Bash Events & Catering

I cannot express enough good things about this venue. Not only was it the most beautiful space that needed next to no decorating whatsoever, but also the service from Catherine and her team was un-matched!

We booked this venue for a wedding during 2020, but of course, had to reschedule due to the pandemic. A stressful situation was made smooth by Catherine's grace and understanding in moving our day to October of 2021. She helped us at every step of the process: even having to coordinate with us from where we live in San Francisco. Any time we wanted to hop on a call, hash over questions, or any form of communication, Catherine was always efficient and attentive.

Leading up to the wedding, she helped us finalize everything to create our dream day. The venue is a dual-height space and she executed our vision for both a ceremony and reception using both levels.

We describe our day to people looking back as effortless, because Catherine and her team truly made the flow of the day and evening so seamless without coming to us with any of the coordinating. She truly allowed us to be present and focused on our people which was the most important thing for us.

Beyond the space and service, the food and drinks were impeccable! We had a pasta bar that I still think about to this day (the rolls are dreamy). In addition, Catherine is up front with her clients about drink prices and wants to help you spend your money most effectively. That solution for us was two signature cocktail pitchers, mojitos and margaritas, that were a hit!

I have missed countless compliments that I could continue to list off, but I will end with a giant recommendation to this venue and this team of servant-hearted people!

We had our wedding at Bash on 9/30/2023 and had a fabulous time! From the very beginning of our experience, we just felt like Bash was the right place from the moment we stepped in the door. We loved the building and the fact that we could have both our reception and our ceremony in the same space - we ended up having our ceremony downstairs and had a small enough party that our entire dinner was upstairs on the mezzanine level, but the owner, Catherine, is very open to whatever arrangement you have in mind and the space is versatile in a number of ways. On the day of our wedding, we got a key to the entire third floor in order to get ready, and the bridal suite has multiple rooms with mirrors, couches, a fridge, etc. in order to comfortably host your party throughout the day.

Catherine was our guide throughout the whole process and is an expert at the flow of weddings. We had a pretty open mind when it came to our day, and Catherine had lots of helpful suggestions for how to make it work best at Bash. During the actual event, Catherine and her staff kept things running smoothly and according to schedule - we just got to go along for the ride! We had several compliments on the food from our guests, and agreed that it was delicious! Catherine made sure that my husband and I got our plates first and we were thrilled to be able to enjoy the food we hand picked from her extensive list of options.

Besides the building itself and staff, one of our favorite aspects of this venue is the ease of set up and tear down. We lucked out and were able to drop all of our stuff off on Thursday night, and by rehearsal on Friday, Catherine and team had set everything up with minimal direction from us. This allowed us to totally focus on getting ready and being in the moment on Saturday. After the event, Catherine and team clean and box everything up, and we simply had to pick it all up Sunday morning. This was SUCH a bonus - we've been to many weddings where there's a mad dash to clean up at the end, and that is not the case here!!

Overall we had a wonderful time - thank you to Catherine and the team at Bash for helping us make our dream day a reality!

Long overdue review here...
When I first toured Bash with Catherine, it was my 7th venue to visit. 2 minutes into the tour, I knew I wanted Bash. Catherine was already so knowledgeable and straight forward (which I appreciated so much as a bride searching for a venue) that I was hooked.
The groom suite and the bridal suite were comfy, cozy, clean and perfect.
Throughout the entire planning process, Catherine didn't beat around the bush. She was honest with her answers and straight forward. She is extremely knowledgeable about decorations, how the day will look/go/etc.. She needs to write a book!
Fast forward to 9/23/23:
The day went off without a hitch (to MY knowledge as the bride). The venue was decorated absolutely beautifully. Catherine was amazing. Her staff was amazing. Drinks were amazing. The food-- OMG I should have taken a to-go box!

Definitely recommend Bash for your events. The space is amazing and with the decorations.. ugh.. just so beautiful. Don't sleep on this gem, it's SO WORTH IT!

We booked our wedding reception at Bash.
Bash provides two spaces to entertain your guests. The area is very functionable and flows beautifully. Bash offers a third floor bridal suite that had everything I didn't know I needed. We had a huge wedding party and had plenty of space to prepare for the big day. Bash also offers access to the rooftop for photos and oh.my.gawdddd!! What a gorgeous space!

