Hillside Estate Inc

Pros

• The Gathering Barn is a gorgeous, absolutely stunning venue for weddings.
• The staff are consistently helpful, friendly, and easy to work with.
• The venue provides ample space for large guest lists and has a beautiful outdoor area.
• The bartenders contribute to a wonderful wedding experience.
• Dana and Alexa, the owners, are flexible, responsive, and dedicated to making the day run smoothly.
• The venue is more affordable than many alternatives in the area.
• The interior features rustic elements with beautiful lighting, creating a stunning atmosphere.
• The venue is easy to access with convenient parking and entrances.
• The staff go above and beyond, including accommodating last-minute changes and weather-related adjustments.
• The Gathering Barn is versatile, hosting events like vendor shows and quilt expos in addition to weddings.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, and clearly cared for.

Cons

• The venue was filthy.
• The table linens were stained and wrinkled.
• The chairs needed to be wiped down.
• Windows were dirty.
• New concrete steps were poured the morning of the rehearsal, with no railing installed.
• The acoustics were the worst, by far.
• Caution cones and tape were everywhere, and the bride was not notified.
• The owner wasn't there to help out.

Review

A gathering space that consistently draws praise, The Gathering Barn appears to be a versatile cornerstone for celebrations big and small. Across many first-hand accounts, guests describe a venue that delivers a stunning, spacious setting capable of hosting sizable crowds while preserving an intimate, elegant feel. For weddings in particular, the interior is repeatedly highlighted as beautiful and rustic, with ample room to accommodate large groups - some reviews note 200 guests or more could be seated comfortably, with enthusiasts claiming the space could welcome well over 200 more if needed. The exterior, while described by some as less striking, serves its purpose by opening onto a welcoming outdoor area that guests use for mingling, photos, and casual lounging. In short, the venue's combination of a grand, rustic interior and accessible outdoor space makes it a reliable backdrop for both ceremony and reception.

A centerpiece of the venue's appeal lies in its staff. Across multiple reviews, Dana and Alexa - the owners - are repeatedly praised for warmth, responsiveness, and practical support. They are described as easy to work with, flexible, and deeply invested in making each couple's vision come to life. The sentiment runs strongest around day-of coordination: couples credit the staff with taking stress off their shoulders, coordinating set-up, tear-down, and layouts, and communicating clearly through emails in the weeks leading up to the wedding. One couple highlights the willingness to adapt to weather by moving plans indoors just days before the ceremony, while others recount the friendly, professional service from the entire team. The upshot is a venue where the people in charge feel invested in the happy outcome and are consistently available to help.

The Gathering Barn is frequently celebrated for its practical, guest-oriented features. Several reviews mention the presence of convenient amenities that enhance the guest experience: multiple bar options, a dance space, and a pleasant outdoor patio for post-ceremony mingling. Lighting is cited as a standout element, and the overall ambiance is described as both beautiful and forgiving for a range of event setups, from a traditional reception to more relaxed gatherings. The venue's size and layout allow for flexible configurations, which is especially appreciated when weather or other factors require changes at short notice. One reviewer even notes two separate entrances and a circular drop-off area with accessible parking, underscoring the site's attention to accessibility and ease of arrival for guests.

The venue's versatility extends beyond weddings. Reviews recount celebrations of life and other community events hosted here, with attendees emphasizing a warm, private space that accommodates nursing and quiet, reflective moments. The owners' hospitality and the staff's willingness to accommodate special needs or last-minute requests shine through in these tales as well. The space has also played host to vendor showcases, such as quilting shows, which creates a sense that The Gathering Barn is recognized as a flexible, multi-use destination that can support a range of interests - from craft fairs to culinary offerings at catered meals.

