Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Indianapolis

Bride and groom share an emotional moment during their outdoor wedding ceremony at The Wilds.

Are you and your partner dreaming of finding the best outdoor wedding venues in Indianapolis? We got you with a list of the best outdoor wedding venues (and parks!) surrounding the Indianapolis area that will create a peaceful wedding experience spent presence of nature.

One of the best outdoor wedding venues is Turkey Run State Park where this couple exchanged their vows.

You know the two of you both want a calm, authentic wedding day spent in nature meaning your day, your way, relaxed in the outdoors. Your wedding experience spent in the peaceful presence of nature should be a breath of fresh air.

Bride and groom walk hand in hand next to forest at Owl Ridge Wedding and Event Center.

Outdoor Wedding Venues Indiana

Indiana has a treasure trove of beautiful outdoor places and venues that might be the perfect setting for your wedding day. We are here to help you find the best ones which is why we’ve created a list of the best outdoor wedding venues in Indianapolis!

Sugar Creek Retreat is one of the best outdoor wedding venues in Indianapolis with it's beautiful log cabin.

Before you can choose the right venue though, you need to figure out a couple of details.

Couple laughs together while sitting on rock formation at Cataract Falls State Recreation Area.

Guest List

How many people are you wanting to celebrate your day with you? This will determine how large of a venue you need. A private elopement or an intimate day with under 50 guests will allow you a lot of flexibility. However, if you want to have closer to 100 guests, there are awesome venues that will work beautifully!

Groom stands with groomsmen at The Conservatory at Evergreen, one of the most beautiful outdoor wedding venues in Indianapolis.

Your Vibe

What do you want the aesthetic of your day to feel like? From rustic barns to modern minimalist to boho forest, you have many options. Pick what brings the two of you joy and then look for a venue that can partner with you to carry out that look.

Bride and groom sit on edge of rock quarry looking off into the distance.

Location

How far are you wanting to drive to and from your venue? You will be traveling to and from your venue a few times whether it’s to meet with vendors, set things up, or just on the day of your wedding. Choose a spot whose location is ideal, so you don’t feel any stress.

It’s now time for some of the best outdoor wedding venues in Indianapolis (in alphabetical order).

Bride and groom smile with another couple after their outdoor wedding ceremony at The Wilds.

Outdoor Wedding Venues Near Indianapolis

Ash & Oak Weddings

Bride and groom exchange their vows outside at Ash & Oak Weddings, an outdoor wedding venue in Indianapolis.

Ash & Oak Weddings has a rustic barn vibe that’s combined with outdoor charm. There’s 35 acres for exploring and photos as well as 2 different areas to get ready in. Plus, you have two different spots to choose from if you want an outdoor ceremony—in front of the silo or their huge catalpa tree. The barn also has a deck and the area in front of the silo that can be used for cocktail hour and the reception.

Couple kiss in front of bridge and small stream at sunset.
  • Price ranges from $3500 to $7300
  • Capacity: ~150 guests
  • Located ~30 min. from Indianapolis at 7498 East County Road 100 North Avon, IN 46123
  • For all the details, you can contact Ash & Oak here.

Cataract Falls State Recreation Area

Cataract Falls State Recreation Area is truly stunning with the falls, a covered bridge, and lots of beautiful rocks. It is perfect for an elopement or very intimate wedding with an epic natural vibe. For an elopement, you could exchange vows or have a small ceremony on a less traveled trail or a shelter by the lower falls, or at Cataract Falls Lodge. Cataract Falls Lodge is a quaint lodge that can house up to 16 guests and would be a great spot to get ready. Bonus is that you can hike at the recreation area as a part of your day!

  • As pricing varies, you’ll have to contact them.
  • Capacity: varies based on location
  • Located ~1 hour from Indianapolis at 2605 N Cataract Rd, Spencer, IN 47460
  • You can find more information and contact Cataract Falls here.
  • Photography/videography permit needed. An events permit might also be required.

The Conservatory at Evergreen

The Conservatory at Evergreen is an incredibly gorgeous location for a wedding day. It will allow for most of the day to be spent outside, but when inside, you can see the beauty of nature all around because of the glass windows that let in natural lighting. Not to mention all of the beautiful plants that decorate the inside. It’s a combination of modern garden with a touch of woodsy nature.

  • Price ranges from $3500 to $8500
  • Capacity: up to 250 guests
  • Located within Indianapolis on the west side at 8140 W. 34th St Indianapolis, IN 46214
  • You can view details and reach out here.

DePauw Nature Park

DePauw Nature park is a rock quarry that is incredibly unique and picturesque. It not only has an outdoor location surrounded by nature and enjoyable hiking trails, but it also has 2 places on site where a small, intimate ceremony or reception could take place if needed. Something to note is that no weddings are held during the academic school year.

We wrote a blog all about what it can look like to elope at DePauw Nature Park.

  • Amphitheater: $500, Welcome Center: $200, Bartlett Reflection Center: $200
  • Capacity: ~200 guests or less depending on the location chosen
  • Located ~1 hour from Indianapolis at 1400 W County Road 125 S, Greencastle, IN 46135
  • You can read the wedding rules, contact to inquire, or reserve a location here.

