PHOTO: Cedar Lodge, newly renovated and expanded in 2026, can now host larger events! Enjoy this expanded space for your reception with space for a seated meal of up to 250 and dancing. Use of our brand-new commercial kitchen is also part of the Premier packages.
Have your special day at camp
We’d love to host your wedding at Camp Ewalu! Our scenic location in the Driftless Region of Northeast Iowa is perfect for groups of all sizes, from an intimate gathering to a large reception.
You can choose an outdoor ceremony in a wooded area with seating, or an indoor ceremony in one of our 2 chapels. We can also host larger receptions in our newly renovated Cedar Lodge, with an expanded dining area and brand-new commercial kitchen! Take a look at the options below to create a plan at Ewalu that beautifully fits your big day.
Have Questions, or Ready to Book?
Call our office at 563-933-4700 or email office@ewalu.org with any questions about our wedding options and to book your wedding event. We’d love to be part of your special day!
Click below to download a PDF chart of all the Wedding Packages and the amenities included at each level. Keep scrolling to see each level described below.
Wedding Package Options
Click each heading below to see the cost and description of amenities for each package:
Cost: $4,500
- Includes Creation Center Chapel and Cedar Lodge with full settings, linens, and kitchen use
- Exclusive use of Camp Ewalu on wedding day (no other Ewalu guests on site).
- Access to decorating from 8 a.m. the day prior
- Facility cleanup by noon the day after the wedding.
- Use of Creation Center Chapel (or preferred alternative wedding location on site, such as Wadena Chapel or Outdoor Chapel). Seating for up to 100 provided.
- Use of Cedar Lodge reception space including chairs and tables seating up to 250.
- Sound system provided. Systems vary from space to space. Check with registrar for sound specifics for indoor / outdoor locations.
- Cedar Lodge reception settings: Tablecloths, Cedar circular table centers, vases, cloth linen napkins (white or dark green), and wood-black metal stand table centers.
- Plates and utensils provided.
- Tents allowed for ceremony or reception (contracted by wedding party with outside vendor). Outside seating under the tent provided by Ewalu for up to 100, utilizing Creation Center Chapel chairs.
- Bridal prep rooms / Dressing areas provided.
- Rehearsal space available the day prior to wedding.
- Discounted lodging available for guests to stay on Main Site or Stone Center.
- Additional decorations by group permitted within contract stipulations.
- Use of Ewalu’s commercial kitchen (option). Any food prep requires a food service license.
- Food storage in walk-in cooler / freezer
- Ice machine access
- Alcohol by group / Ewalu cannot provide. Insurance required. Allowed only in Cedar Lodge.
- Two on-call Ewalu hosts provided.
- Family restrooms at Cedar Lodge. Restrooms also available at Creation Center.
- Trash removal and basic housekeeping by Ewalu.
- Campfire rings available, stocked with wood as requested.
Cost: $2,750
- Includes Creation Center Chapel and Cedar Lodge Reception space. Wedding party is responsible for your own table decor, plates, utensils, and linens. Kitchen use is available for a fee.
- Exclusive use of Camp Ewalu on wedding day (no other Ewalu guests on site).
- Access to decorating from 8 a.m. the day prior
- Facility cleanup by noon the day after the wedding.
- Use of Creation Center Chapel (or preferred alternative wedding location on site, such as Wadena Chapel or Outdoor Chapel). Seating for up to 100 provided.
- Use of Cedar Lodge reception space including chairs and tables seating up to 250.
- Sound system provided. Systems vary from space to space. Check with registrar for sound specifics for indoor / outdoor locations.
- Tents allowed for ceremony or reception (contracted by wedding party with outside vendor). Outside seating under the tent provided by Ewalu for up to 100, utilizing Creation Center Chapel chairs.
- Bridal prep rooms / Dressing areas provided.
- Rehearsal space available the day prior to wedding.
- Discounted lodging available for guests to stay on Main Site or Stone Center.
- Additional decorations by group permitted within contract stipulations.
- Alcohol by group / Ewalu cannot provide. Insurance required. Allowed only in Cedar Lodge.
- One on-call Ewalu host provided.
- Family restrooms at Cedar Lodge.
- Trash removal and basic housekeeping by Ewalu.
- Campfire rings available, stocked with wood as requested.
- Additional kitchen use fee ($500) includes:
- Use of Ewalu’s commercial kitchen. Any food prep requires a food service license.
