Photos by Aventi Weddings
Nestled among 72 acres of open fields and lush tree lines, White Iron Ridge offers a tranquil getaway to host all your memorable moments, from grand and intimate weddings to corporate events and social gatherings. On the exterior, our gambrel barn design mixes elegant lines with urban iron features and transitions to an interior of expansive windows, soaring arched ceilings, and handcrafted iron chandeliers.
White Iron Ridge is located on the edge of Smithville, MO, a charming lake town that is easily accessible from downtown Kansas City and KCI airport. The stunning honeymoon tower offers panoramic views of the property and a private suite for you and your new spouse, while our onsite guest rooms allow up to 30 of your guests to retreat to cozy overnight accommodations post-celebration.
We both grew up in rural midwest communities: my husband in a small Illinois farm town and me on an Iowa farm. We were very fond of all the buildings we played in and thought were wonderlands as a kid, from corn bins and sheds to silos and barns. Actually, my husband almost bought a barn near his hometown for a place to retreat, work on, and store his growing hobby of vintage cars and trucks. Phew! That was a close one; he was outbid at the auction!!
Then coming to our senses, living on 40 acres in Smithville, we thought, "why not just build a barn on our property?” My husband could use it for his expanding fleet of cars and I could host a few events each year… Perfect, right? Ahh, the compromise of marriage... You’ve got to admire that!
So, I started my quest with a conversation with local zoning and planning to see what kind of hoops I would need to jump through to have a business on our acreage. Well... let’s just say it was a lengthy conversation with no straight answers or direction, but resolute curiosity pushed me to continue my research.
As a recent empty-nester, the number one fielded question I get from friends is, "what led you to build the barn?" Before diving into my story, I gently nudge them with a smile, wink, and say, "you mean a swanky event venue?" They smile back and I begin...
My patient husband, who always knew my passion for connection and chaos, wondered why I held onto my corporate job so long and so tightly; he was continually encouraging me to move on, be closer to home, travel, etc. Well, I insisted that I needed a focus, something to put my energy towards before walking away from what I saw as comfort and value, although a bit mundane. Yes, I am one of those risk-averse midwestern girls that does what it takes.
In the meantime, I shared my tamed ambitions about building a barn and hosting occasional events with Amanda, a special education teacher with a burgeoning wedding coordination business on the side. I've known Amanda since she was a young girl and I wanted to gain some industry insights from her and discuss how comfortable she would be with showing the barn to her future brides. Amanda lit up and expressed her excitement for me, as it had been her dream to switch careers and run a venue of her own. Well, that immediately sparked the next obvious question, right? “Amanda, if I scratched plan A – building on our existing property and wrangling with all the zoning limitations, would you be interested in plan B – shopping for a piece of property without all the zoning issues and we could run a full-fledged, all-in venue?” She ultimately said “yes” to the Barn and has been an integral part of almost every decision, twist and turn for White Iron Ridge ever since.
Our picturesque countryside setting provides tranquility while offering all the amenities found in an urban setting.
Our monochromatic design allows for the adaptation to any style of event, regardless of the occasion.
Our scenic views provide serenity and privacy for any event.
Weddings are a life long investment. You are embarking on a new chapter in your life and establishing your story with the love of your life with two families join together. An experience like one we provide here at White Iron Ridge, is a memory you want to have as your own. Embrace the full services our staff and amenities offer, while experiencing the best of both worlds: natures rolling hills alongside the city life just 25 miles south.
Whether your goal is to build teamwork, hold a national sales meeting, put together a fabulous prom, throw a stellar birthday bash or the like, White Iron Ridge has the solutions to help you achieve just this. White Iron Ridge will expertly customize your corporate event, creating an unparalleled experience. We will tailor every detail to fit the needs of your company, providing multiple room options. Available rooms can accommodate events of varying sizes, from 2 to 400 people. Whether you are hosting a gala, an awards dinner, or (fill in the blank), White Iron Ridge is the perfect choice to satisfy your events needs.
Want to enjoy both the scenic views & life in the city? We've got our best recommendations for restaurants, outdoor activities, our "must-see" locations and more. Snag our free 5-page downloadable pdf guide below!
816-866-8996 amanda@whiteironridge.com
White Iron Ridge is by appointment only.
We host events most Fridays-Sundays.
This may cause delay in email responses.
White Iron Ridge is located at
815 State Rte 92
Smithville, MO 64089
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