.....But, let's focus on the service provided when you book with Bash.
Catherine is AMAZING! From the moment we met her, we knew we would work well with her. She is honest and straightforward and is not here to blindside anyone or take advantage. Catherine makes it very clear she is going to do what she needs to do to make your day YOURS.....and she did just that. We did not have to request anything twice, and we were working with her for over 18 months. Catherine strives on making sure your day is whatever perfect means to you. In Catherine's words, "You don't get married every day. I get one chance to make this perfect for you" and she did this beyond all expectations. As stressful as planning a wedding is; Catherine managed to keep anything happening at Bash completely stress free. Catherine's staff was also kind, respectful, and professional.

We will remember this day forever and Catherine is the magnet to those memories!!
Thank you SOO much!!

My new husband and I were very satisfied with our wedding and reception at Bash! Catherine went above and beyond for all of our needs/wants, and the day went smoother than I could have possibly imagined. The venue is lovely, the food is great, and the service is even better.

We knew from the moment we toured Bash it was the place for us. The space has a wonderful vibe! Catherine is straight forward and we knew exactly what was included and what wasn’t. Our special day couldn’t have gone any better. Thank you Catherine and staff!

My husband and I had our ceremony and reception at Bash on 8/7/2020. Catherine was absolutely amazing to work with and you can tell she really cares about her couples and takes pride in her work because she LOVES what she does! We went and toured and fell in love with the charming atmosphere of the venue and we also fell in love with Catherine! We looked at so many venues and there were SO many hidden fees and things that weren't provided that added up. We loved that everything at Bash was straightforward and there weren't any questions we had in regards to pricing. She hides nothing, it's all there; you just have to read and if you aren't sure, ask questions.
Catherine answered each of our questions in depth and with patience. He would suggest things and she would advise another (she wouldn't steer you wrong, she really knows her stuff).
There is NO bridal suite or groom's room which I thought would be a big deal but it wasn't in the slightest. My girls and I booked a 2 room suite at the Staybridge and it was amazing for photos and getting ready and I hung out in Catherine's office before walking down the aisle and no one saw me and I chilled on the couch which helped calm nerves.
Catherine really went above and beyond in making sure we had everything, we were taken care of, and things went how we wanted (within reason, since we ARE living in a pandemic). Something that really stood out to me was my husband and I were setting up our arch after our rehearsal since we didn't want to add another thing to Catherine's list (she drove to Ankeny to get specific snacks we wanted, our 2 sheet cakes and 3 tiered cake since everyone was nervous to pick that up, and even offered to pick up our flowers in Clive. All in one morning!!!!) and she found us setting it up and shooed us out since we had a dinner to be at and she wanted us there instead of setting up an arch. I sent her a photo of an arch with eucalyptus and roses on it and told her to leave the roses off since I wasn't sure how to get them to stay and it was going to be more work, even though I loved the look. As I was walking down the aisle what do I see? My roses on my arch, just how I had wanted but didn't want to ask. She didn't need to set up that arch, it wasn't her responsibility and she certainly didn't need to add those roses but she did anyway and that really speaks to her pride as a venue owner and her personality.
Catherine also did a great thing of keeping things on schedule. We were over at Americana for drinks and lost track of time so Catherine fetched us and told us dinner was ready and since we had pasta we needed to start the grand entrance so the pasta wouldn't expand and get soggy. My husband and I were released for dinner first so we could have enough time to eat before guests wanted to talk to us and we both ate our fill (She makes this a point as she wants you to not be hungry during the night). The food was amazing and all of our guests raved about the buffet foods we had chosen. We had a lot of leftovers as we had people not show up so she sent us home with huge trays of leftovers-something I know is not custom but I thought was so sweet.
She walked around the day of and made sure we were all taken care of, chatted with our family members and even gave me a heartfelt pep-talk when I was nervous to have all eyes on me during the ceremony.
Our day was absolutely amazing thanks to Catherine. We felt confident we didn't forget anything as we ran through everything with her, she pointed out if we had overlooked anything, and she answered countless text messaged questions promptly. Our guests loved her and the venue, we keep getting texts from family and friends about how wonderful everything and everyone was.
I would recommend Catherine and her venue over and over and over again. Our day was an absolute dream and we couldn't have planned it without her help and expertise. We won't miss all the work of planning but we will miss working with Catherine and her team.
Go with Bash. You won't regret it, I promise.

