Venue Spotlight: Laurel Ridge Barn in Sioux Falls, SD (and a dusty blue wedding!)

If you’re looking for a large, 300-person white-washed modern barn (and a photographer’s dream lighting) and a loft that holds even more people — that would be Laurel Ridge Barn just outside Sioux Falls, South Dakota. When you look out the back sliding doors of the venue, you’ll see gently rolling hills, a classic three-rail white ranch fence, and glimpses of horses grazing nearby. Laurel Ridge feels “outside the city” and very rustic, but the barn is a quick 10-minute drive from downtown Sioux Falls, making it convenient for guests to reach!

We can’t wait to show you Dannika and Bo’s wedding photos in this beautiful venue! Scroll through the gallery below as we show you the best of inside and outside the barn — and ways we decorated it! As wedding planners and wedding designers, we had so much adding statement pieces to Laurel Ridge!

The Best Amenities of Laurel Ridge from a wedding planner’s perspective:

Laurel Ridge Barn has 45-foot ceilings and a HUGE loft to hold a private ceremony or do your first look with your bridesmaids!
The bridal and groom suites are large with big, beautiful mirrors for getting ready and each have their own bathroom.
If you’re dreaming of an outdoor ceremony, the venue features two patio sites just outside the barn. The largest patio to the north is perfect for outdoor ceremonies (Dannika and Bo chose to have their ceremony in-the-round at Laurel Ridge). The second patio to the east is where Hitch Studio usually sets up yard games and brings bistro lights for outdoor mingling. (We bring them, set them up, light them, and take them down for you!) Both include padded chairs set up for you by Laurel Ridge. (If you opt to hold a ceremony out on the open lawn or a non-patio area, the staff can arrange chair setup in the grass for a small fee of about $2 per chair.)
The page that features their layout options is a little hidden, so here is a direct link to room layouts they’ve done in the past. If you want a custom map, Hitch Studio can design that for you too!
There is a swing outside for perfect photo ops!
Capacity: Laurel Ridge can hold 250-275 guests indoors on the main floor for a seated reception with dining tables. Table options include round (you have to provide your own linens) or 7-foot wood rectangle tables with no linens needed. (Pro tip: Need linens? Check with Hitch Studio Rentals!) Another pro tip: the rectangle tables are 7-foot, not traditional 8-foot) If you have over 300 guests, be prepared to seat some in the loft, which is also beautiful! Table and wood crossback chairs are included in the cost!
Laurel Ridge has a huge entrance area, which is the perfect spot for guest book tables, gift tables, lit letters (these are from Letter & Light Co.) and special features like these favor shelves! Dannika and Bo gave everyone a unique glass full of dried candies as their favor. Hitch Studio provided the shelves. So CUTE!
The paved parking lot has approximately 140 spots (with overflow capacity up to about 220 vehicles on hard surface). That means so messy gravel — and it allows for sparklers on-site if you want those at sunset. Hitch Studio can provide those as well!
For guests with mobility needs, ADA-accessible parking and entrances are available and the main level of the barn is fully wheelchair accessible. (Please note that the upstairs loft is accessible by stairs only, as there is no elevator to the second level.)
Outside of the barn, you’ll see a wrap-around porch and railing, which is great for photographers to get photos of your outdoor ceremony and the back of the barn (with a window wall) is especially beautiful for those sunset photos!
Also outside under a large tree is a SWING. Yes, we said it. A cute swing for the best photo ops!
Parking is free for your event, and if you’re hiring transportation (like shuttles or limo services), the venue has designated drop-off points near the entrance.
While Laurel Ridge Barn does not have an on-site hotel, they provide wonderful solutions for your overnight accommodation needs. In fact, the owners of Laurel Ridge own a private home called “Family Camp” that is available for rent to wedding groups! Family Camp is a large vacation house in Sioux Falls featuring 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and 5,300 sq. ft. of living space – it sleeps 18+ guests comfortably. This home includes perks like a movie theater room, sport courts, a huge yard with playset and fire pit, and a wrap-around deck. It’s located about 13 minutes from the venue (near 54th & Cliff in Sioux Falls). If you have a big family or bridal party that wants to stay together, Family Camp is an excellent and fun option. You can book it through Airbnb or VRBO using the links provided on Laurel Ridge’s website.
Recommended hotels nearby are AmericInn, Quality Inn, Best Western, and Baymont.
A question we get often when wedding planning for our couples is about transportation. Laurel Ridge offers its own shuttle service for hire. They have a 12-seat passenger shuttle bus (with a professional driver) available to transport guests to and from Sioux Falls hotels or the Family Camp house. This private shuttle can be booked by the hour ($295 per hour with a 2-hour minimum, or a flat $1000 for 4 hours). Many couples utilize the shuttle to run circuits from the venue back to a couple of key hotels at the end of the night, so that guests who prefer not to drive can ride safely back to town. It’s also a great option for shuttling the wedding party or immediate family to the barn earlier in the day. Beyond the venue’s own shuttle, Sioux Falls has various transportation services (taxis, rideshares, limo companies) that serve the area, and the venue’s ample parking lot can accommodate large motorcoaches if you arrange bigger guest buses.

