Willows Bend
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Willows Bend Photos
About This Vendor
Lakeside Venue
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.
Amenities & Details
Ceremony Area, Covered Outdoors Space, Dressing Room, Handicap Accessible, Indoor Event Space, Liability Insurance, On-Site Accommodations, Outdoor Event Space, Reception Area, Wireless Internet
Guest Capacity300+
Ceremony TypesCommitment Ceremony, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding, Vow Renewal Ceremony
Venue Service OfferingsBar & Drinks, Destination Weddings, Destination Wedding Planning, Food & Catering, Planning, Wedding Design, Transportation, Shuttle Service
SettingsBallroom, Barn, Farm & Ranch, Beach, Waterfront, Loft, Park, Trees
Business AttributesPricing for Willows Bend
| Option | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Cost | Affordable |
| Cost Starting | |
| Price Range | $2,150 - $3,150+ |
| Couples Usually Spend | $2,650 |
| Peak Season Months | April-December |
| Peak Season Cost | $2,150 - $3,150+ |
| Peak Season Reception Cost | $4,000 |
| Peak Season Ceremony Cost | $3,200 |
| Peak Season Bar Service Cost | $8 |
| OffSeason Months | January-March, December |
| OffSeason Cost | $2,150 - $3,150+ |
| OffSeason Reception Cost | $3,500 |
| OffSeason Ceremony Cost | $3,200 |
| OffSeason BarService Cost | $8 |
Browse Willows Bend pricing PDF below for sample services and estimates.
View PricesWillows Bend Reviews
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 steps 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 .
Reviewed on 21-10-2023
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 any 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.
Reviewed on 05-12-2023
Wedding Date 10-06-2022
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 communication 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!
Reviewed on 03-12-2022
Wedding Date 16-09-2022
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 pick them a hundred times over!
Reviewed on 17-09-2022
Wedding Date 06-08-2021
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 wonderful wedding!May the force be with you Brianna & Nik
Reviewed on 07-08-2021
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.
Reviewed on 09-06-2021
Wedding Date 05-06-2021
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 with benches, facing the lake for guests and a Gazebo for the wedding party. Probably the most well organized, fun wedding I've ever attended.
Reviewed on 08-06-2021
Wedding Date 01-05-2021
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. From 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!
Reviewed on 03-05-2021
Wedding Date 27-02-2021
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.
Reviewed on 08-03-2021
Wedding Date 12-12-2020
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 fantastic. We have heard so many compliments about how stunning it is. I highly recommend Willows Bend!
Reviewed on 14-12-2020
Wedding Date 01-08-2020
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.
Reviewed on 25-11-2020
Wedding Date 19-06-2020
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 unbelievably 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!
Reviewed on 24-06-2020
Wedding Date 15-06-2019
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!
Reviewed on 18-06-2019
Wedding Date 01-06-2019
The venue is so amazing. It is beautiful on the inside and out. The bridal suite is absolutely gorgeous. However, the grooms room is basically unusable. The owners were extremely rude to me and the only thing that was stressful my wedding day would have been the owners. 2 out of my 5 vendors told me they will not go back. Since this is a brand new place hopefully the owners will learn (I was the third wedding) but as of right now, My pictures and everything will be beautiful but it would have been a stress free day somewhere else I believe. Sad to say and I hope things change for future brides
Reviewed on 12-06-2019
Contact Info for Willows Bend
| Contact | Value |
|---|---|
| https://www.facebook.com/willows-bend-184852095544426/ | |
| X (Twitter) | Willows Bend |
| Willows Bend | |
| wb_venue | |
| Website | willowsbendwedding.com |
| Phone | (785) 633-7334 |
| Address | 2441 E 141St St, Carbondale, KS, 66414 |
| info@wbwed.com |
Willows Bend on the map
Meet the Willows Bend 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.
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