- Food storage in walk-in cooler / freezer
- Ice machine access
Cost: $4,250
- Includes Cedar Lodge Reception space with full settings, linens, and kitchen use.
- Exclusive use of Camp Ewalu on wedding day (no other Ewalu guests on site).
- Access to decorating from 8 a.m. the day prior
- Facility cleanup by noon the day after the wedding.
- Use of Cedar Lodge reception space including chairs and tables seating up to 250.
- Sound system provided for Cedar Lodge
- Cedar reception settings: Tablecloths, Cedar circular table centers, vases, cloth linen napkins (white or dark green), and wood-black metal stand table centers.
- Plates and utensils provided.
- Discounted lodging available for guests to stay on Main Site or Stone Center.
- Additional decorations by group permitted within contract stipulations.
- Use of Ewalu’s commercial kitchen (option). Any food prep requires a food service license.
- Food storage in walk-in cooler / freezer
- Ice machine access
- Alcohol by group / Ewalu cannot provide. Insurance required. Allowed only in Cedar Lodge.
- Two on-call Ewalu hosts provided.
- Family restrooms at Cedar Lodge.
- Trash removal and basic housekeeping by Ewalu.
- Campfire rings available, stocked with wood as requested.
Cost: $2,500
- Includes Cedar Lodge Reception space. Wedding party is responsible for your own table decor, plates, utensils, and linens. Kitchen use is available for a fee.
- Exclusive use of Camp Ewalu on wedding day (no other Ewalu guests on site).
- Access to decorating from 8 a.m. the day prior
- Facility cleanup by noon the day after the wedding.
- Use of Cedar Lodge reception space including chairs and tables seating up to 250.
- Sound system provided for Cedar Lodge
- Discounted lodging available for guests to stay on Main Site or Stone Center.
- Additional decorations by group permitted within contract stipulations.
- Alcohol by group / Ewalu cannot provide. Insurance required. Allowed only in Cedar Lodge.
- One on-call Ewalu host provided.
- Family restrooms at Cedar Lodge.
- Trash removal and basic housekeeping by Ewalu.
- Campfire rings available, stocked with wood as requested.
- Additional kitchen use fee ($500) includes:
- Use of Ewalu’s commercial kitchen. Any food prep requires a food service license.
- Food storage in walk-in cooler / freezer
- Ice machine access
Cost varies depending on venue:
- Cedar Lodge: $750
- Creation Center (100 capacity): $500
- Wadena Chapel (50 capacity): $200
- Outdoor Chapel (150 capacity): Free-will donation
- Outdoor space with tent: $250 (plus cost of renting tent from outside vendor)
- Weddings that consist only of a ceremony are NOT considered “exclusive use.” Only the specific facility reserved for the ceremony will be set aside for your group until otherwise requested.
- Access to decorating from 6 p.m. the day prior unless otherwise arranged with Registrar.
- Facility cleanup by midnight the day of the wedding.
- Use of Creation Center Chapel (or preferred alternative wedding location on site, such as Wadena Chapel or Outdoor Chapel). Seating for up to 100 provided in Creation Center.
- Sound system provided for Creation Center Chapel or Cedar Lodge (not available for outside ceremony locations)
- Tents allowed for ceremony (contracted by wedding party with outside vendor). Outside seating under the tent provided by Ewalu for up to 100, utilizing Creation Center Chapel chairs.
- Bridal prep rooms / Dressing areas may be arranged with Registrar. Use of cabins or lodges will incur an additional building fee.
- Rehearsal space available starting at 6 p.m. the day prior to the wedding.
- Discounted lodging available for guests to stay on Main Site or Stone Center.
- Additional decorations by group permitted within contract stipulations.
- One on-call Ewalu host provided.
- Family restrooms at Cedar Lodge.
- Trash removal and basic housekeeping by Ewalu.
Photo credit: Lindee Rohne, 2026. Instagram: @lensoflindee
Floor plan of Cedar Lodge
Exclusive Use of Camp for Your Wedding + Reception
- All weddings that include a reception at Cedar Lodge are considered “exclusive use.” This means that Ewalu will not allow other groups on the Main Site on the day of your wedding.
- Weddings that consist only of a ceremony are not considered “exclusive use.” Only the specific facility reserved for the ceremony will be set aside for your group until otherwise requested.
Photo credit: Lindee Rohne, 2026. Instagram: @lensoflindee
PHOTO: The Wadena Chapel is a charming country chapel that was relocated to Ewalu years ago. The space has seating for up to 50 people and is perfect for a small wedding ceremony.