Catering & Vendor Policies

Laurel Ridge Barn maintains a high standard of quality by working with exclusive catering partners for weddings and events. They have a short list of preferred caterers that provide the main meal service. Real china plates are required. Couples can select from these approved catering options and even explore premium menu upgrades. For late-night snacks or less formal events, Laurel Ridge does allow some outside food like delivered pizza, etc., but the primary dinner must be through their partner caterers.

When it comes to beverages, Laurel Ridge Barn is fully licensed and operates its own bar service. They offer a comprehensive bar menu with beer, wine, and liquor, and even specialty options like a lemonade bar station and coffee drinks. Outside alcohol is not permitted due to licensing—all beer, wine, and spirits must be purchased through the venue’s bar service. (They make a small exception for things like morning coffee or non-alcoholic drinks before 10am, but otherwise no BYOB is allowed anywhere on the 30-acre property.) The bar staff will work with you to customize hosted bar packages, cash bar, or drink ticket systems to suit your budget. An outdoor bar setup is available as well, and if you have over 250 adult guests, they include a second bar station outside at no additional charge.

For other vendors – such as photographers, DJs, florists, and wedding planners (ahem…like Hitch Studio!) – you have the freedom to choose any vendors you love. Pro tip: If you plan to have an indoor ceremony followed by a reception in the same space, the venue requires a professional planner or day-of coordinator to be present to execute the room flip swiftly. This policy ensures there’s an experienced hand overseeing the transition of the barn from ceremony setup to reception décor (which can be an involved process). Hitch Studio has lots of experience in doing this, so consider hiring us, even just as a day-of coordinator!

In terms of décor, Laurel Ridge Barn does allow real flame candles, as long as the flame is enclosed in glass above the flame level (for safety). Don’t forget to bring linens for round tables and considering hiring help with take down at the end of the night (hire Hitch for that!).

Rental Pricing & Availability

For planning purposes, it’s good to know the rental pricing range and what it includes. Laurel Ridge Barn offers full-day rental packages that generally give you access from morning (8:00 am) until late night (midnight) on your reserved date. Laurel Ridge also occasionally offers a Friday + Saturday bundle for those who want to reserve the barn for an entire weekend – this allows extra time for set-up, a rehearsal or groom’s dinner on Friday, and the wedding on Saturday; you can inquire with the venue for the special package pricing if interested. Inquire with Laurel Ridge for their current pricing, but from our experience, it ranges from $3000-$8000+. To secure your date, Laurel Ridge Barn requires a booking retainer (deposit) at the time of signing your contract. This deposit saves your date on their calendar. The venue is in high demand (with bookings often made over a year in advance, especially for summer/fall weekends), so it’s wise to reach out early.

It’s worth noting that aside from the base rental fee, some items may be additional depending on your needs. Things like water service and special equipment (projector, additional sound equipment, etc.) would be add-ons. Read your contract and add-ons thoroughly. Always get an updated pricing sheet from the Laurel Ridge staff to understand the current rates for your specific date and needs.

For more information or to schedule a personal tour of Laurel Ridge Barn, reach out to the venue through their website or contact Hitch Studio – we’d love to help you plan your special day at this stunning venue! Check out these amazing photos from Chelsea Jean Photography!

Our Best Piece of Advice When Hiring Laurel Ridge

We’ve guided multiple couples here and have learned that clarity upfront makes all the difference. Read their reviews for a full picture of what it’s like to rent Laurel Ridge as your wedding venue. Ask questions, request itemized estimates, and make sure every detail is clearly outlined before signing. THIS is one example where a planner becomes invaluable. We know what questions to ask, how to navigate the contract, and how to help you plan with confidence. Let’s avoid any surprises later. We want you to have the BEST experience!!

Our Favorite Moments from Dannika and Bo’s wedding

The floral hoop we styled and hung from the entrance!
The large arrangements of special-order dusty blue flowers we decorated!
The shelves of their CUTE favors!
The private dinner Dannika and Bo had upstairs (which is definitely a trend we’re seeing — private breakfasts, private dinner, private 15 minutes after the ceremony, etc.)
The photobooth she made!
The sparklers we coordinated at the end of the night!
And of course, we LOVE Dannika and Bo! Best wishes always!!

Take a look below for the best features of Laurel Ridge Barn! If you need a Sioux Falls wedding planner, contact Hitch Studio!