Eagle Creek Park

Eagle Creek Park is perfect for an elopement or an intimate wedding with a peaceful nature vibe. For an elopement, you could exchange vows or have a small ceremony on a less traveled trail, a shelter by Lily Lake, or at Eagle’s Hideaway. Eagle’s Hideaway is a small ranch that could host a reception or small ceremony with space for up to 100 guests. Bonus is that you can hike at the park as a part of your wedding day!

  • As pricing varies, you’ll have to contact them.
  • Capacity: varies based on location
  • Located within Indianapolis at 7840 W 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46254
  • You can find more information and contact Eagle Creek Park here.
  • Photography/videography permit needed. An events permit might also be required.

Newfields

Newfields has some beautiful outdoor options from a garden vibe to a more historical outdoor terrace. With all their outdoor options, it’s stunning among the trees, flowers, buzzing bees, and butterflies.

  • Formal Gardens: $1500, Lilly Terrace: $2000, Garden Terrace: varies
  • Capacity: from 60 guests up to 300 guests depending on the location chosen
  • Located within Indianapolis at 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
  • Details for the outdoor location options and pricing can be found here.

Owl Ridge

Owl Ridge is truly a perfect mix of woodsy with modern and clean. They are surrounded by acres of beautiful woods which is ideal a cozy, outdoor feel. There is an outdoor area for a ceremony as well as a patio with a stone fireplace during cocktail hour and the reception. The staff at Owl Ridge are also able to pivot and move indoors if weather is an issue.

We wrote a blog that shows what real weddings at Owl Ridge can look like!

  • Price ranges from $6000 to $8500
  • Capacity: up to 300 guests
  • Located ~1 hour outside of Indianapolis at 3333 S. US Hwy 231, Greencastle, IN 46135
  • You can find more information and contact Owl Ridge here.

Sugar Creek Retreat

Sugar Creek Retreat is an incredibly peaceful, quaint location for a wedding. It has a beautiful place for a forest ceremony and reception in their pavilion complete with twinkle lights. It’s also located in a dark spot that allows for epic stargazing! On top of that, there are two places, the Log Cabin and Farmhouse, where you could stay and have some of your wedding party or family stay with you the night before/after. A huge perk of Sugar Creek Retreat is getting to hike at Shades State Park or Turkey Run as part of your day!

We wrote a blog to show what an elopement weekend at Sugar Creek Retreat looks like!

  • Price ranges from $3000 to $4500
  • Capacity: ~8-10 guests can stay in cabin/farmhouse // ~85-100 guests
  • Located ~1 hour from Indianapolis at 8214 W. State Road 234, Waveland, IN 47989
  • For contact and more information about Sugar Creek Retreat, you can reach them here.

Turkey Run State Park

Turkey Run State Park is perfect for an elopement or an intimate wedding with the vibe being full of beauty for nature-lovers. For some indoor reception options and an outdoor spot for a ceremony, Turkey Run Inn might be a great fit. Of course, you can always exchange vows or have a small ceremony on a less traveled trail, at the Log Church or a shelter, or at a local Airbnb. Bonus is that you can hike at the park as a part of your wedding day!

We even wrote a blog to show what an elopement in Turkey Run State Park can look like!

  • As pricing varies, you’ll have to contact them.
  • Capacity: from 10 guests up to 250 guests depending on location chosen
  • Located ~1 hour from Indianapolis at 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859
  • You can find more information and contact Turkey Run for pricing here.
  • Photography/videography permit needed. An events permit might also be required.

The Wilds

The Wilds is a stunning combination of clean modernity with a touch of woodsy beauty. They are surrounded by acres of beautiful forest, a pond, and a meadow. Their outdoor ceremony area overlooks Yellowwood Forest and has a beautiful patio for cocktail hour and reception with an outdoor bar.

  • Price ranges from $4000 to $8000
  • Capacity: up to 200 guests
  • Located ~1 ½ hours from Indianapolis at 6483 Kent Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401
  • For more details about The Wilds, check them out here.

Indianapolis Outdoor Wedding Venues

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but hopefully it gives you some inspiration and a starting point as you consider all the outdoor wedding venues in Indianapolis. The best piece of advice we can offer is to make sure your day looks like the two of you. If the outdoors is your happy place, then have your wedding celebrated there.

Of course, if you have questions, you can reach out and contact Jonathan and I here. Then we can start talking about your peaceful, nature-centered wedding day and any photo or video needs you might have.

If you liked this post, then we think you would enjoy looking through these as well:

Indiana Elopement at Sugar Creek Retreat

Elope in Indiana | Turkey Run State Park

Indiana Outdoor Wedding Tips

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We’re Jonathan + Ashley Vallosio,
videographers + photographers in Indianapolis, IN, ready to capture
photos + video of your next adventure.

Contact us at vallosiophotoandfilm@gmail.com.

Image by Made in the Mountains Photo

Image by Made in the Mountains Photo

We’re Jonathan + Ashley Vallosio,
videographers + photographers in Indianapolis, IN, ready to capture
photos + video of your next adventure.

Contact us at vallosiophotoandfilm@gmail.com.