Venue Spotlight: Oakwood Lakes Lodge (OWL) in Bruce, South Dakota

If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding weekend — not just a wedding day — then we need to talk about the OWL.

An amazing Brookings wedding venue nestled just outside of Bruce, South Dakota, Oakwood Lakes Lodge is the kind of place that makes you exhale the moment you arrive. It’s a full-property, full-weekend, all-in-one venue experience that we are absolutely thrilled about. It’s for the down-to-earth couple wanting bistro lights, a full kitchen, on-site sleeping for 30, a separate building for your rehearsal dinner, camping spots, yard games, and one flat fee for the whole thing. We visited recently and we already can’t wait to go back.

Here’s what sets the OWL apart from the very first moment: the owners live on-site. That’s not a small detail — that’s the whole vibe. From the time you arrive to the time you wave goodbye Sunday afternoon, you’re not just renting a building. You’re being hosted. It feels less like a venue transaction and more like staying with a dear family friend who genuinely wants your weekend to be perfect. The customer service here is warm, personal, and present — and that is something you simply can’t put a price on.

This is a venue built for people who love people. And if that sounds like you, keep reading. As South Dakota wedding planners, we know what to look for in a wedding venue.

The OWL at a Glance

Location: Bruce, South Dakota (about a 20-minute drive from Brookings, SD — hello, Oakwood Lakes area!)

Website: owl-ops.com

Capacity: Up to 175 guests seated (215 white folding chairs included)

What We Love About the OWL (From a Wedding Planner’s Perspective)

Let’s start with the thing that made our jaws drop a little: It’s one price for the entire weekend — Thursday morning through Sunday afternoon, both buildings, 7 camp spots, tables, chairs, kitchen access, and more. (A 1/3 deposit holds your date.) In a wedding industry where fees can feel like they multiply every time you blink, the OWL’s straightforward, all-in pricing is genuinely refreshing.

The main lodge is where your wedding reception comes to life. You can set up a mix of 26 rectangle tables and/or 20 round tables, pub tables that are perfect for a head table setup (because they are taller) (pro tip: Rent floor-length linens for your head table tall tables so they hit the floor and you don’t see table legs [or real legs. Ha!]), and bistro lights strung overhead. It’s warm, it’s charming, and with up to 175 guests inside, it feels full of life without feeling crowded. One things to note is that you have to set up tables and chairs yourselves, so bring some music and helpful family or friends and make an afternoon of it!

Did you know that you get free centerpiece decorating when you work with Hitch? We can set up the tables and chairs (or leave that to you) and we come in and decorate with linens, decor, etc.) or do full wedding planning! See more in our Welcome Kit.

There’s another part about the OWL we especially love: the Outpost. This secondary building is about 80 yards away, sleeps about 8 guests and is perfectly sized for a rehearsal dinner. It gives the rehearsal dinner its own moment — its own space, its own vibe — instead of feeling like an afterthought in a corner of the reception hall. That separation is such a thoughtful touch, and it makes the whole weekend feel intentional from start to finish. The girls or guys could get ready in this space because it’s so removed from the reception space.

Connected to the main building is a covered side patio, perfect for grilling for your reception, storage, or use it for a cute cocktail area in the shade!

Lodging is included at the OWL

Can we talk about the fact that up to 30 people can sleep right there on the property? The lodge has six bedrooms upstairs, plus a full living room and a full kitchen. Add in the 7 camping spots on the grounds and you’ve got room for the whole crew — the bridal party in the lodge, the adventurous family in the tents, and everyone together under the same stars. We already talked about how the Outpost sleeps 8 (or it’s the perfect “getaway” for the newlyweds in a private space.

This is the family reunion feeling you didn’t know you could have at your own wedding. The whole inner circle wakes up together on the morning of the wedding. And because the owners live on-site too, there’s always someone nearby — not hovering, just there — which gives the whole weekend a warmth and ease that’s hard to find anywhere else.

That’s not a venue feature — that’s a memory.

Ceremony Flexibility — Wherever You Want It

The OWL includes two arbors for your ceremony and you can set them up anywhere on the property. The flexibility to choose your backdrop rather than being assigned a spot is something we love for couples who already have a vision in their heads.

There are 150 black folding ceremony chairs included — again, your friends and family will set them up and take them down, but they are yours to use!

**I feel it’s a good time to mention Hitch Studio’s wedding planning services! We can do the table and chair set up and take down for you (yes for the ceremony and the reception)! Plus, linens, decor, head table backdrop and more. Let’s set up a free meeting to find out more! Centerpieces are free when you work with us! We also have some rentals you might want (like a beverage table, beverage dispensers, full-length linens, photo booth backdrops, etc.)

BYOB (Or Bring in the Pros)

The OWL is a bring-your-own-alcohol venue, which means you’re not paying bar markup on top of an already full weekend. If you’d like bartending service, J-Street Pub offers a travelling bar and will come to you. That’s a great option if you want a full bar experience without the hassle of managing it yourself — just a heads-up to loop them in early.

Some extras you’ll want to know about:

The OWL has you covered with crockpots and roasters included in your rental, plus a full kitchen on-site in case you want to make your own food for the rehearsal dinner or wedding. Oh, and there’s also a commercial washer and dryer on site. Just in case.

Another feature to mention is that you are also able to stake a tent near the OWL to expand the capacity of people at your wedding reception! They’re super flexible and it’s worth asking about.

Yard games included — perfect for that golden-hour cocktail hour energy.

You’ll handle your own setup and teardown. The OWL is a self-managed venue, which means your crew sets up, sweeps up, and takes the garbage out at the end. Plan ahead for this! Build it into your weekend timeline and lean on your bridal party or hire a team (we know someone! Ahem…Hitch Studio!) to make it smooth and stress-free.

Your window is generous. Thursday morning through Sunday afternoon gives you plenty of time to arrive, settle in, decorate, rehearse, celebrate, and recover before heading home. That kind of access is rare and so worth it.

Is the OWL Right for You?

If you’re the couple who wants your wedding to feel less like a single event and more like a gathering — a real, unhurried, let’s-all-be-together kind of weekend — the OWL was made for you. It’s South Dakota charm at its best: unpretentious, spacious, and full of heart.

We are so excited to see what couples do with this space. It’s a blank canvas with a whole lot of soul.

Quick Details

Detail	Info
Location	Bruce, South Dakota
Capacity	175 guests (215 chairs)
Pricing	$5,000 full weekend / 1/3 down
Access	Thursday morning – Sunday afternoon
Lodging	6 bedrooms, sleeps 30 + 7 camp spots
Ceremony Chairs	150 black folding chairs
Tables	26 rectangle, 20 round, pub tables
Alcohol Policy	BYOB or hire J-Street Pub travelling bar
Website	owl-ops.com

Want help planning your OWL weekend from start to finish? That’s exactly what we’re here for. Reach out to Hitch Studio — we would love to help you make the most of every single minute of your wedding weekend!