During these past few weeks, I’ve headed South and had the opportunity to check out a fabulous NEW resort (and gay weddings venue!) on Rathbun Lake called Honey Creek Resort, and all I can say is I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!During these past few weeks, I’ve headed South and had the opportunity to check out a fabulous NEW resort (and gay weddings venue!) on Rathbun Lake called Honey Creek Resort, and all I can say is I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
Upon arrival, I checked in with the brutally handsome Front Desk manager, Matthew Mosley, who immediately made me feel relaxed and “at home in a strange land.” His hospitality and true customer service made me feel at ease and ready for adventure.
The spotlessly clean accommodations were extremely comfortable and offered fabulous amenities. The rooms (of which there are 105) vary from queen doubles to king suites—and there are 28 brand-new luxury cottages off the main lodge, as well!
The full-service restaurant and lounge was spectacular, along with the 50 boat slips in the Marina (which includes a fishing pier). And the 18-hole golf course was beautiful, too! My focus, obviously, was on facilities for weddings and honeymoons, and Marsha, the Special Events Diva, offered a dream selection of 3-day honeymoon packages, like the “Sport Boating and Private Beach package,” or the “Exploring Romance Nature Hikes package,” or the “Pure Golf package.” Definitely something for every couple out there!
Other amenities included a 6,500-square-foot conference center with state-of-the-art technology, an RV Park with 20 full-service hook-ups, multi-purpose hiking trails, a huge playground, and even scavenger hunts for the children!That weekend, two brides from Kirkville, Missouri, with 125 guests in tow, said they had the wedding of their dreams, and that the resort was so gay-friendly it was a non-issue!
For even more information visit honeycreekresort.com.
Another fabulous spot South of Des Moines is Two Saints Winery in St. Charles, Iowa. Just three miles east of Interstate 35, tucked into the rolling hills of rural Warren County, this is honestly one of the best experiences I have had in Iowa.
The 10 acres of property are divided into separate parcels on which are grown only local Iowa red and white grape varietals. The owners (who offer genuine “southern” hospitality) support the belief that wines should come from where the grapes are grown.
The 2,400-square-foot banquet facilities, for up to 200 guests, offer an 800-square-foot dance floor, as well.
The facilities include a caterer’s kitchen—for the caterer of your choice—a wet bar counter, and the most fabulous, HUGE wooden wrap-around deck that looks over the picture-perfect setting. Watching the sunset over the Vineyard was to die for...
Please visit their website at twosaintswinery.com!
Beau Fodor is an Iowa wedding planner who focuses specifically on weddings for the LGBT community. He can be reached through iowasgayweddingplanner.com or gayweddingswithpanache.com.
