Harvest View Farms Weddings & Gatherings

Harvestview Farms is a stunning property that’s perfect for weddings, but unfortunately, the management is a complete disaster. As Maid of Honor for a June wedding at this venue, I witnessed first-hand how poorly run it truly is. To start, our visit to the venue for planning and decorating was a fiasco. Despite having a scheduled appointment with Brenda, she completely forgot about it. She didn’t bother to come let us in or offer any help; instead, she wanted to reschedule, leaving us waiting outside with no consideration for our time. This was just the beginning of our troubles. Things didn’t improve as the wedding date approached. Brenda’s refusal to accept the proof of licensing and insurance from the bride and groom’s chosen rehersal dinner caterer forced them into a last-minute scramble to find a new one. This was not only unprofessional but incredibly stressful for everyone involved. Upon arrival at the venue, our experience was no better. We were met with a lack of basic courtesy—no one welcomed us nor bothered to help us as we lugged in numerous boxes and items. Brenda and Dave sat near the kitchen watching us, they made no effort to assist or even offer advice. To make matters worse, the setup of tables and chairs was a mess, and despite repeated requests, the chairs were still not arranged properly for our large amount of guests. The issues extended to the accommodations provided on-site. The air conditioning in the farmhouse was not turned on. I asked Dave about the A/C, and I stated we would be there ‘bright and early’ the next morning hinting that it was hot in there and needed turned on. Dave responded ‘not before 8am you’re not, that what the contract says! I go to work at 6am, I’ll turn it on then’. This left the space uncomfortably warm for wedding day. It’s June in Iowa—basic climate control should be a given. The groom’s family had to bring personal fans to help cool. Post-reception, we were asked to clean up the chapel that night so it would be ready for Sunday evening services—a request that was not mentioned in advance nor in the contract. To top it all off, the Bride and Groom still waiting for their deposit refund. Despite numerous attempts to reach Brenda, we’ve received nothing but excuses—she’s either too busy with the fair or still “checking with Dave.” According to the contract, the deposit was supposed to be returned within 30 days. It’s now September 5, 2024, and we’ve seen nothing. Harvestview Farms has the potential to be a fantastic venue, but its management is a mess. If they wish to stay in the rental business, they will benefit greatly from hiring a professional property manager who can provide the level of service and reliability that their beautiful location deserves without causing endless headaches.