Willows Bend

Lakeside Venue

Holds ceremonies and receptions

4.8

Verified reviews from real couples

Willows bend is beautiful! They are easy to contact and very helpful with bringing your big day to life.

MaKenzie S.

5.0

I cannot recommend this venue highly enough! From start to finish, our experience was nothing short of perfect. The venue itself is absolutely stunning — every corner is beautiful and thoughtfully designed, creating the ideal setting for a memorable celebration. Whether you're looking for something classic or modern, the venue has an elegance that will make your wedding day truly special. What truly made our experience exceptional, though, was the incredible service from the owners, Jim and Michele. They were hands-on from the very beginning, offering expert advice, answering every question, and providing thoughtful suggestions to help make our wedding day seamless. Their attention to detail and genuine care for us as a couple was clear throughout the entire planning process. On the big day itself, Jim and Michele were there every step of the way, ensuring everything went smoothly and that we didn't have to worry about a thing. Thanks to their support, our wedding day was completely stress-free, and we were able to fully enjoy every moment. If you're looking for a beautiful venue with amazing owners who truly care about making your wedding day perfect, look no further. I’m beyond grateful for Jim and Michele and the wonderful experience they provided!

Haileigh S.

5.0

Jim & Michele Shively

OWNER

Typically responds within 24h

AWARD WINNER

Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot

Located in Carbondale, KS, Willows Bend is a wedding venue perfect for hosting special events and romantic getaways. Boasting over 30 acres of land while sitting on the water's edge of the Strowbridge Reservoir, this property features breathtaking scenery that you'll fall in love with. Willows Bend welcomes celebrations of all types and sizes, including intimate and large affairs of up to 300 guests. The venue is ideal for couples wanting a beautiful countryside wedding away from the hustle and bustle of city life. When beginning your big day at Willows Bend, you'll be greeted by the property's entrance called the "Field of Dreams." To help with pre-ceremony preparations, the venue has two designated get-ready suites available. Each room is equipped with comfortable seating and amenities, so you have a relaxing setting to work with your glam squad. Ceremonies can occur outside on the grounds, with the surrounding lake views and tall willow trees as your unique backdrop. Once you've exchanged your vows, guests can enter the barn for your evening reception. This spacious space features a rustic yet modern charm with elegant details. In addition, the lovely grounds are a wonderful photoshoot opportunity as couples can take cute pictures beside the wishing well, windmill, the lake, and inside the property. Owners of Willows Bend, Jim & Michele Shively, adore helping couples on their big day to realize their vision. For those who don't have a wedding planner, the in-house planner will be available to assist in streamlining your celebration. Jim and Michele are also happy to allow outside vendors to work at your event so you can bring in your favorite catering company. Moreover, some other services you can expect include event rentals, vendor referrals, setup, cleanup, pet-friendly and wheelchair-friendly.

7+ years in business

Speaks English

2 team members

Amenities + details

Amenities

Ceremony Area

Covered Outdoors Space

Dressing Room

Handicap Accessible

Indoor Event Space

Liability Insurance

On-Site Accommodations

Outdoor Event Space

Reception Area

Wireless Internet

Ceremony Types

Commitment Ceremony

Interfaith Ceremony

Non-Religious Ceremony

Religious Ceremony

Second Wedding

Vow Renewal Ceremony

Settings

Ballroom

Barn

Farm & Ranch

Beach

Waterfront

Loft

Park

Trees

Venue Service Offerings

Bar & Drinks

Destination Weddings

Destination Wedding Planning

Food & Catering

Planning

Destination Wedding Planning

Wedding Design

Transportation

Shuttle Service

Awards and Affiliations

2022 'Best of Weddings'

Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding

Meet the team

Jim & Michele Shively

Owner

We are very passionate about the venue and have thought of everything to make your wedding day very special. The property the venue sets on has been in the family since 1876. The venue sets on a bend of a 300 acre lake and you will get married just yards away from the waters edge. We wanted to share our tranquil setting with couples and so we decided to build a wedding venue to share our beautiful setting with couples.

