. The party was at a friend of the family's house today. The next day was not going to do anything to help the fact that they majorly failed this event. The parent tried to offer who was there left if they wanted to come back the next day. Most parents could not. The birthday boy was crushed! Parents upset, and rightfully so. I watched as I wanted to see how this company handled itself. We rentalot of bounce houses for personal and church reasons, and have for years. Not always the same company. I have for sure noted this companys name, and will make sure to make it noted to not use them for our town, church , friends or personal use. Like I said I did not want to make this review hot headed, so i waited and thought hard on what i would say. I see this may not be the norm for them, but it still makes me very wirry that if things do go wrong, they can not handle the issues correctly, timely or tacitly. I could just see the parents face as she tried to talk to the owner on the phone. I am sorry the company is yours, and when this went down. He should of made himself visible there. I sidn check back the next day to see if he showed like he promised by 5pm. I found that he had not. I was able to in the end bring my daughter back there from around 6-8pm. they had not shown up for the unit so she was able to finally play on it. Until atleast they got their. But by 8am it was getting dark, and he had not shown either still. Please I do not recommend one to use them, and if you do. Please be prepared if anything goes wrong, for it to be handled poorly. Poor customer service poor attitudes... just poor all the way around.

My son turned six years old, so me and his dad threw him a birthday party 4th of July weekend and…read morerented a inflatable waterslide from DSM inflatables. We Paid $375 for the day. They were supposed to come at 12 but didn't arrive until 1:15. after it was set up it started to lose air and separate at the bottom I called the company to come and fix it, the guy Told me that if it happens again to call so he can come back I asked if he could just stay so it won't take time away from the party and he declined. Well it did happen again and at that time I'm upset and ask for some money back, the managers response was he didn't want to go back and fourth and he will come pick up the Equipment because it's separating and losing air is a health hazard to the children. he also stated he would not give me any of my money back. my son's birthday was ruined and our money was wasted, I am so disgusted with that company please do not do business with them.

I am a wedding photographer and recently captured a wedding at the Barnes Place for the first time…read more I was completely blown away at the attitudes and the comments from the staff and owner of the venue. Between snotty remarks about the wedding couple, the lack of help and empathy for guests with disabilities, all of the crazy rules and requirements written on signs posted everywhere around the venue such as and the lack of generic respect for videographer and myself was unbelievable. I would never recommend this venue to any of my clients. I have done over 200 weddings and this by far was the worst venue hosts that I have come in contact with.

Our friends used Barnes place for their wedding ceremony and reception. The location was beautiful,…read morethe hospitality was very warm, and the staff were friendly and very helpful. Great experience!

I have driven by this center multiple times, and was aware of the restoration efforts, but this was…read moremy first time inside. I was blown away by the fabulous restoration and openness of the building. The upstairs open area can be configured many ways, and it was a perfect setting for a wedding. There is a small balcony which is nice for pictures, musicians or a dj. The acoustics are wonderful for music. Downstairs is an open area also good for meeting or reception space. The restrooms downstairs are much bigger than I expected and they are very modern and clean. Overall I was so impressed with the building and the architectural details. Exposed bricks and stone add a lot to the atmosphere.

Audra Pace at Dream Big Events, LLC. is just INCREDIBLE! If you can make only one investment for…read moreyour Big Day, invest in Audra as your wedding planner. We hired Audra shortly after we got engaged. I had interviewed several wedding planners in the western Iowa/eastern Nebraska area and as soon as I began talking with Audra, I knew she was the one. I could tell she really loved her job and this showed throughout the whole process. It was kind of like hiring a family member to guide us along the way to keep us stress free even when talking about the budget. Not only was Audra accessible, responsive, and just on it for the six months leading up to the day, but she literally saved the day when bad weather rolled in the day of the wedding. All while problem-solving weather issues, she was guiding me through the day without me ever having to ask for anything. It was right there before I even needed it. The entire wedding party and my family loved her. Audra was truly a gift to us from the beginning. She made planning a wedding fun, which was probably the biggest gift any one could give us. In short, Audra is organized, efficient, detail-oriented, goes the extra mile and then some, is an excellent negotiator on your behalf, and does this all with a genuine smile. Audra, thank you for helping us achieve our dream!!

From the owner: Event and Wedding Planning servicesread more

Limelight Expressions was the best decision we made for our wedding! My husband and I knew early on…read morethat we wanted a day-of-coordinator to help our wedding day run smoothly. After our initial consultation with Kimmylea, we decided to go with the Something Blue package since we were early on in the planning process. With this package we planned alongside Kimmylea and got the day-of coordination. She helped us every step of the way keeping us on track with booking vendors and even recommending vendors as well. Kimmylea was so easy to get into contact with. She always responded in a timely manner and we had several meetings along the way as well which helped us feel prepared. The wedding day was stress-free for my husband and I and our whole family. Kimmylea and Beau set up everything and tore down which was so nice to not have our families worry about. At the end of the night I found out our venue's security guard never showed up and they wouldn't be able to serve alcohol without one. Luckily Beau was able to fill that role due to his occupation. I'm not sure what would have happened if Kimmylea and Beau weren't there, but I'm glad I'll never have to find out. Kimmylea also stepped up when I was feeling uneasy about a last minute DJ switch. She contacted the owner and helped reassure me that everything would be great. If you are looking for a wedding or any type of event planner, look no further. Limelight Expressions will go above and beyond to make your day perfect and stress free!

Kimmylea and her team are exceptional at handing the many details of an event. The night of our…read moreGala, she went above and beyond in so many ways! She is also really positive and encouraging at navigating and solving the many un-expected things that happen during an event! We will use her services again. Thank you!!