However, no venue is without its faults, and several reviews offer a more tempered view. Some guests mention the exterior appearance as being somewhat plain or tin-leaning, noting that the outside does not always reflect the beauty inside. A recurring caveat concerns acoustics: multiple attendees report that sound quality can be challenging, with conversations at tables or speeches during the ceremony difficult to hear. In one or two accounts, this issue left guests frustrated and reduced the impact of important moments. Cleanliness and upkeep surface as other concerns in a few reviews, including hopes for more pristine linens, cleaner chairs, and cleaner windows. There are also cautions tied to construction and coordination around big weddings, such as recent concrete work near the entrance and, in at least one instance, disappointment when the owner wasn't present to guide the weekend's events, with guests feeling left out of crucial updates.

A few reviews speak to price and value, offering a nuanced takeaway. Several couples emphasize that The Gathering Barn delivers a high-quality experience at a cost they consider more affordable than many comparable venues in the area. This perceived value is frequently paired with flattering assessments of the space's size and beauty, suggesting that the venue strikes a balance between grandeur and accessibility. At the same time, some attendees imply that a truly flawless experience hinges on addressing the couple's specific needs and ensuring robust communication - one of the strongest positive threads centers on how responsive and engaged the staff can be when they're aligned with the couple's plans.

In sum, The Gathering Barn emerges as a widely beloved venue, especially for couples who value a roomy, versatile space and a team that is invested in making the day run smoothly. The interior's rustic beauty, the ease of moving between indoor and outdoor settings, the availability of practical amenities such as multiple bars and a comfortable dance area, and the staff's proactive, accommodating approach all come through as defining strengths. While some guests point to acoustics, exterior aesthetics, or occasional cleanliness and maintenance concerns as drawbacks, these tend to be outweighed by the venue's capacity to deliver a memorable, well-orchestrated celebration. For many, the Gathering Barn is not just a place to host a ceremony and reception but a reliable partner who can translate a couple's dreams into a beautifully realized event.

Transportation

• Andrew's European Mounts (1.9 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (15.1 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (15.1 miles)
• Belle Plaine Airport (TZT) (18 miles)

Places of Worship

• Primitive Daisy (2.4 miles)
• Harvest Baptist (2.4 miles)
• St Paul's Lutheran Church (3 miles)
• Association of Confessional Lutheran Churches (3.2 miles)
• Saint Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church (3.2 miles)
• Saint Pauls United Methodist (3.2 miles)
• Methodist Church (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Mary Welsh Elementary Playground (2.4 miles)
• Millersburg Park (4.1 miles)
• Lake Iowa Park (6.7 miles)
• Lion's Park (7.9 miles)
• Middle Park (11.6 miles)
• Roadside Park (15.9 miles)
• South English Park (15.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Landmark Restaurant (2.8 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• Arby's (3 miles)
• A 8 Chinese Restaurant (3.1 miles)
• Il Morso Dolce Bakery (3.2 miles)
• Sundown Bar & Grill (3.2 miles)
• Casa Tequila Williamsburg (3.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Peterson Drug Co. (3.1 miles)
• Hartig Drug (3.2 miles)
• Star Drug Co. (3.2 miles)
• Peterson Pharmacy (8.1 miles)
• Cornerstone Apothecary (8.1 miles)
• Amana Society Pharmacy (12.6 miles)
• Hartig Drug (18.4 miles)

Cafes

• Brickhouse Coffee (3.1 miles)
• Dj's Casual Cafe (17.1 miles)
• Lincoln Cafe (18.4 miles)

Physicians

• Eye Associates (3.2 miles)
• Axis Vision Care (3.2 miles)
• Axmear Tonya Mercy Family Medicine North (3.3 miles)
• Village Psychiatric Services (11.6 miles)
• Johnson Co Medical Society (17.5 miles)
• Belle Plaine Family Practice (18.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Marengo Memorial Hospital (8.3 miles)
• North English Family Practice (11.8 miles)
• Colonial Manor of Amana (11.9 miles)
• Amana Family Practice Clinic PC (12.6 miles)
• St Luke's Physicians & Clinics (18.3 miles)