4.8

out of 5.0

17 reviews

Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

Willows Bend receives glowing reviews from couples and guests alike for its stunning beauty and exceptional service provided by the owners, Jim and Michele. Reviewers appreciate the attention to detail and care the owners put into every aspect of the wedding planning process, resulting in stress-free and seamless events. The venue's thoughtful design, diverse options, and list of experienced vendors contribute to creating memorable celebrations. Willows Bend is highly recommended for couples looking for a picturesque and well-supported wedding venue by the lake.

Search reviews

Haileigh S

Highlighted review.

11/13/2024

I cannot recommend this venue highly enough! From start to finish, our experience was nothing short of perfect. The venue itself is absolutely stunning — every corner is beautiful ...

and thoughtfully designed, creating the ideal setting for a memorable celebration. Whether you're looking for something classic or modern, the venue has an elegance that will make your wedding day truly special. What truly made our experience exceptional, though, was the incredible service from the owners, Jim and Michele. They were hands-on from the very beginning, offering expert advice, answering every question, and providing thoughtful suggestions to help make our wedding day seamless. Their attention to detail and genuine care for us as a couple was clear throughout the entire planning process. On the big day itself, Jim and Michele were there every step of the way, ensuring everything went smoothly and that we didn't have to worry about a thing. Thanks to their support, our wedding day was completely stress-free, and we were able to fully enjoy every moment. If you're looking for a beautiful venue with amazing owners who truly care about making your wedding day perfect, look no further. I’m beyond grateful for Jim and Michele and the wonderful experience they provided!

Response from Willows Bend on 11/13/2024

Haileigh, thank you so much for your kind review of Michele & I and all that Willows Bend ...

has to offer. Your wedding as well as all the weddings we are allowed to be apart is truly a blessing from God. Again, thank you so much for allowing us to play a small but joyful part of your special day !!! Thanks again, Jim & Michele

MaKenzie S

10/11/2025

Willows bend is beautiful! They are easy to contact and very helpful with bringing your big day to life.

Any questions?

Larissa M

4/24/2024

My (now) husband and I had our wedding here a couple of weekends ago, and it was an amazing experience! The venue is beautiful, and many of our friends and family commented on how ...

beautiful it was! There were also lots of fun options to choose from, such as fireworks and a cold sparks send-off that many other places don't have. Further, the owners were very helpful and quick to respond to any questions that we had. All of the vendors that we chose have worked with this venue before, and it made the whole evening flow seamlessly. If anything went wrong, I had no idea. (It was pretty windy and some rain storms came through later in the night, but we all worked together to come up with a plan that allowed us to still go outside for the fireworks and cold sparks!). I HIGHLY recommend this venue if you are looking for a beautiful venue out by the lake!

Response from Willows Bend on 04/24/2024

Larissa, thank you so much for your review. We do offer many options to make your day as S...

pecial as you design with our assistance. Thanks again and it was truly our pleasure !!! Jim & Michele Shively

Carol M

4/08/2024

Our son and daughter-in-law had their wedding at Willows Bend this last weekend, and it was amazing! The owners were so helpful and gracious, and their venue was absolutely perfec...

t. They provided a list of vendors that they have worked with over the years (caterer, officiant, photographer, etc.). The bride and groom could select from the venue's list of vendors, or they could have chosen someone else. The wedding came off without a hitch (with the exception of extreme wind), and guests absolutely LOVED it! This was the perfect venue for what our bride and groom wanted, and we couldn't be happier that they chose Willows Bend!

