About Our Family
Hi friends! I’m Allyson. If you’ve ever interacted with our family’s wedding venue, it’s most likely me you’ve been chatting with (the excessive emoji use should always be a dead giveaway). From venue tours to final event planning meetings, I am the lucky one that gets to work alongside our couples as they plan their dream wedding. Outside of events, I do life alongside my husband Jordan and our sweet little babe, Lewis. Prior to helping run our family’s wedding venue, I worked in agricultural communications. It’s been quite the career shift, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I can’t wait to meet you and hear all about the vision for your special day!
Allyson Ladd-Mathisen
Client relations
Although she would never admit it, Debbie is the real work horse behind The 1868 Farmhouse. We hear other vendors say, “No other venue provides service like this!” and that’s all because of Debbie. On any given day, you’ll find Debbie at the venue setting up for a wedding, putting the finishing touches on gorgeous table decor or managing the gardens (a full-time job in and of itself). Prior to opening the wedding venue, Debbie worked as a Nurse Practitioner and the majority of her career was spent serving Veterans. As a farm girl from southwest Iowa who married a career Marine, she is no stranger to hard work and goes above and beyond to make your wedding celebration an absolute dream.
Debbie Ladd
Venue Owner
When turning an old building on our family’s farm into a wedding venue was just an idea, Rick was the one to bring that vision to life. Alongside his sons, Scott and Kevin, Wailes Carpentry completely overhauled the machine shed that is now a gorgeous wedding and event venue. They also custom-built our wooden farmhouse tables and have been known to build an arch (or seven!) for our couples. Rick helps with the day-to-day operations at the venue and will most likely be the friendly face that greets you upon arrival, asking what he can help unload from your vehicle.
Rick Wailes
Property Manager
As the name would suggest, the Farmhouse was built in 1868 and is one of the oldest farmhouses in Boone County. It became our family's home in 2000 and over the past twenty years, we've fallen in love with the house, its historic charm and picturesque country Iowa farmscape on which it sits. As we were planning a wedding of our own, we realized it was the perfect location for a celebration and are confident others will love it as much as we do.
Located just three miles north of Boone, Iowa, The 1868 Farmhouse has been fully restored and features two getting ready suites, brick courtyard, wrap around porch and three outdoor wedding ceremony spaces. Just steps away from the Farmhouse, the property features a completely renovated, modern wedding reception hall with seating for up to 300. And because we know the weather in Iowa is all sorts o' crazy, the wedding venue is climate-controlled, meaning you and your guests can dance the night away no matter how hot or cold it is outside.
In the fall of 2020 we completed our massive, but oh-so-exciting renovations including a wedding reception hall, bridal and groom getting ready suites, overnight accommodations and more. We may be biased, but we think it's going to be the absolute perfect space for your *perfect* day.
Take a peek at some Real Weddings At The Farmhouse
About The Venue
”We had a couple who wanted a specific arch for their wedding day but we didn’t have anything like it in our inventory so, I built it for them.” - Rick
”One of our couples had not one, not two, but three babysitters fall through on their wedding day for their 10-month-old son. As a mom myself I knew how stressful that was for them, so I stepped in an offered to help. That night after their first dance with their son, I took him up to the main house and rocked him to sleep while his family partied the night away.” - Allyson
”Right before a wedding was set to begin, one of the bridesmaid’s dresses completely ripped from her armpit to her hip. The look of panic on her face was unmatched. I immediately grabbed my sewing kit and got to work. I had her back in business within 15 minutes and nobody knew the difference!” - Debbie
"yep, that just happened!"
Stacey Rector Freiberg
AMAZING PLACE AND EVEN MORE AMAZING PEOPLE! They truly go above and beyond to make the bride and grooms day stress free and beautiful.
Hunter and Kindra Lane
My husband and I got married here January 15, 2022. From the first visit, I fell absolutely in love with the venue! Not to mention, Allyson and her family were so easy and great to work with. They really thought through every little detail and made everything run smoothly.
Maggy and Austin Zylstra