Our wedding was 5/22/21 at Bash. We couldn't have asked for a better experience with Catherine, her staff and Bash as a wedding venue. From the first meeting to the last hug goodbye, Catherine was an advocate for my husband and I. She wanted the same things we wanted - for things to be perfect and to go smoothly. She was also one of the only vendors in town that was willing to accommodate some of the unique requests that came with a wedding between two cultures. Catherine always treated us as a priority, answering my many questions, panicked texts and just overall reassuring us every step of the way. Our wedding was flawless, the day was perfect and a huge part of that was because of Catherine's attention to detail, care for her couples, and amazing staff. Our guests raved about the event and there's no better compliment than that. I can't recommend Bash enough, not only did we get an amazing, beautiful venue with FANTASTIC food but we now have two new friends in Catherine and Jason. Thanks for everything!

This is a fantastic venue for events and the owner is very supportive of the local community. We have had two large formal events at this location (and will have more in the future).

Not only is the owner, Catherine, incredibly knowledgeable and helpful when planning the event, but she really works hard to make sure every detail has been thought of and is perfect for the big day. The venue is beautiful and we always get comments about it from guests.

I would recommend Bash (and do) to my friends and family!

My wife and I had our wedding ceremony and reception at Bash. It was an amazing venue and amazing staff. The owner, Catherine, was so helpful in the entire planning process as well as our wedding week. The food catered through Bash was so delicious! There were so many times when Catherine helped with us with something when I never expected her to. Overall this venue was 10/10. Our wedding day went without any bumps and all our guests only had amazing things to say about the venue and food. I would recommend this venue for anyone wanting to have a great wedding reception (and/or ceremony).

I can not say enough good things about bash. Our daughter’s wedding was May 14, 2022. From the beautifully unique venue to Catherine and her staff. She truly wants the best for her clients, and it was. She was flexible with us, with amazing attention to detail. Her decor, cooking, presentation of the food, her guidance in the wedding ceremony……you just can’t beat it! The food was scrumptious. The bridal suite had absolutely everything the girls needed. We brought in our own food for the bridal party before the ceremony, there are salon chairs, a lounging area, and a large changing room. The groom’s area is just as nice. I would recommend Bash over and over again. You won’t be disappointed.

My husband and I got married at Bash on 10/10/2020, and WOW, getting married at Bash was everything we could have hoped for and more.

We felt taken care of by Catherine from day one. Communication was so easy. Catherine made herself available by phone call, text or email or was so supportive through our entire wedding planning process. When Covid hit, she helped talk through the changes that needed to be made and eased our concerns. Her staff did an amazing job making sure guidelines were being followed and that the venue was properly cleaned and sanitized for our guests. We received many compliments from our guests stating how beautiful and cool the venue was. The food, drinks, and overall atmosphere were perfect.

I wish I could get married at Bash every weekend! I would recommend Bash to any future couples looking for that unique downtown wedding experience. Thank you Catherine and your entire team at Bash for making our wedding day wishes come true! ❤

We were lucky enough to have our daughter’s wedding at Bash. Catherine was exactly the right combination of friendly and professional. She consistently went above and beyond to ensure that we were happy, but most importantly, that the bride and groom had the wedding of their dreams. Our guests loved the ambiance and the responsiveness of Catherine and the entire staff.
We highly recommend Bash!

I wish I could give Bash, Catherine and her staff ten stars instead of just five! My best friend Jess was married here and EVERYTHING (seriously, EVERYTHING!!!) for rehearsal, ceremony and reception was amazing! You can tell that Catherine cares VERY much about giving the bride the day of her dreams- and knows exactly how to execute her vision. In these crazy COVID times, planning for the unknown can cause SO much stress and anxiety, but Catherine was communicative and proactive about solutions that kept everyone safe and healthy and eased the minds of the bride and groom in the months leading up to their big day. The Bash staff was SO friendly and inviting, the transition between ceremony and reception was seamless, the food was delicious and everyone had a wonderful evening celebrating the bride and groom! I can’t recommend Catherine or the venue enough! If you’re looking for a beautiful space, yummy food and (most importantly) an owner/coordinator who knows EXACTLY what needs to and can be done so you can enjoy the day- LOOK NO FURTHER! Catherine and the rest of the Bash staff- thank you for a night we will never forget!!!

