There are few wedding venues out there that have figured out how to pull off that rustic barnyard chic style quite like Seven Willows. This Nebraska venue gives you those luscious country views as well as a premium event space worthy of the dreamiest celebrations! As a Lincoln wedding photographer, I get the chance to go behind the scenes for some of the top locations out there. Here’s what you can expect when you book the Seven Willows wedding venue!
About the Seven Willows Wedding Venue
7600 Panama Road, Hickman, Nebraska 68372
Farming has always been a part of the Wubbels family. Long before Aaron Wubbels met his lovely wife, Heidi, he grew up on a family farm just down the road. Once the pair met, they settled down and had seven children while managing their own careers. All the while, they dreamed about creating an event space where people could come and gather while writing love stories all of their own.
Finally, a few years back, they realized it was time to take that vision and turn it into a reality. They built a space with an aesthetic they lovingly named “Barn Bougie.” These days, the venue is a family affair. Their sons work behind the bar while their daughter runs a tight kitchen! They also have two daughters-in-law who manage the day-of coordinating and food services. With this family, you are in for an unforgettable day elevated by the best service this side of the Mississippi!
Details of the Grounds
The Wubbels have thoughtfully built up Seven Willows Wedding Venue to ensure you have everything you need for a day you are never going to forget. If you choose, your morning can start out in the luxury bridal room, where you can get ready alongside your wedding party. This space has been designed to be photo-ready. You’ll have four hair and makeup stations, three black velvet couches, two velvet chairs, and in-room steamers. There is also plenty of natural light! Meanwhile, the groom will have access to his own quarters, complete with leather furniture, a pool table, and televisions. It’s the perfect spot to unwind before your ceremony.
If you prefer to have an outdoor ceremony, this is the venue to do it! True to its name, this venue has several willows across the grounds that will serve as a lush backdrop as you exchange your vows. The ceremony site is also nestled in a picturesque pond, complete with a fountain that will provide you with ambiance as you exchange your vows.
Once it’s time for your cocktail hour, your guests can head inside and grab some drinks from the bar before heading back out to enjoy them beneath the covered terrace. They will have a breathtaking view to mingle for a little bit while you take your photos nearby.
One Of A Kind Receptions At Seven Willows Wedding Venue
Then, once your reception begins, your party can head back into the barn. This space is nothing short of jaw-dropping. It’s rustic yet elegant while giving you tons of room to celebrate! The primary event area has soaring ceilings outfitted with wood and rafters. Crystal chandeliers have been hung throughout to elevate the room, while large windows throughout let in plenty of natural light. The front of the room features a stone fireplace that extends all the way to the roofline, giving you the perfect space for your head table.
The venue also has a few designated spaces that will keep your party running a little more smoothly, such as a bar in the back, as well as a kitchen area where you can put your catering. Additionally, because the room has been decorated in neutral colors, every style of wedding will feel right at home. With this venue, you can accommodate up to 400 guests.
Photography Opportunities
While there is so much to love about Seven Willows Wedding Venue, their curated photo spaces will set your day apart! As you get ready with your wedding party in the bridal suite, you are going to have a picture-perfect background where you can take candid photos with your besties. Over in the groom’s room, the guys can take pictures while enjoying a game of pool.
The venue has over 20 horses that live on-site, and they will let you use them for your portraits. You can head out to the pastures and take your couple’s photos with the cutest wedding crashers showing off in the background! Once you are done here, you can explore the rest of the prairie, taking full advantage of the golden hour. Meanwhile, the inside gives you a balcony where you can snap pics with the rustic decor in the backdrop.
Finally, for your group portraits, you can use the ceremony area, where you will have a flat space ideal for family members of all ages and abilities.
Wedding Details
Now, let’s chat about all the ways this venue is going to spoil you! At Seven Willows Wedding Venue, throwing unforgettable events is their specialty. They are going to start out by walking you through their catering menu so they can help you plan the perfect meal for your celebration. And the food is GOOD. Trust me, I eat a lot of wedding food. Outside of food, they have a list of recommended vendors who are going to take care of practically every detail.
On top of their standard wedding services, this venue has add-on options that will make your day so much better! They let you pick from things like live champagne walls, a party bus, and wedding nannies for younger visitors. When it comes to your entertainment, you can select their in-house DJ who knows how to keep a party moving. They also have a day-of coordinator who can ensure your day goes perfectly according to plan!
Planning Opportunities
Seven Willows wedding venue hosts Open Barn nights, where you can walk through the space in person without needing to plan a full private tour right away. If you’re local, it’s an easy way to get a feel for the layout, flow, and what different areas look like at real scale! They also host tasting events where couples can try signature dishes and desserts, and knock out some of those catering decisions without a million back-and-forth emails.
A Real Wedding Day at Seven Willows
Maddie & Zach were married together with their family and closest friends. After a whirlwind romance, they dated long distance, and after not too long, Zach knew he had to tie Maddie down! Zach is in the military, and after their wedding, these two moved to Alaska (we’re talking days and days of night and days and days of sunlight) until they found out Zach’s new location.
These two chose to have their reception at Seven Willows wedding venue. They got ready on site, spent most of the day there, and then returned after the ceremony to celebrate with everyone in the cozy indoor space.
Their wedding day took place on the Winter Solstice, and also one of the coldest days of the year, which meant we had to act fast because we were quite literally running out of daylight!! Maddie and Zach got ready and took a vast majority of their photos at Seven Willows, then we snuck over to the Nebraska State Capitol to take portraits of the two of them before their ceremony at Christ Lincoln. By the time their ceremony ended, it was nighttime, and they were ready to party again at Seven Willows!!!
Although we did not get to make use of the outdoors (it was 13 degrees before the windchill, we stayed cozy inside), I was floored at how stunning Seven Willows was. Truly, I felt as though we didn’t miss out because the indoor space is so breathtaking and the experience provided was exceptional.
Wedding Days Are Absolutely Gorgeous At The Seven Willows Wedding Venue
If you are looking for that barn aesthetic with services that are anything but simple, check out the Seven Willows wedding venue! This luxurious venue is all about creating legendary days rich with country vibes.
Once you have that venue, it’s time to start thinking about how you are going to capture all those lovely memories! As a Lincoln wedding photographer, I love working alongside couples to document every second of their celebrations. If you think we might just be a match, let’s talk about it! Send me a message today if you would like to learn more!