PHOTO: The Creation Center Chapel can seat up to 100 people, with some upper level balcony space as well for your photographer and videographer.
PHOTO: If you’re dreaming of an outdoor wedding, this space is for you! Our Outdoor Chapel is just a short walk into the woods, with bench-style seating for up to 150 guests. Beautiful in any season, the Outdoor Chapel overlooks the Maquoketa River down below.
PHOTO: The Wadena Chapel is a charming country chapel that was relocated to Ewalu years ago. The space has seating for up to 50 people and is perfect for a small wedding ceremony.
General Wedding Policies
Download the PDF below to see Ewalu’s complete Wedding Policy & Rental Agreement:
FAQs about Ewalu’s Wedding Policy
A: Weddings may be scheduled year-round, but wedding are not available during the traditional summer camp season, which runs from Memorial Day through the weekend following the last week of summer camp (early to mid-August) unless specifically authorized by the Executive Director.
A: Alcohol is allowed only in Cedar Lodge and the area immediately adjacent to it, i.e. the outdoor porch and patio. Alcohol is prohibited from all other areas around camp, including the cabins, the Creation Center, and public spaces. The damage deposit will be forfeited if alcohol is used in other areas around camp. Alcohol may only be provided by the wedding party themselves. Any alcohol for sale or provided through an outside vendor is strictly prohibited.
A: Wedding parties may only have access to the facilities for the contracted time period. Guests who overstay or arrive early will be charged according to the daily facility rental fees of Camp Ewalu.
A: For all weddings using Cedar Lodge and/or any cabins, a refundable $500 deposit is required. This deposit will be refunded assuming there is no damage to the facilities or breaking of the wedding policies.
A: Yes! A 50% discount on wedding package fees is available if one or both of the marrying couple are former or current year-round staff, former or current summer staff, or current board members. Discount does not apply to food service or lodging.
Event Insurance is required
- All weddings are required to hold event insurance, which can be purchased through a secondary carrier. Special Markets Insurance coverage is our suggestion at https://smic.tulip.specialmarkets.com/.
Food Service Options for Your Wedding
- Food service for weddings can be contracted with Ewalu, outside caterers, or by the wedding party themselves. A contract with Ewalu for wedding food service will be handled separately with the Ewalu Food Service Director. If utilizing Ewalu food service, all additional kitchen fees will be waived. Outside caterers can serve outside the kitchen space free of charge. If they have need of the kitchen for any purpose, such as food preparation, serving, or dishwashing, an added kitchen fee will be applied and charged to the wedding party.
- The additional kitchen fee is waived for the Premier packages.
- Food License Required: Use of Ewalu’s commercial kitchen for any cooking or food preparation at Cedar Lodge requires a valid food service license (such as ServSafe).
- See more details about food service in the Wedding Policy document above, on page 3.
Walnut Lodge, above, is a Main Site option for lodging that you can book for your wedding at a discount.
Lodging Options at Camp for Your Wedding
1. Overnight Accommodations at Camp Ewalu main site
- Main Site Lodging discount: A per-person fee of $30/night (or $15/night for children 3-12) will be assessed for all wedding guests spending the night on the Main Site. Children 0-2 are free. All additional facility use fees are waived for wedding parties. Click here for details about main site cabins and lodges.
- Ewalu will provide the full list of available housing arrangements on the Main Site, which includes Walnut Lodge, Walnut cabins, Barred Owl Lodge, Hickory Lodge, Cherry Lodge and the Cedar Lodge lower level. Ewalu will provide specifications on the number of guests, types of rooms, types of beds, and shower and restrooms for each space. Groups are responsible for arranging where their guests are staying in those spaces.
- Note: Bedding is not provided at most cabins and lodges on the Ewalu Main Site. Guests will need to bring their own bedding, towels and pillows (except for the two rooms in Hickory Lodge where bedding IS provided).
2. Overnight Accommodations at the Ewalu Stone Center
- Located 6 miles from the main site, just north of Strawberry Point, and features 14 motel-style bedrooms with bed linens and towels provided. (Click here for details and photos)
- When you book a wedding package at Ewalu, you’ll get a 10% discount on rates at the Stone Center for wedding lodging, if rooms are available (normal rates are $52/adult and $26/child per night). The camp Registrar can provide a quote for additional pricing details.
Have Questions, or Ready to Book Your Event?
Call Diane in the camp office at 563-933-4700, or email us at office@ewalu.org