Response from Willows Bend on 04/11/2024

Carol, thank you so much for your kind review. And Yes it was definitely windy, Kanas had ...

some cities with gusts over 60 mph but as long as the kids enjoyed there experience at Willows Bend is always our goal. Thanks again, Jim & Michele

Kasie V

12/05/2023

I write this review to allow other couples considering this venue to have knowledge of what to expect when booking. Upon touring the venue, I asked the owner, Jim, if there were an...

y hidden fees that we could expect upon booking. He told us that he could not think of any, so we decided to book this venue for our wedding. We quickly realized this was not the truth. While booking our caterer, they gave us their prices and asked where we were getting married. They quickly informed us that our total cost would be higher because the owners of Willowsbend charge them 10% of what we paid to be there. I was shocked. Our caterer informed us that it is not just their company that is charged; they told us that any caterer who goes into that venue is expected to pay the 10%. I reached out to Jim about this, and was told that he was not sure how they chose to charge their clientele. We started talking about this with people we knew, and one of our pastor friends informed us that he has performed a wedding at that venue, and was also charged 10%; ultimately, this was charged to the bride & groom when he refused to pay it. While I can only speak to my experience with the caterer and our pastor friend being charged, I can assume any vendor that steps into that venue will be charged for their presence. 10% may not seem like a lot, but it quickly adds up. The venue is beautiful and offers great scenery for a wedding, but I wish I knew this information before booking with this venue because it would have changed my decision. Prior to booking, I read the negative reviews this venue has and didn't believe them because of the owner's responses to those reviews. I wish I had. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, we had to cancel our wedding 5 months before the date. So I cannot speak to the actual day-of-event, I can only speak to my experience with this venue when planning and leading up to it. As I said, I wish I had taken the reviews I read to heart and knew that after my experience, I wanted to warn other couples considering this venue of what they could expect financially upon booking.

Response from Willows Bend on 12/06/2023

Kasie, I appreciate your review, but I would like for our readers to know the facts. I und...

erstand that you are angry and hurt because you had to cancel your wedding (for reasons outside our control) in which we make it clear up front all payments are non-refundable and that is written in the contract. In your case we decided to help you out and offer you an alternate date even though our contract did not allow it. We were then informed of your separation and that there was not going to be a wedding. Willows Bend has never charged an officiant for any kind of services, so if that is what you were told you were sadly misinformed. Secondly, Willows Bend does not mandate food vendors in any way. Our preferred food vendors do help cover their advertising costs which is standard across most wedding venues. But our food vendors are also very reasonable on their prices and that's why they are on our preferred vendors list. For example, one of our food vendors is $10-$11 per person for a taco bar but many other vendors are $15-18 per person which is a 50% saving. But again, you can freely choose any food vendor you prefer. Willows Bend does offer many options & advice to save our brides and grooms and their families as much money as we can because it does get expensive, and we are aware of that fact. I can be reached anytime day or night if anyone has concerns as we try and be as transparent as possible to serve our bridal community for the betterment of their Special Day. Thank you, Jim & Michele

Mary E

10/21/2023

We just attended a wedding at Willows Bend and I am amazed ! Absolutely beautiful setting. Jim and Michelle have thought of everything - surprise entrance for bride and groom, no s...

teps at any of the entrances, turf under the outside pews, cold sparklers for the couple's exit. Immaculate landscape and lawn. One of the best venues I have been to .

Response from Willows Bend on 12/06/2023

Mary, Thank you for your kind review. We are so glad you enjoyed your time at Willows Bend...

and that you enjoyed the surprise entry of the bride and groom. My father was disabled and we wanted to make sure that everyone can enjoy our venue. We hope to have you back at Willows Bend again sometime soon. We do take pride landscape and lawn as well. Thanks again.

Cherilyn L

12/03/2022

We fell in love with Willows Bend from the first moment we walked in the doors! The options for photography, the collaborative efforts of the owners with their vendors, the commun...

ication of the owners with us were all exactly what we were looking for. Know your expectations as well as the owners’ as you would with any major venue, and you’ll have a beautiful experience! Yes, there are some minor restrictions with Willows Bend, but nothing that was unreasonable. We talked thru these and came up with alternatives that were just as cool as what we had initially thought of doing. We would absolutely highly recommend Willows Bend to brides of any background and any age!

