Highpoint Event Center in Clarence, Iowa might just be one of my favorite modern wedding venues in the state and I genuinely don’t think enough people know about it! It’s a restored 1926 Ford garage on the Historic Lincoln Highway but it’s so unique because it can fit any type of wedding! And the Bates wedding showed exactly what this modern wedding venue can do when a couple leans into everything it has to offer!

What Makes Highpoint Event Center Such a Standout Modern Wedding Venue

If you have been touring venues and everything is starting to look the same, Highpoint Event Center is a really refreshing option! The character of that restored 1926 building just shows up everywhere you look. Exposed brick walls, original hardwood floors, edison bulbs strung across the ceiling, vintage wooden garage doors, it has a little bit of everything. I love that it has all of this incredible texture and history built right in without couples having to add a single thing to make it feel special.

What I love most about it as a photographer is how much natural light the windows let in. The getting ready spaces are gorgeous because of it. The main space is open and versatile enough that couples can truly make it their own. And the whole venue has this cool industrial modern feel that photographs in a way that feels timeless rather than trendy. That is rare for a modern wedding venue in Iowa and it’s one of the biggest reasons Highpoint deserves so much more attention than it gets!

The Bates Wedding at Highpoint Event Center

Mr. and Mrs. Bates got ready at Highpoint Event Center and those getting ready photos are some of my favorites from the whole day. The light in that space is just so good and it gave everything this really cinematic quality without anyone having to do anything extra.

The first look inside the venue was such a special moment! Her reaction was pure joy and it is one of those photos that just stops you when you scroll past it. Getting to capture that inside such a unique modern wedding venue with all that character around them made it even more meaningful.

The Bates wedding leaned into a clean simple aesthetic — white florals, sage green bridesmaid dresses, classic black suits — and it looked so stunning against all that exposed brick and industrial detail. Nothing felt overdone. It all just belonged together and that is exactly what a great venue should do for you!

How Faith Was Woven Into Every Part of Their Day

This is honestly one of my favorite things about the Bates wedding. They had a wooden cross as their ceremony altar with a chalkboard scripture sign beside it and it was just so beautiful and intentional. The whole wedding party bowed together in prayer during the ceremony. These two also took communion together with a whole loaf of bread and green wine glasses. They also worshipped together with all their family; everyone prayed over them. It was quiet and sacred and so special to be a part of!

I loved how their faith was just woven into everything naturally, and that’s always my favorite kind of wedding day to photograph. When faith is the foundation rather than a feature and it shows up in the most genuine way in photos, and the Bates wedding had that from start to finish. I pray over every couple I work with, and getting to show up for a day like this one is honestly just such a gift!

Why Highpoint Works for So Many Different Wedding Styles

One of the things I hear most from couples when venue searching is that they want something that feels like them. Highpoint Event Center is such a good answer to that because the space has so much character already built in that it works as a blank canvas without feeling blank. Bring in soft florals and white linens and it feels elegant. Go bold and colorful and it feels fun. Keep it simple and minimal and the venue does all the heavy lifting. That versatility as a modern wedding venue is really rare in Iowa and it is what makes Highpoint such a special option for couples who want something different!

More Iowa Wedding Venues Worth Exploring

Still searching for the right venue? I have photographed at so many incredible Iowa venues and would love to help you find the perfect fit! Check out some of my other venue features below:

Summer Wedding at The District in Ankeny Iowa

An Old Money Wedding at 1868 Farmhouse in Iowa

Des Moines Wedding Venue: Willow on Grand

A Photographer’s Guide to Outdoor Wedding Venues in Iowa

Top 10 Iowa Wedding Venues You’ll Instantly Fall in Love With

Ready to Book Your Iowa Wedding Photographer?

If you are dreaming of a modern wedding venue in Iowa and you want a photographer who will show up just as excited about the space as you are, I would love to connect! The Bates wedding reminded me why I love getting to document days like this and I can’t wait to do it again!

You can learn more about my approach here: Iowa Documentary Style Wedding Photography: A Complete Guide for Iowa Couples or check out more wedding resources below!

Brooklyn G Photography | Iowa Wedding Photographer