My husband and I hosted our wedding ceremony and reception at Bash on 9/6/20. Working with Catherine was an absolute joy! She is incredibly passionate about what she does, cares deeply about her couples, and has an in-depth knowledge of the wedding industry. She goes above and beyond to ensure her couples have the day of their dreams. Bash is a BEAUTIFUL venue. To find space in downtown Des Moines for a larger group of people is incredibly difficult, but Bash offers a fantastic location with plenty of space for a larger wedding. Catherine was so patient with us throughout the planning process. By no means was I a pro at wedding planning. Her advice with regards to many aspects of the wedding was SPOT ON. She is a straight shooter and will absolutely not lead you astray. She was completely respectful of our budget and was very open and honest about all costs associated with the wedding. Our wedding was absolutely gorgeous. Catherine and her team created a beautiful greenery and flower filled aisle, which is so much more than I could have ever imagined. They set up the entire wedding venue to be classy, elegant, and timeless. The food is DELICIOUS and absolutely irresistible. Our guests commented multiple times on how good the food was and how large the portions were. Catherine also baked and designed our wedding cake, which was not only beautiful, but rich and tasty. Catherine’s team is so friendly and kind – I honestly felt like I was a part of the family. Catherine and her team checked in multiple times with all of our guests to ensure that they had what they needed. To be completely honest, we could not be more happy that we chose to have our wedding at Bash! Working with Catherine was an absolute joy and she did everything in her power to ensure that we had the best day!

My wife and I had our wedding reception at Bash, and Catherine was spectacular throughout the entire planning and execution of our special day. We had a short engagement, so things were planned in a hurry. Catherine made sure that we knew costs up-front, and gave us a lot of ideas about things we had no idea about. The servers and bar staff were attentive and made drinks very well.

Everyone we talked to loved the food, and the venue is beautiful and elegant.

Do it at Bash!!!

Catherine is amazing! She has the best place to get ready, have your ceremony and dinner, and then party. She is with you every step of the way and hires great people to help her out. Our family and friends said it was one of the best weddings they’ve been to in a long time.

My husband and I looked at numerous venues and when we saw Bash we instantly knew this would be our place ❤ We got married on 7/10/21 and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Aside from the space being absolutely beautiful, Catherine and her team are amazing! Catherine, whole heartedly, wants to make your day the very best it can be! She is so kind and easy to work with and her team truly gives the BEST service! To top it off- Her food and cake are out of this world! If I had to get married 10 more times I would forever choose Bash!

Catherine saved us! When our April wedding had to be postponed due to COVID, Catherine was there to help guide us through to process of moving our special day! She was SO organized & easy to work with through the process. She reassured us everything would be ok & she was right! First off, the venue speaks for itself! We had tons of compliments about how unique and amazing the space was. We had both the ceremony and reception at Bash, and the expert staff was able to turn things over in an efficient and flawless manner. Couple that with the abundant menu options & DELICIOUS food, and our day was everything we imagined & more!

Catherine went the extra mile for us in every facet of the day, and we couldn’t have imagined having our day anywhere but Bash!

We began Wedding planning December of 2018 with our Daughter and Future Son In Law. Since then, we have been so lucky to have chosen Bash as our
venue. I cannot imagine navigating the unforeseen stresses put on a Bride and Groom for 2020 without the assistance of Catherine.
Their Wedding had to be rescheduled (Covid) from June and will be taking place in a few weeks...finally and happily. I plan on a follow up review after as well.
From the beginning, Catherine has met with us, accommodating Mother and Mother-In-Law traveling from out of state, to explain how she takes care of her Brides. She has been very open about what she can and cannot do, what her charges are and what that includes. Catherine has so much experience in Event planning with great ideas and tips and we appreciate her sharing those for the Bride and Groom to consider. We have asked so her so many questions, changed several things, worked on the menu, seating, set up, shared the Bride and Grooms vision for their event. Nothing has stumped her and she has been open about what has worked, pricing, what else we should consider and even those really tough talks when COVID turned the Bride’s world upside down! Catherine was right there to reassure us that we could figure this out. We we given open dates to reschedule, full disclosure on the financial aspects of different options. We also received an email sent to all of her Couples explaining options and considerations. Our Daughter and her Groom will not have exactly what they pictured 20 months ago, but it will be wonderful. Thank you, Catherine and Bash. We are looking so forward to Celebrating A and S with you soon.
Update Sept 2020: Perfect Celebration. Thank You Bash!