Response from Willows Bend on 12/05/2022

Cherilyn, thank you so much for your kind words because we really do work hard for each an...

d every wedding and it is truly our pleasure. We hope to see you again sometime soon and you are always welcomed back. Thanks again, Jim & Michele Shively

Abigail G

9/17/2022

This place and staff made our dream wedding come to life. Jim Michele and Aaron work like a team to take so much day of stress off the bride and groom and their families. I would p...

ick them a hundred times over!

Response from Willows Bend on 09/18/2022

Abby, thank you so much for allowing Willows Bend to share your absolutely amazing day. Th...

e pleasure was truly all ours and we hope to see you again sometime soon at another wedding. Jim & Michele Shively

Brianna S

8/07/2021

Jim &Michelle thank you for everything you did for us! Your venue is so beautiful and you guys were very helpful throughout the pandemic and keeping in touch. We had such a wonderf...

ul wedding! May the force be with you Brianna & Nik

Response from Willows Bend on 08/08/2021

Brianna, you and Nick had one of the coolest Star Wars weddings that we could’ve ever drea...

med of! Pleasure it was, Yoda out!!!

Tricia D

6/09/2021

Where do I even start? Jim and Michelle went over and beyond to provide and support us in any way needed to help us have the most beautiful wedding ever. They are wonderful, kind...

, and very honest people. The venue is beautiful, the DJ ( Aaron) did an excellent job. The firework display Jim put on was out of this world. Jim and Michelle are very professional. If your looking for a venue, I would strongly suggest Willows Bend. A top of the line venue. Thank you so much Jim and Michelle.

Response from Willows Bend on 06/09/2021

Tricia, thank you so much for your kind words. It was truly our pleasure and honor to have...

shared such a beautiful day with friends and family. Morgan is a true treasure and Trent is such a Great additional to your family we just Loved being a part of it. You were our first booking back in 2018 when there was nothing but grass & trees and you believed in what were doing and then to become wedding# 100 was so special. Thanks again and we hope to see you soon !!!!

John & Connie D

6/08/2021

Just attended a wedding at this gorgeous venue. It's in a neat setting by a pretty lake, with well kept grounds with lots of trees, out in the country. The ceremony was outside w...

ith benches, facing the lake for guests and a Gazebo for the wedding party. Probably the most well organized, fun wedding I've ever attended.

Response from Willows Bend on 06/09/2021

John & Connie, thank you so much for you kind words. Michele and I work very hard with eac...

h and every bridal party to help plan their day so that everything goes as planned as well as stress free. We feel a wedding is all about memories and moments and as you can see there are things we do to help create those memories. Thanks again and we hope to see you again some day. Jim & Michele Shively

Alex H

5/02/2021

Willow’s Bend helped provide us with the perfect wedding. Jim and Michelle were incredible and helped make the entire night perfect with their personal help and gorgeous venue. Fro...

m an amazing fog machine, and incredible lighting, to the perfect sound system setup and outdoor setup, this place has it all. We were even lucky enough for fireworks on a great weathered day. There’s nothing that slips through the cracks and they go over every single little item to make sure the wedding is in good hands and accounted for. I couldn’t recommend this place any stronger if you’re needing a location for a wedding. Don’t forget to add the fireworks option, worth every penny to add that special something extra! The hand built venue has everything you need and then some, and is a gorgeous lakeside location. Stop looking, because you’ve found your dream venue!

Response from Willows Bend on 05/03/2021

Alex & Karly, the pleasure was all ours and what a beautiful wedding it was !!! The way y...

ou had Mary decorate and then by adding those personal touches for the center pieces was absolutely stunning. Guys, thank you so much for allowing Willows Bend to be apart of such a Special Day !!!

Cameron G

3/08/2021

Willows Bend is absolutely perfect. The owners, Jim and Michele Shively, are amazing and help you with everything. They went above and beyond to create a magical day for my husband...

and I. Everything turned out better than I could ever imagine it.

Response from Willows Bend on 03/08/2021

Cameron & Josh, The pleasure was all ours and our goal is as always for you to get more th...

an you had hoped for. We know both of you have such a bright future ahead of you we were just glad to be a part of it! Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Jim & Michele Shively

Jane C

12/14/2020

Willows Bend this place is beyond beautiful. My daughters wedding was amazing. If you are looking for a stress free day this venue is perfect. The owners Michelle & Jim are fantast...

ic. We have heard so many compliments about how stunning it is. I highly recommend Willows Bend!

Response from Willows Bend on 12/14/2020

Jane, thank you so much for your kind review. It was definitely our pleasure and may I say...

what a joyous time it was spending time with all of you. Have a Very Merry Christmas and stay safe. Thanks again for choosing Willows Bend for this Oh So Special Day !!! Jim & Michele Shively

Kimbra H

11/25/2020

I regret not writing this sooner, but my daughter was married at Willows Bend August 1, 2020. Willows Bend and the owners Jim and Michele Shively met with us frequently, responded...

quickly to our questions, and accommodated every need. It was such a perfect day. A beautiful venue for the wedding by the lake, the stunning reception space, and ended with a spectacular fireworks show. An absolutely perfect setup for a fairytale wedding. Our guests stayed to the end and enjoyed every minute. My husband and I enjoyed working with the Shively's and now consider them as friends. I am so pleased we chose Willows Bend, as I know my daughter and son-in-law will relive those priceless memories forever.

Response from Willows Bend on 11/25/2020

Kimbra, thank you so much for you kind words as well as taking the time to explain how we ...

go above and beyond to ensure the BEST we can that our Brides & Grooms days go as planned. Our goal is to make every wedding a fairytale wedding and it appears we accomplished that and fills our hearts with Joy. Michele and I TRULY appreciate you and al the joy you have brought us. Be Safe & Happy Holidays !!!

Mikala P

6/24/2020

I just had my fairytale wedding at Willows Bend and I'm still on Cloud 9!!! This was actually the only venue we looked at because it just felt perfect from the get go! It is just u...

nbelievably gorgeous with the most beautiful setting. Jim and Michele are so fun to work with, they helped everything run smoothly, and they truly cared about my husband and I and OUR wishes for our wedding. They took so much stress off my shoulders, were quick to answer my hundreds of questions, and made me feel SO special! They've thought out everything so carefully! The bridal suite was PERFECT for my eight bridesmaids and me to get ready in, the ceremony and reception set-up is exactly what I had envisioned, they allow outside catering, and the beverage packages are very reasonable! I loved my Friday wedding, as I was able to rent the venue out on Thursday for 6 hours to decorate and hold our rehearsal. Honestly, we didn't have to do much decorating because the venue is already so elegant! My wedding was my absolute dream and it had so much to do with this venue. I've gotten HUNDREDS of compliments on the venue from our guests! I 110% recommend Willows Bend!

Deb S

6/18/2019

Amazing! The entire wedding was simply amazing. My son and daughter-in-law had the most beautiful wedding. Not only was the wedding and venue stunning, The whole day was a blast!...

Jim and Michelle have done a great job in building this venue. They were very helpful, giving us ideas yet being flexible enough to let the bride and groom express their own personalities. The rehearsal dinner was fun, the wedding day was stress free, the ceremony was heartfelt and beautiful with the stunning backdrop of the lake. Then the dinner, reception, and dance were so fun. My kids could not have asked for a better venue. And oh my, their pictures are breathtaking!

Service area & Contact info

2441 E 141St St, Carbondale, KS

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(785) 633-7334

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Willows Bend

Jim & Michele Shively

Owner

Typically responds within 24h

Willows Bend's photos

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Willows Bend

About this venue

Review Summary

Service area & Contact info

Wedding vendors in Carbondale

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